Israel’s war against Covid-19 excludes Palestinians

Israel’s decision to exclude Palestinians from its Covid-19 vaccination campaign may have surprised many. Even by Israel’s poor humanitarian standards, denying Palestinians access to life-saving medication seems extremely callous.Amnesty International, among many organisations, condemned the Israeli government’s decision to bar Palestinians from receiving the vaccine. The rights group described the Israeli action as evidence of the “institutionalised discrimination that defines the Israeli government’s policy towards Palestinians”.The Palestinian Authority was not expecting Israel to supply Palestinian hospitals with millions of vaccines as it hopes to receive two million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in February. Instead, the request made by PA official, Hussein al-Sheikh, coordinator of Palestinian affairs with Israel, was a meagre 10,000 doses to help protect Palestinian frontline workers. Still, the Israeli health ministry rejected the request.According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, 1,629 Palestinians died and a total of 160,043 were infected with the deadly Covid-19 disease as of Jan 4. While such dismal numbers can also be found in many parts of the world, the Palestinian coronavirus crisis is compounded by the fact that Palestinians live under an Israeli military occupation, a state of apartheid and, as in the case of Gaza, an unrelenting siege.Worse still, starting early last year, the Israeli military conducted several operations in various parts of the occupied territories to crack down on Palestinian initiatives to provide free Covid-19 testing. According to the Palestinian rights group, Al Haq, as early as March 2020, several field clinics were shut down and medical equipment confiscated in the Palestinian town of Khirbet Ibziq in the Jordan Valley, in the occupied West Bank. This pattern was repeated in East Jerusalem, Hebron and elsewhere in the following months.There is no legal or moral justification for Israel’s action. The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 asserts that an occupying power has the “duty of ensuring and maintaining… the medical and hospital establishments and services” with “particular reference” on taking the “preventive measures necessary to combat the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics”.Even the Oslo Accords, despite their failure to address many crucial topics pertaining to the freedom of the Palestinian people, oblige both sides “to cooperate in combating epidemics and to assist each other in times of emergency”, the New York Times reported.Not all Israeli officials deny that Israel is legally compelled to provide Palestinians with the help required to contain the rapid spread of the pandemic. This admission, however, comes with conditions. Former Israeli ambassador, Alan Baker, told NYT that, while international law does “place an obligation on Israel” to help in the provision of vaccines to Palestinians, Palestinians must first release several Israeli soldiers who were captured in Gaza during and after the 2014 war.The irony in Baker’s logic is that Israel holds over 5,000 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, hundreds of whom are imprisoned without trial or due process.The captured Israelis are held in Gaza as a bargaining chip, to be exchanged for the easing of Israel’s hermetic blockade on the densely populated Strip. One of the Palestinians’ main demands for the release of the soldiers is that Israel allows for the transfer of medical equipment and life-saving medication to the two million people of the Gaza Strip. International and Palestinian human rights groups have long reported on many unnecessary deaths among Palestinians in Gaza because Israel deliberately prevents Gazan hospitals from acquiring cancer medications.Long before the onset of the coronavirus, Israel has weaponised medicine, and Gaza’s dilapidated health sector is a standing testimony to this injustice.Perhaps, the overcrowded Israeli prisons remain the glaring testimony of Israel’s mishandling of the Covid-19 outbreak. Despite repeated calls by the United Nations and, particularly, the World Health Organization (WHO), that states should take immediate measures to help ease the crisis in their prison systems, Israel has done little for Palestinian prisoners. Al Haq reported that Israel “has taken no adequate measures to improve provision of healthcare and hygiene for Palestinian prisoners” in line with the WHO “guidance for preventing Covid-19 outbreak in prisons”. The consequences were dire, as the spread of Covid among Palestinian prisoners continues to claim new victims at a much higher ratio compared with Israeli prisoners.Israel’s intentional hampering of Palestinian efforts to fight Covid is consistent with a trajectory of racism, where colonised Palestinians are exploited for their land, water and cheap labour, while never factoring as a priority on Israel’s checklist, even during the time of a deadly pandemic. Israel is an occupying power that refuses to acknowledge or respect any of its basic obligations as an occupying power under international law.The Israeli attempt at manipulating Palestinian suffering as a result of the pandemic should also challenge our view of the fundamental relationship between Israel and the Palestinians. Frequently we speak of Israel’s apartheid in Palestine, often illustrating that assertion referring to giant walls, fences and military checkpoints that cage in Palestinian communities and segregate them from one another.This, however, is merely the physical manifestation of Israeli colonialism and apartheid. In Israel, apartheid runs much deeper as it reaches almost every facet of society where Israeli Jews, including settlers, are treated as superior, while Palestinian Arabs, whether Christian or Muslims, are denied their most basic rights, including those guaranteed under international law.While Israel’s behaviour is not entirely surprising, it being consistent with the sordid reality of military occupation and institutional racism, it is also self-defeating. Despite the obvious imbalance in the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians, they are in constant contact, not as equals but as occupier and occupied. Since the coronavirus does not respect Israel’s matrix of control in Palestine, it will travel across all of the physical divides that Israel has created to ensure permanent oppression of Palestinians. Hence, there can be no containing of Covid-19 in Israel if it continues to spread among Palestinians.Long after the deadly pandemic is contained, the tragedy of occupied Palestine will, sadly, continue unhindered, until the day that Israel is forced to end its military occupation of Palestine and the Palestinians.Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is also the author of five books and a non-resident senior research fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs and the Afro-Middle East Center.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


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PH Youth chief Shazni Munir dies of Covid-19

Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Shazni Munir who was recently diagnosed with Covid-19 died today.“We ask for prayers and support from all quarters so that his family will be able to endure this test,” Amanah Youth secretary Asim Abdullah Ainullotfi said in a post on Shazni’s Facebook page.Shazni, who was also Amanah Youth chief, tested positive for Covid-19 on July 19.It was recently reported that his condition had deteriorated, with PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir saying several days ago that Shazni had been placed in Category Five, the most advanced stage of Covid-19.


Court reserves judgment on Ku Nan’s appeal in bribery case

The appeal hearing of former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor against his conviction and sentence for accepting a bribe of RM2 million from a businessman ended at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today.The court initially fixed three days beginning today to hear Tengku Adnan’s appeal. However, the proceedings began at 9.55am and ended at 12.52pm after counsel Tan Hock Chuan, representing Tengku Adnan, and deputy public prosecutor Asmah Musa finished their submissions.The court however reserved its decision for a date yet to be fixed.A three-member bench led by Court of Appeal judge Suraya Othman said the court would take time to consider the matter and would inform the parties once it was ready with the decision date.“We thank the parties for their submissions. After deliberating, we decided we need some time to do a bit of research before we make our decision,” she said.The other two judges on the bench were Abu Bakar Jais and Ahmad Nasfy Yasin.The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 21 last year sentenced Tengku Adnan to 12 months’ jail and fined him RM2 million after finding him guilty of the charge against him.It allowed the Putrajaya MP’s application for a stay of execution for the jail sentence and fine pending his appeal.Tengku Adnan was charged in his capacity as a public servant, namely federal territories minister, with having received for himself a total of RM2 million from businessman Chai Kin Kong, who is Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd (AKSB) 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 (THSB), which Tengku Adnan had an interest in and was known to AKSB as being related to his official duties.He was accused of committing the offence at the Pusat Bandar Damansara branch of CIMB Bank on June 14, 2016, under Section 165 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine or both.Earlier, Tan submitted that the prosecution’s star witness, Chai, had testified in examination-in-chief that he would issue a cheque as a political donation to Umno for the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.“In his witness statement, Chai (the 19th prosecution witness) testified that the RM2 million was his contribution to Tengku Adnan after the latter said he needed a political fund of between RM5 million and RM6 million for two by-elections.“Chai also confirmed that the sum of RM2 million was a political donation to Umno and not for the appellant (Tengku Adnan),” he said, adding that the charge was not proven beyond reasonable doubt and that the appellant should have been acquitted and discharged.Tan also submitted that there was a serious error by the trial judge Mohamad Zaini Mazlan when he imported his personal knowledge that the Umno receipt was “crisp and new” when there was no evidence to that effect.Meanwhile, Asmah argued that Tengku Adnan obtained the RM2 million for himself, saying it was not a political contribution as there was an absence of orderly records based on the receipt acquired on fund contributions to Umno.She also argued that the statement that the money was a political donation was only raised during the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness, Tadmansori chief operating officer Mohd Hasbi Jaafar, and was never mentioned to the investigating officer during the investigation.“The prosecution argued that Chai was only informed of the purpose of the fund by the accused but did not know whether it was really used as political fund. Therefore, it was not necessary to question the witness again on the issue of political contribution,” she said.


