PUTRAJAYA: From next week, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's press conference on Covid-19 non-health issues will air three times weekly.
"On May 1, the government introduced the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which ran for over five weeks and we are now in the Recovery MCO. How time flies and today I have been with you for three months after appearing everyday at 2pm (in live telecast).
"Today is the last day that I will be on air daily and on a weekend. After this, there will be no more batik shirts that will be the basis (inspiration) for kuih-muih (local desserts). Starting from next week, I will be on air on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only," he told a press conference today.
He expressed appreciation to all quarters in fighting Covid-19, especially the frontliners and their family members who have shown great understanding and support, as well as media practitioners in relaying accurate information to the public.
"To all Malaysians, thank you for complying to the regulations and SOPs set at all times; thank you for your cooperation and support.
"The relaxations under RMCO doesn't mean we can be lackadaisical in practising new norm and we must ensure that we maintain self-discipline and social distancing to remain safe."
He said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin took a daring and challenging action to enforce the Movement Control Order from March 18 and became a model country which ranked among the top five with high public approval in a global survey on government's response to Covid-19.
"It has been 89 days since Malaysians underwent the MCO and it was definitely difficult in the initial stage, particularly as the pandemic has been part of history in our lives.
"Some were also faced with the Enhanced MCO to allow efforts by the government to curb the Covid-19 infections in their community and neighbourhood."
However, with the cooperation from all Malaysians and sacrifices made by the frontliners, he said the country was able to curb the spread of the virus infections and flatten its curve.