‘I couldn’t stand by’: Turks rush aid to Ukraine

The cramped hallway to Ukraine’s embassy in Ankara buzzes with volunteers charging back and forth with emergency supplies donated by Turks for Ukrainians under the bombs.Pictures of families fleeing the Russian onslaught have profoundly moved many Turkish people, even though most have no ties with the country on the far side of the Black Sea.Emre Canbulat’s only experience of Ukraine is a visit to the western city of Lviv.“But I just felt I had to do something now,” he explains.Turkey has been conducting a delicate balancing act since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last Thursday.Ankara is a member of Nato and an ally of Kyiv’s. But while it views Moscow’s stance as “unacceptable”, it also wants to keep on the powerful Kremlin’s good side.Canbulat, an elegant legal adviser in his 40s, acknowledges he is “deeply upset” by the news coming out of Ukraine.Since the start of the Russian assault, he has been closely following social media messages from Ukrainian-Turkish charities seeking essential supplies for Ukrainian civilians and the nation’s soldiers.“They needed medical supplies, like drips,” he recalls. “I contacted some friends who work with the medical sector and when I told them it was for Ukraine I managed to buy stocks for well below the market price.”Selahattin Ayaltin, by contrast, knows Ukraine well.He worked as a mechanic in Kyiv a decade ago and admits news of the conflict has brought him to tears.Currently unemployed, the 34-year-old isn’t in a position to donate but he has pitched in to sort and pack aid parcels.“I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I really like the Ukrainians,” he explains, visibly moved.“They gave me a lot of help and support when I worked there.”Free calls and texts to UkraineOn Monday, three lorries left the embassy for Ukraine, loaded with pasta, tinned food, sunflower oil, toilet paper, medicine, blankets and toys.In the space of a few days, the campaign has raised donations worth more than two million Turkish lira (US$144,000, 128,000 euros).For its part, the main mobile phone operator, Turkcell, is offering calls and texts to Ukraine free of charge.Some 35,000 Ukrainians live in Turkey, many of them married to Turks. Each year, more than 2.5 million Ukrainian tourists visit the country.Can Kalaycioglu, who has a restaurant in Ankara and a Ukrainian wife, sees Ukraine as a “second home”.“Many Turks want to offer help. I don’t actually work at the embassy but they come here and I try to point them in the right direction,” he says.Some are quietly shown towards a small room at the back. These are volunteers who want to join the international brigades Kyiv is hoping to set up.A tall dark-haired man in his 40s has made his way discreetly through the bustle and the boxes to the little office.He works at a telecoms firm in Ankara and his wife is from Ukraine. With his Turkish family unaware he intends to sign up, he declines to give his name.“We’ve only been married six months. We were still deciding which country to settle in when the war broke out. My wife’s there,” he says.His wife has also volunteered to defend her village near Kiev.“I don’t know what I’m letting myself in for over there. But I can’t leave my wife in this war alone.”


