KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 — Just shortly after his fellow party leader Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was confirmed to be positive for Covid-19, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said he has undergone a test for the coronavirus.

In a brief Facebook post, Zahid also said he would be undergoing self-quarantine at home pending the results.

"Assalamualaikum and salam sejahtera, I have undergone swab test at hospital Avisena Shah Alam on Wednesday, 20/1/2021 at 11am.

"For now I will be under self-quarantine at home. Pray that I and my whole family are not infected by Covid-19. InShaa Allah,” the Bagan Datuk MP wrote.

This morning, a statement posted on Tajuddin’s Facebook page said that he had went for Covid-19 tests yesterday and had been confirmed today to have tested positive, while also advising those who had close contact with him to undergo Covid-19 tests.

Photographs have since appeared on Twitter where it was claimed that Tajuddin had met with two senior Umno leaders including Zahid two days ago. Malay Mail is seeking to verify the claims.

Tajuddin is Pasir Salak MP and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad chairman, and is also Umno supreme council member and Umno’s Pasir Salak division chief.

Tajuddin had earlier this month attended a press conference together with Umno’s Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, who yesterday announced he had tested positive for Covid-19 on January 18.

Nazri yesterday said he decided to go for a screening after his January 12 news conference at the Umno headquarters here, which was attended by Umno blogger Datuk Zaharin Mohd Yasin, who announced two days later that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Senior government officials who have tested positive in recent weeks include National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique (January 19), Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (January 13); Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (January 12); Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun (January 10); Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (January 9); and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (January 3).

Other lawmakers who have also tested positive for Covid-19 since the year started include: PAS vice-president Senator Idris Ahmad (January 15); Umno Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (January 13); Amanah Parit Yaani assemblyman Aminolhuda Hassan (January 12); Umno Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim and his wife (January 11); Umno Nenggiri assemblyman Ab Aziz Yusoff (January 9); and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik (January 8).