Najib didn’t know RM42 million was from SRC, lawyer tells appeals court

The Court of Appeal today heard that Najib Razak did not know the money in his bank accounts was transferred from SRC International Sdn Bhd as the former prime minister had believed that the funds in his AmBank accounts were the remainder of donations from the Saudi royal family.Najib’s counsel Harvinderjit Singh said this before justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who presided over the appeal with Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.“Some RM164 million was transferred into his new accounts after an old account that was used to receive donations was closed in August 2013. Najib believed the money was a contribution from the Saudi king.“The trial judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali stated that Najib must have known of the RM42 million deposited into his accounts from SRC International. With respect, this was an error of law,” Harvinderjit said.“The trial judge in equating post-transfer ‘knowledge’ with ‘dishonesty’ fell into error. The mens rea element of ‘dishonesty’ for criminal breach of trust (CBT) is based on ‘intention’ and not ‘knowledge’,” he added in his submission.Harvinderjit also said fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low was the one who had transferred money from SRC International into Najib’s accounts without Najib’s knowledge.The Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28 last year sentenced Najib to 12 years’ jail and fined him RM210 million after finding him guilty on seven charges of CBT, money laundering and abuse of position involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.Harvinderjit said the prosecution at the close of its case only showed that Low had been meddling in Najib’s accounts.Here, Karim asked why Low, who had no authority, was concerned about Najib’s accounts.Harvinderjit replied that since 2011, money had come from the Arab royalty as donations and Low through a non-diplomatic channel in 2010 had arranged for a meeting with the king and Najib.“The monarch expressed his support for Najib to remain in power so that Malaysia would not fall into the hands of extremist elements.“The king had said he would support Najib though he (the king) did not say it would come in the form of donations,” Harvinderjit said, adding that several months later it was Low who had said the king would give donations.Harvinderjit said Najib then opened current and savings accounts in AmBank as he was expecting up to US$200 million in donations from Saudi Arabia.Previously, AmBank Raja Chulan branch manager R Uma Devi testified that based on bank records between 2011 and 2013, millions in US dollars were remitted into Najib’s accounts.It was revealed that RM304 million was deposited into an account in 2011, RM756 million in 2012 and RM1.9 billion in 2013.Harvinderjit said on Aug 23, 2014, Najib returned RM2.034 billion (US$620 million) and the balance of RM164 million was transferred into his new account.The hearing of the appeal continues.


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PM believes Klang Valley ready for Phase 2 shift

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is of the opinion that the Klang Valley can now move into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan as its Covid-19 vaccination rate has surpassed 80%.However, he said the matter will be finalised in the Special Committee to Address Covid-19 meeting with the Cabinet, which he will be chairing.“Once again, I am so proud of everyone involved in this remarkable achievement,” he said in a Facebook post today.Yesterday, Ismail said the vaccination rate for the adult population in the Klang Valley had reached 89.5%.


Israel to begin Covid booster shots for over 40s

Israelis aged 40 and over will be able to receive coronavirus vaccine booster shots starting this weekend, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said Thursday, as the country battles a spike in infections.Israel was one of the first countries to launch a vaccination drive in mid-December via an agreement with Pfizer to obtain millions of paid vaccine doses in exchange for sharing data on their effectiveness.The inoculation campaign was hailed as a success story that helped drastically reduce infections in the country of nine million.But cases have been rising due to the spread of the Delta variant among the unvaccinated and waning immunity in others.To try and contain the spread, authorities last week began administrating a booster shot to those aged 50 and older, after starting a campaign for over-60s late last month.Horowitz, who is among those who have received a third dose, tweeted Thursday that people aged 40 and over will be able to get a booster shot from Sunday.“We have vaccines for everyone and now those 40 and older can receive a third dose,” he wrote. “The vaccine is effective. Let’s stop this Delta.”Israel has recorded more than 970,000 coronavirus infections since the pandemic started early last year, and over 6,700 deaths.More than 5.4 million people have received two doses of the vaccine, while 1.2 million have had a third jab.Earlier this month, the World Health Organization called for a moratorium on Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between rich and poor nations.


Singapore’s pandemic billionaires named

Ventilator tycoon Li Xiting has been named as the richest person in Singapore, topping a Forbes list of the 50 wealthiest people in the city-state whose net worth soared throughout the Covid-19 pandemic which ravaged global economies.Li’s company Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics saw its shares rise 19% thanks to a global demand for ventilators. He added US$5.2 billion to his net worth over the past year.The Forbes’ Singapore List also welcomed Anthony Tan, the son of Malaysia’s owner of Tan Chong Motor Holdings, who co-founded the Grab ride-hailing which went on to become a leading delivery app during the pandemic.The 50 individuals on the list have a combined net worth of US$208 billion.The list reflects the sharp growth of tech-related firms as well as those involved in online shopping facilities, including the three co-founders of Sea which owns the Shopee app – Forrest Li, Ye Gang and David Chen – all of whom more than doubled their net worth since a year ago.


US sues to block chipmaker Nvidia’s US$40 billion merger with UK’s Arm

US regulators filed a lawsuit Thursday to block the US$40-billion merger of graphics chip star Nvidia with mobile chip technology powerhouse Arm Ltd, fearing it would undermine competition.The move comes as US President Joe Biden strives to ramp up domestic chip production to ease the American industry’s reliance on imports.“The proposed vertical deal would give one of the largest chip companies control over the computing technology and designs that rival firms rely on to develop their own competing chips,” the Federal Trade Commission said in a release, calling chips “critical infrastructure.”The world faces a global shortage of semiconductors, choking production of a wide range of products including automobiles, sending new and used car prices surging.Worries in EuropeThe FTC echoed concerns expressed about the merger by regulators in the UK, who recently ordered an in-depth probe of the take-over.Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries last month asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regulator for a Phase Two probe into the acquisition, according to the British government.The blockbuster deal also faces a competition probe by the European Commission.Japan’s SoftBank Group announced last year that it was selling Arm for up to US$40 billion (34 billion euros) in a deal it hoped to complete in early 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.An Nvidia spokesman has vowed it would work alongside the CMA and the UK government to address and “resolve” their concerns.Nvidia offered a subdued initial reaction to the suit by US regulators.“As we move into this next step in the FTC process, we will continue to work to demonstrate that this transaction will benefit the industry and promote competition,” the company said in a statement to AFP.FTC Bureau of Competition director Holly Vedova said the regulator is taking action “to block the largest semiconductor chip merger in history to prevent a chip conglomerate from stifling the innovation pipeline for next-generation technologies.”“This proposed deal would… allow the combined firm to unfairly undermine Nvidia’s rivals” and ultimately drive up prices.Into the metaverseCalifornia-based Nvidia is one of the world’s largest and most valuable computing companies, while Arm, which is owned by Tokyo-based Softbank Group Corp, creates and licenses microprocessor designs and architectures.Nvidia, known for graphics cards favoured in the video game industry, saw sales soar during Covid-19 lockdowns as gaming exploded in popularity.The company has set its sights on putting its coveted chips – geared for handling data-rich graphics in real time – to work powering artificial intelligence software and supporting immersive 3-D worlds referred to as the “metaverse.”When the merger plan was announced, Nvidia said it would accelerate innovation and “create the premier computing company for the age of artificial intelligence.”Arm’s technology has been used in more than 180 billion chips shipped worldwide and is also present in cloud computing and the internet of things.Founded in 1990, Arm dominates the global smartphone market.SoftBank had purchased Arm in 2016 for US$32 billion.


Singapore launches new self-driving bus trial

Singapore has moved a step closer to a driverless public transport network with the launch of a new trial of self-driving buses.Orderly and high-tech, the Asian city-state has become a testbed for self-driving vehicles and has developed home-grown technology while inviting foreign companies to trial their own.In a three-month trial launched this week, passengers can book a bus ride through an app that takes them around Singapore’s Science Park, a high-tech business hub, during off-peak hours.The charge is just S$0.20 (US$0.15).It is not the first self-driving bus trial in the city but is the first to charge a fee.Singapore’s first trial of self-driving buses came in 2015, while a trial of driverless road sweepers was launched earlier this year.Despite the technology on the buses, a driver is still at the wheel to take control if necessary and must drive the bus manually along part of the route.Khor Jing Qian, a 23-year-old student who took the bus to attend a scholarship interview on Wednesday, said the journey, which took about 10 minutes, was “convenient and easy”.“It was unnatural to see the bus driver not driving, but I’ve heard of these kinds of technologies, I’ve seen them before, so I think this is quite an innovative thing and definitely the way forward,” he told AFP.The shuttles are also operating in another area of the city on a fixed schedule as part of the same trial, according to a statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.