Brexit talks still floundering over fishing rights as final deadline looms

With yet another Brexit deadline approaching, a breakthrough on fishing rights remained as elusive as ever for the EU and UK on Sunday, increasing the possibility of a no-deal Brexit on New Year’s Day.Although the financial impact of fishing on Europe’s economies is negligible, it is the issue which arouses fiercest passions.With millions of jobs at stake in other trades across the economy, the tiny sector of fisheries continues to drive the deepest wedge between the 27-nation bloc and the UK.European fishing boats are desperate to keep their rights to fish in Britain’s huge and profitable waters and British fishermen are determined to force them out, highlighting the animosity that has driven them to the Brexit divorce.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said that the EU is “continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence. We cannot accept a deal that doesn’t leave us in control of our own laws or waters.”A senior British government official said that both sides “have been negotiating throughout the day and expect to continue tomorrow. Talks remain difficult and significant differences remain.”Deadlines for an agreement have been set and missed throughout the four-year divorce proceedings.The almost mythical sense of Britannia’s rights to rule its waves was an essential part of what drove Brexiteers to victory in the 2016 referendum. Johnson is seeking to make sure that as much as possible of the shared British waters are now returned to UK vessels only, reports the AP.The EU has always maintained that those waters have been shared for decades, if not centuries, and insists if too many fishing rights are taken away, it will punish Britain by imposing hefty import fees to the mainland market, which is essential to the UK seafood industry.


Intel to invest RM30 billion in new Malaysia plant

Intel Corp will invest more than US$7 billion to build a new chip-packaging and testing factory in Malaysia, chief executive Pat Gelsinger said on Thursday, expanding production in the country following a global shortage of semiconductors.The new advanced packaging facility in Malaysia is expected to begin production in 2024, he said.The RM30 billion (US$7.10 billion) investment is expected to create over 4,000 Intel jobs and more than 5,000 construction jobs in the country, the government said.Last month, the US and Malaysia said they plan to sign an agreement by early next year towards improving transparency, resilience and security in the semiconductor and manufacturing sector supply chains.A global shortage of semiconductor chips, caused partly by a pandemic-fuelled demand for electronics and disruptions in supply chains has seen car makers cut production and delays in smartphone deliveries at companies including Apple Inc.Malaysia’s chip assembly industry, accounting for more than a tenth of a global trade worth over US$20 billion, has warned that shortages will last at least two years.“This undertaking is indeed timely given the bullish global demand driven by the chip shortages and the potential challenges arising from the recovery of the pandemic globally,” International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said in a statement.Intel opened its first production facility outside the US at a five-acre assembly site in Penang in 1972. By 1975, it employed about 1,000 people and had become a crucial part of the company’s manufacturing chain, its website said.


No business activity, no sales at new housing projects

A lack of commercial development in areas with new housing projects appears to be one of several factors contributing to a shortage of demand among buyers, leaving units in such sites at risk of remaining unsold.This is a concern not only among developers but for real estate agents as well.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, they said buyers want houses in areas that are lively – not necessarily booming, but with good economic and business activity.Examples include facilities such as banks, car service centres, restaurants, entertainment centres, pharmacies, childcare centres and 24-hour launderettes.Checks by MalaysiaNow at several large cities in the centre and south of the peninsula have found this to be largely true.A drive from Johor Bahru to the Klang Valley reveals a number of housing areas along the highway that appear comfortable and even luxurious but are dotted with “For Sale” signs.Such housing developments can be found in Seremban, Nilai, Sepang, Salak Tinggi and Cyberjaya, to name just a few locations.Real estate agent Saiful Nizam said sales for completed units have been very slow.“Part of the reason is the location of these houses,” he told MalaysiaNow.“Another problem is the selling price which is just too expensive.”Raymond Cheo, an agent based in Johor Bahru, however said that price was not too big of an issue for buyers.Cheo, who has been in the business for 24 years now, said serious buyers would negotiate with their banks for a loan in order to seal the deal.He said his observation has been that buyers pay more attention to the area in which the houses are built, and whether they have strong economic activity.This has been the trend for the past five years or so, he said. Before that, buyers were not too picky about the commercial factor in prospective developments.“They looked for homes that corresponded with their income,” he said. “Even if the houses were in quiet areas, they would buy them because they were cheap. They would pay through monthly instalments or rent them out to other people.”Now, though, even first-time home buyers want locations that “have it all”, he added.“There must be a Starbucks around the corner, a KFC nearby, a mamak close at hand and a supermarket.“If we advertise houses in areas with a lot of commercial activity, at malls for example, these units are usually snapped up in no time.”These days, some developers are building residential units that come in a package with new commercial units.MalaysiaNow understands that these units are put up for sale or rent to provide services and facilities to home buyers.However, the traction of such projects on the market appears lacklustre for now as the commercial units are not high in demand.Few businesses are opening shop, and even some commercial centres in these towns are languishing without tenants.At a few developments in Cyberjaya and Nilai, a quick tour of the area found only a handful of cars in the parking lots.Even the housing units near to commercial buildings were empty and quiet.Cheo spoke of two of his clients, a husband and wife who both worked as teachers.“They were willing to buy a house nearly 45km away from the school,” he said. “The house I showed them was only 7km away.”According to government statistics, 30,290 housing units worth a total of RM19.75 billion remained unsold as of the end of last year.


New infections below 4,000 as 4 more deaths reported

Another 3,926 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,668,139.
There were 3,542 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,584,907.
There are now 47,286 active cases, of which 45,657 or 96.6% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 30 (0.1%) are at quarantine centres while 1,539 (3.3%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 60 are in ICU with 35 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 60.2%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 16.1%.
Another four deaths were reported, including one who was brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 35,946.


Indonesia to allow former politicians to head central bank, sources say

Indonesia's parliament and government have agreed on a clause in a new financial bill to allow former politicians to stand as central bank governor, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
Plans by parliament in the last few years to overhaul how the central bank operates have raised market concerns that Bank Indonesia (BI) could lose independence and its policymaking could be at risk from political interference.
Parliament and the government are due to approve a final draft of the bill later on Thursday and a member of the parliament commission overseeing the bill said parliament will hold a plenary session for a final vote on Monday.
The bill will also expand the mandate of BI to support economic growth, on top of managing the value of the rupiah, and allow BI to purchase bonds directly from the government "under certain conditions" set by the president, said one of the sources, who declined to be named as the bill is not public yet.
BI and the parliamentary commissions in charge of the bill did not immediately respond when asked for comment.
BI conducted such bond buying during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the quantitative easing programme is set to end this year.
Alongside running BI, politicians who resign from their party will also be eligible to head the Financial Services Authority and the Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"Politicians have the same rights like others to run for these positions and in terms of competence, they can do it," the source said.
President Joko Widodo has previously pledged BI would remain independent.
Tauhid Ahmad, an economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance, a local think tank, said while currently no specific rule prohibited a politician from standing for a BI post, a "code of ethics" has stopped them from doing so.
Tauhid said even though a BI candidate would now have to stand down from a political party, ties with the party would remain strong.
"There is a threat BI's independence's will be weakened." he said.
Currently, BI has a six-member board of governors, who are recommended by the president and elected by parliament. They can come from any background, but five existing members are career central bankers and one has a long career as an economist.
A panel of experts to parliament's legislation committee had previously recommended that cabinet ministers be given voting rights at BI's monthly monetary policy reviews and to form a Monetary Council to supervise BI, with seats for the finance minister and a minister in the economics sector.
These recommendations, however, were not included in the latest draft, a source said.


Aussie swimmer survives crocodile attack by ‘prising jaws off his head’

A swimmer has survived an attack by a fearsome saltwater crocodile in northern Australia by prising open the animal’s jaws clamped around his head with his bare hands.Health officials said the unidentified 44-year-old told medics he was swimming in Lake Placid in Queensland when he was attacked by a “saltie” that he described as being 1.5m to 2m long.He was taken to hospital in Cairns with multiple lacerations to his head and shoulders. Officials said he was very lucky to escape without more serious injuries, reports news.com.au.Critical care paramedic Paul Sweeney said the man was “remarkably calm” when they arrived at the scene on Thursday.“He told us a crocodile had bitten his head and he put his hands inside to try and prise the jaws apart,” Sweeney told reporters. “It was clear from our assessment of him that the crocodile had clearly wrapped his jaws around the man’s head.”The first responder said that following the attack the man swam a considerable distance back to shore to get help while living in fear that he would be attacked again.Sweeney said the man told him he had been swimming in the lake for exercise three times a week for about eight years.Queensland Environment Department said, “We are reminding people that Lake Placid and the Cairns region are known Croc Country and urge people in the area to always be crocwise.”The department said people should expect crocodiles in all far northern Queensland waterways, and urged them to avoid using canoes and kayaks and stand back from the water’s edge when fishing.Saltwater crocodiles, or “salties” as Aussies call them, are the largest of all crocodiles and are opportunistic predators who can stay submerged for over an hour waiting for prey.They will eat anything they can get their jaws around, including water buffalo, monkeys, wild boar, and even sharks.And of course, if one swims by, a mouth-wateringly delicious un-crocwise human.


Malaysia must escape middle-income trap, says Zahid

Malaysia must climb out of the middle-income trap after languishing for more than two decades in the upper middle-income bracket according to the World Bank classification, says Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said if Malaysia failed to up its competitive advantage and attractiveness as a centre for investment, its competitors would forge ahead which, in turn, would affect the country’s prosperity and the well-being of ordinary Malaysians.
He said the government was committed to creating an economic environment where every Malaysian could fulfil their potential and where entrepreneurs and the spirit of entrepreneurship were of upmost importance.
"Toward this end, the government will continue to cut the red tape that hinders businesses and entrepreneurs. Making profit, paying your fair share of taxes, and creating quality employment is a good thing and must be facilitated at all levels of government whether federal, state, or local.
"There must be a continuous mind shift that the private sector is the main engine of growth for the nation. It must prosper for the nation to prosper.
"Malaysia must get out of the middle-income trap that we are currently in and take our rightful place as a high-income nation within the next five years," he said in Kuala Lumpur today.
Zahid said over the last three years, Malaysia had seen how businesses were forced to face a host of global challenges, including harrowing experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said moving forward in the wake of the pandemic, technology was still the most important factor for changing the socioeconomic landscape and influencing consumer choices, in addition to the human factor.
"The full value of technology will in the end still depend on the human factor. Yes, it is true that to a certain extent, using technology does help businesses grow and profit, but it has its limits as in the final analysis it is the people, the talents behind the application, machine and processes that determine the level of outcome.
"Nevertheless, in this age of technology, to achieve optimum results, man and technology must continue to be fused together more efficiently and seamlessly. This is true for any organisation, not only in surviving but thriving," he said.


