Malaysia was never on the World Health Organisation's (WHO) list of countries hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), said Health Minister Chua Jui Meng today.

In view of this, he added there was no need for the country to obtain a verification from WHO that is free of the deadly virus.

"We have never been listed by WHO as a Sars-hit country, so how is it to get out from the list (as the country has never been included in the first place)," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

The minister said there was confusion among certain quarters who are wondering why Malaysia was yet to obtain a clearance from the health body since Singapore was taken off the list on May 23.