IS militant gets life in US prison over killing of American hostages

A US federal judge on Friday sentenced a member of an Islamic State cell known as "The Beatles" to life in prison for involvement in a hostage-taking plot that led to the killings of American journalists and aid workers in Syria.
Families and friends of the four Americans killed and of other hostages previously detained by the militant group looked on as district court judge TS Ellis sentenced El Shafee Elsheikh, 34, to life without parole, calling his behaviour "horrific, barbaric, brutal and of course criminal."
A jury in April concluded the former British citizen was part of an Islamic State cell, nicknamed "The Beatles" for their English accents, that beheaded American hostages in areas of the Middle East controlled by the militant group. He was found guilty on four counts of hostage-taking and four counts of conspiracy after a two-week trial.
The victims' relatives and friends sat in the front rows of the courtroom and were visibly shaken during the course of the hearing as tears rolled down their eyes and they consoled each other. Elsheikh was sentenced to eight concurrent life sentences.
At the peak of its power from 2014-2017, Islamic State ruled over millions of people and claimed responsibility for or inspired attacks in dozens of cities around the world.
Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a caliphate over a quarter of Iraq and Syria in 2014, before he was killed in a raid by US special forces in Syria in 2019 as the group's rule collapsed.
Elsheikh, who was born in Sudan and raised in London, was accused of conspiring to kill four American hostages: James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.
Foley and Sotloff, both journalists, and Kassig, an aid worker, were killed in videotaped beheadings. Mueller was raped repeatedly by al-Baghdadi before her death in Syria, US officials have said.
The deaths of Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were confirmed in 2014; Mueller's death was confirmed in early 2015.
Elsheikh appeared in the federal courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday wearing a gray jumpsuit, a facemask and glasses. Family and friends of his victims were asked to make statements in front of the judge.
"Hatred completely overtook your humanity," Foley's mother, Diane said, later breaking down in tears. "I pity you. I pray your time in prison will give you a time to reflect." Friday marked the eighth anniversary of Foley’s beheading.
The head of the London police's Counter Terrorism Command, Richard Smith, said in a statement the victims' families "have shown remarkable fortitude and bravery in giving their accounts of what happened to investigators, and in court."
The charges against Elsheikh, whose British citizenship was withdrawn in 2018, carried a potential death sentence, but US prosecutors had previously advised British officials that they would not seek the death penalty.
Prosecutors argued that a life sentence was needed to prevent Elsheikh from causing future harm and to set a precedent that such crimes will get strict punishment.
"The Beatles were genuine psychopaths," First Assistant US Attorney Raj Parekh argued in court on Friday during the hearing, adding that Elsheikh was the highest-ranking member of the Islamic State to ever be convicted in a US court.
Another cell member, Alexanda Kotey, was sentenced to life in prison by a US judge earlier this year. Kotey was held in Iraq by the US military before being flown to the US to face trial. He pleaded guilty last September to the murders of Foley, Sotloff, Kassig and Mueller.
A third member of the group, Mohammed Emwazi, died in a US-British missile strike in Syria in 2015.
Some former hostages, released by the cell after protracted negotiations, testified during trials about the torture they endured. Family members of those killed also testified.


Daily cases cross 28,200 as another 105 deaths logged

Another 28,298 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 3,900,433.Of the total number of cases recorded, 214 were in Category Three and above.There were 33,009 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 3,567,003.A total of 1,743 cases were admitted to hospital, with 743 (42.6%) in Category Three and above and 1,000 (57.4%) in Category One and Two.Of the 214 cases in Category Three and above reported yesterday:* 56 (26.17%) were not vaccinated or had not completed their vaccination;* 101 (47.20%) had received two doses of vaccine;* 57 (26.64%) had received a booster jab;* 119 (55.61%) were aged 60 and above;* 82 (38.32%) had comorbidities; and* 2 (0.93%) were pregnant women.There are now 299,331 active cases, of which 289,043 or 96.6% are undergoing home quarantine.Meanwhile, 2,082 (0.7%) are at quarantine centres while 7,832 (2.6%) have been hospitalised.A total of 374 are in ICU with 233 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 57.9%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 42.4%.Another 105 deaths were reported, including 29 who were brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 34,099.The country’s infectivity rate as of March 16 was 0.96.


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Germany cracks down on unjabbed as US eyes winter battle

Germany unveiled strict curbs on the unvaccinated Thursday as alarm fanned worldwide over the Omicron variant, and Joe Biden announced America’s winter battle plans against Covid-19 as signs of community transmission of the new strain began showing in the US.The discovery of the new Omicron variant, first reported to the World Health Organization by South Africa on Nov 24, has spread worldwide rapidly, as the EU health agency warned the strain could cause more than half of Europe’s Covid cases in the “next few months”.More than two dozen countries and territories have now detected cases, including India on Thursday and the US on Wednesday, among the countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic since it first emerged nearly two years ago.The WHO has cautioned that it could take weeks to discover if Omicron is more transmissible, and whether it causes more severe disease – as well as how effective current treatments and vaccines are against it.But a new preliminary study by South African researchers suggests it is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains, the first epidemiological evidence about Omicron’s ability to evade immunity from prior infection.The paper, which has not yet been peer reviewed, was praised by Michael Head, a scientist at the University of Southampton.“This analysis does look very concerning, with immunity from previous infections being relatively easily bypassed. Might this all still be a ‘false alarm’? That is looking less and less likely,” he said.The variant’s detection and spread represent a fresh challenge to global efforts to battle the Variant pandemic, with several nations already reimposing restrictions many had hoped were a thing of the past.In Berlin, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that large parts of public life in Germany would be shut off to people who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from Covid-19, in an attempt to clamp down on surging infection rates fuelled by the Delta variant.“Culture and leisure nationwide will be open only to those who have been vaccinated or recovered,” Merkel said. The German parliament is due to vote on mandatory immunisations.It is not yet clear when the latest measures will go into effect.But the plans include a blanket ban on entering bars, restaurants and cinemas for anyone who is unvaccinated or not recovered from Covid, according to a document signed off by leaders.Fireworks bannedThe agreement also includes new restrictions on large gatherings – which would affect events such as Bundesliga football matches – and the closure of nightclubs in areas with a weekly incidence rate above 350 infections per 100,000 people.Fireworks will be banned on New Year’s Eve to stop large crowds from gathering, according to North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Hendrik Wuest.In the US, Biden urged political opponents to put aside their differences and back his winter plan, with new testing requirements for travelers and a surge in vaccination efforts.“It’s a plan that I think should unite us,” Biden said. All incoming travelers will need to test negative within a day before their flight, and rapid tests that currently cost US$25 will be covered by insurance and distributed free to the uninsured.His speech came as the US confirmed eight total Omicron cases – at least one involving a person with no recent international travel history, signaling the strain is already circulating inside the country.On Thursday, Norway introduced new anti-Covid measures in greater Oslo after a suspected cluster of Omicron cases emerged among dozens of vaccinated people who attended a Christmas dinner last week. So far, one Omicron case in the cluster has been confirmed.Face masks will be mandatory in public transport, shopping centres, shops and taxis when social distancing is not possible. People will have to work from home if possible, and the number allowed to gather at indoor private events will be limited to 100, the government said.Rising Delta infections had already seen European governments reintroduce mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing measures, curfews or lockdowns in a desperate attempt to limit hospitalisations, leaving businesses fearing another grim Christmas.‘Toxic mix’India has yet to impose new blanket international travel bans, but earlier this week, its health ministry ordered all inbound travellers from “countries at-risk” to undergo mandatory post-arrival Covid testing, along with the random testing of other international arrivals.WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of a “toxic mix” of low vaccination and testing rates creating a “recipe for breeding and amplifying variants”.In Belgium, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke spoke of “chaos” in Flemish schools as cases soared and the country’s leading region Flanders called for new measures.The UN said Thursday that the pandemic has pushed 20 million more people into poverty, estimating that 274 million people would need emergency assistance next year, up 17% on 2021, as economies suffer with Covid-19 restrictions.


Israel's Netanyahu seeks 'active steps' on judicial overhaul

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he would pursue "active steps" on a contested judicial overhaul this week after what he described as months of wasteful compromise talks with the political opposition.
Netanyahu's televised remarks to his cabinet were spare on detail and come after opposition leaders last week suspended negotiations pending the formation of a key panel for selecting judges.
Unveiled soon after Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition took power in late December, the sweeping reforms would roll back some Supreme Court powers and give the government more control over appointments to the bench.
The proposed legislation set off unprecedented street protests, with critics of Netanyahu - who is on trial on corruption charges he denies - accusing him of trying to curb judicial independence.
He says he wants to balance out branches of government and end perceived court overreach. But with Israel's economy bruised by the furore and foreign allies voicing worry for its democracy, he froze the reforms in March and entered into the compromise talks.
"We gave a month and then another month and then another month - three months. Their (opposition) representatives did not agree to the most basic understandings. The intention was just to waste time," Netanyahu told his cabinet.
"Most of Israeli society understands that there need to be changes in the judicial system," he said. "That's why we will meet this week and commence with active steps... in a measured way commensurate with the mandate we were given."
With his coalition wielding 64 of parliament's 120 seats, the ratification of reform bills, should they be brought to vote, looked possible.
But opposition leader Yair Lapid suggested Netanyahu could not be certain of a majority, after some members of the coalition voted in a secret ballot last week in favour of an opposition lawmaker joining the Judicial Appointments Committee.
"If Netanyahu goes ahead with the coup unilaterally as he has stated, he will find that he is the prime minister of less than half of the people of Israel, less than half the economy, less than half of the defence establishment and less than half of the Knesset (parliament)," Lapid tweeted.


