FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY: MALAYSIA’S POLICY RESPONSES TO COVID-19 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

• Published in: Planning Malaysia
• Main Author: Ahmad Y.; Mustapha S.Z.; Ali S.S.M.; Hamid S.N.F.A.; Aziz N.A.; Tahir N.S.; Azman U.N.N.; Zamri N.E.M.M.; Jamil A.A.A.; Ayob N.A.; Aziz M.N.; Hanafiah M.H.; Arsat A.R.; Hassan M.S.N.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Institute Of Planners 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85178013354&doi=10.21837%2fPM.V21I30.1418&partnerID=40&md5=3b69a80d6627c2db9a5c85b2c6bf3100

While Malaysia has taken drastic actions and initiatives to effectively address the COVID-19 pandemic issue, the country has also opted for a compliance strategy, particularly by imposing penalties for non-compliance with Malaysia's COVID-19 SOPs and the new norms. Following the government's extensive policy responses and initiatives to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, quantitative research was conducted among 2,074 respondents across the country via online and face-to-face survey. According to the findings of this study, three new norms (face mask, hand sanitiser, and physical distancing) have a significant relationship with "preventing the spread of COVID-19." However, "washing hands with water and soap" has no effect on COVID-19 transmission (p>0.050, p=0.138). Notably, "practising physical distance" was discovered to be the most influential factor (β=0.112, p<0.001) in "preventing COVID-19 spread" (p<0.001). In conclusion, all governments around the globe should prioritise voluntary compliance in the future by increasing self-awareness strategies with the goal of regulating their behaviours and engaging in self-improvement. Long-term self-awareness strategies will help the country and the world maintain positive behaviours for the sake of the entire human ecosystem. © 2023 by MIP.