Inanam rep Kenny Chua, who is also Sabah’s assistant finance minister, said he understood the government’s intention to save lives by enforcing the MCO but that other factors should be taken into consideration as well.

“Yes, we are facing a medical threat. But Covid-19 also brings with it many other social and economic threats that we must overcome by supporting one another, not just by blindly enforcing the MCO without looking at the human conditions at all levels of society,” he said here.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal had said that the state would continue observing the MCO, which is expected to end on May 12, despite Putrajaya’s directive allowing most businesses to resume operations beginning this week.

Chua, who is also Sabah PKR vice-chairman, said important sectors such as commercial transportation should be supported during this period.

“It plays a crucial role in the economic supply chain by ensuring the movement of goods, food and agricultural products and machinery across the state.

“If this is disrupted, the supply chain will be broken and it will choke the economy,” he said.

He also urged the state government to review its approach to the MCO to ensure fairness to all parties.

Giving the example of hardware stores, he said the government only allows “one or two” to open during this time.

“Perhaps instead of allowing only a few to open, the government could allow more and let them take turns,” he said.

“That way, all of them will get a chance to earn during the MCO period.”

He also said allowing only a small number of stores to open could cause crowding and put people at risk of contracting Covid-19.

He said he supported the state’s decision to impose the latest phase of the MCO.

“But there is also an economic battle that we must fight. Lives and livelihoods are equally at risk when the economy falls.”

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