India’s top court paves way for Rohingya refugee deportations to Myanmar

India’s Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea to stop the government from deporting to Myanmar some 150 Rohingya Muslims detained by police last month.This effectively paves the way for them to be sent back to a country where hundreds have been killed following a military coup.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been trying to send back Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar, many of whom were forced to leave Rakhine province by the army.Two refugees petitioned the Supreme Court for the release of Rohingya men and women detained in the northern Jammu region last month and prevent the government from deporting them, reports the BBC.But chief justice Sharad Arvind Bobde said the deportations could go ahead as long as officials followed due process. “Regarding the present state of affairs in Myanmar, we have to state that we cannot comment upon something happening in another country,” he ruled.The decision has triggered panic among refugees in India, a Rohingya community leader in New Delhi said, declining to be named out of fear of reprisals.“This is a terrifying order made by the highest court in India,” he said. “Given the horrifying situation in Myanmar, I had really hoped the judge would rule in our favour.”The Modi government says the Rohingya are in the country illegally and constitute a security threat. According to community leaders, at least a dozen Rohingya have been deported since 2017.Last week, officials tried deporting a 16-year-old Rohingya girl by driving her to the border, but that attempt failed as authorities in Myanmar were not reachable, officials said.Many of the Rohingya in India carry identity cards issued by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) recognising them as refugees, but the country is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention.India also rejects the UN position that deporting Rohingya to Myanmar violates the principle of refoulement – the forcible return of refugees to a country where they face danger.Thursday’s order shows a “blatant disregard” for that principle, said Fazal Abdali, a lawyer involved in Rohingya deportation cases.“It sends a message that India is no longer a refuge for persecuted minorities.”


Thailand agrees to open land border at Wang Kelian, Bukit Kayu Hitam

Thailand has agreed to open its land border with Malaysia in Wang Kelian, Perlis and Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah from April 1 onwards.Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was good news, especially for the people in the two states.He said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had also been asked to hold discussions with the Thai government on the immediate opening of the border in Padang Besar, Perlis, and other areas in the north of the country.“Yesterday, I announced the full opening of the Malaysia-Singapore land border as well as the daily commuting route for those who work there.“The opening of the border will make it easier for people to work and the SOPs that we have imposed are also quite relaxed. There is no more quarantine and there is no need to undergo PCR or RTK testing pre-departure and upon arrival,” he said when officiating a programme in Kangar today.Ismail said the move would contribute to the country’s recovery and have a positive impact on the economic sustainability and well-being of Malaysians.He also voiced hope that the SOPs implemented at the Malaysia-Singapore border in Johor could be implemented at the Malaysia-Thailand border as well.


Nazri latest MP to get Covid-19

Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz has tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the latest politician to contract the deadly virus.He is currently warded at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab in Kota Bharu.This comes a week after he held a press conference at the Umno headquarters to declare that he was no longer supporting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Nazri said he had experienced coughing symptoms, and that he believed he contracted the virus from Umno blogger Zaharin Mohd Yasin.Zaharin, who attended Nazri’s press conference, had later posted on Facebook that he was positive for the virus.Nazri joins a list of several prominent politicians who have contracted Covid-19 this month, including Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mustapa Mohamad, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun and Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin.


Flight ticket prices, pension scheme for senior citizens on Dewan Rakyat agenda

The Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (Mavcom) long-term plans to tackle overpriced flight tickets between the peninsula and Sabah, especially during festive seasons, will be among the matters raised at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
According to the order paper, the matter will be raised by Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH-Sandakan) in a question to the transport minister during the Ministers’ Question Time.
There will also be a question from Yuneswaran Ramaraj (PH-Segamat) to the economy minister on how the People's Income Initiative can help B40 households and the hardcore poor generate an income.
During the question for oral answers, William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) will ask the women, family and community development whether the government has plans to set up a pension scheme for senior citizens aged 65 and above, who are not civil service retirees or do not get a pension from the Social Security Organisation.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) is expected to ask the finance minister whether the government will reintroduce the goods and services tax.
The Dewan Rakyat will then continue with the last day of the debate session on the Supply Bill 2023 at the policy level.


Despite doubts, Indonesia’s new capital ‘proceeding as planned’, says govt

Indonesia said on Thursday development of its proposed new capital is going ahead as planned, despite several experts casting doubt over the viability of the US$32 billion megaproject.President Joko Widodo has made the capital city relocation, from the densely populated metropolis of Jakarta to an underdeveloped area on Borneo island, a key part of his agenda.But a survey of 170 experts including researchers, academics, professionals, businessmen, journalists, bureaucrats and lawmakers showed that 58.8% of them were unsure the project would materialise because of uncertainty over funding and management.“The level of pessimism from the experts is quite high,” the Indonesian Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a statement that accompanied the survey results on Monday.Insufficient detail about how the project will be funded and managed has led to a lack of confidence in its viability, added CSIS researcher, Arya Fernandes.Sidik Pramono, spokesman for the government authority established to manage the move, said development was proceeding as planned, with key infrastructure, including the construction of a dam, expected to begin later this year.The CSIS survey, he said, was “motivation for the new capital city authority to work harder”.In February, lawmakers had questioned the timing of the project as the government grappled with its economic recovery and fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.Indonesia’s National Development Planning Agency estimates that 19% of the financing for the new capital Nusantara will be covered by the state budget, with the remaining funds from public-private partnerships and private investments.The finance ministry has allocated between 27-30 trillion rupiah (up to US$3.91 billion) from the state budget for the project next year.In March, Japan’s SoftBank announced that it would not invest in the capital, despite earlier claims it had offered up to US$40 billion for the project.


After exposé, local ganja shop asks customers for video verification

A dealer selling cannabis through Telegram appears to have upped the terms and conditions of sales by asking customers to verify their authenticity by sending videos of themselves smoking the drug.
"Verify now and get to stay in the group, keep in touch with GG and unlock exclusive benefits!" the dealer said in a message posted to some 2,100 subscribers.
Perks after verification include "1g buds for free on your next order", membership of "exclusive channels/groups for maximum security and benefits", "promotions" and "many more".
"Develop trust between each other before anything!" the dealer added. "Quickly verify yourself and gain trust before dealing!"
It also included a sample video demonstrating to customers how to "verify" themselves.
MalaysiaNow is attempting to obtain a response from the police as well as AmBank, under whose services the shop is conducting its transactions.
MalaysiaNow previously reported that drug dealers and sellers had begun to leverage online platforms and applications such as Telegram and Instagram to sell illicit goods.
Checks of one such group found discounts and user testimonials shared nearly every day by the anonymous administrator.
Customers would then contact the administrator's account through direct messaging.
While there has been debate on legalising cannabis for medical purposes, Malaysia still has some of the toughest laws against the substance.
Anyone found in possession of 200g of marijuana is presumed to be trafficking illegal drugs and could face the death sentence, while those in possession of 50g or less face imprisonment of up to 10 years.


Can Umno win back the Malay vote?

Umno's future, heavily contingent on its Malay support base, appears to be up in the air following its president's remark that the party's long-held mantra of "No Anwar, no DAP" no longer applies in the wake of the Nov 19 election.
With Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the helm, Umno and its Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition experienced its worst election defeat ever, winning in just 30 constituencies and losing even safe seats to other parties.
Its poor performance was attributed to a so-called Malay tsunami linked to negative perceptions of Zahid, who is facing a string of criminal charges in court.
Many votes once thought to belong to Umno instead went to Perikatan Nasional (PN), whose component PAS won a total of 49 seats.
Pakatan Harapan (PH), which together with Muda won 81 seats, eventually joined hands with BN to form the federal government despite strong protest from individual MPs.
Zahid himself came under strong pressure to step down, although those who called for his resignation subsided after Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as prime minister.
Given Zahid's U-turn on the party's stand against working with Anwar and PH, analyst Jayum Anak Jawan said it would be only a matter of time for Umno unless a drastic shake-up took place at the top.
"The Malays themselves have already rejected Umno," he said, citing BN's historic loss at the 2018 general election which saw it ejected from power for the first time since independence.
"This is why Umno and BN lost so badly in 2018 and again this year. Many of the top Umno leaders are no longer relevant and will not be able to win back the support of the Malays."
Jayum, of Universiti Putra Malaysia, said Zahid himself was now seen as a leader who could not be trusted, and who would say one thing but do another.
Fellow analyst Azman Awang Pawi said Umno might be able to win back the support of the Malays if it had a dominant role to play in the new government.
"With strategic Cabinet positions, BN might be able to swing the Malay vote back to its side," Azman, of Universiti Malaya, said.
"This would weaken PN over the long run because it would not be involved in the federal Cabinet."
Umno information chief Isham Jalil previously said that the party had chosen to work with PH as it did not want to fight over the same vote bank with PN.
Umno relies heavily on Malay support, especially in rural areas, as do PAS and Bersatu which are both under PN.
Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia agreed, saying the Malay vote now belonged to PN, with room to increase ahead of the next general election.
From now until then, he said, Umno could forge a new narrative to fight its image as a party without principles.
"Umno could introduce economic programmes and subsidies which benefit the people, especially the Malays," Azmil said.
"This would be enough to sink the PN narrative."
Nevertheless, he said Umno should in no way interfere with Zahid's court cases, but allow the court to determine his fate.
"This might put Umno in a good light," he said.


