PM to address nation at 8pm

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is scheduled to deliver a televised address to the nation at 8pm tonight.

However, it is unlikely that his speech would touch on the movement control order (MCO), which has been extended twice since its implementation on March 18.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry did meet with Muhyiddin this morning but only discussed the principles on whether or not the order should be extended.

"We've discussed the principles and now we need the facts and science," Noor Hisham said, adding this would be ready in a few days.

The number of new cases nationwide has remained at two digits for several days, indicating that the infection curve could be flattening. The number of recoveries is also nearing the two-thirds mark.

Muhyiddin's address is expected to follow an announcement by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal that Ramadhan will start tomorrow.

Sources told Malaysiakini the speech is expected to focus on the fasting month.

However, since the National Security Council (NSC) is meeting prior to his televised address, decisions made regarding the MCO could be incorporated into the speech.

At present, the government has granted more exemptions for companies to operate amid the partial lockdown in an effort to keep the economy afloat during the crisis.

Various quarters have called for the MCO to be relaxed further but medical experts have warned that lifting restrictions could lead to a resurgence in the number of infections.

As before, the government would decide on whether to extend the MCO based on the advice of the Health Ministry.

Malaysia has recorded a total of 5,603 Covid-19 positive cases and 95 deaths as of noon today.

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

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