EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This position paper on COVID-19 encompasses three main parts of discussions gathered by the respective subgroups, namely Malaysia Infectious Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response, Post-Pandemic Analysis and Application of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics (BDA). The findings from each subgroup were collected from literature review, survey and focus group discussions (FGD) with experts from various related backgrounds. Malaysia Infectious Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response subgroup assessed beyond the core competencies as outlined by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) and the Malaysian Strategy for Emerging Disease (MySED) on preparedness and response. Post-Pandemic Analysis subgroup covered the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health system and socio-economic status of population of Malaysia. The group also reported the analysis on the roles of stakeholders in public and private sector as well as research and development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics (BDA) subgroup covered on the strengths and weaknesses of the current AI and BDA applications in tackling and handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. The group also provided some recommendations on the directions and strategies for future disease outbreaks from AI and BDA’s perspective.

The subgroups have highlighted the crucial issues and concerns regarding the management and initiatives taken by authorities and stakeholders throughout a year of the pandemic. In terms of preparedness, there were concerns on the basis for each decision made on MCOs, diagnostic capacity, laboratory availability, PPE supply, hospital facilities, pharmaceutical stockpiling and Rapid Action Team (RAT). Post-Pandemic Analysis group emphasised on the data scarcity, heavy workload of primary care teams, public-private partnerships and illegal immigrants. Three main sectors were reported to have been affected by the pandemic, namely education, tourism and SMEs. In addition, the importance of sustainable funding and resources and the exploration of new research area, such as zoonosis were amongst the important things addressed herein. The AI and BDA subgroup reported about the COVID-19 initiatives using AI and BDA applications, including dashboard, modelling, diagnostic and contact tracing.

Based on the highlighted issues, the subgroups have proposed recommendations for the authorities and policymakers to consider to better prepare the nation for future pandemic, should it recur. Those recommendations include the establishment of a national policy and guideline on national mobilisation of resources as well as the independent Scientific Advisory Group of Expert (SAGE) during public health emergencies, to improve national laboratory capacity and response to major outbreak, along with to review the policy on unskilled foreign workers to reduce health security risk policy on strategic industries for national health security agenda (NHSA). As for the socio-economic sectors, a few areas of concern have been put forward, such as governmental support for SMEs, the adaptability of SMEs with the current technology, and application and the improvement of education ecosystem, i.e., internet connectivity and salvaging private higher learning institutions. Smart tourism, capacity and capability building, data sharing and collaboration, and digital transformation were suggested to be seriously looked into and made improvement on in order to lessen the impact of the current and future pandemic.

The legal perspective on the introduction of The Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020 and implication of the act introduced by the government was also discussed herein. Issues and concerns, such as the inability to perform contractual obligations, implication on Housing Development Laws, insurance, Insolvency Act 1967, and responsibility of employer at workplace were also included.