Ex-diplomat and son charged with growing 102 cannabis trees

A former diplomat and his son pleaded not guilty at the Raub Sessions Court today to planting 102 ganja or cannabis trees.Zainal Abidin Alias, 78, and Mohamed Rizal, 53, were charged with committing the offence at a house in Kampung Sum-Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong at 6.10pm on May 21.The charge, under Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for life imprisonment and a whipping of not less than six strokes, upon conviction.Pahang prosecution director Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim and deputy public prosecutors Hayda Faridzal Abu Hassan and Anisah Pisol appeared for the prosecution while the accused were represented by lawyer Rahmat Hazlan.During proceedings, the prosecution said that no bail would be offered to the accused while Rahmat said his party had sent a representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on June 2.Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya fixed July 22 for case mention.Last Friday, both father and son were charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Bentong with trafficking ganja and possessing cannabis oil.Rizal also faced a third charge of misusing tetrahydrocannabinol at the narcotics office of Bentong district police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23.


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Indonesia investigating alleged data breaches at state-owned firms

Indonesia is investigating alleged personal data breaches at state-owned telecoms firm PT Telkom Indonesia's internet service IndiHome and state utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), its communications ministry said on Sunday.
Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, a senior communications ministry official, said in a statement the ministry had summoned representatives from Telkom and PLN and had sent recommendations on data protection to both firms.
A Telkom spokesman told Reuters on Monday that there was no breach of IndiHome customers' data.
PLN's spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment although it was quoted by local media as saying on Saturday that it was investigating an alleged breach.
Indonesia has had a slew of alleged data breaches in recent years, including on its Covid-19 screening app which led to President Joko Widodo's vaccine records being shared widely on social media in September.
A data protection bill aiming to bolster the country's cyber security infrastructure was submitted to parliament in 2020 but has yet to be passed.


OpenAI CEO sees 'huge' Israeli role in reducing risks from the technology

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted on Monday a "huge role" for Israel in reducing risks from artificial intelligence and eyed investment opportunities in the country even as it debates whether and how to regulate the technology behind ChatGPT.
Altman is one of the tech world's most prominent voices urging governments to rapidly come up with regulations to make sure AI is used responsibly.
After crisscrossing Europe last month meeting lawmakers and national leaders to discuss the prospects and threats of AI, Altman now plans to travel to Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India and South Korea - all this week.
He is currently in Israel, which a Stanford University study has ranked among the top five countries for significant machine learning systems and concentration of AI skills.
"I have been very heartened as I have been doing this trip around the world, getting to meet world leaders, in seeing the thoughtfulness, the focus, and the urgency on figuring out how we mitigate these very huge risks," Altman said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
"The energy on making use of the technology and its positive benefits is fantastic to see, and I am sure Israel will play a huge role."
Visiting Microsoft Corp's R&D centre in Israel, Altman was asked whether his company might also open a local office.
According to a Microsoft statement issued in Hebrew, "he (Altman) said the company prefers to work together in one location but is studying various investment options in Israel".
Altman downplayed fears of the impact AI will have on jobs. He said there will always be jobs for humans, despite the growth of automation, although the jobs of "100 years from now will look almost nothing like the jobs of today."
Safety concerns
The rapid development and popularity of generative AI since Microsoft-backed OpenAI launched ChatGPT last year are spurring global lawmakers to formulate laws to address safety concerns linked to the technology.
"I think it would be a mistake to go put heavy regulation on the field right now or to try to slow down the incredible innovation," Altman told an audience of some 1,200 people at Tel Aviv University, but said he would obey regulations unlike some social media companies.
The European Union is striding ahead with its draft AI Act, which is expected to become law later this year, while the US is leaning toward adapting existing laws for AI rather than creating whole new legislation.
Britain also wants to avoid heavy-handed legislation that could stifle innovation.
"Israel - like Britain, and to a great extent like Canada, too - is at the US end of the spectrum," Ziv Katzir, director of national AI planning at the Israel Innovation Authority, told Reuters.
"It has been working on this matter for the last 18 months or so, with a view to achieving the right balance between innovation and the preservation of human rights and civic safeguards."
Israel published a 115-page draft AI policy in October and is collating public feedback ahead of a final decision.
Altman also said that the company plans to open source more models over time. "But I don't think it's the right strategy to open source everything," he said.
Altman spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who tweeted that the two discussed opportunities and challenges facing the world and the State of Israel in relation to AI as well as Israeli cooperation to develop the AI field.


Probe into ex-Astro boss’ assets still ongoing, MACC says

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today said that it is still investigating the case of former Astro CEO Rohana Rozhan and the US$10 million allegedly given to her by ex-Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner.MACC chief Azam Baki said the investigation surrounding Rohana’s assets was still underway, following reports today that she had agreed to surrender the money from Leissner.“Members of the public are requested not to speculate about the case,” the anti-graft agency said in a statement.Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported earlier today that Rohana had agreed to surrender the assets from Leissner obtained through 1MDB funds.It qouted a source as saying that MACC was actively working to recover the money.MACC previously issued a freeze order on assets and a bank account belonging to Rohana as part an investigation into Leissner’s claim that he had been blackmailed into buying her a US$10 million home in London.The order was made under Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which prohibits Rohana from making any transactions linked to her bank account in the UK or the said home.MalaysiaNow reported that Rohana may have paid for the London house using half of the amount allegedly given by Leissner, while the remainder was kept in an account in the UK.Leissner had made the claim of blackmail while testifying in the 1MDB-linked corruption trial of his former colleague Roger Ng, who was recently convicted of conspiring to violate an anti-corruption law to help loot hundreds of millions of dollars from the sovereign wealth fund.Leissner claimed that Rohana, with whom he had been having an affair, had threatened to expose his involvement in the multi-billion dollar scandal after she learnt that he was about to end their 10-year relationship.


Anwar flew to Saudi Arabia after getting last-minute approval to meet Saudi ruler?

More questions have surfaced as debate continues in the aftermath of Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Saudi Arabia, after a senior journalist claimed that officials in the kingdom approved the prime minister's meeting with de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Writing in his column, The Star's Wong Chun Wai quoted "high-level sources" as saying that a note from the Saudi embassy had confirmed to Wisma Putra the meeting with Mohammed, which is normally the highlight of any foreign head of government's visit to the kingdom.
"We received a third-person note. Surely, we would not go ahead without that," Wong wrote, citing a "senior source".
The source was also quoted as saying that Anwar had no choice but to take up a last-minute confirmation from Saudi Arabia so as not to offend them, leading to Wisma Putra's surprise press statement announcing the official visit.
"A quick call had to be made and the PM decided to proceed with it," the source was quoted as saying by Wong, who also agreed that the trip turned out to be an "embarrassment for Anwar" although "not a complete waste".
The revelation came as Malaysians took to social media with comments and jibes on Anwar's trip, with a video clip making the rounds showing Mohammed meeting with dignitaries in a trip to the holy city of Mecca just hours after Anwar's departure.
Many also drew comparisons with the full honours accorded to former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin in 2021, where Mohammed, better known as MBS, welcomed him at the airport himself.
Anwar expressed regret that he had been unable to meet Mohammed, with a Bernama report saying the meeting could not take place because the crown prince had a change of plans ahead of the Ramadan month.
This led to opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) demanding an explanation of the events leading to the cancellation of the meeting.
PN also pointed out that Muhyiddin, as well as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, were given the honour of entering the kaabah, a rare privilege accorded to Muslim dignitaries.
The criticism drew a quick response from the government's propaganda unit J-KOM, or the Community Communication Department stationed under the Prime Minister's Department.
Its chief Mohammad Agus Yusoff slammed critics and declared Anwar's visit a success, adding that the prime minister had also met with Malaysian entrepreuners in the kingdom.
"Was it not successful just because he couldn't meet King Salman and the crown prince, or is there a more substantive argument?" he added.
Agus also said Anwar had turned down a request by Saudi officials to extend his stay so that a meeting with the crown prince could take place.
He said this was because the prime minister was scheduled to visit Cambodia and China in the coming days.
"Isn't this a busy schedule? Wouldn't it involve a big change if his return was to be delayed by two more days? Please understand the time constraints faced by our PM, who works hard for the country," Agus added.
Meanwhile, Wong in his column predicted that the controversy would soon die down after Anwar embarked on his "all-important" trip to China.
"Anwar is certain to get the proper red-carpet welcome and recognition for Malaysia in China," he added.


