Five more Omicron BA.5 variant cases detected in Malaysia

Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on July 8 said five cases of the COVID-19 Omicron BA.5 variant have been detected in the country and are likely to spread widely.

Friday, July 08, 2022 21:53

Five more Omicron BA.5 variant cases detected in Malaysia ảnh 1

Medics take sample for COVID-19 test from a man in Selangor, Malaysia in July last year. (Photo: VNA/Xinhua)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Health MinisterKhairy Jamaluddin on July 8 said five cases of the COVID-19 Omicron BA.5variant have been detected in the country and are likely to spread widely.

He said a total of 13cumulative cases of Omicron sub-lineage variants have been detected in Malaysia, including six cases of BA.2.12.1 and two BA.5.2.

All these cases weredetected between May and June, he told reporters. However, there are no casesof sublineage Omicron BA.4 recorded so far, he added.

The Malaysian Ministry ofHealth is expecting that new infections will increase due to the Omicron BA.4and BA.5, especially the BA.5. This is because Omicron BA.5 spread easilycompared with previous Omicron variants, namely BA.1 and BA.2, he noted.

According to Jamaluddin, over110 countries had reported a spike in COVID-19 cases linked to the BA.4 andBA.5 sub-variants.

Apart from Malaysia, hesaid that neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Indonesia wereexperiencing a surge in daily cases.

The BA.4 and BA.5sub-variants have become the dominant coronavirus strains in a number ofcountries abroad.

According to reports, thestrains were first detected in South Africa earlier this year./.

VNA

#COVID-19 #Omicron BA.5 #Malaysia #Vietnam News Agency #Vietnamplus Malaysia

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Economic issues top Thailand’s public wish list: KPI poll

16/02/2026 00:09

Economic issues were identified by 38% of respondents as the top priority for the new administration, ahead of social problems at 32.3% and political issues at 29.7%.

Malaysia seizes over three tonnes of synthetic drugs

15/02/2026 22:11

Preliminary investigations indicate the syndicate had been operating for several years, using sea routes across the East Sea as its main transport channel. The drugs were allegedly stored in containers at logistics facilities before being distributed to international markets.

Philippines deploys advanced naval vessels to "Balikatan" exercise with US

15/02/2026 06:30

Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said that (guided-missile) frigates, the Rizal and Malvar classes, landing docks and fast interdiction craft-missile will be participating in this annual exercise, scheduled April to May.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech during the inauguration and groundbreaking of 1,179 police-run MBG kitchens and 18 police food security warehouses in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on February 13, 2026. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia strengthens national logistics to support nutrition programme

15/02/2026 05:38

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto noted that the MBG programme is designed not only to improve children’s nutrition and health but also to drive economic growth by creating opportunities for farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and low-income groups.

Malaysia's economy grows 5.2% year on year in 2025

15/02/2026 01:14

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said in a statement that for the fourth quarter of 2025, Malaysia's economy advanced by 6.3%, driven mainly by domestic demand.

Malaysian ringgit expected to continue appreciating in 2026

14/02/2026 07:43

The ringgit climbed to a fresh high of 3.8995 against the US dollar on February 12, hovering near its strongest level in almost eight years.

Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian delivers a statement to the press in Jakarta on February 11, 2026. (Photo: ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat/aa)

Indonesia: Nearly 70% of flood-hit districts, cities in Sumatra recovered

14/02/2026 06:25

Post-disaster recovery in flood- and landslide-hit regions across Sumatra, Indonesia is nearly 70% complete, with 37 of the 52 affected districts and cities having returned to normalcy, Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian said in a statement.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah says the legislation provides a dedicated legal framework to enable the complex, cross-border operations of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia–Singapore move closer to operating 5-minute cross-border rail service

14/02/2026 04:22

The move is seen as a strategic solution to ease congestion at the Johor–Singapore Causeway while strengthening bilateral economic connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promotes Thai culture and travel experiences at The Gypsy Travel Festival (TGTF) 2026 in Mumbai. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.th)

TAT showcases Thai culture at Mumbai travel festival

14/02/2026 03:35

The effort was led by the TAT Mumbai Office and the ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Market Division, under the direction of TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, with support from Consul-General Donnawit Poolsawat and senior TAT executives. The festival was held last week at Jio World Drive and attracted a large audience from a high-spending travel segment.

Immigration authorities introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which has been in use since May 1, 2025. (Source: thailand.prd.go.th)

Thai cabinet acknowledges visa measures to boost tourism, economy

13/02/2026 22:27

Implemented short-term measures include designating 93 countries and territories eligible for a special visa exemption, allowing stays of up to 60 days for tourism, short-term work, or business.

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Party forms alliance with Pheu Thai

13/02/2026 20:26

Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised that both parties share confidence in the capacity and experience of their personnel to steer Thailand towards long-term stability and sustainable development, adding that they had agreed to put aside past misunderstandings and differences in the national interest.

Farmers harvest rice in Central Java province, Indonesia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia rolls out rice support package for over 35 million households

13/02/2026 16:19

The rice assistance policy is part of the Indonesian government’s stimulus package aimed at bolstering economic growth in the first quarter.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was reached during the National Cyber Security Committee meeting today, which he chaired to strengthen the nation’s preparedness in facing increasingly complex cyber threats. (Photo courtesy of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim FB page)

Malaysia unveils new cybercrime bill to regulate AI and deepfakes

13/02/2026 15:18

Malaysia plans to introduce a new Cybercrime Bill to address increasingly complex digital threats, including the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.

Malaysia seizes a record of nearly 20 million USD worth of methamphetamine (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia busts largest-ever maritime drug trafficking ring

13/02/2026 14:22

According to the MMEA, the operation took place on February 11 in waters off Pahang state, about 107 nautical miles northeast of Kuantan. Officers inspected the Thailand-flagged oil tanker Kamal Bangkok and discovered 76 sacks of methamphetamine that had been carefully concealed.

Laos moves to promotes sustainable coffee, tea farming

13/02/2026 06:01

The coffee sector plays a vital role in Laos' socio-economic development. More than 80 domestic and foreign companies are currently investing in coffee production, processing and export, generating over 100 million USD in annual export value.

Department of National Defence (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya (right), during the “ceremonial turnover” of five coastal surveillance radar systems to the country’s defence establishment on February 11. (Photo courtesy of the DND)

Japan hands over coastal surveillance radar to the Philippines

13/02/2026 04:32

The equipment was provided under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The deal was finalised during the November 2023 visit to Manila by then Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, when the two sides exchanged notes for 600 million JPY (nearly 4 million USD) in OSA funding for the provision of coastal radar systems to the Philippine Navy.

Two Mahakam dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are seen swimming. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia takes emergency solutions to save Mahakam dolphins

13/02/2026 03:32

Based on the latest data as of early February, only 66 of these endemic Mahakam River mammals are estimated to remain in the wild. This situation has prompted Indonesian authorities to take concrete and decisive actions to prevent the species from slipping into extinction.