History returning to an uncertain future in Afghanistan

A collection of 33 artefacts seized from a New York-based art dealer who authorities say was one of the world’s most prolific smugglers of antiquities was turned over by the US to the government of Afghanistan this week.“The significance of the material is huge,” Roya Rahmani, the country’s ambassador to the US, told the Associated Press on Wednesday.Rahmani formally took control of the collection in a ceremony on Monday in New York with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and Homeland Security Investigations.The agencies had recovered the artefacts as part of a larger investigation into the trafficking of antiquities from several countries.Now, after briefly being displayed at the Afghan embassy in Washington, the masks, sculptures and other items, some from the second and third centuries, are en route to Kabul, where they are expected to go on display at the National Museum.It’s the same museum where members of the Taliban destroyed artefacts in 2001 as part of a cultural rampage rooted in a fundamentalist version of Islam in which depictions of the human form are considered offensive.The Taliban is now out of power but it still controls much of the country outside of Kabul amid stalled talks with the government and the looming withdrawal of US and Nato forces after two decades of war.Rahmani concedes it’s a delicate time. “However, our security forces are determined to defend our people,” she told The Associated Press. “The government is committed to do its part for peace and stability in a way that would bring durable peace.”Germany’s defence ministry said on Wednesday a possible withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan as early as July 4 is on the cards.President Joe Biden has already said the US would remove all its troops by Sept 11, the 20th anniversary of the attacks that prompted the American invasion to dislodge the Taliban in 2001 for allowing al-Qaeda to operate from Afghanistan.Before the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban were already internationally notorious for enforcing a harsh form of Islamic law that destroyed the famed giant, sixth century sandstone Buddha statues built into a cliff in Bamiyan province.The destruction of the statues was on the ambassador’s mind as she prepared to ship the artefacts to her homeland, not only because a mural of the sandstone Buddhas adorns the room at the embassy where visitors gathered this week to see the relics.Rahmani, Afghanistan’s first female ambassador to the Washington, recalls that she wept when she first learned what the Taliban had done to the Buddhas.In contrast, the items are “returning to a government and people who cherish their past” and will make sure they are preserved for future generations, Rahmani said.She doesn’t expect the Taliban, if they return to power, would dare to destroy them.


More clinics report offers from anti-vaxxers looking to beat the system

More doctors from private clinics have revealed being approached by so-called anti-vaxxers seeking fraudulent proof of full vaccination in exchange for payment, amid concern that many could be attempting to circumvent the system in order to enjoy the relaxed restrictions allowed to those who are fully inoculated against Covid-19.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, the doctors who work at clinics in Selangor said anti-vaxxers or those who oppose being vaccinated against the highly contagious virus had resorted to bribing clinics in their attempts to obtain vaccine certificates.One doctor, Dr Muhammad Muaz Mustapa, said he had received such a request from a woman who had accompanied her daughter to his clinic in Rawang.“I was checking her daughter, and then the mother suddenly asked me if my clinic has Covid-19 vaccines.“Then she asked me whether I could get a vaccine certificate for her without her getting the jab.”Muaz said he had been taken aback by the question.“When I asked why she did not want to get the jab, she said her husband had just passed away, two weeks after receiving his second shot of Sinovac vaccine,” he said.Attempts to reach health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah for comment on the anti-vaxxers were unsuccessful.MalaysiaNow recently reported that such incidents had taken place in other states as well, with Dr Steven Chow, president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Association Malaysia, confirming that attempts had been made “to subvert the system”.Individuals who are fully vaccinated are allowed greater freedom of movement, including permission to cross district borders for certain purposes and to participate in more social and economic activities.Those who have completed the full vaccine regime are also allowed to dine in at restaurants and to resume religious activities at houses of worship.Other social activities allowed include picnics, camping and certain non-contact sports.Muaz said the woman at his clinic appeared to have needed a vaccination certificate in order to return to work.“She was willing to pay the price as long as she got the certificate, but not the jab.“I think she blamed the vaccine for causing her to become a single mother,” he said, adding that the daughter, who was 20 years old, had not been vaccinated either.Dr Mohd Rahimie Sayutti from the Primer Cherang clinic chain said he too had seen such attempts by anti-vaxxers following the government’s announcement that SOPs would be relaxed for the fully jabbed.He said there seemed to be two types of people who approach his clinics.“The first type are those who want to get jabbed because they are concerned about the skyrocketing of cases we have seen in the past months.“The second are those who are willing to fork out money to get the certificate without taking the jabs.”Rahimie told MalaysiaNow the irony was that many from the second group appeared to be well educated and mostly resided in urban areas.“They are educated and they have the money to do this,” he said.He said he and his colleagues would try their best to educate those who are against vaccination.“There are some who changed their minds and agreed to get their jabs, and there are those who refused to accept our explanation and went to try it elsewhere.“I say, it’s the same everywhere because medical practitioners have ethics and we can’t do that.”Muaz agreed that while anti-vaxxers might ask, it is the doctor’s responsibility to reject requests for fake vaccine certificates.“It’s endangering public health,” he said. “It will increase the number of people who will become sick and die from Covid-19.”Adding that such acts would create more time for variants such as Delta to spread, he said: “Instead of paying for a fake care, people should get a real one for free when they get the vaccine.“That way, they are protected and they are protecting others.”


China's great reopening may come too late for many businesses

The culinary tourism business of Brian Bergey and his wife Ruixi Hu has persevered in China through three years of harsh Covid-19 restrictions.
But just as excitement is mounting in global financial markets that the world's second-largest economy may finally come out of isolation next year, the two are packing their bags.
"I remain fairly pessimistic about the quote-unquote reopening of China," said Bergey. Their Lost Plate company, which has been hosting food tours in several Chinese cities since 2015, will instead veer to Southeast Asia.
China, the last among major countries not treating Covid as endemic, this month unveiled 20 new steps that eased its stringent anti-Covid policies.
That catapulted Chinese stocks, bonds and the yuan currency higher, and a broad range of assets from Asia to Europe and Latin America rallied.
If China reconnects with the world next year, the investor thesis went, its economy will recover from its sharpest slowdown in decades, and with it, the prospects of a global recession in 2023 might fade as well.
But that exuberance contrasts with the bleak economic reality inside China.
Many businesses, especially customer-facing ones, fear they may not survive until next year: China is still battling some of its biggest outbreaks so far, while shell-shocked consumers - whose lives were upended by the government's harsh anti-Covid measures - are holding on to their cash.
"The biggest thing will be to see in February and March who was actually able to survive the winter," said Shanghai-based American entrepreneur Camden Hauge, who owns a cafe, a bar, several matcha kiosks and an events company in the city.
Shanghai's 25 million people, traumatised by two months of captivity in their own homes early this year, often without access to basic necessities, will continue to avoid crowded venues for a long time regardless of the rules, she expects.
"People are not going to flick a switch and go back to the way life was before," Hauge said.
Shell-shocked consumers
China's economy is expected to grow around 3% this year, missing its target of about 5.5%.
A slate of economic data for October came in below already weak expectations: Exports fell. Inflation slowed. New bank lending tumbled. The downturn in the property market deepened. Retail sales fell for the first time since Shanghai's April-May lockdown.
With Covid outbreaks getting worse, it is unlikely that China's economy can shift into a higher gear in the near term.
JPMorgan estimated earlier this month that cities with more than 10 new Covid cases accounted for 780 million people and 62.2% of GDP - roughly triple the levels seen at the end of September.
Vaccination and booster rates remain relatively low across China, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, leaving authorities wary about easing up before the populace is better prepared.
As a result, the new Covid rules have not been implemented uniformly. Local authorities in some Chinese cities eased restrictions, while others tightened.
In several cities, officials came out to reassure residents the tweaks did not mean letting their guard down.
Faced with mixed messages, some nervous households have been taking matters into their own hands. Posts on social media showed many parents, fearing their children might get Covid, are using pretexts such as toothaches or ear infections to pull them from school.
Those families will not be going out for dinner or shopping excursions any time soon, economists warn.
"The new measures to 'optimise' Covid containment seem to be creating chaos on the ground as local governments attempt to interpret the policies," analysts at Gavekal Dragonomics said.
"[This] presents economic uncertainty that seems likely to further dampen consumption and property sales in the near term."
At its core, the problem reflects authorities' failure to prioritise the interests of consumers, who are often the punching bag in China's investment-driven economy.
Take China's traffic data: in the third quarter, freight turnover by road, rail and water were roughly the same as in the third quarter in 2019, pre-Covid, according to a Fitch Ratings analysis.
By comparison, passenger turnover on the same modes of transportation was only half or even one-third the levels of three years ago, indicating that people's lives suffered far more disruption than industrial logistics.
That bodes ill for customer-facing businesses.
Yao Lu's Shanghai-based bar, Union Trading Company, was a stalwart on international "best bar" lists until this year, when it has only operated for 50 days between Covid shutdowns.
"What this year has taught us is that whatever plan you have for the future doesn't really matter," Yao said. "We're just trying to live day by day."


Umno moots Melaka chief Ab Rauf Yusoh as new CM

Umno has proposed the party's Melaka chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh for appointment as the 13th Melaka chief minister.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had submitted the proposal to Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Mohd Ali Rustam.
"The party has submitted a letter proposing Ab Rauf Yusoh as the new Melaka chief minister," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.
This followed Sulaiman Md Ali’s resignation as the 12th Melaka chief minister yesterday.
Asked why Sulaiman had resigned, Zahid said his decision was due to health factors.
Zahid, who is also a deputy prime minister, confirmed yesterday that Sulaiman, the Lendu state assemblyman, had resigned as chief minister.
The Umno president said Sulaiman handed over his resignation letter at a meeting in Zahid’s office at the Parliament building.
Asked whether the Melaka state executive council line-up would be reshuffled to include Pakatan Harapan representatives, Zahid said he hoped this could be done in the spirit of the coalition government at the federal level.
"I am confident this spirit will flow to Melaka so that good optics can be seen not only by the people in Melaka but also all other people (throughout the country)," he said.


