Malaysia Day marks continued struggle for mother in quest for daughter's citizenship

In the living room of her small house in Batu Caves, Selangor, Aini sits with her two children, Rayyan and Hana.
Rayyan is eight years old while Hana is just six.
Both of them were diagnosed early on with autism, a neurodevelopmental condition with lifelong effects, and require special care and treatment.
But while Aini worries about their physical condition, she is also preoccupied with another, equally pressing, problem.
Only one of her children is a Malaysian citizen.
Aini married her husband, an Indian national who works in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2013.
Her son, Rayyan, is certified as a Malaysian as he was born in the country with all of the necessary documents.
But after giving birth to him, Aini moved to Riyadh with her husband. Due to a number of problems, she could not return to Malaysia in time to give birth to Hana.
Accordingly, her daughter is for all intents and purposes a citizen of India.
Aini's attempts to obtain Malaysian citizenship for Hana were all rejected by the government.
"It's hard for me to say this," she said in an interview with MalaysiaNow.
"But I am still struggling to make sure that both of my children are Malaysians and that they belong to this country.
"So it feels as though there is no freedom for me yet in these troubles. How am I supposed to face this challenge of having two children with different citizenships even though they both came from me, a Malaysian citizen?"
Aini initially applied for citizenship for Hana at the Malaysian embassy in Saudi Arabia, saying that her daughter had no documentation other than her birth certificate.
After that, she tried to apply under Article 15 (2) of the Federal Constitution which deals with citizenship applications for those below the age of 21.
"I made the application in 2018," Aini recalled.
"I called Putrajaya from Riyadh nearly every day, asking if there were any developments in my application.
"But I never got to speak with the officer who handled the application. Finally, in August 2019, I learnt the results.
"But the date on the letter rejecting the application was November 2018. They were very slow in informing me about the status."
'Not from there'
Before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Aini decided to return home to Malaysia. But even this was a difficult process as Hana did not have a passport.
She and her husband worked to get Indian citizenship for the child so that she could return to Malaysia with her family using a passport from that country.
But Hana herself has never been to India, where her grandparents still live.
"She's not from there," Aini said. "Only her passport. She grew up here, in Malaysia.
"As their mother, I brought both of them up with Malay values and traditions, as I myself was raised by my parents.
"This is why I want them to have Malaysian citizenship."
Aini herself cannot imagine settling down anywhere other than Malaysia, and she worries about how her children would adjust to living in a strange country.
Because they have different citizenships, her children cannot attend the same school. Rayyan goes to a government school but it would be very difficult for Hana to do the same.
Instead, Aini sends the child each day to a centre for special needs children so that she can get a basic education and learn how to socialise with others.
Every three months, Aini also takes her children for treatment and therapy at Hospital Tunku Azizah in Kuala Lumpur.
As Hana is not a Malaysian citizen, this is very expensive. Her education alone costs about RM1,000 per month, while each hospital visit takes another RM160 – RM120 for registration and RM40 for treatment.
This is not inclusive of other costs such as transportation.
Yet, Aini is determined to continue her quest for citizenship for her daughter.
She has submitted an application under Article 14 of the constitution, concerning the confirmation of an individual's citizenship status based on that of the mother or father.
But the application was frozen after the High Court decision on Sept 9 last year, recognising the automatic right to citizenship for the children of Malaysian women born overseas.
The Court of Appeal last month allowed the government's appeal against the ruling.
Nevertheless, Aini said she has no intention of giving up.
"I will do everything it takes to fight for my child's right to become a citizen of Malaysia," she said.


Act to abolish mandatory death penalty comes into force

The Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 (Act 846) comes into operation today.
According to the Federal Government Gazette dated June 30, published by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the date on which the act comes into operation was fixed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Subsection 1(2) of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 [Act 846], the minister appoints July 4, 2023 as the date on which the act comes into operation," the gazette said.
On April 3, the Dewan Rakyat passed the act which aims to abolish the mandatory death penalty, to vary the sentences related to imprisonment for natural life and whipping, and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Under the act, the court now has the discretion to impose the death penalty or imprisonment for a period of not less than 30 years but not exceeding 40 years.
If the death sentence is not imposed, whippings of not less than 12 strokes will also be handed down.


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Israel seizes millions in digital funds meant for Iranian proxies

Israel has seized millions of dollars worth of digital funds intended for use by the powerful Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the foreign Quds Force arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he approved an operation that was aimed at identifying and confiscating funds laundered by organisations supported by arch-enemy Iran.
His ministry said that since the start of this year, "Hezbollah, Quds Force and Syrian operatives have used digital currencies to receive funds from third parties via illegal transactions”. It said it had thwarted the transfer of millions of dollars to these operatives.
“I issued an order that enabled the confiscation of said funds, as well as their transfer to the State of Israel," Gallant said. "In doing so, we have effectively cut off the flow of terror funds via this channel.”
Hezbollah's media office in Lebanon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Govt to lift freeze on hiring foreign workers

The temporary freeze on applications to hire foreign workers will be lifted starting Aug 19, says Human Resources Minister M Saravanan.
He said the decision was made after taking into consideration requests from the industries.
"I’ve decided to approve (the industries’ request), so the freeze has been lifted and we will process the new applications from this Friday.
"We’ve decided that all of the earlier applications to hire some 400,000 foreign workers will proceed before the end of this month," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Saravanan said to better understand the issue of foreign workers, the ministry had set up a special committee of 15 members from the industries and five representatives from the human resources ministry.
"This committee will hold immediate discussions whenever necessary to assist the industries in reviving the economy.  "Today, we see that the unemployment rate has started to drop and this is a good thing," he added.
On the request from the industries to postpone the implementation of the amendment to the Employment Act 1955 on reducing the weekly working hours from 48 to 45, Saravanan said this would need to be discussed with the prime minister and other Cabinet ministers.
"There are two kinds of feedback received on the amendment. From the workers’ viewpoint, they want the ministry to speed up its implementation for 15 million workers.
"But when we discuss this with the industries, they want us to postpone it as they have just recovered from the economic downturn. I understand the requests from both parties, so we will discuss the matter and come up with the best decision," he said.
The amendment to the Employment Act 1955 to shorten the weekly working hours from 48 to 45 will be effective Sept 1.
Under the new regulation, employees are allowed to work based on suitability of the place, time and working days including working from home in emergency situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
This amendment is aimed at looking after the welfare of workers and relaxing the working hours in line with the International Labour Organisation Convention.


Climate on track to devastate world’s poorest economies, shows study

The 65 most vulnerable nations will see GDP drop 20% on average by 2050 and 64% by 2100 if the world heats up 2.9 degrees Celsius, according to a report released Monday at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.Even if global temperature rises are capped at 1.5C, in keeping with the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal, the same countries would take a GDP hit of 13% by 2050 and 33% by the end of the century, the study commissioned by Christian Aid said.To date, Earth’s average surface temperature has risen 1.1C compared to late 19th-century levels.The findings from Christian Aid show that more than a third of the world’s nations urgently need help to build up resilience if their economies are to withstand the onslaught of heatwaves, drought, floods and storms made more intense and deadly by global warming.“The ability of countries in the Global South to sustainably develop is seriously jeopardised,” said lead author Marina Andrijevic from Humboldt University in Berlin.“Policy choices that we make right now are crucial for preventing further damage.”Eight of the top 10 most affected countries are in Africa, with two in South America.All 10 face GDP damage of more than 70% by 2100 under our current climate policy trajectory, and 40% even if global warming is capped at 1.5C.The country facing the worst GDP loss is Sudan, which in September was left reeling from heavy rains and flash floods affecting more than 300,000 people.The country would see a GDP reduction of 32% by 2050, and 84% by 2100 compared with if there was no climate change.The countries covered by the report make up two key negotiating blocs at the UN climate talks, which run through Friday: the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).Small island states are especially vulnerable to storm surges made worse by rising seas.The study does not take into account adaptation measures, which could potentially alleviate some of the damage.To date, rich governments have committed only modest sums to help poor countries adapt to climate impacts.“Africa has the done the least to cause climate change yet this report shows it will face the most severe consequences. That is deeply unjust,” said Mohamed Adow, director of Nairobi-based climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa.


