KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin clarified today that he has not been evading the media but was focused on handling the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
Muhyiddin conducted a rare virtual press conference this evening, the first in months where he opened with why he has not been able to have a press conference lately.
“It’s not that I am trying to avoid the media, it’s just that my focus has been on current issues faced by the country especially the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic recovery.
“Engaging with the media is also among my priorities … if you look at my past records whenever there were any issues I have always communicated with the media.
“But this time around since I took up the prime minister position I have had to deal with the Covid -19 pandemic which is a major concern,” he said.
Muhyiddin also said ensuring the country’s wellbeing is more important than playing politics and that is why he preferred to focus his attention on matters related to the country’s wellbeing to the extent of being seen as avoiding the media.
The prime minister also extended his condolences to the families of those who had died of Covid-19 in the country, who now numbered 159.
“We have taken the appropriate measures to contain Covid-19 … the death toll in Malaysia is significantly smaller than other countries,” he said.
The press conference was held and streamed live from his residence as Muhyiddin is currently observing the 14-day self-quarantine since Oct 5.
The quarantine was deemed necessary after he chaired the Special Meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) which was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.
Zulkifli was tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Seremban.
At the end of the press conference, Muhyiddin also thanked the media for constantly reporting on government efforts to combat Covid-19.
