Mahathir Under Self-Quarantine after Close Contact with Infected MP

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is observing self-after near contact with a Member of Parliament who testedCovid-19 positive.

"He is under self-quarantine," a spokesman for Tun Dr. Mahathir said yesterday.

The spokesman also said on Tuesday that Dr. Mahathir was being tested for coronavirus, but he declined to announce the verdict.

The 95-year-old statesman is suspected to have taken a shot with Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen who is currently under quarantine at the Sarawak General Hospital.

Dr. Yii said he had tested positive for the coronavirus in a Facebook post on Tuesday, after coming into close contact with Sarikei MP Andrew Wong Ling Biu, who tested positive for Covid-19 on March 2.

In an exclusive interview with TV3's Buletin Utama news, Dr. Mahathir shared his experience under quarantine at home.

"I will follow (self-quarantine). It is important in addressing this problem, to be disciplined.

"We must self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If we do that, there will be less possibility of the virus spreading to other people," said Dr. Mahathir.

"So, now I am just at home. I cannot go out, and I cannot meet people. I cannot shake hands, and others," he said.

"However, Alhamdullilah, it is not so hard for me."

Malaysia yesterday announced 110 new cases of coronavirus, with the overall number of cases rising up to 900.

Most of the new cases are related to a religious meeting in a mosque attended by 16,000 men, said the Ministry of Health in Malaya.