KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 -- Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin justified the restrictions placed on the public during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period as necessary to protect the lives of everyone.

He said if customary visits to the homes of friends and relatives were allowed, one would not know if the guests had Covid-19 or not.

"This is because many Covid-19 patients do not display any symptoms. The person may not know he or she is infected, and this situation makes it more difficult to break the transmission chain," Muhyiddin said in his Aidilfitri eve address.

Acknowledging that the decision to place restrictions is unpopular with the public, he added that many are angry with him, seeing as how Muslims will celebrate Aidilfitri to...