2022 will be tough but better than 2020, say economists

Economists expect another challenging year ahead in terms of the economy due to continued uncertainty over Covid-19 at the global level coupled with the floods that hit several states in the country last month, although they say things will not be as bad as they were in 2020.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, they said the downside risk would continue through 2022, especially in light of Omicron, the newest Covid-19 variant which has sparked international market concern.However, they also noted the reopening of the economic and social sector as well as Malaysia’s strong vaccination rate against the virus.Bank Islam Malaysia chief economist Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Malaysia’s performance in the first nine months of 2021 was proof that the country was on track to recovery, noting the 3% growth against the contraction of 6.4% in the same period the year before.“There are positive developments compared to the situation in 2020,” he said.“But the risk of losses in 2022 is still real, and we cannot ignore it as it could affect the situation in Malaysia’s capital market.”He said Malaysia’s economic performance in 2021 contracted in early July when the movement control order was imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.“The economy contracted 4.5% in the third quarter after registering a growth of 16.1% in the second quarter,” he said.“But Malaysia’s performance is expected to show improvement in the fourth quarter given the achievement of herd immunity and the reopening of state borders and activities.”Economist Yeah Kim Leng said the recent floods which left a number of states including Selangor and Pahang badly affected would stunt Malaysia’s economic growth.However, he said the effect would not be the same as that of Covid-19.Yeah, of Sunway University, said while performance in the fourth quarter of 2021 might be negative due to disruptions in economic activity, the country would still record overall growth for 2021.“While the destruction caused by the floods cannot be denied, the crisis is short-term in nature unlike the spread of Covid-19,” he said.He said the Omicron variant would likely be the main focus at the global level due to concerns that it would cause another wave of infections.Meanwhile, Malaysia’s exports which showed an uptick in 2021 are also expected to drive the country’s economic growth this year, he said.“The important thing is for Malaysia to ensure the strengthening of demand from abroad and an increase in purchasing power at the domestic level.“This will drive better performance in the year ahead,” he said.


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Don't take relaxed approach to food security, says Mat Sabu

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu has urged parties including the government against taking a relaxed approach to ensure food security in the country.
He said measures to ensure food security were crucial to guaranteeing the country and its people have sufficient food at a reasonable price as the world might face a recession this year.
He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the government had taken steps involving all ministries to implement suitable plans for maintaining food security, and that even the name of his ministry had been changed to reflect that importance.
"World economic growth this year is expected to be quite slow and the issue of food security is now a hot topic worldwide. Countries like those in Africa are facing food shortages, no money, a failing economy and eventually deaths occur.
"We cannot relax. As humans blessed with intelligence, we must take that as a challenge as to how we can ensure that food is available in Sabah, Malaysia and the whole world," he said in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
Mohamad also said that various efforts needed to be jointly implemented to ensure that work to preserve food security and community socio-economic development could be achieved.
"The government, through various ministries, agencies, organisations and the public, needs to join hands to realise this responsibility.
"The symbiosis and synergy of solid strategic planning need to be adapted in the planning of every government and private entity," he said.


Guan Eng sues Muhyiddin over charity tax exemption

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng filed a lawsuit today against former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin for allegedly issuing defamatory statements over the cancellation of Yayasan Albukhary's tax exemption.
Lim, 62, filed the defamation suit through Messrs Guok Partnership at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, naming Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin, 75, as the sole defendant.
In his statement of claim, the former finance minister said Muhyiddin had issued three defamatory statements involving him over the issue on March 9, 11 and 12, posted on the defendant's Facebook, which were published on the same day by several newspapers and news portals.
According to Lim, the remarks were deliberately made after Muhyiddin was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on March 9 as he knew that the media and press attention was focused on him.
The DAP chairman claimed the comments gave the impression that he was racist, anti-Malay and anti-Islam and had deliberately sabotaged Yayasan Albukhary for refusing to allow tax exemptions for the foundation when he was the finance minister from 2018 to 2020.
The former Penang chief minister also claimed the statements meant that he had abused his position and power by authorising or instructing the Inland Revenue Board to impose taxes and penalties on charitable foundations when they should not be taxed.
Lim demanded that Muhyiddin apologise, retract the statements, post an apology on his Facebook and Twitter accounts and publish it in several newspapers and news portals within seven days of the judgment date.
He is also seeking general, aggravated and punitive damages to be determined by the court and an injunction to prevent Muhyiddin or his agents from issuing or republishing the statements or similar remarks.


‘The wise man of the region’ Kuwait emir dies at 91

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Tuesday aged 91.The country will now spend 40 days in mourning.“With hearts filled with pain and sadness for the Kuwaiti people… the Cabinet mourns Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah who died in the US on Tuesday,” an official statement said.In August 2019, Sheikh Sabah suffered an unspecified medical condition that required surgery, after which he was flown to a US hospital in July 2020.Known as the “wise man of the region”, he was the architect of modern Kuwait’s domestic and foreign policy.Sheikh Sabah kept strong ties with the US, which led a coalition that ended Iraq’s 1990-91 occupation.He always tried to peacefully influence relations between Kuwait’s bigger neighbours by forging close ties with Saudi Arabia, rebuilding links with former occupier Iraq and keeping open dialogue with Iran.United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres praised the emir as “an extraordinary symbol of wisdom and generosity, a messenger of peace, a bridge builder”.The cabinet has announced his brother Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the new ruler.Sheikh Nawaf, 83, will be sworn in today.


Vaccine site crashes as hundreds of thousands rush to register for AstraZeneca

The official website for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) today crashed after registration for the AstraZeneca vaccine was opened to the general public in several states.Slots for the vaccine, which is being offered through an opt-in programme to those in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Johor and Penang, were fully booked less than two hours after registration began at noon, with 1.2 million people successfully reserving a spot on the list.However, many others took to social media to express their anger and disappointment at being unable to register despite refreshing the page multiple times.Some also questioned the RM70 million budget used to set up the MySejahtera app and vaccine website, saying these had failed to accommodate the millions of people who wanted to book a slot.About an hour after registration began, only some 300,000 people were able to book a spot with PICK’s official social media advising others to “try again shortly”.“More than 300,000 slots of the second round of the AstraZeneca vaccine booking appointments have been booked.“We understand that many are still unable to do so. Please try again shortly,” it said.This was the second round of AstraZeneca slots opened to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.The AstraZeneca jab was made optional after thousands cancelled their vaccination appointments through the MySejahtera app due to concerns about side effects including rare cases of blood clots, some of which have been fatal in other countries using the brand.The first round, which was rolled out on May 5, was met with good response, with over 268,000 slots snapped up within three hours.


Indian priest and nun get life for historic murder of convent sister

A Catholic priest and nun have been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of another member of their convent in India nearly 30 years ago, reports the BBC.Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy were convicted on Tuesday of murdering 21-year-old Sister Abhaya in 1992 and destroying evidence of the killing.The pair killed her after she came across them engaged in illicit sexual activity.Local police originally thought the young nun had taken her own life, but further investigations were launched following suspicions about her death from family and campaigners.Abhaya’s body was found in a well at St Pius X convent in Kottayam, a city in southern India.A court ruled that one morning in March 1992 she awoke in the early hours and walked into the convent’s kitchen to fetch water from a fridge, and caught Kottoor and Sephy in a compromising position.Fearing she would disclose her discovery, the pair killed her and disposed of her body in the well, the court ruled.Investigations into the young nun’s death have been a highly contentious issue in India ever since her body was discovered.India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case in 1993 because of public outrage at the perceived lack of justice, and found she had been murdered, but they did not identify any suspects.Following a high court order in 2008, the CBI renewed its investigation and arrested and charged Kottoor and Sephy. A lengthy trial followed.Sephy, 55, has not publicly commented on the ruling, but Kottoor, 69, has insisted he was innocent.“I have done no wrong. God is with me,” he told local media outside court on Wednesday, when he was sentenced.“Sister Abhaya’s case has finally got justice. She will rest in peace,” said human rights activist Jomon Puthenpurackal, who has campaigned for years for justice for the young nun.


