COMMENT | On Oct 26, the government announced that the conditional movement control order (MCO) in Selangor and Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya would be extended for another two weeks, citing the current development of Covid-19 infection in the Klang Valley as the reason.

The conditional MCO would also now be implemented in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan from Oct 28 to Nov 10 following the surge of positive cases among foreigners in the area.

The imposition of the conditional MCO two weeks ago already stirred grouses amongst the public who are now facing the prospect of further extensions. When the extension was announced yesterday, Malaysia recorded 1,240 new Covid-19 cases and 9,744 active cases, of which 177 new cases were from Selangor, 17 in Kuala Lumpur and none in Putrajaya.

Before that, a disclaimer - this article is not to question whether the conditional MCO is justifiable or not. Instead, it is a reflection on how our leadership, health policymakers and other stakeholders can collectively best use these extra two weeks that are given by the people. After all, we must make sure their sacrifices are worthwhile this time...