Nasa's Artemis moon rocket's main fuel tanks filled for debut launch

Ground teams at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday filled the main fuel tanks of Nasa's towering, next-generation moon rocket for its debut launch, a flight to kick off the US space agency's Artemis program 50 years after the last Apollo lunar mission.
The 32-story Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was due to blast off from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 1.04am EST (0604 GMT) on Wednesday to send its Orion capsule on a 25-day test flight around the moon and back without astronauts aboard.
Nasa managers on Monday gave the "go" to proceed with flight preparations after 10 weeks beset by multiple engineering difficulties, back-to-back hurricanes and two excursions trundling the spacecraft out of its hangar to the launch pad.
Late in the countdown Tuesday night, a new potential problem emerged as Nasa officials reported what appeared to be a hydrogen leak in the rocket's upper-stage fuel lines, leading launch managers to assemble a special "red team" of technicians to visit the pad with the goal of tightening a key connection.
A short time earlier, Nasa chief Bill Nelson had sounded a note of optimism amid fuel-loading operations and other pre-flight activities that had by all accounts gone smoothly.
"I'm feeling good," he told Reuters. "But you don't go until it's ready, and this is a test flight."
Launch attempts on Aug 29 and Sept 3 were aborted because of fuel line leaks and other technical problems that Nasa has since resolved. While moored to its launch pad last week, the rocket endured fierce winds and rains from Hurricane Nicole, forcing a two-day flight postponement.
Weather is always a factor beyond Nasa's control. The latest forecast called for an 80% chance of favorable conditions during Wednesday's two-hour launch window, Nasa said.
On Tuesday afternoon, launch teams began the lengthy and delicate process of loading the rocket's core-stage fuel tanks with hundreds of thousands of gallons of super-cooled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant.
About five hours before liftoff, those tanks were filled, achieving a "major milestone" in launch preparations, a Nasa spokesperson said. Crews continued to top off the tanks periodically to replenish small amounts of propellant as the liquid gases gradually boiled off as vapor.
Dubbed Artemis I, the mission marks the first flight of the SLS rocket and the Orion capsule together, built by Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, respectively, under contract with Nasa.
It also signals a major change in direction for Nasa's post-Apollo human spaceflight program after decades focused on low-Earth orbit with space shuttles and the International Space Station. (See graphic)
Successor to Apollo
Named for the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt - and Apollo's twin sister - Artemis aims to return astronauts to the moon's surface as early as 2025.
Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during six Apollo missions from 1969 to 1972, the only spaceflights yet to place humans on the lunar surface. But Apollo, born of the Cold War-era US-Soviet space race, was less science-driven than Artemis.
The new moon program has enlisted commercial partners such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and the space agencies of Europe, Canada and Japan to eventually establish a long-term lunar base as a stepping stone to even more ambitious human voyages to Mars.
Getting the SLS-Orion spacecraft off the ground is a key first step. Its first voyage is intended to put the vehicle through its paces in a rigorous test flight, pushing its design limits to prove the spacecraft is suitable to fly astronauts.
If the mission succeeds, a crewed Artemis II flight around the moon and back could come as early as 2024, followed within a few more years by the program's first lunar landing of astronauts, one of them a woman, with Artemis III.
Billed as the most powerful, complex rocket in the world, the SLS represents the biggest new vertical launch system Nasa has built since the Saturn V of the Apollo era.
Barring last-minute glitches, the launch countdown should end with the rocket's four main R-25 engines and its twin solid-rocket boosters igniting, sending the spacecraft streaking skyward.
About 90 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's upper stage will propel Orion out of Earth orbit on course for a 25-day flight that brings it to within 60 miles (97km) of the lunar surface before sailing 40,000 miles (64,374km) beyond the moon and back to Earth. The capsule is expected to splash down on Dec 11.
Although no people will be aboard, Orion will carry a simulated crew of three - one male and two female mannequins - fitted with sensors to measure radiation levels and other stresses that astronauts would experience.
A top objective is to test the durability of Orion's heat shield during re-entry as it hits Earth's atmosphere at 24,500 miles (39,429km) per hour, or 32 times the speed of sound, on its return from lunar orbit - much faster than re-entries from the space station.
The heat shield is designed to withstand re-entry friction expected to raise temperatures outside the capsule to nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).
More than a decade in development with years of delays and budget overruns, the SLS-Orion spacecraft has so far cost Nasa least US$37 billion (about RM167.4 billion), including design, construction, testing and ground facilities. Nasa's Office of Inspector General has projected total Artemis costs at US$93 billion by 2025.
Nasa calls the program a boon to space exploration that has generated tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in commerce.


Britain tells airlines to stop selling flights they can’t deliver

Britain’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told airlines to stop selling tickets for flights they cannot staff after a spate of airline cancellations caused widespread disruption for holidaymakers.Airports across Europe have struggled to cope with the rebound in demand but British airports are facing a particularly difficult week as a school half-term holiday combines with a long Jubilee public holiday weekend.Airports faced similar queues over the Easter vacation, and Shapps said that while some steps had been taken, there had not been the progress that is needed.“We need to make sure there is no repeat of the scenes witnessed over the last few days. Despite government warnings, operators seriously oversold flights and holidays relative to their capacity to deliver,” Shapps said.“This must not happen again and all efforts should be directed at there being no repeat of this over the summer.”Airlines had hoped for a bumper summer for passengers after two years of Covid-19 travel restrictions.But they have struggled to recruit staff after the turmoil of the pandemic, and complained that it is taking longer to recruit new employees and vet them for security clearance.Shapps said that the government had helped the industry by changing the law to speed up the recruitment of staff, adding that he would meet industry officials to get answers on what had gone wrong and how the current disruption can end.“I also want to be reassured on their plans for the upcoming summer holidays,” he said.“Government has done its part. It is now on airports, airlines and ground handlers to make sure everyone’s well deserved holidays can go ahead free from the major disruption we’ve seen in recent days.”


