PUTRAJAYA: After 16 months of briefing the nation almost daily on non-health-related government decisions concerning the pandemic, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) is handing over the responsibility to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein beginning today.

       “Beginning tomorrow (today), the duty to present the daily report on enforcement and standard operating procedure will be done by the Senior Minister in charge of the security cluster.

       “My deepest appreciation and gratitude to all involved, members of the administration, ministries and agencies, frontliners as well as the people of Malaysia who want to see the country free of Covid-19.

       “I would also like to thank the media for their continuous support in reporting the latest developments,” Ismail Sabri said yesterday.

       At the onset of the pandemic, aside from the Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri and Health director- general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah were the spokespersons for the government on non-health and health-related matters pertaining to Covid-19, respectively.

       “Since March 20 last year, I was given the responsibility to make daily statements related to law enforcement and activities by the task force monitoring SOP compliance for one year, four months and six days,” said Ismail Sabri.

       On July 17, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the appointment of Ismal Sabri as Deputy Prime Minister and Hishammuddin as Senior Minister.