KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 18 – UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the rocketing daily new COVID-19 cases raised a question among the public as to whether the figure issued by the MoH is valid.

“Where do the data and statistics come from? Is the data true? The people are alarmed with the increase of daily cases,” he asked in a Facebook posting today.

He said, Ramadan enters its sixth day and his worry is if it is associated with the Holy Month bazaar or Terawih.

“We notice that new infection has reached more than 2,000 a day. Will it go up to between 5,000 and 6,000 daily? Or is there a possibility the number is being shuffled?

“The government should take immediate action. If there was manipulation on the figure, it is very regrettable. Everybody knows that Aidilfitri is coming soon and there are four months left for the Emergency Proclamation. Who knows, this is a trick to extent the emergency.”

Zahid who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said it is also strange that Sarawak suddenly became the state with the highest number of daily cases.

“All of a sudden. Is it something to do with interstate travel ban for those wanting to return for Hari Raya?

“We sympathize with the plight of teachers in Sabah and Sarawak. Don’t they have a flight back to their hometown once a year or twice a year. Please be fair with them. If that happens, it will definitely save the government money and there will be no need to ask for wakaf or endowment from civil servants.

“Another thing. Aidilfitri bonuses for employees is yet to be announced. Will it be counted as wakaf as well?”