ALL cabinet members were today instructed to take a Covid-19 swab test as soon as possible, a government source said.

The directive was issued after a minister is believed to have tested positive, the source told The Malaysian Insight.

“All ministers and deputy ministers were today told to do a swab test.

“The directive was issued today, asking them to get tested as soon as possible,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

There are 31 ministers and 38 deputies in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet.

Earlier today, the WhatsApp group of a certain minister with media personnel was flooded with queries from reporters seeking confirmation whether the minister had tested positive for Covid-19.

The rumour first began on social media and was strengthened after a report by Malaysia Gazette that all ministers were instructed to undergo Covid-19 screening after one of them tested positive.

The minister under speculation had been in Sabah for the recent state elections, although it is unclear when he returned to the peninsula. He has attended several public events in recent days, including one in Shah Alam yesterday.

One of the minister’s aides responded about 3pm, saying the Health Ministry will be issuing a statement on the matter. – October 5, 2020.