Malaysian PM in quarantine after contact with COVID-19 patient

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FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO-Malaysia's Prime Minister-designate and former Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves to reporters before his inauguration as the 9th prime minister, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia August 21, 2021. Malaysia Information Department/Famer Roheni/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is under quarantine following a close contact with a COVID-19 patient, his office said in a statement on Monday.

 

His office did not say how long he would be in quarantine or whether he had been tested for the coronavirus.

 

Ismail Sabri was sworn in https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-king-expected-name-new-pm-after-rulers-meet-2021-08-20 as prime minister earlier this month, succeeding Muhyiddin Yassin who had resigned after failing to hold onto a narrow majority in parliament.

 

He takes charge amid public anger over the handling of the pandemic, with a recent surge in COVID-19 cases to record highs and downgraded growth forecasts after the economy has been battered by extended lockdowns.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-30