The daily capacity of the centre, which assesses patients before sending them to quarantine centres or hospitals, is around 1,200 and 1,500 a day.

In a report from TV3, clips of which have been spread on social media, patients, including the elderly and those with young children, can be seen lining up along the road outside the stadium.

In addition, scores of buses were parked nearby to transport patients to quarantine centres if needed.

Lines at the stadium were reportedly half a kilometre long. In a video, a person is seen being rushed away in a stretcher after collapsing outside the stadium.

In a Facebook post responding to footage at the stadium, former prime minister Najib Razak expressed disbelief.

“This is really Malaysia?” he wrote in exasperation.

“I raised the issue of congestion two months ago. (I was) ready to suggest a solution. How can this still be happening, and even getting worse?

“Should Malaysians, our friends, be treated like this by the government?”

He demanded that the government respond with a solution, saying it is not a political issue, but about empathy and responsibility.