Fears of medical shortages and disease in Ukraine after Russian invasion

Ukraine is running low on critical medical supplies and has had to halt urgent efforts to curb a polio outbreak since Russia invaded the country last week, public health experts say.Medical needs are already acute, with the World Health Organization warning on Sunday that oxygen supplies were running out. On Tuesday, WHO told a briefing that some facilities already had no oxygen left.Fears of a wider public health crisis are growing as people flee their homes, health services are interrupted and supplies fail to reach Ukraine, which has also been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.Sergii Dubrov, an anesthetist working across several hospitals in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, said they had enough supplies for the next two weeks but the situation was fraught.“Most of my colleagues have been sleeping in the hospital and working almost 24 hours a day since Feb 24,” he told Reuters in a telephone interview, referring to the first day of the invasion.WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said on Monday routine immunisation and outbreak control efforts for polio had been suspended in Ukraine because of the fighting. WHO has received reports that coronavirus vaccination campaigns have also been put on hold in many parts of the country, he said.Last October, Ukraine found the first polio case in Europe for five years – a 17-month old toddler who was paralysed – and another case involving paralysis was found in January.Nineteen more children have been identified with the vaccine-derived form of polio but without symptoms of paralysis.A nationwide polio immunisation campaign to reach the 100,000 children still unprotected in Ukraine began on Feb 1, but has been halted since fighting began and as health authorities shift to emergency care.The WHO said electricity shortages in some areas had affected the safety of vaccine stock, and surveillance had been disrupted.“WHO is working to urgently develop contingency plans to support Ukraine and prevent further spread of polio caused by the conflict,” said Jasarevic.Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” to destroy its neighbour’s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists. Moscow denies targeting civilians.Concern for HIV patientsThe UN agency for HIV/AIDS has said there is less than a month’s worth of drugs for HIV patients left in Ukraine.“People living with HIV in Ukraine only have a few weeks of antiretroviral therapy remaining with them, and without continuous access their lives are at risk,” said UNaids Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.Before Russia’s invasion began, Ukraine had 250,000 people living with HIV, the second largest number in Europe after Russia.It also had high rates of tuberculosis, including one of the highest rates of multi-drug resistant TB in the world. There are an estimated 30,000 new TB cases annually in Ukraine.Ukraine’s government and the Stop TB Partnership, an international initiative, said on Monday all TB clinics in the country remained open, but patients had been given a month-long supply of drugs to take away with them in case the situation worsened or it was dangerous to travel to clinic.Enough treatments are available for existing and projected new patients until the end of 2022, Stop TB said, although the organisation is working with the WHO on potential emergency orders for neighbouring countries.Interruptions in treatment or diagnosis can drive up wider transmission as well as risk patients’ lives, experts say.“It’s clear we expect many more TB cases,” said Viorel Soltan, a Stop TB Partnership representative, predicting an impact on the wider health system in Ukraine.Covid-19 is also still a concern, with only just over one in three people fully vaccinated against the viral disease. Daily new cases hit a peak of around 40,000 in February but were declining before reporting stopped after Russia’s invasion.Humanitarian relief organisation Project Hope said on Monday pharmacies in all Ukrainian cities under attack were reporting running out of medical supplies.


Strike two for Jho Low in bid for Malaysia deal after talks attended by ex-AG Apandi

Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho approached authorities in Malaysia as recently as several weeks ago in a bid to negotiate a deal that would allow him to travel to the US to settle cases related to the 1MDB scandal, MalaysiaNow can reveal.
It is also learnt that the discussions were held in the presence of Mohamed Apandi Ali.
MalaysiaNow cannot independently confirm the capacity in which the former attorney-general had attended the session, which was also joined by Low's lawyers from law firm Kobre & Kim.
When asked about his role, Apandi was tightlipped on details.
"Sorry. The information, if any, is confidential," Apandi, who served as attorney-general at the height of the 1MDB saga under Najib Razak's administration, told MalaysiaNow.
Apandi had drawn fire after clearing Najib of wrongdoing in the 1MDB scandal.
He recently stated that the controversial decision was made as key witnesses including Low, better known as Jho Low, had absconded.
Meanwhile, MalaysiaNow has reliably learnt that Low had sought assistance from Malaysia to lift the red notice issued against him by Interpol, preventing him from travelling to the US where he has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice (DoJ).
The federal department has accused him of stealing billions of dollars from 1MDB.
"He was seeking Malaysia's assistance with regards to his Malaysian passport.
"He made the request but failed to fulfil the conditions we set, including the return of the money which he siphoned off from 1MDB," said a source familiar with recent talks held with high-level authorities involved in the 1MDB case.
Low is widely considered as having played a central role in the 1MDB scandal, and the DoJ has called him the mastermind of the scheme to siphon off US$4.5 billion from the state fund into his personal accounts.
His whereabouts have never been confirmed, but a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
The anti-graft body also issued an alert to Interpol against him and two others.
This is not the first time Low has approached authorities in Malaysia, where he has been charged in absentia with criminal conspiracy with Najib in the 1MDB scandal.
Two years ago, news channel Al Jazeera revealed explosive phone conversations showing how Low had tried to strike a deal with Malaysian authorities without demonstrating any remorse for his actions.


PTPTN loan repayment discounts until May 31

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has called on borrowers to take advantage of the loan repayment discount incentive of up to 20% that it is offering until May 31.
PTPTN chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid said the offer, since March 1, covers four categories, which is a 20% discount on the remaining debt for full settlement of the loan and a 15% discount for settlement of at least 50% of the remaining debt.
"In addition, PTPTN also offers a 15% discount for refunds through salary deduction or direct debit according to the refund schedule and a 5% discount for refunds through the myPTPTN application,” he said in a statement today.
According to him, PTPTN has provided various channels to make it easier for borrowers to make repayments including online through the myPTPTN application and internet banking.
He said PTPTN has also opened special counters at selected locations nationwide to help borrowers planning to capitalise on the repayment discount incentive.
He also thanked all borrowers who had made loan repayments throughout the discount implementation period and expressed his appreciation to strategic partners who also organised the PTPTN loan repayment campaign.
"The commitment of borrowers who make repayments is greatly appreciated in ensuring the continuity of providing education loans to future generations," he said.
Borrowers can also contact PTPTN for more information through the careline at 03-21933000, live chat at www.ptptn.gov.my, e-complaints at https://eaduan.ptptn.gov.my/ or its official social media.


North Korea’s economic plan failed, Kim Jong Un tells rare party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his five-year economic plan has failed to meet its goals “in almost every sector” as he opened the ruling Workers’ Party congress on Tuesday, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.The rare political gathering, which Kim last hosted in 2016, is drawing international attention as the leader is expected to unveil a new five-year economic plan and address foreign policy, just two weeks before US president-elect Joe Biden takes office.In his opening speech, Kim said the country had achieved a “miraculous victory” by bolstering its power and global prestige since the last meeting, referring to military advances that culminated in successful tests in 2017 of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the US mainland.But the five-year economic strategy he laid out in 2016 had failed to deliver, he said, calling for a boost in North Korea’s self-reliance to tackle internal and outside challenges hindering its progress, according to KCNA.On the global pandemic, he lauded party workers for ensuring “stable situations against the coronavirus from beginning to end”. He said they have “resolutely overcome difficulties in the face of an unprecedentedly prolonged, unparalleled global health crisis”.North Korea has not officially confirmed any coronavirus cases, although it has reported thousands of “suspected cases” to the World Health Organization.South Korean authorities have said an outbreak in the North cannot be ruled out as it had active trade and people movement with China before closing its border last January.The congress, the country’s eighth and the second under Kim, is being attended by nearly 5,000 delegates and 2,000 spectators. In KCNA images, no one is wearing masks and participants are not sitting apart, unlike at some other recent public events.Kim was accompanied by top aides, including his sister and senior party official Kim Yo Jong, nominal head of state Choe Ryong Hae and Premier Kim Tok Hun.The meeting will last some days, during which Kim is also expected to announce leadership changes rumoured to involve his sister.


Shock new infections jolt Taiwan into scaling back New Year events

After Taiwan’s first case of the highly infectious coronavirus variant originally discovered in Britain was confirmed this week, major Taiwanese cities have now scaled back New Year’s Eve events and are telling people to watch fireworks and other festivities at home, Reuters is reporting.The island republic has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention measures, including quarantines for every arrival from abroad.It has reported just 800 confirmed cases, including seven deaths, almost all imported.But the government was jolted when its first domestic transmission since April was confirmed this month. And now its first case of the British variant has been confirmed, health authorities announced on Wednesday. Both people are now in isolation in hospital.The major cities of Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, Taoyuan, Chiayi and Keelung all said late on Wednesday they would cancel public attendance at events like fireworks displays and have asked people to watch at home online and on television.However, the Taipei city government said on Thursday people could still attend events live, the highlight of which will be a fireworks display outside Taipei 101, once briefly the world’s tallest building.But it has capped attendance at the main viewing spot next to the city government at 40,000, half of the number it had originally planned. Attendees will have to register their personal details and wear masks.The traditional New Year’s Day flag raising ceremony at the presidential office will also be restricted to officials and invited guests owing “to the latest pandemic situation”, it said.Unusually low temperatures across subtropical Taiwan would probably have kept most people inside in any case, with snow reported on high mountain passes.