Selangor sultan calls for speedier trials in corruption cases

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today ordered for the trials of corruption cases to be sped up.He said courts should not entertain the postponement of cases without solid reasons because the people were fed up and tired of seeing prosecutions dragging on for too long.In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook site, Sultan Sharafuddin also called for the eradication of corruption in Selangor to ensure that it would not become a bigger problem and harm the future generations and hurt the community.The call was made over the sultan’s fears on the rising number of corruption cases, especially in Selangor.Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin granted an audience to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki who also briefed him at Istana Bukit Kayangan.“The sultan expressed his concerns at the latest development. Sultan Sharafuddin also hoped that MACC would conduct careful and transparent investigations so that the perpetrators charged in court do not get away easily,” said the statement.Also present at the two-hour meeting was the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.


Global Covid-19 cases pass 150 million

Worldwide Covid-19 cases passed 150 million on Friday, according to an AFP count, with numbers soaring recently due to a relentless second wave in India.150.3 million cases have been declared since the virus was first discovered in China in December 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data.Worldwide, the number of new daily infections has more than doubled since mid-February.After the second wave from October to January, the figure had slowed to a little over 350,000 a day. It is now 821,000 a day.In India, 2.5 million cases have been detected over the past seven days, an average of 357,000 a day – 30 times as many as in mid-February.The explosion in infections has been blamed in part on a new virus variant, but also on failure to follow virus restrictions, the World Health Organization said Thursday.The countries in the world with the highest total number of recorded cases are the US (32.3 million), India (18.8 million) and Brazil (14.6 million).Taking into account population, the most-affected countries are Montenegro (15,457 cases per 100,000 residents), the Czech Republic (15,207 per 100,000) and Slovenia (11,513 per 100,000).Largely due to India, Asia is the continent on which most of the new daily cases are appearing, and on which the pandemic is accelerating the fastest, with new cases up 28% compared to the previous week.Africa is the only other continent where new daily cases are increasing – but only by 3%.In Latin America and the Caribbean, new daily infections have stabilised, and the figure is decreasing in Europe (down by 18%) and in the US (down by 12%).Since the discovery of the virus, more than a third of worldwide cases have been recorded in Europe – over 50.2 million.The US and Canada are the second most affected continent, with 33.5 million, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (28.7 cases) and Asia (25.6 million).Almost 3.2 million deaths linked to Covid-19 have been recorded across the globe.


As calls grow against Zahid, focus returns to ‘secret letter’ to Agong

Calls have emerged from among Umno grassroots leaders for the party to launch an investigation into a letter sent by its president to the palace last year to express support for PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim.MalaysiaNow, which first revealed the contents of the letter just days after it was sent to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in October, has now learnt that pressure is also growing for the party’s disciplinary board to take action against Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.Zahid and his predecessor Najib Razak had co-signed the letter to state their support for Anwar’s bid to become prime minister, ahead of the PKR leader’s audience with the Agong.The letter was sent without the knowledge of key party leaders, resulting in Umno ministers expressing shock that the party president was backing an opposition leader despite being part of the ruling bloc.With Zahid facing an increasingly vocal rebellion bent on his removal, several division leaders are calling for the party’s leadership to come clean about the letter.Irwan Rizal Ali NapiahThey include Setiawangsa Umno’s deputy chairman Irwan Rizal Ali Napiah, who accused the party’s disciplinary board of failing to do its job.“I will write to the secretary-general to form a special committee to investigate the validity of the letter,” Irwan told MalaysiaNow.Zahid and Najib have neither commented specifically on the letter nor confirmed its validity, although both have ramped up their criticism of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in recent weeks, with Najib last year openly urging Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs to consider backing Anwar for the top post.Earlier this month, former BN secretary-general Annuar Musa said Zahid had written such a letter, following his fallout with the party president.Irwan questioned Zahid’s silence on the matter.“Zahid has not made any official response. As long as he remains silent, or delays giving answers, there will be all sorts of perceptions and many quarters will raise suspicions,” he added.Zahid has come under attack from several Youth leaders who have called for his removal.Umno rebellion grows as Pahang division joins Youth’s call to oust ZahidLet’s quit and force snap polls, Zahid tells Umno division chiefsRevealed: Najib, Zahid jointly wrote to palace in support of AnwarRevealed: The inside story of Zahid’s letter to the AgongThe calls went up a notch when the Paya Besar Umno division in Pahang openly called for Zahid’s resignation, saying his multiple corruption charges have burdened the party and scuttled promised reforms since its fall from power in 2018.Irwan said Zahid’s credibility is at stake, and questioned the absence of disciplinary action against him.He said he understood that the disciplinary board only acts based on complaints.“But I feel the disciplinary board should be proactive and not wait for a complaint, especially when it involves the credibility of its president.“There must be an investigation, if not a special committee,” he said.A Puteri Umno exco member agreed that Zahid should come clean with members on his support for Anwar’s bid to topple the government.“We in Puteri Umno only request that the president of the party be forthright,” she told MalaysiaNow.She added that the uncertainty of the country’s politics demands that leaders ignore their personal interests.Ruby Abdul RaniA Puteri Umno leader from Kuala Lumpur said party leaders should be focusing on helping the people as they struggle through the Covid-19 pandemic.“Umno is not the property of any individual. So come help the people and quit politicking when other parties have been busy impressing voters by helping them,” said Ruby Abdul Rani, who is the Bukit Bintang Puteri Umno chief.In the past week, Pontian Umno Youth chief Helmi Buang and his Seremban counterpart Zool Amali Hussin openly called for Zahid’s removal, while the party’s Federal Territories Youth chief Mohamed Nizham Abdullah Hamidi called for a shake-up at the top.Irwan said Zahid had proven to be a weak leader, adding that the president had flip-flopped on the party’s stance.“For example, Zahid said he respects the Agong’s decision to declare an emergency, but secretary-general Ahmad Maslan issued a circular urging MPs to press for a parliamentary session.“This is what the grassroots are questioning, the constant change of positions. So there is basis for asking the president to resign.“The party is above individuals,” Irwan said.


Appeals court strikes out lawyer’s suit challenging legality of Anwar’s pardon

The Court of Appeal today struck out a lawsuit filed by a lawyer questioning the legality of the royal pardon granted to Anwar Ibrahim for his sodomy conviction.In striking out the lawsuit by Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, the court allowed the appeals by Anwar and the Pardons Board against a High Court’s dismissal of their applications to strike out the lawsuit.A three-member bench comprising Has Zanah Mehat, Mohd Sofian Abd Razak and Lee Heng Cheong, in allowing the appeals by Anwar and the Pardons Board, held that the claims made by Khairul against the appellants were unsustainable as he did not disclose any reasonable cause of action against them.In the court’s decision, Has Zanah who led the bench said Khairul had no right to question the clemency or the advice given by the Pardons Board to the Yang-di Pertuan Agong in respect to the granting of the pardon.“We find the process of clemency and granting of pardon by the Yang-di Pertuan Agong to the appellant (Anwar) does not in any manner or way attack the respondent’s (Khairul) personal or legal or any right or interest,” she said.She said a decision made pursuant to the exercise of the royal pardon prerogative cannot be varied or confirmed by the court and hence is not justiciable.The power of pardon is preserved under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, she said, adding that the power is not limited to just the sentence but also the conviction.She said the court found that the High Court judge had erred in not following the established list of court authorities decided by the apex court.The court also found that the Pardons Board was lawfully and properly constituted under the Federal Constitution, she added.On Sept 21 last year, the High Court dismissed the applications by Anwar and the Pardons Board to strike out the lawsuit after finding that Khairul had locus standi to initiate the legal suit as he is a member of the public and a qualified person as lawyer.Anwar filed the striking-out application on grounds that Khairul had no locus standi to file the originating summons and that it was frivolous, an embarrassment and an abuse of the court process.Khairul, who filed the originating summons on Feb 26 last year naming the Pardons Board and Anwar as respondents, claimed that several unconstitutional actions had been taken to ensure that Anwar received a pardon which released him from prison following the 14th general election in 2018.He claimed that the pardon granted to Anwar by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was in contravention of Articles 42 (4) and (5) of the Federal Constitution in view of the fact that pardons granted by the Agong should be based on the advice of the Pardons Board which Khairul argued had not yet been formally formed following the general election on May 9, 2018, and the formation of the new government.Anwar had been sentenced to five years’ jail for sodomising his aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, with the conviction and sentence affirmed by the Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015.In the proceedings conducted online today, the court heard submissions from Anwar’s counsel Gopal Sri Ram, senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, who appeared for the Pardons Board, and lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, representing Khairul.Sri Ram submitted that the High Court judge did not have the power to disobey a binding Federal Court judgment in Sim Kie Chon vs Superintendent of Pudu Prison & Ors which states that the power of pardon provided under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution is a prerogative of mercy, exclusively vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or ruler of any state in Malaysia.Suzana argued that Khairul should have established how the Pardons Board’s decision had affected him and that the reason he gave in his statement of claim did not fulfil the legal principles established by a recent Federal Court decision.Meanwhile, Haniff submitted that there can only be a pardon for the sentence and not for the conviction, adding that those issues had never been decided in any court and that the suit should go for trial.


