KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is preparing to shut down most of its economy if coronavirus cases continue to surge, sources say, after existing movement controls have so far failed to contain the spread of infections.

Several industry and government sources have confirmed to The Straits Times that the Health Ministry wants to impose a total lockdown on all economic activity except for essential services, once the current movement control order (MCO) expires on Feb 4, if there is no improvement in case numbers.