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https://scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3104004/malaysia-sees-biggest-daily-coronavirus-spike-politicians
Asia/ Southeast Asia

Malaysia sees biggest daily coronavirus spike, as politicians criticised over response

  • Malaysia reported 287 new cases, the highest number since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many linked to regional elections in Sabah
  • Meanwhile, King Al-Sultan Abdullah left hospital, which may lead some movement in Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership challenge to PM Muhyiddin Yassin
Malaysians line up at a bus stop in Kuala Lumpur. At least two politicians have tested positive as people took to social media to lambast them for violating social distancing protocols and refusing to self-isolate. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia on Friday recorded the biggest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases since the outbreak began as authorities consider whether it needs to bring back movement limits to curb infections.

The country reported 287 new Covid-19 cases, all of which were found in the country and not among travellers from overseas, according to the Health Ministry. The state of Kedah reported the highest number of infections at 129, followed by Sabah with 113 and Selangor, which neighbours the capital Kuala Lumpur, at 31. The total now stands at 11,771 cases and 136 deaths.

Malaysia has reported a steady climb in cases after an increase in travellers to Sabah, on Borneo island, ahead of its state polls last Saturday.

Health director general Noor Hisham Abdullah told a briefing on Friday that Malaysia remains in the recovery phase of its movement restriction policy, with the government continuing to monitor the virus situation to decide on any necessary restrictions.

It was only on June 10 that the country allowed nearly all activities to resume, after letting most economic sectors to reopen on May 4. The government extended the current phase of the lockdown until the end of the year, with the country still keeping its international borders shut and restricting overseas travel.

The increase on Friday exceeded the previous high of 277 on June 4. While the spike in June was mostly concentrated in detention centres, the current resurgence is linked to various gatherings, which makes it more difficult to track and contain, Noor Hisham said.

“We advise people to avoid large gatherings, and if such gatherings can’t be avoided then to ensure the health guidelines are followed,” he said.

Noor Hisham said the spike in Sabah could have been mitigated by compliance with the guidelines, which include minimising physical contact, wearing face masks and washing hands regularly. “We are not blaming [anyone], but we are reminding … we hope that all of us learn this lesson so we do not repeat this mistake again.”

Malaysia’s director general of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus. Photo: DPA
Malaysia’s director general of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus. Photo: DPA

Malaysians took to social media on Friday to lambast politicians for violating social distancing protocols and refusing to self-isolate.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government has been criticised for failing to impose controls such as mandatory screening for travellers from Sabah before the election, and for allowing people to cut short a 14-day home quarantine order if they tested negative for the virus.

Muhyiddin’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The hashtags #PoliticiansCauseVirus and #MinisterCluster were trending on Twitter after ministers and political figures were reported attending public events upon their return from campaigning in the state.

At least two politicians tested positive on the campaign trail, while cases linked to travel to Sabah have been recorded in all 13 Malaysian states.

“Why didn’t you quarantine yourself for 14 days?” Twitter user @safiqshahid asked Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa who posted photos of himself at a business congress after returning from Sabah this week.

In a statement, Annuar’s press secretary denied that the minister had breached quarantine rules, saying he had already completed self-isolation and tested negative days before the election.

People queue outside a polling station to cast their vote during the 2020 Sabah state election over the weekend. Photo: DPA
People queue outside a polling station to cast their vote during the 2020 Sabah state election over the weekend. Photo: DPA

Some Twitter users also raised concerns over risks posed by national elections, which could be called as early as this year amid uncertainty over the stability of the ruling alliance, which has only a two-seat majority in parliament.

Muhyiddin is facing a leadership challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who said last week he had secured the support from a majority of lawmakers to form a government.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah was discharged from hospital on Friday after treatment for food poisoning and sports injuries, state news agency Bernama reported. He has recovered and will continue resting at the palace, according to the report.

The king’s return to the palace could result in some movement in the power struggle over the premiership, after Anwar sought a meeting with him to replace Muhyiddin. Anwar has to convince the king that he has the numbers to form a government.

The king had agreed to meet Anwar last week but the appointment was cancelled as the king was taken ill.