The impact of MCO (Movement Control Order) towards air quality in selected cities in Malaysia

Malaysia is considered as one of the countries with the highest novel corona virus (COVID-19) infected cases in Southeast Asia. Recent studies have identified that the air quality of a region also governs the transmission of the virus through pollutants. Hence, a study was conducted to assess the influence of air quality on the COVID-19 pandemic spread in central Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. An attempt was also made to infer the effect of monsoonal precipitation on air quality. Central Peninsular Malaysia consists of major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya. These cities are highly populated, with the expansion of industrial activities, rapid urbanisation and greater usage of vehicles has resulted in air quality deterioration. Such conditions have led to related public health issues, compared to Sabah in east Malaysia. In this study, COVID-19 infected cases, air quality index (AQI) and precipitation data were collected from 25 January to August 2020 to infer the relationship of air quality to the pandemic spread before, during and after the implementation of lockdown periods in the country, referred as movement control order (MCO). The lockdown periods fall under various monsoon climate patterns in the country. Interpretation of data reveals that the variation in air quality correlates with the infected cases. Improved air quality was observed during the last phase of MCO with a lesser number of infected cases. The HYSPLIT model was adopted to study the backward air mass trajectories for different time frames to identify the variation in the sources of pollutants reaching the study area. The study determined that the air pollutants have reached the study area from various directions, reflecting a mixed contribution from the ocean and land area. The relationship between high precipitation (during inter-monsoon and SW monsoon) and improved air quality reveals the washout effect of air pollutants. The outcome of this study inferred that the variation of air quality and precipitation rates facilitate the pandemic spread in this region in addition to the other meteorological factors, apart from individual immune capacity and social distancing.

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A Data Driven Change-point Epidemic Model for Assessing the Impact of Large Gathering and Subsequent Movement Control Order on COVID-19 Spread in Malaysia

10.1101/2020.11.20.20233890 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarat C. Dass ◽

Wai M. Kwok ◽

Gavin J. Gibson ◽

Balvinder S. Gill ◽

Bala M. Sundram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Change Point ◽

Movement Control ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Time Period ◽

Before And After ◽

Quantitative Understanding ◽

Control Order ◽

Short Time ◽

The Impact ◽

Second Wave

AbstractThe second wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia is largely attributed to a mass gathering held in Sri Petaling between February 27, 2020 and March 1, 2020, which contributed to an exponential rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. Starting March 18, 2020, the Malaysian government introduced four consecutive phases of a Movement Control Order (MCO) to stem the spread of COVID-19. The MCO was implemented through various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The reported number of cases reached its peak by the first week of April and then started to reduce, hence proving the effectiveness of the MCO. To gain a quantitative understanding of the effect of MCO on the dynamics of COVID-19, this paper develops a class of mathematical models to capture the disease spread before and after MCO implementation in Malaysia. A heterogeneous variant of the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model is developed with additional compartments for asymptomatic transmission. Further, a change-point is incorporated to model the before and after disease dynamics, and is inferred based on data. Related statistical analyses for inference are developed in a Bayesian framework and are able to provide quantitative assessments of (1) the impact of the Sri Petaling gathering, and (2) the extent of decreasing transmission during the MCO period. The analysis here also quantitatively demonstrates how quickly transmission rates fall under effective NPI implemention within a short time period.

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Digital Disinformation and the Need for Internet Co-regulation in Malaysia

Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ◽

10.47836/pjssh.29.s2.12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (S2) ◽

Author(s):

Mahyuddin Daud ◽

Ida Madieha Abd Ghani Azmi

Keyword(s):

Criminal Liability ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Movement Control ◽

Fake News ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Internet Regulation ◽

Regulation Scheme ◽

Control Order ◽

Private Actors ◽

The Impact

The spread of fake news on Covid19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. The misinformation or disinformation which stems from uncertainties, unrest, and anxiety because of movement control order procedures, financial and economic hardship caused wrong information to spread like fire. Called as ‘info-demic’, it becomes a second source of virulent information that requires arresting just like the pandemic itself. Controlling fake news in the time of pandemic is a daunting problem that slaps Internet regulation at its face. On the Internet, lies spreads faster than truth and correcting misinformation means tonnes of work. This paper examines Internet self- and co-regulatory approaches in selected jurisdictions to reduce the impact of fake news on governments, industry, and private actors. In applying content analysis as a qualitative research method, the first section analysed specific legislations enacted by parliaments to criminalise the acts of disseminating and publishing fake news. The second section examines legislative and administrative efforts to impose civil and criminal liability on platform providers to monitor online content. The final section analysed self-regulatory efforts to introduce online fact-checking portals and awareness campaigns. This paper argues that Internet self-regulation scheme in Malaysia is not bringing the desired result in the scope of maintaining peace and security of the nation. Considering how dangerous disinformation can cause to the society, more so in global emergency like the present Covid19 pandemic, it is submitted that Internet co-regulation is more suitable if the social, moral and cultural fabric of the society is to be maintained.

