Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has expressed his disappointment at the “lack of self-control” shown by crowds which had gathered at the Kuala Lumpur court complex this morning.

In seeming disregard to standard operating procedures (SOPs) set during the recovery movement control order (MCO) period, thousands had gathered outside the courthouse to await the decision in former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s RM42 million 1MDB-linked SRC International case.

Social distancing measures of over one metre and the use of face masks were seen not being observed, sparking Covid-19 fears among reporters and netizens.

Commenting on the situation, Noor Hisham, who has been leading the national health response to the Covid-19 pandemic, pointed out that health officials have reminded the public daily of the SOPs during the health crisis.