Court rejects Najib’s bid to cite new evidence ahead of verdict on SRC appeal

The Court of Appeal has rejected Najib Razak’s application to cite more evidence in his SRC International appeal, with its verdict to be delivered as scheduled at 9am tomorrow.If his conviction is upheld, the defence is expected to apply for a stay of execution pending further appeal at the Federal Court.Najib had applied to allow new evidence to be adduced in his appeal against his 12-year jail sentence and fine of RM210 million for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.His legal team attempted to postpone today’s hearing after one of the lawyers representing the Pekan MP tested positive for Covid-19.The SRC verdict revisited as clock ticks in Najib’s second last countdownBut judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil who is leading a three-man bench ordered for the proceedings to be held through Zoom for the affected individuals, saying the other option would be to cancel Najib’s bail and issue a warrant of arrest for him to be brought to court.In today’s proceedings, Karim who sat with Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera made the decision after finding that Najib had failed to show that the evidence was necessary.The judges also said there were no special circumstances to allow the approval of the application.Najib had applied for the appeals court to allow and direct for viva voce evidence to be taken from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki, MACC investigating officer Rosli Hussein, who was the 57th prosecution witness in the SRC case, as well as the evidence of any other witness in relation to the case.He said the application was made as soon as he was made aware of and was able to accumulate all the necessary information and documents.Najib claimed that such information was not available or could not be obtained during his SRC trial at the High Court and when the Court of Appeal previously heard the appeal.


MACC to continue operations, arrests involving high-profile cases

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will continue to carry out operations and arrests, and bring high-profile and public interest cases to court despite the implementation of movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Its chief commissioner Azam Baki said MACC had opened 687 investigation papers between January and August this year, including 149 investigation papers in the “high-profile, public interest and sensitive” category, while 538 were in the ordinary category.The number of arrests recorded during the period was 660 individuals while the number of charges involved 347 individuals from various backgrounds including senior government officials and businessmen, he said.“With consistent, systematic and high-impact operational action, I believe we will be able to create a ‘deterrent’ atmosphere and the corrupt will be more afraid to engage in corruption and abuse of power.“It is very important for us to send a strong and clear message to the corrupt that we will never compromise or tolerate heinous acts that can destroy the country’s prosperity,” he said at MACC’s 54th Anniversary Celebration 2021 yesterday.Azam said MACC would always protect the country from corruption and abuse of power which not only affects economic development and disrupts political stability but also causes social disruption with the collapse of morality and integrity among the people at various levels.“Efforts to empower MACC in terms of capacity building and capability must continue with the full support of the government and all Malaysians.“This is to enable MACC to achieve its vision to create a Malaysian society that is free from corruption and to become a world-class, anti-corruption agency,” he said.He also urged MACC officers to be prepared with high skills and improve their standard of education and knowledge, especially in facing new and more complex challenges in line with changing “trends”, technological developments and the passage of time.“All levels of society are also expected to unite in fighting corruption in order to uphold the country’s sovereignty. We cannot afford to eradicate the crime of corruption in this country if we act in silo without the support of the community,” he said.


Pakistan PM Khan tests positive for Covid-19, sparking fears over more vaccine hesitancy

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, two days after receiving his first vaccine dose, government officials have said, urging people not to let that deter them from getting vaccinated.Pakistan’s vaccination roll-out has been met with widespread vaccine hesitancy, and Khan’s positive test could turn even more people against the inoculation drive in the country of 220 million people, health experts are saying.Health Minister Faisal Sultan said Khan was “in good health” with a mild cough and fever and was self-isolating at home, adding that the 68-year-old premier had likely been infected in the days before he got his first vaccine shot on Thursday.Sultan told local television that people should not link the prime minister’s coronavirus infection with the vaccine, which takes times to build antibodies.In neighbour and arch-rival India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to wish Khan “a speedy recovery”.While it was not mentioned which vaccine Khan was given, the vaccine produced by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) is the only one currently available in Pakistan, according to Reuters.After his positive test result, Khan expressed concern that it could deter citizens from getting vaccinated, his advisor Shahbaz Gill told local television.He said Khan, former captain of the national cricket team who became prime minister in August 2018, had been seen attending crowded gatherings, often without wearing a mask.Asad Umar, the minister in charge of the country’s Covid-19 operations, said in a tweet it was “certain that PM had been infected prior to vaccination”.“So please do vaccinate,” he urged.Vaccine hesitancy is common in Pakistan, which is one of only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic due to widespread rumours permanently circulating against inoculation.The prime minister’s decision to broadcast footage of himself receiving the jab was praised as an attempt to encourage others to do the same, but there are fears his illness will boost vaccine scepticism.Earlier this month, a poll showed that hesitancy against the Covid-19 vaccination was also high among healthcare workers – particularly over Chinese vaccines.Khan’s positive test comes as Pakistan is seeing a steep rise in infections.According to numbers released by government, nearly 4,000 people tested positive in the last 24 hours – the highest number of daily infections since early July – taking the total number of infections in the country past 620,000.There were also 42 more deaths, taking the total to 13,799.


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Chasing the American dream but holding on to memories of Malaysia: A family’s life story on video

Just under a year ago, Logesh Kumaar and his wife Rachel started their own YouTube channel, focused on their family and their “crazy adventures”.Logesh’s efforts to share his Malaysian culture with Rachel, an American, quickly won them favourable reactions from viewers who enjoyed the clips of Logesh teaching Rachel to speak in Malay and to enjoy Malaysian food.But cross-cultural efforts for them don’t stop at just language and food. Logesh and Rachel are also trying to integrate values from both American and Malaysian cultures in bringing up their two sons, Zaden and Kyren.“I lean towards the American parenting style because that’s how I was brought up, but there is some Asian parenting that we have adopted as well,” Rachel said in a recent interview with MalaysiaNow.“When it comes to parenting, we look out for the best of both worlds.”And when it comes to the best of Malaysia, naturally food is involved.The nicest part about Asian parenting, according to Logesh and Rachel, is introducing their children to the wide range of dishes that come from Malaysia’s multiracial society.“When the children reach a certain age, we introduce them to the same things that we eat,” Logesh said.Their hope is that by doing so, they will teach their children to appreciate the many aspects of Malaysian culture in food.Both Logesh and Rachel agree that their children should learn about Malaysian culture.As an American, Rachel said, it is easy to lose track of heritage. While the US has a culture of its own, she said it is not as grounded or as strong as Malaysia’s.“I grew up not knowing my culture,” she said. “My family has been in America for so many generations, but I have never really felt patriotic towards my country.“But Logesh has a deep connection to his country and to the people there. I want my children to be like him, I want them to know who they are, I want them to speak the language and I want them to feel connected.”She also spoke of differences in culture such as the individualism seen more in the US whereas Malaysia values a more collective spirit.For this reason, she said, Malaysians have a strong support system as they have a strong sense of community, family and friends.“Logesh still has friends that he knew when he was seven years old,” she said. “Up until today, his friends would do anything for him and he would do anything for them. I think that is a very unique situation to be in.”And while there is no denying the less picturesque side of Malaysia, Logesh, a Klang boy, still holds to his belief in its beauty as well.“People tell us that the politicians are horrible but for me, there is no perfect country,” he said.“Every country has its own flaws. What makes a country truly beautiful is its people. The people that we have here are the most important thing for us – our family and friends are what we care about the most, regardless of what other people say.”Logesh has been in the US for more than 10 years now, but he plans to come back to Malaysia for good, bringing his family with him.He said his reasons for wanting to return include what he described as the “rat race” culture in the US.He said people in the bay area, particularly the Silicon Valley, are continuously striving and place their careers before all else.He said this pushes others around them to fall in line too, which can be draining in the long run.“I don’t want to live the rest of my life like that. I want to reach a place where I feel content with my family,” he said.“I believe no amount of money can make you happy. We have learnt that there is no point in struggling more and more.”This is also why Logesh and Rachel think it’s important to keep culture and heritage alive, to be passed on to their children.For them, when people know their roots, there will always be something for them to go back to.


First parliamentary session under PM Ismail to begin

The first meeting of the fourth term of the 14th Parliament will begin today with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah opening the session.This is the first parliamentary session under the government led by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.According to the Order of the Meeting on Parliament’s official website, today’s sitting of the Dewan Rakyat will focus on the speech by Sultan Abdullah.Based on the calendar of the Dewan Rakyat meeting, this session will be for 17 days until Oct 12.Meanwhile, the Dewan Negara sitting, to be opened simultaneously with the Dewan Rakyat sitting, will take place from October 4 to 26.To reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in the Parliament building, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Harun said various initiatives had been carried out, including the installation of ultra violet air filters in the main hall of Parliament and the use of nanotechnology in the office to kill bacteria and viruses.The health ministry also carried out RT-PCR screening tests on all staff and those attending the meeting, involving 1,801 individuals, on Sept 10 and 11.Yesterday, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 26 of the individuals who underwent the screening test were found to be positive for Covid-19: a senator and 25 parliamentary staff.


Nearly 50,000 still at relief centres in Johor

Nearly 50,000 evacuees remained at temporary relief centres in Johor this morning, as the flood situation continues in the state.
The Johor state disaster management committee said 49,410 flood victims were still at relief centres as of 8am today.
This is a small dip from the 50,596 evacuees recorded last night.


