Most gatherings, programmes postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13  -- After the COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a pandemic, Malaysia has taken various preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus, and the latest, the recommendation from the Ministry of Health (MOH) that all mass gatherings should be postponed.  

Following the recommendation, various parties, including the government and private sectors have put on hold gatherings involving public participation, especially religious, sports and educational activities to reduce the risk of infection.

 In KANGAR,  the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed SirajuddinSyed Putra Jamalullail has decreed that today’s Friday prayer across the state today be replaced by zuhur prayers at home.

In the meantime, the Education Ministry has directed the postponement of all large gatherings such as sports programmes and co-curricular activities in all schools across the country, with effect from today.

 The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL) also announced that all 2020 Malaysian League (M-League) matches scheduled from Monday (March 16) will be postponed.

FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin made the announcement at a press conference after chairing a special meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic here today.

The World Health Organization (WHO), on Wednesday, had declared COVID-19 a  global pandemic, which means the disease outbreak has spread rapidly across borders.

 Meanwhile, in KOTA KINABALU,  Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe has advised the local and international sports and youth events organisers to postpone all large-scale programmes in the state.

He said this was after the state recorded its first COVID-19 positive case involving a participant in a religious gathering in Kuala Lumpur recently.

In KUANTAN, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has decided to postpone all programmes or activities involving gatherings in or outside the campus with an immediate effect.

UMP chief operating officer Prof Madya Dr Mohd Ridzuan Darun said the decision was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of all university’s staff and surrounding communities.

Mohd Ridzuan, who is also the university’s Disaster Preparedness Committee chief, said among the programmes postponed was the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), Entrepreneurship and Career Carnival, scheduled for March 21 at the UMP Sports Complex.

In SHAH ALAM, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has ordered all 'tabligh' programmes and religious activities in suraus and mosques throughout the state to be temporarily suspended following the COVID-19 outbreak.

JAIS director Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the directive was issued on the advice of the MOH after it was found that a recent spate of infections originated from a tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling recently. 

 In SEREMBAN, ‘Multaqa Pemegang Tauliah Mengajar Agama’ (accredited certificate for teaching Islamic religion) programme in Negeri Sembilan, scheduled for March 18 has been put on hold, according to the state Mufti Office.

In MELAKA, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said the 21st Raptor Watch Programme at Tanjung Tuan in Alor Gajah tomorrow has been cancelled.

He said the cancellation of the two-day programme was in accordance with the directive from Melaka Chief Minister’s Department.

“We have informed the participants about the cancellation of the programme, however, the MNS personnel will still be waiting for participants from outside the state as they are already on their way to Tanjung Tuan,” he told Bernama here.  

-- BERNAMA