Covid deaths in Brazil town plunge 95% after most adults vaccinated

A Brazilian town has seen a 95% drop in Covid-19 deaths after almost all adults were vaccinated as part of an experiment, researchers say.Serrana, with 45,000 inhabitants, saw cases plunge after a mass vaccination with the Chinese-developed CoronaVac.The team said those who had not been vaccinated were also protected by the reduction in the virus’ circulation.The findings suggest the pandemic can be controlled after 75% of people are fully dosed.Brazil has been hit hard by the pandemic, with nearly 463,000 deaths.The country is struggling with a slow vaccination campaign due to insufficient doses, while the average of daily deaths and cases remains high amid a lack of co-ordinated measures to curb infections.The experiment in Serrana, in south-eastern Sao Paulo state, was carried out between February and April by Instituto Butantan, which produces the CoronaVac vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech.The city was divided into four areas to help determine the threshold for containing the virus. The team said this was achieved after three areas, or about 75% of the population over the age of 18, had been given both doses.When 95% of adults were fully vaccinated, they said the results showed that:Deaths fell by 95%Hospitalisations fell by 86%Symptomatic cases fell by 80%Ricardo Palacios, research director at Butantan, said the key figure was the 75%.“The most important result is that we can control the pandemic without having to vaccinate the whole population,” he said.Palacios also said there was a decline in the number of cases among children and teenagers, who had not been vaccinated. This could indicate that there was no need to vaccinate children for schools to reopen, he said.According to Palacios, the vaccine was also effective against the variant now called Gamma, that was first identified in the northern city of Manaus and has been blamed for a surge in cases across the country.Serrana, some 315km from São Paulo, is surrounded by cities that are grappling with a spike in infections. A lockdown is in place in Ribeirão Preto, located 24km away with a population of 710,000.The results of the experiment could give a boost to the CoronaVac, which is being used by dozens of developing countries. There was some controversy about the vaccine this year, after clinical trials in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey put its efficacy in a range of 50% to 90%.The experiment in Serrana was the first of its kind in the world, its authors said. There were no reports of severe side effects from the vaccine and no Covid-related deaths among those who had been vaccinated 14 days after the second shot was applied, the results showed.A similar study is being carried out in another Brazilian city, Botucatu, which has a population of 148,000. Researchers are using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, produced locally by the Fiocruz institute.Brazil has the second highest Covid death toll in the world after the US, and the third-highest number of cases, at more than 16.5 million. The Brazilian Senate is holding an inquiry into President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic and the slow rollout of the vaccine programme.


Sabah rep from Warisan dies

Sabah assemblyman Manis Muka Mohd Darah died today, less than two months after winning the Bugaya state constituency for Warisan in the state election.Manis Muka, 65, died at the Gleneagles Hospital in Kota Kinabalu this afternoon.She had been admitted to the ICU last night for kidney-related problems.Warisan president Shafie Apdal confirmed the news of her death to MalaysiaNow, and expressed condolence to her family.In September, Manis Muka, who headed the women’s wing in Warisan’s Semporna division, retained the Bugaya seat with a majority of 6,005 votes, beating six other candidates.


Govt urged to save 120-year-old KL school

An urban planning expert has urged Putrajaya to intervene in the Convent Bukit Nanas issue ahead of a hearing for the school’s judicial review application to challenge the government’s decision not to extend its land lease beyond the Sept 6 expiry date this year.Derek Fernandez also suggested that the all-girls school in Kuala Lumpur, established in 1899, be listed as a national heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005.“From a planning perspective, the school is zoned under the KL City Plan 2020 within the development plan under the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 as a public facility and a heritage zone,” he said, adding that it had provided an education for tens of thousands of women in the country.The Kuala Lumpur High Court is scheduled to hear the school’s judicial review application on the matter today.Fernandez said the protection of urban schools and public facilities was critical to justify the high development plot ratios being given in the city, in order to boost the development of a strong residential community in the city centre.He said this was necessary to support the city’s economic activities and to ensure sustainable development.“Sadly, many city schools are often the target of ‘predatory vultures’ who view this as a cheap source of land for high intensity development, leading to many such plots of land being developed with no good supporting infrastructure for education in the nearby vicinity.”In a statement, he urged the government to immediately intervene and extend the lease for Convent Bukit Nanas, said to be one of the oldest schools in the country.“It has now become popular for all sides of the political divide to ‘champion’ women’s rights in society as it creates good voter optics.“However, it remains to be seen how many leaders will actually rise to the occasion when it matters the most, and protect Convent Bukit Nanas and get the lease extended for an institution that has protected and enhanced women’s basic rights to education for more than 120 years.”


Former speaker Ariff defends actions during 2020 crisis after criticism from ex-AG Thomas

The former top constitutional judge who served as Dewan Rakyat speaker under the previous government has defended his decision not to call for a parliamentary sitting at the height of the political crisis last year, following criticism against him by former attorney-general Tommy Thomas in his new autobiography.Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said he disagreed with Thomas’ argument that the decision to reject Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s request to convene a confidence vote so that MPs could elect a new prime minister in February last year had allowed the top post to be decided outside of parliamentary democracy.Ariff, a former appeals court judge, said Thomas’ stand was not accurate as matters of the constitution must be interpreted based on contexts and current facts.“I have explained the general contexts, also in general terms, in the last chapter of my book,” he told MalaysiaNow, adding that he did not want to get involved in the “polemic”.He was referring to the book “Law, Principles and Practice in the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia”, where he specifically dealt with the political crisis last year that saw Mahathir resigning as prime minister, bringing down Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) 22-month rule.Thomas, in his book “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, had questioned Ariff’s decision not to call for a vote by MPs to decide on a new prime minister.He said it allowed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pick Muhyiddin Yassin for the top post, after being convinced that the Bersatu president had the confidence of the majority following a series of audiences with the 222 MPs in February 2020.Thomas said Ariff’s decision was driven by “purely technical reasons”, adding that nothing was “cast in stone” in the Standing Orders about summoning Parliament to convene while in recess.“It is not the business of the speaker to veto it,” he said.“In my opinion, speaker Ariff Yusof was wrong in rejecting the letter from the prime minister. Surely, Ariff knew the spirit of the request and the times we were living in,” said Thomas, who resigned four days after the PH government crumbled.Thomas also said the legitimacy of the prime minister would not be challenged if he was appointed through Parliament.“For a constitutional scholar and practitioner of Ariff’s standing, he could not feign ignorance. Yet he did not summon the Dewan Rakyat.“By his decision, parliament was denied a role at the time the new prime minister was selected by the monarch.”Ariff: My responsibility to be impartialBut in his book, Ariff said it was “very wrong constitutionally” to suggest that the Dewan Rakyat, which follows the Westminster system, had the jurisdiction to decide who should be prime minister.“It lies within the prerogative of the head of state to appoint a prime minister who is a member of the elected legislature who, in the judgement of the head of state, is a member likely to command the confidence of a majority of the members of the legislature,” Ariff wrote in his book.He said the selection of a prime minister through Parliament was straightforward in normal circumstances: by naming the leader of the majority party.“The matter becomes difficult when a general election fails to produce a clear majority party or when the prime minister resigns in between general elections or, in the case of Malaysia, when there are crossovers from the government benches to the opposition and the political realignments may not produce a clear majority government,” Ariff added.“In these scenarios, there is no question that the appointing authority resides in the head of state, not the legislature.”Ariff also defended his decision not to summon Parliament.“This event is illustrative of the functions and powers of the speaker as an impartial representative of the House on whom is placed the responsibility to ensure the Standing Orders are upheld.”Fazreen Kamal contributed to this report.


Canada okays Pfizer Covid booster for kids

Canada's health ministry on Friday said it had authorised the use of Pfizer Inc's and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine as a booster for children five to 11 years old at least six months after receiving their initial two doses.
The authorisation for a booster shot was granted after a thorough, independent review of the vaccine, which "provides good protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death," the health ministry wrote on Twitter.
Canada is witnessing a decrease in Covid-19 cases but citizens must prepare for the potential emergence of new variants of the virus in the months ahead, Dr Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, told a news conference.
"Many of the good personal protective habits we have honed over more than two years of managing Covid-19 can also reduce your risk of getting infected and spreading other diseases, including monkeypox and influenza," Tam said.
Canada has reported 1,168 confirmed cases of monkeypox, including 30 hospitalisations, Tam said, adding there has "been a slowing trend in the increase in new cases reported in recent weeks."
Over 99% of reported cases are male, Tam said. Among confirmed cases for whom additional data is available, the majority reported intimate sexual contact with other men, she aded.
Monkeypox spreads via close contact and tends to cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions. People generally recover from it within two to four weeks, according to the World Health Organization.
Public health agencies have stressed that although in many countries the outbreaks are concentrated among men who have sex with men, anyone can contract the virus through prolonged close contact or from particles on items such as bedding or towels.


RM20 million humanitarian aid given to Turkey and Syria so far

Malaysia has contributed RM20 million in humanitarian aid to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He said the contribution included US$1 million each from the Malaysian government and the sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with the remaining donations from various parties, including local companies.
"For the search and rescue mission, we have sent two Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Teams (SMART) with another team, including the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), to leave tonight," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) who wanted to know the form of aid provided by the government to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
On the cost of sending the SMART teams, Anwar said their flight expenses were fully borne by the Turkish airline, with the government spending only about RM4 million for the purpose.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and Syria on Feb 6.
As of yesterday, it was reported that 31,643 people were killed and 106,428 injured in the earthquake in Turkey, while in Syria, a total of 5,329 people died and 14,500 people were injured.
Anwar said he was considering going to Turkey tonight to give moral support to the country's leader.
When asked about Malaysia's aid to Syria, Anwar said Malaysia would send funds and medical equipment, as well as equipment from the ATM for the construction of a field hospital.