So what if we support Anwar, says Najib in tell-all post

Najib Razak has come clean on his widely talked-of support for Anwar Ibrahim, in a frank admission that he had called fellow Barisan Nasional MPs to back the PKR leader in a plan to bring down Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.In a Facebook post which triggered a chain of strong responses against the former prime minister, Najib said he had proposed to BN MPs today that the coalition either demand a date for a general election once the Covid-19 crisis is over, or enter into negotiations to work with other parties including Anwar.“If we could cooperate with Muhyiddin and Azmin (Ali) in February at a time when PPBM (Bersatu) was our enemy, which took away many Umno MPs, why can’t we talk with Anwar for a conditional cooperation until the 15th general election?” he said.Adding that he had made it clear that any such cooperation would not involve DAP, Najib said an alliance with Anwar should ensure that Umno is given a greater role in the financial and economic direction of the country.He accused Bersatu of monopolising top government posts, adding that no Umno representative had been appointed to Putrajaya’s Economic Action Council.The former Umno president also questioned MalaysiaNow’s report on what transpired during a meeting of BN MPs this afternoon, calling it inaccurate.MalaysiaNow had reported that Najib’s proposal to cooperate with Anwar was shot down by BN MPs.The BN MPs had gathered to discuss the future of their cooperation with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Muhyiddin, a day after the Agong decided there was no need for a state of emergency as proposed by the prime minister.Muhyiddin had made the proposal in the hope of preventing snap polls during the Covid-19 pandemic, following appeals from senior health officials to prevent a general election infection cluster.There have been fears that any move by a group of MPs, including Najib, to reject the budget bill next month could see the collapse of the federal government and trigger an election.On Oct 16, MalaysiaNow revealed that Najib and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had written a letter to the Agong in support of appointing Anwar as prime minister, just before the PKR leader’s royal audience on Oct 13.Anwar’s plan to take over Putrajaya however collapsed after he failed to give details of his claim that he had the majority support of MPs.In his post today, Najib said the current government’s thin majority had caused political instability “resulting in investors losing confidence as they fear investing when the government could collapse at any time”.His post drew condemnation from his Facebook followers.“Sorry Datuk Seri. Your posting this time is really a disappointment for everyone. What happened to the ‘no Anwar’ principle? Do you believe that Anwar as prime minister would not bring in DAP?“Finally it’s all out in the open. No wonder you were silent about Anwar having the numbers,” said Zulkarnaen Abdullah Zulrini, whose comment was among more than 4,000 in response to Najib’s post.Najib reminded his Facebook followers that he had repeatedly expressed disappointment with the government’s handling of Covid-19, adding that the spike in cases would be blamed on Umno too as it is part of the PN administration.“Even if Umno is not part of the ministry, it will surely be blamed,” he said, adding that Umno could remain in the government as long as it could negotiate a better deal for the party.He added that he would also abide by any decision made by the Umno Supreme Council, which is meeting as of press time.


The state of pandemic education, two years on

While Malaysia’s pandemic situation appears to be stabilising from some aspects, concern remains over educational development even as students begin returning to school for face-to-face sessions after more than two years of classroom disruptions compounded by the recent floods disaster.This week saw tens of thousands of students across the country flock back to physical classrooms following a long break prolonged by the massive floods which pushed the starting date of face-to-face lessons back by a week.But it will be some time yet before the gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic can be plugged, according to the Malaysian School Principals Council.Council president Mohd Ariffin Abdul Rahman said the pandemic had had a significant impact on students’ learning process.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he estimated that students have been left an average of three months behind in their lessons.“If we use face-to-face teaching and learning methods without rotation, the learning syllabus in school can be completed in about six months’ time, especially for Standard One students,” he said.“However, the time required to master the syllabus may take longer if we use the home-based teaching and learning method (PdPR).”PdPR was by and large the only form of learning possible for students throughout the pandemic period, especially when large-scale lockdowns or movement control orders caused the closure of the social and economic sectors.But the recent months have seen Malaysia gradually reopening, with interstate travel restrictions lifted late last year on the back of a strong vaccination programme which has seen nearly 98% of adults fully jabbed so far.During the early stages of the pandemic, Ariffin said, the hope was that it would pass quickly. At this point, he added, the focus was on public health and not so much on education.But once the pandemic began stretching past months and into years, several alternatives were developed to ensure that students could continue learning despite the health restrictions.For example, some schools ran flexible PdPR lessons that continued until evening or night, allowing students to contact their teachers at any time with questions about their lessons.But Ariffin said the freedom gained by students through their use of multiple devices and borderless access to applications had seen some of them diverted to activities that were not beneficial to their education.He gave the example of students who play games throughout the night, disrupting their sleeping patterns and causing them to oversleep. Such students often ended up missing their PdPR classes, widening the learning deficit which would then take longer to resolve, he said.Ideally, he said, if every student consistently followed their lessons through PdPR, the syllabus could be finished on time.Yet this was rarely the case, owing to factors such as students’ attitudes, parental management of learning at home, different home environments, and internet access, among others, he said.Ashvini Murugan, whose two sons are in Form One and Standard Two, said the pandemic had changed the way she envisioned the future for her children.She agreed that some children had lagged behind in their lessons when schools were shut but said that they had struggles of their own.“As a parent, I am worried about their academic performance during the pandemic but as much as it isn’t easy for us, it isn’t easy for them, either,” she said.While she still believes strongly in the importance of formal education, she said students appeared to have developed their own skills in specific areas of interest.“They are very fast to learn when it comes to digital technology,” she added. “I think that is their advantage.”And despite her concerns, she also believes that huge possibilities await.“For now, we just need to make sure they get the best education they can.”Ariffin meanwhile said that demand for spots at boarding schools and universities had remained strong throughout the pandemic period.“School and university education is still the most important space to improve the socioeconomic status of those in the younger generation,” he said.“They will have a bright future if everyone moves together to address the issues that need to be addressed, and solve them together.”And as much as PdPR had helped keep education alive throughout the pandemic, he said, face-to-face classes remained crucial.“If everyone works together to propel the children towards education, the country’s progress will not remain hampered for long.”


West sanctions China over Uighur abuses, Beijing hits back at EU

The EU, US, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials on Monday for human rights abuses in Xinjiang.The EU was the first to impose sanctions on Monday on four Chinese officials, a decision later mirrored by Britain and Canada. All 27 EU governments agreed to the bloc’s punitive measures, but Hungary called them “harmful” and “pointless”.In support, Australia and New Zealand issued a statement expressing “grave concerns about the growing number of credible reports of severe human rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang”.Beijing immediately hit back with sanctions against the EU including European lawmakers, diplomats, and institutes, and banning their businesses from trading with China, Reuters is reporting.Western governments are seeking to hold Beijing accountable for mass detentions of Muslim Uighurs in northwestern China, where the US says China is committing genocide.Activists and UN rights experts say at least one million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations. China says its camps provide vocational training and are needed to fight Islamic extremism.The coordinated effort appeared to be part of a US diplomatic push to confront China, a core element of Biden’s still evolving China policy.“Amid growing international condemnation, China continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement ahead of meetings with EU and Nato ministers in Brussels this week.Canada’s foreign ministry said: “Mounting evidence points to systemic, state-led human rights violations by Chinese authorities.”Beijing’s retaliations came quickly and included sanctions on European lawmakers, the EU’s main foreign policy decision-making body known as the Political and Security Committee and two institutes.German politician Reinhard Butikofer, who chairs the European Parliament’s delegation to China, was among the most high-profile figures to be hit. The non-profit Alliance of Democracies Foundation, founded by former Nato secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was on the list, according to a statement by China’s foreign affairs ministry.“These sanctions prove that China is sensitive to pressure,” Dutch lawmaker Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who was put on China’s sanctions list, said on Twitter. “Let this be an encouragement to all my European colleagues: Speak out!”


Non-Muslims free to use ‘Allah’ any time in Sarawak, says CM

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today said that non-Muslims in Sarawak can use the word “Allah” any time, even as Putrajaya appeals against a High Court ruling overturning a ban on use of the word and three others by Christians in the country.Speaking at an event in Mulu today, Abang Johari said politicians should focus on big issues concerning the public instead of fighting over use of the word “Allah”.“Anyone can use the word ‘Allah’ here in Sarawak because I believe that we are all the same, despite the differences in our religion, race and culture,” he said.“If other people say cannot use ‘Allah’, let them be. But here, you can use the word ‘Allah’ any time. No problem at all.”He added that Sarawak has always been at peace because the state government does not neglect other religions.“Sarawak is the only state that provides special assistance for other religions,” he said.“We have our own unit to take care of the well-being of other religions. We must help build places of worship for other religions so that everyone can be happy and practise their own beliefs.”He also urged Sarawakians to continue upholding tolerance and respect for other religions as a core value.“All religions teach us not to lie or to slander, and we must look after other people around us to strengthen our unity.“I uphold this (good value). After all, it is between you and God. Only God knows what you want, not humans. If we do good to other people, I believe that God will help us.”The Kuala Lumpur High Court on March 10 ruled that Christians could use “Allah” along with three other Arabic words – “Baitullah”, “Kaabah” and “solat” – in their religious publications for educational purposes.Court of Appeal judge Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as a High Court judge, allowed a judicial review application by Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, whose legal battle on the matter began 13 years ago.Nor Bee in her ruling held that the 1986 directive by the home ministry barring the use of the four words was filled with illegality and irrationality.She also said that the words could be used by the Christian community for teaching purposes as they had been in use for more than 400 years.However, Putrajaya lodged an appeal, saying it was “not satisfied” with the ruling.Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin during his recent visit to Sarawak said he would leave the matter to the court.“The appeal is on, so let’s wait for the result. I would not want to express my personal feelings because it could be sub judice.“The attorney-general has appealed to that, and I will leave it entirely to the court,” he said.


