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Yoursay: Use the stick, some people think they’re invincible
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YOURSAY | ‘It only takes one percent to be recalcitrant and we are in trouble.’

Carrot or stick? The choice is yours, says Health DG

Siva1967: Well, Health director-general (DG) Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, now that the carrot is obviously not working, go for it and whack the hell out of these non-complaint Malaysians.

Somehow, somewhere, and God only knows from where, these Malaysians think they are invincible.

So many businesses and lives have been disrupted. I can agree that in some ways the authorities have been complacent.

When the numbers were lower and manageable, drastic steps should have been taken, given the pattern of the exponential increase in China, Singapore, South Korea and some other countries.

However, our politicians were busy scheming things to “line” their pockets.

Ipoh PP: As I said from day one, the Malaysian public will never listen.

Look at the doctor who refused to go home but continued to argue with those sent out to advise people to stay home. This, coming from a doctor.

Just use the stick and all will be fine. This involves human lives and it’s better to be safe than sorry. There is no more time.

Look at what stubbornness has done to Italy? The government and its personnel must be fair and treat all the same. No favouritism, please.

Vijay 47: I think this last one week or so the single person who has proven credible and earned the public’s respect and trust is Noor Hisham.

He is in the thick of things, coordinating effort throughout the country, and he is the one who surely knows what’s what. Perhaps enforcement does not fall within his purview but I am certain he is aware of what is required on the ground.

If we cannot rely on him despite the excellent way he has been holding the fort, who should we turn to? In my book, if Noor Hisham says “jump”, we all stay home and jump.

Anonymous_1543475877: I hasten to agree and support your statement. Vijay47, you always make some good points.

Noor Hisham has not only shown excellent management and control, he is a good leader and mentor to his subordinates.

God sensible leadership in the Health Ministry makes that organisation tick like a clock. He is also working closely with Singapore, Korea and Japan.

I hope he will continue to be given full authority and independence without politicians jumping in to get some cheap publicity.

There is a lot to learn from this experience.

Simple Truth: Noor Hashim, we are with you. Do what is necessary. You are doing a great job and we are proud of you. Your leadership is motivating, unlike your minister who talks nonsense about warm water.

Umno has Ahmad Maslan, Bersatu has Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, and now Perikatan Nasional has Adham Baba.

We are also very proud and grateful of our frontline caregivers, the doctors, nurses, cleaners and everyone else, including the security and police personnel.

Anonymous_c5f8227b: I believe Noor Hisham is doing a good job despite the challenges. As long as the politician doesn’t interfere, he is our man during this difficult situation.

Where is the so-called health minister? Just wondering.

Mano: Noor Hisham said: "It is not up to the Health Ministry. The question is for you (the public).”

That is the way to go. Fantastic. Throw the ball back to the people. We are with you, DG.

JD Lovrenciear: Empty talk. You know you are unable to enforce the movement control order because the government is shaky and disruptive.

When a government is not strong and united, you lack an infrastructure to keep people at home.

Go to the market and see for yourself. Why do people go to the market taking all the risk? Because the government is unable to respond to the needs of the citizens. Full stop.

Dato Ganesan: Maybe it is time to face reality, Mr DG. You are not going to succeed with your current plan of identifying all infected cases throughout Malaysia.

The tabligh group itself could have possibly infected thousands of innocent Malaysians. It's time to stop wasting resources on MCO and instead focus on testing for Covid-19.

By the way, how many test kits are currently available for testing in Malaysia?

Anonymous_16760865429524: Even if the compliance rate is almost 90 percent, all it takes is one percent to be recalcitrant (like those from the tabligh gathering) and we are in trouble.

Clever Voter: It is impossible to get a 100% compliance unless it is a curfew. There will be some with all sorts of excuses, and there will be a few who will even argue. This is a universal behaviour not just confined to Malaysians.

Having the army on the streets are meant to coerce those stubborn ones, as many are terrified of unformed men. Indeed, there is no need for carrot as public health is a responsibility for all.

Anonymous 2413471460628504: I just spoke to someone today who insisted that life is going on pretty much as normal in Selangor.

He says there are no roadblocks and the news about them is all wrong, and he will have no problem travelling out of the state.

I hope he is wrong and there are roadblocks. Because there are still many who think the MCO does not apply to them, who cannot understand what the fuss is all about. They are not infected and apparently will never be infected.

Maybe they have a line to God that the rest of us mere mortals can never understand.


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