Let’s reject the budget and topple govt, PH MP says in leaked document

A Pakatan Harapan (PH) MP has been tasked with briefing fellow lawmakers on a plan to defeat the 2021 budget and cause the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, MalaysiaNow can now reveal.A leaked “mini-dossier” prepared by the MP provides a summary of allocations for various ministries and tells others to reject the budget bill on Nov 26 so that a new government can be formed.“If you defeat the budget on Nov 26, you can try to form a new government within a week, then re-table the budget immediately, get it passed by mid-December and also get Dewan Negara to approve it in time, before Jan 1, 2021,” the document concluded, following a comparison between the 2020 and 2021 budgets.The call to shoot down the budget appears to contradict assurances by PH leaders of their conditional support for the budget if certain amendments are made.PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Najib Razak have both said they will support the budget if the government allows EPF contributors to make larger withdrawals, as well as a blanket extension of the loan moratorium.The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has several times reminded MPs across the divide to ensure that the budget is passed, so as not to impede critical allocations for frontliners in the battle against Covid-19.Any defeat of the budget could also mean the collapse of the government, and trigger pandemic-season snap polls which health officials have warned against for fear of a spike in new infections.“The earlier the better.”But in the document sighted by MalaysiaNow, the MP claims that funds can still be channelled even with the budget’s defeat and the collapse of the government.He also claims that the government had in the past practised a “spend first, approve later” budget, and that it would not be a problem even in the absence of a government.“An interim caretaker government can pass a temporary budget effective for 3-6 months until a political solution is found.“Overall, the Malaysian Parliament is very flexible in terms of managing the budget,” the document said.It urges MPs to ensure that the budget bill is defeated at the policy stage on Nov 26 instead of during the committee stage debates which will take place from Nov 30 to Dec 15.“The earlier the better,” it said. “If you defeat the budget on Nov 26, you can try to form a new government within a week, then re-table the budget immediately, get it passed by mid-December and also get Dewan Negara to approve it in time, before Jan 1, 2021.”It said if MPs wait until Dec 15 to shoot down the budget, “you may be restricted by time to get passage via Dewan Negara”.“But it is not fatal,” said the document, believed to have been distributed among PKR MPs to guide them on how to vote for the budget.


South Korea orders truckers in cement industry back to jobs

South Korea's government on Tuesday ordered striking truckers in the cement industry to return to work, an unprecedented step that invokes tough strike-busting laws as construction sites nationwide run out of building materials.
The strike - the second in less than six months by truckers over minimum pay - is causing an estimated ₩300 billion (about RM1 billion) in losses daily and disrupting industrial activity at a time when Asia's fourth-largest economy expects a slump in growth to 1.7% next year.
The cement industry had estimated a cumulative output loss of about ₩64 billion (US$47.81 million) as of Monday, the Korea Cement Association lobbying group said.
It added that the industry had shipped about 22,000 tonnes of cement on Monday, about 10% of the usual daily shipments needed for peak season between September and early December.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Yoon said his government's tough response to strikes this year is starting to establish rule of law in industrial relations, which he told Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk in a video call last week would help eliminate the risks of unfair labour practices.
Yoon administration is the first in the country's history to issue an order forcing striking transport workers back to their jobs.
Failure to comply can lead to punishments such as cancellation of licences and three years in jail or a fine of up to ₩30 million (US$22,550).
Strike organiser Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union (CTSU) called the start-work order "undemocratic and anti-constitutional", and evidence of the government's unwillingness to engage in dialogue.
"The CTSU will not yield to this pan-government crackdown," the union said in a statement late Monday.
The union plans to hold 16 rallies nationwide on Tuesday, it added.
Government officials will conduct on-site investigations with police, relay the order to return to work, and if transport workers do not comply, suspend their transport licenses for 30 days.
If they still do not comply, licenses can be revoked, and the government can seek prosecution for potential jail time or fines, a transport ministry official told Reuters.
The government is unwilling to expand a minimum pay system beyond a further three years, while the union says it should be permanent and wider in scope.
As the strike continues, container traffic at ports dropped to 33% of normal levels as of 5pm (0800 GMT) on Monday, the transport ministry said.


Govt mulls extending WFH with full pay for those caring for sick family members

The government is looking into extending the work from home (WFH) arrangement for both public and private sector staff and giving full pay to enable workers to care for an ailing family member, or in the case of men, to help their wives look after a newborn child.Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the move was to encourage shared responsibility and enable women to remain in employment as well as to increase their work productivity.“I suggest that the Public Service Department and the human resources ministry look into the feasibility of extending this facility,” he said in his pre-recorded Women’s Day 2021 speech broadcast over several television networks today.The prime minister said the government was also looking into extending the WFH arrangement for workers whose spouses have just died, as matters related to the loss of loved ones normally take time to settle.He also urged all parties concerned to ensure the provision of a safe working environment, including taking measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.


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Another Mexican reporter gunned down in deadly year for local media

A part-time Mexican journalist was shot dead in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, home turf for several violent drug gangs, adding to the death toll for the bloodiest year to date for local media workers.
Pedro Pablo Kamul worked as a radio reporter and host at AX Noticias and Es Amor, which confirmed his killing in a social media post on Monday.
Local lawmaker Luis Chazaro said Kamul was shot dead, while local news outlet Latinus said he was fired upon while driving a taxi and his attackers immediately fled.
Reuters could not immediately determine if Kamul's death was linked to his journalism.
AX Noticias demanded an official investigation and punishment for those responsible for this "cowardly act" in a Facebook post.
This year is already the deadliest on record for Mexican journalists, according to free-speech organization Article 19. The group has documented 18 killings and 331 attacks against local journalists in the first eight months of the year.


BN, PH to form govt in Perak

Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be forming the state government in Perak, according to Perak PH.
In a statement today, Perak PH said that in the interest of the people and country, Perak BN and PH had agreed to form the Perak state government with detailed information to be released soon.
"Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have won 33 seats in the Perak state legislative assembly in the 15th general election which was held on Nov 19," it said.
Perak PKR vice-chairman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the matter.
Efforts to obtain the comments of Perak BN and Umno chairman Saarani Mohamad were unsuccessful.
It is learnt that Saarani is now at Istana Kinta to have an audience with the Sultan of Perak on the latest political developments in the state
At about 12 noon, the vehicle carrying Perak legal adviser Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin was seen entering the compound of Istana Kinta.
Also sighted was the vehicle of Perak DAP treasurer Howard Lee Chuan How, 15 minutes later.
The results of GE15 saw Perikatan Nasional winning 26 seats while PH took 24 seats and nine were won by BN.
Before this, the Perak state government was formed through a coalition of three parties namely BN, Bersatu and PAS.


France extends Covid-19 booster shots, requires them for health pass

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that those aged 65 and older will need to present proof of a Covid-19 booster shot from mid-December for health passes that give access to restaurants, trains and planes to remain valid.Besides, the third shot, so far available only for people older than 65 and the vulnerable, will from early December also be available for the 50-64 age group, Macron said in a televised address.“Since the end of summer, a campaign has been launched to protect people over 65 as well as the most fragile among us. Today we must accelerate,” Macron said.“If you have been vaccinated more than six months ago, I call on you to book an appointment for a booster shot. From Dec 15, you will need to show proof of a booster shot to extend the validity of your health pass.”The health pass is required to enter restaurants and bars, to go to the gym or a conference, and for long-distance train and plane journeys.Macron also urged those not yet vaccinated to do so. “To those not yet vaccinated: Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourselves. Get vaccinated to live normally,” the president said. “We are not done yet with the pandemic.”Macron said Europe was seeing a fifth wave of coronavirus infections and that in France there had been an alarming rise in the number of Covid-19 hospital patients and in the spread of cases.France registered 12,476 new confirmed infections on Tuesday, the highest level since Sept 8, health ministry data showed.Macron’s last major televised speech was on July 12 at the start of a fourth wave of infections. He announced then that the Covid-19 health pass was extended to a wide list of venues, which led to a big increase in vaccination rates.


How valuable is a university degree as economy, job market shift?

