Malaysia's surprise move to ease coronavirus restrictions early and start reopening the economy has alarmed scientists, who warn it could trigger a second wave of infections across the country.
Pollster Ibrahim Ben Suffian, from the well-respected Merdeka Centre, said about 75 per cent of Malaysians approved of the government's handling of the crisis, according to research he did in March.Nine of Malaysia's 13 states have indicated they will not fully wind back restrictions because local authorities have ongoing health concerns.
"Easing... should be done gradually, not abruptly...ideally, from an epidemiology point of view, the easing should start when there are no cases from local transmission for 14 consecutive days."Credit:Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, a professor at the Centre for Epidemiology at the University of Malaysia and the secretary-general of Malaysia's Academy of Sciences, said he was surprised the order was being wound back. "I did not consider it the correct time to do this".
And it is of no concern that Australia is doing the same?
This is the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. I hope Malaysia does not allow mosques to open for prayers as the mosques can have upto 1000s at a time praying together. Be careful Malaysia 🇲🇾
Oh no 😱😱💩💩 What should i do? I don’t want to be a racist like the SMH and stick my nose into a foreigners business