Deadly poison mailed to Trump

A package containing the lethal poison ricin was mailed to US President Donald Trump at the White House, last week.The package was discovered at a screening facility for White House mail.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service are investigating where it came from.There are unconfirmed reports that it was posted in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Saturday it was working with the FBI.Ricin is a lethal substance derived from castor beans. It causes death by internal bleeding and organ failure.There is no known antidote.


New cases hit 4 digits with just over 9,000 infections logged

Another 9,066 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 2,277,565.Sarawak reported 1,418 cases and Selangor 1,000.Johor reported 981 cases, Terengganu 827, Kelantan 796, Sabah 767, Kedah 670, Perak 669, Pahang 630, Penang 620, Melaka 206, Kuala Lumpur 201 and Negeri Sembilan 191.Perlis recorded 66 cases and Putrajaya 24. No new cases were reported in Labuan.


Putrajaya slammed for further delaying tobacco bill despite absence of law to curb sales to minors

A public health pressure group campaigning to stop the smoking habit has hit back at the government for delaying the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, saying it comes as Putrajaya's move to delist vape nicotine as a controlled substance three months ago is showing worrying results.
The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said the bill should have been allowed for a second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today so that it can be debated openly and passed during the current parliamentary meeting.
"No more excuses, ifs and buts. The government and MPs must be pragmatic, find both the right compromises and the moral courage to step up and do the right thing," its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said, hours after Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa pushed the bill to the parliamentary special select committee on health.
The committee is chaired by former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Dubbed the "generational endgame", the bill, which includes a ban on tobacco use and purchase by those born after 2007 to stop the smoking habit altogether in the future, had triggered protests from some Pakatan Harapan leaders as well as the tobacco lobby when it was first tabled last year by then health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Azrul said the tobacco control bill is more critical now following the health minister's controversial move to remove nicotine in the production of vape and e-cigarettes.
He added that the government could even temporarily shelve the generational endgame provisions so that the bill can be passed without delay.
"We urgently need the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 to be passed in Parliament now."
He said since removing nicotine as a controlled substance, there are "absolutely no safeguards" to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes and vape products to minors.
"We are already seeing the consequences. Children, teenagers, youth and especially young women are now the targets of aggressive promotional, marketing and sales campaigns by retailers and manufacturers. More vape and e-cigarettes are being produced, which are deliberately made to look colourful and have sweet juices and designs which appeal to young people," he said.
He also cited studies by the health ministry which showed more teenagers taking up vape and e-cigarettes, "becoming addicted to nicotine and even becoming seriously ill as a result of respiratory diseases".
"Why is the government ignoring its own data and evidence?" asked Azrul.
"The unregulated and unchecked status of vape and e-cigarettes constitutes a clear and present public health threat in Malaysia. None of these issues or problems can be properly addressed and overcome without proper legislation in place," Azrul emphasised.
Last week, Perikatan Nasional's Tanjong Karang MP Zulkafperi Hanapi submitted a motion to debate the recent case of suspected nicotine poisoning involving a two-year-old girl.
"This motion is urgent as nicotine is already in the market and there is no legislation regulating its use.
"This motion is also a matter of public interest as it (nicotine) can be abused by anyone, including babies, children, schoolchildren, women or pregnant women," Zulkafperi said.


Azmin tours SpaceX ahead of Starlink service launch in Malaysia

International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today met with representatives from SpaceX-affiliated company Starlink and received a tour of the SpaceX manufacturing facility as his trade mission to the US continues.During his visit, Azmin met with Andrew Matlock, Jonathan Hofeller, Samuel Gibbs and Rebecca Hunter of Starlink.Praising the company’s goal of providing internet access through satellite technology, especially in remote and rural areas, he said its “Connecting the Unconnected” mission was aligned with Malaysia’s goal of narrowing the digital divide.“The end in mind is to achieve an inclusive digital society, with no one left behind in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030,” he said.“Starlink’s solution provides great potential for Malaysians, elevating access to education, providing more internet-related job opportunities, rapid sharing of information and more, thus fostering a more inclusive #KeluargaMalaysia.“We look forward to welcoming SpaceX and Starlink’s presence in Malaysia for the best satellite internet service that Malaysians can enjoy to be more productive, innovative, efficient and competitive, enabling robust connectivity facilities for users across the country.”Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, and provides satellite internet access coverage to more than 30 countries.


Talks needed on allocations for opposition MPs, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he did not want to be cruel or unfair in the matter of allocations for opposition MPs, but that the process of channelling funds should begin with negotiations.
He also said he had never stated that no provisions were available for opposition MPs.
"When Pagoh (Muhyiddin Yassin) was prime minister, we in the opposition received no allocations," he said.
"So this means that Pagoh was previously unfair, and according to Marang (Abdul Hadi Awang), cruel.
"What happened under the administration of Bera (Ismail Sabri Yaakob) was that we began with negotiations."
Anwar was responding to an additional question by Shahidan Kasim (PN-Arau) who previously questioned the lack of allocations for opposition MPs in the new budget for 2023.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, allocations for MPs in the opposition are given on a discretionary basis.
Anwar said talks were needed so that all parties involved could find an appropriate method.
He said a decision on allocations could be made immediately if such talks could be finalised.
"I do not reject the principle of giving allocations to MPs from the opposition as is done for government MPs," he added.


Thai nationals charged with human trafficking over 2015 mass graves discovery

A court in Perlis charged four Thai nationals with human trafficking of migrants today over the discovery eight years ago of mass graves near the country's border with Thailand.
More than 100 bodies were discovered buried deep in the jungle in 2015, triggering an investigation into human trafficking in the country.
The four men, aged between 30 and 58, were charged under the anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants law.
The men are alleged to have been involved in the trafficking between 2013 and 2015, and face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty, according to court documents.
After being extradited to Malaysia yesterday, the suspects will be held in a prison in Kangar ahead of their next court appearance on July 25.
The men, wearing white T-shirts and chained together, were brought to a court in Kangar, which borders Thailand, near where the graves and trafficking camps were found.
The suspects were among 10 Thai nationals that Malaysia had sought for since 2017 as part of an investigation into the border camps.
The region, known for its porous border, has long been a gateway for persecuted Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in their native Myanmar and economic migrants from Bangladesh.
Smugglers have in previous years brought tens of thousands of Rohingya on a perilous journey over land and sea to Malaysia.
One of Southeast Asia's countries richest countries, Malaysia depends heavily on cheap foreign workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar for its construction, plantations and services sectors.
A 2019 report by Malaysian human rights commissioners and a rights group said a human smuggling syndicate operated in the area from 2012 to 2015.
Migrants were reportedly held in inhumane jungle camps where they faced physical violence and were often denied adequate access to food and water.


Daily caseload tops 2,100 as one more death reported

Another 2,166 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,523,018.There were 1,488 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,464,558.There are now 22,751 active cases, of which 21,764 or 95.7% are undergoing home quarantine.Meanwhile, 27 (0.1%) are at quarantine centres while 936 (4.1%) have been hospitalised.A total of 24 are in ICU with 13 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 59.2%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 5.3%.One more death was reported, taking total deaths to 35,709.


AmBank pays RM1.8 billion, pushing stolen 1MDB funds recovered to RM18.1 billion

Malaysia’s Assets Recovery Trust Account has received AmBank’s first payment of RM1.8 billion as partial settlement of funds embezzled from 1MDB, the finance ministry says.It said the bank will pay the remaining RM1.5 billion in two instalments in December and July 2022.The latest payment brings to RM18.176 billion the amount of funds seized, returned or settled in connection with the 1MDB scandal during the era of former leader Najib Razak.In a statement, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the government has so far repaid RM12.54 billion of 1MDB’s debt and RM3.8 billion of SRC International’s debt, with some RM39.66 billion and RM1.85 billion still outstanding in repayments for the two entities.In February, AMMB Holdings Bhd which owns AmBank agreed to a RM2.83 billion global settlement on all outstanding claims and actions in relation to the involvement of the banking group in the 1MDB scandal.The sum is in addition to the RM53.7 million penalty imposed by Bank Negara Malaysia and paid by AmBank Group.Putrajaya has entered into a similar settlement agreement with US bank Goldman Sachs amounting to RM15.8 billion.AmBank Group came under scrutiny over its role in the alleged theft of US$4.5 billion from 1MDB.The state investment fund was set up in 2009 by Najib, who was found guilty of corruption and money laundering over the transfer of millions of dollars into his AmBank accounts between 2014 and 2015.He is appealing against his 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine.