When Mohd Fitri went to collect his SPM results in June, he and his family left the house at 4am to make the trip from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, to his boarding school in the north of the peninsula.
The entire family was on tenterhooks as he was the eldest of four siblings and the first of any of them to sit for the exam.
When they arrived, Fitri discovered that he had received As for nine of the 10 subjects he took, with his name listed as one of the top scorers in the entire school.
"My parents phoned my grandmother back in the village to tell her the news," he recalled.
"I still remember the tears of joy that fell from my mother's eyes and landed on my face."
But unlike the rest of his friends who scored well in the exam, Fitri decided against continuing his studies at the university level.
He had long planned to become an architect due to his love for mathematics and physics, and hoped to land a spot at one of of the leading housing development companies in the country.
In April, though, he began taking foreign language classes online, learning from Korean and Japanese instructors in their home countries.
Now, his dreams have shifted gear.
"My only goal now is to enter the field of foreign languages," he said.
"I stopped applying for admission to universities and began focusing on these classes where module guides are provided by the language instructors."
He also works part-time at a cafe on weekends, earning RM1,700 a month.
While he has not completely dismissed the idea of going to university, he is happy where he is.
"Some of my friends decided not to continue their studies either, because of financial constraints," he said.
"They decided at the last minute to start looking for jobs instead."
Their SPM results had been good, he said.
"But they wanted to start working and earning an income."
In July, the Department of Statistics Malaysia released a survey which found that approximately 390,000 or 72.1% of SPM graduates did not want to continue their studies.
While it is understood that the data was collected in 2019, the trend is believed to have continued through 2020 and 2021.
On the university side, meanwhile, many institutions are still struggling to regain their footing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which upended the traditional classroom setting and pushed lecture halls into the new norm.
Graduates themselves, upon leaving university, have found themselves in a changing job market with the priority on those with digital experience and who can adapt to the changes around them.
Still relevant
But amid the uncertainty permeating the job market and economy alike, prominent thinker and former academic Chandra Muzaffar says universities remain relevant despite the shaky admission numbers at many public institutions.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the situation was neither new nor unique to Malaysia.
"Perhaps they feel that a degree is no longer the passport to a life of luxury or the life that they desire," Chandra, who once served at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaya as a lecturer and political analyst, added.
To date, the higher education ministry has found that more than 30,000 or 2.6% of some 1.1 million students at public universities failed to complete their studies during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The reasons given included health problems, personal issues and exam failures.
But Chandra said that today's youth were also well able to plan their own futures.
For example, he said, someone who begins a business might find themselves in better standing after 10 years than someone else who decided to go to university.
He said universities should review their vision at their establishment as institutions of higher education – not just to churn out jobseekers but to prepare students to be human beings.
"Human beings with compassion and knowledge, and who want to live their lives according to universal justice," he said.
"The problem is how to convince society of this, since even the concept of a genuine university has come under question."


Sabah off-limits as CMCO announced in several districts

Only Malaysians who come from Sabah and those who hold passes issued by the Sabah immigration department will be allowed to enter the state beginning Oct 7, as the government announced new restrictions in several areas today.Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government would enforce a conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan beginning midnight on Oct 7 following the Covid-19 developments there.During this time, no movement in or out of these areas will be allowed. Only essential services including factory operations will be permitted to continue.Others who wish to enter the state must obtain permission from the state government.Ismil said the decision was made in a special meeting of ministers today.In a statement, he said a full list of essential services in the affected areas would be issued by the international trade and industry ministry.He said only two people from each household would be allowed to leave their home for food and other necessities.Restaurants, eateries and sundry shops will only be permitted to operate from 6am to 6pm, while food can only be bought at drive-thrus or through delivery and take-away.Petrol stations will likewise be allowed to operate from 6am to 6pm, while day markets can open from 6am to 2pm.Night markets, wholesale markets and farmers’ markets will not be allowed to operate.Other SOPs include:– Clinics and hospitals to run 24 hours;– Pharmacies and medicine shops to open from 6am to 6pm;– Activities and services at airports and ports to continue although workers and passengers will need police permission;– Vehicles carrying essential goods to move freely, also with police permission;– Taxi and e-hailing services to operate from 6am to 8pm with a maximum of two passengers;– Food delivery services to operate from 6am to 8pm as well;– Express bus and stop-and-go bus services to be prohibited;– Movement in emergency cases to be allowed, but with permission from the authorities;– Mosques and other places of worship, institutes of education and kindergartens and daycare centres to close;– Sports, recreation, social and cultural activities to be barred.


Daily virus death toll in US tops 2,700

The US death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 2,700 in one day as of Wednesday evening, the highest since April, Johns Hopkins University said.The new tally of 2,731 fatalities raises the overall known death toll in America to 273,181 since the pandemic started late last year.The number of new infections over the past 24 hours was 195,121, the university said.


Finish giving 2 jabs before thinking about a third, says health expert

A health expert has played down any need for Malaysia to begin rolling out booster shots of Covid-19 vaccine, saying a large part of the adult population have yet to receive even a first dose, or are only partially vaccinated against the virus.Virologist Dr Yahya Mat Arip said only some 48% of the population in Malaysia had been fully vaccinated as of Sept 3.“This means there are still many who have yet to be jabbed – more than 50% of the population or 34% of adults,” he told MalaysiaNow.“In this type of situation, administering a third dose will not help in the fight against Delta as the percentage of unvaccinated people is still high,” he said, referring to the ultra contagious variant which has fuelled a surge in infections across the globe.Neighbouring Singapore announced on Friday that it would begin giving vaccine booster shots to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, as the city-state battles an increase in caseload despite its high vaccination rate.Infection numbers in Singapore have been on the rise with more than 100 cases a day reported and regular deaths.The island republic had posted some 68,000 infections and 55 deaths as of Friday. More than 80% of its population are fully vaccinated.Yahya said the focus in Malaysia should be on ensuring that as many as possible complete both doses of vaccine.“Those who are only partially vaccinated are up to three times more at risk of experiencing severe symptoms if they are infected with the Delta strain,” he said.“In contrast, those who are fully vaccinated are likely to experience only mild symptoms or none at all.”Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also recently said that booster shots would not help efforts to curb the spread of Delta.To the north, Thailand too has begun rolling out booster shots for some three million individuals, the majority of whom are frontline workers.In Western nations, Yahya said, booster jabs are given only to the elderly, cancer patients, those who have undergone surgery for organ transplants, and those whose immune systems are compromised.“For now, the vaccines are still effective and enough to protect against Covid-19,” he said.“We still have time to assess the need for a third dose.”Malaysia is aiming to reach herd immunity by fully vaccinating 80% of the population.Putrajaya has said that this can be done by October, based on the country’s daily vaccination rates which have gained international praise.


‘Paltry’ donation from Anwar ruffles feathers in KL seat held by PKR incumbent?

A donation in the form of chickens has ruffled feathers among PKR members in the Wangsa Maju area, and not only over criticism that the contribution is paltry, MalaysiaNow has learnt.It is understood that a programme yesterday where chickens were distributed to residents in Wangsa Maju has been seen as an early bid by those aligned with party president Anwar Ibrahim to lay the groundwork for a new candidate to represent PKR in the multiracial constituency.The programme was organised by the Anwar Ibrahim Club, a fan club co-founded about two decades ago by his political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador.Accompanying other PKR senior leaders at the programme was actor Afdlin Shauki, among names from the local show business whom the party has recruited to gather support from urban Malay voters.Party leaders had been pushing for actor Hans Isaac to contest in Ampang, a stronghold of former Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, an opponent of Anwar who left the party alongside a dozen other MPs last year.But a party insider told MalaysiaNow that attempts to promote Afdlin as the candidate for Wangsa Maju had not gone down well with PKR grassroots.The seat’s incumbent is PKR’s Tan Yee Kew, who won handsomely in 2018 beating both Barisan Nasional and PAS candidates with more than 50% of the total votes.Tan Yee KewThe former MCA politician’s huge victory in a predominantly urban Malay constituency had been seen as significant.“But we are not keen on putting Tan again this time. There is a need to counter the shift of Malay support from Pakatan Harapan.“Furthermore, there has been an increase of Malay voters here, and the party is not going to risk putting a non-Malay at a time when an urban seat like Wangsa Maju must be defended at all costs,” a senior party member in Kuala Lumpur told MalaysiaNow in exchange for anonymity.Anwar recently announced a personal donation of 1,000 chickens to be distributed at 14 constituencies in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.A social media post making the rounds had mocked the donation, saying the amount involved would mean a mere 71 birds for each constituency, which works out to about RM700 based on the current retail price of RM10 per bird.Afdlin meanwhile did not deny speculation of his candidacy in the next general election, saying he would formally announce his party membership.He said he wanted to join politics to champion the cause of the entertainment industry, adding that successive governments have ignored the problems in the film industry.“If possible, there should be people from the arts in Parliament to speak out about their problems,” Afdlin told the press after the programme yesterday.Asked if his political choice would cost him his popularity, Afdlin said: “I think half of them would hate me,” adding that politicians and those in the show business have developed a “thick skin” from critics.


