LETTERS: I returned to the office after the much needed Deepavali break only to find most of my colleagues on leave. This as Malaysia celebrated another major festival under the new normal.
Interstate travel is allowed and traffic and movement are expected to build up over the weekend, as most Malaysians will be taking some time to travel back to their respective hometowns.
Again, we are faced with the dilemma of lives and livelihoods. However, by now, it is safe to say that it might not be sustainable any more for Malaysia to go through extended periods of lockdowns.
We have seen so much suffering during the lockdown periods. The unemployment rate was high, there were those who lost their source of income while some were unable to put food on the table.
The Covid-19 pandemic has robbed us of so much. Some we are able to recoup while there are those, who are gone forever. Death statistics recorded just a few months back serves as a grim reminder to all of us of the worst.
The reopening of more economic sectors and interstate travel is done in the best interest of national economic recovery. However, I strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant. It is not unusual to see a lax in adherence to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
It happens at times in front of our very eyes. Perhaps most of us just choose to ignore the elephant in the room out of fear, fatigue or perhaps just carelessness.
Avid fans will know that in a football game a player is shown an automatic red card if he collects two yellow cards on the pitch and we liken our Covid-19 battle to the game.
We are on the verge of chalking up two yellows or worse a straight red card if this lackadaisical attitude continues. There is no second chances in our battle against the Covid-19 virus. So please make a change before it is too late.
We recently celebrated Deepavali. Let the festival of lights remind all of us of the triumph of good over evil. Embrace the meaning wholeheartedly as a true Malaysian Family as the dimmest of light will brighten even the darkest hours.
Yeap Ming Liong
Subang Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times