COVID-19 | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today stressed that there were no double standards in quarantine rules amid anger at politicians who got infected with Covid-19 while campaigning during the Sabah election and later spreading the virus in various parts of the country.
The Pagoh MP said he, along with seven minister and six deputy ministers, were not exempted from quarantine after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (below), who attended a special meeting on Covid-19 with them on Oct 3, was tested positive for the virus.
Muhyiddin stressed that now was not the time to point fingers and urged Malaysians to ignore those who are trying to politicise the pandemic.
"As the prime minister, I am not exempted from the standard operating procedure (SOP). This is the second time I have to undergo quarantine at home since the start of the pandemic. I must abide by it.
"Also in quarantine are seven ministers and six deputy ministers. None are exempted. They must abide by the rules or face action," he said in a live address from his home where he is under quarantine.
"Covid-19 does not recognise ranks or status, it can infect anyone. The SOP set by the authorities must be abided by all," he said.
Muhyiddin said he appreciates the public's views about the government's management of the pandemic.
"The government always hears and accepts criticism about the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"What is important is that we do not point figures or fault any quarter.
"I know there are certain quarters who are taking advantage of the situation by politicising the problem the country is facing.
"Do not pay heed to them and let us focus on overcoming this pandemic together," he said.
At least one minister, one deputy minister and five assemblypersons have been infected with Covid-19 after returning from the campaign for the Sabah election which concluded on Sept 26.
Muhyiddin said took precaution while in Sabah
Several people involved in the Sabah campaign had spread the virus to their family members, leading to Covid-19 incidents in various locations nationwide, including malls and schools.
This sparked anger on social media, with netizens branding the latest wave of Covid-19 cases as "Kluster Menteri" (minister cluster).
Muhyiddin, in his speech, addressed his own campaign during the Sabah election.
The prime minister stressed that he was careful and had taken various precautions during the campaign trail.
"When I was campaigning, at the beginning of every speech, I would remind everyone about the SOP, to maintain social distancing, to wear a face mask, to wash or sanitise their hands.
"After my speech, I would immediately leave the venue without greeting or having contact with anyone.
"I also reminded my officers no to organised campaign in (Covid-19) red zones. Even though I was invited, I had to politely decline," he said.
However, Muhyiddin expressed his sadness that there were still incidences of people campaigning in Sabah who became infected.
"The reality is that there are those who were infected with Covid-19 while in Sabah. This saddens us," he said.
Muhyiddin said the government has taken measures to imposed targeted enhanced movement control orders (MCO) in Sabah and was prepared to take further action based on data.
He also urged Malaysians to unite in combating the third wave of Covid-19 cases, pointing to the country's earlier success with the second wave.
The first wave of Covid-19 cases happened in January which mostly involved imported cases and were quickly contained.
The second wave started in March after a large religious gathering in Sri Petaling with participants from across the country saw the virus spreading nationwide when they returned to their hometowns.
The latest wave was traced to Sabah in the initial stages but are now sprouting their own clusters across the country. - Mkini
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