Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah today pleaded with the public to save the health system which he said is facing paralysis.
He said this in response to reports of heavy traffic out of the Klang Valley.
Police have set up roadblocks out of the Klang Valley amid concerns that some people may try to make a balik kampung trip before the total lockdown that will come into force next Tuesday.
Noor Hisham shared images of traffic congestion out of the Klang Valley and lamented the mass movement of people despite the current inter-district travel ban.
“Large-scale movements are still happening even though there is a ban on inter-state and inter-district travel.
“Bringing disease from one area to another will not help in our efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Stay at home and only go out if there are important matters.
“Help us save the national healthcare system which is about to be paralysed if the increase in cases is not controlled,” he said in a Facebook post.
Noor Hisham cautioned that overwhelmed healthcare workers mean those who need medical attention won’t receive the best care they need.
“If we (healthcare workers) fail, you and your family members may not receive the best healthcare treatment.
“It will be more unfortunate if there are no more hospital beds left. More so if you fall critically ill and there are no more beds left in the intensive care units (ICU).
“Frontliners are exhausted but we still soldier on to save your lives,” said Noor Hisham.
ICU capacities at public hospitals in the Klang Valley are already above capacity, forcing hospitals to convert normal wards into makeshift ICUs.
Some hospitals have also resorted to storing the dead in containers as their morgues are full.
The Malaysian Highway Authority confirmed on social media the traffic congestion at the Gombak Toll Plaza at 10.58am today.
The congestion is also due to a police roadblock that is screening vehicles.
A number of Twitter users also posted photos of the heavy traffic and roadblock, with several lamenting the stubborn attitude of Malaysians.
However, those causing the congestion are said to have obtained police permission to travel, Harian Metro reported.
It quoted Gombak police chief Assistant Commissioner Arifai Tarawe, who said police at the roadblock confirmed that most drivers had the requisite permission letters from the International Trade and Industry Ministry to travel inter-state for work, as well as police approval to make emergency and medical-related trips.
Another reason for inter-state travel among some drivers it to reunite with their spouse who resides in another state, which is allowed by police under movement restriction rules.
There were, however, at least 14 vehicles that were forced to turn back after the driver or passenger failed to show proof of permission to travel.