SELANGOR – The third edition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed in Selangor, KL, Kelantan, and several districts in Johor and Perak after a spike in COVID-19 cases for multiple days in a row. Unsurprisingly, it was also accompanied by vague and confusing SOPs, triggering public anger.
Today, Subang MP Wong Chen blasted the government over its contradicting stance on sporting activities during the MCO in a Facebook post.
In the post, he pointed out that the Youth and Sports Ministry had announced that no sporting or recreational activities are allowed during the MCO.
On the other hand, the Home Ministry announced that such activities could be carried out with strict SOPs.
“Can these ministers not sit down, talk to each other and properly coordinate their SOP announcements? “
Wong further criticized the ban on non-group based sporting activities, saying that there was little scientific data to justify it.
“To ban group-based and contact sports is absolutely understandable. But sporting activities that doesn’t involve a large group of people like jogging solo in a park or doing taichi alonein an open space should be allowed.”
He also urged the ministry to make relevant amendments to help lighten the burden of those working in the sports industry.
Read the full post here:
Many netizens concurred with Wong’s opinion, including local YouTube content creator Dan Khoo, who voiced his disbelief over the ban on sporting activities.
Other netizens also expressed their dissatisfaction and anger at the comment section.
However, some were in favour of the ban, saying that the government has the right to impose the ban and that social distancing was hardly observed at the parks.
In response to the backlash, the Youth and Sports Minister has made a statement today that they will reconsider its decision to ban sporting and recreational activities.
“The minister will raise a few proposals concerning more prudent approaches towards sports and recreational activities during the MCO,” it said in a statement.
What do you think about the latest MCO? Was it the right call to ban sporting activities? Tell us in the comment section down below!
Sources: Nestia, FB/ Wong Chen
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
