THE organiser of the tabligh event now says only 12,500 people attended its gathering, disputing the Health Ministry’s 16,000 figure.
In a statement, the leadership of Markaz Dakwah dan Tabligh Malaysia said the data was collected from the tabligh logistics division who concluded the figure based on food and accommodation provided for the participants.
“There were only 12,500 attendees. The initial number of 16,000 that was quoted by many did not come from us,” said council member Abdullah Cheong.
He added only 1,600 foreigners participated in the three-day event at the end of February.
He said all of them have since returned to their home countries.
“Foreign tabligh participants have gone home. All of them have returned home.
“Based on a statement by the ministry on March 19, around 10,500 attendees have undergone tests. So, only 500 local attendees have not been tested,” he said in the statement issued yesterday.
As of yesterday, eight people have died from the disease, while the total number of infections has risen to 1,183 nationwide. Five of the deaths have been linked to tabligh cluster.
Some 37 patients are in intensive care while 114 individuals have recovered.
Previously, Putrajaya said 16,000 people including foreigners attended the Ijtimak Tabligh event at Sri Petaling Mosque, adding that 4,000 participants have yet to go to come forward to be tested for Covid-19.
Abdullah said majority of the attendees have given their full cooperation and the Sri Petaling Mosque committee have also directed its members to go to the nearest hospitals for testing.
“The committee has urged all of its members to cooperate. Through our 28 branches, we have ordered those who attended the event from February 27 to March 1 to seek testing for Covid-19.”
Meanwhile, 24 healthcare workers had been tested positive for Covid-19, of which 19 were from the public health sector.
Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the 19 cases were linked to the tabligh cluster.
Malaysia has imposed the two-week control order on March 18 as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus disease.
The order was issued by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday in an effort to reduce the number of people infected with Covid-19. – March 22, 2020.
History, propaganda are no bedfellows
Penang Institute wants to draw locals back to lit fest
Honouring the spirit of Malaysia 1963
Umno bukan lagi pemain politik negara, kata penganalisis
Comments
What is clear is that is was downright selfish and irresponsible to have carried on with the event despite knowing the dangers of having such a large scale event at that time.
This is just one of the dangers of religious fanaticism - the inability to comprehend facts and science, instead supplanting it with the ignorance of religious dogma, thereby endangering not just themselves (we could not care less), but the rest of the population they live with.
And the backdoor government's tacit approval for the program to carry on is yet another scathing indictment of their ability to rule.
Just why were these fools handed the reins of power?
They didn't even have the numbers to justify it at the time.
Even those who handed them the reins should at least partly carry the blame.
Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Yew Kit Yam · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply