Religious Affairs Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19
Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri had attended a meeting yesterday, 4 October, which was attended by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, among others.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 05 Oct 2020, 06:56 PM
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department responsible for religious affairs, Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, has tested positive for COVID-19
In a tweet posted today, 5 October, Dr Zulkifli said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed that he has contracted the virus and is currently receiving treatment.
"Alhamdulillah, to this moment, my health is good," he said.
"I urge members of the public who attended events involving my presence between 24 September and 4 October to undergo a COVID-19 screening at any health clinic immediately."
"I pray that God will heal and save Malaysians from COVID-19."
It is learned that during the said period, Dr Zulkifli attended a meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
The National Security Council meeting on COVID-19 was held on 4 October.
Other than Dr Zulkifli and Muhyiddin, the meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Education Minister Education Dr Radzi Jidi, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, among others, reported Bernama.
Photos available on the Prime Minister Office's (PMO) official website reveal that many of the attendees were wearing face masks during the meeting, while CodeBlue noted that Muhyiddin took off his face mask after sitting down.
The Religious Affairs Minister had also participated in campaigns prior to the Sabah state elections and returned to Kuala Lumpur on 24 September.
Here is a list of other events Dr Zulkifli attended, according to New Straits Times:
- 26 September: Bakul Rezeki Khaira PPZ project launch at PPR Pantai Ria, KL
- 28 September: The 2020 Nusantara Syariah Judicial and Legal Conference, Sepang
- 2 October: Sains Islam Malaysia's top management meeting
- 3 October: An event at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam
In a statement today, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said everyone who attended the meeting has been ordered undergo COVID-19 screening
"[Everyone] who attended the meeting as mentioned has undergone health screenings today and samples have been taken for COVID-19 testing. Those who were identified as close contacts during the meeting were given 14-day Home Surveillance Order (HSO) from 3 October 2020 and quarantine bands," said the Health director-general.
At the time of writing, it is unsure how many of the ministers and top officials have to practise home quarantine.
However, Dr Noor Hisham urged members of the public not to worry about this incident nor make any speculations.
You can read Dr Noor Hisham's statement here.
