The Federal Government should act urgently to gazette and enforce the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Bill 2020, even as Covid-19 continues to ravage our country.

It has almost been 7 long months since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was first declared, and Malaysia has now been hit by a third wave of the outbreak with daily numbers soaring to three digits.

Yet, this relief bill remains to be gazetted, let alone enforced.

Syahredzan Johan, political secretary to Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang, has stressed that doing so is critical for ordinary Malaysians. Though the Bill has many weaknesses and lacks comprehensive protection, it still offers some aid and relief for the general public.

In addition, several states are now subjected to a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which is bound to have a drastic impact on residents in those states.

“However, it seems as if the Federal Government does not take this matter seriously as the Bill is yet to become law until now,” he said.

The Federal Government has also been criticized by many for tabling this Bill too late. While many other countries had already enacted such legislation when the virus first hit in early 2020, Malaysia is yet to do the same up to this date.