CORONAVIRUS | With Ramadan three weeks away and Hari Raya Aidilfitri due in late May, it is up to the public to ensure that the movement control order (MCO) will not be extended for a third or fourth time, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"Many are wondering if this second MCO will turn into a third or fourth phase. Will the MCO still be enforced during Ramadan, can we celebrate Hari Raya? Many people want life to go back to normal.

"The ones who can ensure that there is no third or fourth MCO, so that we can celebrate Hari Raya as usual, is you, ladies and gentlemen," he said at a press conference today.

Ramadan is expected to start on April 23, just over a week after the extended MCO period ends on April 14. Aidilfitri will take place a month later around May 23.

However, the MCO may continue if the number of Covid-19 infections in the country does not go down.

Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Terengganu have already cancelled Ramadan bazaars for this year.

As of yesterday, Ismail said 742 people were arrested for violating the MCO, down from 828 the day before.

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