Jet linked to Prigozhin arrives in Belarus following mutiny

A jet linked to Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus from Russia on Tuesday, believed to be carrying him to exile three days after he led an aborted mutiny against the Russian military.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents, descending to landing altitude near the Belarus capital Minsk. It first appeared on the tracking site above Rostov, the southern Russian city Prigozhin's fighters captured on Saturday.
Shortly afterwards, Russia's RIA state news agency reported that the authorities had dropped a criminal case against Prigozhin's Wagner group, because "the participants had ceased actions directly aimed at committing the crime".
Under a deal agreed late on Saturday that defused the crisis, the Kremlin said fighters who took part in the mutiny would not be prosecuted. Prigozhin said he would go to Belarus at the invitation of its president, Alexander Lukashenko. But details of his proposed journey into exile were not made public and his whereabouts remained unconfirmed for three days.
He was last seen in public on Saturday night, smiling and high-fiving bystanders as he rode out of Rostov in the back of an SUV after ordering his men to stand down.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in address on Monday night that the mutiny leaders had betrayed their motherland, although he did not mention Prigozhin by name. Putin said Wagner fighters would be permitted to establish themselves in Belarus, join the Russian military or go home.
Demonstration of protest
Prigozhin, 62, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose Wagner mercenaries fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war, said he launched the mutiny to save his group after being ordered to place it under command of the defence ministry.
His fighters had halted their campaign on Saturday, to avert bloodshed after nearly reaching Moscow. They had been forced to shoot down aircraft that attacked them on the way, he said.
"We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message on Monday.
In Putin's overnight speech, the president's first public comments since the mutiny, Putin confirmed that Russian pilots had been killed fighting against the march on Moscow. He thanked Russians for showing patriotic solidarity in the face of it.
Russia's enemies wanted to see the country "choke in bloody civil strife" but Russsia would not succumb to "any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil," Putin said.
Russian leaders have tried to convey that the situation is returning to normal after the aborted mutiny. Putin met on Monday night with the heads of security services, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. One of Prigozhin's principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russia's top general.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address that the military had made advances on Monday in all sectors of the front line, calling it a "happy day".
Kyiv hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny attempt in Russia will undermine Russian defences as Ukraine presses on with a counteroffensive to recapture occupied territory. It claimed on Monday to have captured a ninth small village in the south where it has been advancing since early June.


Govt to spend half a billion to maintain 2-sen electricity rebate

The government today said it would spend RM493 million to maintain the two-sen rebate for electricity users for the second half of the year.The energy and natural resources ministry said the imbalance cost pass-through (ICPT) charges for July 1 to Dec 31 totalled RM638.98 million, meaning that the rebate for users would be 1.13 sen/kWj compared to 2.00 sen/kWj for January to June.“However, taking into consideration the challenges and difficulties faced by the people following the implementation of the movement control order to break the chain of Covid-19 infection, the government has agreed to fund the additional rebate of 0.87 sen/kWj through an allocation of RM493 million via the Electricity Industry Fund (KWIE).”In a statement, it said this would benefit some 9.44 million Tenaga Nasional Bhd users, whom it added would enjoy an average discount of 5% for the period.In a statement, it said this would benefit some 9.44 million Tenaga Nasional Bhd users, whom it added would enjoy an average discount of 5% for the period.It said the same rate would apply to non-domestic users at the Kulim High Technology Park (KHTP) who obtain their electricity supply from NUR Power Sdn Bhd.“This is the first time non-domestic users at KHTP will enjoy an electricity rebate since the incentive-based regulations mechanism was installed in 2017,” it said.The ministry also said that targeted discounts would be given to domestic and commercial users in the peninsula and Sabah for the second half of the year.It said a further announcement would be made by the prime minister.Meanwhile, households in the lower-income category earning RM1,169 and below registered in the e-Kasih system will be eligible for a RM40 electricity rebate.The ministry said 282,182 household heads were eligible for the rebate as of May this year.“However, only 113,745 or 40.31% of those eligible have updated their electricity bill account numbers,” it said, urging the rest to do so as well in order to enjoy the rebate.


Chinese warplanes, drones, fly closer to Taiwan in increasing shows of force

China sent more fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone on Wednesday in an increased show of force around the island Beijing claims as its own.In response, Taiwan’s foreign minister said it would fight to the end if China attacks.Taiwan’s defence ministry said 15 Chinese aircraft including 12 fighters entered its air defence identification zone, with an anti-submarine aircraft flying to the south through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines.Taiwan’s air force sent up aircraft to intercept and warn the Chinese away, the ministry added.In recent months, Taipei has complained of repeated military activities by Beijing around the island country. China’s air force has been making almost daily forays into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.China has said its activities around Taiwan are aimed at protecting China’s sovereignty.The US has expressed concern about China’s movements and said its commitment to Taiwan is “rock solid”.Also on Wednesday, Taiwan reported spotting Chinese drones circling the Taipei-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea and threatened to shoot them down if they stray too close, a government minister said in a move that could dramatically increase tensions with Beijing.Taiwan’s Coast Guard only lightly defends the islands though there are periodic deployments of marines. There is no permanent civilian population, only occasional visiting scientists.The Pratas, the closest Taiwan-controlled territory to Hong Kong, have also taken on extra significance since anti-government protests began in the Chinese-run city.In October, Hong Kong air traffic controllers warned off a Taiwanese civilian flight flying to the Pratas on a routine weekly supply run, forcing it to turn back.Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat close to the Pratas carrying people fleeing from Hong Kong trying to make their way to Taiwan.While China recognises no Taiwanese claims of sovereignty, its aircraft and ships generally stay outside Taiwan’s restricted zone, which extends 6km from its coast.


Govt MP issued summons after raising issue of egg imports from India

A government MP today revealed that he had received a summons from a lawyer representing a company that imports eggs from India after making a statement on the quality of local and imported eggs in the Dewan Rakyat last week.
Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) said he was surprised by the letter as he had made the remarks in his capacity as a representative speaking on his own floor.
"This is what I do not understand," he said.
"This is bad. I will respond to this on my Facebook, I have to show. This is my field as a representative of the people. I felt called to raise this issue.
"What was my offence?" he added while debating the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat.
The MCA president also questioned how the company could have sent him a summons on the matter.
Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) then asked the government how many importing countries would be involved, even if only on a temporary basis, until the supply issue was under control.
He also asked if government assistance had been channelled in the process of bringing in the eggs from India.
Wee said this raised questions as he had not named any party or company in his speech.
"I made no mention of names but I was still issued a summons," he added.
Wee was previously vocal on the issue of Malaysia's egg supply, and had asked the agriculture and food security ministry to focus on the shortage of local chicken eggs instead of importing eggs from India to meet domestic needs.


HTAR sees 50% drop in Covid-19 patient admissions

The number of daily admissions of Covid-19 patients for treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang has dropped by over 50% since last week.HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi said previously, the hospital had received about 400 Covid-19 cases daily but that the number had gone down to around 170 during the period.“The number of Covid-19 patients at this hospital has dropped from over 1,000 at the height of the infection in July. As of 1pm today, the number of such patients is less than 900. The patient admission bubble at HTAR occurred in July until the middle of that month.“Alhamdulillah, the number of admissions (of patients) has decreased since last week. This situation has indirectly resulted in a drop in the number of patients in Category Three and above,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.He was responding to media reports on the current situation at HTAR following the downtrend in Covid-19 patient admissions since a month ago and most significantly at Kuala Lumpur Hospital since last week.Zulkarnain said the drop in patient admissions proved that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme had yielded positive results, and that the situation at HTAR was under control.He added that as of noon yesterday, the bed occupancy at HTAR’s ICU for Covid-19 patients was around 92%.


China lockdowns, surge in airfare to delay tourism recovery

While international borders have been officially open for two months now, recovery in the tourism sector is expected to be slow given China’s implementation of lockdowns under its tough “zero Covid” policy, surging flight fares, and ongoing concern about the risk of Covid-19 infection.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, experts said these factors would mean a gradual recovery instead of a V-shaped rally.Economist Yeah Kim Leng said the strict lockdowns imposed in China keep citizens from leaving the country, affecting not only domestic tourism but tourism on a global scale as well.In Malaysia, for example, Chinese visitors account for the bulk of international tourists, and their absence has left industry players struggling to fill the void.“This is one of the reasons why the tourism sector will not bounce back until the Chinese market reopens,” Yeah, of Sunway University, told MalaysiaNow.China is the only major country still enforcing its “zero Covid” policy, aimed at eradicating all outbreaks as soon as they occur – even at the cost of lengthy lockdowns such as the one imposed in Shanghai two months ago, from which residents are only now beginning to emerge.Malaysia, on the other hand, reopened its borders in April for the first time since the start of the pandemic, a move hailed by industry players who had long been hampered by the restrictions on movements and the lack of international visitors.Many were optimistic that the decision, which coincided with the start of Malaysia’s transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19, would see the revival of the tourism industry which had been struggling since the first virus outbreak in early 2020.But Yeah said recovery in the tourism sector would also be affected by the increase in flight fares in the wake of the surge in oil prices.He said airfares, which are usually influenced by oil price movements, are only expected to increase due to current developments.“Besides, not all countries are reopening their borders,” he said. “And there is still the risk of Covid-19 infection among elderly travellers, even though they have been fully vaccinated.”On the emergence of the monkeypox virus which has been detected in a number of countries, mostly in Europe, Yeah said it was still too early to say whether it would affect recovery in the tourism sector as well.“If the virus is found to be dangerous like Covid-19, we might expect the same effect,” he said.“For now, though, it is better to wait for updates from the health ministry.”The Solidarity Association for Travel and Tours Agency Malaysia meanwhile said the target was now tourists from the Middle East, given China’s strict virus measures.While smaller in number, association president Fathir Badri Alhadad said, Middle Eastern visitors spent the most.“They hold the highest record in terms of holidays that last for more than 10 nights, and their per capita expenditure is also the highest,” he told MalaysiaNow, adding that efforts to attract tourists from these countries were in full swing.Fathir estimates that more will come to Malaysia in June, with the arrival of summer. Already, industry players have begun receiving reservations from tour groups, he added.He said the drop in ringgit value would help attract foreign tourists as well, as it would offset the impact of rising prices in their own countries.“We don’t need to worry too much about monkeypox,” he added.“No cases have been found in the country yet, so there’s no need to worry about what’s not there.”


