Malaysia’s Covid-19 Cases Spike Post-Election Drawing Public Anger

KUALA LUMPUR, KOMPAS.com – As Malaysia’s Covid-19 cases spike, the country’s residents took to social media to blast Malaysian leaders for violating social distancing protocols and refusing to self-isolate.

Malaysian leaders triggered public anger after the country recorded its second-highest spike in daily coronavirus cases following a state election last week.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 cases have been on a steady climb after an increase in travelers to Sabah, on Borneo island, ahead of its state polls last Saturday.

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On Thursday, Malaysia recorded 260 new infections, the highest since its June 4 peak of 277.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government has drawn criticism for failing to impose controls such as mandatory screening for travelers from Sabah prior to the election.

The government has also allowed people to cut short a 14-day home quarantine order if they tested negative for the virus.

Muhyiddin's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but health officials have defended not announcing control measures sooner, saying authorities did not want to discourage Sabah voters from returning home to cast their ballots.

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The hashtags #PoliticiansCauseVirus and #MinisterCluster were trending on Twitter in Malaysia on Friday after ministers and political figures were reported attending public events upon their return from campaigning in the state.