Fatigue and frustration as China presses strict zero-Covid strategy

Nearly two years into a pandemic that has seen China pursue some of the world’s most stringent coronavirus measures, some grumbling has started to emerge over the strategy, particularly as other nations learn to live with the virus.The zero-Covid approach is unrelenting – with border closures, targeted lockdowns and mass testing triggered sometimes by just one case.The cost and pain of the strategy have been felt especially acutely by the 210,000 residents of Ruili, a Chinese city on the border with Myanmar that has endured three major lockdowns and frequent mass testing – leaving many businesses on the brink of collapse.A merchant surnamed Lin said his jewellery business was hanging by a thread, with tourists and customers staying away because of Covid restrictions.“We continue operating… but we’re scraping by,” Lin told AFP, refusing to give his full name for fear of reprisals.In a widely shared television interview this month, University of Hong Kong professor Guan Yi questioned China’s strategy, arguing it should not conduct mass testing “at every turn” or give out booster vaccine doses without enough data on their efficacy.While China largely succeeded in stamping out infections during the first year of the pandemic, the Delta variant has proven more difficult to contain.Cases have been detected in more than 40 cities in recent weeks, putting millions under lockdown and disrupting the lives of millions more – even though the numbers pale in comparison with many other countries.Weddings were cancelled and mourners told to keep funerals short, as schools were closed and flights grounded – sometimes stranding thousands of tourists.And there was outrage online over health workers killing a pet dog with a crowbar while its owners were in quarantine, with furious social media users complaining about how harshly Covid measures have been implemented.Growing domestic pressureThose deemed to have failed in controlling Covid are often sacked, driving local officials to increasingly drastic containment measures.One region offered thousands of dollars for information about an outbreak.Beijing is “facing growing domestic pressures to pivot to a more flexible approach”, Yanzhong Huang of the Council on Foreign Relations told AFP.The desperate saga of one man highlighted the trouble some have faced because of tech malfunctions or bureaucratic lags.After an overnight work trip, the man could not get the “green code” on a health app that people require to travel and was left stranded.It sparked an outcry. The man’s baffled colleague wrote on social media that he was vaccinated, had not travelled to high or even medium-risk areas, and had a negative test result.After the incident got attention online, authorities admitted there may have been mistakes in some isolated cases.Analysts say Beijing is unlikely to relax its approach until at least after a top Communist Party congress in late 2022, and if there are more effective vaccines available by then.China has given conditional approval to five domestic vaccines, but their published efficacy rates lag behind shots developed elsewhere.Some government figures have quietly expressed doubts over their efficacy against the Delta variant.State media, however, have tried to shut down debate, with Xinhua insisting it is “simply not right” to question China’s strategy.Leaders are likely to dig in their heels and dismiss “frustrated citizens as a minority”, said Natasha Kassam of the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank.‘Miserable’Meanwhile in Ruili, the frustration among the residents was laid bare in a WeChat post from former deputy mayor Dai Rongli, who said the measures were “squeezing… the last signs of life” out of the city.It struck a chord.“Only those in this situation know how miserable people are feeling,” one local wrote in response.One Ruili toddler has already taken more than 70 Covid tests, local media reported.With no income, a video maker surnamed Lu said he was forced to burn through savings just to pay rent for his office space.“I can’t hold on for much longer,” he said.Some Ruili residents have decided they cannot wait for things to change.A jade merchant surnamed Wen told AFP he left the city with his family after months of struggling.“There’s no business to be done now in Ruili.”


Gunman kills four at US medical centre

A man armed with a rifle and a handgun killed four people inside a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday before fatally shooting himself, and officers’ quick response to the incident helped ensure more people were not harmed, police said.Police arrived at the St Francis Hospital three minutes after receiving a call about the shooting and followed the sound of gunfire up to the Natalie Building’s second floor, Tulsa deputy police chief Eric Dalgleish told reporters.The officers made contact with the victims and the suspect five minutes later, Dalgleish said. Police responses have come under increased scrutiny after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in a Texas school classroom last week while officers waited outside for nearly an hour.Asked by reporters whether police had refreshed training or thinking about active shooters after the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, Dalgleish, said: “I think that’s probably fresh on everyone’s minds.”“I will say Tulsa revisits that topic regularly. I was very happy with what we know so far regarding the response of our officers,” Dalgleish said.Wednesday’s incident in Tulsa is the latest in a series of mass shootings that have shocked Americans and reignited debates about gun control. Two weeks before the Uvalde shooting, a white gunman killed 10 people at a supermarket in a black neighbourhood in Buffalo, New York.Police said they were trying to determine the suspect’s identity and estimated he was aged between 35 and 40.The Natalie Building contains doctors’ offices including an orthopedic centre, he said, adding he believed the victims included employees and patients.The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the shooting and offered support to state and local officials in Tulsa, a city of some 411,000 people that sits around 160km northeast of the capital Oklahoma City.


Rights group urges govt to act on anti-Rohingya sentiments online

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today hit out at calls for violence against the Rohingya making the rounds on social media, urging the government to intervene to protect the group from any physical harm.
It also questioned the government's silence on the issue "despite its insistence on monitoring social media sites", saying investigations appear to be focused on those who query the government's integrity.
"The Rohingya are a truly vulnerable group. They are refugees forced to flee their country for fear of their lives, undocumented with no financial stability due to being unable to work, who now not only have to deal with harassment from unscrupulous enforcement authorities, but must also deal with the rising xenophobic sentiment from the populace.
"There is a risk that if this sentiment is not quelled, they will face real threats of harm by people who mistakenly view them as threats to Malaysian society," it said in a statement.
Malaysia is said to be home to more than 100,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fleeing the crackdown at home.
LFL estimated that 58% of the 182,990 refugees and asylum seekers currently in the country are from the community.
"Despite Malaysia not ratifying the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has historically allowed refugees in our country on humanitarian grounds," LFL director Zaid Malek said.
"The government has a long-standing cooperation with UNHCR in facilitating the asylum seekers and refugees for resettlement to their destination country.
"As such, it is incumbent on the government to protect the safety of all asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia on the same humanitarian ground, for if not then we are just further subjecting them to the harm that they have fought to escape from their country of origin."
Adding that refugees are "not foreign enemies", he said this narrative must not be allowed to continue.
"The government must intervene to stifle the active campaign circulating online to vilify the Rohingya, to protect them from those who wish to bring them actual harm," he said.
"The outrageous xenophobic content being spread around and the call to violence that usually accompanies it must be dealt with swiftly by the Malaysian Multimedia and Multimedia Communication.
"Should it escalate to actual risk of physical harm, the police must intervene and criminal action taken against those responsible. This endeavour would be more worthwhile than expending resources to hound people who purportedly injure the reputation and integrity of the government."


Selangor MB Amirudin might face Azmin in Gombak, says Anwar

Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim yesterday hinted at fielding Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari as a candidate for the Gombak parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) on Nov 19.
"That is the duty of Amir (Amirudin), who wants to take care of Gombak. We will send Selangor's main commander to Gombak… but this is not an official announcement… officially, it will be on Oct 28," he said at an event in Kuala Selangor last night.
"I have leaked the question, I discussed it with Amir (Amirudin) and he said 'I am the commander and I can, insha Allah, defend it (for PH)'," said the PKR president.
The Gombak parliamentary seat incumbent, Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is also the minister of international trade and industry, had previously stated his desire to defend the seat in GE15.
Azmin has held the Gombak seat, which he won on a PKR ticket, for three terms.
Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, when met after the programme, said he was expected to defend his Kota Raja parliamentary seat.


New infections at 5,330 as 10 more deaths reported

Another 5,330 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,692,800.
There were 3,075 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,610,282.
There are now 46,523 active cases, of which 44,885 or 96.5% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 29 (0.1%) are at quarantine centres while 1,560 (3.4%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 49 are in ICU with 34 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 62.8%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 13.0%.
Another 10 deaths were reported, including one who was brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 35,995.


'One day': Khairy sets sights on PM-ship

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday voiced ambitions of one day leading Umno and becoming the prime minister, adding however that he would need to prove himself in Sungai Buloh first.
Speaking at a campaign event in Taman Saujana Utama in the constituency, he said Sungai Buloh was "not the limit".
"For me, if I win here – if the people of Sungai Buloh allow me to win – Sungai Buloh is not the limit," he said.
"I will bring the people of Sungai Buloh until one day, we lead the country, God willing.
"If you support me today, one day, I want to lead Umno. One day, I want to be your prime minister, to raise up this country."
Khairy, the Rembau incumbent, was fielded in Sungai Buloh to make way for Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan to contest his seat instead.
He was previously the science, technology and innovation minister as well as the youth and sports minister.
Speaking last night, he added that his ambitions were contingent on victory in Sungai Buloh.
"I think it's time," he added. "I want to say it. But not now. Now, if we win, Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be the prime minister of Malaysia.
"I am 46, I can still wait. I am ready, but I must prove myself in Sungai Buloh first."