Genting landslide kills 21, including children

A landslide killed at least 21 people, including children, while they slept in their tents at an unlicensed campsite in Batang Kali today, officials said, as search teams scoured thick mud and downed trees for survivors.
The landslide in Selangor occurred before 3am, tearing down a hillside into an organic farm that officials said was operating the campsite illegally.
Among the victims were five children and 12 women, according to the fire and rescue department.
The disaster struck about 50km north of Kuala Lumpur, just outside the popular hilltop area of Genting Highlands, known for its resorts, waterfalls and natural beauty.
The earth fell from an estimated height of 30m (100 feet) and covered an area of about an acre (0.4 hectares), according to the fire and rescue department's state director.
The farm owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Two of its workers, who are Myanmar nationals, told Reuters they managed to escape with others after being roused by neighbours, just minutes before the farmhouse was destroyed.
"I have never seen such a horrible incident. I feel so shocked and terrified," said 35-year-old Thawng Uk.
"We could bring nothing at all as we urgently ran... We are asking around where to get shelter and food."
His colleague Kung Tuang, 31, said he was afraid they would lose their jobs now that the farm had been destroyed.
An initial investigation showed an embankment of about 450,000 cubic metres of earth had collapsed, according to minister of natural resources, environment and climate change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
There were 94 people caught in the landslide but 61 were safe, with 12 missing, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Seven people were injured, including a pregnant woman, while others had wounds ranging from minor cuts to a suspected spinal injury, Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said.
Close to 400 personnel were involved in the rescue mission, police said.
Three Singaporeans were among those rescued, the Singapore government said in a statement.
Its prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, expressed condolences to Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and offered assistance in the search and rescue effort.
Unlicensed business
Pictures posted on the Father's Organic Farm Facebook page show a farmhouse in a small valley, with a large area where tents can be set up.
Its owners were allowed to operate organic farms, but had not applied for licences to run three campsites on the property, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming told reporters.
If found guilty of violating the law, the owners can be jailed up to three years or fined up to RM50,000 (US$11,300), Nga said, adding he had ordered campsites near rivers, hillsides and other high-risk areas nationwide to close for seven days.
Local television footage showed the aftermath of a large landslide through a steep, forested area beside a road, while images on social media showed rescue workers clambering over thick mud, large trees and other debris.
Selangor is the country's most affluent state and has suffered landslides before, often attributed to forest and land clearance.
Landslides are common in Malaysia, but typically only after heavy rains. Flooding occurs often, with about 21,000 people displaced last year by torrential rain in seven states.
Leong Jim Meng, a camper, said he had not expected a landslide as there had been only light drizzle in recent days.
"My family and I were trapped when the soil covered our tent," he told Malay-language daily Berita Harian. "We managed to run to the parking lot and called the authorities. They arrived quite quickly, about 30 minutes later."


170 new infections as death toll stays unchanged

Another 170 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 5,043,626.
There were 178 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,997,422.
There are now 9,239 active cases, of which 8,934 or 96.7% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 0 (0%) are at quarantine centres while 301 (3.3%) have been hospitalised.
A total of four are in ICU with one in need of respiratory assistance.
No new deaths were reported, leaving total deaths unchanged at 36,965.


Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders

A man who threatened to set off a bomb on Washington’s Capitol Hill surrendered to police Thursday, ending an hours-long standoff that rattled lawmakers still shaken by January’s pro-Trump insurrection.The incident triggered evacuations and a massive police response, and sent jolts of anxiety through a city that has spent months on alert, as political tensions soared following the deadly US Capitol riot.The suspect, an apparent right-wing extremist identified by US Capitol Police as Floyd Ray Roseberry, had been broadcasting live on social media from his truck, assailing President Joe Biden and Democrats, warning of a “revolution,” and complaining about the US government and its policy in Afghanistan.He had also claimed that four more sets of explosives were lying in wait in Washington and that they would be detonated, along with his bomb, if police used deadly force against him.Much of the complex was cordoned off as police and FBI agents negotiated with the driver, who police said had appeared to have a detonator in his hand.“He got out of the vehicle and surrendered, and the tactical units that were close by took him into custody without incident,” US Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger told reporters.Law enforcement were still investigating whether the vehicle, which was parked on the sidewalk next to the Library of Congress, contained actual explosives.Manger said it was unclear what Roseberry’s motives were, but in his Facebook Live steam he issued a series of incoherent threats and asked to speak to Biden.“I’m trying to get Joe Biden on the phone. I’m parked up here on the sidewalk right beside all this pretty stuff,” said the bald-headed man with a salt-and-pepper goatee, wearing a white T-shirt.“I’m not hurting nobody Joe. I’m not pulling the trigger on this thing. I can’t,” he said. “I’m telling you, them snipers come in, they start shooting this window out, this bomb’s going off.”‘The revolution’The live feed showed Roseberry in his vehicle holding a metal can with clay and a box with buttons and wires on the top, but it was unclear if the contraption was a viable explosive device.While he did not claim a political affiliation, he referred at one point to “the revolution” and said: “I’m looking for all my other patriots to come out and help me.”Later he lashed out at Biden’s party, saying: “You all know what you’re doing, Democrats? You’re killing America.”Facebook’s policy communications director Andy Stone said the profile in question had been removed and the incident was being investigated.While it remained unclear whether the bomb threat was genuine, the Library of Congress’s main buildings were evacuated, as was the nearby US Supreme Court and at least one of the three House office buildings.The Republican National Committee headquarters was also reportedly evacuated and the Washington Metro’s Capitol South subway station closed as a precaution.A White House official said Biden was briefed on the standoff.‘Threat to every community’Both the Senate and House of Representatives are currently on recess, but some lawmakers have remained in Washington and staffers are working in the complex.House Democrat Bill Pascrell offered fierce condemnation of the suspect during the standoff, in comments that echoed the trauma of the insurrection which rocked the Capitol in January.“A right-wing extremist is now threatening to detonate a bomb at the US Capitol,” he tweeted. “Right wing domestic terrorism is a threat to every community in the United States.”Tensions remain high more than seven months after the Jan 6 riot, when supporters of then-president Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol, fought with police and sought to block certification of the presidential election.In April, a man rammed a car into Capitol barriers, killing one officer before the attacker was shot and killed.The January uprising prompted authorities to erect tall metal fencing and razor wire around the Capitol complex, which only came down in July.


In landmark boost, Trump says will delist Sudan as sponsor of terror

President Donald Trump said Monday he was ready to remove Sudan from a US blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism, a landmark boost for the civilian-backed government as it turns the page on the nation’s decades as an international pariah.Trump said that Sudan, which has sought the delisting for years, had agreed to a US$335 million compensation package for victims and relatives of past attacks.“At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!” Trump wrote on Twitter, vowing to delist Sudan as soon as the compensation is “deposited”.Sudan is one of four nations branded by Washington as a state sponsor of terrorism, along with Iran, North Korea and Syria – severely impeding economic development, with few major foreign investors willing to run afoul of US laws.Sudan was designated in 1993 during the rule of dictator Omar al-Bashir, who had welcomed Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as he imposed a brand of political Islamism on the country.The conflict-ridden nation experienced a historic shift last year as Bashir was ousted in the face of youth-led street protests and a civilian-backed transitional government was later installed.Trump’s announcement marks “the strongest support to Sudan’s transition to democracy and to the Sudanese people,” said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a reform-minded economist and face of the government that will rule until 2022 elections.“As we’re about to get rid of the heaviest legacy of Sudan’s previous, defunct regime, I should reiterate that we are peace-loving people and have never supported terrorism,” he said on Twitter.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called Trump’s decision “momentous” and voiced full support.Questions over packageUnder US law, Trump can remove a nation from the blacklist after which Congress has 45 days to object.More crucially, Congress will vote on whether to grant Sudan immunity from further claims – an indispensable step for the developing country if it commits $335 million to compensate victims and families over anti-US attacks traced back to Sudanese soil.More than 200 people died in twin Al-Qaeda bombings in 1998 of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Then-president Bill Clinton responded with a still disputed missile strike on a pharmaceutical factory on Khartoum’s outskirts.The draft package had divided Congress, with some Democrats saying it was unfair by giving more money for US citizens than Africans, who made up the bulk of the victims.Other lawmakers want compensation over additional attacks by Al-Qaeda, notably the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole off Yemen.Edith Bartley, a spokeswoman for the families of Americans killed in the Nairobi bombing, said the package would “vindicate the sacrifice of our diplomats abroad.”“The victims, and our regional allies who wish to have Sudan emerge as an economically viable supporter of regional peace, are depending on Congress to act swiftly in support of this effort,” she said in a statement released by the White House.Sudan had long been the target of international pressure campaigns, including over Bashir’s scorched-earth campaign in Darfur that the US described as genocide.With the country’s dramatic changes, some of the same activists have pushed for the removal from the terror blacklist.“In order to support the transition to a fully civilian-led democracy, Congress must now pass legislation to restore Sudan’s sovereign immunity and end its longstanding status as a pariah state,” said John Prendergast, who alongside actor and activist George Clooney founded The Sentry, which seeks to cut off dirty money that fuels conflict in Africa.Push on IsraelThe Trump administration, seeing leverage as it eyed removing the designation, has also leaned on Sudan to normalise relations with Israel, following the lead last month of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.With US elections in two weeks, another landmark Arab recognition of Israel would be hailed by Trump’s evangelical Christian base, which staunchly backs the Jewish state.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the issue in August on the first visit in 15 years by the top US diplomat to Khartoum.But Hamdok demurred on the controversial step, saying the transitional government did not have authority to normalise with Israel.Sudan’s top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in February held a landmark meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda.


