Muhyiddin holds first assembly with PMD staff after MCO

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today held his first meeting with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) after heading the government since March 1.

The meeting which is usually held at Dataran Perdana, Perdana Putra, each month was the first after the movement control order was enforced on March 18 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Muhyiddin, who wore a black suit, arrived at about 8.26am, sang Negaraku and Jalur Gemilang, and recited prayers together with PMD staff before delivering his message.

“I am grateful that for the first time we are able to hold the PMD monthly assembly which we should have held several months ago but we were going through very challenging times,” Muhyiddin said in his speech after greeting the civil servants.

The assembly was held within the standard operating procedure set by the National Security Council to curb the spread of Covid-19 and was attended by not more than 250 people from 56 agencies under PMD.

Every person there was earlier required to undergo body temperature screening and record their attendance, wear masks, and practise social distancing.

Also present were five Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department, namely Mustapa Mohamed (Economy), Maximus Johnity Ongkili (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (Special Functions), Takiyuddin Hassan (Parliament and Laws), and Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (Religious Affairs).

Also present were the deputy ministers in PMD, namely Eddin Syazlee Shith (Parliament and Laws), Mastura Mohd Yazid (Special Functions), Hanifah Hajar Taib (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Arthur Joseph Kurup (Economy) dan Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (Religious Affairs) as well as chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh member of Parliament, was sworn-in as the eighth prime minister on March 1 in Istana Negara in the presence of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah

- Bernama