KUALA LUMPUR, 16 JULY: The Malaysian Employers Federation stated the government should look for a more relevant and accurate metric to analyze the local Covid-19 situation rather than depending solely on the number of daily registered infections to determine the lockdown (MEF). Its president, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman, stated that Malaysians cannot continue to live in terror of Covid-19 and be locked down indefinitely since businesses and the rakyat are at their breaking point.
“Many Malaysians’ mental health has suffered as a result of the lockdowns, with suicide, criminality, domestic violence, depression, and homelessness all on the rise.”
Furthermore, the interruptions to company supply chains created by the extended lockdowns are driving long-term investors out of Malaysia, while potential investors are becoming leery of investing.
In a statement released today, he added, “This tragic scenario must alter and turn around quickly.”
Syed Hussain pointed out that putting in place and closely following to biosafety measures at the workplace plays a key role in speeding the National Recovery Plan (NRP) towards ‘new normal’ conditions.
He believes it is past time for employers to take significant responsibility and reassure the public and the government by providing a safe, healthy, and sanitary workplace.
“Many countries affected by the airborne Delta variant have embraced Covid-19 as endemic, and it would be for the greater welfare and wellbeing of all Malaysians if all parties realized this and worked together,” he added./n