Pristine forests the most ideal habitat for tigers

WWF-Malaysia would like to clarify our stance on recent news reports that “logging is good for tigers”.As a research-based organisation, we believe in learning and understanding conservation science and its methods. Our study published in 2009 entitled “The importance of selectively logged forests for tiger Panthera tigris conservation: a population density estimate in Peninsular Malaysia” by D Mark Rayan and Shariff Wan Mohamad was done to obtain information on density of tigers specifically in selectively logged forests.It is important to note that the study refers to selective logging, not indiscriminate logging. Selective logging is a forestry practice that only cuts a select number of trees annually in a forest compartment instead of the whole forest at once, in line with sustainable forest management (SFM) practices.The 2009 study found a density estimate of 2.59 adult tigers per 100 sq km. This indicates that selectively logged forests, such as Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, have the potential to accommodate a high density of tigers.The study concluded that further research was urgently needed to understand the ecology of tigers and their prey in selectively logged forests. This was to ensure that tiger-friendly management guidelines can be recommended for SFM and therefore, significantly contribute to tiger conservation in Malaysia.We believe that pristine, undisturbed forests are the ideal habitat for tigers. Protected areas in the form of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are necessary. However, very few countries can afford to devote all their forests exclusively for tiger and other species’ conservation. Bhutan, for instance, has 60% forest cover.In Malaysia, our National Forestry Policy is to have at least half of our total landmass covered with forest, while our National Policy on Biodiversity calls for 20% of our land as Protected Areas. A combination of these two policies would mean that the remaining 30% of our land covered by forest would have to be in the form of forest reserves managed for the production of timber and other forest products.Any decision to increase the percentage of forest cover into protected areas requires policy decisions, and we hope Malaysia will support the global call for 30% of every country’s land mass to be established as protected areas by 2030. Sabah has taken the policy decision to have 30% of their land area as protected areas, and hence this policy can be implemented nationwide.Why is it important to look into these two policies and how could they form the basis for tiger conservation? Malaysia needs a combination of protected areas and forest reserves because effective tiger conservation requires a large landscape. While protected areas such as Taman Negara, Royal Belum State Park and Endau Rompin National Park form the core areas for Tiger conservation, all adjacent forest reserves constitute the natural tiger habitats.As such, all these forest reserves must be managed in compliance with the principles of SFM. One principle is to conserve biodiversity including tigers and their prey and other animal species collectively known as fauna as well as plants categorised as flora. All other forms of forest management, including harvesting of trees and transportation of logs must not negatively impact the tiger habitat.It is important to differentiate SFM that complies with the principles of sustainability from conventional logging where indiscriminate logging takes place. It is this indiscriminate logging that leads to forest degradation and eventually deforestation, when the forest has lost its functions and values, and therefore converted into other land use. While SFM retains the integrity and functions of a forest, a degraded forest is bad for biodiversity and only generalist species that have adapted to it – such as the leopard cat and the common palm civet – can survive in such conditions.Tigers require large areas of habitat for their survival since they have large home ranges and are very territorial. It has been estimated that the roaming area for a male tiger is 300 sq km, and for females 100 sq km. Forest degradation and deforestation resulting in habitat loss is the biggest and most immediate threat to wild tiger populations. The other threat is poaching and hunting of tigers to feed into the international wildlife trade.For that reason, WWF-Malaysia’s tiger conservation work consists of several components, all of which are designed to reduce threats towards tigers and other wildlife living within the same landscape.We wish to highlight that the Malaysian government with the collaboration of tiger conservation organisations has taken up active steps to address the threats.On Jan 10, 2022, the prime minister chaired the first meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Task Force (MyTTF) in Putrajaya. Apart from agreeing on the 10-year Strategic Actions for Conservation of the Malayan tiger, MyTTF also agreed to preserve and strengthen habitat through sustainable land use management and cease encroachment and illegal hunting activities; as well as increase the current forest cover in Peninsular Malaysia from 43.41% to 50% by 2040, in line with the Fourth National Physical Plan.The plan is in place, and we Malaysians both as individuals and corporate citizens must rally behind the efforts of our government led by the prime minister to avert further loss of tigers. Crucially, conservation must be for the long term and best practices including enlarging our protected areas and forest reserves must be adopted to conserve tiger habitats.The Year of the Tiger in 2022 calls for greater learning and understanding of this majestic national icon. We need more than just a declaration of commitment, but immediate action and stronger collaboration with all agencies, conservation NGOs and corporate Malaysia. More importantly, we need the support of the public to ensure its survival as a species in the wild.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


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Health ministry to decide if use of face masks should continue indoors, says Muhyiddin

A decision on whether to abolish the use of face masks in enclosed spaces will be looked into and made by the health ministry, National Recovery Council (MPN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin says.
He said the MPN meeting yesterday had raised the issue of whether the use of face masks was still necessary if the Covid-19 situation improves further to Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.
"He (Dr Noor Azmi) said the ministry will closely study the matter. This is not just because Singapore has done it, and so we have to as well," Muhyiddin told a press conference after chairing the meeting in Putrajaya. Singaporeans are no longer required to wear face masks except on public transport and in healthcare facilities.
Muhyiddin said that wearing a face mask was the best way to prevent Covid-19 infection.
"It has already become a habit for people in this country after two years of dealing with the pandemic.
"I believe the use of face masks has become more of a habit than a compulsion. If and when the time comes that it is not made compulsory, the people can still continue to use them if they want to feel safe," he said.
On the implementation of the 2022 Tourism Recovery Plan launched by the tourism, arts and culture ministry in May, Muhyiddin said that the four-year recovery period proposed was too long.
The former prime minister suggested that the ministry be more aggressive in its plans and actions as failure to revive the tourism industry in a strong manner would affect the country's economic recovery.


Double Covid jab seems to curb Delta variant, says EMA

Two doses of Covid vaccine appear to provide protection against the rapidly spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday.The upbeat assessment came as the World Health Organization warned that the variant first spotted in India could fuel a new wave of cases in Europe.The EMA’s head of vaccine strategy, Marco Cavaleri, said the Amsterdam-based watchdog was “aware of concerns caused by the rapid spread of the Delta variant”.“Right now it seems the four vaccines approved in the European Union are protecting against all the strains circulating in Europe, including the Delta variant,” he said.“Emerging data from real world evidence are showing that two doses of vaccines are protective against the Delta variant.”Four vaccines are currently approved for use in the EU: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.


Adopted children, those born pre-independence to get priority in citizenship bids

The home ministry says it will give priority to adopted children and those born before independence when processing applications for Malaysian citizenship.
Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said applications for adopted children accounted for the highest number of pending citizenships at 133,436.
"They need to be given priority so that they can have easier access to services such as education and health.
"There are about 3,000 applications from those born before independence, and many of them are already in their 70s and 80s," he told reporters in Seremban yesterday.
Saifuddin said each procedure to approve citizenship applications is guided by the Federal Constitution.
"The number of pending citizenship is 133,436 (applications). A total of 6,079 applications have been processed so far this year," he said.
He said his ministry is aiming to approve at least 10,000 applications this year.


Sime Darby to operate Porsche’s first assembly plant outside Europe

Sime Darby Bhd has partnered with Porsche AG to operate the German sports car manufacturer’s first assembly plant outside Europe.In a statement today, it said the collaboration would allow Sime Darby to assembly sports cars for the Malaysian market with production scheduled to begin in 2022.Group CEO Jeffri Salim Davidson said the partnership with Porsche marked a coming of age of its relationship with the brand.“To be entrusted to assemble cars for one of the world’s most admired sports car brands speaks volumes of the highly qualified and competent Malaysian talent we have at Sime Darby and our ability to provide meaningful value to our partners,” he said.He said every Porsche car assembled by Sime Darby would go through the same rigorous standards and processes as its European counterparts.“We will continue our close engagement with Porsche AG to ensure that we meet the Porsche standard every step of the way,” he said.Meanwhile Porsche spokesman Detlev von Platen said Malaysia and the whole Asean was a region of great potential, and that the carmaker was looking forward to the first locally assembled models reaching its Malaysian customers next year.As Porsche is moving into a new era of mobility, Malaysia and the Asean region are gaining an increasing importance, he said.“This step now is part of a long-standing initiative to keep pace with rapidly evolving customer and market demands,” he said.


Kepayan prison in Kota Kinabalu to come under EMCO

The Kepayan prison and its staff quarters in Kampung Matambai, Kota Kinabalu will come under enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from tomorrow until Nov 2.Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the 14-day EMCO would involve 3,511 individuals comprising 2,914 prisoners and 597 prison staff.He said the decision was made during a special meeting of the National Security Council today, following the increase in number of Covid-19 cases in the area.“To control the spread of the disease at the prison and staff quarters, and on the advice of the health ministry, the EMCO will allow movements in and out of the area to be controlled, and facilitate Covid-19 screenings.“Food supplies will be distributed by the Sabah state government and coordinated by the state Disaster Operations Control Centre,” he said in a press conference on the recovery movement control order (RMCO) at Wisma Pertahanan today.In another development, Ismail said Malaysians working in Singapore had never been barred from returning home, and that they were only required to apply through the MyTravelPass system on the official immigration department website.For those working in Singapore who do not wish to return hom through the periodical commuting arrangement, he said they could go directly to the Sultan Iskandar Building entrance or Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Johor Bahru and undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.“The permission given is for the reciprocal green lane, and it was previously announced by the foreign ministry.“Further information on this matter can be obtained from the immigration department and foreign ministry,” he said.