Pandemic fades with a fifth fewer cases in a week

The Covid-19 pandemic continued its retreat this week, with fewer deaths and the number of new cases decreasing in most regions of the world.Here is a state of play based on AFP’s database.22% dropAfter a surge which lasted for three-and-a-half months, the average number of global daily cases dropped for a third week in a row, falling back by 22% to 1.97 million, according to an AFP tally to Thursday.The confirmed cases only reflect a fraction of the actual number of infections, with varying counting practices and levels of testing in different countries.Let-up in most regionsThe situation improved in most regions of the world over the past seven days.The number of daily cases dropped by 43% in the US/Canada zone, by 35% in the Middle East, by 23% in Europe and the Latin America/Caribbean area and by 22% in Africa.The situation remained almost stable in Asia, with a 1% fall in cases. They increased by the same amount in Oceania.Main spikesSoutheast Asia and Oceania saw the biggest spike in the number of new cases this week.New Zealand registered the biggest increase of 239%, followed by Hong Kong (192% increase), Malaysia (111% more), Vietnam (plus 78%) and South Korea (up 66%).Main dropsSweden saw the biggest drop of the week with 78% fewer cases, followed by Kazakhstan (minus 59%), Kosovo (minus 57%), Colombia (minus 55%) and Suriname (minus 54%).Russia overtakes USRussia this week overtook the US to register the highest number of new cases with an average of 187,500 infections a day, an increase of 6%.The US fell to third place, with 119,600 cases per day – a 44% drop – well behind Germany with 180,900 cases, a decrease of 6%.On a per capita basis, the country with the most new cases over the week was again Denmark with 5,026 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Latvia with 3,635, the Netherlands (2,877), Georgia (2,851) and Estonia (2,777).Deaths start to dropThe number of Covid-linked deaths declined by 7% globally, with an average of 10,355 per day, after an increase for five weeks in a row.Even though the highly contagious Omicron variant led at its peak to four times more daily infections than previous waves, daily deaths remain far lower than their record high in January 2021 when they skirted 15,000.The US again mourned the most deaths this week with an average of 2,300 per day, ahead of Brazil (841) and Russia (726).The countries reporting the highest death rates in proportion to their population were all in the Balkans or the Caucasus with Bulgaria and Bosnia mourning nine deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Croatia on 8.5, Georgia (8.1) and Northern Macedonia (7.9).


New Zealand accepts return of IS-linked woman and her children

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she has agreed to a request from Turkish authorities to accept the return of a New Zealand citizen accused of having links to the Islamic State (IS), and her two young children.The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey after they were caught earlier this year trying to enter Turkey from Syria, Reuters is reporting.The Turkish government identified the New Zealand citizen Suhayra Aden as a terrorist belonging to the IS, according to Xinhua.The decision follows a bitter dispute with Australia over which country needed to shoulder responsibility for the woman, who had been a dual citizen of both countries until Australia stripped her citizenship under its anti-terrorism laws.“New Zealand has not taken this step lightly. We have taken into account our international responsibilities as well as the details of this particular case, including the fact that children are involved,” Ardern said in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Wellington.The woman’s family moved from New Zealand to Australia when she was six and she grew up there before leaving for Syria in 2014 on an Australian passport.While she was away and reportedly involved with the IS, the Australian government revoked her citizenship and refused to reverse the decision despite calls from New Zealand.“Unfortunately, Australia would not reverse the cancellation of her citizenship,” Ardern said.“A number of other countries have managed the return of mothers and children from the region and this is the position we now find ourselves in,” she said, adding in this case the welfare and best interests of the children has been a primary concern.Earlier this year, Ardern said Australia’s decision was wrong and the country was abdicating its responsibilities by “unilaterally” cancelling the citizenship of the woman.Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the woman lost her citizenship as a result of her own actions, and that ending citizenship for dual nationals engaged in terrorist conduct was an integral part of Australia’s response to terrorist threats, the AP reports.“The government’s first priority is always to protect the Australian community,” Andrews said in a statement.Australia has now given assurances it will consult with New Zealand if similar cases arise in future, Ardern said.Details about arrangements or timing to bring the family home will not be made public for security reasons.Turkish authorities have said that the woman, now age 26, was a Daesh (IS) terrorist wanted with a “blue notice”.An Interpol blue notice is issued to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.“It has previously been made clear that any New Zealander who might be suspected of association with a terrorist group should expect to be investigated under New Zealand law, but that would be a matter for the Police,” Ardern said.


Special cert available for the medically exempt, Khairy says on vaccination

Individuals who cannot be given Covid-19 vaccine due to medical-related factors can apply for a special digital certificate or vaccination exemption on MySejahtera through the district health office (PKD), says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.However, he said they would have to get verification of their condition from registered medical practitioners.He said they would also be required to go to the district health office and submit a special form, which is an assessment slip on the suitability of patients with certain verified health problems to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.“The digital certificate through MySejahtera will be obtained within a week if the application submitted is complete and meets the stipulated conditions,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.He was responding to a question from Isnaraissah Munirah [email protected] (Warisan-Kota Belud) on alternatives for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons and whether there is any form of document specifically for the group to allow them to move about.To a supplementary question from Isnaraissah Munirah, Khairy said those who have been fully vaccinated but do not have a digital device to show their digital vaccination certificate can produce the vaccination card issued to them at the vaccination centre.If they have lost the card or the card is missing, they should lodge a report at the district health office, he added.Meanwhile, Khairy said the government does not deny the right of any individual in the country to be vaccinated, including residents without documents of citizenship or with immigration problems.“The policy of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme is a no wrong door policy. What is important is not the immigration status (of an individual) but public health, that’s why we prioritise vaccination for everyone in Malaysia,” he said in response to a question from Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Independent-Tebrau) on vaccination for those without documents and illegal immigrants.


Talks underway among PAS, Umno and Bersatu to avoid 3-way fights in Melaka

Negotiations and discussions to avoid three-cornered fights among PAS, Umno and Bersatu in the Melaka state election in November are currently underway, according to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.He said there should be a consensus among the three parties, especially on the distribution of seats for the election to minimise clashes.“If we can’t avoid (clashes) in one or two (seats), we have to face them. But at least there should not be too many three-cornered contests as this would be detrimental to all parties.“Therefore we must have consensus, Insha Allah there will be a way out,” he told reporters after officiating the Selangor PAS building in Section 13, Shah Alam, last night.Tuan Ibrahim said the parties need to focus on winning the state assembly seats in Melaka which have yet to be won by PAS, Umno or Bersatu.He said PAS intends to contest five seats in Melaka, although this has yet to be finalised.“PAS intends to contest five seats in Melaka and I mentioned to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan that we will not take Umno seats.“We have 28 seats in Melaka where Umno has 13 or 14 seats. So there are about 14 more seats that we can sit and discuss so that we can avoid clashes,” he said.Meanwhile, he welcomed the new ruling announced by the health ministry regarding the ban on organising any activities, gatherings or social events related to the election until Nov 27 to reduce the risk of infection and a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases.“Our intention is to avoid Covid-19 (outbreaks), and we did not even expect that there would be an election in Melaka. Because we have to hold an election, PAS will use the methods that are allowed (to campaign), whereby social media will be used a lot,” he said.


PKR-Amanah spat over Anwar spreads to Penang

Disagreements over the leadership of Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim which surfaced in a recent dispute between Amanah’s Bukit Bintang division and a pro-PKR activist in Sarawak appear to have spread to Penang, where leaders from the two component parties have locked horns over the direction of the opposition pact.Tanjong Amanah Youth chief Faruk Abdul Rahman agreed with Bukit Bintang leader Ahmad Asri Talib who had called for a change of leader and the formation of a PH Plus coalition.But several Penang PKR Youth leaders said they regretted Faruk’s remarks which they described as unhealthy and non-beneficial.“The statement uploaded on his Facebook on Aug 21 was most disappointing.“It appears as though he has forgotten how PH which obtained the mandate of the people collapsed due to the betrayal and self-interest of the prime minister at the time who resigned without discussing the matter with party chiefs in the PH Presidential Council,” they said in a statement signed by the youth chiefs of Balik Pulau, Tasek Gelugor and Bukit Mertajam, as well as the chairman of the central education bureau.Faruk, in a Facebook post, had urged PH leaders to meet and to choose a new chairman and opposition chief.He also suggested Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the post, saying he was the most qualified candidate.“We should raise up a leader like Mahathir who is widely experienced in the country’s politics,” he said, adding that this was not to downplay the efforts and determination of Anwar whom he said had fought to the end for the mandate of the people.“However, he has yet to obtain enough support,” he said.In their statement today, the PKR Youth chiefs criticised Faruk’s stand, questioning Mahathir’s integrity in his leadership of PH.“If the candidate he suggests to lead PH was truly serious about helming the coalition, he would not have made decisions without holding discussions first,” they said in a reference to Mahathir’s move to step down at the peak of PH’s leadership crisis last year, triggering the so-called Sheraton Move.The PH government subsequently collapsed and was replaced by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration led by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.The PKR Youth chiefs also advised Faruk to self-reflect and called for an increase in inter-party cooperation, saying any move by PH component parties to go it alone should not be accepted.“PH’s victory and strength depends on all of its component parties,” they said.“It would be unfair to see Anwar’s failure to obtain the necessary support as one that would require a change of chairman.“Has Faruk forgotten Anwar’s service and the sacrifices he made to strengthen the opposition coalition?”Yesterday, MalaysiaNow reported that conflict had arisen between several leaders from Amanah and PKR following the pact’s failed bid to take over federal power.Anwar, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib Razak had led efforts to oust Muhyiddin, who resigned after losing his fragile majority due to the withdrawal of support by a group of Umno MPs.Muhyiddin was replaced by Ismail Sabri Yaakob who was sworn in as the country’s ninth prime minister on Aug 20 with the support of 114 out of 220 MPs.Yesterday, PH leaders reiterated that they would remain under Anwar’s leadership, maintaining that 105 MPs had backed the PKR president for prime minister.They also said they would extend cooperation with other opposition blocs to work under what they called the “big tent” approach.


