Kelantan and Sarawak to join rest of the country in Phase Four of NRP on Monday (Jan 3)

PETALING JAYA: The whole of Malaysia will be under Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) once Sarawak and Kelantan transition on Monday (Jan 3).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said after considering the latest risk assessment carried out by the Health Ministry and National Security Council (NSC), the government agreed for the two states to move up from Phase Three.

"This means that all states in Malaysia will have moved to Phase Four of the NRP.

"I would like to express my deepest appreciation for and congratulations to all parties, especially the state governments, who have been working hard to manage the pandemic... in order to meet the threshold value set under the NRP," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 31).

He said the SOPs for states entering Phase Four of the NRP would remain the same as before.

The latest SOP information would be updated by the NSC on its official website.

Hishammuddin urged the people to remain vigilant as the battle against Covid-19 had not ended.

"I urge the people not to let down their guard and get too comfortable.

"Covid-19 remains a threat to safety and health especially with the spread of the Omicron variant.

"All parties must continue to adhere to the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) in a disciplined and responsible manner.

"Wear a face mask, practise physical distancing, get a booster dose if you are eligible, perform regular Covid-19 tests and practice TRIIS (test, report, isolate, inform and seek) as best you can," he said.

Hishammuddin also wished all Malaysians a Happy New Year,

"The year 2021 has been full of tests and challenges but thank God we have been able to go through it together.

"Let us pray that 2022 will be a more meaningful year for ourselves, our families and our country," he said.