The government should focus on helping the rakyat during the lockdown instead of taking punitive measures against them, said cabinet member Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

The de facto special functions minister, who is in charge of disaster management, said enforcement agencies must also be given clear directives during the movement control order (MCO).

"You do not punish the rakyat. You must facilitate (first)… The government has to be clear (in its actions).

"Let's say if I am not wearing a mask but I am standing alone in the middle of a field (and) no one else is around me - am I supposed to be issued a fine or not? Things like this must be made clear," he told Malaysiakini during a phone interview on Tuesday.