Group slams ‘robotic’ response from Singapore as protests mount over execution of Malaysian man

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has slammed the Singapore government’s reaction to growing protests over the imminent execution of a mentally disabled Malaysian prisoner, while also accusing it of failing to help his family with travel arrangements.It said the home ministry had deliberately ignored concerns over the mental state of Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam by saying that he understood the gravity of the crime he committed.LFL adviser N Surendran said at the heart of the protests was Nagaenthran’s intellectual disability as diagnosed by a psychiatrist during his trial, adding that executing such a person not only violates international law but also “sickens everyone who hears about it”.“This is the real objection and concern of right-minded people, both Malaysian and Singaporean, to the planned execution of Nagaenthran. This is why Singaporeans have been raising funds for the family and Malaysians have been carrying out public protests in recent days.“The home ministry’s robotic response that the court and clemency process have been exhausted does not answer these concerns,” Surendran said.Yesterday, Singapore’s home ministry defended the death sentence of Nagaenthran amid growing pressure in both the city-state and Malaysia for the government to halt the execution scheduled on Nov 10.It said Nagaenthran, who was convicted of trafficking drugs into Singapore, clearly understood the crime, adding that he had also exhausted all legal appeals.The government also claimed that it had accorded facilities for Nagaenthran’s family to travel to Singapore.The response came as protests mount in Malaysia over the execution, with rights activists reminding Singapore of its obligation to abide by international treaties prohibiting capital punishment on mentally disabled persons.An online petition urging Singapore President Halimah Yacob to use her power of pardon on Nagaenthran has gathered some 50,000 signatures.Yesterday, dozens of activists gathered at Parliament in Kuala Lumpur urging the Malaysian government to plead for Nagaenthran’s life.A Singapore lawyer’s constitiutional challenge is also set to be heard on Nov 8 in a bid to stop the execution.LFL questioned claims by the Singapore home ministry that it had provided assistance for Nagaenthran’s family to visit him in prison.It said it was Singaporean activist Kirsten Han who had been helping the family with the costs as well as managing the complex travel SOPs which it described as “nightmarish” and bogged down by red tape.“The Singapore Prison Services has only bothered to communicate with the family whenever Han made queries to the SPS. The SPS has in fact made the process more difficult by childishly refusing to communicate directly with Han, who is the family’s representative in Singapore for these arrangements,” said Surendran.He reminded the home ministry that Nagaenthran’s family were not choosing to make a trip to Singapore like other travellers.“The family do not wish to enter Singapore; they are being forced to enter Singapore under extreme duress in order to visit their loved one facing execution.”Surendran warned that going ahead with the execution on Nov 10 would be a “permanent blot” on Singapore.“We urge them to take heed of civilised opinion and to step back from the brink.”


Businessman who escaped MACC building last year charged with RM2.1 million money laundering

A businessman who made headlines after escaping from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building in October last year was arraigned at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today on money laundering charges involving over RM2.1 million.Goh Leong Yeong, better known as Alvin Goh, 33, and his brother Goh Yeong Hui, 28, pleaded not guilty after the seven charges against them were read before judge Sabariah Othman.The two, who are directors of Malaysia House of Internet Sdn Bhd, were alleged to have received RM2,144,000 in proceeds from illegal activities in their company’s Public Bank Berhad account from two Chinese nationals, at Public Bank Bhd, Jalan Bukit Bintang, between Sept 9 and Nov 7, 2019.The charges were filed under Subsection 4 (1) (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, AntiTerrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 which carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years and a fine five times the value of the proceeds from illegal activities, or RM5 million, whichever higher, upon conviction.Deputy public prosecutor Lee Keng Fatt earlier asked the court to set bail at RM300,000 with one surety for each accused, with the additional condition that they report to the nearest police station once a month.“I request the court to take into account that the amount involved is more than RM2 million, and both the accused are flight risks. Moreover, the bail offered is very reasonable as the case is serious.“The first accused (Alvin Goh) had also escaped in 2020, and could not be traced by the authorities for several weeks,” he said.However, lawyer Jacky Loi Yap Loong, who represented the two accused, requested for bail to be set at RM30,000 for Yeong Hui as Alvin could not be bailed as he was detained under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) 1959.“Previously, my clients were charged at the Special Court (for Illegal Immigrants cases) in Semenyih with their passports handed over to the court, so there is no risk of them fleeing.“However, to correct the record, my client did not escape but was released on bail when he was detained by MACC,” said the lawyer.The court then allowed each accused bail of RM200,000 with one surety, with the additional condition that they report to the nearest police station once a month, and set May 24 for mention of the case and submission of documents.Alvin, who was handcuffed, wore a white Poca lock-up shirt when he arrived at the court at 11.05am in a van from the Prisons Department, escorted by immigration personnel.On Dec 1 last year, Bernama reported that the main suspects behind the Macau scam syndicate and online gambling activities, namely Zaidi Kanapiah or Addy Kanna and Alvin, as well as two policemen, were detained for two years under Poca.


Does PH-BN govt need 'Bossku' Najib?

While Najib Razak may have led the country for nearly a decade before his ousting in 2018, analysts agree that any need for his influence and popularity may be a thing of the past for the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) administration led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Analyst Mazlan Ali said the presence of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was all Anwar needed to maintain the authority and stability of his coalition government.
"All Anwar needs is Zahid," Mazlan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia told MalaysiaNow.
Najib was prime minister from 2009 to 2018, losing the top office after PH's historic victory at the 14th general election.
His election loss was followed by a series of criminal charges which, at the time, saw hundreds of supporters thronging the Kuala Lumpur court complex in a show of support for "Bossku" – the moniker he assumed after his ouster.
His supporters came from all over the country, including his then constituency of Pekan in Pahang, and his influence at the grassroots level was credited for BN's sweeping victories at several by-elections in 2018 and 2019.
In 2020, though, he was convicted of misappropriating tens of millions in SRC International funds and, in 2022, he was sent to prison to serve a 12-year jail term after losing his final appeal.
While he still goes to and fro from prison to court for his remaining charges, his popularity is largely seen as being on the wane.
Analyst Oh Ei Sun said that in politics, things could change in a blink of an eye depending on the demographic and socio-political situations.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said Umno needed to be wise in harnessing its support in whatever form or shape.
"Umno has to branch out on any kind of support it gets," Oh, of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, added.
Najib was recently acquitted of tampering with the final 1MDB audit report, and has embarked on a final bid for a review of his SRC International case.
But Mazlan said that the situation was difficult to predict.
He said the current political environment could no longer be analysed in black and white terms, but required a more in-depth view.
He added that this was especially the case given the make-up of the coalition government in which long-time foes such as Umno and DAP had been forced to work together.
"If we want to analyse all this in terms of what, how and why, it's no longer possible," he said.
"We have to go further than that."


Can Mahathir pull another rabbit from his hat at GE15?

Last week, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of a new Malay movement to take on his one-time party Umno, putting to rest speculation about the appearance of yet another alliance in the country's crowded political arena.
Now, the question is whether Mahathir himself still has what it takes to pull off a repeat of his coalition's unprecedented success at the 2018 general election.
Mahathir had led Pakatan Harapan (PH) to a stunning victory over Barisan Nasional (BN), toppling more than six decades of rule by the Umno-led coalition and becoming, at the age of 92, the world's oldest head of government and Malaysian prime minister for the second time.
He was largely credited with PH's success and with swinging the crucial Malay vote towards the opposition pact.
But four years later, analysts appear reserved about the odds of history repeating itself at the 15th general election (GE15).
So far, the Gerakan Tanah Air movement has seen the participation of four Malay-based parties: Putra, Berjasa, Iman and Mahathir's own Pejuang.
In announcing the alliance on Aug 4, Mahathir had said that it would also include academics, NGOs and professionals.
Political analyst Azmil Tayeb however said the movement was mostly rhetorical, describing it as an effort to appear still relevant among the Malay voters.
Azmil, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, also said that the political groups that have joined Gerakan Tanah Air so far do not have a good track record in elections.
On its stated goal of challenging Umno on the political stage, he said it would be difficult to defeat the BN lynchpin.
"But it could contest more competitively in states like Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan," he added when contacted by MalaysiaNow.
Mahathir had said that the movement would contest 120 seats at GE15, targeting areas in the peninsula which it was confident of winning.
But Azmil said the bigger point of concern was the narrative of Gerakan Tanah Air which only involves Malay members.  Adding that this would distance the pact from the non-Malay voters, he said race-based politics was only effective among some segments of the Malay electorate.
"Gerakan Tanah Air will have to challenge Umno, PAS and Bersatu which are more established and well known," he added.
"In other words, it is a waste of effort."
Political analyst James Chin said Mahathir might be able to rally some personal support due to his brand name.
But he said such support could not be passed on to Pejuang just yet.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said it lacked a clear infrastructure which could turn it into a national party.
"Increasingly, people are realising that the big boys in town are going to swallow up everybody else," Chin, of Australia's University of Tasmania, added.
"It's just too small and too insignificant to bring about change at GE15."
He also said that Pejuang possessed no key figures other than Mahathir and his son, Mukhriz.
"There is no way that Pejuang has any chance," he said.
"Mahathir is doing this just to remain relevant, and to remind his Malay supporters that he is still very much a Malay nationalist. That's all."