Syed Saddiq ordered RM1 million withdrawal from Bersatu Youth wing account, court told

The Kuala Lumpur High Court was told yesterday that Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman ordered the withdrawal of RM1 million from the Bersatu Youth wing’s account for fear that there would be a change in the party’s leadership.Former youth wing assistant secretary Ahmad Redzuan Mohamed Shafi, 32, said Syed Saddiq told him that he had the right to use the money in the CIMB account which he had sourced through donations.According to the special officer to Education Minister Radzi Jidin, a meeting was held at Syed Saddiq’s house in Petaling Jaya, Selangor in early March 2020.“The meeting was attended by me and Rafiq Hakim Razali (youth wing assistant treasurer). We discussed the change in government and the wing’s position in the government because Syed Saddiq was in the opposition bloc along with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.“Syed Saddiq ordered Rafiq Hakim and I to withdraw money amounting to RM1 million from the youth wing’s account,” he said, reading his witness statement at the trial of Syed Saddiq, who faces four charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering.The 11th prosecution witness said Syed Saddiq said the money had to be withdrawn from the account to strengthen his position as the youth wing chief in the event of any internal party crisis.Redzuan said only he and Rafiq Hakim were called by Syed Saddiq to attend the meeting because they were the trustee signatories of CIMB Bank Armada Pusat cheques and only the three of them knew about the matter.“Rafiq Hakim and I withdrew RM1 million from Armada’s official account on March 6, 2020 at the instruction of Syed Saddiq.“(However), Syed Saddiq did not tell me and Rafiq Hakim whether the withdrawal had received the permission of the Bersatu Supreme Council,” said Redzuan, adding that Syed Saddiq had told him that the money was meant for party use.The witness also said he had suggested to Rafiq Hakim that the money be kept at Daniel’s house as it had a safe.Redzuan said Rafiq Hakim agreed to his suggestion, and after the money was withdrawn from the account, Rafiq Hakim brought the money to his house before handing it to Daniel.The witness said he only knew that Syed Saddiq’s order was an offence after being summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on June 3, 2020 for violating Clause 24 of the Bersatu constitution.Redzuan said according to Clause 24, the treasurer-general is only allowed to keep retail cash of less than RM50,000 at a time, and the money must be kept in a safe place in a registered office for the party’s retail expenses.He said expenditure in excess of RM500,000 at any one time was not allowed without the prior permission of Supreme Council.“I confirm that Syed Saddiq himself cannot withdraw cash from the CIMB Bank account under the name of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Armada Pusat) without instructing me and Rafiq Hakim to do so.“Regarding the RM1 million issue, although the approval was issued by Syed Saddiq to me and Rafiq Hakim to withdraw the money, it violated the ethics of withdrawing money from Armada’s account,” he said, adding that he had to abide by Syed Saddiq’s instructions, given his capacity as the youth wing chief and also Muar MP.Syed Saddiq was charged as Bersatu’s then Youth chief, entrusted with the control of the wing’s funds, with abetting Rafiq with CBT of RM1 million.He was accused of committing the offence at CIMB Bank, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, on March 6, 2020, charged under Section 406 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a whipping, with the possibility of a fine upon conviction.For the second charge, Syed Saddiq was accused of misusing property for himself, namely RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money.He was accused of committing the offence at Malayan Banking, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya between April 8 and 21, 2018, and charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of between six months and five years, with whipping and a fine upon conviction.He also faces two counts of engaging in money laundering activities, in two transactions of RM50,000 believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activities from his Maybank Islamic account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.Syed Saddiq was accused of committing the offence at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.The charges were framed under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, punishable under Section 4 (1) of the same law, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or the proceeds of illegal activities, upon conviction.


From the frying pan to the fire for Umno as Malay support wavers

Although it is set to form a unity government with Pakatan Harapan (PH), analysts say that Umno, the country's biggest Malay party, may be hanging by a thread following its decision to work with its long-time foe in backing Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia's 10th prime minister.
This is largely due to its drastic slide in Malay support, with both Umno and its coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) losing traditional "safe" seats by the drove to Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the recent general election.
BN as a whole won only 30 seats – its worst election performance ever, and far fewer than PN and PH which won 73 and 82 seats respectively.
With only 26 seats of its own in the Dewan Rakyat – just over half the number held by PN component PAS, which won 49 – Umno's future appears to be up in the air.
Political observer Azizi Safar said any move to join hands with PH and its biggest component party DAP would be a mistake for Umno.
"The Malays, especially those from the rural areas who have been Umno's vote bank, still cannot accept DAP which they see as a chauvanist party that is anti-Malay and anti-Islam.
"This time around, Umno was dealt a heavy blow. After the next election, it might just get a death blow," he said.
Several Umno leaders had said in the wake of the 15th general election (GE15) that the party should remain in the opposition.
They included Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein and Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob, both of whom had said that they were willing to be sacked for not toeing the party line on cooperating with PH.
Azizi, a former Penang BN secretary, said the Malays were rejecting Umno because of its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is embroiled in corruption charges despite his recent acquittal of some.
The Bagan Datuk MP still faces 47 charges linked to funds from charity outfit Yayasan Akalbudi.
Analyst Mazlan Ali meanwhile said Umno's decision to work with PH would benefit it in terms of avoiding the overlaps in seats which it would otherwise experience if it cooperated with PN.
"Umno could focus on the Malay seats while PH could focus on the multiethnic seats.
"The overlap of seats and party interests would then be minimal – unlike with PN, which would clash with Umno in Malay seats," Mazlan, of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said.
Together, PAS and fellow PN component Bersatu made a clean sweep of the seats in Kelantan and Terengganu, winning 14 in the former and eight in the latter.
A similar situation unfolded in Kedah, where PAS and Bersatu won 13 out of 14 seats with a huge majority.
The Padang Serai seat meanwhile will be contested on Dec 7. Polling was postponed following the death of a candidate, incumbent M Karupaiya.
"Many of the seats were considered safe seats for Umno," said Azizi. "But they lost to PN."
Umno will hold its party elections next year after postponing them several times ahead of GE15.
Cracks among the party's rank and file could be seen as far back as several years ago, with leaders split into two camps: the court cluster and the Putrajaya cluster.
Mazlan said Zahid could be expected to strengthen his grip on the party, as he appeared to be in full control despite calls for his resignation in the aftermath of the Nov 19 polls.
"The party elections will weaken Umno leaders who are seen as friendly to PN, such as Ismail, Annuar Musa and Khairy Jamaludin.
"It is highly probable that Zahid will defend his place in the party," he said.


China's patchy Covid easing sows confusion but comforts investors

A partial easing of the world's toughest Covid-19 curbs sowed confusion across China on Monday, even as global investors cheered the prospects of a broader policy shift in the wake of last month's historic protests and mounting economic damage.
Three years into the pandemic, China's zero-tolerance measures, from shuttered borders to frequent lockdowns, contrast sharply with the rest of the world, which has largely decided to live with the virus.
The strict approach has battered the world's second-largest economy, put mental strain on hundreds of millions and last month prompted the biggest show of public discontent in mainland China since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012.
Although the protests largely petered out amid a heavy police presence across major cities, regional authorities have cut back on lockdowns, quarantine rules and testing requirements to varying degrees.
China will also soon announce a nationwide easing of testing requirements, allowing some positive cases and close contacts to isolate at home, people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.
That has prompted some analysts to suggest China may drop border controls and re-open the economy sooner than expected.
"The risk of an earlier but managed exit has increased," Goldman Sachs chief China economist Hui Shan said in a note on Monday, adding that the bank expected such a reopening from April. Other analysts expect such moves later in the year.
But the lack of clarity leaves some in China scared of being caught on the wrong side of fast-changing rules.
Yin, who lives in a small city near Beijing, the capital, said her in-laws had come down with a fever and she herself now had a sore throat, but they did not want to be tested for fear of being thrown into government quarantine facilities.
"All we want is to recover at home, by ourselves," she told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The yuan currency firmed to its strongest level against the dollar since mid-September amid a broad market rally as investors hope the unwinding of pandemic curbs will brighten the outlook for global growth.
Economic data underscored the damage from the curbs, as services activity shrank to six-month lows in November.
But in another hopeful sign for business, a source at Apple supplier Foxconn told Reuters the firm expected its Covid-hit Zhengzhou plant - the world's biggest iPhone factory - to resume full production later this month or early the next.
Changing message
Alongside the easing of local curbs, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who oversees Covid efforts, said last week the ability of the virus to cause disease was weakening.
That change in messaging aligns with the position held by many health officials around the world for more than a year.
As the virus weakens, conditions are improving for China to scale back management of Covid-19 as a serious contagious disease, state media outlet Yicai said late on Sunday, in comments that are among the first to float the idea.
In recent days, major cities across China have continued to loosening the toughest of those measures.
Authorities in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing urged local bodies not to test too much. "Do not repeat testing or increase testing," they said.
The eastern province of Zhejiang said it planned to largely end mass testing, while the metropolis of Nanjing dropped Covid tests for use of public transport.
So has Beijing, though entry to many office buildings in the capital still requires negative tests, leaving workers confused.
The scrapping of the requirement for negative tests to buy medicines for cold and fever in various cities, intended to deter people from using the drugs to disguise symptoms, has led instead to mass buying, some state media said.
Daily tallies of new Covid infections have also dropped in some regions as authorities row back on testing.
Although the heat of last week's protests appears to have died down, frustration can occasionally boil over.
In the central city of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in late 2019, people pushed down barriers on Saturday to break out of a lockdown at a garment industrial park, video clips posted on Twitter showed.
Reuters was able to verify that the incident happened in Wuhan.
On a rain-soaked Sunday, dozens of students carrying umbrellas gathered at a city university to protest its Covid policies, demanding greater "transparency" by officials, according to videos widely shared on Twitter.


