PETALING JAYA: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urges the government to be more decisive over its movement control order (MCO) issued on Wednesday (March 18) to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak to avoid confusion among the people.

"Many people are voicing their worries and concerns with regard to the inconsistencies and changes made by the various departments and ministries on matters such as security, preparedness, travelling home and universities.

"I urge the relevant authorities to be more responsible.

"We are facing a disaster and this means careful planning is needed," he said in a recorded statement on his Facebook page Wednesday.

 

He cited the incident where large crowds thronged police stations around the country on the eve of the implementation of the MCO over interstate travel.

However, he said the order was later rescinded and replaced with added conditions.

"The Prime Minister and ministers must meet daily and consider all aspects carefully and understand the worries coming from the ground.

"The ministers are under the radar. Who is going down to understand the worries coming from the ground?" he asked.

Anwar also cited the confusion caused at the Johor causeway and universities which had affected thousands of workers and students.

"There was confusion among university students as the minister had asked the students to return home whereas the MCO said they should not," he said.

He said that it would have been better if the university students were told to remain at their respective universities where they would be provide with food and classes conducted online.

He noted that the students' academic performance would be badly affected if the 14-day MCO is extended after March 31 if there were no plans for online classes.

He urged the government to also consider providing aid to petty traders, farmers and fishermen who rely on daily subsistence.

"They will go hungry if aid is not provided to them immediately," he added

Anwar also questioned if there were sufficient hospital beds, equipment and personnel to deal with a rise in the number of infections in the event of a "third wave" of infections.