Afghan president flees country as Taliban reach Kabul

President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan on Sunday, a top official said, effectively ceding power to the Taliban as they reached the capital Kabul to seal a nationwide military victory in just 10 days.“The former Afghan president has left the nation, leaving the people to this situation,” Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the peace process, said in a video on his Facebook page.“God hold him accountable, and the people will have their judgement.”He gave no indication where Ghani was going, but leading Afghan media group Tolo news suggested he was heading to Tajikistan.Ghani’s departure from office was one of the key demands of the Taliban in months of peace talks with the government, but he had stubbornly clung to power.In just over a week, the Taliban have carried out a lightning sweep of the country, with troops incapable of holding onto territory without US military support.The insurgents said they want a “peaceful transfer” within the next few days, two decades after US-led forces toppled it in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.The group ordered its fighters earlier Sunday not to enter the capital, saying the remnants of the government’s forces were responsible for security.But later, a spokesman tweeted that Taliban forces should enter areas deserted by Afghan forces in order to maintain law and order.“God forbid the common thieves and robbers in Kabul do not mix, the abusers do not harm the people, the Islamic Emirate ordered its forces to enter the areas of Kabul from which the enemy went,” a statement by the Taliban said.“There is a risk of theft and robbery.”There are fears of a security vacuum in the capital as thousands of police and other armed services members have abandoned their posts, uniforms, and even weapons.The US began moving its citizens and Afghan staff to Kabul airport, with the help of thousands of troops deployed to the capital to assist with the evacuation.However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday dismissed comparisons with the chaotic American departure from Saigon in 1975.“The fact of the matter is this: We went to Afghanistan 20 years ago with one mission in mind,” he said.“That was to deal with the people that attacked us on 9/11. That mission has been successful.”The Taliban’s imminent takeover triggered fear and panic in Kabul among residents fearful of the group’s hardline brand of Islam.EvacuationsThe scale and speed of the insurgents’ advance have shocked Afghans and the US-led alliance that poured billions into the country over the past two decades.President Joe Biden ordered the deployment of an additional 1,000 US troops to help secure the emergency evacuation from Kabul of embassy employees and thousands of Afghans who worked for American forces and now fear Taliban reprisals.That was on top of the 3,000 American soldiers deployed in recent days, and 1,000 left in-country after Biden announced in May that the final withdrawal of the US military presence in Afghanistan would be completed by Sept 11.That decision has come under increased scrutiny given the collapse of the Afghan armed forces, but he insisted Saturday there was no choice.“I was the fourth president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan – two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war onto a fifth,” Biden said.Ghani’s government was left completely isolated on Sunday after the insurgents overran the anti-Taliban northern stronghold of Mazar-i-Sharif and the eastern city of Jalalabad.Like with most of the other captured cities, the seizure of power came after government forces surrendered or retreated.Videos posted on pro-Taliban social media accounts showed the group’s heavily armed fighters in cities across the country, waving white flags and greeting locals.Most of the fighters appeared young, suggesting they were most likely infants or unborn when the Taliban was toppled from power in 2001.PanicAs the Taliban closed in on the capital, panicked residents swarmed banks for a second straight day, hoping to withdraw their savings.Many were already resigned to the Taliban taking power.“My only wish is that their return leads to peace. That is all we want,” said Kabul shopkeeper Tariq Nezami.A worker was seen Sunday whitewashing advertising billboards on a beauty parlour featuring a glamorous bride.For the tens of thousands who have sought refuge in Kabul in recent weeks, the overwhelming mood was one of apprehension and fear.One doctor who arrived in the capital with his 35-strong family from Kunduz said he planned to return.“I am worried there will be a lot of fighting here. I would rather return home, where I know it has stopped,” he told AFP, asking not to be named.


Americans brace for Covid ‘surge upon surge’

America should prepare for a “surge upon a surge” in coronavirus cases as millions of travellers return home after the Thanksgiving holiday, top US scientist Anthony Fauci warned Sunday.The US is the worst-affected country, with 266,074 Covid-19 deaths, and President Donald Trump’s administration has issued conflicting messages on mask-wearing, travel and the danger posed by the virus.“There almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel,” Fauci told CNN’s State of the Union.Travel surrounding Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday made this the busiest week in US airports since the pandemic began.“We may see a surge upon a surge” in two or three weeks, Fauci added. “We don’t want to frighten people, but that’s the reality.”The trend is ominous, Fauci and other government scientists said, with the Christmas holidays soon bringing more travel and family gatherings.Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, noted a surge in Covid-19 after a holiday weekend in May.“Now we’re entering this post-Thanksgiving surge with three, four and 10 times as much disease across the country,’ she told CBS’s Face the Nation.“We are deeply worried.”The US surgeon general, Jerome Adams, was equally blunt.“I want to be straight with the American people,” he told Fox News Sunday. “It’s going to get worse over the next several weeks.”Desperate wait for vaccineElsewhere, thousands of health workers marched in Madrid in support of the public health system in Spain, one of the European countries hardest hit by the pandemic.And guards opened fire to quell a prison riot in Sri Lanka, where four inmates were killed while protesting a surge of coronavirus infections.In France, the highest administrative court ordered the government to loosen rules allowing no more than 30 people at religious services, in the face of angry objections from church leaders.Around 9,000 runners – some wearing face masks – took part in the Shanghai International Marathon, according to Chinese media, a mass-participation sports event rare during the pandemic.The US news media, meantime, reported that first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 – one of the first to claim high effectiveness, along with a Moderna product – had arrived in the United States from a Pfizer lab in Belgium.Pfizer was using charter flights to pre-position vaccine for quick distribution once it receives US emergency authorisation – expected as early as Dec 10 – the Wall Street Journal and other media reported.The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both said to be safe and perhaps 95% effective, have introduced a glimmer of hope after months of gloomy news.“This is the way we get out of the pandemic. The light is at the end of the tunnel,” Admiral Brett Giroir, the US official overseeing coronavirus testing, told CNN.But like Fauci and the other scientists, he expressed grave concerns about the months immediately ahead.“About 20% of all people in the hospital have Covid, so this is a really dangerous time,” Giroir said.Europe struggles to reopenUntil large numbers of Americans have been vaccinated – Giroir said half the eligible population might be by March – much will still depend on people taking precautions, including mask-wearing and distancing, he and Fauci said.Giroir said it might take until the second or third quarter of next year for most Americans to be vaccinated, but that substantial benefits would accrue much sooner.By first vaccinating those at highest risk, he said, “we can absolutely get 80 percent of the benefit of the vaccine by only immunising a few percent of the population”.Adams, the US surgeon general also expressed cautious optimism, saying, “We are mere weeks away from starting to vaccinate the vulnerable, and we can significantly protect people who are at risk for this virus.“So hang on just a little bit longer.”The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,453,074 people worldwide since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Sunday.Europe on Saturday crossed a grim barrier, registering 400,649 deaths.Germany, once a beacon of hope in Europe’s coronavirus nightmare, reached on Friday the mark of more than one million cases.


National debt, quake aid to be raised at Dewan Rakyat

The national debt position, Malaysia’s assistance to the Turkish and Syrian governments following the earthquake, and corruption cases are expected to be the focus of the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
Based on the order paper, these questions will be answered by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the Minister’s Question Time.
Wong Kah Woh (PH-Taiping), who will raise the matter of national debt, will also ask the prime minister to state the cause of the increase every year and the government’s efforts to resolve the issue.
Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) who will ask about the recent earthquake will also ask about the details of the deployment of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance Team on their assignment in the disaster areas.
Meanwhile, Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau), who will ask about corruption investigations, will also request that the prime minister state its improvement strategies and the government's main focus through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure the investigation of corruption cases brings about a significant impact. For the Questions with Oral Answers session, Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) will ask the communications and digital minister to state the ministry's short-, medium- and long-term policies towards applications such as TikTok.
Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) will ask the domestic trade and cost of living minister about the initiatives drawn up under the National Cost of Living Action Council and the ministry's short-, medium- and long-term plans to deal with the high cost of living, taking into account the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A motion of thanks on the royal address will also be tabled, which will witness MPs taking part in debating the motion.
The Dewan Rakyat will convene for 29 days until March 30.


After 6 months, Hulu Langat folk still haunted by flood memories

Six months after the massive floods which hit Hulu Langat in Selangor late last year, things appear to be back to normal, with businesses reopened and residents going about their daily affairs once more.But here and there, traces of the floods remain as daily reminders of the disaster which caught the country off-guard and resulted in huge losses throughout the state.Water marks can still be seen on the walls of homes which were completely submerged in water, and some houses remain in bad shape despite months-long repair efforts.Mohd Riffin Arsat, from Batu 15, Dusun Tua, recalls having to move his family from their home of 31 years after the house was almost totally destroyed by the raging currents.Mohd Riffin Arsat at the bus stop where he and his family camped for days after fleeing their flood-hit home.He and his son fled the fast-rising waters in the middle of the night, leaving behind everything they owned.“I went back the next day but everything was covered in mud and destroyed,” Riffin said.“We were left with only the clothes we had on our backs.”The house itself still stood – but barely. Built of wood, it suffered badly from the onslaught of the flood which left it leaning to one side and no longer safe to live in.His family was forced to spend three nights at a nearby bus stop while he thought of what to do next.A wooden house in Kampung Dusun Tua stands empty and in shambles, abandoned after the floods which hit the area six months ago.He was relieved and grateful when donations of food and clothing were given by members of the public.“There were also NGOs which gave us money, and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisation came to see us a few times to give us essential items,” he said.Today, he lives in Nanding, Hulu Langat with his son who works as a deliveryman. Their old home was razed to the ground by the landlord due to safety concerns.Near the site where the house used to stand, two other homes made of wood remain but in terrible condition. Their occupants are said to have moved out.Hassan Ibrahim, another resident of Dusun Tua, said he was still haunted by the floods.Hassan Ibrahim’s house was nearly destroyed by the floods which slammed into his village last December.Each time it rains, he tosses and turns in bed, worrying about whether the water level will rise again and if he will have to leave his house for higher ground.His fears are compounded by the fact that he lives right next to Sungai Langat. He also has mobility problems as he lost his right leg in an accident seven years ago.“My wife and I have lived here for more than 40 years,” he said.“That was the worst flood we ever experienced, even worse than the one that hit in 1971.”His house was badly damaged in the December floods, which left only the living room untouched.While he managed to get it repaired with the charity assistance he received, he estimates his losses at about RM100,000.Hassan Ibrahim, who lost his leg in an accident some years ago, worries about what he will do if another flood hits his village.Now, every time it rains, his heart sinks.While Hassan and his wife have lived for decades in their small house, they hope to move to a new location where flooding is not a problem.The problem is affordability.“We don’t have the money to buy a new house,” he said. “What can we do? Just continue to live here and pray that we will be safe.”