Two-party PH agrees not to clash with Syed Saddiq’s candidates in Johor

Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is contesting the upcoming Johor election without its lynchpin party PKR, today agreed to ink a deal with former Bersatu Youth leader Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s party, which will see the opposition coalition staying out of six seats to avoid a clash.Amanah’s Mohamad Sabu and DAP’s Lim Guan Eng said in a statement that their parties along with Syed Saddiq’s Muda would face the election as strategic partners although Muda would not join PH.“This is in line with the ‘big tent’ principle to unite all political parties and to mobilise our forces to fight the Barisan Nasional (BN)/Perikatan Nasional (PN) government,” they said in the statement also signed by Syed Saddiq.The agreement will see Amanah and DAP staying out of the Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai state seats, which will be contested by candidates from Muda.Four of the seats – Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai – were won by Bersatu when it was still part of PH.A total of 56 seats will be contested at the Johor election to be held on March 12.The previous government led by BN had 28 state seats through Umno (14 seats), MIC (two), Bersatu (11) and PAS (one) while Pakatan Harapan held 27 seats through DAP (14), PKR (seven), and Amanah (six).PH announced in January that Anwar’s PKR would contest the Johor election using its own logo, while Amanah and DAP would remain under the coalition’s banner.It later said that Amanah and PKR would each contest 20 seats and DAP, 16.On Jan 24, Anwar had invited opposition parties including Pejuang, Warisan and Muda to work together in facing the Johor election.But Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir said yesterday that his party had no plans to join PH through the “big tent” concept.While talks had been had with Muda, he added, no final decision had been made on cooperation for the Johor polls.


Vaccination numbers inch up with 70.6% of population fully jabbed

A total of 48,181,111 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, including 134,684 shots given yesterday.This brings the total number of fully vaccinated people to 23,052,952, and the number of people who have received at least one dose to 25,256,025.In terms of percentage, the number of fully vaccinated adults remains at 94% while adults who have received at least one jab likewise remains at 97.2%.In terms of total population, 70.6% are fully jabbed and 77.3% have received at least one shot, including of the single-dose CanSino vaccine.Kelantan and Sabah remain below the 80% full vaccination level for adults at 76.8% and 71% respectively.


Ku Nan handed 12 months’ jail, RM2 million fine

Former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was sentenced to 12 months in jail and fined RM2 million in default of six months’ imprisonment following his conviction earlier today of receiving the same amount from a businessman in 2016.However, High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan granted Tengku Adnan’s application for a stay of execution for both the jail term and fine pending his appeal.Zaini, who delivered the guilty verdict, said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, and that Tengku Adnan who is Putrajaya MP had failed to cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case.Tengku Adnan, popularly known as Ku Nan, had been charged in his capacity as a public servant with having received for himself a total of RM2 million from businessman Chai Kin Kong, who is Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd director, via a Hong Leong Islamic Bank cheque belonging to the company which was deposited into a CIMB account owned by Tadmansori Holdings Sdn Bhd, in which Tengku Adnan had an interest.He was accused of committing the offence at the Pusat Bandar Damansara branch of CIMB Bank Bhd on June 14, 2016 and charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code which carries an imprisonment of up to two years, a fine or both upon conviction.During mitigation, lawyer Tan Hock Chuan who led the defence team said his client was a first-time offender. He also said the offence was not a heinous crime.“My client has contributed significantly to the nation, and he served in the Cabinet and Parliament for 17 years,” he said, asking for a non-custodial sentence with only a fine imposed.He also asked that the fine be less than RM2,000 to allow Tengku Adnan to retain his qualification as an MP.He urged the court to consider the current situation in Parliament, saying the government holds a slim majority and could be affected if Tengku Adnan were to be disqualified from his post as MP.To this, Zaini said: “Should I be concerned with the political developments of this country?”Tan said for the purpose of the court’s finding on the crime, he should not, but that the decision would have an effect for the purpose of sentencing.“The court can take judicial notice. We say that it is a factor that the court can consider. The effect is not in isolation but cumulative with others,” he said.The lawyer also spoke of his client’s medical issues including hypertension, high cholesterol and lung problems.However, deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim said the application for a fine of less than RM2,000 to enable Tengku Adnan to continue as an MP was not an appropriate punishment.“The amount in the charge is RM2 million and the accused previously stated that the RM2 million is just ‘pocket money’ for him.“Every time there is an election, there will be changes. If the accused is not an MP, another person gets the opportunity to hold the post and serve the community,” she said.She also told the judge that the fine should be no less than the amount in the charge.However, Tan said his main grounds for requesting a non-custodial sentence was not his client’s future as an MP but rather his age and health.Tengku Adnan turned 70 years old yesterday.Zaini said Tengku Adnan was not the first high-ranking public servant and politician to be convicted of a crime.“There have been others,” he said. “Everyone is equal before the law. I do not doubt that he has served the country for many years but the sentence must reflect the crime and be a deterrent to others.”


E-cigarette maker Juul agrees to pay US$1.2 billion in youth-vaping settlement, report says

Juul Labs Inc has agreed to pay US$1.2 billion (RM5.28 billion) to resolve about 10,000 lawsuits targeting the e-cigarette maker as a major cause of a US youth-vaping epidemic, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Last week, Juul said it had settlements with about 10,000 plaintiffs covering more than 5,000 cases in California. The company chose not to disclose the settlement amount as part of the court process in the federal multi-district litigation.
In a statement on Friday, Juul did not comment on the terms of the settlement.
Juul, which is partly owned by Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc, had agreed in September to pay US$438.5 million to settle claims from 34 US states and territories who said the company downplayed its products' risks and targeted underage buyers.
The settlement comes a month after the once red-hot vaping company had secured an investment from some of its early investors that would help Juul stay in business.
Juul's e-cigarettes were briefly banned in the US in late June by the US Food and Drug Administration, but the ban was put on hold following an appeal. The health regulator also agreed to an additional review of the company's marketing application.


Anwar says Agong tells leaders to stop fractious politics as nation battles pandemic

Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim says the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a meeting with top party leaders today advised them to change their ways across the political divide, telling them to embrace a new consensus as the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.“The Agong spoke about the constitutional provisions of searching for the candidate who has the majority support of MPs.“But the shape of politics must change. This means, the winners should not pressure the losers. There should be a mover to mobilise all parties with the spirit of a new consensus and charter to manage the Covid-19 problem and restore the country’s economy,” Anwar told reporters after the audience at Istana Negara.He said all political party leaders were present during the session with the Agong. Also present was the Agong’s deputy, Sultan Nazrin Shah.The meeting called by the Agong came a day after Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as prime minister, bringing to end the 17-month-old Perikatan Nasional government.His resignation followed a campaign to topple the government led by Anwar, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib Razak.A total of 220 MPs have until 4pm tomorrow to submit their choice of prime minister to form the government, as part of the process to help the Agong decide who commands the support of the majority.


Ex-1MDB director admits RM2.28 billion went into Najib’s personal accounts

A witness in the 1MDB trial today changed his stance and admitted at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that RM2.28 billion from the state fund went into former prime minister Najib Razak’s personal bank accounts between 2011 and 2014.Contrary to his previous testimony in which he said Najib had not benefited from 1MDB funds, former non-executive director Ismee Ismail, 58, agreed with the prosecution’s contention after he was shown a flow chart of several layering processes revolving around the Deutsche Bank and Islamic medium term notes facility loan.According to the document shown to the 13th prosecution witness during re-examination by lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, the money went through a series of layering processes before finally landing in Najib’s personal AmBank accounts ending with 694 and 880.Sri Ram: Would you like to revisit your answer that the accused (Najib) did not obtain any benefit from these transactions?Ismee: These documents were not shown to me during cross-examination.Sri Ram then questioned the witness again on whether he would like to change his answer, to which Ismee replied: “From the chart, I can see some funds went into the account.”“You mean some funds belonging to 1MDB went into the accused’s account?” Sri Ram repeated, to which Ismee agreed.Sri Ram earlier questioned Ismee about his observation of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low’s relationship with Najib during his tenure on the board from 2009 to 2016.Sri Ram: Throughout that period, from your observation, what did you gather about the relationship between Jho Low and Najib?Ismee: I believe they had a close relationship.When asked by Sri Ram whether he had any personal knowledge of the details between Najib and Jho Low on how they shared 1MDB funds, Ismee said he did not.Najib, 68, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.


