Tough but needed 13 Jan 2021 / 10:59 H. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Jan 12 proclaimed an emergency that will be enforced up to August 1, 2021 as a proactive measure to contain the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. fotoBERNAMA (2021) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED
PETALING JAYA: Saving lives outweighs the negative impact of a state of emergency and the implementation of “Movement Control Order 2.0” in five states and three federal territories on the economy.
Economists see these measures as necessary despite the obvious repercussion to the economy.
“Health must be given greater weight. We must take greater precautions and steps to control the pandemic, including quickening the distribution of vaccines,” said Asia-Europe Institute at University of Malaya professor of economics, Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah.