"Malaysia detected 503 new tuberculosis cases in a single epidemiological week, the country's Health Ministry confirmed, bringing the cumulative total for 2026 to 2,571 cases across all states and federal territories. The figures, released for Epidemiological Week 5, underscore the persistent and widening grip of an infectious disease that health officials say has never truly left the country - and is now demanding urgent, coordinated attention."
"In a Facebook statement on February 18, Dzulkefly disclosed that 85 percent of Malaysia's reported TB cases involve Malaysian citizens. Foreigners account for just 15 percent. "Recently, various perceptions have emerged linking the spread of TB to the influx of foreign nationals," Dzulkefly said. "However, the facts show otherwise." The minister's intervention was pointed. Public discourse in Malaysia - as in many countries grappling with infectious disease - has at times scapegoated migrant and foreign communities."
Malaysia reported 503 new tuberculosis cases in Epidemiological Week 5, bringing the 2026 cumulative total to 2,571 across all states and federal territories. Sabah had the highest cumulative caseload at 614, followed by Selangor with 476, Sarawak 257, Johor 233, and the federal territories 202 combined. Even small jurisdictions reported cases, including Perlis (17) and Labuan (16). Health Minister Dzulkefly emphasized that 85 percent of reported TB cases involve Malaysian citizens and warned against blaming foreign nationals. The minister stressed that structural, domestic factors drive risk and that coordinated public-health responses are urgently needed.
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