LETTERS: Malaysia, like many other countries in the world, is facing the rage and ravage of Covid-19 and compounded by the drastic drop in oil prices.
This unwelcomed scenario in the words of our prime minister is unprecedented in the history of our nation. At a time like this, we have to stay cool and calm to fight the virus and find ways and means to tackle the economic uncertainties.
First, to prevent the virus from spreading, we have imposed the MCO (Movement Control Order) from 18 March to 14 April nation-wide. People are advised to stay home to stay safe.
Since the Movement is controlled there is some leeway whereby the head of a family say, can still go out of the house to buy food and provisions for the family.
The nation is not in a state of total shutdown. People can still engage in social media, watch television programmes, trade online for promising stocks and shares and do teleconferencing for meetings.
Many who work from home have more time with their children, as most of them do not have to go to schools. MCO, therefore, does forge stronger family bonds.
Many who have kept buying books but have no time reading them can take the break to catch up on their reading.
Those who all the while have to bear the daily traffic jams to and from work secretly welcome the respite. They still have their salary at the end of the month.
The bigger stimulus package announced by the prime minister on 27th March aims largely to lessen the burden of the rakyat during this difficult time so that they are not in dire straits.
The government understands the magnitude of the situation and that is why the stimulus of the value of RM250 billion. We do have the war chest with the necessary fire power.
The measures unveiled are indeed timely, bold and aggressive. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. We have to ensure our nation hase the necessary ability to move forward in these challenging times.
Dr Koh Aik Khoon
Subang Jaya, Selangor