US to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the US, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without having to travel abroad, one of the sources said, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years.
Indian citizens are by far the most active users of the US H-1B program and made up 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022.
"We all recognise that mobility of our people is a huge asset to us," said another US official. "And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things."
A State Department spokesman declined to comment on questions about which visa types would qualify or the timing of the pilot launch. Plans for a pilot program were first reported by Bloomberg Law in February.
"The pilot would begin with a small number of cases with the intention to scale the initiative over the following one to two years," the spokesman said, while declining to define small.
The steps could change and are not finalised until they are announced. The White House declined to comment.
Each year, the US government makes 65,000 H-1B visas available to companies seeking skilled foreign workers, along with an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. The visas last for three years and can be renewed for another three years.
The companies using the most H-1B workers in recent years include the Indian-based Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services as well as Amazon, Alphabet and Meta in the US, according to US government data.
The ability for some of the temporary foreign workers to renew visas in the US would free up resources for visa interviews in consulates abroad, the spokesman said.
The pilot program would also include some workers with L-1 visas, which are available to people transferring within a company to a position in the US, one of the sources said.
A separate initiative to clear a backlog of visa applications at US embassies in India is finally showing signs of progress, according to another one of those sources, and is expected to be figure into the discussions between the two countries' delegations in Washington this week.
India has long had concerns with the difficulty its citizens face in receiving visas to live in the US, including technology industry workers. More than 10 million jobs stood open in the US at the end of April, according to the Labor Department.
Some H-1B visa holders in the US have been among the thousands of tech workers laid off this year, sending them scrambling to find new employers within a 60-day "grace period" or return to their home country.
The Biden administration has spent months working to improve visa access for Indians, trying to get around the lack of political will in Congress to comprehensively reform US immigration policy. President Joe Biden wants to knit together the world's two largest democracies, partly in a bid to better compete with China.
US visa services are still attempting to clear a backlog after Washington halted almost all visa processing worldwide in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The visa backlog has led to some families being separated for extended periods of time, with some taking to social media to lament their situation.


Malaysian Bar objects to Queen’s Counsel bid to represent Najib in SRC appeal

The Malaysian Bar has objected to the application for a Queen’s Counsel from the UK, Jonathan Laidlaw, to represent Najib Razak in the former prime minister’s final appeal in his SRC International case on the misappropriation of RM42 million.Bar secretary B Anand Raj, in an affidavit filed on June 27, said Najib’s current lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah possessed more experience and qualifications than Laidlaw, and that there were over 20,000 other experienced lawyers in Malaysia for the former prime minister to choose from.Anand said Shafee himself possessed extensive knowledge and vast experience as he had appeared in and argued numerous cases involving the criminal legal provisions and charges related to the Pekan MP’s appeal.“Given the fact that Shafee and his legal team have been involved in the subject case and are familiar with the charges and the statutory provisions involved from the inception, it is the considered view of the Malaysian Bar that Shafee himself possesses greater experience and qualifications in respect of the issues pending in the appeal, more so than the applicant (Laidlaw),” he said.Anand added that it was only in the early years after Malaysia attained independence from the UK in 1957 when there was a limited number of local lawyers that there was some need for assistance from QCs and other foreign experts.“Today, in 2022, 65 years post-independence, the Malaysian Bar has grown in strength, quantitatively and qualitatively. We have 21,659 advocates and solicitors who are in possession of a valid annual and practising certificate as of June 27, 2022.“There are many advocates and solicitors with subject matter expertise and experience in criminal defence litigation, up to the highest appellate tiers. A perusal of the applicant’s (Laidlaw’s) qualifications and experience as set out in the said affidavit (by Shafee) reveals that he is an eminent QC in the UK and has varied and extensive experience in various jurisdictions.“He does not, however, have the special qualifications or experience in the Malaysian legal system, the Malaysian criminal system and other related jurisprudence required for the appeal,” he said.He added that Laidlaw had not demonstrated any familiarity with Malaysia’s evolving local statutes, practices and procedures since it gained independence.The application for a QC will be heard at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on July 6 before judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid.


Unity govt has two-thirds majority with support of GRS, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said the unity government under his leadership has achieved a two-thirds majority with the participation of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Speaking at a press conference on his first day at the Prime Minister’s Office at Perdana Putra, Anwar said the matter was conveyed to him by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman.
"This will further enhance the country’s political stability and enable the focus to be on work to raise the dignity of the country, boost the economy and defend the people’s interest," he said.
The total number of seats needed to obtain a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat is 148.
On the formation of the Cabinet, Anwar said its size would be reduced. He said he was also seeking the agreement of members who would be appointed to reduce their salaries.
He said the formation of the Cabinet was still under discussion but would be announced as soon as possible.
Anwar said he would refer to the parties involved regarding the formation of the Cabinet.
"The respective parties will propose the names for my consideration," he said when asked about the breakdown of Cabinet members according to party.
At his first media conference as prime minister last night, Anwar said that the unity government would be formed with the participation of several parties to ensure stability in the country and economy as well as to uphold the spirit of the Federal  Constitution.
He said the three largest components forming the unity government would be Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
Anwar was earlier reported as saying that the size of the Cabinet would be reduced to a maximum of 25 ministers compared to 31 under the administration of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.


Probe into data leak of 5 million AirAsia passengers, staff

The Department of Personal Data Protection (JPDP) and Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM) yesterday inspected the AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd office to assist in a probe into a data leak involving five million AirAsia passengers and staff.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said during the inspection, several documents and pieces of equipment were taken by JPDP and CSM officers for investigation purposes.
Speaking to reporters after his first monthly assembly with communications and digital ministry staff in Putrajaya today, Fahmi, when asked about the cause of the data leak, said he could not comment further as the investigation was still ongoing.
"All I can say is, action has been taken and the investigation continues today," he said.
In another development, Fahmi denied issuing an order to ban preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah from appearing on television talk show Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam, saying the programme was not under his jurisdiction.
"No," he said briefly when asked by reporters about the matter.


Grammys bans AI-only music, allows 'only human creators'

"Only human creators are eligible" for the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy declared on Friday, as the body that grants the world's most recognised music awards seeks to curb the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry.
AI-only work is banned, but some music created with AI help may qualify in certain categories, the academy's updated rulebook reads. "A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any categories."
Music creators must now contribute to at least 20% of an album to earn a nomination. In the past, any producer, songwriter, engineer or featured artist on an album could earn a nomination for album of the year, even if the person had a small input.
The use of AI has quickly spread since November when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a free chatbot backed by Microsoft Corp that can generate human-like dialogue based on simple inputs. AI apps have mushroomed, allowing users to animate still photos, create avatars in films, write songs, essays and articles, threatening to displace humans in many jobs.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-Aftra)are also wrestling with the use of AI in the creative fields of screenwriting and acting.
The WGA wants to curb the use of AI in screenwriting while SAG actors want to ensure its members can control use of their digital personas and receive proper compensation.
WGA writers went on strike in early May and have yet to agree with studios on the use of AI, among other issues.
Actors could go on strike as well if SAG-Aftra cannot reach a deal over similar concerns.


Aussie PM says he has never lied while in public office

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday he doesn’t believe he has lied since he was elected to parliament in 2007, rejecting allegations from French President Emmanuel Macron and others.Macron this month said Morrison had lied to him over Australia’s decision to scrap a multibillion-dollar deal with France to build Canberra’s new fleet of submarines.Criticism of Morrison intensified this week when he announced his government would spend A$178 million (US$129.6 million) to support electric vehicles, three years after he criticised the technology.But when asked on Friday, Morrison rejected allegations he had lied.“No, I don’t believe I have, no,” Morrison told 3AW Radio. “It’s politics. People take sledges at me all the time… I’ve learned in public life over a long period of time to not have a thin skin, to not get bitter.”Morrison’s comments came as Australia tries to repair ties with France.France has said Australia did not attempt to inform it of the cancellation until the day Canberra announced its deal with the US and Britain. Morrison denies that, and messages he sent to Macron in the week before the announcement have since been leaked to local media.In solidarity with France, the European Union last month postponed the next round of talks on a free trade deal for a second time.