AGC dismisses representation by Sarawak Report editor to withdraw defamation charge

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has rejected the representation by Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown for the prosecution to withdraw the charge against her of making defamatory statements against Terengganu's Sultanah Nur Zahirah.
Rewcastle-Brown, who is from the UK, was charged in absentia with defaming Sultanah Nur Zahirah in a book, "The Sarawak Report - The Inside Story of the 1MDB Expose", at the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate's Court on Sept 23, 2021.
The charge, framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Her lawyer, Guok Ngek Seong, said he was informed of the matter through a letter sent via email on Jan 25.
"We will submit a new representation to the AGC in due course," Guok said when met by reporters after case management before High Court deputy registrar Catherine Nicholas today. Guok said the court had fixed March 10 for further case management before a new judge, K Muniandy.
Muniandy replaces Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who is now a Court of Appeal judge.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Noor Haslinda Che Seman, when contacted, confirmed the matter.
She said the hearing of the case, which was supposed to take place at the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate's Court last month, was postponed pending Rewcastle-Brown's application to transfer the case to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Rewcastle-Brown filed the representation on Dec 13 last year following a High Court decision on Oct 31 dismissing the defamation suit filed against her by Sultanah Nur Zahirah.
In her application, Rewcastle-Brown said the High Court had ruled that the paragraph in the book was not defamatory, and that the prosecution would face difficulties proving the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Judicial commissioner John Lee Kien How @ Johan Lee ruled that the statement complained of in the book was not defamatory of the sultanah and ordered RM80,000 in costs to be paid to Rewcastle-Brown and the other defendants, namely publisher Cheong Ton Sin and printer Vinlin Press Sdn Bhd.


Selangor’s infectivity rate overtakes Sabah’s

Selangor has recorded an infectivity rate of 1.95 Rt, much higher than that of Sabah, following a surge in daily new infections from two or three new cases to 10 to 15.An Rt value indicates how quickly Covid-19 is spreading.Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the numbers took into account the magnitude of change and showed a possible increase in risk in the state if public health prevention measures are not taken.“The Rt in Sabah has stabilised although it was still at 1.29 yesterday. This situation is still worrying as it involves a high number of new cases.“The Rt may go up if we do not take optimal public health intervention measures,” he said in a Facebook post today.Meanwhile, the Rt in Kedah decreased from greater than one (> 1) to 0.65, in line with the drop in cases there with only two cases recorded in four days.Noor Hisham said the situation reflected good compliance with the SOPs.He also reminded Malaysians to continue adhering to the SOPs and measures set by the government.


SPM candidates down with Covid can take exam in April

SPM candidates for 2021 who tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently undergoing quarantine will sit for the examination at the second session in April.Education Minister Radzi Jidin said candidates need only inform their schools of the matter in writing, accompanied by the relevant supporting documents and a copy of their MySejahtera status.“So the candidates and their families need not worry. If they have proof, they can sit for the examination at the second session in April,” he said after visiting SMK Kota Masai 2 in Johor Bahru on the first day of the SPM examination today.A total of 407,097 students are sitting for the 2021 SPM examination at 3,000 examination centres nationwide. Of these, 50,317 are in Johor.


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White paper on procurement of Covid jabs to be tabled in Parliament, says Anwar

A white paper on the improper procurement of Covid-19 vaccines by the previous government will be tabled in the coming Parliament session, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the procurement was made by the then health minister without the agreement of the attorney-general.
Speaking at a press conference after chairing a Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today, Anwar said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa would give details when the white paper is tabled.
"This white paper will be tabled because in the early stages, irregularities were detected. It is believed that it did not follow regulations or the required process.
"The procurement of certain types of vaccine was very doubtful in terms of the amount and cost involved," he said.


Italy mountain cable car plunge kills 14

A cable car plunged to earth near the top of a mountain near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy on Sunday killing 14 people, including at least one child.The accident happened on a cable transporting passengers from the tourist resort town of Stresa up the nearby Mottarone mountain, situated between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. The mountain top is a big tourist attraction.The death toll rose steadily on Sunday afternoon as the wreckage was searched.Five Israeli nationals were among the dead, Israel’s foreign ministry says.Officials said two survivors, children aged about five and nine, were airlifted to a hospital in Turin but the older child later died. The younger child underwent surgery and is in a critical condition.“We are devastated,” Marcella Severino, mayor of Stresa, told broadcaster RAI. She said victims had been found both inside and outside the wreckage.The cause of the incident remains unclear, but local reports suggest the cable may have failed about 300m from the top of the mountain.The cabin fell about 20m to the ground and rolled over down the slope before being stopped by trees, mayor Severino said.Nearby hikers heard a loud hiss before the accident, she added.Walter Milan, an alpine rescue spokesman, told television network RaiNews24 that the cable car was left “crumpled”.Rescuers faced a crash site on steep and difficult terrain. A fire service vehicle overturned while responding but no-one was injured.Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi described the crash as a “tragic accident” and said he was receiving updates from local and national officials.The cable car originally opened in 1970 and was closed for maintenance between 2014 and 2016.The journey from the bottom to the top usually takes 20 minutes to transport passengers 1,491m above sea level.Each cable car can usually hold about 40 passengers. The service had recently reopened following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.


Anwar to chair meeting on Chinese investments in Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said that he would chair a meeting on the investments of Chinese companies in the country, to ensure the implementation of immediate and effective action.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the matter was decided in the Cabinet meeting he chaired today, following the decision of giant Chinese companies to invest in the country.
"We will go down to discuss with the relevant state governments which received large investments from China," he said in a press conference after chairing the Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya.
Anwar also asked the state governments involved in investment projects from China to speed up investment-related processes.
"The state governments and the municipal councils should ensure that the (related) processes are expedited, so that this does not pose a problem for the companies. However, the regulations must be fully adhered to.
"All studies from the relevant departments must be completed first, but don’t take too long because the current situation requires more vigorous investment," he said.
Anwar said the investment projects from China, involving Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Rongsheng Petrochemical Co, are expected to start by May at the latest.
Geely’s investment projects are in Pahang and Tanjung Malim, Perak, while Rongsheng's projects are in Pengerang, Johor and Terengganu.
"Two major companies, Geely and Rongsheng, are planning to visit Malaysia for follow-up... to make sure their projects take off early," Anwar said.
During Anwar's recent official visit to China, Malaysia received RM170 billion in investment commitments from Chinese investors as a result of the signing of 19 memorandums of understanding between Malaysian and Chinese companies.


Malaysia refuses to allow Israelis at world squash event in KL

Malaysia is refusing to grant visas for Israeli players to participate in a major squash tournament next month, the sport’s governing body says, sparking anger in the Jewish state.It is the latest instance of Malaysia, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, attempting to bar athletes from the country.The World Team Championship for men is due to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Dec 7 to 12, with 26 squads participating.But the World Squash Federation (WSF) said it had “been made aware that, at present, the Malaysian authorities have not accepted yet to provide visas for the Israel squash team”.“The WSF is committed to the principle of open and inclusive world championships in which all member nations who wish to participate are welcome to do so,” the governing body said in a statement to AFP.The WSF added it is in contact with Malaysia’s squash body and hoped that “a fair and practical solution can be achieved”.The Israel Squash Association said it plans to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland if the WSF can’t resolve the issue.“It’s a shame that they are mixing sports with politics,” association chairman Aviv Bushinsky told AFP.“Those who close their eyes – all the countries that participate and let something like that happen – they allow racism and discrimination to take place in sports.”The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, the country’s squash organisation, declined to comment.The tournament was earlier this year moved to Malaysia from New Zealand because of coronavirus-related travel restrictions.In 2019, Malaysia was stripped of the right to host the World Para Swimming Championships for threatening to refuse Israeli athletes.And in 2015, Israeli windsurfers had to pull out of a competition on the island of Langkawi after being refused visas.The Palestinian cause enjoys widespread support in Malaysia, where about 60% of the populaton are ethnic Malay Muslims, and entry into the country on an Israeli passport is forbidden.


Trump ready to donate blood plasma to help Covid-19 Americans

President Donald Trump has said that he will donate his blood plasma to Americans battling Covid-19.“I will. Nobody’s asked me that question, actually, but I will. If they want me to do it, I’d love to do it,” he told Fox News on Friday.The treatment uses the antibody-rich blood plasma of those who have recovered from the virus.On Oct 10, White House physician Dr Sean Conley said the president had completed his treatment and cleared him to return to his public duties.Conley did not say that the president had tested negative, just that he was no longer contagious.The commander-in-chief also said that he is “medication-free” but that he doesn’t know the results of his most recent coronavirus test, CBS News reported.In convalescent plasma therapy, doctors collect plasma from donors who have recovered from Covid-19 and give it to patients who are still fighting the disease. It is being used across the country as a treatment after the Food and Drug Administration approved its use in August, in what Trump called a “truly historic” decision.The president left Walter Reed last Monday after a three-night stay, returning to the White House. He said the drug Regeneron’s experimental antibody cocktail had made a “tremendous difference” in his recovery.Trump is eager to return to the campaign trail. He tweeted that he’ll be in Florida, for a “very big rally” on Monday.His campaign team have since confirmed that the rally will happen on Monday night at Sanford Orlando International Airport. The campaign also said all attendees will get temperature checks and will be encouraged – but not mandated – to wear masks.


Islamic State claims attack on Pakistan Shia miners that killed 11

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for an attack on Sunday morning that killed 11 miners from Pakistan’s minority Shiite Hazara community in Baluchistan province.Hazaras have been frequently targeted by Taliban and IS militants and other Sunni Muslim militant groups in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.The attack took place in Bolan district around 100km southeast of Baluchistan’s capital Quetta.The miners were in a shared residential room near the coal mine where they worked, officials said.“The throats of all coal miners have been slit, after their hands were tied behind their backs and they were blindfolded,” a security official told Reuters, requesting anonymity as he is not allowed to speak to media.A video clip on WhatsApp, apparently shot by a first responder, showed three bodies lying outside the room and the rest inside in pools of blood.“The condemnable killing of 11 innocent coal miners in Baluchistan is yet another cowardly inhuman act of terrorism,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted.IS later claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency via its Telegram communications channel.The attack came after a lull in nearly a year of violence against the Shiite Hazara minority in the province. In April, a market suicide bombing killed 18 people, half of whom were Hazaras.Following Sunday’s attack, members of the Hazara minority in Quetta blocked the western bypass and set fire to tyres to protest against the killings.Baluchistan is the focus of the US$60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a transport and energy link planned between western China and Pakistan’s southern deepwater port of Gwadar.