Floods worsen in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan

More people were being evacuated today due to the floods in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, while the situation in Perak, Selangor and Johor is reported to be improving with a drop in the number of evacuees.In Pahang, the situation is reported to have worsened with 18,976 people from 5,032 families evacuated to 241 relief centres as at 7.30am today.According to the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) information portal, Maran district still recorded the highest number of evacuees at 4,501 people, followed by Temerloh (3,020), Lipis (2,551), Raub (2,402), Jerantut (2,329), Kuantan(2,321), Rompin (1,012), Pekan (430) and Bera (410).However, the situation in Bentong is back to normal with relief centres in the district closed yesterday.As of 7am today, measurements at the flood assessment point in the districts of Bera, Kuantan, Lipis, Jerantut, Temerloh and Maran was still above the danger level.Meanwhile, the concessionaire of the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1), Anih Bhd, in a statement, said that KM113 and KM115 were closed on both directions due to the flood.KM84.6-KM84.7 (between Persimpangan Lanchang and Persimpangan Karak), LPT1 Kuantan-bound, is also closed to traffic although the route from Lanchang heading to Kuala Lumpur has been open since 9am yesterday.In Terengganu, chief secretariat of the state disaster management committee, Lt Col (PA) Che Adam A Rahman said the number of flood victims had increased to 267 people at 8am today, from 117 people at 3pm yesterday.Two relief centres were reopened in Dungun to accommodate 156 evacuees, he added.In Kelantan, Tanah Merah was the second district to be hit by floods with eight relief centres activated to accommodate 125 evacuees from 33 families as of 8am today.According to JKM’s InfoBencana, Gua Musang was the first district although the situation has improved with all relief centres in the district closed yesterday.


Walk-in jabs for those without appointment dates, including people with no ID, says CITF

The walk-in vaccinations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur which begin on Aug 1 are not meant for those who have already been given appointments, the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) said in a statement today.Instead, the CITF said the initiative is for individuals who have not been accounted for and have not received any appointment date.“Examples of people who have not received an appointment are those who do not have identification or travel documents as mentioned by National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, on July 16.“Those living in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor but who have already registered will be given an appointment soon and as for individuals who have not yet registered and have no problem in doing so, they are also encouraged to register for a vaccination appointment as soon as possible,” the statement said.The CITF was referring to a viral message on the walk-in vaccinations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur from Aug 1.It said that the vaccination centres (PPV) to cater for walk-ins will be announced later, adding that the existing PPVs would not necessarily be used for this purpose.In the meantime, the CITF urged all those who have received their appointment dates to be present at the PPV as scheduled.“In view of the emergence of more aggressive variants and the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, it is important to seek protection through vaccines as soon as possible,” it added.


UK to manage water resources carefully as drought continues

Britain will need to continue to manage water resources carefully over the coming months following the driest summer for 50 years and should begin planning now for potential water shortfalls in 2023, the National Drought Group said on Tuesday.
The group, made up of government officials, water companies, and environmental groups, said there was enough water for all essential household and business needs. Ten of the Environment Agency's 14 areas in England are now in drought status.
"There is however a need to continue to manage water resources carefully over the coming weeks and months to ensure that the needs of the public, farmers and industry, and nature and wildlife are met," the group said.
Drought was officially declared in parts of England earlier this month for the first time since 2018, and six water companies have now implemented hosepipe bans to help protect water supplies.
The National Drought Group said it had agreed to step up its work to help manage the drought, including by monitoring groundwater levels and carrying out irrigation patrols.
It said water levels in rivers, lakes, groundwaters and reservoirs could be replenished to normal levels by spring but precautionary planning should begin now on how to manage any water shortfalls in 2023 if there is a dry autumn or winter.
"Both for the coming year and, with the impact of climate change, for the coming decade, a complete gear change is needed for how water companies and all water users, from farmers to households, think about how they use water," Environment Agency Chief Executive James Bevan said.
"This summer should be a wake-up call for how the nation prepares for weather extremes and how we make the very best use of our water resources."


The telephone calls that brought ex-MP Wee out of political retirement

When he left the Dewan Rakyat for what he thought was the last time in 2013, Wee Choo Keong never intended to look back.
His plan, after bidding farewell to the world of politics, was to focus on court cases at his law firm.
But day in and day out, he would receive telephone calls from residents in Wangsa Maju who wanted him to come back and continue serving as their MP.
They would call to tell him about the troubles they faced, particularly with regard to security and infrastructure in the area.
Then one day, he was invited by Warisan president Shafie Apdal to return to the political arena. The offer was for him to run for the seat of Wangsa Maju once more, this time on a Warisan ticket.
Wee submitted his nomination as a candidate on Nov 5 and now faces a six-way fight against Mohd Shafei Abdullah (Barisan Nasional), Zahir Hassan (Pakatan Harapan), Nuridah Mohd Salleh (Perikatan Nasional), Norzaila Arifin (Gerakan Tanah Air) and independent R Suntheralingam.
Speaking in an interview with MalaysiaNow, he said his main reason for returning was to make Parliament a place that truly focuses on solving the issues faced by the people.
"Not a political game for the sake of power grabs," he added.
"This is the real duty of all MPs – to find out about the issues at hand and bring them to Parliament so that a solution can be found and the people are no longer troubled by that matter.
"This is why I decided to come back."
Wee, a Kelantan boy, held the Bukit Bintang seat for DAP from 1990 until 1995.
He then represented PKR in Wangsa Maju from 2008 to 2013.
Wee said he had always been active in airing his views and putting forward solutions for issues and policies on his blog.
He said this had been a lesson to many to be mindful about their duties in case they, too, became a topic on his blog one day.
"I contacted the Kuala Lumpur City Hall about something once, and they told me not to worry as action had already been taken.
"I had just only called to inform them of the matter. But they already read about it on my blog," he said.
Main agenda
Today, as he continues on the campaign trail for the 15th general election, he intends to make unity among the people of Wangsa Maju the main core of his manifesto.
"When everyone is united, is there anything that we cannot do? Anything is possible," he said.
"The government needs to pay attention to the fact that it is a government for the people. Not just the Malays or the Indians or the Chinese – for everyone."
During his time as the Wangsa Maju MP, he said, he had not focused on issues of race or religion.
"I grew up in Kelantan, eating budu and hanging out with the village people who are mostly Malays," he said.
"Don't talk to me about factional politics for certain groups only."
He also spoke about the infrastructure of Wangsa Maju which he said was old and in need of work.
He said this had led to problems such as traffic congestion and a lack of sufficient parking space.
In 2013, he said, there had been some 75,000 voters in Wangsa Maju – a number which has since risen to 123,000.
"But the roads are all the same. There is nothing new.
"Maybe this is what is lacking in Wangsa Maju – infrastructure," he said.
A voter who spoke to MalaysiaNow at a motorcycle workshop said Wee's reappearance had been the talk of the town.
Khaw Chui Ching, a retired English teacher, said many voters were glad that Wee had returned, regardless of which party he was representing.
"Even if you field him under a clown face logo, we will vote for him," Khaw said.
"He is a very good candidate."


Let's move on, DAP responds to Umno Youth's apology demand

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has brushed off Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh's demand for an apology, instead urging all parties in the coalition government to "move on" from old disputes.
Loke said that although the party respects Akmal's views, he agrees with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's mandate, calling on all parties to forget the past.
"If we continue to debate past issues, it will never end.
"The government was formed six months ago and so far, there have been no issues of disharmony among parties," he told reporters at the 2023 Umno general assembly today.
Akmal, during the closing session of the Umno Youth delegates' conference yesterday, called on DAP to apologise for its past statements and allegations against the Malay party.
Zahid then defused the demand, saying that DAP does not need to apologise to Umno.
In the days following the formation of the coalition government, Loke flew to Sarawak to apologise to Gabungan Parti Sarawak over past remarks that may have offended the party members.
The Seremban MP added that all parties need to be magnanimous and focus on the challenges faced by the coalition government.
Akmal had previously said that his wing would not invite other parties to its delegates' conference.
However, leaders of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and other component parties attended the Umno general assembly being held at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, upon invitation from the party.


Russia hits military facility in Ukraine in new wave of strikes

Russia said on Monday its military had hit Ukrainian air bases in overnight strikes and Ukrainian forces had shelled industrial facilities inside Russia as both sides sought the upper hand ahead of what Kyiv hopes will be a decisive counter-offensive.
In a rare acknowledgement of damage to a military "target", Ukraine said that work was under way to restore a runway and that five aircraft were taken out of service in the western region of Khmelnitskiy, although it did not name the site or sites.
A large military airfield was located in the region before the war.
"At the moment, work is continuing to contain fires in storage facilities for fuel and lubricants and munitions," the Khmelnitskiy region governor's office said.
Russian state-owned news agency RIA cited the defence ministry as saying more than one air base was hit, but there was no confirmation from Ukraine of damage to any other air bases.
The Ukrainian capital came under attack for the 16th time this month in the morning after a second successive night of bombardments. But officials said most of the drones and missiles fired overnight had been shot down and no targets were hit in the morning.
The attacks, which sent Kyiv residents running for shelter in metro stations, were part of a new wave of Russian air strikes this month as Ukraine, armed with new Western weapons, prepares a push to try to take back territory occupied by Russian forces.
"With these constant attacks, the enemy seeks to keep the civilian population in deep psychological tension," said Serhiy Popko, the head of the city's military administration.
Ukraine's military said an attack on Odesa port had caused a fire and damaged infrastructure but did not specify whether the damage threatened grain exports.
The country is an important global grain supplier and the port is vital for shipping agricultural products abroad. It is also one of three included in a UN-brokered deal on the safe export of grain via the Black Sea.
"A fire broke out in the port infrastructure of Odesa as a result of the hit. It was quickly extinguished. Information on the extent of the damage is being updated," the military's southern command said on Facebook.
Russia said on Monday that the Black Sea grain deal would no longer be operational unless a UN agreement with Moscow to overcome obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports was fulfilled.
This month Moscow reluctantly agreed to extend the Black Sea grain deal until July 17, but said more progress had to be made to advance its own interests.
Russia reports cross-border shelling
After months of attacks on energy facilities, Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine just over 15 months ago, is now targeting military facilities and supplies to try to disrupt Ukraine's preparations for its counterattack, Kyiv says.
Moscow says Ukraine has stepped up drone and sabotage attacks against targets inside Russia as it prepares for the counteroffensive.
The governor of Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said several frontier settlements were shelled simultaneously by Ukrainian forces on Monday. Two industrial facilities were hit in the town of Shebekino and four employees were wounded, Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine and Reuters was not able to independently verify the reports on the scale of the attacks on either side.
Ukraine said it had shot down 29 of 35 drones and 37 of 40 cruise missiles fired overnight by Russia, and the Kyiv military administration said its air defences had shot down over 40 of the "targets" fired at it.
"Another difficult night for the capital," mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
The attack follows one the previous night - the largest drone barrage yet launched on Kyiv - in which one person was killed and several injured. In Sunday's attack, 36 drones were downed over the city.