Taiwan’s long-range missile goes into mass production

Taiwan has begun mass production of a long-range missile and is developing three other models, a senior official said on Thursday, in a rare admission of efforts to develop strike capacity in response to growing Chinese pressure, local media sources report.China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activity near the island, as it tries to force the government in Taipei to accept Beijing’s claims of sovereignty.Taiwan’s armed forces, dwarfed by China’s, are in the midst of a modernisation programme to offer a more effective deterrent, including the ability to hit back at bases deep within China in the event of a conflict.Taking lawmaker’s questions in parliament, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said developing a long-range attack capability was a priority.“We hope it is long-range, accurate and mobile,” he said, adding research on such weapons by the state-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has “never stopped”.Standing next to Chiu, the institute’s deputy director Leng Chin-hsu said one long-range, land-based missile had already entered production, with three other long-range missiles in development.Leng said it was “not convenient” for him to provide details on how far the missile could fly.The institute, which is leading Taiwan’s weapon development efforts, has in recent months carried out a series of missile tests off its southeastern coast, reports Reuters.Media in Taiwan have carried images of missiles launching and instructions have been given to aircraft to stay clear of the test area, but the tests have otherwise been shrouded in secrecy.Taiwan’s armed forces have traditionally concentrated on defending the island from a Chinese attack and are currently being upgraded.President Tsai Ing-wen has stressed the importance of developing an “asymmetrical” deterrent, using mobile equipment that is hard to find and destroy, and capable of hitting targets far from Taiwan’s coast.The US is Taipei’s main arms supplier and has been eager to create a military counterbalance to Chinese forces, building on an effort known within the Pentagon as “Fortress Taiwan”.


Amirudin 'not a threat', but Azmin disappointed Anwar 'ran to Perak'

Gombak incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali yesterday said he welcomed Amirudin Shari contesting in the constituency at the upcoming polls, but that he was disappointed he would not be facing PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim despite the latter's suggestion of moving there.
"Previously, there were murmurs of big names eyeing Gombak, and I said that anyone could come because we are a mature democracy," Azmin said last night at the launch of Perikatan Nasional's (PN) election machinery in Gombak, where he will be defending the seat for a fourth term at the Nov 19 polls.
"(I said) he could send his child or in-law or wife, although it's best he come himself. Still, he ran to Perak," he said in a jibe at Anwar who later announced he would stand in Tambun, Perak, against Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Azmin said he did not consider Amirudin a threat, adding that the decision by his former party to name the Selangor menteri besar as its candidate in Gombak was part of a proxy war in PKR.
He also said he believed that Amirudin was forced to accept the task of unseating him.
The three-term Gombak MP expressed confidence of retaining the seat for another term, adding that voters should reject anyone who was forced to represent them.
"To be a leader and representative of the people of Gombak, there must be a commitment to fight for them," he said.
On Oct 28, PKR named Amirudin, seen as Azmin's protege when the latter was the party deputy president, as its candidate for the Gombak seat.
Azmin earlier said that Amirudin had called him last month to inform him of what he thought was the real agenda behind the move to field him in Gombak.
"He (Amirudin) said, 'I have been asked to stand in Gombak. I know, this is to slaughter me in Gombak'," Azmin said at an event hosted by PAS.
An aide to Amirudin, Jay Jay Denis, dismissed Azmin's claim as lies, although Amirudin himself confirmed that such a conversation had taken place, adding however that the remark was made in jest.


Laundry: housekeeping on the final frontier

The International Space Station (ISS) is a big, climate-controlled environment that crowds six people together at any given time.Astronauts work hard and produce odours just like the rest of us and yet they can’t just slip into freshly laundered clothes every time they work up a sweat.Doing laundry may be a mundane job on Earth but in space it presents problems.Astronauts aboard the ISS currently re-wear their clothes multiple times before changing into fresh togs delivered on resupply shipments.Nasa sends 160 pounds, or over 170kg, of clothing per crew member to the ISS every year.However, soon astronauts could be able to do their own laundry.Consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) said on Tuesday that it has teamed up with Nasa to develop a detergent that can be used in space, reports the i.Washing clothes in space presents several challenges, including the safety of ingredients and the limited amount of water available.The laundry project is expected to identify ways to preserve water on missions to the moon, Mars, and even at home on Earth.Tide, the world’s best-selling laundry detergent brand and a division of P&G, has developed a degradable detergent, specifically designed for use in space.The company says it is suitable for use in a closed-loop water system, where all water must be purified back to drinking quality.With Nasa now working with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to put more people on the moon, and the possibility of manned missions to Mars at some point in the future, more sustainable laundry solutions are needed.A human roundtrip to Mars could be between two and three years in length – a little too long to wear the same unwashed shorts and socks.The first test of the product will take place next year, onboard a cargo launch to the space station. Teams will evaluate the effects of micro-gravity and radiation on the ingredients in the detergent.Researchers will also be looking at how explorers might be able to clean their clothes once on the moon or Mars, under low-gravity conditions.Aga Orlik, senior vice-president for P&G’s North American fabric care division, said, “The collaboration allows us to push the bounds of resource efficiency to its absolute limit, with practical applications for both the future of laundry in space and here on Earth.”Humans eat smelly things. Our bodies produce stinky outputs. And if we build up a sweat, our clothes start to smell too.But the mysterious, pervasive smell of space itself clings to everything the astronauts wear, and it doesn’t smell like laundry detergent.Livescience.com says astronauts who have gone on spacewalks consistently speak of space’s distinctive odour.Upon re-entering the space station and removing their helmets, they get a strong, whiff of what is reported to be a mix of seared steak, hot metal and welding fumes.Nasa astronaut Kevin Ford described it as “Something I haven’t ever smelled before, but I’ll never forget it.”Maybe Nasa and P&G will be able to come up with some warp-speed pine-fresh fabric conditioner too.


Govt to monitor Omicron effect before advising rulers on mosque SOPs

The health ministry says it will monitor the impact of the Omicron Covid-19 variant before advising the Conference of Rulers on SOPs at mosques.Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ministry was aware of the matter as it had received many requests for the easing of SOPs at mosques, including allowing congregants to perform prayers without physical distancing.“It’s not that we don’t want to allow this,” he said at a press conference today.“We just need a few more weeks to determine the impact of Omicron before presenting any advice for the consent of the rulers.”Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin recently questioned why mosques in Malaysia are still forced to abide by SOPs that have been eased in other places including stadiums, public transport and gatherings.He said he was not against such SOPs but that there should be no double standards at work.He also said a fatwa allowing Muslims to stand apart from each other during prayer can only be justified if the health ministry says that standing in close proximity could result in the spread of Covid-19.“We relaxed it (the rule of standing in close proximity) because there was a strong reason,” he said.“But that reason is not applied elsewhere, so why only for mosques?”


Interest rate hike heaps pressure on cash-strapped Britons

Millions of Britons are facing fresh mortgage misery after the Bank of England increased interest rates by an unexpected half-point, putting homeowners at risk of higher repayments on their loans during a cost-of-living crisis.
The higher-than-expected hike to a 15-year peak of 5.0% was the 13th increase in a row, and will have a knock-on effect on hard-pressed homeowners already hit by sharp hikes in the cost of food and fuel.
It also heaped fresh pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservative party faces an uphill battle to claw back ground on the main opposition Labour party before next year's election.
Sunak has staked his reputation on halving inflation by the end of the year from the current 8.7% – one of the highest rates in the G7.
The British leader appealed to cash-strapped Britons, urging the public to grit their teeth, imploring: "We know this is hard.
"But if we don't raise rates now, it could be worse later... I am totally, 100%, on it and it's going to be OK and we are going to get through this."
'Ticking time bomb'
Consumer champion Martin Lewis said earlier this week that the "ticking time-bomb" of mortgages was now "exploding".
With lenders using interest rates to set mortgage rates, financial markets are predicting a further rise in the cost of home loans to a high of 6.0% by the year-end.
Several lenders pulled certain products in recent weeks in anticipation of the interest rates rise – although on predictions it would go up by only a quarter point, not the full half-point.
UK banks mostly offer mortgages with a fixed interest rate for a set period – typically two to five years – but after expiry this becomes variable or a new rate is set in line with prevailing market conditions.
Some 1.4 million mortgage holders whose deals are expiring now face losing at least a fifth of their disposable income in additional payments.
Trade body UK Finance said 80% of homeowners were on fixed deals and would not be immediately affected by any immediate rise in mortgage repayments.
Bank of England (BoE) governor Andrew Bailey voted in favour of the hike at the central bank's regular policy meeting, insisting it was needed "to get inflation back down".
"We know this is hard – many people with mortgages or loans will be understandably worried about what this means for them. But if we don't raise rates now, it could be worse later," he added.
Interest rates are now at the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. Last week, the Federal Reserve last week opted against a hike after US inflation eased.
The European Central Bank last week raised eurozone borrowing costs by a quarter-point to reach the highest level in 22 years.
But both the Fed and the ECB flagged more hikes. The Norwegian, Swiss and Turkish central banks also ramped up rates on Thursday.
Big bazooka
Traders anticipate UK interest rates will hit 6% by the end of the year, and could push Britain into recession according to some analysts.
Sunak wants inflation reduced to 5% by the end of the year, or about half the level of the start of 2023.
The BoE began lifting interest rates from a record low of 0.1% at the end of 2021, with inflation starting to creep up as economies slowly emerged from Covid lockdowns.
But UK inflation went on to strike a 41-year peak at 11.1% in October on rampant energy bills, after key oil and gas producer Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Core inflation, which strips out food and energy costs, spiked in May to 7.1% – the highest in more than three decades.
"Bank of England policymakers are feeling the heat... with core inflation increasingly hot and sticky, which is why they've opted to super-size the rate hike," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
"Investors are trying to assess whether today's big bazooka now, might be enough to stem further rate hikes or whether more will still be necessary."
The hikes have also sent the UK government's long-term borrowing costs soaring.
However, Britons who can afford to save benefit from increased fixed returns on investments.
The BoE is tasked by the government with keeping UK annual inflation close to a target of 2%.