Why an emergency declaration is the only way to stop more Covid-19 spikes

Ever since news emerged that the government is pushing for an emergency declaration to combat Covid-19, critics have understandably been up in arms over the idea.Their reservations is not without basis. “Emergency” carries with it connotations of military rule, tanks rolling in the streets, suspension of civil rights and dictatorial rule. These run counter to our liberal democratic system and the values to which we are so accustomed.Opposition leaders have derided the idea as disproportionate to the unprecedented health crisis the country is facing. They point out that the National Security Council has wide-ranging powers to curb the spread of the pandemic, such as through lockdown orders or by beefing up security at borders.But none has offered any practical solution to overcoming the major reason for the spike in cases we see today: the holding of elections. The recently-concluded Sabah election was instrumental in the heightened infectivity nationwide.Poor adherence to Covid-19 SOPs during the polls made the situation worse with even the state’s chief minister, Hajiji Noor, not spared from catching the deadly virus.As of Oct 24, there were 11,285 positive cases in Sabah, almost three times the number of cases in Selangor (3,880), the second highest state. As of now, some two dozen clusters have been reported outside Sabah which are linked to travellers from the state.The numbers are staggering. On Oct 24, we broke the four-digit new cases threshold with 1,228 cases reported, while a day earlier, the country saw the highest ever number of deaths reported in a single day.Ordinarily, it would have been unnecessary to resort to an emergency declaration to curb the spread of Covid-19. There are enough laws, whether to impose strict lockdowns or act against Covid-19-infected undocumented migrants attempting to sneak into the country.But for all the instruments the government has at its disposal, there is one thing it is powerless to do: stop elections, which have proven to be a major reason for the exponential rise in cases over the past month.A by-election is scheduled for Dec 5 in Batu Sapi, Sabah – the epicentre of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. Are Sabahans and Malaysians in general willing to see more Covid-19-related deaths and misery?In next-door Sarawak, statewide polls are said to be in the pipeline as the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak is reportedly keen to take advantage of Covid-19 travel and campaigning restrictions to retain power. Haven’t we learnt enough from the Sabah experience?More frightening is the prospect of a snap general election. With PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s government hanging by a thread in the Dewan Rakyat, there’s already talk of voting down the 2021 Budget, scheduled to be tabled on Nov 6.If that happens, Muhyiddin’s Cabinet is legally required to resign, paving the way for a snap general election despite the legislature having some three years to go until the expiry of its current term.The law clearly states that the polls mentioned above must be carried out, come what may. The Election Commission does not have a choice…. unless an emergency is declared.Under an emergency – and our latest Covid-19 figures clearly show that we are in one – all legislatures are suspended. Without the sword of Damocles hanging over the government’s head, it would be able to push through Covid-19 measures without being hobbled by political considerations.Just to cite an example, a defeated Budget 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat means the government would not be able to allocate funds, whether to purchase medical personal protective equipments or Covid-19 test kits, not to mention to pay the salaries of not just the frontliners, but also all other federal civil servants. A prorogued Parliament allows the above to be carried out during this critical time.In closing, it’d be good to refresh our minds on what democracy is all about. The system of governance of the people, by the people, for the people ultimately aims to bring better lives for the people who live in it.If the system brings harm due to the selfish intent of a few, then it’d be better to introduce a circuit-breaker to the system. Tweak it until some semblance of normalcy returns so as to preserve public health while saving lives and livelihoods.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Families of 737 Max crash victims say it’s too soon for the plane to fly again

Families of the victims of the fatal Boeing 737 Max crash in Indonesia have condemned the decision by US aviation authorities to allow the planes to fly and carry passengers again.They say the move comes too soon after the Indonesian Lion Air 737 Max plunged into the Java Sea after taking off from Jakarta, killing all 189 on board.The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday lifted a worldwide flight ban on Boeing’s 737 Max imposed after fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months in 2018 and 2019. After the crashes, the FAA was accused of lax oversight in certifying the Boeing jet when it first carried passengers.“The US authorities shouldn’t have lifted the grounding order this quickly,” Aris Sugiono, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the crash told Reuters. “They must consider the feelings of the victim’s families.”Anton Sahadi lost two young relatives on the fatal flight. “It wasn’t just the Lion Air flight, but also the victims in Ethiopia whose families haven’t recovered yet,” he said.Families of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crash victims said in a statement they felt “sheer disappointment and renewed grief” after the FAA’s decision.Naoise Ryan’s 39-year-old husband was killed in the crash. “Our family was broken,” she said.Surviving family members are saying that they are still waiting for compensation. “Why has the flight permit been granted while the affairs of the victims’ families have not been resolved?” asked Latief Nurbana, a civil servant who lost his 24-year-old son.He said compensation payments from the Boeing Community Investment Fund (BCIF) were still unsettled. The BCIF’s website said that the distribution of funds to provide support to communities affected by the crashes would be completed by Jan 15, 2021.Adita Irawati, an Indonesian transportation ministry spokesman, said Indonesia would allow the Boeing 737 Max to fly once the FAA issued airworthiness directives.Grieving relative Sahadi said profit should not guide an impatience to get the plane back in the air. “This means they don’t prioritise safety, considering there have been fatal mistakes that led to these two airlines having terrible accidents.”


