The Impact of COVID-19 on Malaysia’s Socio-Economic, Healthcare and Education Sectors: Challenges and Responses

Abstract

COVID-19, or Coronavirus Disease, is caused by the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. This virus was detected on December 31, 2019, following reports of a cluster of human cases suffering from pneumonia in Wuhan, China. According to the latest report from the COVIDNOW dashboard, updated by the Ministry of Health Malaysia on July 14, 2024, there have been 5,265,647 local cases and 39,203 imported cases, resulting in 37,351 deaths and 5,256,882 recoveries. The Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia is a series of national sanitation and quarantine measures implemented by the Malaysian federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order was enforced from March 18, 2020, to November 1, 2021. During this period, various types of MCO were enacted according to the crisis management needs of specific situations, such as the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). Economic stimulus packages have played a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and paving the way for economic recovery. From February 2020 to June 2021, Malaysia launched nine different stimulus packages totalling RM530 billion (USD 126.2 billion), nearly double the original 2020 budget of RM297 billion (USD 70.7 billion). Of the RM530 billion, RM82.9 billion (USD 19.74 billion) consisted of direct fiscal injections. The packages focused on assisting the people, reviving businesses, and stimulating the economy. The Malaysian government's response to the challenges of COVID-19 demonstrates a commitment continuously to protect citizens, supporting business, healthcare, and education sectors.