Najib’s abuse of power charge illegal, lawyer says in SRC appeal

The charge of abuse of power against Najib Razak in the SRC International case was wrong and illegal, the Court of Appeal heard today.Najib’s counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said this was because the former prime minister had no personal or pecuniary interest when he chaired Cabinet meetings that discussed government guarantees for SRC International to obtain a loan from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP).“Najib, as the prime minister, was chairman of the Cabinet, which was the government of the day. The trial judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali was 100% wrong to conclude that he was using his position for any gratification.“As the then-prime minister, Najib was the ‘first among equals’ in the Cabinet. At the end of the day, the Cabinet made a collective decision.“It was not a decision by an individual (Najib), the prime minister, finance minister or representative of MoF Incorporated,” he said.The lawyer said it had become a total distraction because Najib was said to have participated in Cabinet meetings in 2011 and 2012 to obtain for himself RM42 million from the RM4 billion funds channelled through KWAP to SRC International.“We contend that there is no nexus between the decision taken to approve the government guarantee and the gratification that was intended,” he said, adding that Najib was seriously prejudiced and disadvantaged.Shafee submitted this today before a three-member bench led by judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil in the hearing of the former prime minister’s appeal against his conviction and jail sentence for the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds.The other two judges on the bench were Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.The Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28 last year sentenced Najib to 12 years’ jail and fined him RM210 million after finding him guilty on seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of position involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.The hearing of the appeal continues tomorrow.


Govt looking to make Covid self-test kits cheaper by year-end

The government is looking at making further downward revisions to the price of Covid-19 self-test kits by the end of the year to make them more accessible to the public.Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry and the health ministry are looking into the matter.“To expand testing efforts, the health ministry has recognised RTK antigen and approved several Covid-19 self-test kits which can be bought at pharmacies nationwide.“In making the self-test kits accessible to everyone, the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry and the health ministry have set the price ceiling at below RM20 per set,” he said in a special address during the National Recovery Plan Summit held virtually today.The government has set the retail price ceiling for Covid-19 antigen rapid test kits at RM19.90 per set and RM16 per set for wholesale, effective Sept 5.Zafrul said several other measures are also in the pipeline for implementation under the National Recovery Plan (NRP), including the setting up of a call centre to offer immediate assistance in managing Covid-19 causes, and the factoring in of booster shots or multi-year vaccination programmes for public healthcare protocols.Other than that, he said, whole genome sequencing is being undertaken by the Institute of Medical Research to better detect the presence and spread of new variants, while plans are underway for the expansion of technology and mobile data usage to enhance contact tracing.“Potential close contacts will soon be identified and notified of the need to quarantine themselves. Asymptomatic cases and cases with minor symptoms are now subject to a home surveillance order,” he said.Noting that great progress had been seen so far under the NRP, he said there is still much to be done, especially in strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity and nurturing the recovery of the people and industries.“We do not yet completely know how our economy and way of life will change, but what we can do is to focus our minds and energy on emerging from this crisis as a more resilient nation and Malaysian Family,” he said.Zafrul also expressed hope that the NRP and Budget 2022 would serve as a template not just for how to exit the pandemic, but also for how to navigate the more pressing challenges ahead.“We will harness data to help us be more agile and responsive, underscored by the spirit of inclusivity, to serve us on our continued path towards better resilience and shared prosperity.“To that end, I call on all parties, government, private sector, civil society organisations, to name a few, to come together as one Malaysian Family. Let’s come together, and win together,” he said.


Nik Aziz's widow disapproves of son's PKR candidacy

The widow of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat voiced disapproval yesterday of her son's move to contest under PKR.
Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz is PKR's candidate in the seat of Pasir Salak, which was won by Umno's Tajuddin Abdul Rahman at the 2018 general election.
He faces a four-way fight against Barisan Nasional's Khairul Azwan Harun, Jamaluddin Yahya of Perikatan Nasional, and Pejuang candidate Zairol Hizam Zakaria.
His mother, Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak, said she had never given any of her children the blessing to contest an election except on a PAS ticket.
"The late Tuan Guru and I taught our children since they were small to stay true to the struggle of Islam together with PAS," she said in a Facebook post.
This is not the first time that Nik Omar has contested an election under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner.
In 2018, he ran for the state seat of Chempaka in Kelantan on an Amanah ticket.
He was announced as a PKR candidate for the upcoming election on Oct 26, but remained vague when asked if he had left Amanah for PKR.
"The important thing is that we are united in PH," he said.
"Being here is proof of our commitment to bringing about a government that is centred on justice."


Driving schools allowed to operate from Sept 9

Motor vehicle driving institutes (ILP) nationwide are allowed to operate from Sept 9 under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) by appointment, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong says.But while ILPs will be permitted to operate from Sept 9, the examination process to obtain driving licences will only begin on Sept 17, he said.“This is to allow the driving institutes and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to manage any arising issues that the candidates may face,” he said in a statement.Wee said the permission as given by the National Security Council (MKN) was subject to full adherence to the SOPs under the NRP.He said the employees, teaching staff and candidates must be fully vaccinated, verifiable with Covid-19 digital vaccination certificates and identification cards.Wee said driving institutes are permitted to operate based on the percentage of employees that have been vaccinated.“If 40% of an ILP’s employees have been vaccinated, it may operate at 60% of the current staffing. If 60% have been vaccinated, it may operate with 80% of its staff.“An ILP may operate with 100% staffing if 80% of its staff have been vaccinated.“Staff or candidates with symptoms, persons residing in enhanced movement control order areas, persons under surveillance, and persons under quarantine are not allowed to come to the ILP.“All staff and candidates must comply with the health protocols stipulated by the health ministry and new norms such as the checking of body temperature, checking in with MySejahtera, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a face mask and using hand sanitiser,” he added.In understanding and acknowledging the difficulties faced by ILPs during the Covid-19 pandemic, Wee said the transport ministry would grant a three-month moratorium until Nov 30 on the renewal of ILP operators’ permits that expired between January and September this year.“As the driving institutes begin to operate once again, we hope that this decision will bring relief to the operators, teaching staff and the public that need their services,” he said, adding however that any violation of the associated SOPs could result in action taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).


UN wants ‘concrete’ proof of life for Dubai princess from father

The UN has called for the United Arab Emirates to provide “concrete” proof that Princess Latifa Al Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler, is alive.Latifa’s father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is one of the richest heads of state in the world, the ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the UAE.There are allegations that he has kept her prisoner for three years to prevent her from leaving Dubai.He has said he is acting in her best interest. A statement from Dubai’s royal family last month reiterated that she was being cared for at home.“Sheikha Latifa continues to improve and we are hopeful she will return to public life at the appropriate time,” it said.In a statement issued in Geneva on Tuesday, UN human rights officials said she should be released “urgently”.Latifa tried to flee Dubai in 2018. In footage shared with BBC Panorama, she says commandos drugged her and flew her back to a life of detention in the UAE.In March, the UN said it was still awaiting further details from the UAE, two weeks after an initial request for proof of life.In Tuesday’s statement, the UN called on the government of the UAE once again to “provide meaningful information” on Latifa’s fate “without delay”.They asked for “independent verification of the conditions under which she is being held, and for her immediate release”.“The statement issued by the Emirates authorities’ merely indicating that she was being ‘cared for at home’ is not sufficient at this stage,” the statement said.It added: “We are alarmed that, following the public release in February of footage in which Sheikha Latifa reported being deprived of her liberty against her will, and the subsequent official request for further information on her situation, no concrete information has been provided by the authorities.”In recordings obtained by BBC Panorama in February, Latifa said she was being held hostage in a “villa converted into a jail”.Using a phone she said she had been secretly given about a year after her capture, Latifa recorded a number of videos over several months.She recorded them in a bathroom as it had the only door she could lock. In the messages, she said she was being held alone without access to medical or legal help in a villa with windows and doors barred shut, and guarded by police.


Cabinet focused on flood preparations, not dissolving Parliament, says Azmin

International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today said the Cabinet was holding to the provisions in the constitution concerning the date of dissolution for Parliament despite calls by Umno for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hold the 15th general election (GE15) this year.
He said the Cabinet meetings were not aimed at determining a date for the polls as there was no need for this.
"It is the Cabinet that will advise the Agong, and the prime minister will carry the mandate from the Cabinet.
"In our early discussions, we told the prime minister to focus on preparing for the possibility of floods. We have a lot of time. There is no need to rush," he said at a press conference after the launch of the Bersatu election machinery in Shah Alam.
Azmin, a member of Bersatu's Supreme Council, also said he was not surprised by Umno's calls for the dissolution of Parliament this year, saying this was being done to guard the interests of a few.
The Umno top five, including Ismail, recently met at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to reach a consensus regarding the date of dissolution for Parliament and for the election itself.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stuck to his stand for an early election despite strong criticism due to the storms and floods expected at the end of the year.
Azmin said while the economy was improving, the country needed time to convince foreign investors to bring in the money.
"Only with new investments can we create sustainable growth and job opportunities," he said.


