Malaysia military activated for Movement Control Order
Image adapted from: @malaysianmilitaryforces
As we slip into the 3rd day of the Movement Control Order (MCO), there are still a handful of citizens who are not taking social distancing seriously, even as our Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has urged everyone to stay home for their own safety. But some Malaysians have been spotted gathering at eateries and living life as usual.
Due to the severity of the situation, Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that, after careful consideration, the Malaysian military will be deployed this Sunday, 22nd March 2020, to help enforce the MCO.Â
Military to ensure Malaysians heed the order
Minister Yaakob said in a press conference on Friday, 20th March 2020, that the decision was made to deploy the Malaysian military to ensure that Malaysians obey the MCO and stay in their respective homes, as reported by Astro Awani.Â
He told the press that PDRM has had to deal with rule-breakers who brought their kids to playgrounds, hung out at coffee shops and gathered in big groups, despite being told not to do so since the MCO was implemented.Â
In case you didn’t understand what the MCO meant, this Facebook page shared a meme of our PM showing us how it’s done:
Image credit: Tentera Troll Kebangsaan Malaysia
Government also keeping an eye out for fake news
Besides putting a spotlight on rule-breakers, the government is also trying to curb the spread of fake news during this trying time. With social media being so widely available to us, it has become the easiest means of communication. Unfortunately it is the reason why fake news and panic-inducing content have been spreading like wildfire.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged Malaysians not to simply believe and spread everything that they come across. Check with reliable sources first.Â
A nod to those who are keeping us safe
Image credit: @malaysianmilitaryforces
It may appear extreme for the military to be deployed for a health pandemic, but this just goes to show how seriously Malaysia’s tackling the situation.Â
We should all band together as a rakyat to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in this crucial time. And staying home till 31st March 2020 to flatten the curve is the least we could do for our nation, so we hope everyone will do their part too.Â
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