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

Abstract

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.