White House applauds bill that would allow TikTok ban

The White House on Tuesday welcomed a bill that would allow the US to ban Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
The bill was backed by Mark Warner, a senior US senator from the Democratic party, and John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, in a rare act of political entente by US lawmakers.
"We applaud the bipartisan group of senators, led by Senators Warner and Thune, who today introduced the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act," Sullivan said.
The bipartisan bill "would empower the US government to prevent certain foreign governments from exploiting technology services... in a way that poses risks to Americans' sensitive data and our national security," Sullivan said in a statement.
The Senate bill and the backing of the White House accelerated the political momentum against TikTok, which is also the target of a separate piece of legislation in the US House of Representatives.
"Today, the threat that everyone is talking about is TikTok, and how it could enable surveillance by the Chinese Communist Party, or facilitate the spread of malign influence campaigns in the US," Warner said in a statement.
"Before TikTok, however, it was Huawei and ZTE, which threatened our nation's telecommunications networks. And before that, it was Russia's Kaspersky Lab, which threatened the security of government and corporate devices," said Warner.
Appearing tough on China is one of the rare issues with potential for bipartisan support in both the Republican-run House and the Senate, where Biden's Democratic Party holds a majority.
With Congress and the White House aligned on the idea that a law is necessary to curb the powers of TikTok, the chances of the legislation making it into law are greatly increased.
TikTok is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance and has more than a billion users worldwide including over 100 million in the US, where it has become a cultural force, especially for young people.
TikTok reacted by again pointing to its months of negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a government agency that assesses foreign investments' risks to US national security.
"The Biden administration does not need additional authority from Congress to address national security concerns about TikTok: It can approve the deal negotiated with CFIUS over two years that it has spent the last six months reviewing," TikTok spokesman Brooke Oberwetter told AFP.
Reflecting concerns voiced by free speech activists, she likened a US ban to a "ban on the export of American culture and values to the billion-plus people who use our service worldwide."
The legislation comes after US government workers in January were banned from installing TikTok on their devices.
Civil servants at the European Union, as well as in Canada and Denmark are also barred from having TikTok on their phones.


PN's Tioman candidate wants 2-day holiday for polling

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for Tioman, Nor Idayu Hashim, has called on the Pahang government to declare a two-day holiday for polling for the state seat, which was postponed from the 15th general election (GE15) on Nov 19.
She said this was important as the new polling day of Dec 7 was a Wednesday, which is a working day.
"Declaring a two-day holiday from Tuesday will encourage out-of-town voters to return home and vote," she told Bernama during her campaign round at Pantai Hiburan in Rompin yesterday.
Asked about the formation of the new Pahang government comprising Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), Nor Idayu said she was prepared to play the role of an effective opposition if elected by the people.
Meanwhile, Pahang PN chairman Saifuddin Abdullah, who joined in the campaign, said he was optimistic that Nor Idayu, the sole woman candidate in the election, could triumph in the constituency which is regarded as a BN stronghold.
"Going by the fact that PN’s Abdul Khalib Abdullah won the Rompin parliamentary seat in GE15, I am confident that we can win in Tioman," he added.
Nor Idayu is involved in a five-cornered fight with incumbent Mohd Johari Hussain of BN, Osman A Bakar of Pejuang, Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly of PH and independent candidate Sulaiman Bakar.
Polling for Tioman was postponed after PN candidate Md Yunus Ramli, 61, died of a heart attack on polling day on Nov 19.
Tioman, which is located within the Rompin constituency, has 28,465 voters, comprising 28,200 ordinary voters, 262 police personnel and three absentee voters abroad.


2.2% of children given Covid vaccine jab

A total of 79,393 children aged five to 11, or 2.2% of the group, had received a first dose of vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.Under PICKids, which was launched on Feb 3, recipients will receive the second dose within eight weeks.According to the CovidNow website, a total of 12,926,703 individuals or 55.2% of the adult population had received a booster dose as of yesterday.A total of 22,934,496 individuals or 98% have been fully vaccinated while 99.2% or 23,210,020 individuals have received at least one dose of vaccine.In terms of teenagers, a total of 2,794,416 individuals or 88.8% have completed their vaccination while 2,872,087 or 91.3% have received at least one dose.Yesterday, a total of 173,428 vaccine doses were administered, with 18,343 as first doses, 1,739 as second shots and 153,346 as booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses given under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to 64,611,898.Meanwhile, according to the health ministry’s GitHub portal, a total of 10 deaths due to Covid-19 were reported yesterday, with two cases each in Perak and Selangor, and one case each in Johor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Melaka and Penang.


10 killed in ‘racially motivated’ shooting at US grocery store

A heavily armed 18-year-old man shot 10 people dead on Saturday at a Buffalo, New York grocery store in a “racially motivated” attack that he live-streamed on camera, authorities said.The gunman, who was wearing body armor and a helmet, was arrested after the massacre, Buffalo police commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told a news conference.Gramaglia put the toll at 10 dead and three wounded. Eleven of the victims were African Americans.The gunman shot four people in the parking lot of the Tops supermarket, three of them fatally, then went inside and continued firing, Gramaglia said.Among those killed inside the store was a retired police officer working as an armed security guard.The guard “engaged the suspect, fired multiple shots,” but the gunman shot him, Gramaglia said.When police arrived, the shooter put the gun to his neck, but was talked down and surrendered, he added.Stephen Belongia, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Buffalo field office, told the news conference that the shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.“We are investigating this incident as both a hate crime and a case of racially motivated violent extremism,” Belongia said.Erie county sheriff John Garcia described the attack as “pure evil.”“It was straight up racially motivated hate crime from somebody outside of our community,” he said.John Flynn, the district attorney for Erie County, where Buffalo is located, said the suspect would be arraigned on charges of murder in the first degree, which carries a sentence of life without parole.‘Day of great pain’Flynn said the shooter used an “assault weapon” – a term that can apply to types of rifles and shotguns in New York – but did not specify which kind.Asked if the shooter streamed the killings on Twitch, a spokesman for the service said that “the user has been indefinitely suspended from our service.”“We are taking all appropriate action, including monitoring for any accounts rebroadcasting this content.”Byron Brown, the mayor of Buffalo – which is located in western New York, along the US border with Canada – said the shooter “travelled hours from outside this community to perpetrate this crime.”“This is a day of great pain for our community,” Brown said.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the “horrific shooting.”Biden “will continue to receive updates throughout the evening and tomorrow as further information develops. The president and the first lady are praying for those who have been lost and for their loved ones,” Jean-Pierre added.Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, the senior US senator from New York, said in a tweet: “We are standing with the people of Buffalo.”The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, also tweeted that she was monitoring the situation, and asked people in Buffalo to “avoid the area and follow guidance from law enforcement and local officials.”Last month, a “sniper-type” shooter opened fire in an upscale Washington neighbourhood, wounding four people before taking his own life.Police suspected that graphic video of that shooting which circulated online shortly afterward was filmed by the shooter himself, but have not confirmed the authenticity or if it was live-streamed.Despite recurring mass-casualty shootings and a nationwide wave of gun violence, multiple initiatives to reform gun regulations have failed in the US Congress, leaving states and local councils to enact their own restrictions.The US suffered 19,350 firearm homicides in 2020, up nearly 35% as compared to 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest data.


China simultaneously commissions 3 warships on navy anniversary

China commissioned 60,000 tonnes worth of major vessels earlier this month, on the 72nd anniversary of its navy, reports Defense News.The ceremony officially put into service a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, a guided-missile cruiser and an amphibious helicopter carrier.The unprecedented triple commissioning took place at the Yulin naval complex near the city of Sanya on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.Yulin is the main naval base of the South Sea Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The fleet’s area of responsibility lies in the waters of the nearby South China Sea.Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the ceremony, which saw the Yushen-class amphibious helicopter carrier Hainan, the Renhai-class guided-missile cruiser Dalian and the Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Changzheng-18 join the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).The Hainan is the lead ship of a new class of amphibious assault ships being built for the PLAN as it continues to boost its naval capabilities.At least two more amphibious carriers are under construction at a shipyard in Shanghai, and their introduction will significantly boost the PLAN’s ability to conduct large amphibious operations – a capability gap for China despite its massive military modernisation programme.At least eight more cruisers are concurrently under construction at two shipyards in Shanghai and the northern port city of Dalian, with both facilities also building smaller destroyers in a demonstration of the scale of China’s remarkable naval shipbuilding programme.Meanwhile, the Changzheng-18 is one of two such submarines previously reported by Defense News as undergoing construction, bringing the PLAN’s fleet to six. The subs can carry up to 12 nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.


Mosque in Delhi Rohingya camp bulldozed by authorities, say refugees

Police and civil authorities in the Indian capital Delhi have demolished a makeshift mosque in a Rohingya camp, say the refugees, just weeks after a massive fire engulfed the settlement.The mosque, made up of tarpaulin sheets and bamboo sticks, was bulldozed on Thursday morning at the camp located in New Delhi’s Madanpur Khader area in the city’s south.Nearly 300 refugees, most of whom fled a brutal military crackdown in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, told Al Jazeera the structure was demolished despite their appeals to the authorities not to do so.The Muslim Rohingya say they have been left without a place to worship.“The demotion began an hour after the Fajr prayers in the mosque,” Mohammad, 33, who wanted to be identified with his first name only for fear of reprisal, told Al Jazeera.“They first destroyed the toilets and washrooms, uprooted a water hand pump and then demolished the mosque – all within 10 minutes.”He said when the refugees tried to protest, the officials told them they were “illegal immigrants” living in the camp by “encroaching the land”.“I told them this is our place of worship but they said you talk a lot,” said Mohammad. “For us, a mosque is just like the Hindus have temples. What they did is totally wrong but we are powerless.”A police official at the nearby police station told Al Jazeera the demolished structure was not a mosque, just a ramshackle hut. He refused to answer further questions.On June 13, the camp that hosts more than 50 refugee families living in tumble-down shelters, was destroyed in a massive blaze – the second time the camp had been reduced to ashes since 2018.After that, the refugees lived in tents provided by local nonprofits and activists.Activist Aasif Mujtaba, whose group Miles to Smile assists the Rohingya and collaborates with the government in their rehabilitation, said officials had been alleging that the camp, including the mosque, stood on encroached land.Shamsheeda Khatoon, a 27-year-old Rohingya woman, said the mosque’s demolition was well planned.“They told us to move to roadside tents, then they demolished the mosque,” she said. “They did not allow us to even take out the copies of the Quran and other religious books.”She said the demolition of washrooms and water pumps has raised sanitation concerns among the women at the camp. “We now have no place to defecate, bathe or wash clothes.”An estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees, many undocumented, live in cramped and rickety camps across Indian cities.The United Nations refugee agency has provided some of them with refugee cards, which helps them to access basic services and is supposed to protect them from police action.Bangladesh currently holds more than a million Rohingya in cramped and squalid camps along its border with Myanmar. Large numbers of them have also taken refuge in neighbouring Asian countries, including India and Malaysia.“The Rohingya are living a tough life in India where they also face hate and violence from Hindu right-wing groups,” said Mujtaba, the activist.“First they lost their huts to fire and now their mosque and washrooms have been destroyed. This is blatant violation of human religious rights of the refugees.”Ali Johar, a Rohingya community activist in New Delhi, told Al Jazeera, “The refugees are also humans and the right to religion is a fundamental right in India.“Demolishing their mosque in this manner is hurtful, to say the least. The government should follow a compassionate approach towards Rohingya so that we may not have to rebuild our lives again and again.”