In Pandan, age and years away weigh on ex-heavyweights

In the parliamentary constituency of Pandan in Hulu Langat, Selangor, eyes are turning towards the clash between two former heavyweights looking to make a political comeback after a number of years out of the limelight.
Both Rafizi Ramli of PKR and former MCA man-turned-Warisan candidate Ong Tee Keat were, at one point or another, MPs for Pandan – Ong from 2004 to 2013, and Rafizi from 2013 to 2018.
Today, they are among five candidates vying for the support needed to take the urban seat.
The others are Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Muhammad Farique Zubir Albakri, Nadia Hanafiah of Pejuang, and Leong Kok Wee, representing Barisan Nasional (BN).
Pandan, won by PKR's Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the previous general election, had an estimated 148,730 voters at that time.
But as Rafizi and Ong battle it out for support ahead of the Nov 19 polls, questions remain, including about the impact of their age gap on their support base and whether their time away from politics will make a difference.

Ong Tee Keat stops to chat with customers at a coffee shop in Taman Muda.

At a block of flats just across the street from the nomination centre, a youth who introduced himself as Adif Zulkifli Mohammed Amin said the focus should be on the new faces being fielded in Pandan.
"Rafizi is okay," he said. "Wan Azizah also came down to the field, but we know their methods. Give new candidates a chance."
Another youth, Jimmy Lam, said he was more familiar with Rafizi than he was with Ong.
"I've heard of Ong because my dad talked about him," Lam, 21, said.
"But I know Rafizi more," he added, attributing his lack of knowledge about Ong to the age gap between him and the former MCA president.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Perak Youth assembly member Yeap Thiam Hoong said names like Ong and former DAP man Wee Choo Keong, who is likewise looking to make a comeback in Wangsa Maju, were no longer relevant to young voters.
"When I paid attention to politics, back in 2007 and 2008, I knew who Ong and Chua Soi Lek were," he said, referring to still another former MCA leader.
"But if you disappear for several years, you are irrelevant."
Older voters
Among the older voters in the flats, opinions appeared more evenly split between Ong and Rafizi.

Rafizi Ramli greets people who came to attend a ceramah in Pandan Indah.

 A 63-year-old woman who called herself Kak Sabariah said both Rafizi and Ong stood a chance of winning the race for the seat.
"PN might have a chance too, since they have joined hands with PAS and Gerakan," Sabariah, who has lived in Pandan for 20 years, said.
"But chances for BN here are slim."
Rama, also 63, has lived in Pandan for more than 40 years. Unlike the younger generation, he recalled Ong's years of service, and fondly.
"He helped the schools a lot in the old days," he said. "He was a pioneer in politics."
Another local called Ngai agreed that Ong was a "people person". However, he said it would be hard to predict the outcome.
"If people vote based on the candidate, not the party, Ong might stand a chance," he said.
Yet another local who gave his name as Low said both Ong and Rafizi were well known in the area.
"It's 50-50 between them," he said, adding that he was not familiar with the other candidates.
He, too, recalled Ong's service during his time as Pandan MP.
"He served the area well. He got the approval for SJK (C) On Pong 2."


No proof that funds in ex-Goldman banker’s account were from 1MDB, court told

The High Court today was told there was no proof that the 13 bank transactions involving several accounts of former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa and his wife could be linked to the 1MDB scandal.Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, representing Ng and his wife, Lim Hwee Bin, submitted that there was no evidence in the affidavits of two investigating officers, Supt Foo Wei Min and ACP R Rajagopal, showing that the flow of funds in the seven accounts was related to 1MDB.“The money that flowed to the seven accounts belonging to Ng and Lim was their own money and there is no prima facie evidence showing that the funds in their accounts were proceeds of illegal activities.“The transactions in question were between Aug 7, 2015, and Aug 17, 2018. Out of the seven bank accounts, four were Ng’s, two were his joint accounts with Lim and one was Lim’s,” said Tan in his submission in the government-linked forfeiture suit against the couple and 16 others.Among the 13 transactions submitted at the hearing today were those involving S$2,656,786.34 in proceeds from the sale of Ng’s house in Singapore on May 19, 2017; RM13,737.50 in company shares on Aug 17, 2018; RM85,864.21 in payment to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on May 21, 2018; as well as RM170,183.11 in a transfer of funds between Ng and Lim on Aug 7, 2015.Tan also submitted that the burden was now on the prosecution to prove on the balance of probability that the bank accounts belonging to the couple were a subject matter in relation to the commission of an offence under the Anti-Money Laundering Act or proceeds from illegal activities.Tan then asked the court to dismiss the forfeiture suit against Ng and Lim.The hearing before justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan will resume on April 5.On May 8, 2019, the Attorney-General’s Chambers filed a notice of forfeiture over hundreds of items including branded handbags and 27 vehicles seized from former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, their three children and 13 individuals and companies, said to be linked to 1MDB.More than RM18 million in several accounts at Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, Al-Rajhi Bank Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, CIMB Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, AmBank Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd was also frozen between Aug 16, 2018, and March 11, 2019.The notice named Najib as the first respondent followed by Rosmah, Riza Aziz, Nor Ashman Razak Mohd Najib, Nooryana Najwa Mohd Najib, Mohd Kyizzad Mesran, Senijauhar Sdn Bhd, Aiman Ruslan, Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Yayasan Semesta, Yayasan Mustika Kasih, Rembulan Kembara Sdn Bhd, Goh Gaik Ewe, Ng, Lim, Kee Kok Thiam, Tan Vern Tact and Geh Choh Hun.The application was filed on grounds that the prosecution, acting under Section 56 (1) read together with Section 376 of the Criminal Procedure Code, was satisfied that the items seized between May 17, 2018, and March 11, 2019, were related to an offence under Section 4 (1) or the result of illegal activities involving the respondents.


Remember the force behind 'reformasi', PH told after remarks on education, income

Rahimi Abd Kadir recalls how, more than two decades ago, he and his friends made their way to the capital city from their village in Kedah to attend a reformasi protest – the slogan adopted by Anwar Ibrahim after he was sacked from the government in 1998.
They were among thousands of youth who found themselves out of a job amid the economic downturn caused by the Asian financial crisis.
Rahimi lost his job as a factory operator in Penang while one of his friends was forced to shut down his motorcycle workshop.
The third of them meanwhile could only find odd jobs around his village in Sik, Kedah.
With no money to spend and nothing to buy, they spent their time chatting in front of each other's houses, talking about the political situation.
It was September 1998, and Anwar had just been sacked from his position as deputy prime minister by Dr Mahathir Mohamad on charges of sexual misconduct.
The move sparked one of Malaysia's biggest political crises, with thousands turning out in mass protests in Kuala Lumpur, patterned after the gatherings in Indonesia a year earlier which succeeded in toppling the Suharto regime.
Rahimi still remembers how the youth at the time would talk of nothing else, eagerly following every development communicated through the newspapers, television screens and radio programmes.
Then came the day when they decided to go to Kuala Lumpur themselves and join in the protests at Dataran Merdeka.
"Ask anyone who went to the gathering of Sept 20," Rahimi said in a recent interview with MalaysiaNow.
"None of the youth there had any money. But they were the ones who supported him until he finally became the prime minister," he added, referring to Anwar's appointment to the top office in November last year.
Education and income
With memories of the 1998 protests still clear in his mind, Rahimi is disappointed in PKR leader Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who recently said that the youth who supported Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the November election had low levels of education and income.
"Back then, their support was from young people with no money, too," he said.
Saifuddin had cited a study conducted by PH after the Nov 19, 2022 polls, which he said found that young voters with a stable income and higher education were more likely to support Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
"We found that the higher their education and more stable their income, the more likely they were to vote for us," he said.
"Meanwhile those with lower education levels and an uncertain income who ride on motorcycles here and there voted for PN."
Rahimi said many leaders including Anwar and Saifuddin were in their current positions due to the support of such youth.
"When they won the 14th general election, that was partly due to the youth as well," he said.
"Why not say the same thing?"
Twenty-three-year-old Hasriq, who voted in Putrajaya for the first time at the last election, criticised what he described as the "toxic" censure by some politicians of young voters who were not aligned with the government.
"Before the election, they praised the youth but after the election, they blamed us," he said.
Alise from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, meanwhile said that the youth might lose their patience if politicians continued blaming them for their losses.
Alise, who also voted for the first time last November, said she was not inclined to cast her ballot at all and had only done so because she was automatically registered.
"Politicians need to remember that the youth who made up Undi 18 and the institution of reformasi can't be ordered around," she said.
She also questioned attempts to link youth support for PN with online content including TikTok videos.
"It's not the fault of the youth or TikTok," she said.
TikTok recently dismissed claims on the perceived role of its video content during the general election last year, as well as accusations that its moderators were politically biased in pushing videos critical of the current government.
It acknowledged promoting some videos to introduce celebrities and emerging creators, but said no political ads were allowed on the platform, according to the rules set for account owners from the government, politicians and political parties.


