KUALA LUMPUR:The implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in six states for 14 days beginning tomorrow is not expected to have a significant impact on the economy compared to the four phases of MCO imposed last year.

Putra Business School senior lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said besides incorporating some improvements, the government had made thorough preparations to enforce MCO in the states to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

“The MCO will involve six states namely Penang, Selangor, Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Melaka, Johor and Sabah, which are the main contributing states to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“The economic sector will still be affected by the re-implementation of MCO, but the overall impact will be reduced as other states can still conduct their business activities as usual in compliance with the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOP),” he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme, last night.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his special address announced the implementation of the MCO in six states, namely Penang, Selangor, Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan), Melaka, Johor and Sabah, for a period of 14 days from Jan 13 to Jan 26.

Six other states - Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan will be placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) while the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) would be enforced in Perlis and Sarawak for the same period.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Razman said the pandemic has also open up more opportunities for companies to explore new business opportunities which would be able to increase their income.

“This will also help generate the national income during this difficult situation,” he added.

On the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, he said it did not reflect the government’s failure in curbing the spread of the pandemic.

“It involves cooperation from all parties and full compliance with the SOP. The government should stay focused in order to overcome this issue, stop talking about changing the government now, instead all parties need to work together to break the chain of COVID-19,” he said.

-- BERNAMA