Despite ministerial soundbites, AirAsia passenger complaints continue

More AirAsia passengers have come forward to share their recent experiences with the budget carrier, despite a series of assurances and statements from Transport Minister Anthony Loke on ending the problem of frequent flight delays and cancellations.
A passenger from Kuching, Sarawak, told MalaysiaNow how she had been forced to fork out an extra RM1,399 just to get her family home from Kuala Lumpur.
Angelina Sinyang arrived at low-cost carrier hub klia2 at about 2.30pm for a 3.55pm flight on Jan 29. Upon her arrival, she found that she was only able to check in one piece of luggage using the self-service kiosk.
When she went to the check-in counter to speak with an AirAsia staff member, she was surprised to find it closed.
"They told me that I could no longer check in my luggage as they had already made the final call twice," she said.
Because of this, she said, there were no more staff on duty who could bring the rest of her bags to the plane.
Angelina was advised to purchase new tickets if she still intended to return to Kuching, and to claim the luggage that she had managed to check in.
"But when I went to the baggage counter, they said that the original flight had been delayed to 4.30pm," she said.
"This means that I actually would have had more time to check in my bags before going to the terminal."
In the end, Angelina bought four new tickets for a flight scheduled to depart at 9.55pm, paying RM1,399 on top of the RM2,000 she had paid for the first flight.
However, even the second flight was postponed, from 9.55pm to 11.30pm and then again to 12.05am.
"We finally arrived in Kuching at 2am," she said. "My child had to miss school the next day because she was too tired."
AirAsia topped passenger complaints from January to June last year, according to data published by the Malaysian Aviation Commission or Mavcom.
A total of 527 complaints (42.1%) were made against the budget airline, followed by 40.7% against Malaysia Airlines. Meanwhile, Batik Air, formerly known as Malindo Air, received 99 complaints or 7.9%.
Late last year, Loke drew criticism for rebuking only Batik Air for flight delays despite similar problems of a greater frequency at AirAsia.
"As a minister, he should be fair to all parties. Why single out Batik Air? Why is there no mention of AirAsia delays and cancellations or refund issues? This is being biased," local aviation expert Germal Singh Khera, who is also a former Mavcom director, told MalaysiaNow.
Maggots in meal
For passenger Jagruti Upadhaya, her experience flying with AirAsia was a bit too much to stomach.
She and her family were on a return flight from Bali to Kuala Lumpur in December last year. They ordered four vegetarian meals to eat on the plane.
"We found maggots in my child's food," she told MalaysiaNow.
"So none of us touched ours, either. We asked the stewardess to take them all away."
Jagruti filed a complaint through AirAsia's chatbox AVA but was forced to wait until Jan 25 for a response.
"AirAsia only contacted us after I made a social media post accompanied by a picture of the maggots," she said.
"They offered us credit of RM100. We don't want money, we want a sincere apology. It's a good thing none of us fell sick."
Jagruti is still considering whether to take legal action against the airline.
Christian Echica, a Filipino working in Malaysia, said he had emailed AirAsia more than 10 times since November to ask for a refund after his flight home to Cebu for Christmas was cancelled.
Christian was forced to spend another RM1,718 on a ticket with Philippines Air instead.
Today, he still has doubts about whether he will receive his money back despite AirAsia's assurances. His hope is that Loke will intervene and take the appropriate action.
"If they were just ordinary people like us, they would want justice too," he said.
"I hope the authorities will be more sensitive to this issue and take whatever steps are necessary, like contacting the affected passengers and asking about the developments in their case."
MalaysiaNow is still awaiting a response from AirAsia.


Globalisation comes under the spotlight of Covid-19

For the past 15 years, Malaysian Faheem Ahmad has been living in Guangzhou, China.He went there to study Mandarin in 2006 and was supposed to return to Malaysia and teach the language but found a small but lucrative niche in the world of international trade.While completing his master’s degree, he started a company, Hijrah Trading, with the aim of supplying Chinese goods to Malaysian clients. It took off almost immediately.“We focus on small businesses that don’t know how to import goods from China. We show them how to do it,” he told MalaysiaNow. “Mostly, I guide them to find manufacturers or suppliers of the goods they want.”That was pre-pandemic when he used to come home frequently. Since Covid-19 struck, he has been marooned in Malaysia for over a year.Silver linings are still possible though, even in pandemics, and last year his business was profitable as the import of face masks and sanitisers from China boomed.Faheem’s progress from international student to cross-border entrepreneur embodied globalisation: worldwide travel and trade; global businesses and supply chains; and mixing of cultures as the world became more connected economically, digitally, and socially.Globalisation, the process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide exploded with the industrial revolution due to advances in transportation and communication technology.For over 200 years globalisation was the model for world manufacturing and trade.Then along came Covid-19.But even before the pandemic, globalisation had taken a knock when Donald Trump surfed to the US presidency on the wave of “Make America Great Again”, alarming world economies.However, the pandemic and its fallout has disrupted the foundations of globalisation more than any superpower change of tack could.In just one year, freedom of movement, global supply chains, and interconnected markets all suffered huge hits.The IRIS Institute is an independent non-profit research centre that focuses on the causes of conflicts and crises in the Islamic world and their resolution.CEO Syed Ahmad Israa’ Syed Ibrahim told MalaysiaNow that the abrupt decline of globalisation is only temporary because the international financial system is built on it.“The protectionist policy implemented by the superpowers is to manage the temporary losses suffered by multinational companies. In this case, a country like Malaysia is among the biggest losers,” he said.“Globalisation has always safeguarded the interests of companies and capitalist countries and has not benefited producers of raw materials such as Malaysia.”He explained that when raw material supplier-countries like Malaysia lose their market, they’re in deep trouble without their own strong national economic ecosystem.“When we lose our markets, it’s like the First World War when the colonialists suddenly abandoned us because they wanted to maintain their own economies. Back then, the bulk of our economy was from selling rubber and suddenly we couldn’t sell it. The same happened with tin.“As a result, the country suffered severe loss of income and we had to borrow to save our economy.”Fast forward to today and the same pattern can be seen with Malaysia’s palm oil, since the country still depends on foreign markets and buyers.This dependence can be reduced, he said, by developing a bigger palm oil-based domestic industry capable of using the supply.He urged Malaysian leaders to see the situation as a chance for a real shift in economic development models.“We need to create a strong domestic and regional market, and reduce our dependence on foreign markets,” he said. “We should reduce foreign ownership and develop local technologies to cater to expanded national industries.”CEO of Berjaya University College in Kuala Lumpur, See Hoon Peow, spoke of a possible future realignment of countries.“Currently, Malaysia is trying to take a neutral stance, which is wise for a small country,” he told MalaysiaNow.He said Malaysia must invest more in technology so that it will not be so dependent on other countries for critical supplies.“Malaysia should learn from the spat between the US and Huawei. Chips and operating system are essential components in phones. The US controls these technologies. Huawei prepared over 10 years ago for the disputes of today.“Countries must invest in key technologies if they want to prosper. A country should also be independent in essentials like food and energy. The cost may be high but at least it’ll be sustainable,” he said.The decline of globalisation, assisted by the pandemic, is also seeing the rise of what is termed “new nationalism”.See said that in Malaysia, internal factors are stronger than international influences.“Conservative forces in the country are trying hard to counter globalisation influences, thus we hear more noise from them. How people will receive things depends on many factors.“In the short run, I think the tension will be strong, as no party is secure. When a final winner emerges, things will stabilise, and tensions will ease.“When people are insecure, they tend to protect what they consider their core identity and are unwilling to change.”Teacher-turned-trader Faheem agrees. From his experience, he can see how China has seized on and exploited globalisation more successfully than Malaysia.“Malaysian manufacturers also face too many hurdles and a lot of red tape when they want to export their products to China.“It’s expensive, there are too many barriers, and our system benefits Chinese factories more than our own businesses,” he said. “We simply do not produce as many products as other countries.”In 2020, Covid-19 hammered a nail into globalisation’s coffin lid. Maybe more than one.But with people like Faheem around, it won’t be the final nail.Countries are already being forced to develop more autonomous economiesBut the only question really is, how long before the world economy goes global again?