What ‘inconclusive’ means in the legal process

The enforcement of laws is a fair process. Whenever a complaint is made to the authorities, the law allows or rather demands that the authorities conduct prior investigations before deciding whether to press charges against the suspect.One must remember that when a case is brought to court and a charge is preferred against a person, the suspect becomes the accused and the prosecutor must prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt before an accused becomes a convict.If the prosecutor fails to back the charges with documentary, circumstantial or other forms of evidence, the case falls and is thrown out of court at the expense of taxpayers.The recent allegation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission boss Azam Baki allegedly breaching the securities laws raised some eyebrows. This short clarification intends to analyse and briefly discuss the process that the law accords when such an allegation is made or a report is lodged.The Securities Commission Act 1993 contains provisions empowering the commission to appoint investigating officers (Section 125 of the SC Act) while Section 128 of the same act provides for it to initiate investigations when a report of a breach is made.In accordance with the SC Act and based on a complaint made against Azam’s alleged breach of Section 25(4) of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories Act 1991 or Sicda), the SC did initiate an investigation on the conduct and came out with a finding as follows:“The SC has concluded its enquiry and based on the evidence gathered, the SC is not able to conclusively find/show that a breach of securities law under section 25(4) Sicda 1991 has occurred.”In laymen’s terms, what this means is that from the concluded inquiry of the investigating committee of the SC, the committee has failed to find any proof to conclude that a breach has occurred. What is important is to note that the inquiry has ended.At the end of the inquiry, there existed no evidence to charge Azam for breaching Section 25(4) of Sicda.It is only natural that when the authorities (in this case the SC) find no evidence to show any breach, a charge cannot be preferred against Azam. When even at the investigation stage there is found to be no basis for an alleged breach, any further process of suspecting and prosecuting a person must stop.Investigation is the crux of any alleged wrongdoing and when there is no finding of breach, the law cannot be used as a weapon but must be turned to act as a shield to protect the innocent.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Jho Low said he discussed 1MDB probe with Trump allies, Leissner tells court

Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho said he won support from allies of former US president Donald Trump for a possible settlement of a probe into the looting of funds from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund, a former Goldman Sachs banker testified on Tuesday.Tim Leissner offered a glimpse of what he had heard from financier Low, also known as Jho Low, about the attempted deal, on the sixth day of his testimony at the trial of Roger Ng, another former Goldman banker.Ng, 49, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to launder money and violate an anti-bribery law.Leissner, a former Goldman partner, said he had no independent verification of the information.Leissner testified that Low, whom he described as the mastermind of the scheme, told him at a 2017 meeting that Low and his lawyers were in talks with the Trump administration about the potential for a multi-billion dollar deal that would spare several people from US charges.“Low was quite comfortable and confident,” Leissner said.Low told Leissner he had met with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, in Beijing and had hired Chris Christie, the former Republican governor of New Jersey, as his lawyer with the promise of a US$10 million fee if the settlement was successful, Leissner said.Christie said he represented Low in civil forfeiture actions in California that resulted in Low surrendering US$700 million to the US Department of Justice. He said he never entered into an agreement to receive a fee if charges were dropped in exchange for payment to the US government.“There were never any discussions between me and any members of the Trump administration that the criminal investigation would be dropped or any charges against Low or anyone else dismissed in exchange for payment to the government,” Christie said in a statement. “Nor was there any agreement for a legal success fee to me to negotiate such a result.”Kushner could not be reached for comment.Low, who was indicted by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn in 2018, has not been arrested by US or Malaysian authorities. Putrajaya says Low is in China, which Beijing denies.Prosecutors say Goldman helped 1MDB raise US$6.5 billion, but that US$4.5 billion of those funds were diverted to government officials, bankers and their associates. The bank in 2020 agreed to pay a US$3 billion fine and have its Malaysia subsidiary plead guilty in US court.


Daily cases dip to 22,262

Another 22,262 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 1,535,286.Selangor recorded 7,011 cases, Sabah 2,651, Sarawak 1,964, Kedah 1,880, Penang 1,459, Kuala Lumpur 1,220 and Kelantan 1,039.Perak recorded 946 cases, Melaka 882, Pahang 664, Terengganu 495 and Negeri Sembilan 405.Putrajaya recorded 41 cases, Perlis 38 and Labuan nine.Active cases stand at 260,880 with 1,035 in the ICU and 513 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 18,576 patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,260,470.However, 223 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 13,936.


Appointment of kleptocrats, corrupt leaders hurting investor confidence, says Azmin

The appointment of kleptocrats and individuals facing court charges to key government positions undermines the confidence of foreign investors, says former international trade and industry minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Speaking at an event last night, he asked how the government would convince investors to put down their money given what he called the dubious appointments in its administration.
"The foreign investors are watching. When they give kleptocrats and corrupt leaders major positions in government, how will they convince investors to come and invest in Malaysia?" he told reporters at the Perikatan Nasional Aidilfitri open house in Shah Alam.
"This means the confidence of foreign investors has been eroded."
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed as deputy prime minister and minister in charge of rural and regional development despite facing a string of criminal charges in court.
He had also been targeted by Pakatan Harapan itself at the 15th general election in its campaign against Barisan Nasional (BN), before the inconclusive results which led to a hung parliament.
Malaysia's total trade in April 2023 saw a 14.5% decline to RM198 billion. Exports declined 17.4% to RM105.42 billion while imports shrank 11.1% to RM92.58 billion.
Total trade decreased by 14.9% compared to the previous month while imports decreased by 10.1% and trade surplus went down by by 51.9%.
Commenting on PN's own collaboration with BN during the administration of Muhyiddin Yassin, Azmin said individuals facing court charges had never been appointed to key positions.
The Selangor PN chairman also questioned DAP's silence on the matter.
"DAP talks about administration and corruption but allows the prime minister to make 'new friends'," he said.
"This is wrong. It is also being scrutinised by foreign investors, and this is why trade and investment has been affected. I believe if given a chance, PN can restore the confidence of foreign investors."


We don’t want to become another India, Ismail Sabri defends MCO 3.0

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the government’s decision to re-introduce the movement control order (MCO) across large parts of Selangor as well as Kuala Lumpur and areas in other states, saying authorities do not want what is happening in India to take place in Malaysia as well.In a video shared on his Facebook, made shortly after his latest announcement last night, he said it was not the government’s intention to burden the people.“I know the people are angry,” he said. “Our goal is to save the lives of the people. We don’t want Malaysia to end up like India.”In India, he said, authorities had announced that they had won the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic and had begun lifting restrictions.“In the end, when the virus spread, the government was unable to control it.”Six out of nine districts in Selangor – Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang – came under MCO today.Last night, Ismail announced that Kuala Lumpur and several areas in Terengganu, Perak and Johor would be placed under MCO as well.Speaking in the clip, he reiterated that the government was acting in the people’s best interest.“If there is no intervention, and the people no longer comply with the rules, it is not impossible that after Raya cases could increase to 5,000,” he said. “If we hit 10,000, we could end up like India.“Because of this, immediate intervention must be taken and I hope the people understand, the measures taken are to protect their lives.”India, which yesterday released US$6.7 billion in cheap financing for vaccine makers, hospitals and other health firms, has been battling a huge surge in Covid-19 infections with record numbers of deaths and new cases announced nearly every day.Its underfunded healthcare system has struggled to cope with the latest Covid-19 onslaught, with patients dying in hospital parking lots due to a lack of beds and oxygen.Experts have warned that case numbers will keep rising until the end of May and could reach 500,000 new infections a day.


Daily caseload tumbles to 8,100 as another 12 deaths logged

Another 8,112 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,325,818.Of the total number of cases recorded, 56 were in Category Three and above.There were 15,765 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,144,728.A total of 382 cases were admitted to hospital, with 167 (43.7%) in Category Three and above and 215 (56.3%) in Category One and Two.Of the 56 cases in Category Three and above reported yesterday:* 17 (30.36%) were not vaccinated or had not completed their vaccination;* 21 (37.50%) had received two doses of vaccine;* 18 (32.14%) had received a booster jab;* 33 (58.93%) were aged 60 and above; and* 38 (67.86%) had comorbidities.There are now 145,798 active cases, of which 142,513 or 97.7% are undergoing home quarantine.Meanwhile, 300 (0.2%) are at quarantine centres while 2,811 (1.9%) have been hospitalised.A total of 174 are in ICU with 110 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 51.8%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 20.2%.Another 12 deaths were reported, including four who were brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 35,292.The country’s infectivity rate as of April 10 was 0.82.


Restructuring of more highway concessionaires in the pipeline, says works minister

More highway concession companies will be involved in talks on restructuring aimed at easing the financial burden of the people and the government, says Works Minister Fadillah Yusof.He said the government welcomed private companies to take over highway concessionaires for this purpose.“The government welcomes the private sector to come forward with such terms, where concession companies will hand back highways to the government once they have settled their debts. This will be a relief to the people.“… there will be negotiations on restructuring involving other highway concessions after this,” he told a special media conference in Kuala Lumpur today.Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government had agreed with the proposed restructuring of four concessionaries including Kesas Sdn Bhd, which manages the Shah Alam highway (Kesas) and Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd, which manages Sistem Pengurusan Air Banjir dan Terowong (SMART).The other two involved in the restructuring are Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat Sdn Bhd, which manages Lebuhraya Skim Penyuraian Trafik Kuala Lumpur Barat (SPRINT), and Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd, which manages the Damasara-Puchong Highway (LDP).Following private company Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Bhd’s (ALR) takeover of these companies, the toll rates for the highways managed by them will not increase but will remain unchanged until the end of the concession periods.The restructuring will also save the government from paying compensation from Jan 1, 2022 until the end of the concession periods and give net savings in toll subsidy payments estimated at not less than RM4.3 billion.Fadillah however said that the effective date of the takeover had yet to be finalised.He said the restructuring would involve an extension of the concession period for three of the companies but that SMART would have its concession shortened.“However, an extension of the concession period is not the exclusive right of the concession company and is subject to traffic volumes and monitoring by the government from time to time,” he added.Fadillah said with this restructuring method, there would no longer be any profit-oriented shareholders involving returns to shareholders in whatever forms including dividends.He said the government could not neglect its obligations in the existing concession agreements as it would give a negative image to investors and affect interest to invest in the country.“This is in line with the privatisation policy where private companies are still responsible for managing operations and maintaining these highways,” he said, adding that ALR is required to absorb all existing employees of the four concessionaires.He said the government would not incur any expenditure for the takeover transactions and was not giving any guarantees for financing by ALR to undertake the restructuring of the four concession companies.The government likewise will not have to bear any maintenance and operation costs following the restructuring of Kesas, LDP, SPRINT and SMART, he added.


