Wait for 'big' announcement on Covid-19 tonight - Muhyiddin

CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has urged the public to wait for “big news” which he will announce tonight after a meeting with all ministries and government agencies involved in handling the Covid-19 outbreak.

“I’ll announce today quite a big news, please just bear with me until this evening,” Muhyiddin (above) said in a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya today.

He said the government views this problem with the utmost seriousness, especially now that "we are coming to the second wave of the problem".

The Health Ministry has similarly asked the public to wait for an announcement from the prime minister tonight.

Earlier, Muhyiddin had also announced a series of expanded schemes under the economic stimulus package first presented on Feb 27, by then-interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Part of the expanded schemes included a monthly RM600 cash aid to each worker forced to take no-pay leave due to Covid-19.

Muhyiddin also addressed concerns about his new Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun and Deputy Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff who are seen to be inexperienced and have controversial opinions.

He asked the public to give the two of them a chance and some time to adjust to their portfolio.

“I told her (Rina) to work closely with her deputy minister (Siti Zailah) who has certain views on certain matters.

“What is important is not what her personal views are. What is important is what the government thinks about it.

“That position she is in or whoever is in the ministry will have to understand, so bear with us, we will handle this,” Muhyiddin said.

Former deputy women’s minister Hannah Yeoh had raised concerns over Siti Zailah who has a track record of endorsing child marriages, particularly in a parliamentary debate in July 2017.

Muhyiddin also reassured Malaysians who are “panic-buying” essentials from grocery stores by saying there will be enough food to go around for the foreseeable future.

“Do not worry so much. There is enough food around.

“We have instructed the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to ensure that the supply of essential food items must be made available. So there is no need (to panic), we believe there will be sufficient amount (of food),” he said.

Track Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia here.

 - Mkini