Tiger Woods crash due to ‘unsafe’ driving speed, says sheriff

Tiger Woods was driving at an “unsafe” speed nearly double the 45mph limit when he crashed in California in February, Los Angeles County’s sheriff said Wednesday.Woods’s SUV was travelling at up to 87 miles (140km) an hour before it flew off the road and flipped several times during the accident in Ranchos Palos Verdes, leaving the 15-time major champion with a shattered right leg.“The primary causal factor for this traffic collision was driving at a speed unsafe for the road conditions and the inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway,” said Alex Villanueva.“Estimated speeds at the first area of impact were 84 to 87 miles per hour.”There were “no signs of impairment” or evidence of any “distracted driving”, and Woods voluntarily allowed the results of the investigation to be made public, officials said.Woods, 45, may have inadvertently hit the gas instead of the brakes upon losing control, Captain James Powers said, although Woods himself does not recall the incident.Both officials said the golfer had not been given any special treatment, and that he was not cited for speeding because there were no witnesses or police present at the time. Woods will not face criminal charges.The crash would have been investigated further “if there was a significant injury or fatality” and had involved another person, said Powers.Investigators did not check Woods phone or test his bloodwork because there was “no evidence of any impairment or intoxication,” Powers told a press conference.The serious leg injuries sustained by Woods have raised fears for the future of his astonishing career.The star, whose 82 US PGA titles are level with Sam Snead for the all-time win record, won the 2019 Masters for his first major title in 11 years to complete an astonishing comeback after multiple back surgeries.Following the crash on Feb 23, he underwent hours of surgery to repair his shattered lower right leg and ankle, which included the insertion of a rod into his shinbone and screws and pins to stabilise the joint.He is recovering at his home in Florida and will not compete in this year’s Masters, which begins Thursday.‘Hazardous’Woods was in the Los Angeles area for his annual Genesis Invitational golf tournament at the Riviera Country Club, and was driving a courtesy car on the morning of the crash.Powers dismissed claims Woods had been observed driving erratically earlier that morning, telling reporters that video surveillance footage showed the golfer travelling at normal, safe speeds at the beginning of his journey.Sheriff Villanueva described the stretch of road as “hazardous”, with multiple people approaching it with “way too much speed for the conditions” due to the road’s design.The district supervisor was planning to introduce traffic control measures to reduce speeds, he said.Woods has previously been involved in infamous driving incidents.In November 2009, he smashed his car into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his luxury Florida home, sparking a series of scandalous revelations that doomed his marriage and put his game in freefall.In May 2017, he was arrested near his home for being asleep at the wheel of his car in a traffic lane. Woods said he had taken prescription drugs and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.


Radzi takes PM to task over claim that 30,000 sat out SPM exam

Former education minister Mohd Radzi Jidin today hit out at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over his claim that 30,000 students did not sit for the 2022 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Radzi pointed out that according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, only 14,858 students did not sit for the final school leaving examination.
He questioned where Anwar obtained that figure, adding that the latter was politicising education and tarnishing the previous administration's image.
"If we look at Fadhlina's statement, the number of students absent from the SPM examination was listed as 14,858," he said, citing several media reports.
"When the prime minister said 30,000 absentees, where did the data come from? Who is being dishonest here?
"Either the education minister is providing false information to him, or the prime minister is making statements without verifying the facts."
Radzi was referring to Anwar's remarks during a dialogue session with undergraduates at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia yesterday.
He also slammed Anwar for implying that he had failed to monitor the situation.
The Putrajaya MP said the SPM examination took place from Feb 20 to March 15 this year, months after the coalition government took over the administration.
"Even if he wants to blame me, he needs to get his facts straight. The examination took place after my tenure.
"So how could I be held responsible? He should ask the minister in charge at that time, who is Fadhlina," Radzi added.
Radzi also said that Anwar should refer to a statement from the Malaysian Examinations Council published on June 16, 2022, that 10,861 SPM candidates did not attend the examination in 2021.
"We should never politicise education.
"That's why this matter did not become part of the campaign. But while we're in the ministry, we need to ensure that our children receive the best in schools," Radzi said.
It was previously reported that 14,858 first-time SPM candidates did not sit for the examination. The absentees made up 3.8% of the total 388,832 candidates.
The education ministry said it was looking into appropriate interventions to ensure better student attendance in the coming years.


Lions test positive for Covid-19 in Indian zoo

Eight Asiatic lions have tested positive for Covid-19 at a zoo in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.Officials said on Wednesday the infected lions were recovering well and analysis of samples revealed the infection was not caused by an Indian variant virus.“All eight lions have responded well to the treatment and recovering. They are behaving normally and eating well. Preventive measures are already in place for all zoo staff,” the federal ministry of environment, forest and climate change said.An undisclosed number of the zoo employees have also tested positive in the recent past but the ministry said there was no evidence that animals could transmit the disease to humans.A zoo official told Zee Media that RT-PCR tests of some of the animals, particularly Asiatic Lions had been carried out as they were looking sick and displaying Covid-like symptoms.There are more than 1,000 animals of different varieties spread over nearly 400 acres of Hyderabad Zoo. It is presently closed for visitors due to the second wave of the pandemic.Business Today says that CCMB scientists will also now do genome sequencing to figure out if this strain came from animals or human beings.This is not the first recorded case of Covid-19 in captive big cats.Four lions at Barcelona Zoo in Spain tested positive for coronavirus in December.Three females and one male were tested after displaying mild symptoms. Two staff members also tested positive for the virus.The Bronx Zoo in the US had the first known case in April 2020 when four tigers and three lions tested positive for coronavirus. They all made a full recovery.Experts have said that when zoos are open, the risk of infection between big cats and visitors is low because no-one who comes to see them gets close enough.


DAP urges Warisan, Pejuang to sign MoU with govt

DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has urged other opposition blocs to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) in signing the memorandum of understanding with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, stressing the need for a “political ceasefire” to reset the focus on winning the battle against Covid-19.In a statement, the Iskandar Puteri MP noted Malaysia’s cumulative death toll which currently stands at over 22,000.“DAP and PH will do their utmost to honour their undertaking in the CSR MoU because we cannot allow the Covid-19 pandemic to continue with its ravages of lives and livelihoods in Malaysia, causing over two million Covid-19 cases and a toll of over 22,000 lives in 21 months,” he said, referring to the confidence-supply-reform agreement signed on Sept 13.“I hope Warisan, Pejuang and Muda support and sign the CSR MoU with the prime minister for a better future for all Malaysians,” he added.The MoU was signed by MPs from PN and PH in a move described by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as “consultative democracy”.The agreement was signed by Ismail and top PH leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu, Lim Guan Eng and Upko’s Wilfred Madius Tangau.However, Warisan and Pejuang rejected the agreement, saying they had not been consulted ahead of time.Lim reiterated that his party and PH would do their best to ensure that the MoU works, adding however that “there is no guarantee that it will successfully usher Malaysia into a new political landscape”.He added that the MoU would not mean the end of the opposition in Parliament, saying MPs from DAP and PH would remain “as articulate and outspoken for justice, freedom, progress and unity as ever”.But given Malaysia’s Covid-19 death rate, he said there must be a “political ceasefire”.“This is why there must be a political ceasefire in the next 10-18 months to unite Malaysians to single-mindedly win the losing war against the Covid-19 pandemic and overcome the existential threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.


Warisan and co to contest under 3 logos in Sabah

Warisan and its allies will use three logos for their candidates in the upcoming state election, its president Shafie Apdal said today.The three logos are those of Warisan, Upko and PKR.The Warisan logo will be used by candidates fielded by Warisan, DAP and Amanah, while Upko and PKR candidates will use their own logos.Speaking at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu, Shafie said for now, Warisan, DAP, Upko and Amanah would contest 66 of the 73 state seats with the remaining contested by PKR.This means Warisan will run for 46 seats, Upko 12, DAP seven, PKR seven and Amanah one.Shafie, who is Sabah chief minister, will be defending his Senallang state seat.The 66 candidates fielded by Warisan and its allies also include former international trade and industry minister Darell Leiking and former tourism minister Mohamaddin Ketapi, both of whom will contest under Warisan.Darell, who is Penampang MP, will contest the Moyog state seat while hamaddin will contest the Segama state seat.A full list of candidates is as follows:1. Mohammad Mohamarin (Mohammad Mohamarin)2. Sh Azman Sh Along (Pitas)3. Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor)4. Majamis Timbong (Bandau)5. Mohd Safian Saludin (Pintasan)6. Abd [email protected] Bakhrin Mohd Yusof (Usukan)7. Aliasgar Basri (Sulaman)8. Utoh @ Rakam Sijim (Pantai Dalit)9. Ahmad Jais Otong (Karambunai)10. Azhar Matusin (Darau)11. Tan Lee Fatt (Likas)12. Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang)13. Wong Hong Jun @ Junz Wong (Tanjung Aru)14. Awang Ahmad Shah (Petagas)15. Rosday @ Rosdy Wasli (Tanjung Keramat)16. Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan)17. Darell Leiking (Moyog)18. Juil Nuatim (Limbahau)19. Musli Sapan @ Mushafien (Kawang)20. Yahiya Awang Kahar (Pantai Manis)21. Daud Yusof (Bongawan)22. Mohd Kamarudin Abd Hamid (Membakut)23. Ag ku Zaidi Pg Wahab (Lumadan)24. Yusoff Yacob (Sindumin)25. Siriman @ Mohd Fazid Basir (Kundasang)26. Awasi Ganie @ Yasin Abdul Ghani (Karanaan)27. Odom @ Peter Dhoms Saili @ Soili (Bingkor)28. Rasinin Koutis @ Kautis (Liawan)29. Peter Anthony (Melalap)30. Mudi Dubing (Tulid)31. Norsabrina Japar (Sugut)32. Arunarnsin Taib (Gum-Gum)33. Mahmud Sudin (Sungai Manila)34. Armani Mahiruddin (Sungai Sibuga)35. Alias Sani (Sekong)36. Hiew Vun Zin @ George Hiew (Karamunting)37. Chong Ket Kiun (Elopura)38. Poon Ming Fung @ Frankie Poon (Tanjong Papat)39. Mohd Ismail Ayob (Lamag)40. Amrah Liwangsa (Sukau)41. Assafal P Alian (Tungku)42. Mohamaddin Ketapi (Segama)43. Dumi Pg Masdal (Silam)44. Norazlinah Arif (Kunak)45. Jaujan Sambakong (Sulabayan)46. Shafie Apdal (Senallang)47. Manis Muka Mohd Darah (Bugaya)48. Andi Rus Diana Andi Paladjareng (Balung)49. Amrullah Kamal (Apas)50. Justin Wong Yung Bin (Sri Tanjong)51. Rina Jainal (Kukusan)52. Mohd Afsar Abdul Latif (Tanjung Batu)53. Sarifuddin Hata (Merotai)54. Hassan A Gani Pg Amir (Sebatik)55. Junsim Rumunzing (Bengkoka)56. Padis Majingkin (Tandek)57. Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian)58. Madius Tangau (Kiulu)59. Nelson W Angang (Kuala Penyu)60. Georgina L George (Paginatan)61. Nayan Yambu @ Laurentius (Tambunan)62. Lucas Umbul (Kemabong)63. Albert Aguir (Nabawan)64. Felix Joseph Sitin (Telupid)65. Dennis Tweening Rantau (Labuk)66. Benson Inggam (Kuamut)