In condolence message, Agong recalls meeting with Japan's Abe

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has expressed his condolences to the family of former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe, who died after he was shot while campaigning for an election this morning.
In a statement, he recalled an audience he had had with Abe, the special envoy of Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at Istana Negara on March 11.
"At the time, he was on a three-day visit to Malaysia in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan," he said.
"At the meeting, he was conferred an honorary doctorate in political economics, in conjunction with the 36th convocation ceremony at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
"The audience was the second with Abe, after the 126th coronation ceremony of Maharaja Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Oct 23, 2019."
Sultan Abdullah said he and his queen expressed their grief over Abe's death and hoped that his family would be resilient in the face of such a trial.
"His death is a huge loss to Japan and its people," he said.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob meanwhile said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of Abe's assassination.
Ismail, who is on an official visit to Turkiye, added that Abe had played an important role in nurturing ties between Malaysia and Japan, and was a leading supporter of Malaysia's Look East Policy.
Abe, 67, was shot from behind as he was campaigning for a parliamentary election in the western city of Nara.
He was rushed to hospital but bled to death from two deep wounds, one on the right side of his neck.
The hospital said he had no vital signs when he was brought in.
Abe served two terms as prime minister of Japan, stepping down in 2020 due to ill health.


What it's like to try Apple's new Vision Pro headset

Apple Inc on Monday let analysts and media, including Reuters, try its US$3,499 (about RM16,000) Vision Pro headset.
What is immediately clear is the device is not yet meant for a mass market: a test drive requires a setup session with Apple staff and a quick visit with a vision specialist to ensure the headset fits and functions as intended. And the price tag is likely to keep all but the most dedicated Apple fans and business users away.
Instead of starting with a consumer version and working up to a "Pro" model, Apple is starting with the premium tier and hoping to bring prices down as the technology matures, said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst with Creative Strategies.
Apple released the Vision Pro in an attempt to wrest the nascent headset category away from Meta Platforms Inc, which has already released several headsets but struggled to break out of a virtual reality market long dominated by video games.
The Vision Pro headset has a "digital crown" similar to an Apple watch crown, which can be tapped and turned to make the display transition fluidly between the real world outside and the virtual world inside. Walking around a room or viewing a 3D film both feel natural as does watching a virtual butterfly settle on the user's outstretched hand.
The device also glitched at least once during a demonstration to Reuters, requiring Apple staff to reboot and showing that the iPhone maker still has some kinks to iron out.
Here are some key takeaways from the demonstration:
The real world and other people are always present. The default mode while wearing the device is to see the outside world in full color. Even when fully immersed in a virtual world, exterior cameras keep an eye out for other humans. If another person approaches the user, that person starts to materialise through the virtual world.
Hollywood will likely take an interest. Apple demonstrated a series of "immersive videos", shot on special proprietary cameras where the viewer can step inside and look around.
The sense of place can be startling. In one video, a tightrope walker suspended between two mountains edges toward the viewer, creating an unsettling urge to look down at an intimidating chasm below. At the same time, the realism can make mundane details look out of place in a polished production, like a cheap plastic water bottle sitting on the piano during a recording session with a famous singer.
From the outset, Apple has focused on the business case for Vision Pro, demonstrating how to use multiple apps at once in the headset, which is akin to having several high resolution displays. It also showed how two users could share, and manipulate, three-dimensional virtual objects during a conference call. Both are functions that could find some use in the corporate world, where Vision Pro's price tag would sit on cost centres rather than household budgets.
Video calls will take some getting used to. Apple showed a FaceTime video call between two people wearing the headset. The experience is similar to a standard video call, but uses complicated technology to project an image of the caller, not a conventional face-pointing handset or monitor camera.
To construct a virtual "persona" of the caller that shows their facial expressions, the system uses pre-loaded pictures combined with data from the Vision Pro's interior eye-tracking system and exterior hand-tracking cameras. But the net effect is human-but-not-quite, a phenomenon robotics experts call the "uncanny valley" effect where faces that resemble humans but are slightly off can make users feel uneasy.


Daily cases drop again to 6,700

Another 6,709 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 2,346,303.Another 10,833 patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 2,206,502.Meanwhile 762 are in the ICU, including 702 confirmed Covid-19 patients.A total of 398 are in need of respiratory assistance including 298 confirmed Covid-19 cases.Of the 6,709 cases reported today, 144 (2.1%) are in Category Three and above. The remaining 6,565 (97.9%) are in Category One and Two.


Shanghai economy improves fitfully as end of Covid lockdown nears

Shanghai took further gradual steps on Friday toward lifting its Covid-19 lockdown while Beijing was investigating cases where its strict curbs were affecting other medical treatments as China continues its uneven exit from restrictions.The financial hub and the capital have been hot spots, with a harsh two-month lockdown to arrest a coronavirus spike in Shanghai and tight movement restrictions to quell a small but stubborn outbreak in Beijing.The curbs have battered the world’s second-biggest economy even as most countries have been seeking to return to something like normal.China’s economy is now staggering back to its feet, but data shows only a grinding and partial recovery, with businesses from retailers to chipmakers warning of slow sales as consumers in the country slam the brakes on spending.Electricity consumption by Shanghai’s large industrial enterprises rose steadily in the first three weeks of May to 83% of 2021 levels, Ruan Qiantu, head of the city’s branch of China’s State Grid, told reporters.The utility will work to avoid outages as demand recovers and the summer consumption peak approaches, Ruan said. “We are actively responding to the demands of enterprises.”As Shanghai, China’s most populous city, aims to essentially end its lockdown from Wednesday, the authorities have been allowing more people out of their homes and more businesses to reopen over the past week. But most residents remain confined to their compounds and most shops can only do deliveries.The district of Pudong, home to the Port of Shanghai, the city’s largest airport and its main finance centre, reopened 115 bus routes on Friday. The city is slowly expanding public transport after reopening four of its 20 subway lines and more than 250 bus routes on Sunday.More than 30 parks had reopened as of Thursday, with visitor numbers capped below 50% of their maximum capacity, the Shanghai Daily reported. By Tuesday 70 more parks will reopen.Shanghai’s latest daily Covid caseload was below 300, with no cases outside quarantined areas, as has been the case for most of the past two weeks. Beijing reported 29 daily cases, down from 45 the day before.The capital this week has stepped up quarantines, reduced workplace attendance and cracked down on people flouting instructions. This strict approach has sometimes caused other problems.Beijing officials are investigating incidents of delayed treatment for patients with acute diseases, and some emergency services officers have been suspended, the state-backed People’s Daily said on Friday.A farmer surnamed Song wrote on social media that his 32-year-old son had died on May 11 in Beijing after waiting for an hour with acute chest pain for an ambulance. Song said he was told that there had been confusion over whether his son could be admitted due to Covid controls at local hospitals.“This practice… brought irreparable losses to a peasant family with only one son and caused serious negative effects and smears to the anti-epidemic effort,” Song wrote on Thursday.Cases of slow access to medical care for pregnant women and other non-Covid patients during lockdowns caused outrage earlier this year in Shanghai and Xian. Read full storyRead full storyGrindingProfits at China’s industrial firms fell the fastest in two years in April, data showed on Friday, as high raw material prices and snarled supply chains squeezed margins and disrupted factory activity.Car sales in the world’s largest auto market have slowed dramatically, gamers are buying fewer consoles and consumers are unwilling to replace their existing smartphones or laptops.But this month has seen some improvement.Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is accelerating deliveries after resuming double-shift production in mid-May at its plant in the southern city Zhaoqing, chairman He Xiaopeng told analysts this week.Tesla added a second shift at its Shanghai plant on Thursday.Alibaba Group cited pandemic-related risks and other uncertainties on Thursday for not issuing a forecast for its new business year.China’s central bank said on Thursday it would promote more credit for smaller firms.


UN in talks with Taliban about possibly handing over Afghan teaching projects to local organisations

The UN children's agency said it was holding discussions with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban authorities over "timelines and practicalities" for a possible required handover to local organisations of its education programmes and that classes would continue in the meantime.
Aid officials say that the Taliban had signalled international organisations could no longer be involved in education projects, in a move criticised by the UN but not yet confirmed by Afghan authorities.
Unicef said it had received assurances from the education ministry that its community-based classes, which educate 500,000 students, would continue while they discussed the matter.
"As the lead agency for the education cluster in Afghanistan, Unicef is engaged in constructive discussions with the de facto Ministry of Education and appreciates the commitment from the de facto minister to keep all... classes continuing while discussions take place about timelines and practicalities," Unicef's Afghanistan spokesperson, Samantha Mort, told Reuters.
"In order to minimise disruption to children's learning, it is imperative that any handover to national NGOs is done strategically and includes comprehensive assessment and capacity building."
A spokesperson for the Taliban did not respond to request for comment. The Ministry of Education has not publicly confirmed the policy.
The Taliban, who took power in 2021, have closed most secondary schools to girls, stopped female students attending universities and stopped many Afghan women working for aid groups and the United Nations in accordance with their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
International organisations have been heavily involved in education projects, and Unicef made an agreement with the Taliban to run community classes before they took over the country.
Two humanitarian sources told Reuters this month that aid agencies had been told provincial authorities had been directed to stop the involvement of international organisations in education projects, possibly within weeks.
The UN spokesperson in New York said the move would be a "horrendous step backwards".
Unicef runs many community-based classes including for 300,000 girls, often in homes in rural areas.
The Taliban took over Afghanistan after a 20-year insurgency against US-led forces with a speed and ease that took the world by surprise.