Malaysia’s infectivity rate at 1.15

The country’s Covid-19 infectivity rate (Rt) stood at 1.15 as of July 11, with Putrajaya recording the highest Rt value at 1.31.Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today said that other states with Rts above 1.0 were Selangor (1.18), Kuala Lumpur and Kedah (1.17), Pahang (1.14) as well as Sabah, Melaka and Terengganu (1.08), Perak (1.07), Penang (1.05), and Negeri Sembilan and Johor (1.02).The Rt value refers to the level of infectivity of Covid-19, that is, the number of cases which can be infected by one positive case.


MACC questions 7 over Mara issue

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded the statements of seven individuals to assist in investigations into allegations of wrongdoing and integrity issues involving several senior officers of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the individuals called up included employees from Mara, Mara Corporation and a corporate secretarial company also involved.“MACC will call several other individuals from these three entities to have their statements recorded,” he told Bernama last night.However he refused to divulge the number of individuals to be called up.Asked if he had received any report of wrongdoing involving Mara Corp executive director Suhaili Abdul Rahman who is alleged to have used the company’s corporate credit card, Azam replied that no report has been received.He said so far, MACC’s investigation was only on issues of wrongdoing and integrity involving senior officers of Mara and Mara Corp.On Feb 5, MACC confirmed receiving a report on alleged integrity issues involving several senior officers of Mara, who are being investigated internally by the agency.


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Taiwan Buddhist group joins fight to find vaccines other than China’s

A major Taiwanese Buddhist group said on Wednesday that it is hoping to buy five million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine.It joins chip manufacturers Foxconn and TSMC in trying to secure vaccines for the island direct from the manufacturers, Reuters reports.Taiwan’s government has millions of vaccines on order but has been hampered by global supply shortages.Taipei is trying to speed up the arrival of the vaccines on order as it deals with a rise in domestic cases, although infections remain comparatively low.Only around 6% of the island’s 23.5 million people have received at least one virus shot.President Tsai Ing-wen is under pressure domestically to get vaccines faster, and organisations have been stepping up to try to help.The Tzu Chi Foundation said that after “initial progress” had been made in sourcing the shots, it has submitted application documents to the government to be allowed to buy five million BioNTech doses.Taiwan’s government said last week it would allow Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Apple chip supplier Foxconn, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to negotiate on its behalf for Covid-19 vaccines.Each wants to buy five million BioNTech doses to donate to the government.However, BioNTech told Gou it would only sell to governments and not companies.Taiwan’s own deal with BioNTech fell through this year, with the government blaming it on pressure from Beijing.Beijing denied the accusation, saying Taiwan was free to obtain the vaccines through Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group, which has a contract with BioNTech to sell the vaccines in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.Another Taiwanese group, the Buddha Light International Association, had proposed importing up to 500,000 shots of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, but the company said it was only negotiating with government bodies and supranational organisations like the European Commission for vaccine purchases.Japan and the US have recently donated a combined 3.74 million doses to the island.At the weekend, Taiwan reacted with an outpouring of thanks to the US for shipping 2.5 million Moderna doses, more than doubling its stock.Washington initially had promised to donate 750,000 doses but increased that number as President Joe Biden’s administration advances its pledge to send 80 million US-made shots around the world.The president tweeted she was touched by the US move.“Thank you to the US for this moving gesture of friendship. These vaccines will go a long way toward keeping Taiwan safe & healthy.”


Cambodia opposition leader jailed 27 years for treason

A Cambodian court on Friday sentenced top opposition leader Kem Sokha to 27 years in jail for treason, in a case rights groups say is politically motivated.
Kem Sokha was the joint founder of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party and has long been a foe of Hun Sen – Asia's longest-serving leader.
"Kem Sokha... is sentenced to 27 years in prison on the charge of collusion with foreigners committed in Cambodia and other places," Judge Koy Sao said at the court in Phnom Penh.
Immediately after the verdict, the 69-year-old was placed under house arrest, where he will be banned from meeting anyone who is not a family member.
He has one month to appeal the conviction and jail sentence, Ang Udom, a lawyer for Kem Sokha told reporters.
The court also stripped him of his right to vote and barred him from running for political office.
Arrested in 2017 in a midnight swoop involving hundreds of security forces, Kem Sokha was accused of hatching a "secret plan" in collusion with foreign entities to topple the government of longtime ruler Hun Sen.
He has repeatedly denied the charges against him.
Critics say Hun Sen has wound back democratic freedoms and used the courts to stifle opponents, jailing scores of opposition activists and human rights defenders.
"I cannot accept this ruling," Kem Sokha supporter Chea Samuon told AFP outside the courtroom.
"It is very unjust for him and the people. He is not guilty, this is political pressure."
US Ambassador to Cambodia W Patrick Murphy, who was at the court, slammed the trial and sentence as a "miscarriage of justice."
Last August, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Kem Sokha during a visit to Phnom Penh, where he also raised concerns about the kingdom's ailing democracy in talks with Hun Sen.
One-party state
Rights groups say Hun Sen has wound back democratic freedoms and created a climate of fear in the country.
Two months after Kem Sokha's arrest, Cambodia's Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP, once considered the sole viable opponent to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
That paved the way for the CPP and Hun Sen to win all 125 parliamentary seats in 2018, turning the country into a one-party state.
Scores of opposition figures were convicted of treason last year, some in absentia – the latest squeeze on opponents ahead of elections.
Last month, Hun Sen ordered the shutdown of one of the country's few remaining local independent media outlets after taking issue with a news report about his son.
Kem Sohka's trial illustrated the "frightening problem of the state control of the judiciary in the country", said Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.


#MasaKita may not be everyone’s time

Raden Trunojoyo of Madura was only 28 when he successfully led a rebellion against the brutal governance of Mataram rulers, but Nero was not even in his 20s when he became a tyrant.Ki Hajar Dewantara was 40 when he scrapped his royal title to show his solidarity with the people after years of educational activism, but the reign of King Leopold II in Congo, characterised by oppression for his personal gain, lasted until his death at the age of 74.If age is the sole reason for an uprising, perhaps the uprising was not thoroughly thought through. Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was not wrong to point out the lack of youths in the political arena, but he was not in the right either to initiate a movement of youths to tackle the issue.What is obvious in this situation is the romanticisation of rebellion by the privileged. What had always been the means for the oppressed to counter their condition is now diminished to alleviate the pain felt by a youngster when older people dismiss his arguments in the Dewan Rakyat. If youth is the only variable considered by Syed Saddiq in his disregarded significance, wouldn’t starting a collective of youngsters to overthrow the elders alarm them in the wrong way? When the only difference between the old ways and a proposed youth movement is age, what is absolute is another volatile force without a clear stand, composed of different bearers of virtues with differing viewpoints on how policies are conducted.Would youth be enough of a compensating factor? Wouldn’t it diminish the significance of youths everywhere to assume that they would only be attracted to their own kind, and that their votes are already compromised by the youth movement? The citizens are tired and weary. Not just the youngsters, but those weathered by time as well. Youngsters are significant stakeholders but they’re not the only ones. The movement itself is a blatant show of privilege. While the representation of gender and race is praiseworthy, most of those involved in this movement are urbanites. There is a lack of representation from the lower socioeconomic classes.The urban poor, sexual minorities, academic dropouts and unemployed youths comprise a significant number of all marginalised communities. When will they be a part of politics instead of being politicised? Will this movement address the needs of the youth and reflect this demography?But Syed Saddiq is adamant on the representation shown by this movement. Quoting the names of a few members along with their rural upbringing and activism, he seems to think that coming from an underprivileged background will be enough to anchor people to the movement. What good would it do if those backgrounds are only quotations that do not reflect the direction of the movement? Will these few members play a significant role in policymaking relative to their backgrounds, or will they simply be a popularising factor as a show of pluralistic movement to be exploited by Syed Saddiq?There are many familiar faces in this movement, including those with whom I have interacted and admire. They deserve a movement that doesn’t use them just because of their age. Their contribution holds an infinite goodness that should not be limited to the realm of political gain.It cannot be denied that this movement is synonymous with the image of Syed Saddiq. Will the youth activists and experts within the movement be able to shine behind the shadow cast by his giant figure? “Gajah sama gajah bergaduh, pelanduk mati di tengah-tengah.”The giants in the political system are in constant pursuit of power, and it’s unfortunate that the youngsters seeking to reclaim their throne are misdirected in their intention.What would become of Malaysia if the youngsters were in power? Would the dismay of the trans community over discrimination be resolved? Would our education syllabus be neutralised into a narrative that does not disregard the left? Would the vernacular system be left alone by politicians looking to score easy points?A rage against a flawed system will inevitably create another system that, in time, becomes flawed as well. What we need is a sustainable political system that works in everyone’s favour, not a superficial coup d’état for a transfer of power.Now that the movement has been registered as a political party, the expectation for Syed Saddiq to prove its validity as a force for the people is further entrenched. The people need to know that Muda is more than just a gimmick and an attempt to appeal for power. They need to know that the slogan and hashtag “MasaKita” is more than just a campaign to be taken at face value, and that “kita” means everyone – not just Syed Saddiq and the movement. Nevertheless, the justification given by Syed Saddiq has been disappointing.To go on would be to emasculate the people only for emancipation from a very narrow and specific flaw which has yet to be proven as the source of all detriments.We understand that the political arena should be cleansed of corrupt elders, but the key word is “corrupt”, not “elders”.Can it be guaranteed that this movement will not fall into the same pattern?What should be guaranteed is not positions but rather an accomplished hope for all.We may say, “Let the youngsters try”, but politics shouldn’t be based on probability and we are all tired of trying.What’s the worst that could happen?For Syed Saddiq and those within the movement, they could lose their seats and reputations. But for the people below, they could lose their livelihoods.The worst is already upon us, we think, but it could spiral further if this continues.