SOPs a casualty of Raya shopping fever?

SOP compliance appears to be on the wane in some areas as much of the country gears up to celebrate Hari Raya amid a fierce spike in Covid-19 cases which has left Malaysia firmly entrenched in the four-digit zone despite earlier hopes of getting numbers under control by May.Bazaars, textile outlets and boutiques are just some of the hotspots ahead of this year’s Hari Raya, the second to be observed under the shadow of the pandemic.With crowds beginning to gather once more, the question is how to enforce physical distancing – a key factor in controlling the spread of Covid-19.Checks by MalaysiaNow at popular shopping spots like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur and Seksyen 7 in Shah Alam found poor SOP compliance among most shoppers.Some at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman who spoke to MalaysiaNow said they were there mainly for nostalgic reasons and to revive the festive spirit.Suria, a housewife from Ampang, said she was visiting the Aidilfitri bazaar as she was unable to do so last year.“I haven’t gone out for so long, so that’s why I’m here.“I’m only here for window shopping, I don’t think I’ll buy anything,” she added.Customers queue for entry to an Aidilfitri bazaar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.Wati meanwhile said she was there as she felt it was a necessary practice every Hari Raya.“I came here just to stroll around as I purchased my Hari Raya clothes in January,” she said.“I just feel like I should visit the bazaar this year and see what they have to offer.”But whether they are serious shoppers or just looking around, the crowds of customers are proving a challenge for shop owners and staff who must ensure that everyone at their outlet follows health SOPs.Sam, a supervisor at a department store in Shah Alam, said crowd control was particularly challenging on weekends as customers prefer going to physical shops to try on clothes instead of ordering them online.“Before Covid-19, the crowd was much better but now, after the lockdown, it’s getting worse.“Everyone wants to go out because they have been saving their money for Raya shopping,” he told MalaysiaNow.Sam’s staff do their best to ensure that customers follow SOPs by providing queue numbers to limit the number of visitors at a time.At the check-out counters, only one person is allowed to pay at a time. Customers are diverted to other cashiers if the queue becomes too long.Regular announcements are also made through loudspeakers to remind customers to keep a safe distance from each other.But in spite of their best efforts, Sam estimates that SOP compliance is about “50-50”.“Some customers follow but some cannot. They just do what they want,” he said.Bargain hunters search for good deals at a mall in Shah Alam.At the bazaar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, only 200 people are allowed in at a time. Each stall is manned by two staff, and only three visitors are allowed at any given time.But these precautions mean that many others queue for hours for a chance to enter the bazaar.A shop owner at Arked Jalan Bunus said customers were willing to do so as they were unable to visit bazaars last year.“The way I see it, the public cannot bear to stay at home for too long.“Especially during Raya season like this, they are willing to queue up just so they can buy their Raya goods,” she said.Still, health experts warn that maintaining a safe distance is a top concern as crowds persist despite heavy fines and ample information on how Covid-19 spreads.Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah, president of the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia, said much of this is due to poor law enforcement.“Our problem is enforcement, not the quantum of the fines,” he told MalaysiaNow.“With poor enforcement, there’s no use raising fine amounts from RM1,000 to RM10,000.”Meanwhile, Dr Kuljit Singh who heads the Association of Private Hospitals, Malaysia, warned that hospitals across the country are running out of beds for Covid-19 patients.He said getting treatment would be difficult when too many daily cases are reported and hospitals can no longer accept patients.He advised sending one representative per family to do any shopping needed for the festive season to avoid overcrowding at malls and bazaars.“I know the whole family wants to go out to shop, but by doing so, you are depriving the others.“We need to follow some sort of order. If we don’t, eventually everything will shut down.”


Time to make govt positions less lucrative, says Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today proposed a cut in wages for high-earning individuals, saying salaries have been increased by as much as 25% over the past 15 years including for ministers and MPs.“Ministers and MPs have been given numerous allowances,” he said in a blog post on the 2021 budget tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Friday.“Such is the increase that everyone is keen to be MPs and ministers. Nothing will make them part with their position.“Even when their leaders commit crimes, they will support them. Giving up their posts would deprive them of so much money. Principles don’t count anymore.“It is perhaps better to make these posts less attractive.”Although acknowledging that some, like airline staff and business executives, might lose their jobs, he said those who are paid high salaries “continue to earn more than their daily needs”.He contrasted this with the situation of the poor, whom he said have been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.Such people “earn today for today”, he said. “If they don’t, then they will have no money to buy food, even. They will starve.”Noting a suggestion by Warisan president Shafie Apdal for ministers to take a 30% pay cut, he said people earning high wages in the government or private sector should forgo “10% of their salaries”.“It is a sacrifice but I don’t think it would hurt them if there is a reasonable cut-off point, say RM20,000 p.m.”The money should instead be used to feed the unemployed and those without income, he said.


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PM hints at early GE if GRS wins Sabah polls

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today hinted at an early general election if Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) wins the state polls on Sept 26.He said the state election was vital as it would determine the country’s political landscape, especially for the people of Sabah.“At the national level, we haven’t decided when the general election should be called, but if we win the state election in Sabah, we should quickly hold the general election,” he said at an event in Kota Belud.“What’s important in the Sabah polls is the signal that we can get (from the people) on whether or not they support Perikatan Nasional (PN) or want me to continue being the prime minister, because we want Malaysia to go forward and succeed.“One of the ways to succeed is to stick with me.”Muhyiddin, who is chairman of PN, said Sabahans should help ensure victory for GRS so that the state government can be aligned with the federal administration.“The choice is yours,” he said. “If there is a chance to form a new state government, do not opt for Warisan because Pakatan Harapan has ceased to exist and no longer rules the country.“I don’t think the people of Sabah still want to choose the opposition in this very critical situation, especially when economic activity is declining due to Covid-19.“We need to overcome this difficult situation, and that is why we need a PN-aligned state government.”He also said effort should be made towards economic recovery by both state and federal governments.“We have been among the best countries in handling Covid-19. We don’t want to be the worst in post-Covid-19 economic recovery.“If the Sabah government is led by GRS after the polls on Sept 26, I promise to help Sabah revive its economy – back to normal, if not better than before Covid-19,” he added.


