Be prepared if MCO is re-enforced - Ismail Sabri

All parties are asked to be prepared for the possibility that the Movement Control Order (MCO) be re-enforced should the COVID-19 outbreak of infection continue to rise.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government's decision would be entirely based on the current situation and data on the COVID-19 transmission rate obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

In this regard, he, who is also the Minister of Defence, said it was possible for the government to make a different decision than before.

"We see many countries in the world such as Germany, South Korea, China and so on opening up their countries (from curfews or movement controls), but when the situation changes, they will have to close again.

"We read the news yesterday that Saudi Arabia, which had not been fully closed, will now enforce a 24-hour curfew for five-days from May 23 to 27.

"Therefore, for five days including Aidilfitri, their country would be closed or subjected to a curfew. We are fortunate that the government has given us a bit of freedom," he said at a daily press conference here on Thursday.

Elaborating, Ismail Sabri said the freedom granted by the government through the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) should be taken advantage of by all parties in ensuring compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP).

"Every freedom should be cherished with the utmost responsibility to take care of one's self and society, including the safety of our own family," he said.