Lawyer discovers Nigerian boy, 13, imprisoned for blasphemy

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has condemned the sentencing of a 13-year-old boy to 10 years in prison for blasphemy in northern Nigeria’s Kano State.Omar Farouq was convicted in a shariah court after he was accused of using foul language toward Allah in an argument with a friend.Farouq’s punishment is in violation of the Nigerian constitution, said his lawyer Kola Alapinni.He told CNN, lawyers have not been granted access to Farouq by authorities.Alapinni discovered Farouq’s case while working on the defence of Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State.“We found out they were both convicted of blasphemy on the same day, by the same judge, in the same court,” Alapinni said. “But nobody was talking about Omar, so we had to move quickly to file an appeal for him.“Blasphemy is not recognized by Nigerian law. It is inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria.”The lawyer said Farouq’s mother had fled to a neighbouring town after mobs attacked their home following Farouq’s arrest.“Everyone here is scared to speak and living under fear of reprisal attacks,” he said.On Wednesday Unicef issued a statement “expressing deep concern” about the sentencing.Like most predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria, Kano State practises shariah law alongside secular law.Unicef has now called on the Nigerian government and the Kano State government to urgently review the case and reverse the sentence.Alapinni told CNN an appeal on Farouq’s behalf was filed on Sept 7.


Seminars on how to make money, or money-making seminars?

About 10 years ago, Azizul Azli Ahmad went with a friend to attend a business seminar in Ipoh, organised by a marketing guru.At the time, he was continuing his studies at the PhD level.The seminar that day was free of charge. But half the day’s session was taken up by the speaker sharing testimonies of his success stories.“At the end of the session, he opened a paid seminar for those who were interested in learning about marketing,” Azizul told MalaysiaNow.He said everything the speaker had touted throughout the session could be found in books on motivation and finance.“People are just too lazy to read, so they’re willing to pay thousands of ringgit instead,” he said.“If they just read a few books, it would only cost them a fraction of that amount.”But it would appear that few agree with him. In many cases, speakers have a cult following, with the number of “self-made” gurus on the rise especially with the prevalence of social media.The so-called SOPs at their seminars appear mostly the same. Audiences are entertained with singing events before the “sifus” begin peddling the stories of their successful students.They then offer basic tips before giving participants the option of “upgrading” to more expensive packages.At this point, many have become enamoured with the speaker’s charisma and gladly fork out the extra money.“I don’t know when this culture of ‘upselling’ began,” said Azizul who now teaches at a local university.“But I feel sorry for those who truly come out of a desire to learn business skills and are willing to swipe their credit cards to pay whatever they are told to in fees.”‘Fake PhDs’The slick marketing tactics used by these speakers to create credibility include the touting of suspicious or fake PhDs. Sometimes, politicians and even ministers are invited to events as well.Their faces are also featured on billboards far and wide.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, entrepreneur Suhaila Mahmud recalled how she was enticed into joining a free seminar after watching an advertisement on television.“It only ran for half a day and was more about motivating participants,” Suhaila, who operates a food truck business, said.“After everyone was there, the speaker started offering paid seminars costing RM999 to RM3,999.”She said these seminars were geared towards encouraging participants and giving them ideas about how to expand their business.After a certain point, she was able to open a business supplying food and beverages.But this came at a steep price. Excited about the growth of her business, Suhaila began attending paid seminars as a member, with fees as high as RM60,000.The payments could be made on an annual or monthly basis.Membership fees alone cost as much as RM15,000.And eventually, the shine began to wear off for Suhaila, who said the huge numbers of people joining made it difficult for the mentors to pay attention to everyone.“I began to get upset when the mentors focused more on entrepreneurs who were already successful, or who at least had a big business but were not sure of how to run them,” she said.Stocks, forexThe craze for seminars extends beyond marketing sessions, with speakers aplenty in the stock market field and even on foreign exchange.Many of them are experts at strategising and painting themselves as celebrities, with at least two stock gurus involved in producing music videos alongside artistes as part of efforts to boost their visibility among retail stock investors.Speakers in this field became a dime a dozen in 2020, during the movement control order period which saw a rise in the number of retail investors.The trade volume on Bursa Malaysia reached an all-time high on Aug 4, 2020 with 15.62 billion shares traded.Ahmad Aliff A S Ahmad Shariffuddin, co-founder of online database service provider Scrut and Interepo, said these gurus use misleading advertising tactics coupled with compelling write-ups and e-book sales to encourage people to invest in stocks.“Not all of them trade stocks, and they did not become rich by trading real stocks,” he told MalaysiaNow.He also said it was difficult to understand why those who made money by trading stocks would want to offer classes on it.His advice for those keen on attending such classes is to first ask the speaker for his or her trade achievement record for the past few years.“If they are reluctant to reveal this, let them continue trading on their own,” he said.“Don’t invite others to suffer losses along with you. If they themselves are failures, what can they possibly have to teach?”He also challenged such speakers to provide their preferred counter on a daily basis to allow an open evaluation of their options as well as their trading techniques or methods.“Technical analysis in stock trading requires a knowledge of statistics and probability,” he said.“It also involves data that can be substantiated through the tabulation of profits and losses. It’s not 100% accurate but the amount of gains must vastly outweigh the losses in a significant ratio.”In any case, it is difficult for authorities to act on seminars as technically speaking, these gurus are not involved in illegal activities even though the backgrounds of some are completely unknown.Suhaila spoke of instances where speakers who demanded thousands in fees were unable to answer even basic marketing questions.When pressed, they would give vague replies that did not truly answer the question, she said.Her own story did not end well as after a month, thousands of ringgit went up in smoke and her mentors were unable to help.“They scolded me and accused me of not following their advice,” she said.Eventually, unable to pay rent or employee contributions, she was forced to close shop.For Azizul, the use of social media has played a significant role.“These people sell inspiration by showing off their lifestyles and showcasing their success,” he said.“Some of them are willing to rent luxury cars to boast about on social media, but if we reveal their tactics, they threaten to sue us.”His own observation has been that many attend classes on stock trading in the hope of changing their luck.“But in the end, a large number of them lose out. Only the gurus who sell their classes get rich and reap profits.”Suhaila meanwhile decided to close the book on her mentors and cancel her membership in 2017.Looking back, she said, entrepreneurs should look for experts in the field of their choice.“If it’s food and beverages, look for an expert in that. Different business fields have different challenges.”


