The Omicron Wave Is Not A 'Conspiracy' To Cancel Hari Raya Celebrations, Says Khairy

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At a press conference yesterday, 7 February, the health minister said the Omicron variant is driving a surge in infections throughout the world.

"The Omicron wave is not only in Malaysia, it is not a conspiracy by KJ to not allow Hari Raya to be celebrated again," he said.

He said that Singapore reported 13,208 new COVID-19 cases on 4 February — an increase three times from the number logged a day earlier.

According to Bernama, on 5 February, South Korea reported 38,670 daily cases, Indonesia (33,729 cases), Thailand (10,879 cases), the Philippines (7,469 cases), Australia (22,985 cases), and Japan with 102,275 cases.

However, Khairy said it all depends on how well the public complies with control measures, including by taking a booster dose and getting children vaccinated.

So far, Malaysia is still on track in terms of managing coronavirus infections and the Omicron wave, mainly due to the high vaccination rate among adults in the country. Almost 98% of adults in Malaysia have been fully inoculated, while almost 53% of adults have gotten their booster shots.  

Khairy explained that Omicron is not as severe as the Delta variant based on data, thus, the state elections can continue but with strict standard operation procedures (SOPs). The MOH sent a draft of SOP recommendations and suggestions to the National Security Council yesterday morning.

Johor is currently one of the states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases after Selangor. However, the minister assured that "if Malaysians follow the SOPs and practice good hygiene, they can avoid another wave of infections, despite a mass event like an election."