Negeri Sembilan records 142 child abuse cases in 6 months

A total of 142 child abuse cases were recorded in Negeri Sembilan in the first six months of this year, says state Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Rosnah Sardi.Of the total, she said physical abuse topped the list with 85 cases, followed by sexual abuse (36), child neglect (13), emotional abuse (four) and abandonment (four).“Physical abuse also recorded the highest number of cases with 60 from the total 160 child abuse cases reported for the same period last year.“The state JKM also rescued a total of 341 child abuse victims throughout last year. Child abuse is not something that we should take lightly and must be addressed immediately,” she told Bernama today.Rosnah said the rescued children would be handed over to eligible and suitable persons who can provide them with protection and look after their welfare.She said the children would also be placed in homes or safe places gazetted under Section 54 of the the Child Act 2001 for a period of three years or until they reach the age of 18.Rosnah said family spats due to financial problems and drug abuse, and parental negligence were among the factors leading to child maltreatment or abuse cases.She said various efforts were being made by the state JKM to address the issues including providing advocacy services to the families and children through nine Children’s Activity Centres in Negeri Sembilan.An advocacy campaign for child safety known as the Sahabat Bijak programme has also been carried out in secondary and primary schools statewide by the state JKM in collaboration with various agencies including the state education department, the police and the state health office, Rosnah added.“A total of 4,345 children have benefited from the programme which was introduced in 2017,” she said.Rosnah also urged the public to report suspicious behaviour towards children by contacting the Talian Kasih hotline at 15999 which operates 24 hours a day or by sending a WhatsApp message to 019-261 5999.


Stepped up North Korea nuclear reprocessing report alarms Pentagon

The Pentagon expressed concern on Tuesday about a UN report indicating possible reprocessing of nuclear fuel for bombs by North Korea.Top officials said such activity could raise tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.Rear Admiral Michael Studeman, head of intelligence for the US Indo-Pacific command, said North Korean activity highlighted this week by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could be intended to get the attention of the Biden administration and act as a bargaining chip to press for sanctions relief, Reuters reports.The Biden administration is currently reviewing US-North Korea policy.“We have our eye on this. And it is deeply concerning where North Korea wants to go,” Studeman told a virtual security conference.In a statement to the IAEA Board of Governors on Monday, the United Nations body’s director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, referred to increased activity at North Korea’s Yongbyong and Kangson nuclear facilities.He said there had been recent indications of a steam plant operating that could serve as a radiochemical laboratory. North Korea has used its radiochemical lab at Yongbyon to reprocess plutonium from a reactor there for nuclear bombs.Grossi called North Korea’s continued nuclear activity a clear violation of UN sanctions and “deeply regrettable”.Referring to Grossi’s statement, Studeman said: “The IAEA board of governors issued a notice that there had been evidence of the Koreans reprocessing perhaps nuclear fuel.”The administration of President Joe Biden, which took office in January, is conducting a full review of North Korea policy following former president Donald Trump’s unprecedented engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which failed to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the approach to North Korea could involve more sanctions or unspecified diplomatic incentives.


PH to give way to BN in Tioman polls

Amanah has decided that its candidate for Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Tioman election will give way to the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate to boost BN’s chances of beating Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Amanah secretary-general Mohd Hatta Md Ramli, in a statement today, said this was a sign of cooperation between PH and BN, consistent with efforts to strengthen the Pahang and federal unity governments.
"Amanah sees the need to strengthen unity among the components of the state government to take on the PN candidate. As such, Amanah, which is a PH component party, has decided to give way to the BN candidate," he said.
The PH election machinery will work with the BN campaign to ensure victory for the BN candidate, he added.
Polling for the Tioman state seat under the 15th general election (GE15) was postponed to Dec 7 after PN candidate Md Yunus Ramli, 61, died on polling day on Nov 19, believed due to a heart attack. PH’s Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly had been in a five-cornered fight with BN’s incumbent assemblyman Mohd Johari Hussain, Osman A Bakar of Pejuang, independent Sulaiman Bakar, and Nor Idayu Hashim, who replaced Md Yunus as PN's candidate.
Tioman has 28,465 voters, comprising 28,200 ordinary voters, 262 police personnel and three absentee voters abroad.
Fadzli earlier said he was willing to give way to the BN candidate if directed to by the PH leadership.
GE15 left a hung state assembly in Pahang after no party or coalition won a simple majority, with PN taking 17 seats, BN 16 and PH eight.
BN and PH then decided to work together to form a unity government.


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4 samples from Parliament cases most likely Delta variant, says health DG

Four samples of genome related to the Covid-19 cases in Parliament detected during screening on July 29 are most likely of the Delta variant, based on the current circulation of variants in Malaysia.Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a post on Facebook said these samples which were received by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) from the Sungai Buloh National Public Health Laboratory showed positivity with low CT values.“We have carried out a PCR genotyping assay that can provide presumptive results for variants of concerns or interest while the whole genome sequencing (WGS) takes about eight to 14 days to complete.“In the interest of public health concerns, while awaiting results from WGS, IMR carried out a genotyping assay (Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants II Assay) which utilises a real-time PCR platform and can provide presumptive results for variants of concerns/interest within four hours,” he said.From the genotyping assay, Noor Hisham said IMR had detected two important mutations in all four cases, indicating a presumptive positive for the Delta or Kappa variants.“Based on the current circulation of variants in Malaysia, it’s most likely to be the Delta variant,” he said.He said based on clinical studies abroad and information from the World Health Organization, cases infected with the Delta variant have a virus content of 1,200 times higher compared to cases infected with the normal variant.He said WGS would be conducted for further confirmation.


Khairy scoffs at Anwar’s claim that govt failed to rebut anti-vaxxers

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today shot back at an accusation by Anwar Ibrahim that authorities have not been providing sufficient information to convince those who choose not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.“To claim that the government has not been giving enough information on the vaccine is not true. From the very beginning, we have presented all of the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines. And we continue to explain,” Khairy said in a Twitter reply to claims by the Pakatan Harapan chairman.Anwar had said that those who are against vaccination had sometimes presented “a strong case” to back their argument, and suggested that the government had not effectively addressed their claims.“Sometimes their case is strong, too. They bring scientific papers. We must respond by giving scientific papers which are stronger and more credible to dispel their argument,” Anwar said.He also said the government had instead resorted to threats and punitive action against those opposed to vaccination.However, Khairy rejected this claim.“I’m sorry I have to be firm on this issue. Call me dajjal or whatever,” he said, using a term to denote evil.Malaysia’s vaccination drive, known as the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, was launched on Feb 24.The campaign to vaccinate adolescents meanwhile began on Sept 8.As of yesterday, nearly 94% of adults in the country had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.On Sept 30, Putrajaya announced that vaccine jabs would be made mandatory for civil servants, with action to be taken against those who continue to resist after the Nov 1 deadline.Over 98% of civil servants had been fully vaccinated as of Oct 12.Khairy previously said that the government would pursue a vigorous approach towards those who refuse to be vaccinated, whom he warned would find life difficult as more and more sectors are reopened to those who have been fully inoculated.“Sorry to say, if you are not vaccinated because you choose not to be vaccinated, then we will make life very difficult for you and continue to make life difficult for you,” he said.However, he said those who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons will be fine as they will be provided with digital exemption on MySejahtera.


Nearly 20,000 flood victims evacuated in Terengganu and Kelantan

The number of flood victims in Terengganu and Kelantan continues to rise, with 19,626 evacuees at relief centres (PPS) in the two states this morning compared to 14,521 last night.In Terengganu, the number of victims rose to 11,137 from 3,177 families as of 8am, compared to 6,963 from 2,072 families yesterday. They have been placed at 157 PPS in eight districts, in Besut (44), Setiu (30), Hulu Terengganu (27), Dungun (23), Kemaman (22), Kuala Nerus (eight), Kuala Terengganu (two) and Marang (one).The Terengganu disaster management committee secretariat said the weather in most districts in the state was forecast to be good this morning while the Drainage and Irrigation Department reported that six rivers were still at the danger level.The six rivers are Sungai Kemaman and Sungai Tebak in Kemaman, Sungai Nerus (Setiu), Sungai Telemong (Hulu Terengganu), Sungai Dungun (Dungun) and Sungai Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu).In Kelantan, the number of flood evacuees increased to 8,489 from 2,750 families as of 8am, compared to 7,558 from 2,449 families yesterday.According to the Social Wefare Department disaster info application, 68 PPS have been opened in seven districts: Pasir Mas (18), Kuala Krai (16), Tanah Merah (14), Jeli (eight), Pasir Puteh (six), Machang (five) and Kota Bharu (one).The DID portal meanwhile reported that three major rivers in Kelantan were at the danger level, namely Sungai Golok in Kampung Jenob, Tanah Merah; Sungai Kelantan in Temangan, Machang; and Sungai Kelantan in Kusial, Tanah Merah.


