Malaysia Imposes Restrictions in Most States as Cases Jump

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysia imposed a monthlong conditional movement order in most states as the number of daily coronavirus cases hit a record on Friday.

The restrictions will end on Dec. 6, Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told reporters on Saturday. The partial lockdown in capital Kuala Lumpur, as well as the states of Selangor and Sabah will be extended when it expires on Monday, he said.

The curbs won’t apply to the states of Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan in peninsular Malaysia, and the state of Sarawak on Borneo island, he said, without elaborating. The country reported 1,168 new cases Saturday, down from a record 1,755 on Friday.

Malaysia has been struggling to stem a resurgence of coronavirus infections that emerged in late September. The country’s biggest-ever spending plan announced Friday will help the nation cope with the economic impact of the pandemic, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Saturday.

“It is an effort to solve the major issues we are facing -- covid and the economy,” he said in an interview to state television channels. “A lot of people are looking at the budget’s delivery. I will ensure that those needed will benefit from the financial aid.”

The budget seeks to spend 322.5 billion ringgit ($78 billion) -- 20% of Malaysia’s GDP -- next year on social sectors and infrastructure to cushion the blow from the pandemic and get the $365 billion economy back on track for rapid growth.

A cut in personal income taxes, monetary aid to lower-income groups and a reduction in costs for first-time home buyers are among measures announced in the budget.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.