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Coronavirus pandemic
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Coronavirus: Malaysia appoints ex-PM Muhyiddin to lead economic recovery council

  • The cabinet agreed to the minister-level appointment based on confidence in the former premier to lead a recovery strategy
  • Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down in August over public criticism over his administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic

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Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Photo: Bernama/dpa
ReutersandAgence France-Presse
Malaysia has appointed former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as chairman of a council that will focus on economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the government chief secretary said on Saturday.

The cabinet had on Wednesday agreed to the minister-level appointment for Muhyiddin based on confidence in him to lead a recovery strategy to “achieve the best economic impact and restore the lives of people affected by the pandemic”, the chief secretary said in a statement.

Muhyiddin stepped down in August after losing majority support in parliament. His premiership received criticism for mishandling the coronavirus pandemic after infections hit record highs despite more than two months of nationwide lockdowns.

New Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob took office last month and announced his new cabinet on August 27.

Earlier this week, officials announced the island of Langkawi will this month become the first Malaysian holiday hotspot to reopen to domestic travellers, kicking off efforts to revive the coronavirus-battered tourism industry.

The usually lucrative sector has been hit hard by restrictions on local travel and international border closures.

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