Japan prepares beds, booster shots in Covid lull before winter

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida outlined on Friday an urgent plan to increase hospital beds and medical resources in preparation for a possible resurgence of Covid-19 infections this winter.After a deadly fifth wave of infections almost overwhelmed the medical system during the summer, infections and deaths have fallen dramatically as vaccinations have increased to cover more than 70% of the population.Emergency measures covering most of the country were lifted last month, but health experts warn that cases will likely rebound, as they did in Japan last winter. Ahead of that, the government plans to boost hospital bed capacity by about 30%, bolster in-home care, and collect data to predict which hospitals will come under pressure.“In parallel with strengthening the medical system, from December we will use IT systems to make public the number of hospital beds and conditions at each hospital,” Kishida told reporters.Kishida said earlier this week that the “trump card” in the government’s pandemic fight was the procurement of oral treatments that could prevent the need for hospitalisation.Japan will pay about US$1.2 billion for 1.6 million courses of the Covid-19 antiviral pill molnupiravir developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, according to terms announced on Wednesday.That’s about half the supply that has been secured by the United States and compares with a total of 1.7 million coronavirus cases seen in Japan since the start of the pandemic.Meanwhile, vaccine booster shots are due to start from next month, and the government is considering expanding inoculations to children as young as five.Japan has weathered the pandemic better than many countries, with just over 18,000 deaths so far and without the imposition of stringent lockdowns.But the government faced heavy criticism over a spate of deaths at home among patients due to hospitals’ inability to handle the rash of cases during the summer. Former prime minister Yoshihide Suga resigned in September over his handling of the crisis.To stave off the bed shortage, the health ministry has adopted a system that uses past and present infection data to predict when and where medical resources will come under strain.“A sixth wave is a question of when rather than if,” said Yuki Furuse, a Kyoto University professor who developed the predictive tool.“Because the current situation in Japan is calm, it seems okay to lift some restrictions now. However, I am concerned about whether people can go back to a ‘voluntary self-restraint state’ again when needed,” he added.


France bans wild circus animals and mink farms

The French parliament voted Thursday to end wild animals being used in live circus shows and outlawed mink farming, in new animal-rights legislation hailed as a step forward by campaigners.Performances of wild animals such as lions, tigers or bears will be prohibited in two years, and owning them outlawed in seven years, under the wide-ranging law that has been under debate since 2020.The new regulations, once signed into law by President Emmanuel Macron, will also ban live dolphin shows and mink farming, meaning the country’s last mink producer will close.Macron’s centrist Republic on the Move (LREM) party called the legislation “a historic step in the animal rights combat,” while former actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot welcomed “a major advance”.Circus owners denounced it, however, while some campaigners said it did not go far enough.As well as the measures targeting circuses, the new law will raise the maximum penality for mistreating animals to up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (US$85,000), and will tighten restrictions on the sale of pets.Loic Dombreval, the LREM co-sponsor of the law, conceded that other controversial issues had not been included within the scope of the legislation, which won cross-party support in both houses of parliament.“There will inevitably come a day when… we will debate sensitive issues such as hunting, such as bull-fighting, or some animal-rearing practices,” said the lawmaker, who is also a veterinarian.Broad supportPolls show that a vast majority of French people support the ban on wild circus animals, and dozens of cities and towns around the country already bar them.Public opinion in Europe has moved decisively against animal circuses, once a popular form of family entertainment, following revelations about cruel treatment and campaigning from rights groups.Several events in France in recent years have added momentum for the ban, including the death of a sickly performing bear called Mischa in 2019 that had been rescued from animal trainers, as well as the shooting of an escaped tiger in Paris in 2017.The tigress, named Mevy, escaped from her enclosure at the Cirque Bormann-Moreno and began roaming the streets of the French capital before being gunned down by her owner in the name of public safety.France lags behind around 20 European countries that have either banned or heavily restricted the use of animals for entertainment already.‘Arbitrary law’Environmentalists and more radical animal rights groups had wanted the new law to improve the conditions inside industrial animal farms.The group L214, which had sought protections for the “more than a billion intensely farmed animals” in France, welcomed the legislation but said it “lacked courage”.The group has made a name for itself in France by sending its activists undercover into abattoirs and then publishing videos of the often shocking scenes of animals being mistreated or cut up while still alive.Farms that make foie gras pate in France – which force-feed birds such as geese and ducks to artificially bloat their livers – have also long been targeted by campaigners, but their operations will not be changed by the new law.Hunting is staunchly defended by supporters as a traditional rural pastime that is essential to keep animal populations under control, while bull-fighting remains part of local culture in some southern French towns.The 120 circus owners in France are likely to protest against the new restrictions and have warned that some animals might end up abandoned.“It’s an arbitrary law because there are not mistreated animals in our circuses,” William Kerwich, head of the circus animal trainers’ union, told AFP.He said there would be a reaction from his members on Monday, and a legal appeal.The new legislation also bans the use of wild animals in television shows, nightclubs and private parties.The French fur industry has fought a dogged rearguard action in recent years against the ban on mink farms and luxury fashion houses going fur-free.


Brazil bank robbers strap hostages to cars during deadly raid

Heavily armed gangsters strapped hostages to their getaway cars after robbing two banks in Brazil, in a rampage that left three people dead, police and reports said Monday.Using explosives, drones and heavy weapons, the assailants took over downtown streets in the southeastern city of Aracatuba, home to some 200,000 people.After robbing two banks, they made their escape by strapping hostages to the roofs and hoods of moving cars, according to shocking images broadcast by local news channels.Two civilians and one of the bank robbers were killed during the assault, which left at least six injured, according to police.The assailants placed explosives in different parts of the city and surrounded some police stations to delay the arrival of reinforcements.They wore “bulletproof vests, rifles and helmets,” and looked like soldiers, a witness who asked not to be identified told Globo TV.“The scenes of terror experienced by the population of Aracatuba will not go unpunished,” vowed Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria, who ordered a task force of 380 police officers to hunt the gang down.“Two criminals were captured and a third died when confronting the police,” he said.Brazil has seen other such robberies in recent years, marked by a high degree of planning and heavy weapons, and carried out in medium-sized cities to ensure an escape route and a significant cash haul from the banks.In December of last year, two similar mega-assaults were carried out barely a day apart in cities in the states of Para, in the north, and Santa Catarina in the south.A few months before, the Sao Paulo towns of Botucatu and Ourinhos suffered similar brazen attacks.According to the Sao Paulo Security Department, both cases were resolved and “a good part of these gangs are in jail.”


24 hours after sitting out budget vote, PH MPs still target of online scorn

Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders remain the target of online scorn, more than 24 hours after their move to sit out a call for a bloc vote on the 2021 budget which saw it being passed by voice vote, putting an end to speculation that the Perikatan Nasional government would fall.This comes as PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim defended a last-minute instruction to his comrades in the Dewan Rakyat not to call for a bloc vote, which would have ensured that the budget could only be passed through individual voting by all MPs present.A check on social media showed many opposition supporters questioning MPs who had been critical of the budget but did not reject it.An online exchange even saw two DAP leaders in open confrontation.Selangor exco Teng Chang Kim hit out at Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto after she insisted that she had opposed the budget.“I wish to state here that I objected to the 2021 budget,” Kasthuri had posted.“If you did not stand up in Parliament to object, do not tell me on FB that you object to it. Shameful,” Teng responded.Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun yesterday urged MPs who wanted a bloc vote to stand up after the winding-up speech by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.However, only 13 did so, two MPs short of the minimum 15 needed for a bloc vote to take place.A bloc vote would have required each MP to individually vote before the budget could be passed.MalaysiaNow later reported that Anwar had instructed MPs from PH not to stand up, although several Amanah MPs appeared to have missed the message.Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the three MPs from his Pejuang bloc however stood up. The former prime minister later lashed out at the opposition as unprincipled for not making good on their threat to scuttle the budget.A post by Facebook user Adam Mukhriz Mohd Muhayeddin appeared to sum up the frustrations of PH supporters.“All the while, the opposition had been making noise against Jasa and calling for the budget to be rejected,” he wrote, referring to the much criticised budget allocation for the government’s Special Affairs Department.“Today, no one had the courage to stand up.”MD Zaki meanwhile said he was convinced that the move was due to Anwar not having a “formidable” and “convincing” majority, words that the PKR leader repeatedly used last month when he claimed to be on the brink of toppling Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin through the defection of MPs.“Anwar is aware that he does not have the numbers,” he said, adding that Anwar’s chances of becoming the prime minister were still uncertain even if MPs voted against the budget and caused the collapse of the government.“In short, it’s all about his ambition.”However, there were also those who commended PH MPs for allowing the budget to be passed.“Thank you to all MPs who supported (the budget),” wrote Facebook user Abdul Malek II.


Israel police crack down on legal reform protest

Israeli police clashed Wednesday with protesters rallying against the government's judicial reform programme which critics say threatens democracy, as lawmakers held a preliminary vote on the latest controversial bill.
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv blocked some streets, and police employed stun grenades, water cannon and officers on horseback in a rare use of force in the coastal city, AFP journalists said.
Some 39 people were arrested for "allegedly rioting and not obeying instructions by police officials", police said in a statement.
Eleven wounded protesters arrived at Tel Aviv's Ichilov hospital, a spokesman for the facility told AFP.
"I am here for democracy, for human rights, for justice," demonstrator Johann Kanal, 39, told AFP in Tel Aviv.
Another protester, 51-year-old lawyer Dana Niron, said: "We are blocking all the intersections, we're stopping the entire traffic in the entire country in hope that the current government will understand that we are dead serious and that we will do everything in our power to change the current path that they are taking."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back in a televised statement.
"The right to demonstrate is not the right to block the country," he said, accusing demonstrators of crossing "a red line".
"A sovereign country cannot tolerate anarchy," added Netanyahu, who returned to power late last year at the head of a coalition with ultra-Orthodox Jewish and extreme-right allies.
The premier earlier stressed his support for the police, who "are acting against lawbreakers who are disrupting Israeli citizens' daily lives".
The rally in Tel Aviv came as lawmakers in Jerusalem passed in preliminary reading a bill limiting the chances of a prime minister being impeached.
Opponents say the measure is aimed at protecting Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges he denies.
MPs voted 62 to 20 in favour of the legislation, which proposes a three-quarter parliamentary majority to impeach a premier due to physical or mental incapacity.
Following the initial vote, the bill will pass to a parliamentary committee to consider whether it should be scrapped or returned to the chamber to continue the legislative process.
The broader judicial reform, announced in January, includes measures that critics argue are intended to hand politicians more power at the expense of the judiciary.
Netanyahu and his justice minister, Yariv Levin, argue the change is necessary to reset the balance between elected officials and the Supreme Court which they view as politicised.
Lawmakers also passed in preliminary reading a bill to impose the death penalty on "terrorists", with 55 MPs in favour and nine against.
Extreme-right politicians have repeatedly attempted to pass such legislation in the 120-seat chamber, but have failed to garner enough support.
Israel abolished the use of capital punishment for murder in civil courts in 1954, though it can still in theory be applied for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, treason and crimes against the Jewish people.