European circuits board giant picks Malaysia in RM8.5 billion boost to pandemic recovery

Leading circuits board maker AT&S has announced a RM8.5 billion investment for a plant in Malaysia, in a major boost to the economy as the country seeks to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.The Austrian-based giant which has factories in India, China and South Korea, is a global leader in high-end printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates, as well as a major parts supplier to global computer brands including Apple.Despite the pandemic, AT&S recorded a double-digit increase in revenue and earnings for the 2020/21 period, with a record revenue of €1.19 billion, up 19% from the year before.The plant at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah will mark its debut in the Southeast Asian region, and is expected to create 5,000 high-tech and high-impact jobs once operations begin in 2024.“No doubt, AT&S’ latest investment is a testament to the confidence of foreign investors in Malaysia’s economic prospects as well as the human capital resource available to cope with the high-tech demands of high-impact industries,” International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said in a statement welcoming the company’s decision.The decision was officially conveyed by AT&S CEO Andreas Gerstenmayer to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin during a video conference yesterday.Gerstenmayer said AT&S had been involved in “very intensive location scouting globally”, adding that Malaysia was chosen to push ahead its “More than AT&S” initiative.“Beside the manufacturing of high-tech products, a significant number of R&D activities will be executed at this new location. Malaysia can benefit from its position as a technology country and can strengthen the region as a high-tech manufacturing hub in Asia,” he said.AT&S chief operating officer Ingolf Schröder meanwhile described the Kulim Hi-Tech Park as the “perfect match” for its expansion plans.This comes on the back of the latest figures revealed by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) that the country recorded RM80.6 billion in approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors in the first quarter of this year, a 95.6% spike from RM41.2 billion in the same period last year.Azmin said the AT&S project was the result of Mida’s engagements with the company since last November, as part of efforts under the Penjana scheme, or the National Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan, launched to restart the economy following the nationwide lockdown in 2020.AT&S’ high-end circuit boards are used in mobile devices, industrial electronics, automotive applications as well as medical and health technology.Meanwhile, Muhyiddin commended the international trade and industry ministry as well as Mida for their work in attracting investors.“This investment announcement represents a key win for Malaysia in proving our efforts to source for high-quality investments from international companies.”


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Hands off Malaysia’s road to abolishing death penalty, lawyers tell cops

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today urged Bukit Aman not to interfere in government policies on the use of the death penalty, following the proposal by the police for a drop in the minimum amount of syabu possessed in order to qualify for capital punishment.Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay had said that several acts related to drug penalties should be amended or enacted, in line with developments in the abuse of banned substances in the country.While heroin had once been the drug of choice, he said, now syabu and ecstasy pills were gaining currency.“Earlier, for heroin, 15g mandated a hanging sentence but for syabu and ecstasy pills, it was 50g… so we want the weight for syabu to be reduced to 15g,” he said, adding that the proposal had been brought to the home ministry before being submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.LFL said Ayob’s statement was disconnected from the government’s announcement a day earlier that it would do away with the mandatory death penalty.“This is precisely why it is undesirable for enforcement bodies such as the police to make public statements on politically controversial policy issues such as the usage of the death penalty,” LFL director Zaid Malek said.“The objective of the government as well as the Malanjum special committee is clearly to reduce and limit the usage of the death penalty in drugs and other cases. Contrary to this, Ayob’s proposal adds another new category of drugs offence punishable with death.”Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said on June 10 that the government had agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty and substitute it with other forms of punishment to be decided by the courts.He added that the Cabinet had agreed for further scrutiny and studies to be conducted on the proposed substitute sentences for 11 offences carrying the mandatory death penalty, one offence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and 22 offences carrying the death penalty at the court’s discretion.Zaid said issues regarding drug use and whether this should be allowed or criminalised were “multifaceted” and should be left to the experts, “based on proper and thorough information, scientific studies and research”.“There is no rational basis for Bukit Aman’s proposal that the possession of 15g of syabu should be punished with death,” he added.“The duty of enforcement authorities is to uphold and enforce the laws enacted. They have no business taking public positions on policies and legislation.”Urging the police to respect the government’s approach and position on the death penalty, he said the police should focus on dismantling the operations of drug kingpins.“Leave drugs legislation to the government of the day and Parliament,” he added.


Youngest MP in trouble for breaching health SOPs

MPs from the ruling bloc are demanding action against their youngest colleague for attending the Dewan Rakyat last week despite being a close contact of his brother who tested positive for Covid-19.They said Batu MP P Prabakaran should be referred to Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee as he had endangered the health of others in the building.Arau MP Shahidan Kasim, who leads the government backbenchers, urged speaker Azhar Harun to treat the matter seriously.“The action by the health ministry is a separate matter but Parliament itself must refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.Prabakaran, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Human Resources Minister M Saravanan had been instructed to undergo quarantine under the health ministry’s home surveillance order for two weeks.However, Prabakaran attended the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10.On Dec 14, following the green light from health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Azhar allowed Prabakaran and the two ministers who were close contacts to Covid-19 patients to attend the Dewan Rakyat under strict SOPs including the use of protective gear and isolation from the other MPs.This caused Pakatan Harapan MPs to stage a walkout, accusing the speaker of endangering their lives.Azhar had said it was better for him to regulate the presence of MPs under quarantine so they could attend crucial sessions, rather than to see them breach health SOPs.Azhar today said he was not aware of Prabakaran’s presence in the Dewan Rakyat last week.But he said only the health ministry and the National Security Council are empowered to take action against those who breach Covid-19 SOPs.


Singapore confirms extra-infectious UK variant case imported from Europe

Singapore has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus variant found in the UK, its health ministry says, while 11 other people already in quarantine have returned preliminarily positive results for the new strain, Reuters reports.Confirmatory results are pending for the 11 cases.All the cases were imported from Europe and placed in 14-day quarantine at dedicated facilities or isolated upon arrival, and their close contacts also quarantined.“There is currently no evidence that the B117 strain is circulating in the community,” the health ministry said late on Wednesday, referring to the new, potentially more infectious UK strain.Singapore has been conducting viral genomic sequencing for confirmed Covid-19 cases who arrived from Europe recently.The strain was found among 31 cases from Europe, who arrived in Singapore between Nov 17 and Dec 17 and were confirmed to have Covid-19 this month.The patient with the new variant came to Singapore from the UK on Dec 6, had been quarantined on arrival and tested positive on Dec 8. All her close contacts had been placed in quarantine and had tested negative at the end of their quarantine period.The health ministry said it had been able to ring-fence the case so that there was no further transmission.Singapore is blocking visitors with recent travel history to the UK.Meanwhile, Business Insider is reporting a second, possibly more infectious coronavirus variant originating from South Africa has now been found in the UK, British health secretary Matt Hancock has announced.Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Hancock said that scientists had identified two cases of a new variant which, he said, is even more transmissible than the one currently spreading rapidly through England.Both cases of the second variant were close contacts of people who had recently returned from South Africa, he said.“This new variant is highly concerning because it is yet more transmissible and it appears to have mutated further than the new variant that has been discovered in the UK,” Hancock added.It is typical for viruses to mutate, and variants are not necessarily more harmful or deadly. Experts previously told Business Insider that it’s unlikely that the mutations in the first variant will stop vaccines from working.


I have big support, Muhyiddin says as he marks first year as PM

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has defended his appointment to the top office a year ago, amid repeated claims from the opposition questioning the legitimacy of his administration.Muhyiddin, who became prime minister on March 1 just days before he was forced to declare a nationwide lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, said he still has the largest chunk of support from MPs despite claims that he no longer has the majority.“I am confident that I have big support. I am convinced that my position is constitutionally right. Legal. I cannot sit as an illegitimate prime minister. That’s because I do my work properly. So, I’m not worried about that,” he said in an interview with national news agency Bernama and several media outlets.He cited the budget votes in the Dewan Rakyat last year, which saw his ruling bloc defeating every attempt by the opposition to scuttle the budget bill.“Our Supply Bill was approved 27 times. I don’t mean to boast. It’s on record in Parliament, Budget 2021 was passed. How did it get approved if there was no majority?” he said.He also rejected accusations that the state of emergency declared last month was a ploy by him to remain in power.“We also do not want to be restricted by such a regulation forever,” he said, adding that the emergency would be lifted earlier than its expiry on Aug 1 if country is deemed safe from the virus.Muhyiddin again assured that a general election would be called once the Covid-19 crisis is overcome.“When we are done with it, I don’t want to wait even a day (to hold elections),” he added.The virus has infected over 300,000 people in Malaysia since it was first detected in early 2020, with more than 1,000 deaths recorded.Muhyiddin said for now, it is up to the Agong to decide on ending the state of emergency as well as dissolving Parliament, based on the advice of the special bipartisan committee.“It is not the government who will decide. The committee will advise the Agong that now that is over, we can end the emergency, back to normal.“If the Agong gives his consent based on the advice, then only Parliament will be dissolved.“The question is when? Can you answer that? When the time is right, that’s why first things first, let’s settle this Covid first.”


