PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will chair a National Security Council (NSC) meeting later to discuss the measures to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic, as the number of cases in the country soared to over 500 today.

In a press conference in Putrajaya, Muhyiddin said the meeting will involve relevant agencies and will discuss the measures and steps to be taken to manage this crisis.

Asking reporters to wait, he said “big news” will be announced tonight, after the meeting.

Earlier, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said that as of 12pm today, 125 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 553.

Of the 125, 95 cases are linked to the tabligh gathering at the Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling in Kuala Lumpur at the end of last month. 

The total number of cases from the tabligh event now stands at 338. 

The three-day event at the mosque, called Jord Qudama & Ulama Malaysia 2020, between February 27 and March 1, attracted about 16,000 participants, including from Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

Around 14,500 Malaysians were said to have attended the event. 

Commenting on panic buying by some Malaysians due to fears of a lockdown, Muhyiddin assured there is enough food supply in the country.

“We will address this tonight. Just to be truthful there is enough food to go around,” Muhyiddin said in acknowledging concerns of the public.

In assuring the people, he said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has been instructed to ensure enough supply of essential food items.

Muhyiddin said the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry is monitoring the situation on the ground, and as of now there is no indication of a food supply shortage.

He added that the government will also ensure that essential food items such as vegetables, fish and fruits will continue to be available. – March 16, 2020.