KUALA LUMPUR: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called on all Malaysians to obey the extended Movement Control Order (MCO) announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chedet Official, Dr Mahathir said the MCO extension to April 14 was a necessary move by the government to ensure the safety of all Malaysians.
He said due to the increased number of Covid-19 positive cases and deaths in the country as well as the absence of a vaccine to treat the virus, the MCO extension was timely.
“Every day we see about a hundred people falling sick and there are even deaths.
“If we don’t practice social distancing and self-quarantine, there is a big chance this virus will continue to infect more Malaysians.
“And, this is not impossible because this virus is extraordinary as there is no vaccine until today,” he said.
Dr Mahathir also urged the public to be more disciplined while the world waits for the Covid-19 vaccine to be developed.
He said failure to take all precautionary measures as announced by the government will result in more infected cases in the country.
“If we obey the instructions and practice self-discipline, infected cases can be reduced and we could even develop a vaccine to cure the virus.
“I hope those who are currently feeling bored at home can come up with more (creative) activities for themselves,” he said.
Earlier today, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a 63-year-old man linked to the Sri Petaling tabligh cluster became the country's 21st Covid-19 casualty.
The man was identified as Case 1,588. The victim had a history of chronic illnesses and his death marked the first Covid-19 related death in Kedah.
As of noon, Malaysia had recorded 1,796 cases of Covid-19 infections.