Philippines accuses Chinese vessels of firing water cannon at its boats

The Philippines on Thursday accused Chinese Coast Guard vessels of firing water cannon at boats delivering supplies to Filipino marines in the disputed South China Sea, and ordered Beijing to “back off”.Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said he had expressed “outrage, condemnation and protest” to Beijing over the incident, which he said happened Tuesday as the Philippine boats were travelling to Second Thomas Shoal in the contested Spratly Islands.“Fortunately, no one was hurt; but our boats had to abort their resupply mission,” Locsin said in a statement on Twitter, describing the three Chinese vessels’ actions as “illegal”.Locsin described the Philippine boats as “public”, suggesting they were civilian vessels, and said they were covered by a mutual defence pact with the US.“China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas,” he added. “They must take heed and back off.”Tensions over the resource-rich seas spiked this year after hundreds of Chinese vessels were detected at Whitsun Reef, which is also in the Spratly archipelago.China claims almost all of the sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, with competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.The contested waters also have valuable fishing grounds and are believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits.Beijing has ignored a 2016 ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that its historical claim over most of the sea to be without basis.‘We do not ask permission’China controls several reefs in the South China Sea including Scarborough Shoal – which Beijing seized from Manila in 2012 – and is just 240km west of the main Philippine island of Luzon.It has asserted its stance by building up small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities.After China occupied Mischief Reef in the mid-1990s, the Philippines marooned a derelict navy vessel atop the nearby Second Thomas Shoal to assert Manila’s territorial claim. Members of the Philippine Marines are based there.Locsin said the shoal was within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, and warned China’s “failure to exercise self-restraint threatens the special relationship” between the two countries.“We do not ask permission to do what we need to do in our territory,” he said.The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to pivot away from the US, the Philippines’ former colonial master, towards China since taking power in 2016 and has appeared reluctant to confront Beijing.But facing growing domestic pressure to take a harder line, Duterte has insisted Philippine sovereignty over the waters is not negotiable.Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday: “We will continue to assert our sovereignty… over our territory.”In July, Duterte walked back on a decision to axe a key military deal – the Visiting Forces Agreement – with the US during a visit by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.In a joint statement issued this week, the two countries reaffirmed “our treaty commitments” that include “obligations to respond to an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either the US or the Philippines.”


Indonesia leader backs election body appeal against court ruling calling for poll delay

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said on Monday he supports the country's election commission in mounting an appeal against a controversial court ruling that calls for the 2024 presidential and general elections to be delayed.
His comments come after a Jakarta district court last week ordered the national poll body (KPU) to halt all election preparations on the back of a procedural complaint by an obscure party.
The court's decision has reignited a debate in the world's third-largest democracy about extending the president's time in office, which is limited to two five-year terms by the constitution. Some senior political figures have backed the idea while others have warned it could roll back twenty years of democratic reforms brought in after decades of authoritarian rule.
Jokowi, as the president is commonly known, said on Monday the government hopes that election preparations are going ahead as planned.
"This is a controversy that has elicited pros and cons, but the government supports the KPU to file an appeal," he told reporters in a video uploaded by the presidential secretariat.
He has previously said he rejects the idea of extending his tenure. The Constitutional Court also said in a separate case last week there could be no extension.
The election commission has said it will forge ahead with organising the polls and chairman Hasyim Asy'ari told Reuters on Monday it will "attempt a legal next step" in a higher court.
The Central Jakarta District Court's ruling has been criticised by legal experts who say the judges acted beyond their jurisdiction.
A copy of the ruling seen by Reuters last week showed the judges concluded the complainant, Prima party, was unfairly denied the chance to submit documents required to contest elections, due partly to glitches with KPU's software.
Multiple surveys show most Indonesians are against extending Jokowi's time in office.


Hong Kong police warn residents against mourning man who stabbed officer

Hong Kong authorities on Sunday warned residents against mourning a man who killed himself after stabbing a policeman, saying that encouraging such memorials was the same as “supporting terrorism”.Police had described the attacker, who stabbed an officer before fatally wounding himself on Thursday, as politically “radicalised”.Hong Kong has become a deeply polarised city, especially since the huge, often violent pro-democracy protests of 2019. Many residents chafe under Beijing’s increasingly authoritarian rule.Some tried to pay tribute to the attacker by laying flowers and observing a moment of silence on Friday, prompting the latest warning from police.“Advocating members of the public to mourn for the attacker is no different from supporting terrorism,” the force said in a statement.Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have clamped down on dissent using a new national security law, under which a terrorism conviction could carry a life sentence, while promoting, inciting and supporting terrorism could result in up to 10 years in prison.In their Sunday statement, the police said they were investigating if the man who stabbed an officer was “incited” to carry out the attack.It warned that “any act with a seditious intention” can be prosecuted, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in jail.Images published by local media from the scene showed some white flowers left by mourners were dumped in trash bins or seized and placed into police vehicles.China says its crackdown and national security law are needed to restore stability in Hong Kong. But critics, including many western nations, say Beijing has shredded its promise to let the city maintain certain freedoms and autonomy after its 1997 handover.The political situation has left many companies walking a tightrope as they try not to offend the authorities.Vitasoy, a Hong Kong beverage conglomerate, had confirmed that the man who attacked the officer last week was its employee, and expressed regret at the tragedy.But it had to swiftly apologise and condemn the attack after nationalist backlash on social media in mainland China.


Japan PM Kishida's support tumbles, hit by questions over church and Covid

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has tumbled, battered by questions about the ruling party's ties to the Unification Church and its response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a public opinion poll.
Links to the church, founded in South Korea in the 1950s and famous for its mass weddings, have become a headache for Kishida since July 8, when former premier Shinzo Abe was shot and his suspected killer said his mother was bankrupted by the church and blamed Abe for promoting it.
According to a survey done at the weekend by the Mainichi Shimbun daily, Kishida's support fell to 36% from 52% a month ago, the lowest since he took office last October.
Those who believed ties between the Unification Church and Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were either "an extreme problem" or "something of a problem" hit 87%. Only 4% believed it was not a problem at all.
Kishida reshuffled his cabinet on Aug 10 and removed some cabinet members with ties to the church in an attempt to bolster support, but 68% of respondents said they did not approve of the move against only 16% who did.
"Regarding the issues related to the Unification Church, we should pay enough attention to relationships with organisations that are socially criticised, so people won't have concerns," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular news conference.
New coronavirus cases remain persistently high, prompting 55% of respondents to say they did not approve of the government's handling of the situation. On Sunday, Kishida himself tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing him to cancel a trip to an aid conference in Tunisia.
Matsuno said Kishida's condition was stable and he would be working remotely until Aug 30.
On the question of the state funeral for Abe set for Sept 27, which will be paid for by the government, 53% said they were against the idea.


Assessment cuts of 5% for strata title units, 20% for terrace homes in Putrajaya

The government has agreed to implement Phase 2 of the assessment tax cut in Putrajaya amounting to 5% for strata title residences excluding affordable houses and 20% for terrace houses beginning July 1 this year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the assessment discount applied to residential units built after 2017, with the reduction to be based on the total tax imposed.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the tax reduction offer involved almost 2,700 residential units with strata titles and that the new rate would stay until a reassesment is done by Putrajaya Corporation.
"I take note of the complaints from owners of properties that are not affordable houses in Putrajaya that the assessment rate imposed on their residential premises is quite high compared to those in surrounding areas," he said in a statement today.
He said the discount was in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration through the compassion element, extended to a wider segment to ease the people’s burden in dealing with cost of living issues, especially owners of strata title residences and terrace houses among the M40 group.
Residential units priced below RM300,000 in Putrajaya had previously been given a 30% discount in assessment, effective Jan 1 this year until a reassessment by Putrajaya Corporation.


Pentagon fails fifth audit while facilitating Ukraine arms shipments

The Pentagon racked up its fifth comprehensive audit failure as the vast bureaucracy lumbers toward a passing grade, but the exercise's utility is paying off as the US ships weapons to Ukraine, the department's chief financial officer said on Tuesday.
While the failure this year was a foregone conclusion for those watching the progress of the complex comprehensive audit, "I would prefer to see more progress, of course, but we are peeling off the layers," Mike McCord, the Pentagon's CFO, told reporters.
But one bright spot has been that shipping nearly US$18 billion (about RM81.7 billion) in weapons to Ukraine has been a "teachable moment," McCord said.
The US has "not been in a position where we've gotten only a few days of some critical ammunition left," McCord said, "but we are now supporting a partner who is" and the audit is helping to locate weapons and get accurate figures to Pentagon leadership ahead of assistance promises for Ukraine.
The legally required audit has helped sharpen the Pentagon's systems and controls and has regularly helped the Department of Defence find misplaced inventory, which saves money.
"We failed to get an 'A'," McCord said as he released the results of the audit of more than US$3.5 trillion in assets and US$3.7 trillion in liabilities.
About 1,600 auditors tested the systems and record-keeping processes on weapons systems, military personnel and property around the world with 220 site visits and 750 virtual visits.
The audit process led to 27 standalone audits that comprised the overall exercise.
Nine units were expected to receive clean opinions from the auditors, the same as last year, McCord said.
The US Department of Homeland Security took a decade to pass a comprehensive audit, and Pentagon officials have said the DoD could take just as long, making 2027 the possible date for its first clean audit.
This year's audit fees were up nearly 5% from last year to US$218 million. McCord said inflation has impacted costs at the Pentagon in several areas.


