KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called on all Malaysians to show solidarity with frontliners, and offer them full support.
The King also called on Malaysians to obey all rules and standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the government to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Comptroller of the Royal Household, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement today, said the King expressed his disappointment over those who are still unaware of their daily actions, particularly in practising new norms and self-control to curb the outbreak.
"His Majesty has decreed that this is the time for us, as Malaysians, to put aside political, racial, and religious differences, and display the spirit of loyalty, humanity and self-worth to fight Covid-19.
"With the public's support and cooperation, Al-Sultan Abdullah expresses confidence that we would not only flatten the curve, but also lighten the burden of our frontliners.
"InsyaAllah, if we strive and put our trust in Allah, we can effectively break the chain," he said.
Ahmad Fadil said the King also expressed hope for frontliners to continue persevering in facing the third Covid-19 wave in the country.
He said Al-Sultan Abdullah highly commends the sacrifices made by frontliners to stop the outbreak and treat patients infected by the deadly virus.
In expressing words of encouragement, Ahmad Fadil said the King understands the huge responsibilities faced by the frontliners, since the surge of positive cases from the end of last year.
"His Majesty also expresses hope that the strong fighting spirit displayed by the frontliners since the beginning of the pandemic is also appreciated by the people.
"The non-stop efforts by frontline workers on the field, health clinics, hospitals, labs, and all health facilities, including those behind the scenes to safeguard the health and safety of Malaysians, must be commended and continued to be appreciated."
Ahmad Fadil also highlighted that beds at 15 Covid-19 hospitals have reached an occupancy rate of more than 70 per cent, while intensive care unit bed occupancy at Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre has reached 100 per cent, and 83 per cent in Hospital Sungai Buloh.
He said the ICU bed usage in Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Terengganu and Sarawak, meanwhile, has gone over 70 per cent.
Ahmad Fadil said the King has expressed concern over the increasing need for intensive care and the use of ICU beds for patients in Covid-19 hospitals, especially in the Klang Valley, due to the sharp increase in new Covid-19 cases.
"Al-Sultan Abdullah also takes this opportunity to urge the people to pray that the frontliners are always protected, and that all efforts we make to fight against Covid-19 will be blessed and is successful.
"His Majesty also urges the people to pray that the country is always protected and will be free from this outbreak soon," he added.