Extreme heat 'disproportionately' impacts people with disabilities, report shows

People with disabilities in Spain and other European countries have been disproportionately affected by unprecedented heat extremes, a leading human rights watchdog said on Monday, urging authorities to provide adequate support.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report that people with disabilities faced risk of death, physical, social, and mental health distress due to extreme heat particularly if "left to cope with dangerous temperatures on their own".
Some people with disabilities are more likely to have health conditions or use medication that can affect the body's ability to respond to heat. Having to stay home due to the heat can also lead to social isolation, HRW said.
Jonas Bull, assistant disability rights researcher at HRW, told Reuters that inaccessible urban spaces exacerbated the problem. Bull said his research focused on Spain but can be applied to other nations in Europe, which according to scientists is the fastest warming continent on the planet.
The report said lack of representation in the process of developing heatwave emergency plans meant the voices of people with disabilities were often not heard and their needs not included.
In Spain, one of the European nations that experienced record-breaking heatwaves last summer, the national plan to address the impacts of climate change lists actions to protect "vulnerable" populations but it does not propose any specific measures for people with disabilities, HRW said.
HRW interviewed 33 people with disabilities in the Spanish region of Andalusia and all said "they felt neglected" during heatwaves.
Bull recently presented the report to authorities in Andalusia and said they were committed to prioritise the issue in the future.
Heatwaves led to some 16,000 excess deaths last year in Europe but some countries, including Spain, do not break down data to show how people with disabilities are affected.
HRW said data was crucial to be able to implement targeted measures, as was bringing people with disabilities to the table when putting together climate plans.


Criminalise sale and supply, not possession of tobacco products, says think tank

Think tank Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy today called for the smoking control bill to prohibit the sale or supply of tobacco or vape products to those born in 2007 onwards instead of criminalising individual possession or usage, as the bill heads for discussion by a parliamentary special select committee this week.
The Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 seeks to prohibit those born on or after Jan 1, 2007 from purchasing or possessing cigarettes or vape products.
It aims to prevent the younger generation from picking up the smoking habit, and to reduce deaths caused by smoking-related diseases.
In a statement, though, Galen CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said the objectives of the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) could be realised by putting the onus on retailers, companies and corporations to comply with prohibitions on the sale or supply of such products to those in this group.
"The legislation should ensure that it is an offence to legally sell or supply tobacco or vape products to those born from Jan 1, 2007. It should not criminalise individual possession or usage," he said.
"Despite our best efforts, in the future there will be people in the GEG group who smoke and vape, and become addicted to nicotine. Should they be punished?"
He said Clause 17 of the bill in its current form, which makes it an offence for this group to smoke, vape or possess any tobacco product, smoking substance, substitute tobacco product or smoking device, leaves them open to accusations of selective prosecution.
He said it would also lead to stigma and discrimination, and marginalise a group who would need support and assistance.
"We must prevent the possibility of this legislation disproportionately affecting young people, persons of lower income, and vulnerable populations. A person addicted to nicotine, whether a smoker or vaper, has the right to be treated equally under the law, with compassion, and dignity," he said.
"By removing Clause 17, the concerns regarding enforcement under Part IX and its implications for individual smokers and vapers such as warrantless searches, seizure of property, and access to private information can be properly focused on individual retailers, companies and corporations who sell, supply and manufacture tobacco products and vape."
Citing Malaysia's war on drug abuse, he said legal action in this area is often against addicts.
"60% of the over 69,000 prison inmates in Malaysia are minor drug offenders who have been convicted for consumption, use and possession of various narcotics such as marijuana," he said.
"Even without imprisonment, Clause 17 has the potential to create enormous harm by repeating the same mistakes made during our drug war."


Race for Covid-19 vaccine littered with questions

Three months ago, China began testing an experimental Covid-19 vaccine under a government-approved emergency use programme – just one of over 100 vaccines currently under development, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).Close to a year after the virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, and as the world marks over a million deaths from the deadly infection, the need for a vaccine has never been more crucial.But with 26 of the vaccines under development undergoing testing in human trials, questions abound on their safety, cost and, paramount in the minds of most, efficacy.A journalist in China, one of hundreds of thousands who received the experimental vaccine, experienced temporary dizziness which disappeared after a short rest.The question is whether such risks would be enough to deter a global population desperate for a way to fight back against a disease which has infected over 35 million so far, disrupting lives and ravaging entire economies.The search for a Covid-19 vaccineCandidateSponsorTrial PhaseInstitutionAZD1222University of Oxford; AstraZeneca; IQVIA; Serum Institute of IndiaPhase 3University of Oxford, Jenner InstituteAd5-nCoVCanSino BiologicsPhase 3Tongji Hospital; Wuhan, ChinaCoronaVacSinovacPhase 3Sinovac Research and Development Co, LtdJNJ-78436735 (formerly Ad26.COV2-S)Johnson & JohnsonPhase 3Johnson & JohnsonmRNA-1273ModernaPhase 3Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research InstituteNo name announcedWuhan Institute of Biological Products; China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm)Phase 3Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and PreventionBacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccineUniversity of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Radboud University Medical Center; Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General HospitalPhase 3University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Radboud University Medical Center; Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General HospitalBNT162Pfizer, BioNTechPhase 2/3Multiple study sites in Europe and North AmericaNVX-CoV2373NovavaxPhase 3NovavaxCovaxinBharat Biotech; National Institute of VirologyPhase 2Click here for a full list of entries.Some, like Chris Dripin Hinke, say as long as the vaccine has been approved by regulators, they will be game to sign up.Hinke, 47, a Sarawakian now residing in Germany, said her family’s risk of exposure was “too high” as her husband suffers from respiratory issues and her daughter takes public transport to school.“If we had to be vaccinated in stages, it would be my husband first, then my daughter and lastly myself,” she told MalaysiaNow.How it worksThis is in line with WHO’s policy that those most at risk will be prioritised once a safe and effective vaccine is found.But before treatments or medications are allowed for use in whole populations, they must undergo trials. Clinical trials are designed not just to test the efficacy of the treatment in question, but also to detect side effects, even if they show up in just 1% of the population.As countries and pharmaceutical giants race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, concerns remain over the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to mutate. This would impair the efficacy of any vaccine based on previous strains, in short rendering it ineffective against future mutated types.There is also the question of vaccine nationalism, a term coined to describe what happens when a government commissions a manufacturer to create a vaccine exclusively for the national populace.While such a decision excludes the government engaging with multinational or global agencies, it is also a means of guaranteeing access to the vaccine while it is under development or if it is upgraded in the future.The ingredients of the vaccine, too, might pose a problem for some due to personal beliefs.Rahul Dhir Bhutani, of Hindu and Punjabi parentage, said if a vaccine works and contains ingredients from cattle, his personal beliefs will not be a factor.He said it would not be feasible to force the vaccination on everyone, but maintained that some measure of blame must be shouldered in the event that a person’s decision to forgo the vaccine encroaches on the safety of others.“Even with a flu vaccine, how much can a body protect itself?”Afzan Aziz, a 36-year-old single mother of three, said she too would not be concerned if the vaccine contained ingredients prohibited by her religion as her children’s safety overrides all other concerns.To the question of cost, Rahul said he would not flinch even if a tested and verified vaccine set him back RM200 to RM500 per shot.For him, the most important thing is a proven record. Most vaccines take upwards of four years before trials and research are certified safe for general use.But Rahul is taking no chances: he is willing to wait another six months after a vaccine has been introduced – just in case.Hinke meanwhile believes that in the event that a vaccine is made available for all, frontliners should be ready to take the plunge.“We all have jobs to do, yes, but choosing not to be vaccinated when you know you are in public exposure all the time – they need to know they could pass the infection to others whose loved ones could die from it.”


