Ismail Sabri urges remaining Sri Petaling ‘tabligh' attendees to test for Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — Another 4,000 participants of the tabligh gathering at Masjid Jamek in Sri Petaling have yet to be accounted for, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the police are urging those participants to come forward and undergo testing for the Covid-19 virus.

“I am also requesting them to go to health centres to do check-ups, without having to be sought after by the police,” Ismail said during a press conference.

The tabligh gathering, which ran from February 27 to March 1 and was attended by over 16,000 people including 1,500 foreigners, has been identified as a major source of Covid-19 infections in the country and region.

Nearly two-thirds of over 700 confirmed cases in Malaysia are related to the four-day meeting. One attendee, a 34-year old Malaysian man from Johor, became the second victim of the virus and whose death was confirmed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba on Tuesday.

Separately, the minister also said in light of the confusion due to the first day of the movement control order (MCO) which will last until March 31, it has also been decided that all ministries related to the monitoring and control of the Covid-19 pandemic will open their own hotlines for the public.

“This way any specific issues can be directed to the respective ministries, who can in turn provide clearer answers.

“There have also been complaints among the public who are unable to go out and purchase handphone SIM cards or prepaid reloads, to which we advise they conduct whatever they need to do online instead of having to come into close social contact with others,” Ismail said.

He added that the National Higher Education Fund Corporation has agreed to allow students to defer their loan payments, directing those who seeking further information to the Higher Education Ministry.

“It has also been decided that press conferences will be held every day during the MCO period at 12pm to update the public on the latest information, alongside the regular Health Ministry press conference at 3pm on the latest status of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The government will monitor and take action around the clock, with each ministry reporting during a special meeting every day. Therefore any accusations that ministers are unaware of what is going on is little more than slander,” Ismail said.