CORONAVIRUS | The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today conveyed their condolences to the family members of two Covid-19 patients who died yesterday.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement, also conveyed Sultan Abdullah's (photo) hope that Malaysians would continue to pray with him for God's mercy to curb the spread of Covid-19 and the problems resolved as soon as possible.

“His Majesty also expresses his appreciation and gratitude to all the staff at the Health Ministry and the relevant government agencies, especially those on the frontlines, who are highly spirited and working tirelessly,” he said,

Malaysia recorded 673 cases of Covid-19 until yesterday with Health Minister Dr Adham Baba declaring Malaysia’s first death due to the Covid-19 outbreak, involving two men.

The first victim, a 60-year-old pastor from the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kuching, died at the Sarawak General Hospital at 11am yesterday.

He was later identified in local media as Pastor David Cheng.

The second victim was a 34-year-old man who had died at Permai Hospital in Johor on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said. He had attended a mass religious gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur last month.

Earlier, the king and queen visited the Health Ministry’s National Centre for Crisis Preparedness and Response (CPRC) in Putrajaya.

Present to welcome the royalties were Dr Adham and his deputies, Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and Aaron Ago Dagang.

Also present were the ministry’s secretary-general Dr Chen Chaw Min and Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

In the same statement, Ahmad Fadil said while at the CPRC, the king was briefed on the monitoring operation, gathering and sharing of information regarding the Covid-19 outbreak.

"In response to that, the king informed that he had discussed with the prime minister during the pre-cabinet session on the status of medical supplies and was informed that allocation for the purpose will be provided," he said. 

Meanwhile, Bernama also reported that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong held the first pre-cabinet meeting with Muhyiddin Yassin this morning - the first since the latter was sworn-in as prime minister on March 1.

"The meeting, which began at 8 am, lasted about 45 minutes. Both leaders appeared friendly and were meticulous during the first meeting that took place today," he said.

- Bernama