Defying high prices, Muslim pilgrims head to Mecca for haj

Palestinian pilgrim Abu Anas Abu Rahal was hoping to find cheaper lodgings for a week-long stay in Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, as the minimum cost for the haj pilgrimage climbed to US$7,000 (about RM33,000) this year. His options were limited.
The 65-year-old struggled to pay the bill despite choosing the cheapest-offered package, which included travelling to Saudi Arabia by land and sharing hotel rooms with other pilgrims.
"I was asking for a fourth option, with a farther hotel which could be half cheaper. The prices and the choices that have been given are embarrassing to be honest," Abu Rahal said, adding that pilgrims last year paid the same price for a package that included flights.
"For the sake of the holy mosque and seeing the kaaba... everything is worth it, but the economic conditions are really tough," he added.
Abu Rahal was one of more than two million haj pilgrims expected to attend the 2023 pilgrimage season this week in Mecca and Medina, defying global inflation and higher prices for haj services.
Authorities in the kingdom said more than 1.6 million pilgrims had already arrived for the pilgrimage as of Sunday. The gathering officially starts on Tuesday.
Haj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government from worshippers' lodging, transport, fees and gifts.
The kingdom earned about US$12 billion annually from the 2.6 million pilgrims that used to visit Mecca and Medina for haj, and another 19 million visitors for the umrah, according to official data for 2019, or the last year before the pandemic hit the global travel industry.
Umrah is another form of pilgrimage which can be carried out at any time of the year.
Vast crowds of men wrapped in white and women mostly in black circled the kaaba in Mecca's Holy Mosque as security officers walked among pilgrims, watching closely the ritual.
Green barriers were set outside the mosque to direct the crowds and prevent stampedes that killed hundreds in the past.
Many pilgrims said they were happy to take the spiritual journey and buy gifts for their family members despite high prices.
"Even if I had to sell everything to come (to haj), I would have done it... I have been trying for three years already," said Alameer Eid Al-Omar, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Egypt.
Such devotion provides business for the merchants of Mecca.
"The demand for prayer beads is way higher than in the previous years, including before the pandemic," said shop manager Abdullah Abbas.
"All nationalities buy beads," he added.


4 killed in another US mass shooting

Four people were killed, and four others wounded in a mass shooting Monday night in Philadelphia in the latest chapter of America's gun violence crisis, news reports said.
Philadelphia police spokesman Miguel Torres confirmed to AFP there were multiple gunshot victims but gave no numbers or details.
The Philadelphia Enquirer, CNN and other news outlets reported that a suspect in the shooting in the eastern city's Kingsessing neighbourhood had been detained.
The Enquirer said at least two juveniles were among those shot.
It said police detained a man wearing a bullet-proof vest and recovered a rifle and a handgun and additional magazines of ammunition in an alleyway.
The paper described the crime scene as sprawling, with people shot at different locations.
Over the weekend two people were killed and 28 were wounded in a shooting at a block party in Baltimore.
America has now endured 339 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines these as shootings in which four people are killed or wounded.


CNY celebrations only with family members in same house

Chinese New Year celebrations including prayer ceremonies are only allowed to be held at home with family members, says Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob.He said prayers at temples are not allowed, except for five of the temple’s committee members, with people encouraged to perform the ceremony at home.“This SOP was complied with during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as well as Deepavali. However, for Sarawak we leave it to the state government to decide because there is the movement control order (MCO), there is the conditional MCO (CMCO),” he told a press conference on the development of the MCO.He said large dining events in conjunction with the festival are also limited to family members living in the same household, while house-to-house visits and interdistrict or interstate travel to visit family members and friends are not allowed.Chinese New Year festival and cultural events such as lion dance, dragon dance, lantern parades and Chinese opera and stage performances are not allowed either.


Meet the team helping you escape traffic jams and potholes

You probably know Waze as the navigation app with fun, community-centred features that make your daily drive easier.Waze is powered by its community – and a big part of this community are map editors like Yusmizan Ag Kirah and Lee Zhong Zhen.Who are these map editors and what do they do?Whenever you see dead ends or one-way streets marked on the map, or if you have ever got help with editing your business location, you have the editors to thank for that.In Malaysia, the app is maintained by this passionate team of volunteers who make up just 1% of the global network of roughly 30,000 editors updating the Waze map each month.Yusmizan Ag Kirah.Not only that, they are also on the Waze Malaysia Facebook group sharing information and are quick to lend a helping hand when needed.Yus is a full-time lecturer in Sabah. He joined Waze in 2013 and is now country manager, global champ, and country coordinator. He finds time before and after lecturing to balance map editing and communicating with the Waze community.Lee is a Level 5 country manager and local champ based in the Klang Valley. Five years ago, there were no roads on the Waze map connecting to his home and anyone new to his area would get lost trying to locate him.He became frustrated and wanted to know the right person from Waze to confront. That’s when he discovered the group of volunteers.“Hey, anyone can become an editor and take action,” he thought, and that’s how he became an editor himself. He has since fixed the mapping issue in his area, and also continued to make more edits to his hometown in Seremban.When the pandemic hit, and commuting took a drastic dip in the early days of movement restriction, the community was soon busy marking road-blocked areas.Within the span of this year, Malaysians have enjoyed uninterrupted GPS navigation in the SMART Tunnel and in underground roads leading to and from the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) – thanks to the installation of bluetooth-enabled devices called Beacons.TRX was the first in Southeast Asia to enjoy the benefits of this technology and both Yus and Lee were part of mapping segments of this road.Mapping these areas posed different challenges from their regular activity. In the case of the underground basement structures in the TRX, they had to be very accurate when overlaying drawings into the map editor.What made it tricky was the fact that there was not a very big height difference between the road above the ground and the part which starts to lead underground.Doing it wrong could lead to people being routed to the wrong place. To map 300m of area took them roughly three days and 15 hours to complete.While neither was involved with assessing the situation on the ground in the SMART Tunnel, another one of the local country coordinators, Ahmad Kamal Effendy, was.Now the community continues to do their good work with keeping the map updated.Holidays are a time for being with those near and dear. The global pandemic has made it even more important to be with a community of shared interests, friendship or even someone close enough to be called “family”.Lee Zhong Zhen.It turns out the Waze community are not just fanatics who only discuss maps.The volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and bond over shared interests and goals. For example, running virtual marathons, turning to each other for help, or even coming together for a good cause.Recently they ran a blood donation drive, which they do at least twice a year.So why do they spend so much time and effort on improving the Waze app when they’re not getting paid?“I really can’t stand spending time in traffic, sometimes hours at a time, when I could be doing something useful or productive. When someone comes to me, telling me that Waze routed them away from traffic, that makes my day,” said Yus on what makes being an editor most rewarding for him.For Lee, it was the ability to correct an error on the map. “That frustration that I had in the beginning is no longer there because now I have the power to change and fix what is not right, and I don’t get lost anymore.“But it’s not just that, I feel that we can rely on each other for support, and it’s a great way to make friends who have become very dear to me.”As editors, they get to be the first to try new features, being part of the beta tester group. This is especially true for localised features that do not go out to all users at once.They see it as a nice gesture from Waze when they get special swag and merchandise every now and then – it’s all stuff that can’t be bought from a store.When asked to share their thoughts on what qualities are needed to be an editor, Yus was only half joking when he said, “You must be a Waze app user, or else you won’t understand the issues faced. Patience and the desire to help people is also key. Knowledge of mapping is not required as there will be more experienced editors to guide you, but it can be helpful.”Lee agrees, adding: “You need to have the passion to contribute and a certain level of selflessness. But I’m not going to say it’s all give and no take. Join in to have fun – all the better if you are a sociable person.”


Future turns bright for young stateless girl Suki

Things are looking up for Suki Wong Pei Yee, the stateless 10-year-old whose story mobilised help from near and far, including the funds needed to attend classes and learn how to read at a kindergarten near her home.A former teacher who asked to be known as Lim said she found Suki and her father through a friend who lives in Damansara. Together with her husband, she went to visit them on May 30.“After learning that Suki had no education, I googled the closest kindergarten to their home and contacted the principal there,” she said.“It turns out that he was trying to find Suki, too. He agreed to take Suki in at the kindergarten while I took care of the fees.”The payments cover the cost of the lessons as well as breakfast and lunch for Suki, who is driven to and from kindergarten each day by the principal himself.Suki sits for a lesson with Edinson Tang, the kindergarten principal.Lim’s goal is for Suki to remain at the kindergarten for six months until she can read and write at the Standard One level. After that, she hopes to enrol her in an international school.“At an international school, Suki can enter Standard One even though she is over seven years of age,” she said.“At a government school, she would have to start at Standard Four as she is now 10 years old.”If Suki begins school at a level commensurate with her age, Lim fears that she will not be able to keep up with her lessons and will instead lose confidence in her ability to continue learning.Edinson Tang, the kindergarten principal, said Suki was a bright child who understood quickly.Suki’s teacher says she is making good progress and should be able to reach the Standard One level within months.For now, she is being taught how to answer basic questions in English since she is already fluent in Malay and Mandarin, as well as how to read and write.“We prepared a special schedule for her so that she can follow her lessons at the level of five- to six-year-olds, and socialise with children her own age,” Tang said.Judging by her progress over the past week, he believes Suki will reach the Standard One level well within six months.“She learns quickly,” he said. “I don’t think it will be hard to guide Suki to that level within six months.”Aside from enrolling Suki in school, Lim has also arranged physiotherapy sessions for her father, Wong Kon Foo, at Hospital Selayang in Selangor, in order to facilitate his recovery from the stroke he experienced seven years ago.“Physio sessions will begin next week,” she said. “Once he has recovered, I have promised with his consent to employ him as my personal driver.”After years of solitude, Suki is happy to have friends her age once more.Even the small flat in which Suki and Wong live is now bright and cheerful, with a fresh coat of paint and some new furniture.A part-time maid comes every month to clean the apartment, so that father and daughter can live in comfort.“I happened to have some furniture that I was no longer using and which was still in good condition,” Lim said.“It made sense to give it to Suki and her father.”Meanwhile, efforts to obtain citizenship for Suki continue, with plans for medical and education insurance once the girl is officially declared a Malaysian.“Everything is ready, we are just waiting for her to be given citizenship,” Lim said.