US angers China with potential US$1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan

The US State Department has approved a potential US$1.1 billion sale of military equipment to Taiwan, including 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles, with China threatening to take counter measures.
The Pentagon announced the package on Friday in the wake of China's aggressive military drills around Taiwan following a visit to the island last month by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking US official to travel to Taipei in years.
The sale includes Sidewinder missiles, which can be used for air-to-air and surface-attack missions, at a cost of some US$85.6 million, Harpoon anti-ship missiles at an estimated US$355 million cost and support for Taiwan's surveillance radar programme for an estimated US$665.4 million, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.
Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the possible arms sale "severely jeopardises" US-China relations, according to AFP and BBC.
"China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation," he said, according to the reports.
President Joe Biden's administration said the package has been under consideration for some time and was developed in consultation with Taiwan and US lawmakers.
"As the PRC continues to increase pressure on Taiwan – including through heightened military air and maritime presence around Taiwan – and engages in attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, we’re providing Taiwan with what it needs to maintain its self-defence capabilities," Laura Rosenberger, White House senior director for China and Taiwan, said in a statement.
Reuters reported last month that the Biden administration was planning new equipment for Taiwan but that the equipment would sustain Taiwan's current military systems and fulfill existing orders, not offer new capabilities, despite the heightened tensions that followed Pelosi's visit.
The Pentagon said the equipment and support announced on Friday would not alter the basic military balance in the region. US officials said they did not reflect any change in policy toward Taiwan.
"These proposed sales are routine cases to support Taiwan’s continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," a US Department of State spokesperson said, requesting anonymity.
Taiwan's defence ministry expressed its thanks, adding that China's recent "provocative" activities represented a serious threat and the arms sale would help it face China's military pressure.
"At the same time, it also demonstrates that it will help our country strengthen its overall defence capabilities and jointly maintain the security and peace of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region," the ministry said in a statement.
Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, said his organisation opposed what he termed a "limited approach" to arms sales to Taiwan.
"As the (China's) People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently demonstrated in its mock blockade, the island faces a range of threats that require a range of capabilities. To deny the island the ability to mount a full defence will, over time, create new gaps in Taiwan’s defenses that the PLA can exploit," Hammond-Chambers said in a statement.
The order reflects continued US support for Taiwan as Taipei faces pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has never ruled out using force to bring the democratically ruled island under its control.
The sales must be reviewed by Congress, but both Democratic and Republican congressional aides said they do not expect opposition. There have been at least two other visits to Taiwan by members of Congress from both parties since Pelosi's visit, as well as by governors of US states, all condemned by Beijing.
The principal contractor for the Harpoon missiles is Boeing Co. Raytheon is the principal contractor for both the Sidewinders and the radar programme.
Taipei says that as the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island, it has no right to claim it.


Dewan Negara passes bills to decriminalise attempted suicide

The Dewan Negara yesterday passed two bills on the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.
They are the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023, and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) (No. 2) 2023.
The bills were tabled for a first reading by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said on April 4 and passed in the Dewan Rakyat on May 22.
While winding up the debate on the bills, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Ramkarpal Singh said there were several provisions which provide that a person who attempts suicide must be taken to a medical facility for treatment.
"The priority in these amendments is to rehabilitate a person who is thinking of taking his or her own life. That will also take a long time because it involves a psychological process and so on to rehabilitate the person," he said. Meanwhile, the debate on the Mental Health Act 2001 (Act 615) will continue today.
Previously, Azalina said the bill to decriminalise attempted suicide contained four measures, including the retention of the offence of abetting suicide under Sections 305 and 306 of the Penal Code.
She said it also differentiated between the categories of those who are incited to commit the actions of attempted suicide or suicide.
Other measures include amendments to the Mental Health Act 2001 that will define the post and powers of crisis intervention officers, as well as a moratorium for the implementation of Section 309 of the Penal Code until the repeal of the section is completed and gazetted.


Taliban want ‘genuine Islamic system’ in Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban have said they are committed to peace talks and want a “genuine Islamic system” in Afghanistan that would make provisions for women’s rights in line with cultural traditions and religious rules.The statement came amid slow progress in the talks between the hardline Islamic group and Afghan government representatives in Qatar, Reuters is reporting.Government officials have raised concerns over the stalling negotiations and have said the Taliban has not yet submitted a written peace proposal that could be used as a starting point for substantive talks.“We understand that the world and Afghans have queries and questions about the form of the system to be established following withdrawal of foreign troops,” said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban’s political office, in the statement, adding these issues were best addressed during negotiations in Doha.“A genuine Islamic system is the best means for solution of all issues of the Afghans,” he said. “Our very participation in the negotiations and its support on our part indicates openly that we believe in resolving issues through mutual understanding.”He added that women and minorities would be protected and diplomats and NGO workers would be able to work securely.“We take it on ourselves as a commitment to accommodate all rights of citizens of our country, whether they are male or female, in the light of the rules of the glorious religion of Islam and the noble traditions of the Afghan society,” he said, adding that “facilities would be provided” for women to work and be educated.The statement did not make it clear whether the Taliban would allow women to carry out public roles or whether workplaces and schools would be segregated by gender.The group’s spokesman did not respond to request for comment by Reuters.In May, US intelligence analysts released an assessment that the Taliban “will roll back much” of the progress made in Afghan women’s rights if the Islamist extremists regain national power.Before being ousted by the 2001 US-led invasion, the Taliban imposed a harsh version of Islamic rule that included barring girls from school, and forbidding women from working outside their homes and prohibiting them from being in public without a male relative.Now, violence is escalating dramatically around the country ahead of the withdrawal of foreign forces by Sept 11.On Saturday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani replaced his defence and interior ministers and the army chief of staff amid rising casualties among Afghanistan’s security forces in sharply increased fighting with the Taliban.The changes, announced late on Saturday by the presidential palace, come as Afghan security forces battle the Taliban in 28 of 34 provinces in the country, with the hardline Islamic group claiming more territory in recent weeks.On Friday, 24 members Afghan special forces soldiers were killed and dozens more wounded during a fight to retake a district captured by the Taliban in northern Faryab province, security officials said.The Taliban has staged a months-long campaign to expand its influence across the country as the US has been withdrawing troops from May 1 and closed some bases and handed them over to the Afghan government.Since the US announced plans in April to pull out all of its troops by Sept 11, at least 30 districts have been seized by the Taliban.A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said there have been extremely high casualties among Afghan security forces and civilians in recent weeks as intense fighting rages on.The Taliban have predicted that: “When the Americans leave the government forces won’t survive even for five days.”


Alcohol, gambling stocks rally as Anwar named PM after days of political impasse

Sin stocks related to the alcohol and gaming industries have reacted positively on news of Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim being announced as the 10th prime minister.
Among the top 10 stocks in Bursa Malaysia today, breweries Heineken and Carlsberg emerged in the first and third places.
Heineken closed at RM24.88, up RM1.56 or 6.69%,  while Carlsberg closed at RM22.94, up 94 sen or 4.27%.
Gambling-related stocks such as Magnum Berhad saw an increase when they closed higher by 9.3% to RM1.41, while Sports Toto Berhad closed at RM1.70, up 5.59%.
Companies such as Genting Berhad closed at RM4.48 after gaining 6.41%, while Genting Malaysia saw an increase when it closed at RM2.72, up 20 sen or 7.94%.
Earlier, the announcement of Anwar as prime minister also saw the performance of Bursa Malaysia improve when the FBM KLCI closed past the 1,500 point level, to 1,501.88, an increase of 58.38 points or 4.04%.
The gains were contributed by positive sentiments as a decision by Istana Negara was seen to end the political impasse following the conclusion of the 15th general election, as well as helped by signs that the US Federal Reserve would go slow on raising interest rate.
Two days after the elections saw Islamist party PAS emerging as the party with the most number of seats, alcohol and gamling stocks took a beating, according to Bloomberg.
It also said shares of casino operator Genting Malaysia Berhad plunged as much as 11%, the biggest fall in two years, while its parent company Genting Berhad fell 10%.
At the same time, Sports Toto fell to its lowest level since 1993 while shares of Heineken and Carlsberg also tumbled.


