Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that the success of China and South Korea in dealing with the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic is driven largely by the discipline and attitude of the people in following their government's instructions.

This, he claimed, was in contrast to the US and European countries which is too keen to promote an independent spirit which has caused their people to disobey the government's efforts to curb the pandemic.

While acknowledging that China's approach may be considered too restrictive of freedom and human rights, Mahathir said, on the other hand, placing too much emphasis on freedom would have made things difficult to control.