Asia security summit kicks off amid US-China tensions

Asia's top security meeting opened on Friday, with intensifying competition between the US and China expected to dominate a weekend of high-level speeches, backroom military dealings and delicate diplomacy.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, which attracts senior military officers, diplomats, weapons makers and security analysts from around the globe, is taking place June 2-4 in Singapore.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver the keynote address on Friday evening, before US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and China's new Defence Minister Li Shangfu are expected to trade barbs in speeches over the weekend.
The relationship between the US and China is at its lowest point in decades, as the two superpowers remain deeply divided over everything from the sovereignty of Taiwan to cyber espionage and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Hopes that the summit in Singapore could be a chance to mend ties between Washington and Beijing were dealt a blow last week when Li declined an offer to meet with Austin.
Li, who was named China's new defence minister in March, was sanctioned by the US in 2018 over weapons purchases from Russia.
Albanese's speech comes as Australia tries to strike a delicate balance between its strong ties to the US and its often tense relationship with China, which buys the bulk of its valuable iron ore and is its biggest trading partner.
A deal announced in March to buy US nuclear-powered submarines threatens to strain Australia's fragile ties with Beijing, which has been critical of the plan.
Australia is due to spend US$250 billion (about RM1.1 trillion) over three decades on the submarine programme, part of a broader security pact with the US and Britain known as Aukus.
Australia is also part of the Five Eyes intelligence collection and sharing network, along with the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand – a grouping that Chinese officials say is part of the West’s lingering “cold war mentality” and an attempt to contain its rise.
Since being elected in May 2022, the Albanese Labor government has sought closer ties with Asean countries. Australia’s defence chief has said that as great power competition in the region persists, his country is focused on deterring conflict and deepening engagement with partners, including Pacific island and South East Asian nations.


Supermax workers seek judicial review of deal to supply UK health service with PPE

Workers at glove maker Supermax Corp will seek a judicial review of the British government’s decision to approve the company, which is accused of using forced labour, as a supplier to its National Health Service (NHS), lawyers said.The move comes after US Customs and Border Protection in October banned imports from Supermax over alleged labour abuses. Canada has also put on hold its contract with the company due to similar concerns.London-based Wilson Solicitors said it had asked Britain’s NHS supply chain to reconsider a December decision to award Supermax with a framework agreement to supply personal protective equipment, citing concerns over the government’s due diligence in light of the forced labour allegations.“The legal requirements are clear that there should be real verification of suppliers before the award stage, but it is not clear that these necessities have been met,” Nusrat Uddin, the law firm’s lead lawyer on the case, said in a statement.The request for a judicial review is expected to be filed at London’s High Court on Friday.Supermax and Britain’s Department of Health and Social Care did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Supermax said this week it will introduce a new foreign worker management policy and enhance its current human resources policies in response to the allegations.The company, which has supplied millions of rubber gloves to the NHS under an earlier agreement, is among five Malaysian glove makers to have faced a US ban on their products in the last two years due to suspected forced labour practices.The British government in November said it had placed an order in July for 135 million gloves at a cost of 7.9 million pounds.


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Speaker says will not interfere in motion against brother

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun today said he would refrain from making any decision related to a motion brought against his brother, Attorney-General Idrus Harun, and law minister Takiyuddin Hassan over Istana Negara’s recent statement that the decision to revoke the emergency ordinances was inaccurate and had confused members of the house.In a statement, he said his office had received the motion submitted by Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, dated July 29.“It is public knowledge that Idrus is my brother,” he said. “Therefore, I have decided to recuse myself from making any decisions about, or that are linked to or in any way related to the motion.”He said any decision regarding the motion would be made by his deputies, Mohd Rashid Hasnon and Azalina Othman Said.“I will not interfere in any way whatsoever with the duty of the deputy speakers in this matter,” he said.The palace said in a statement on July 29 that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had not given his consent to the move to revoke the emergency ordinances announced in the Dewan Rakyat.It also said what had been consented to and decreed to Takiyuddin as minister in charge of law and Idrus as attorney-general during a virtual audience on July 24 that the proposal to revoke all emergency ordinances be tabled and debated in Parliament for the purpose of annulment was not carried out.“His Majesty stresses that the minister’s statement in Parliament on July 26 was inaccurate and had confused the MPs,” it said, adding that the request to revoke the ordinances effective July 21 was done “hastily and without debate in Parliament”.


31.5% of children fully jabbed, 47.2% given first dose

A total of 1,119,411 children or 31.5% of those aged five to 11 had been fully vaccinated under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow website, a total of 1,676,457 or 47.2% have received at least one dose of vaccine.In terms of adolescents aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,909,585 or 93.5% are fully vaccinated while 3,006,147 or 96.6% have received at least one dose.A total of 16,080,331 or 68.3% of adults have received a booster dose while 22,972,728 or 97.6% have completed two doses.Meanwhile 23,248,752 or 98.8% have received at least one dose of vaccine.A total of 13,706 vaccine doses were given yesterday, comprising 1,264 booster shots, 7,377 second doses and 5,065 first jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 70,799,796.


South Africa scientists monitoring new virus variant

Scientists in South Africa are monitoring a new coronavirus variant with an unusually high mutation rate, and whose frequency has gradually increased in recent months, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said Monday.The variant, known as C.1.2., was flagged last week by the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation and Sequencing Platform in a preprint study that has yet to be peer reviewed.While the majority of South Africa’s coronavirus cases are currently caused by the Delta variant – first detected in India – C.1.2. caught scientists’ attention because its mutation is almost twice as fast as observed in other global variants.Its frequency remains relatively low, however, and it has so far been detected in less than 3% of genomes sequenced since it was first picked up in May – although this has increased from 0.2 to 2% last month.NICD scientists on Monday said C.1.2. was only “present at very low levels” and that it was too early to predict how it might evolve.“At this stage we do not have experimental data to confirm how it reacts in terms of sensitivity to antibodies,” NICD researcher Penny Moore said during a virtual press briefing.But “we have considerable confidence that the vaccines that are being rolled out in South Africa will continue to protect us against severe illness and death,” she added.So far C.1.2 has been detected in all nine of South Africa’s provinces, as well as in other parts of the world including China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Britain.It is however not frequent enough to qualify as a “variant of interest” or a “variant of concern” such as the highly transmissible Delta and Beta variants, which emerged in South Africa late last year.South Africa is the continent’s hardest hit country with over 2.7 million Covid cases reported to date, of which at least 81,830 have been fatal.The Beta variant drove a second wave of infections in December and January, and the country is now grappling with a persistent third Delta-dominated wave predicted to overlap with a looming fourth.


The question of Penang's Malay vote

While prospects are slim of a change of government in Penang given the state's strong backing for DAP, a political observer has cautioned Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) against taking Malay seats for granted in light of Perikatan Nasional's (PN) unexpected gains at the last general election.
Penang is one of six states expected to hold elections by the middle of the year.
But without a strong Malay component, PH may find itself up against tough odds in Malay-majority constituencies.
Political observer Azizi Safar said competition in such seats would be tight if voting patterns and sentiments continued along the same trajectory as seen at the Nov 19 polls last year.
"PN will win more Malay seats," he told MalaysiaNow.
And while charges have been brought against PN leaders like Muhyiddin Yassin and Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Azizi said these were unlikely to affect support for the federal opposition.
"On the contrary, there might be an increase in support," he added.
Of the 40 state seats in Penang, 14 are Malay-majority constituencies: Penaga, Permatang Berangan, Sungai Dua, Penanti, Pinang Tunggal, Permatang Pasir, Bertam, Seberang Jaya, Telok Ayer Tawar, Sungai Acheh and Sungai Bakap in Seberang Perai; and Telok Bahang, Pulau Betong and Bayan Lepas on the island.
These will likely be divided between PH and BN, which lead the government at the federal level through cooperation formed in the aftermath of last year's general election.
Penang, long held by PH, was not exempt from the shift in support to PN, with Permatang Pauh incumbent Nurul Izzah Anwar losing to Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan.
Azizi said it would be difficult for Umno to lead government parties in capturing the Malay vote in Penang, as the once-dominant party was struggling with Malay support in general.
"PKR holds more seats than Umno at the moment," he said.
"So it is under more pressure to deliver than Umno."
PH holds 11 of the 14 Malay seats in Penang. Umno meanwhile holds two and PAS, one.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke recently said that BN and PH had a month to discuss seat allocations for the state polls.
Azizi, a former executive secretary for Penang BN, said Umno might be given three to five seats to contest.
But he said that PN's non-Malay component Gerakan, which once formed the state government, was unlikely to win even one seat.
"MCA and MIC meanwhile might not be given any seats to contest," he said.