Ukraine says Russian attempts to advance in Donetsk region repelled

Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk that has become a key focus of the near six-month-old war, but said they had repelled many of the attacks.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces also reported Russian shelling of over a dozen towns on the southern front - particularly the Kherson region, mainly held by Russian forces but where Ukrainian troops are steadily retaking territory.
Natalia Humeniuk, spokesman for Ukraine's southern military command, said on Monday the situation was complicated but under control. "The enemy doesn't dare advance by land, but fires at the territories in the rear with artillery and rockets," she told a news briefing.
Asked about Ukraine's shelling on Sunday of the Antonivskyi Bridge in the Kherson region, she said Ukrainian forces were continuing to fire on routes used by the Russians for supplies.
"Over the past week, we have destroyed more than 10 warehouses. The damage we inflicted makes it impossible to move heavy equipment. There are recorded facts that after we inflicted defeats on command posts, their commanding staff moved to the left bank (of the Dnipro river)," she said.
Much attention has been focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine amid fears of a catastrophe over renewed shelling in recent days that Russia and Ukraine blame on each other.
"The Russians think they can force the world to comply with their conditions by shelling the Zaporizhzhia NPP (nuclear power plant)," Andriy Yermak, chief of the Ukrainian presidential staff, wrote on Twitter. "This will not happen. Instead, our military will punish them by hard hitting with precision on pain points."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the establishment of a demilitarised zone around Zaporizhzhia and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russian soldiers who shoot at Europe's largest nuclear power station or use it as a base to shoot from that they will become a "special target" of Ukrainian forces.
The Zaporizhzhia plant dominates the south bank of a vast reservoir on the Dnipro River. Ukrainian forces controlling the towns and cities on the opposite bank have come under intense bombardment from the Russian-held side.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which seeks access to the plant, has warned of a nuclear disaster unless fighting stops. Nuclear experts fear fighting might damage the plant's spent fuel pools or reactors.
A spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry said on Monday it would do all it could to allow IAEA specialists to visit the plant.
"In close cooperation with the agency and its leadership, we will do everything necessary for the IAEA specialists to be at the station and give a truthful assessment of the destructive actions of the Ukrainian side," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Fighting in East, South
Ukraine, where parliament on Monday extended martial law for a further three months, has said for weeks it is planning a counteroffensive to recapture Zaporizhzhia and neighbouring Kherson province, the largest part of the territory Russia seized after its Feb. 24 invasion and still holds.
In the Russian-occupied region of Luhansk, in the grounds below an abandoned, charred apartment block, Lilia Ai-Talatini, 48, watched as her mother's body was exhumed from a makeshift grave to be taken to a cemetery for a proper burial.
Ai-Talatini told Reuters how it had taken her 10 days to reach her parents' apartment, which was on the Russian-held side of the town of Rubizhne, during heavy fighting there in March.
"Mother was already dying... her hands were blue, her complexion was sallow, there were circles under her eyes," she said. "The next day mother passed away."
An official with the Luhansk People's Republic, a statelet set up by pro-Moscow separatist forces, said a team had been working in Rubizhne for 10 days and exhumed 104 sets of remains.
"It's clear that shrapnel wounds predominate, but there are also bullet wounds," Anna Soroka said, estimating there were 500 unofficial graves in the city.
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.
Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine a "special military operation" to demilitarise its smaller neighbour and protect Russian-speaking communities. Ukraine and Western backers accuse Moscow of waging an imperial-style war of conquest.
The conflict has pushed Moscow-Washington relations to a low point, with Russia warning it may sever them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow was ready to offer modern weapons to its allies. He used a speech at an arms show near Moscow to boast of Russia's advanced weapons capabilities.
"(We) are ready to offer our allies the most modern types of weapons, from small arms to armoured vehicles and artillery to combat aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles," Putin said at the opening ceremony of the "Army-2022" forum.
"Almost all of them have been used more than once in real combat operations."
But Putin's military has performed worse than expected in Ukraine. Having been beaten back from Ukraine's two biggest cities and making slow headway, at heavy cost, in the east of the country, the war has so far not proved to be a convincing showcase for Russia's arms industry.


We will detain and deport you, UK tells small-boat migrants

Britain has set out details of a new law barring the entry of asylum seekers arriving in small boats across the Channel, a proposal some charities say could be impractical and criminalise the efforts of thousands of genuine refugees.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping boat arrivals one of his five key priorities after the number of migrants arriving on the south coast of England soared to more than 45,000 last year, up 500% in the last two years.
The new legislation will mean anyone who arrives this way will be prevented from claiming asylum and deported either back to their homeland or to so-called safe third countries.
Anger over immigration has played a defining role in British politics over the last decade and Sunak's Conservatives hope that by taking a hard line they can rebuild their popularity as they trail the main opposition Labour party by around 20 percentage points in opinion polls.
The UN's refugee agency said it was "profoundly concerned" by the proposals, which would deny people the right to asylum "no matter how genuine and compelling" individual cases may be.
The government said on the first page of the draft legislation that it may not be compatible with Britain's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, meaning it could face legal challenges if made into law.
Sunak said he would do "whatever is necessary" to stop the small boats and was ready to fight any legal challenges.
"We're up for the fight, I wouldn't be standing here if we weren't - but we're actually confident that we will win," he told a press conference.
The legislation will allow the detention of migrants without bail until they can be removed, interior minister Suella Braverman said, and those entering Britain illegally would no longer be able to use anti-slavery laws to try to block removal.
Only children, people who are considered too ill to fly or those at a "real risk of serious and irreversible harm" will be allowed to claim asylum in Britain.
Just under two-thirds of those who arrive on small boats are currently granted asylum or another form of humanitarian protection, interior ministry figures show.
While the number of applications for asylum in the UK hit a 20-year high of nearly 75,000 in 2022, it is still below the European Union average. Germany received more than 240,000 asylum applications last year.
Legal wrangling
Opposition politicians and charities have questioned whether the latest plans would be any more effective than previous attempts in the last five years to deter people from making the crossing.
Labour's home affairs spokesperson Yvette Cooper described the government's announcement as another "Groundhog Day" and said it should be working with other countries to address the matter.
Last year, Britain agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants more than 4,000 miles away (6,400km) to Rwanda.
The first deportation flight was blocked by an injunction from the European Court of Human Rights. London's High Court then ruled it lawful in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict.
Braverman said she was in discussions with the European human rights court to halt the use of injunctions to prevent the future deportation of migrants.
She suggested to parliament that without changes to the law, 100 million asylum seekers could qualify for protection in Britain, but didn't provide supporting evidence for that figure.


Hong Kong-Singapore ‘travel bubble’ to launch on Nov 22

The “travel bubble” agreed between Hong Kong and Singapore will be opened on Nov 22, their governments said Wednesday, in a rare piece of good news for the pandemic-battered tourism industry.A quota of 200 residents from each city will be able to travel on one daily flight to the other, Hong Kong’s commerce minister Edward Yau told a press conference.Only those who have been in Hong Kong or Singapore for two weeks and tested negative for Covid-19 will be allowed to board, he added.The travel corridor offers a glimpse into how places with less severe outbreaks might be able to safely restart some travel.Passengers arriving in Hong Kong will have to test negative again at the airport to avoid quarantine, while those arriving in Singapore will have to download a contact-tracing app.The daily flights will be operated by Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.If either city reports a daily average of more than five new cases from untraceable sources over a week, the travel bubble will be suspended for two weeks, Yau said.He added that if no spike in cases was reported, the flight quota between the two regional aviation hubs would be increased to two per day from each city from Dec 7.Singapore transport minister Ong Ye Kung said the arrangements would be “as close at it gets to pre-Covid travel”.Singapore is a major market for Hong Kong’s tourism industry with more than 450,000 visitor arrivals recorded in 2019, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.Internet searches for travel-starved Hongkongers jumped more than four times after plans for the travel bubble were announced last month, leading to a spike of more than 50% in ticket fares, according to online travel firm Expedia.


Why a second lockdown is unnecessary for now

The government has decided against bringing back many of the restrictions that were imposed when the movement control order (MCO) was introduced on March 18 this year, despite the recent spikes in Covid-19 cases.As the owner of an SME, as well as a father and a son to an ageing mum, I am totally in support of this decision – for now.Rolling back on the freedom we have been granted in order to stem the rising infections may seem like the logical thing to do. But when one looks deeper into the issue, it is not as cut and dry as one would imagine. If the government were to ban interstate travel and shutter businesses and schools, the economic fallout would be disastrous.My humble SME has already suffered massive a dip of around 56% in revenue since March. Within the business community, the general consensus is that we can’t afford another shutdown. If not for the loan moratorium and wage subsidies, many more businesses would have folded for good.A friend recently related that a business associate of his was practically suicidal looking at how the business the latter had built up over the decades had crumbled under the weight of economic hardships triggered by the pandemic.There is a need to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods, and I feel the government has walked this thin line rather well. Relying on data-driven strategies rather than knee-jerk reactions, the government has provided a steady hand in managing one of the worst crises we have ever faced in recent times.Let’s look at the facts: While the number of new cases is high, most of them are from identifiable locations. For example, of Kedah’s 102 new cases on Oct 3, 97 were from the prison Tembok cluster.In Sabah, currently the top Covid-19 hotbed, 100 of the 155 new cases reported on the same day came from contact tracing from the four known clusters. Obviously, when active case detection is carried out, more cases will emerge.This brings to mind the Singapore experience where the republic saw a sudden spike in cases, mostly from the living quarters of its foreign workers. Aggressive contact tracing saw over 57,000 cases reported there to date, despite its smaller population and size relative to Malaysia’s and its supposedly superior healthcare system.The international financial district did not succumb to public pressure for stricter restrictions that could hurt the economy more than it already had.Likewise for Malaysia, which did fairly well in containing the spread of the disease prior to this. We already have a working system in place that, by all indications, is able to handle the sudden rise in cases – at least for now. Our hospital beds for Covid-19 patients are only running at about 25% capacity and we have enough quarantine centres and manpower for the time being.Besides, the government has imposed enhanced movement control orders (EMCOs) in Covid-19 hotspots and will continue doing so. This is a more practical solution and has been proven to work in the past. If the Kota Setar district has a high number of cases, the authorities just need to lock down that area. There is no necessity to lock down the whole of Kedah or even the whole country.I am not writing to say that economic considerations should take precedence over health. I have school-going kids and an ageing mum, all who are categorised as high risk. No amount of money in the world is worth losing your loved ones.All I am saying is that there is a need to be rational and level-headed in this time of crisis. The government has done fairly well for now, managing not just the pandemic, but the economic fallout. Until data shows otherwise, let’s support this government in treading this fine line between lives and livelihoods.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Over 132,000 children double jabbed, 67.7% of adults boosted

A total of 132,390 children aged five to 11 had completed their Covid-19 vaccination under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow website, a total of 1,365,915 children or 38.4% have received at least one dose of vaccine.In terms of adolescents aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,860,287 or 91.9% have completed their vaccination while 2,961,642 or 95.2% have received at least one dose of vaccine.Meanwhile, 67.7% of the adult population, or 15,922,033 individuals, have received a Covid-19 booster dose while 22,957,184 or 97.6% have completed their vaccination.A total of 23,234,427 or 98.8% have received at least one dose of vaccine.A total of 38,820 vaccnie doses were dispensed yesterday comprising 4,079 first doses, 28,469 second shots and 6,272 booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 69,221,371.