India’s ‘disco king’ Bappi Lahiri dies at 69

Indian singer-composer and “Disco King” Bappi Lahiri, who collaborated with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Samantha Fox, has died aged 69, his family said Wednesday, prompting tributes from the world of politics and Bollywood.Born in West Bengal to a musical family, the larger-than-life Lahiri was renowned for his trademark gold chain and sunglasses and was credited with popularising disco music in India.He had several collaborations with international stars, including English model and singer Fox in the 1995 Hindi film “Rock Dancer” and with Snoop Dogg on Punjabi song “Patiala Peg” in 2015.Lahiri’s family said in a statement that his death was a “deeply sad moment” for us.“We are seeking love and blessings for his soul,” his wife and two children said.Lahiri had “multiple health issues” and died in the film industry capital Mumbai late Tuesday, said Deepak Namjoshi, director of CritiCare Hospital.He had just been discharged from a month-long hospital stay on Monday, Namjoshi told the Press Trust of India, but was readmitted Tuesday after his condition deteriorated.“He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight,” he said.Lahiri had fans dancing to hit songs in 1970s and 80s Bollywood films such as “Chalte Chalte”, “Disco Dancer” and “Sharaabi”.He also voiced several characters for Hindi-language versions of Hollywood films.In the early 2000s, he won a copyright case against US rapper-producer Dr Dre for using parts of one of his songs.Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Lahiri’s music was “all-encompassing, beautifully expressing diverse emotions” and that “people across generations could relate to his works”.“His lively nature will be missed by everyone. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the Indian leader added.Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman tweeted his condolences and called Lahiri the “Disco King of Hindi cinema”.Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar added that Lahiri’s voice “was the reason for millions to dance, including me”.“Thank you for all the happiness you brought through your music,” he wrote on Twitter.


No voting for us if it floods, say Taman Sri Muda residents

Residents at one of the areas worst affected by the massive floods that hit several parts of Selangor last year say they will not turn out to vote if a similar situation occurs again during the 15th general election (GE15).
Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam was covered by floods in December 2021, with the water level in some places rising as high as the rooftops.
Having lived through such an experience, the residents are by and large against the holding of GE15 at a time when floodwaters could rise again.
Those who spoke to MalaysiaNow said they were still haunted by last year's floods and the huge losses they suffered.
They also expressed disappointment with the move to dissolve Parliament, which they described as an irresponsible act.
Khuzaifah Saad, 35, has lived in Taman Sri Muda for 16 years. If the area is engulfed in floods again this year, he will not be able to return to his home town of Jengka in Pahang to vote.
As a husband and father of six, he said, it was his responsibility to ensure the safety of his family and to do what he could to minimise their losses.
"If it floods or rains continuously, I will make the necessary preparations," he said.
"If I can't make it home to vote, never mind. My family is my priority."
The floods that hit last year claimed nearly 50 lives with Selangor recording the highest number of deaths.
Those against the holding of GE15 this year, including the opposition and members of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's own Cabinet, had cited such losses in their protests.
Nevertheless, Ismail dissolved Parliament on Oct 10 on the back of strong pressure from Umno.
School van driver Selvi Ramasamy, 54, agreed that she would not turn out to vote if the area floods again this year.
She said she experienced heavy losses last year, losing two of her vans to the floods as she had no time to move them to higher ground.
"Even if it doesn't flood, if it rains non-stop, I will not go to vote because now I'm afraid," Selvi, who has lived in Taman Sri Muda for 30 years, added.
"The water rose so high – it was so dangerous. I will not take the risk."
Restaurant owner Muhammad Mubara said it was not wrong for the government to dissolve Parliament but that now was not the right time.
While he appreciated the importance of the voting process, he said he would still put personal safety above casting his ballot.
"I agree with the election because I want there to be change. But if it floods, how will I vote?" he said.
Recalling the floods last year, he said his restaurant had sustained heavy damage, forcing him to spend huge amounts in order to restore it.
Trader Syazaratul Nadzira meanwhile said she would only return to vote in her home town of Johor Bahru if the situation permits.
"I always went back to vote in Johor, but this time I'm not sure if I want to go or not," Syazaratul, 28, said.
"It depends on the situation. If there are no floods, I'll go back to vote."


274 deaths as daily cases drop to 19,740

Another 19,740 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 1,424,639.Selangor recorded 5,706 cases, Sabah 1,728, Kedah 1,592, Sarawak 1,566, Johor 1,510, Kuala Lumpur 1,360, Penang 1,251, Kelantan 1,227 and Melaka 1,120.Perak recorded 938 cases, Terengganu 688, Pahang 646 and Negeri Sembilan 343.Putrajaya recorded 43 cases, Perlis 20 and Labuan two.Active cases stand at 249,277 with 1,047 in the ICU and 520 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 17,450 patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,162,578.However, 274 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 12,784.


Stigmatised and stressed out, Singapore frontliners to get RM12,000 reward

Some 100,000 healthcare workers in Singapore will get a windfall of S$4,000 (RM12,300) as a special reward as the city-state battles a fierce surge of Covid-19 cases which has so far claimed 468 people.The government said the money will be paid to all public healthcare staff including at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and dialysis centres beginning next month.The health ministry also announced a S$10,000 grant to every clinic that acts as the first port of call for infected patients, which will be shared among staff.Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the monetary reward, while it does not compensate for the frontliners’ work, was the government’s way of appreciating their sacrifices, adding that they had also faced a social boycott from members of the Singapore public worried about being infected due to the medical workers’ exposure to patients.“This work is not for the faint-hearted. I have seen, with anger and shame, the disgraceful behaviour of those who shun nurses and healthcare workers, who turn away from you near your homes, who refuse your journeys,” Ong said as quoted by The Straits Times.“You are our last line of defence – standing between us and the abyss. When vaccination, safe management, therapeutics and the patient’s last bodily resistance are all breached, you still refuse to yield. You stand next to the patient as his last hope.”Singapore, once praised for its handling of the pandemic with near zero cases each day, began struggling with a sharp spike just as authorities announced the reopening of businesses and daily activities in September.Daily cases have averaged around 3,000 in the island state of 5.7 million despite its herd immunity, although new infections fell to just below 1,800 yesterday possibly due to fewer tests during the Deepavali public holiday.Nine more deaths on Friday took total deaths to 468, following a sudden increase in casualties since mid-September.


Risk of contracting Covid-19 by touching contaminated surfaces ‘low’, studies say

Two studies conducted by scientists of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) show that the risk of being infected with Covid-19 by touching contaminated surfaces is very low, “less than five in 10,000”.Xinhua News Agency’s report said the studies analysed 350 samples taken from surfaces that are frequently touched in everyday life such as business-entrance door handles, ATM keypads and traffic light buttons.The studies, published on Thursday, showed that 29 of these surfaces had traces of the novel coronavirus, but the virus concentrations were “so low that the risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was estimated to be low”.The scientists concluded that frequently touched surfaces probably play a minimal role in community transmission of the virus.However, they also said that this may not apply to objects such as tables and dishes, on which people might cough or sneeze more easily and where “droplets with high viral loads” might be found.Caution and measures such as hand disinfection might still be necessary, according to one of the studies which found that disinfecting surfaces was less effective than hand disinfection, which “substantially reduces the risks of infection”.