Guan Eng got RM44,375 in salary and allowance as chief minister, witness tells court

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was told today that Lim Guan Eng received a salary and allowance amounting to RM44,375 as Penang chief minister from March 2008 to May 2018.Former principal senior assistant secretary (state legislative assembly) at the Penang State Secretary’s Office, Mohd Farulizam Che Meh, 43, said when Lim held the post between March 11, 2008 and May 14, 2018, he received a basic salary of RM14,175 and an allowance of RM30,200 a month.“Lim Guan Eng also declared his assets and side income on the Penang web portal,” he said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Francine Cheryl Rajendram.The 20th prosecution witness said this at the trial of Lim’s corruption case, where he is facing four charges involving the construction of the Penang undersea tunnel project, worth RM6.3 billion.Farulizam said Lim was Air Puteh state assemblyman, which he won on a DAP ticket for three terms, and was chief minister for two terms.Meanwhile, lawyer Haijan Omar, representing Lim, told the court that his client had been discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN). When asked by judge Azura Alwi whether Lim could appear in court tomorrow, Haijan said the trial tomorrow would continue with the presence of his client.The trial has proceeded for two days since Monday without Lim’s presence as he was admitted to IJN on Sunday to undergo a medical procedure.Lim was charged with using his position as then Penang chief minister to obtain a bribe of RM3.3 million for helping a company owned by Zarul Ahmad to secure the construction project worth RM6,341,383,702.The offence was allegedly committed between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office.On the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting bribes amounting to 10% of the profits from Zarul to be earned by the company as gratification for helping it secure the project.The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, also faces two charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8 million belonging to the Penang government to be disposed of to two companies, which are linked to the state’s undersea tunnel project.The offence was allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Komtar, on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.The hearing continues tomorrow.


Hong Kong budget carrier joins ‘flights to nowhere’ trend

Hong Kong’s budget carrier HK Express joined airlines offering “flights to nowhere” on Thursday with an inaugural journey filled with media and influencers, sparking criticism from environmentalists.The low-cost airliner, now wholly-owned by Cathay Pacific, has been grounded for months because of the coronavirus pandemic.A preview flight carrying around 110 passengers took off on Thursday afternoon, circled Hong Kong and returned 90 minutes later.With the aviation industry in deep crisis, several carriers – including in Australia, Japan and Taiwan – have been offering short flights that start and end at the same airport to raise cash.But the carrier described the flight as a refresher for when travel restarts in earnest.“You can see this as a warm-up exercise for passengers to get ready for the new normal,” Iris Ho, public relations officer at HK Express told AFP.“Passengers have not been flying for so long, and we want to educate them with our preventive measures and new arrangements on board.”HK Express said it would offer three “nowhere” flights in November at a price of HK$388 (US$50) – considerably cheaper than similar sightseeing flights by other airlines. Tickets have already sold out.Passengers will be seated apart to employ social distancing. No food will be provided and all magazines are taken away.The airliner did not reveal how much carbon footprint each trip by the Airbus 320 left behind.But according to Cathay Pacific calculations, an equivalent 90-minute flight from Hong Kong to Taiwan’s Kaohsiung emits some 0.06 tonnes of CO2 per passenger.Tom Ng, a campaigner from Greenpeace Hong Kong, criticised nowhere flights as “an unnecessary campaign that only does harm to the environment”.“These flights serve no actual purpose but only wasting energy. They run in the oppositive direction of environmental protection,” Ng said, calling for the airliner to call off the future flights.Singapore Airlines ditched a similar idea after outcry over the environmental impact.


How Malaysians choose their guests of honour

When choosing a guest-of-honour (GOH) to officiate an event, usually the organiser would look at the credentials of the possible candidates. Is he or she a respectable figure in the industry which the event is about? Would that person be able to share useful insights to participants?Normally, one wouldn’t invite a suspected mass murderer to any event as the GOH, much less one who’s convicted of the crime. In fact, we do not even roll out the red carpet to those involved in petty thefts, unless it’s an online talk show on the dark web about how to be better at plying one’s unscrupulous trade.But in Malaysia, we have no qualms about inviting a felon who has committed grand larceny to be a GOH. Not only that, we pedestalise him in ways reserved for saints and prophets.I am referring to ex-prime minister Najib Razak being invited as the GOH at the Digital Economy Forum 2022 last week. Did the organisers not have anyone else in mind to invite?Were they blind to the fact that this is a man labelled as a “national embarrassment” by the courts for abuse of power and corruption? Have they forgotten that he has been sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million, and that the only reason he is walking free is that he’s appealing his conviction?What kind of message are we sending our children if we can choose to pedestalise this felon, who unashamedly uses the “Bossku” moniker, as though corruption is not just fine but something to which we should aspire?I am shocked and deeply disappointed that Malaysians have lost their sense of morality over this. The only saving grace is that the event was linked to MCA, the timid coalition partner in Barisan Nasional, which has a track record of kowtowing to Big Brother Umno.Alongside Najib on that day was MCA’s vice-president Ti Lian Ker, who’s also a deputy minister. The organising chairman for the event was also from the federal territories MCA.In other words, it was an MCA event, if not overtly then indirectly. And MCA has once again shown its true colours by being a party to propping up a disgraced politician for the sake of expediency. The party, which has lost support from large chunks of the Chinese community, is just driving more nails into its political coffin come GE15 by being so detached from ground sentiment.This is not the first time this has happened. During the recent Johor election, where the party fielded Nicole Tan as its candidate to wrest the seat from DAP, Najib was described as MCA’s “secret weapon”. I rest my case.As a Chinese, I can say with utmost certainty that the vast majority of the community is turned off by Najib’s shennanigans. We still haven’t forgotten how the 1MDB scandal landed the country in huge debt and brought disrepute to Malaysia. These are all revelations in open court, not narratives concocted out of thin air.If MCA wants to continue putting Najib on a pedastal, they can continue to do so. But they are not just trying to prop up an utter failure of an ex-prime minister. In doing so, MCA is only pedestalising its own hopelessness and hastening its journey towards total irrelevance.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Selangor govt assures investigation underway into settlers’ land ownership complaints

The Selangor government today assured that an investigation is underway into the complaints of settlers in Tanjung Pasir, Bestari Jaya, who say issues concerning land ownership have been ongoing for more than 40 years.It also said there would be no compromise on any element of corruption or abuse of power found at any level.“Internal investigations and detailed reviews are being conducted by the Selangor land and mines office,” it said in a statement issued by Juwairiya Zulkifli, the political secretary to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.“The state government is ready and willing to cooperate fully with the authorities.”The settlers have been seeking to meet with Amirudin over their problems, saying they have been working on oil palm plantations since 1967 but have yet to receive ownership grants.In a protest earlier this week, they said they had heard that two private companies had been granted a lease of 21 years for around 200 acres of land.They said they had been asking for grants since 2004, to no avail, and had sent letters to the menteri besar’s office last year.There are currently 400 settlers in Tanjung Pasir.In its statement, the Selangor government said appropriate action would be taken against any offenders.“The state government will not hesitate to take appropriate action and will not protect any offenders in order to uphold the principles of reform based on transparency and accountability for all,” it said.