SULTAN Muhammad V of Kelantan decreed today that funds for royal events during the month of Ramadan would go instead to providing aid for the poor affected by the movement control order (MCO).

A statement from the Kelantan palace said the money allocated by the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maik) to the sultan for breaking of fast meals and congregational tarawikh prayers during the fasting month will be diverted to help the needy.

“Maik is also to continue providing aid to the needy in Kelantan until the situation returns to normal,” the palace’s statement said.

“His Highness also urges the people to continue with tarawikh prayers in their own homes.”

The sultan said the people must continue to obey the MCO, now in its third phase, which ends on April 28, even though the number of infections has dropped in recent days.

Malaysia yesterday recorded 36 new infections, the lowest since the start of the MCO on March 18, and no deaths.

There are a total of 5,425 cases in the country, 2,041 of which are active cases after taking into account recoveries and deaths. – April 21, 2020.