The department said ischaemic heart disease was the second highest cause of deaths with 13.7% followed by pneumonia (11.1%), cerebrovascular diseases (6.5%) and transport accidents (1.9%).

“Covid-19 infection was the main cause of deaths for males and females with 17,708 and 13,355 deaths, respectively,” the department said in a statement.

It said the principal cause of deaths for major ethnic groups in Malaysia in 2021 was also Covid-19 infection, with Malays accounting for 17.9%, other Bumiputeras (18.5%), Chinese (16.3%) and Indians (19.5%).

All age groups recorded Covid-19 infection as the leading cause of deaths, except for 0-14 years, where transport accidents were the main cause.

“Nine states recorded Covid-19 infection as the principal cause of deaths in 2021 except for Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis and Terengganu. These states reported ischaemic heart disease as the principal cause of deaths.

“Meanwhile, only Putrajaya recorded pneumonia as the principal cause of deaths at 12.4%,” it said.