Mustapa, fondly known as Tok Pa, also described his experience of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), as he struggled with breathing problems and a lack of energy.

“In the 12 days that I was in the hospital, the most alarming period was definitely when I was in the ICU for three days. Thankfully, with the close attention from the doctors and nurses, and full confidence in God, I recovered.

“Now I need to rest more, work less and avoid meeting many people,” he said in a Facebook post today, after being discharged from Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II.

He thanked frontliners, health ministry staff, family and friends for their help and concern, acknowledging the need to practise the new norms of wearing masks, sanitising hands and physical distancing.

He added that the pandemic’s threat was serious, urging Malaysians to rally behind the government, health ministry and authorities to protect lives and livelihoods.

“May God save our country, our leaders and all Malaysians from Covid-19.”

Tok Pa was the first minister to be infected recently, followed by home minister Hamzah Zainudin, women, family and community development minister Rina Harun, national unity minister Halimah Sadique and deputy communications and multimedia minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

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