Shutdown looming ahead, Malaysia Airlines CEO warns

Even with plans in the pipeline for a five-year restructuring exercise of Malaysia Airlines, its CEO warns that he will have little choice but to shut it down if creditors don’t get on board.The flagship carrier aims to break even by 2023, but the plan is contingent on the support of all its creditors.And, according to group CEO Izham Ismail, while it currently has the support of many, others are still on the fence.“I need to get the 50:50 ones (on board) with those who have agreed,” he said in a report by World of Aviation.This comes a week after Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz said the government would not bail out either Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia, the country’s largest airlines which have taken the brunt of the recent lockdown and closure of borders to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.Malaysia Airlines, which reported a 94% dip in its finances after travel restrictions were imposed across the world, has also been offering employees no-pay leave and implementing pay cuts for those in the higher salary bracket.Izham said the airline would have no choice but to “shut down” entirely if he fails to obtain the unanimous support of creditors and lessors on the proposed restructuring, which is banking on a recovery to pre-pandemic levels of domestic and regional demand.He had also been reported as saying that the airline burns through US$88 million a month despite its present ultra-lean structure.Malaysia Airlines axed thousands of workers following the double disasters of MH370 and MH17 in 2014.In addition to suffering massive losses in the second and third quarters this year due to border closures, it was also hit with news that its sole shareholder, sovereign wealth fund Khazanah, had earmarked only US$139 million for it.According to Reuters, its “Plan B” is for Khazanah to inject funds into Firefly, which is fully owned by Malaysia Airlines’ parent company.World of Aviation meanwhile mentioned a shift of Malaysia Airlines’ air operators certificate to a new airline under a different name, or the use of the certificates of Firefly and MASwings.“If you ask me, is Plan B credible? Of course, it is. We have all the skill sets in place,” Izham was quoted as saying.


Going solo might hurt Umno’s chances at polls, analysts say

Umno’s decision to cut ties with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the 15th general election and to go solo in the Melaka state polls might prove detrimental for the Malay party, analysts say.Ahmad Martadha Mohamed from Universiti Utara Malaysia said the move would split the Malay vote and weaken Umno’s chances during both elections.He also said the declaration by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi severing cooperation with Bersatu was only rhetoric and did not represent the party’s stand as objections were raised by other leaders.“Because of this, we can see that Umno itself understands if it wants to win, it needs to work together with others.“It cannot do it alone. This is a fact,” he told MalaysiaNow.Adding that cooperation between Umno and Bersatu would be a “win-win situation”, he said Umno also needs Muafakat Nasional, the pact inked with Islamist party PAS.“Not just Bersatu, it needs PAS as well to win as many Malay votes as possible,” he said.Martadha said with the formation of PN, Barisan Nasional (BN) was no longer relevant as a political coalition.He cited the move by many BN component parties including MCA, MIC and Gerakan to voice their support for PN.“Umno is actually more relevant if it uses the name of the party itself instead of BN,” he said, adding that some decisions by Umno had also been opposed by BN components.“For me, it would be better for Umno to stand alone than to use the name of BN. That coalition is no longer the same as it used to be.”Banking on nostalgiaMujibu Abd Muis from Universiti Teknologi Mara meanwhile said Umno’s greatest challenge at this point revolves around internal reforms and providing a clearer picture of its struggle to the electorate.“In general, Umno is a party that banks on nostalgia and its service to the Malay community,” he said.“In this context, it is no longer enough to attract voters, especially from among the younger generation.”He said this was clear from the sentiments of Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who believed that Umno had strayed from its original spirit.“The question is whether Umno is ready to undertake the process of reforming its old-fashioned political culture – the patronage system, money politics and so on.“From the looks of it, this is still difficult to change.”On Razaleigh’s call for the revival of the “old Umno”, Mujibu said it might be because as a party veteran, he was watching divisions among members.On the relationship between Umno and Bersatu, meanwhile, Mujibu said it warranted careful consideration.“At the general election, if the Malay vote is split and there are issues that are not kept in check by Umno such as court cases, it could threaten the party,” he said.“As long as there are no serious issues following Umno in the election, it might have a chance. But right now, without an alliance with other parties, it will be difficult for Umno to form the government.”He said the best way for Umno to tackle an election, whether at the state or federal level, would be to have more friends than enemies.“This is unless the party is offered a chance to prove that it can be a credible government and move towards a new political culture,” he said.“The fact of Malaysian politics is, there is no one party that can stand on its own to form the government without an alliance with others.”


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Modi heads to US to deepen ties, says no doubting India's position on Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for the US on Tuesday on a state visit that has been projected as a milestone in ties between the two countries that would deepen and diversify their partnership.
Modi has been to the US five times since becoming prime minister in 2014 but the June 21-24 trip will be his first with the full diplomatic status of an official state visit.
It is also only the third state visit of Joe Biden's presidency and the third by an Indian leader to the US, indicating the strengthening bond between Washington and New Delhi and the distance they have travelled since being on opposite sides of the Cold War.
The visit is expected to see the two countries expand cooperation in defence industry and high technology sectors, with India getting access to critical American technologies that Washington rarely shares with non-allies.
"This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies," Modi said in a statement ahead of his departure.
"I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains," he said.
Washington sees India as a vital partner in its efforts to push back against China's expanding influence worldwide.
It hopes that a stronger India that can defend its own interests and can contribute to regional security in the Indo-Pacific is good for the US.
US lawmakers have invited Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be Modi's second such address, a rare honour for a leader once denied a visa to enter the US over human rights concerns.
Meeting Musk
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is among business leaders Modi is scheduled to meet during the trip, Reuters TV partner ANI reported.
Senior Tesla officials met India's deputy minister for technology and other officials last month, making clear the electric vehicle manufacturer's ambitious plans to establish a production base in India.
The officials held discussions with the government about incentives being offered by India for car and battery manufacturing and proposed setting up a factory in India to build electric vehicles, Reuters reported in May.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment while India's foreign ministry was not available.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Monday that details of Modi's meetings in Washington would be shared as the visit unfolds.
Musk is also the executive chairman of Twitter, which has had run-ins with Modi's government.
Last week, Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey said India threatened to shut down the platform in the country unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the handling of farmer protests, a charge Modi's government called an "outright lie".
Modi's visit comes amid differences in the positions of Washington and New Delhi over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
India has not condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and urged both sides to resolve their differences through diplomacy.
It remains dependent on old friend Moscow for its defence needs and has sharply increased its imports of cheap Russian oil, frustrating the West.
Asked in an interview with the Wall Street Journal about critical comments in the US for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi said: "I don't think this type of perception is widespread in the US"
"I think India’s position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that India’s top-most priority is peace," he said in the interview published on Tuesday.
Modi called for changes to global institutions like the United Nations to adapt for an increasingly "multipolar world order", and make them more representative of the world's less-affluent countries, the Wall Street Journal said.
India would like to be a permanent member of the Security Council, he said.
"The world should be asked if it wants India to be there," Modi said.


Anwar raises prospect of jail for corrupt leaders

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday called for a stop to "the plundering of the people's wealth", saying those who steal will be put in jail regardless of party or status.
“The nation is rich, but there have been huge losses, so what we need to do is stop this plundering of the people's wealth.
"It doesn’t matter if (you) wear religious headgear, a coat or anything else. Whether (you are) a Tan Sri or Tun or from any party for that matter, if you steal money, we will shove you into my (old) cell in Sungai Buloh (prison)," he added.
"It’s still vacant."
Anwar, at a meet-and-greet session with Balik Pulau residents in Penang, also denied that he was succuming to DAP's wishes in the country's administration, saying he cannot be "bought" as claimed by some.
"Yes, DAP is our friend, and we only give them positions, but do remember who is still the boss... Do you think I am stupid?
"Anthony Loke is the transport minister, he abides by policies and brings (proposals) to the Cabinet, and only when the prime minister approves, they can be implemented… I am the type that can take all sorts of criticism but to buy out Anwar, its not possible," he was reported as saying.
He also urged the people of Penang to retain Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders whom he said had been governing the state well.
He also said that the federal government would continue helping Penang in resolving issues related to the state.
"(The people of) Penang must give opportunities to capable leaders to govern, I would like to explain here and we must fully understand this. In the past, they were saying that if Anwar was to lead, that would be the end of the Malays (and that) all religious schools will be shut.
"During campaigns, they said when Anwar becomes prime minister, you can’t wear the hijab anymore. What do you think they are wearing now?
"So I am asking Penang to continue to be strong (under PH rule). I am always in close contact with the chief minister. The federal government will help in whatever way it can, and what the state government is capable of doing, let it handle," he said.