6 killed in Russian university shooting, gunman in hospital

A student armed with a hunting rifle opened fire at a university in the Russian city of Perm on Monday, killing at least six people and wounding many others, investigators said.Video shown on news websites showed panicked students leaping from first-floor windows to escape Perm State University, around 1,300km east of Moscow, landing heavily on the ground before running to safety.“There were about 60 people in our classroom. We closed the door and barricaded it with chairs,” student Semyon Karyakin told Reuters.The gunman was wounded after resisting arrest, and was being treated in hospital, the Investigative Committee law enforcement agency said in a statement.University spokesman Natalia Pechishcheva earlier said the shooter had been “liquidated” but later said he was in police custody. Footage from the scene showed his body lying on the ground outside the university building.The Investigative Committee had initially said eight people had been killed.The gunman was identified as a student at the university who had obtained the hunting rifle in May, it said.Local media identified the gunman as an 18-year-old student who had earlier posted a photo of himself on social media, posing with a rifle, helmet and ammunition. That photo could not be independently verified.“I’ve thought about this for a long time, it’s been years, and I realised the time had come to do what I dreamt of,” said a posting on a social media account attributed to him that was later taken down.It indicated that his actions had nothing to do with politics or religion but were motivated by hatred.Russia has strict restrictions on civilian firearm ownership, but some categories of guns are available for purchase for hunting, self-defence or sport to those who meet specific requirements.In May, a lone teenage gunman opened fire at a school in the city of Kazan, killing nine people and wounding many more.That was Russia’s deadliest school shooting since 2018, when a student at a college in Russian-annexed Crimea killed 20 people before turning his gun on himself.Russia raised the minimum age for buying firearms from 18 to 21 after the Kazan shooting, but the new law has yet to come into force.


Daily vaccine jabs overtake July target for third day straight

The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) yesterday recorded its highest daily tally of vaccines administered with 221,706 doses, surpassing the government’s target for July two weeks early for the third consecutive day.In a Twitter post, PICK said 177,876 individuals received a first dose of vaccine yesterday while 43,830 others received a second dose, bringing the total doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered so far to 5,330,654.The number of daily jabs administered first topped the target of 200,000 for July on June 15, with 215,876 doses given out.It has consistently exceeded 200,000 jabs since.PICK coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin previously said the government was aiming for a daily administration of 200,000 doses of vaccine from July and 300,000 a day from August.As of yesterday, 11.7% of the population had been given at least one dose while a total of 1,520,583 had been fully vaccinated.The five states with the highest number of individuals who are fully vaccinated are Selangor (195,315), followed by Sarawak (1272,644), Johor (149,227), Perak (140,885) and Kuala Lumpur (137,078).Meanwhile, a total of 14,637,437 registrations for vaccination were recorded as of June 16.This means 62.5% of the population has registered for the vaccination programme.


Single mum at the end of her rope after city council tears down stall

A single mother who had been making a living selling fresh chicken has been left with no means of earning an income after the city council demolished her stall in Puchong Permai on Monday.Even before the loss of her stall, Norseha Che Ros had been severely affected by the movement control order (MCO) which kept many customers at home due to the spread of Covid-19.Before the pandemic hit Malaysian shores, the 53-year-old was able to sell about 100 chickens each day.Once the MCO was implemented, though, she was fortunate to sell 20 a day.“Sometimes I’m only able to sell five chickens. When that happens, I have to call the factory and beg them to take back the chickens that I was unable to sell because I cannot afford to take them home,” she told MalaysiaNow.Fortunately for her, she has a good relationship with the factory boss, who allows her to return the chickens she is unable to sell.On Monday, the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) tore down 43 roadside stalls in Puchong Permai, saying they had been illegally set up.The council said notice had been given to the stall operators several times already.Norseha said she had been earning RM15 to RM20 a day throughout the pandemic, money which she used to feed, shelter and pay for the education costs of her children. Now that she has lost her stall, though, she is forced to depend on the goodwill of the public.Her daily routine used to begin at 4am, when she and her 16-year-old son would go to collect the day’s supply of chicken from the nearby factory.“My son and I would walk about 1km from our home to get 20 chickens from the factory.“Because the market price is never certain, my capital is about RM300 a day and my profit margin is only RM15 to RM20,” she said.When contacted, Seri Serdang assemblyman Siti Mariah Mahmud said replacement stalls had already been provided by MBSJ at Dataran Prima, some 500m from the original location.“I have gone down to the ground several times myself to meet with the traders and discuss the best way to resolve the issue because that road is going to be widened and upgraded.“We have also received many complaints from nearby residents about the unhygienic surroundings,” she said.Trader Ramli Hashim sits amid the rubble of what used to be his stall as he packs away plates and several other items.“They asked for the provision of replacement stalls, and I asked the mayor to do this but after the stalls were completed they still did not want to move and asked for more time.“The move has been postponed several times already, and they were informed ahead of time of the demolition carried out by MBSJ on Monday,” Siti Mariah who is also the Selangor exco for health, welfare and women and family development told MalaysiaNow.She said if the traders remain unsatisfied with their new location, her side is ready to discuss the matter.Another trader, Ramli Hashim, said they did not mean to stand in the way of the development planned by MBSJ, only that the timing was not good.“We agreed to the demolition but please have some compassion during this time of pandemic.“Give us a place where we can set up our stalls and tables, and cook. We can’t do any of this right now,” Ramli, who inherited his stall from his father in 1998, said.“We accept the development but please don’t jeopardise the income of the people,” he added.


Prosecution aims to prove Zahid received millions in bribes over foreign visa system

The prosecution in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s trial for 40 corruption charges in connection with the foreign visa system (VLN) will seek to prove that the former deputy prime minister had received bribes of millions of ringgit in wage and incentives to maintain and extend the contract of Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) as the operator of the system.Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the prosecution would present evidence that Zahid, 68, during his four years as home minister, had taken advantage of his position to amass wealth.“The accused has received bribes involving cash in various currencies, namely S$14.71 million, RM3.125 million, US$15,000 and €5,000. The accused received these monies from UKSB.“UKSB is a company appointed by the government as a contractor to carry out supply and service works for the home ministry. The appointment of UKSB was made in accordance with several agreements signed between the government of Malaysia and UKSB,” he said in his opening speech on the first day of the trial before High Court judge Mohd Yazid Mustafa today.Raja Rozela said the prosecution would also submit oral evidence and documents that would prove Zahid was involved in and had knowledge of UKSB’s appointment as contractor.“Yang Arif will also hear the testimony of several witnesses who will detail the facts and circumstances of when and how the bribe money was received by the accused.“At the end of the prosecution case, Yang Arif will be able to see that there is a close connection between the fact of UKSB’s appointment as the contractor and the receipt of cash by the accused.“All the evidence that will be submitted will prove that the accused committed the offence as stated in the charge,” he added.He said the prosecution expected to call at least 20 witnesses, with two or three to be called today.Raja Rozela is assisted by deputy public prosecutors Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Gan Peng Kun and Lim Wai Keong, while Zahid is represented by lawyers Ahmad Zaidi Zainal and Hamidi Mohd Noh.Zahid was charged with 33 counts of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million from UKSB as an inducement for himself in his capacity as a civil servant, then as home minister, to extend the contract of the company as the operator of a one-stop centre service in China and the VLN system, as well as to maintain the contract to supply the VLN integrated system paraphernalia to the same company by the home ministry.He allegedly committed the offences at Seri Satria, Precinct 16, Putrajaya and in Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018.The charges framed under Section 16 (a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act, which provides a maximum of 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times of the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.On seven other charges, Zahid was charged, in his capacity as home minister at the time, with accepting S$1,150,000, RM3,000,000, €15,000 and US$15,000 without consideration from the same company which he knew had connection with his function.He was charged with committing the offences at a house in Country Heights, between June 2015 and October 2017.The charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of two years, a fine or both upon conviction.


WHO says fabric face masks still work against virus variants

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday it had no plans to change its guidance recommending fabric face masks as new coronavirus variants spread, because the mutated strains are transmitted in the same way.Germany and Austria have made medical masks mandatory on public transport and in shops – allowing only surgical or FFP2 masks, rather than fabric – amid concerns over the threat posed by the rapidly-spreading new virus mutations.Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead, said some of the new variants “may have increased transmissibility”, but that from studies in Britain and South Africa of the mutations detected there, “we have no indication that the modes of transmission has changed. It spreads the same way”.WHO advises that “non-medical, fabric masks can be used by the general public under the age of 60 and who do not have underlying health conditions”.Meanwhile it recommends medical masks for health workers in clinical settings; anyone feeling unwell, awaiting Covid-19 test results or having positive; and people caring for a suspected or confirmed case.They are also recommended for people aged 60 or over, or with underlying conditions, due to their higher risk of serious illness.Van Kerkhove told a press conference in Geneva that the UN health agency does not plan to shift its position.“Countries are free to make decisions as they see fit,” she said.“We will continue to look at the evidence that we have seen, but from the data that we have seen from the countries that have these virus variants, there is no change in the modes of transmission.“If anything changes, we will modify and we will update (guidance) accordingly.”She said fabric face masks should be made of three layers to provide adequate protection.The inner layer should be water-absorbent, such as cotton; the middle layer should be from a material like non-woven polypropylene, and acts as a filter; while the outer layer should be water-resistant, such as polyester, according to WHO guidance.But such face masks are only one tool in reducing the spread of the virus, and no one solution alone would get the pandemic under control, Van Kerkhove said.As for medical masks, required by health workers, she said global shortages remained a concern.“The shortage issue has improved over time, but it is still not completely fixed,” she said.


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