National Security Council (NSC) Role in Managing the Covid-19 Pandemic: Effectiveness, Domestic Political Interference and Coordination of Inter-Agency and Central/State NSC

Abstract

National security threats have now grown to include health issues as a new emergency agenda with the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic that has hit the whole world. This pandemic has become a major crisis for the country when many lives have been lost and the country's economy has been affected. As the threat has become a national crisis, National Security Council (NSC) are responsible to deal with it, as the main national security coordinator, together with other agencies including the main agency in the health field namely the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). Many strategies are highlighted as disease control mechanisms including the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), quarantine for those with symptoms, use of disease control equipment, symptom detection through MySejahtera including vaccination, closure of non-essential business operations, country entry restrictions and social events as well as many other government initiatives including the establishment of call centers in each agency and the provision of people assistance. However, there are challenges in the strategy implemented. Therefore, it is important to analyze the extent of NSC capability in dealing with Covid-19 Pandemic. The study found that NSC was reactive in dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic, thus making NSC more recognized and trusted. NSC coordination with other Ministries/Agencies is active but partially effective with the state due to interference from the state government and issues related to state NSC which do not refer to the central NSC. Political interference has resulted in an increase in the pandemic spread and cause people distrust in government approach.