KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move to make the wearing of face masks mandatory in selected public areas will bring Covid-19 cases down to previous low levels.
Chairman of Alliance for Safe Community, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said most Malaysians would welcome the move, which takes effect on Aug 1.
However, some members of the public still refuse to wear the protective apparel, even where social distancing is difficult, such as on buses, trains, and airplanes, or at food markets and supermarkets.
Lee said Malaysia has a record of flattening the Covid-19 curve and has won accolades from abroad for being proactive and consistent in efforts to eradicate the coronavirus.
"But are we now in danger of losing that enviable record?
"Is the invisible enemy striking back?" he asked.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently expressed concern over the detection of new clusters and cases of infection which have increased to double digits for several days now.
"That's worrying, to say the least.
"And so, the threat of the disease returning is real, as can be seen in several countries where the scourge has been returning with a vengeance.
"We should not let this happen to our beloved nation," he said.
Lee said responsible citizenship requires compliance with all SOPs and all other rules governing the safety and health of the people.
He said there is no necessity to wait until Aug 1 to comply with the new ruling.
"We can start wearing masks now. There is still one week to go before the deadline and it is hoped that all Malaysians will show their caring nature by donning the masks from now in the right way," he said.
Lee said while the intention of the new rule is good, acceptable, and practical, there is, however, the need for the government to clear some ambiguities and concerns.
"For instance, there is a need to clearly define the terms 'public places' and 'crowded areas'.
"It is generally understood that once we leave the privacy of our homes, we are already in a public place. Does it mean that face masks are compulsory once we are outside our homes?
"Or if we are in a public park, and there is nobody else around except for a couple of others, does it mean we cannot ditch our face masks momentarily to breathe some fresh air?
"And what numbers in a congregation constitute a 'crowded place'? And what constitutes social distancing in such a crowded place? he asked.
Lee added that a clear definition of these terms is necessary to avoid possible unnecessary and punitive action by law-enforcers who may otherwise loosely interpret the law.