"We are looking forward to the reopening of the international sector (tourists), but we will be very selective,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

Of the five new cases today, three were imported involving two Malaysians and one foreigner, who is a permanent resident, Health director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement today.

“We want the opening of borders to work both ways. If they are still tightening conditions for our people, we would also not allow theirs to enter."

Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said among the proposed measures was to carry out “whitening” process against illegal traders.

BN candidate Mohd Sharim Md Zain, 41, garnered 13,872 votes to defeat his two independent contenders, Tengku Datuk Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin, 64, who polled 1,222 votes and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli, 49, who only managed to secure 137 votes.

Of the new cases, seven were imported, all of which involve Malaysians. The remaining three were local transmissions involving two Malaysians and one foreigner.

Over the last few years, the Malaysian property market has been characterised by sluggish sales and a rising number of unsold homes. Developers are sitting on large stocks of inventories, which are stretching their balance sheets, funded by borrowings from banks, and the debt and capital markets, including issuing perpetual securities. The sector’s poor outlook is reflected in the low valuation of property stocks, most of which are trading at around one-third book value.

How did this situation come about?

MTUC secretary-general J Solomon: The official statistics clearly show that many workers have been rendered unemployed due to the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening up of the economy is an ongoing albeit slow process and it will take time for workers to get back on their feet and service their loans.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the website, developed by Tourism Malaysia, is meant to help industry players, especially tourist agents, hotels and other accommodation operators publicise domestic tourism promotions. 

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said moviegoers need not worry as cinema companies were ready to adhere to strict guidelines for the safety of the audience, such as maintaining social distancing and the sanitisation of seats.