Saifuddin Abdullah tests negative for COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he has tested negative for COVID-19.

“Alhamdulillah, I’m thankful that the swab test done on Oct 6, 2020 is negative,” he said on Twitter.

He said yesterday’s swab test was his second within two weeks, as he had voluntarily undergone a similar test on Sept 25 upon his return from Sabah, which also turned out negative and did not require him to be quarantined.

Since Sept 27, the government has made it compulsory for individuals coming from Sabah to undergo swab tests at KLIA and KLIA2 following a surge in COVID-19 cases in Sabah.

Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has also tested negative for COVID-19 and is undergoing home quarantine.

Azmin said the two swab tests he had taken were negative and he would continue with his self-isolation at home until the third test was done at the Putrajaya District Health Office.

"Thank you all for your concern and prayers for the well-being and safety of my whole family. For now, I’m discharging my duty and responsibility from home.

“I pray that all Malaysians will always be protected from the COVID-19 infection,” he said on Twitter today.

Azmin also uploaded a photograph showing him going through several documents at his residence.

There had been allegations on social media since yesterday that the Gombak Member of Parliament had contracted COVID-19.

In PUTRAJAYA, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) said its director-general Datuk Paimuzi Yahya had also tested negative for COVID-19 but is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital Sungai Buloh for other health problems.

In a posting on JAKIM’s official Facebook page today, its corporate communications unit head Zakaria Othman said Paimuzi had undergone COVID-19 screening at Hospital Sungai Buloh yesterday.

"However, as his health history was not satisfactory, the hospital suggested that he be placed at the ICU for follow-up treatment.

"His condition was reported to be stable. For now, he is not allowed any visitors in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure,” he added.

Zakaria asked the public to pray for the well-being of Paimuzi.

-- BERNAMA