KUALA LUMPUR – Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has tested positive for Covid-19, his office confirmed today.
The Sembrong MP, who has already received his vaccination booster, is currently undergoing mandatory quarantine.
According to his office, Hishammuddin has been conducting periodic Covid-19 RT-PCR tests and is self-testing on a regular basis, with his last test on Friday turning out negative.
Alhamdulillah, saya berada dalam keadaan baik buat masa ini. Semoga setiap individu yang dijangkiti wabak ini segera diberikan kesembuhan Allah SWT. Stay safe everyone. ? https://t.co/zKqgb6g5jZ
— Hishammuddin Hussein ?? (@HishammuddinH2O) February 22, 2022
“Hishammuddin will continue to monitor and carry out appropriate duties throughout his isolation,” it said in a statement today, while urging the public to pray for his recovery.
The Umno leader, who also chairs the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers' Meeting, took to Twitter to confirm his positive status, but said he is in good health at the moment.
“May every individual who is infected by this virus recover immediately. Stay safe everyone,” he said.
Hishammuddin’s health status comes just over a week after he violated Covid-19 standard operating procedures when attending a Barisan Nasional event in Johor, in conjunction with the upcoming state election.
The minister was seen present at the venue on February 13 that was packed with individuals disregarding safety precautions and physical distancing rules.
Fellow Umno member and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin later ordered the Health Ministry to issue compound notices to Hishammuddin and other leaders who were present at the event.
Hishammuddin’s blatant disregard of government standard operating procedures had provoked the ire of various quarters who demanded his resignation, although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob defended his cabinet member’s position.
The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 provides a maximum fine of RM1,000 for flouting its rules.
Malaysia is currently seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, with the country recording its highest ever daily caseload on Saturday with 28,825 infections. – The Vibes, February 22, 2022
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