Court rejects govt’s bid to suspend ruling on equal citizenship for children born overseas

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today dismissed the government’s application to stay its ruling that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers who are married to foreigners are entitled by operation of law to be citizens of Malaysia, pending the disposal of an appeal at the Court of Appeal.Judge Akhtar Tahir made the ruling after hearing submissions by parties in the proceedings conducted online.Counsel Gurdial Singh Nijar, when contacted, said the judge found that the mothers, who were the plaintiffs, had waited long enough and experienced hardship, and that they could not wait indefinitely for the appeal process to be over as it would prejudice the plaintiffs and cause them continuous hardship.“Akhtar in his decision ruled that the defendants’ position was contradictory. On one hand, they said that an amendment to the Federal Constitution to grant mothers this right must be first approved by the Conference of Rulers. This presupposed that the amendment was necessary.“However, there is no question of an amendment because the court has already decided that the mothers have this right under the constitution. Furthermore, if the amendment goes through, there is no question of retracting any documents issued to the mothers as directed by the court,” said Gurdial.The defendants are the government, the home minister and the National Registration Department director-general.According to Gurdial, the judge also said that if the defendants intend to amend the Federal Constitution in line with the High Court’s decision, they should not put any hurdles in the way of the mothers.He said the court also ordered the government to pay costs of RM5,000.Gurdial is representing the plaintiffs, namely the Association of Family Support & Welfare Selangor & Kuala Lumpur (Family Frontiers) and six Malaysian women who are married to foreigners, while senior federal counsel Liew Horng Bin appeared for the defendants.On Sept 9, Akhtar allowed the plaintiffs’ legal suit, ruling that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners are entitled by operation of law to be citizens of Malaysia.Following that, the government appealed against the court’s decision and filed the stay application.In the originating summons filed on Dec 18 last year, the plaintiffs sought for their overseas-born children to have the right to become Malaysian citizens as well as six specific court orders, including a declaration that Section 1(b) and Section 1(c) of the Second Schedule, Part II of the Federal Constitution be read harmoniously with Article 8 (2) to include Malaysian mothers as a condition for children born abroad to be given automatic Malaysian citizenship.They also sought a court order for all relevant government agencies, including the National Registration Department, immigration department and Malaysian embassies, to issue all documents relating to citizenship (including passports and identity cards) to children born abroad to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses.


Restaurant chain CEO, company director remanded over graft

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested a CEO and a company director on suspicion of receiving bribes from contractors hired to carry out renovation works for a famous Chinese restaurant chain in the country.The duo, aged 60 and 37, were arrested in Kuala Lumpur late yesterday afternoon.According to a source, the CEO, a Hong Kong citizen who holds permanent resident status in Singapore, is said to have ordered each contractor to give a commission of 15% of the contract price while appointing contractors for a project to renovate six restaurants in several states.The payments were credited to another company whose director was also detained by MACC.Both CEO and director were brought to the Magistrate’s Court in Putrajaya where a remand order was issued for five days until Feb 23 under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.When contacted, MACC’s deputy chief commissioner (operations) confirmed the arrests.Investigations are being held under Section 16 of the MACC Act.


12 more deaths, 260 in ICU

Another 3,170 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 172,549.Kuala Lumpur recorded 576 cases, followed by Selangor (545), Johor (423), Sabah (401), Perak (245) and Penang (171).Kedah recorded 156 cases, Kelantan 135, Sarawak 132, Melaka 106, Negeri Sembilan 102, Terengganu 57, Pahang 48, Putrajaya 33, Labuan 32 and Perlis eight.Active cases stand at 41,755 with 260 in the ICU and 103 in need of respiratory assistance.Sixteen new clusters were detected:1. Jalan Terolak (Kepong in Kuala Lumpur; 16 cases)2. Pasar Borong KL 2 (Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa and Kepong in Kuala Lumpur; 20 cases)3. Jalan Kelapa (Hulu Langat in Selangor; 21 cases)4. Jalan Canang Emas (Klang in Selangor; 13 cases)5. Jalan Sempadan (Johor Bahru and Kulai in Johor; 35 cases)6. Tampoi Tujuh (Johor Bahru in Johor; 15 cases)7. Seri Bayu (Kota Tinggi in Johor; six cases)8. Ladang Sebrang (Lahad Datu in Sabah; 21 cases)9. Silimpopon (Kalabakan in Sabah; 29 cases)10. Taman Sejahtera (Kampar, Perak Tengah and Kinta in Perak; 35 cases)11. Jalan Slim (Muallim in Perak; 26 cases)12. Kota Muhibbah (Hilir Perak, Kinta and Manjung in Perak; 15 cases)13. Mandin Jaya (Seberang Perai Utara in Penang; 29 cases)14. Orion (Kuala Muda, Sik and Kulim in Kedah; nine cases)15. Gunung Raya (Langkawi in Kedah; 11 cases)16. Kampung Tanah Merah (Besut in Terengganu; 15 cases)Seven others ended, leaving 327 active clusters throughout the country.Another 2,490 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 130,152.However, 12 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 642.


MIC to challenge election results in Bukit Batu seat

MIC will file an election petition to challenge the Bukit Batu state seat results in the newly concluded Johor election, says its president S A Vigneswaran.He said MIC’s candidate S Suppayah lost to PKR’s Arthur Chiong Sen by a majority of just 137 votes.“We will file a petition because during the counting process, we found that the number of spoilt votes at 650 was higher than the winning majority.“We did state our objection (during vote counting) but a protest needs to be lodged through the right channels,” he added after an event at the Sungai Siput MIC service centre yesterday.In the Johor election, MIC won three of the four seats it contested – Kemelah, Kahang and Tenggaroh.Vigneswaran said MIC’s three-seat win showed that the people had accepted and wanted Barisan Nasional to form the government again.“We find that Indian voters have returned to BN; this is no longer just rhetoric. Hopefully, we can also receive the support of Indians at the 15th general election,” he said.At GE14, MIC won the Tenggaroh and Kahang state seats but lost in Gambir and Skudai.


Nov 15 hearing for govt’s bid to stay ruling on equal citizenship

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has fixed Nov 15 to hear the government’s application for a stay of the court’s ruling that children born overseas to Malaysian women married to foreigners are entitled to be citizens of Malaysia.Counsel Joshua Andran, who confirmed the matter when contacted by Bernama, said the date was fixed during a case management before deputy registrar Maslinda Selamat.The government had filed the application for a stay pending the disposal of its appeal to the Court of Appeal.On Sept 9, judge Akhtar Tahir ruled that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers who are married to foreigners are entitled by operation of law to be citizens of Malaysia.The government subsequently appealed against the court’s decision.The decision allowed a legal suit filed by the Association of Family Support & Welfare Selangor & Kuala Lumpur (Family Frontiers) and six Malaysian women who are married to foreigners for their overseas-born children to have the right to become Malaysian citizens.In an originating summons filed on Dec 18 last year, they sought six specific court orders, including a declaration that Section 1(b) and Section 1(c) of the Second Schedule, Part II of the Federal Constitution be read harmoniously with Article 8(2) to include Malaysian mothers as a condition for children born abroad to be given automatic Malaysian citizenship.They also sought, among others, a court order for all relevant government agencies, including the National Registration Department (JPN), immigration department and Malaysian embassies, to issue all documents relating to citizenship (including passports and identity cards) to children born abroad to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses.They named the Malaysian government, the home minister and the director-general of JPN as defendants.In a 24-page written judgement made available to the media, the judge ruled that there was no abuse for the plaintiffs in bringing the action against the defendants and that the plaintiffs had the locus to file the originating summons.“In a further submission, the defendants have raised various issues of the plaintiffs’ locus in bringing this action. The first is that citizenship is a privilege rather than a right and therefore the plaintiffs are stopped from making a claim to the citizenship for their children.“The short reply of the court to this argument is that, even if the granting of citizenship is a privilege it must be offered without discrimination. It does not address the discrimination issue,” the judge said.Akhtar said the second issue raised on locus by the defendants was that the persons aggrieved are the children who have not been given citizenship and not the mothers therefore the mothers can only bring a representative action on behalf of the children.“It is noted by the court that the mothers have highlighted in their affidavits the grievances they are facing for the children not being granted citizenship.“This includes enrolment into school, additional expenses in education, healthcare and many other problems. The defendants in their affidavit have not challenged any of these grievances faced by the mothers. So it is illogical to argue that only the children are aggrieved not the mothers. By not disputing the grievances faced by the plaintiffs, the defendants have accepted the grievances faced by the mothers as real and not mere conjecture,” he said.The judge said the third issue raised by the defendants was that the plaintiffs were abusing the process of law by coming to the courts only after their application for citizenship was rejected under Article 15 of the Federal Constitution.“This argument can be brushed aside simply on the strength of the defendants’ own argument that the plaintiffs have to resort to court after being denied citizenship for their children.“Whether the plaintiffs can succeed in their action is not a criterion to determine whether they have a locus or not. In this case it was the court’s ruling that there are valid issues to be determined and the plaintiffs have an interest in the determination of these issues. Therefore, all the plaintiffs have a locus to file this originating summons,” he said.In summing up the issue, Akhtar said the court reiterated that it was not seeking to change the federal government’s policy of granting citizenship.“The government’s policy on the citizenship of children born out of federation was already decided during the time of the second prime minister of Malaysia. The defendants have painstakingly adduced extracts of the Hansard which shows that the government had decided to adopt the principle of ‘jus sangunis’ to confer citizenship to the children born out of the Federation on and above to children born in the federation. To this end Article 14 (1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, the impugned provision was enacted.“This court further reiterates that it was not seeking to change the policy or rewrite the law which has already been enacted by the federal government. What the court was endeavouring to do was applying the existing law and policy already in force in a manner which will find a remedy to the grievance of the plaintiffs. The courts are surely empowered to do this.“The grievances of the plaintiffs are real and the defendants must not bury their head in the sand like an ostrich and state that there is no grievance or discrimination. The court has already stated that the discrimination against the mothers was apparent,” said the judge.Akhtar also concluded that Article 8(2) on equality that prohibits discrimination based on gender would also mean that the word “father” in the Federal Constitution under the Second Schedule, Part II, Section 1(b) should also include mothers and that their children are entitled to citizenship by operation of the law.“Having regards to the anomaly that has arisen in interpreting the impugned provision literally or mechanically the court concludes that the father in the impugned provision must include the mother of the children born out of Federation,” he said.