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The impact of Covid-19 Movement Control Order on SMEs’ businesses and survival strategies

Malaysian Journal of Society and Space ◽

10.17576/geo-2020-1602-11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ahmad Raflis Che Omar ◽

◽

Suraiya Ishak ◽

Mohd Abdullah Jusoh ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Movement Control ◽

Survival Strategies ◽

Control Order ◽

The Impact

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Air quality status during 2020 Malaysia Movement Control Order (MCO) due to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pandemic

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 729 ◽

pp. 139022 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Samsuri Abdullah ◽

Amalina Abu Mansor ◽

Nur Nazmi Liyana Mohd Napi ◽

Wan Nurdiyana Wan Mansor ◽

Ali Najah Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Movement Control ◽

Control Order ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Quality Status

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The impact of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pandemic movement control order (MCO) on dengue cases in Peninsular Malaysia

One Health ◽

10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100222 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 100222

Author(s):

Mohd Hafiz Rahim ◽

Nazri Che Dom ◽

Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail ◽

Zamzaliza Abd Mulud ◽

Samsuri Abdullah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Movement Control ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Control Order ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

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Millions of Bangladeshi Children Missed Their Scheduled Vaccination Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.738623 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Sayed Manzoor Ahmed Hanifi ◽

Nujhat Jahan ◽

Nazia Sultana ◽

Sharif-Al Hasan ◽

Ashish Paul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Movement Control ◽

Routine Vaccination ◽

Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽

Number Of Children ◽

The Government ◽

Two Phases ◽

Control Order ◽

Expanded Program On Immunization ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

The Government of Bangladesh imposed a movement control order as a mass quarantine strategy to control the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Adherence to the home quarantine may put children at risk by missing routine vaccination. In this study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 on child routine immunization in a rural area of Bangladesh and consider the broader implications. Data for this study comes from the Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) of icddr,b with a population of 90,000 people residing in 16,000 households in 49 villages in a rural, coastal area of Southeast Bangladesh. We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design which involved two phases between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020: first, we observed 258 outreach sessions of 86 EPI centers. We calculated the number of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) outreach sessions suspended and the number of children who missed their routine vaccination due to the COVID-19. We extrapolated the number of Bangladeshi children who missed their routine vaccination using Chakaria HDSS observations. Secondly, we conducted in-depth interviews to explain the quantitative results. The EPI outreach session (EOS) declined to 74.42% (95% CI 63.97–83.22), 10.45% (95% CI 5.00–18.94), and 3.45% (95% CI 1.00–9.75) from 2019 levels in March, April, and May 2020, respectively. By extrapolation, in Bangladesh, between March and May 2020, 3.2 million children missed their scheduled vaccination compared to 2019. Results from in-depth interviews showed that the unwillingness of villagers to hold EOS and the absenteeism of the vaccinators due to social distancing recommendations and lack of personal safety measures were the main reasons for the discontinuation of the EOS. Resuming EPI outreach sessions and introducing a special catch-up program is essential to prevent future outbreaks and deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases in Bangladesh and the countries where children missed their routine vaccination due to COVID-19. This health system failure should be considered a factor in all future pandemic preparedness plans.

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Seni Kreatif Dengan Penggunaan Medium Sisa Dalam Era Norma Baharu

Idealogy Journal of Arts and Social Science ◽

10.24191/idealogy.v6i2.298 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 35-42

Author(s):

Khairi Asyraf Abdul Karim ◽

Keyword(s):

Critical Thinking ◽

Basic Concept ◽

Creative Thinking ◽

Movement Control ◽

Thinking Skills ◽

Creative Idea ◽

Current Scenario ◽

Basic Concepts ◽

Control Order ◽

The Impact

Creativity involves thinking skills and thinking that conveys ideas, while critical thinking is thinking that assesses ideas. Creative thinking terminology also carries the meaning of thinking outside the box. The current scenario does not limit us to work, but rather become more creative in thinking of an idea. The creative idea in this artwork arose when a situation asked us to always stay at home, and barred us from going out looking for the material. The uniqueness in its process is the use of materials that replace canvas, acrylic or watercolor, and drawing tools. This is due to the difficulty in obtaining art supply sources due to the Movement Control Order (MCO/PKP) which is still in force. Referring to the scenario, why don't we look around to get an idea? What is the impact if we use existing materials around to be used as a medium? Have we ever considered taking such action when faced with this situation? Isn't that called creativity? Could this be what the New Norm means? This artwork has a back to the basic concept. When the new norm takes place, it is like a baby who needs to learn the norms of life. The abstract paintings created feature basic shapes such as squares and oval that we often see everywhere in our day. It describes the basic concepts as we begin to learn to draw. This is very much related to the new norm that we need to get used to and start from the basics. It’s not just about art, it’s about creativity.

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Company Performance during Covid-19: Impact of Leverage, Liquidity and Cash Flows

Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal ◽

10.21834/ebpj.v6i17.2878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (17) ◽

Author(s):

Sara Naquia Hanim Shaharuddin ◽

Radziah Mahmud ◽

Nor Khadijah Mohd Azhari ◽

Widya Perwitasari

Keyword(s):

Publishing House ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Movement Control ◽

Cash Flows ◽

Company Performance ◽

Future Studies ◽

International Publishing ◽

Control Order ◽

The Impact ◽

Open Access Article

Due to the movement control order, company performance is predicted to be highly affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, this study seeks to examine the impact of leverage, liquidity and cash flows from operations towards company performance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using secondary data from public listed companies on Bursa Malaysia with two financial quarters in the financial year 2020, it is found that there is a significant impact of liquidity and cash flows from operations on company performance. This study may contribute as additional literature to future studies and provide sights to regulators in dealing with the pandemic outbreak. Keywords: Covid-19; leverage; liquidity; cash flows eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI:

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