Coronavirus: hundreds arrested in Malaysia for violating restrictions, as deaths rise

Malaysian authorities detained 649 people on Saturday, and 614 have been arrested since movement curbs were imposed on March 18

This comes as Malaysia’s Covid-19 death toll rose to 34 and cases soared to 2,470, the highest in Southeast Asia

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A soldier and a police officer wearing protective masks stop a motorcyclist at a roadblock set up to enforce a movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:32pm, 29 Mar 2020Updated: 8:32pm, 29 Mar 2020

Malaysia arrested hundreds of people in the last week for violating restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus, a senior minister said on Sunday, amid a spike in the number of deaths linked to the outbreak.

The death toll rose from 27 to 34 within a 24-hour period, the biggest daily rise so far, while the number of reported cases was up to 2,470, the highest in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia has closed schools and non-essential businesses and imposed restrictions on travel and movement until April 14 to try to contain the spread.

A member of the Royal Malaysia Police speaks to a woman during a movement control order to limit the activities of people to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: AFP

Defence minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told reporters 649 people were detained on Saturday, while 73 people have plead guilty to offences such as gathering in groups, obstructing public officials, and breaking through police blockades.

This was in addition to 614 people arrested since the movement curbs were imposed on March 18.

“Some people gave the excuse that they were just going out to buy food,” Ismail said.

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