Winning the Covid-19 battle
PM says Malaysia recognised as one of most successful countries in handling pandemic
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has been recognised as one of the most successful countries in the world in handling and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Addressing about 250 staff of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) at their assembly here yesterday, Muhyiddin said the success was due to the hard work and cooperation from the government and the entire Malaysian society.
“We are grateful that Malaysia has been able to sail through a very difficult time in dealing with the Covid-19 that has hit the world, including Malaysia.
“All this is because of the tremendous efforts we have put together, both at the government and the grassroots levels, handling it wisely, decisively and boldly to make quick and accurate decisions to prevent the disease from spreading,” he said.
He said the government has never underestimated any issue concerning the wellbeing of the people even though Malaysia had no experience in dealing with such pandemic for more than 60 years.
Muhyiddin also expressed his gratitude to civil servants and frontliners, including doctors, nurses, armed forces, police, National Security Council, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Social Welfare Department, for their effort in tackling Covid-19.
He said Malaysia today is at the Recovery Movement Control Order stage which provides many opportunities for life to resume as usual.
“The current recovery phase we are going through is more challenging. It is one more stage that we have to look at carefully.
“Even though Covid-19 is not resolved until a vaccine has been found, we have to move forward, maybe faster than other countries which are affected by the pandemic,” he said.
Yesterday’s meeting was Muhyiddin’s first meeting with staff of JPM a er heading the government since March 1.
The meeting, which is usually held at Dataran Perdana, Perdana Putra each month, was the first a er the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced on March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Muhyiddin, who wore a black suit, arrived at 8.26am, sang the ‘Negaraku’ and ‘Jalur Gemilang’, and recited prayers together with JPM staff before delivering his message.
“I am grateful that for the first time, we are able to hold the JPM monthly assembly which we should have held several months ago but we were going through very challenging times,” he said in his speech a er greeting the civil servants.
All this is because of the tremendous efforts we have put together, both at the government and the grassroots levels, handling it wisely, decisively and boldly to make quick and accurate decisions to prevent the disease from spreading.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
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 JPM. Every person present 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 Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (Economy), Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (Special Functions), Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (Parliament and Laws), and Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (Religious Affairs).
Also present were the deputy ministers in JPM, namely Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith (Parliament and Laws), Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (Special Functions), Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Arthur Joseph Kurup (Economy) and Ahmad Marzuki Shaary (Religious Affairs) as well as Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Muhyiddin was sworn-in as the eighth Prime Minister on March 1 at Istana Negara in the presence of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.