The story of Kak Ma: Wife, mother and wanted drug dealer

Every Friday morning, Kak Ma visits the graves of her parents in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.This has been her routine for more than a decade. After that, she sits in a hut outside the cemetery and watches people go about their daily activities. From time to time, a friend or neighbour calls out to her or stops for a chat.Seated on the hut’s smooth tiled floor, Kak Ma looks like any elderly woman one might pass on the street without giving a second glance.Once upon a time, though, she was a known drug dealer wanted by the authorities in both Malaysia and southern Thailand.That was when she was young, and known by her real name of Norma Mohamad.Her life of crime began when her husband, a Thai citizen, became addicted to drugs about three years after their marriage. Up until then, he had been a model husband — but once he began taking drugs, everything changed.At first, he only bought drugs for his own use. Eventually, though, he began selling and distributing drugs to fellow drug addicts in Golok, Thailand, where the couple lived.“He used as much as he sold,” Kak Ma recalled in a recent interview with MalaysiaNow.“If he had five, he would sell three and keep two for himself.”Back then, drugs were cheap — he would peddle his goods for about 30 baht or RM3.“Nothing fancy, either,” Kak Ma added. “There was only cannabis.”This, Kak Ma’s husband would sell stuffed in straws and cut up into smaller sections.After a while, he asked for her help in selling and distributing his drugs.Looking back on everything now, though, Kak Ma is firm on one point — she never sold any drugs in Malaysia.“Never,” she said. “Here, I was clean. I only helped him sell the drugs in Thailand.”Even then, she added, she did it so they could put food on the table.“It wasn’t like it is now, youngsters selling drugs just to get rich. We did it because we needed to survive,” she said.HardshipsThroughout the 1970s and 80s, Kak Ma continued selling drugs in Golok.Her husband had no fixed job, and with three small children to feed and clothe, she could see no other way of making ends meet.And yet, poverty had been a familiar face since she herself was a child. Her family lived in cardboard boxes which they picked up off the streets, and her father, who was blind, was known to the locals as “Pok Mat Kotak”.Kak Ma also worried about what would become of her children, who were not given Malaysian citizenship as she had married a Thai national.Once, she heard of some people who could help her “take care” of that problem. When she contacted them to enquire, they asked for an extravagant amount of money, far more than she could afford even in her wildest dreams.“I couldn’t pay,” she said. “They said never mind. Come back and sleep with us.“At that moment, I thought, it would be better to sell drugs and feed my children that way than to be insulted like this.”Yet her troubles did not end there. The small house that she and her husband rented caught fire from the flame of a candle used to take the drugs, and in the blink of an eye, the family had lost their home.Not long after, her husband was arrested by the Thai police, and the couple were separated.Alone with the children, Kak Ma moved back to her home town in Rantau Panjang.Pulau JerejakThere, she set about trying to start life anew. She rented a small house along Sungai Golok and found work selling cloth at the Rantau Panjang bazaar.For all her hard work, the family continued to live from hand to mouth but Kak Ma was determined to do what she could for the sake of her children.One day, though, she was visited by police officers from Bukit Aman who asked her to take them to her house. There, all of her possessions were turned upside down.“They took me to the police station even though they found nothing in the house, because I stopped selling and distributing drugs after I came back to Malaysia,” she said.Not long after, in mid-1991, Kak Ma was deported from Kelantan and sent to the high-security prison centre in Pulau Jerejak, Penang.“I complied,” she said. “I went with them. But I asked them to let me bring my youngest child with me.“I had to, she was only 13 months old. Who would look after her? She needed me, so they allowed me to take her with me.”And so, Kak Ma became one of the first women from Kelantan to be sent to Pulau Jerejak — the so-called Alcatraz of Malaysia — for drug-related offences.“It wasn’t just drugs,” she added. “I had a pistol as well.”Kak Ma spent two years at the prison centre with her child, who soon became a favourite with inmates and wardens alike.Every morning, the inmates would be told to line up and march. And every morning, her child would accompany the officers on duty to check the line of prisoners.By the time she was released in 1993, her child was no longer a baby and she feared that her development would be affected if she remained in such an environment.“When they told me I could go, I asked the official how I was supposed to do that.“After a few days, they called my name and told me to come with all of my belongings. And my child and I flew away from Pulau Jerejak in a helicopter.”Kak Ma no longer remembers how long the journey took, but she recalls landing in the field of a secondary school.“I was dizzy,” she said, “too dizzy to walk. Fortunately there were some people nearby who saw me and helped me get home.”The meaning of lifeBefore she was released from Pulau Jerejak, a high-ranking official at the prison called Kak Ma for a face-to-face interview and asked her what she intended to do after that.“I told him, I would return to selling and distributing drugs,” she said.“He asked me, ‘Why?’ I told him I was not satisfied. I was arrested and sent to the island even though I had nothing illegal on me.“Their excuse was, they arrested me because I was a ‘hot name’,” she said.“But I was only active in Golok. I never dealt in drugs after coming back to Malaysia.”And after she was released, she made good on her word — she began looking for suppliers from Thailand, and she sold the drugs she received to anyone who wanted them.Eventually, she made enough that she was able to buy a house for more than RM50,000.In 2002, though, she was robbed.“It was a snatch thief,” she said. “My bag was full of money and of the jewellery that I bought with what I had earned.“Everything was taken. It was then that I realised — I had to stop. My own children had been telling me to stop getting involved in such immoral activities.”By then, Kak Ma had remarried, this time to a Malaysian with whom she had two more children.Her husband passed away several years ago, leaving her with her children and grandchildren.These days, many in her local community still look at her askance, but she no longer cares.“When we were in difficulty, did they come to see how we were and offer us help?“They only know that we were arrested, that we did this and sold that. That we were criminals.“But through that work, I managed to raise my children. Two of them went to university. The fourth one got a degree, and the youngest one who went to Pulau Jerejak with me finished her diploma and became a nurse.“They all know my story. I told them everything, I kept nothing back.“I have waited a long time for an opportunity like this, to share my story so that others can learn from my experience.“Don’t become like Kak Ma.”


Mosques, suraus in Sabah open for prayers

Congregational prayers will be allowed at mosques and suraus in all zones in Sabah effective today.According to a statement issued by the state Covid-19 Disaster Management Committee, mosques and suraus in orange and red zones will be allowed a maximum of 30 people for compulsory prayers and 40 people for Friday prayers.For those in yellow and green zones, capacity will be limited to 40 people for the compulsory prayers and one-third of the prayer hall for Friday prayers.The permission is subject to compliance with the prescribed SOPs under the conditional movement control order.Activities other than compulsory and Friday prayers remain prohibited.Selected mosques and suraus will be opened at certain times to allow members of the public, especially travellers, to perform their prayers during their journey.


Focus right now is jabs, not polls, says Sarawak CM

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today praised the state’s progress in vaccinating its people, saying the main focus is on boosting such efforts rather than the anticipated election.Speaking at a press conference in Kuching, he said the priority of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak government was to roll out vaccinations throughout the state and achieve herd immunity by the end of August.“This is not the time to think about the state election,” he said.“We are now focusing on vaccination. We want our people to be safe, we’re not thinking about elections.”On Sarawak’s goal of achieving herd immunity by August, he said the state was capable of administering 70,000 doses of vaccine per day.“Our target for residents in the Kuching division is to achieve 80% herd immunity, at least one dose by the end of July or the first week of August,” he added.“This will be based on performance. We have a maximum capacity to vaccinate people, but this will depend on the availability of vaccine.”He said vaccine supplies in Sarawak arrive according to the schedule laid out by the state disaster management committee.Abang Johari said of the 2.08 million people eligible for vaccination, Sarawak had inoculated 1.3 million so far.“In Sibu, 64% have received at least one dose. This means that we have achieved 50% with the daily average of people in major cities like Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri having received at least a first dose.“If this happens, at least the people are safe,” he said.


5 billion Covid shots: a state of play worldwide

More than five billion anti-Covid jabs have been given globally, but wide disparities between rich and poor countries in access to vaccines persist.While the most advanced countries are already giving booster shots, vaccination drives are not getting off the ground in poorer, mainly African, countries.At least 5.006 billion jabs have been injected into people’s arms around the world, according to an AFP tally of official sources at 1600 GMT.On average around the world 64 first, second or sometimes even third doses have been injected per 100 inhabitants.The worldwide inoculation drive has reached cruising speed.While it took around 140 days to get the first billion shots into people’s arms, the third, fourth and fifth billions each took between 26 and 30 days, the data shows.Emirates lead the wayNearly 40% (1.96 billion) of the five billion shots have been administered in China. India (589 million) and the US (363 million) complete the trio of countries that have given the most jabs.In terms of population protected among countries with more than one million people, the United Arab Emirates is the leader. It has administered 179 doses per 100 inhabitants, meaning it has fully vaccinated nearly 75% of its population.Uruguay follows with 154 per 100 inhabitants, Israel and Qatar (149 each), Singapore (147), Bahrain (144), Denmark (143), Chile (140), Canada (139), Portugal and Belgium (138 each), China (136), Spain (134), Ireland (133) and the UK (132).Most of these countries have fully vaccinated between 65% and 70% of their populations.Some, like the Emirates, Bahrain, Israel, Uruguay and Chile have even started giving out booster shots to prolong the immunity of the fully vaccinated.France, which will start giving booster shots from September, is not far behind, with 126 doses injected per 100 people and 62% of the population completely vaccinated.It has bypassed the US which has given 110 doses per 100 inhabitants, with 52% completely vaccinated, and was previously at the top of the game.Asia and Latin America speed upWhile countries in Western Europe, North America and parts of the Middle East have advanced vaccination campaigns, they are inoculating less quickly than countries in Asia, Latin America and Oceania which have picked up speed.Over the past week Ecuador vaccinated most quickly, giving shots to 1.69% of its population every day, followed by Panama (1.62%), South Korea and Malaysia (1.54% each).Laos, Uruguay, Norway, Salvador, Australia and Paraguay each jab more than one percent of their population each day.Africa lags behindMost poor countries have now started to vaccinate, mainly thanks to the Covax scheme, but the coverage remains very unequal.High-income countries (as defined by the World Bank) administered an average of 111 doses per 100 inhabitants compared with just 2.4 doses in low-income countries.Injections in these countries have picked up recently after donations by some richer countries.Africa is the continent which is lagging behind by far, with 6.5 doses per 100 inhabitants, 10 times less than the world average of 64.Sub Saharan Africa’s most populous countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo (0.1 doses per 100 inhabitants), Tanzania (0.4), Nigeria (1.9) and Ethiopia (2.0) are among the least vaccinated countries in the world.Three countries have yet to start their vaccination drives: Burundi, Eritrea and North Korea.


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