THE Malaysian Hindu Sangam said temples will comply with Putrajaya’s directive to shut all houses of worship, said president R.S. Mohan Shan.

He said the association received a directive from the National Security Council last night not to open temples to devotees amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We will abide by the directive, and we will instruct all temples registered under us to close.

“Priests will continue with the daily ‘pooja’ (prayers) at temples, but devotees won’t be allowed in,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Prime Minister Muhiyiddin Yassin said starting tomorrow, business and religious activities nationwide will be suspended to curb the disease’s spread.

“The government has decided to restrict all movements in the whole country from March 18 to 31.

“This step will be taken under the Control of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967.

“I am aware that some will be inconvenienced by these actions, but this must be done to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

Before Muhyiddin’s announcement last night, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said as of noon yesterday, there were 125 new coronavirus infections in Malaysia, bringing the total to 553 cases.

Of the new cases, he said, 95 patients attended a tabligh gathering at Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on February 28.

He said there are 12 patients who need help breathing, and are being treated in the intensive care unit.

The four most-affected states are Selangor (144 cases), Kuala Lumpur (106), Sabah (57) and Johor (52), he added. – March 17, 2020.