Singapore woman faces death by firing squad in China

A Singapore woman has been sentenced to execution by firing squad over a drug offence by a court in China, but there have been few details about her case, complicating efforts by her family to provide legal services in her appeal.It is understood that Siti Aslinda Junaidi, 35, was arrested in Shenzhen, China, six years ago for drug trafficking. She had been accompanying her boyfriend who was caught carrying the drugs.Her counsel, prominent human rights lawyer and activist M Ravi, has written to the Singapore foreign ministry for more details about her case.There were earlier claims that no lawyer was engaged to defend her following her arrest, and no representative from the Singapore government had visited her over the past year.“I can assure you that all these years nothing has been done.”Ravi, a rare dissenting voice in Singapore who is spearheading a campaign to abolish the death penalty in the city-state, said he was informed that Aslinda’s execution by firing squad would be carried out in two weeks’ time.When contacted, Aslinda’s 17-year-old daughter Ismiraldha said there had been a lack of documentation on her mother’s case.“I must fight for my right no matter how.”Ravi said his anti-death penalty campaign will also include Aslinda.“It was so heart-wrenching when Elda contacted me last night pleading with me to save her mum from being shot in two weeks.“I seek Divine Mother’s help to give me all the strength and guidance on this rather arduous but not hopeless battle,” said Ravi.


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Indonesian girl, 7, found dead after day-long quake rescue effort

A seven-year-old Indonesian girl who was the subject of a day-long rescue effort after an earthquake killed 272 people in West Java has been found dead, rescuers told AFP on Friday.
Emergency workers found the body of Ashika Nur Fauziah, also known as Cika, under rubble in the worst-hit district of Cianjur town, epicentre of the quake that triggered landslides, collapsed roofs, walls and buried victims in mounds of earth Monday.
"The body was immediately handed over to the family. The family accepted and she was then buried," 28-year-old rescuer Jeksen Kolibu told AFP.
"The family was very hysterical. They were very sad. The mother was the one who received the body."
Dozens of rescuers had spent most of Thursday using digging tools, hammers and their bare hands to clear debris in the delicate mission, which was suspended overnight until Friday morning.
Cika was found under three layers of concrete, said Kolibu.
The focus of the search had centred on her grandmother's house, across the road from the family home, where her mother believed she had been playing when the earthquake struck.
"She was playing outside, I was cooking in the kitchen, suddenly the earthquake happened, so fast, only two seconds, my house collapsed," her mother Imas Masfahitah, 34, told AFP at the scene on Thursday.
"Whatever happens, I will try to accept it," she added, crying as she held on to her daughter's sandals.
Hopes of a happy outcome had been raised following the dramatic rescue of a six-year-old boy, Azka, on Wednesday evening, which was described as a "miracle" after he survived more than two days in the rubble without food or water.
"The mother was very hopeful. Azka survived, while Cika didn't. That's what makes me sad," Kolibu said.
Before Cika was found, authorities said 39 people were still missing as the rescue effort continued to be hindered by hammering rain and potentially deadly aftershocks.


Russia says it could shut frontline nuclear plant, Kyiv says that risks disaster

Russia said on Thursday it could shut down Europe's largest nuclear power station after it came under shelling at the front lines in Ukraine, a move Kyiv said would increase the risk of a nuclear catastrophe there.
Moscow also rejected international calls for a demilitarised zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which it seized early in the war and which is still operated by Ukrainian engineers under Russian occupation.
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, who discussed the situation at the plant with visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Lviv, called on the United Nations to ensure that it was demilitarised and protected.
"This deliberate terror on the part of the aggressor can have global catastrophic consequences for the whole world," Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app, accusing Russia of "nuclear blackmail" at the plant.
The power station sits on the Russian-controlled south bank of a huge reservoir; Ukrainian forces hold the north bank. Recent days have seen several incidents of shelling at the plant, which both sides blame on each other.
Ukraine also accuses Russia of using the plant as a shield for its forces to launch strikes across the reservoir on Ukrainian-held cities, which Moscow denies.
Foreign countries and the United Nations have called on Moscow to allow in international inspectors. Reuters cannot independently confirm the military situation there or responsibility for shelling of the plant.
Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday calls for a demilitarised zone around the plant were "unacceptable". The defence ministry said Moscow could shut the plant down if it came under further attack.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of planning to shut the plant to sever it from Ukraine's power grid and switch it over to Russia's – effectively stealing its output.
Ukrainian state nuclear energy company Energoatom said shutting down the plant would increase the risk of "a radiation disaster at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe".
Disconnecting the complex's generators from Ukraine's power system would prevent them being used to keep nuclear fuel cool, in the event of a power outage at the plant, it said.
Russia's defence ministry accused Kyiv of planning some form of incident at the nuclear plant as a "provocation" to take place during Guterres' visit. A Ukrainian official dismissed what he depicted as a cynical assertion by Moscow.
The last time Guterres visited Ukraine, in April, Russia fired missiles into a residential building in Kyiv, wounding at least 10 people just as Guterres wrapped up talks with Zelensky nearby. At the time, Guterres called the incident "shocking" and Ukraine accused Moscow of seeking to humiliate the United Nations. Russia denied targeting civilians or timing its attack intentionally to coincide with the visit.
Urgency
Shutting down a nuclear power plant is a complicated operation that requires halting nuclear chain reactions while protecting fuel from heating up and causing a meltdown.
"Should Russia take actions to force (the plant) off the Ukraine power system, that could threaten the operational safety of the station, in addition to escalating Ukraine's energy crisis into the winter," Mark Hibbs, senior fellow at the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Reuters in an email.
In a briefing, Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's radioactive, chemical and biological defence forces, said the plant's back-up support systems had been damaged as a result of shelling. He presented a slide, showing that in the event of an accident, radioactive material would cover Germany, Poland and Slovakia.
Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said he had spoken to the director general of the International Atomic Agency, who was ready to lead a delegation to the plant.
"I emphasised the mission's urgency to address nuclear security threats caused by Russia's hostilities," he said on Twitter.
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan was also expected at the talks with Guterres and Zelensky in Lviv, to discuss progress resuming exports of Ukrainian grain under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Ankara to lift a Russian blockade. Both Russia and Ukraine are major food producers, and the blockade has threatened to exacerbate global hunger.
Guterres was also expected to discuss the UN role in negotiations over prisoners of war. Relatives of Ukrainian troops who surrendered at the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol under a UN-backed deal staged a demonstration during Guterres's visit calling for more efforts to protect them.
Dozens of the Azovstal prisoners died in custody of Russian-backed separatists last month in a fiery blast at a prison. Kyiv called it a massacre and a war crime; Moscow accused Ukraine of having struck the prison with rockets, though it provided no explanation for why no guards were hurt. The same day, Russia's embassy in Britain issued a tweet saying the Azovstal prisoners "deserve a humiliating death".
After months in which Russian forces made modest territorial gains in heavy fighting in the east, front lines in Ukraine have been comparatively static in recent weeks.
Kyiv says it is preparing for a counterattack to recapture a swath of southern territory, including Kherson province and neighbouring Zaporizhzhia where the plant is located.
The war has killed thousands and forced millions to flee. Moscow says its aim is to demilitarise Ukraine and protect Russian-speakers on land President Vladimir Putin says historically belongs to Russia.
Kyiv and the West call it an unprovoked war to conquer Ukraine and erase its thousand-year national identity.


UK cost-of-living crisis prompts warning to 'buy now, pay later' lenders

Britain's financial watchdog has told firms offering 'buy now, pay later' loans to spell out the cost of late repayments to customers as the UK cost-of-living crisis intensifies.
Companies like Klarna led the way in offering on-the-spot, interest-free, short-term loans to customers which spread repayments for buying goods like clothes over a few weeks.
Lenders make money by taking a cut from what they help retailers sell, and banks are now piling in to serve customers who would normally be unable to get a credit card or would fail strict credit checks.
BNPL loans are unregulated in Britain, but the Financial Conduct Authority has powers to intervene in how they are advertised.
The FCA told BNPL firms and the British Retail Consortium in letters published on Friday that benefits of 'buy now, pay later' were being emphasised in adverts without fair and prominent indications of any relevant risks.
Some BNPL lenders charge late payment fees, and a failure to pay can also hit consumers' credit ratings.
The watchdog said it would use criminal and regulatory enforcement powers to tackle promotions which breach its rules.
"Unauthorised firms might be committing a criminal offence if they don’t have an FCA-authorised firm approve their financial promotions," the watchdog said.
So far this year, the FCA has forced 4,226 promotions to be withdrawn or amended.
Money is becoming tighter for many consumers faced with rocketing energy tariffs and 40-year high inflation pushing up food prices, making BNPL products an option in a financial squeeze.
"As we face a cost-of-living crisis, consumers are having to make difficult decisions about their finances and how they pay for goods and services," said Sheldon Mills, the FCA's executive director of consumers and competition.
Britain is to hold a public consultation on draft legislation to introduce BNPL affordability checks.
The FCA in February told BNPL operators Clearpay, Klarna, Laybuy and Openpay to change their contracts after identifying potential harm to customers. It had to use Britain's consumer rights law to do so.