Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – The joint fight against COVID-19 has bonded Malaysia and China closer, as China sending much-needed supplies and support to Malaysia, Malaysian Foreign Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein said, Saturday.

In the handover ceremony of medical equipment from the Chinese government to Malaysia, Hishammuddin said, China has once again come forward to work closely with Malaysia, as his country faces very difficult times against COVID-19, quoting a Chinese saying: “We really truly know our friends in times of crisis.”

PUTRAJAYA, March 28 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia is among several countries selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out the clinical trial on the use of the novel antiviral medicine, Remdesivir, on COVID-19 patients.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia was chosen for the trial because of the Health Ministry’s ability to conduct tests and its good medical system.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysian Prime Minister on Friday announced an economic package amounting to RM250 billion aimed at the welfare of the people, support of businesses and strengthening the economy against the effects of the COVID-19.

The amount includes a fiscal boost of RM22 billion, government guarantees amounting to RM55 billion and other initiatives amounting to more than RM153 billion.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The ringgit extended its gains against the US dollar at the opening session Thursday as the government and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) or Central Bank of Malaysia stepped in to cushion the economic impact of Covid-19 on the country due to the extended Movement Control Order (MCO) announced Wednesday.    

At 9.00 am, the local note stood at 4.3800/3950 against the greenback compared with Wednesday’s closing of 4.3838/3670.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Queen Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are observing a 14-day quarantine after seven staff from the royal palace, Istana Negara, tested positive for COVID-19.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement, said Their Majesties had also undergone the COVID-19 tests, but their results came out negative.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday announced that the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) period in the country will be extended to April 14,

He said the extension of the MCO period, which was earlier scheduled till March 31st, was announced early to enable the people to be prepared.

“Those who are currently at their hometown need not rush back to Kuala Lumpur this weekend. Stay at your hometown and don’t go anywhere,” he said in his special address carried live on television networks Wednesday.

Malaysia (AP) --- Malaysia’s medical glove factories, which make most of the world’s critical hand protection, are operating at half capacity just when they’re most needed, The Associated Press has learned.

Health care workers snap gloves on as the first line of protection against catching COVID-19 from patients, and they’re crucial to protecting patients as well. But medical-grade glove supplies are running low globally, even as more feverish, sweating and coughing patients arrive in hospitals by the day.

NEW DELHI, March 24 (NNN-BERNAMA) — A new batch of 189 stranded Malaysians flew back home from India on a special AirAsia flight on Tuesday.

They left from Chennai for Kuala Lumpur in the early hours as part of the ongoing evacuation of Malaysian citizens stuck in India due to the suspension of air travel following the coronavirus outbreak.

Another chartered AirAsia flight planned from Tiruchirappalli could not receive Indian approval “due to unforeseen circumstances,” said K. Saravanan, consul general of Malaysia in Chennai.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Bursa Malaysia continued its upward momentum at mid-afternoon today on bargain hunting activities as well as global economic optimism over massive initiatives to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Key index, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 3.37 per cent or 42.47 points higher to 1,302.35 compared with yesterday’s close of 1,259.88.

The market traded in a tight range of 1,271.34 to 1,296.17 throughout the morning session. 

Kuala Lumpur, Mar 20 (AFP/PTI) Malaysia will deploy the army to support police in enforcing tough restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus because many people are flouting isolation rules, a minister said Friday.

People have been told to stay at home and all schools and most businesses have closed, while Malaysians are barred from travelling overseas and foreigners from entering the country.