2 found guilty in death by suffocation of 39 Vietnamese migrants in UK

Two people smugglers were found guilty on Monday of the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children who suffocated to death in the back of a refrigerated truck in October last year after the lorry landed in Britain after crossing the sea from Europe.The migrants suffocated in the sealed container en route from Zeebrugge Belgium to Purfleet England in October 2019.The discovery of so many dead people – some as young as 15 – shocked Britain and Vietnam and shone a spotlight on the illicit global trade that sends the poor of Asia, Africa and the Middle East on perilous journeys to find a future in the West.As oxygen levels fell in the back of the truck, some tried desperately to escape, but in vain. Others used mobile phones to say their last farewells to families on the other side of the world when they knew their situation was hopeless.Prosecutors said the container became a “tomb” as temperatures in the unit reached an “unbearable” 38.5 degrees Celsius.“This is an unimaginably tragic case: 39 vulnerable people desperate for a new life put their trust in a network of unscrupulous people smugglers,” said Russell Tyner, a prosecutor in the Organised Crime Division.“They died through lack of oxygen, desperately trying to escape from the container.”Truck driver Eamonn Harrison, 24, from Northern Ireland, and Gheorghe Nica, 43, from Essex, were found guilty of 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, following a 10-week trial at England’s Central Criminal Court in London. They will be sentenced at a later date, reports the BBC.“The men who were found guilty today made their money from misery,” said Ben Harrington, the chief constable of Essex Police.During the trial, jurors were shown photographs of the Vietnamese victims – who included a bricklayer, a university graduate and a nailbar technician – and were told of their dreams of a better life.Most of those who died were from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in north-central Vietnam, where poor job prospects, environmental disasters and the promise of financial reward abroad fuel migration.Many of their families borrowed heavily to fund their passage, relying on their potential future earnings once they got to the UK, reports Reuters.“I’ve never stopped thinking about my son since the tragedy happened and I still wish for a miracle to bring him home with us,” said Nguyen Dinh Gia, father of Nguyen Dinh Luong, one of the victims.“Now I don’t really care if the smugglers will face a long sentence or not,” Gia told Reuters by phone from Ha Tinh.“Life must go on and I hope there won’t be any such accidents happening again to people seeking a better life,” Gia said.In neighboring Nghe An, Diep, the brother of victim Bui Thi Nhung said he no longer wanted to talk about the incident. “It’s like opening the wound over and over again,” he said.Home Secretary Priti Patel described the deaths as a “truly tragic”.


Choir presentations, family visits for the fully jabbed allowed under Christmas SOPs

Choir performances at church in conjunction with Christmas are allowed on condition that those involved practise physical distancing of at least one metre and wear face masks or face shields.The national unity ministry in a statement said this was part of the SOPs for Christmas celebrations on Dec 24 and 25 approved at the Quartet Ministers on Covid-19 meeting yesterday.Services are allowed according to the SOPs for the opening of non-Muslim houses of worship under the National Recovery Plan.Only those who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to make family visits during Christmas.House-to-house carolling is prohibited while stalls for Christmas Day sales can be set up subject to the approval and control of local authorities.National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamad Sadique called for the continued observance of SOPs including the wearing of face masks and physical distancing, to help break the chain of Covid-19 infection in the country.


Court stands down to deliberate appeal against dissolution of Sabah assembly

The Court of Appeal stood down for 25 minutes at 3.45pm today for “serious deliberation” after hearing submissions on an appeal on the dissolution of the Sabah legislative assembly.Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who led a three-member bench alongside justices Abu Bakar Jais and Supang Lian, said the panel needed time to deliberate the case.The panel had heard submissions from counsel representing 33 assemblymen led by former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman.They are appealing against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s dismissal of their application for leave for a judicial review to challenge the decision of the Sabah governor to dissolve the state assembly on July 30.The court also heard submissions from counsel representing the four respondents: Sabah Governor Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, the Sabah government and the Election Commission (EC).If the court decides in favour of Musa and the 32 other assemblymen, the case will be remitted to the High Court for a hearing on the merits of the judicial review application. Otherwise, the ruling of the High Court will stand.Those dissatisfied with the ruling have a last avenue of appeal, to the Federal Court.The hearing of submissions began yesterday with counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin arguing the case for the 33 assemblymen.Subsequently, Sabah Attorney-General Brenndon Keith Soh, acting for Juhar, and counsel Cyrus Das, appearing for Shafie and the state government, presented their arguments.The court today continued hearing submissions by Das before hearing submissions by senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, who is acting for the EC.It also heard Firoz’s reply to the respondents‘ arguments.The High Court, in dismissing the application of the 33 assemblymen on Aug 17, ruled that Shafie had acted within the Sabah constitution in requesting that Juhar dissolve the state assembly.It also said the proclamation to dissolve the state assembly was constitutional and valid.In their application for leave for judicial review, Musa and the assemblymen backing him are seeking court orders to quash Shafie’s request for Juhar to dissolve the assembly, the proclamation of the dissolution of the assembly, and the state government gazette notification on the dissolution.The 33 elected representatives claimed on July 29 that they made up the majority in the state assembly. They also called on Juhar to swear in a new government which would oust that of Shafie.Shafie, who is Semporna MP and incumbent assemblyman for Senallang, preempted Musa’s move by advising Juhar to dissolve the state assembly, which had 65 members at the time including five nominated assemblymen.Following the dissolution of the state assembly, the EC set Sept 12 for nomination and Sept 26 for polling in what will be the 16th state election in Sabah.


Selangor offers RM20,000 reward for info on environmental crimes

Selangor is offering a reward totalling RM20,000 to the public for information on environmental crimes that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the reward is being offered to get the public’s involvement in combating environmental crime in the state.He said information is needed for the authorities to arrest the perpetrators so that legal action can be taken against them.“The state government has formulated various short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies to minimise the impact of river pollution on the people in Selangor.“With public support and involvement, a joint responsibility to conserve water resources will be more effective and hopefully be able to curb these unethical criminal activities,” he said in a Facebook post today.On Nov 10, the environment and water ministry offered a reward of RM5,000 to anyone who could provide information and evidence leading to the arrest of those responsible for causing pollution at the raw water source in Selangor, resulting in water supply disruption in the state.


Premises on Putrajaya’s hotspot list ordered to close for 3 days

Premises including Ramadan bazaars listed under the Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system as Covid-risk locations in the spread of the disease will be ordered to be closed for three days effective immediately.Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said enforcement activities for the premises would be monitored by police, armed forces, domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry as well as local authorities.“The government also wants to announce that all Ramadan bazaars and Aidilfitri bazaars in areas under movement control order (MCO) will be closed from Monday,” he said in a statement today.The HIDE system developed by Bank Negara Malaysia and the health ministry is aimed at giving early warning to prevent spikes of Covid-19 infection by using data from MySejahtera application.Earlier the government produced the first HIDE list of business premises identified as Covid-19 hotspots with potential risk to spread the pandemic.Ismail said individual sport and recreational activities as well as non-contact sports with compliance to physical distancing of at least 1.5m carried out in open space are allowed for health purposes.“At the moment, the government is studying the SOPs and if the daily cases continue to rise, the government will obtain the advice as well as risk assessment of the health ministry to enable the SOPs to be tightened,” he said.On SOP violations, Ismail said 332 individuals were arrested for such offences yesterday. Of these, 331 were issued compounds while one was remanded.


Ex-secretary says appointed by 1MDB board, not Jho Low

A former company secretary of 1MDB told the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday that his appointment was made upon the approval of the board of directors and not by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.Lim Poh Seng, 51, said his appointment was not made by any individual person but collectively by the board.The 18th prosecution witness however admitted that he had known Jho Low before joining the sovereign wealth fund.“Jho Low approached me to render some corporate services work to some companies he recommended. However, I can’t recall which year it happened. I can’t recall what were the companies that he recommended,” Lim said.He said this during cross-examination by Najib Razak’s lawyer, Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed, at the trial of the former prime minister for charges of embezzling 1MDB funds worth RM2.3 billion.Wan Aizuddin: But you can recall that Jho Low approached you and that he recommended you to provide some services to some companies?Lim: Yes.Wan Aizuddin: Was this engagement by Jho Low before or after your services with Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA)?Lim: It would have been before TIA (TIA was later renamed as 1MDB).Earlier, when reading out his witness statement, Lim said he had attended several meetings of the TIA Steering Coordination Committee (TIASCC) as a meeting minute recorder upon the request of Jho Low.“Jho Low organised and conducted those TIASCC meetings that I attended,” he said.Wan Aizuddin then asked the Lim whether Jho Low was the one who asked him to be the company secretary after the TIASCC meetings, to which Lim said: “No.”Najib, 68, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Tuesday.