Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is observing self-quarantine after coming into close contact with a member of parliament who tested positive for Covid-19, Malaysian media reported.

“He is under self-quarantine,” The Star quoted a spokesman for Mahathir as saying on Thursday.

It said it is believed that the 95-year-old statesman had taken a picture with an MP,  Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, who is now also under quarantine at a hospital in Sarawak.

Yii was quoted as saying he had tested positive for coronavirus in a Facebook post on Tuesday, after coming into close contact with another MP who tested positive on March 2.

In an exclusive interview with TV3’s Buletin Utama news, Dr Mahathir shared his experience under quarantine at home.

“I will follow (self-quarantine). It is important in addressing this problem, to be disciplined.

“We must self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If we do that, there will be less possibility of the virus spreading to other people,” he said.

“So, now I am just at home. I cannot go out and I cannot meet people. I cannot shake hands, and others,” he added. “However, Alhamdullilah, it is not so hard for me.”

Malaysia reported 110 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, with the total number of cases increasing to 900.