Amnesty, not arrests, needed for undocumented migrants, govt told

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) today urged the government to grant amnesty to undocumented workers to encourage them to register for vaccination amid a heavy crackdown by the authorities despite earlier assurances that those who come forward would not be detained.CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said raids on undocumented workers could push them into hiding which would exacerbate their living conditions and access to healthcare, contributing to the spread of Covid-19.“The threat of arresting and imposing fines on illegal migrant workers will drive them into hiding and develop a distrust of the authorities because of flip-flop decisions,” he said.“Why doesn’t the government, instead of bringing in migrant workers, grant amnesty to the existing undocumented migrant workers for them to apply for proper documentation for gainful employment?”Putrajaya had initially said that it would extend its free vaccine programme to all foreigners as well as undocumented workers, in a bid to accelerate the goal of achieving herd immunity.However, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin later said that undocumented migrants should be detained, to make it easier for authorities to administer the vaccines.Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud meanwhile vowed to go after illegal immigrants whom he claimed worked in the country without paying taxes while “reap[ing] all the benefits”.Since then, numerous raids have been conducted with hundreds arrested and taken to the immigration depot before being deported.Yesterday, the immigration department said a total of 9,241 undocumented immigrants had been detained since early this year with 13,127 deported including children.Khairul said 53,195 individuals were questioned in 2,011 operations as of July 8, while 80,865 people were repatriated through the recalibration programme implemented from Dec 21 to July 8.Mohideen said that while such moves were said to be part of the government’s targeted approach to screening migrants for Covid-19 at detention centres, many remained unconvinced.“Moreover, the virus is going to spread like wildfire in the crammed environment of the detention centres,” he said.In a statement, he also spoke of stateless people who are denied basic rights to education, jobs and healthcare including Covid-19 jabs as they do not have the proper documentation.“We reiterate our call to the government to address the concerns of undocumented migrant workers and stateless people out of compassion, as well as to save both the people and the economy as best it can,” he said.“Given that we are living in unprecedented times, we should stop to consider whether the immigration status of a being overrides their position of being a human.“Human life and the containment of the virus should be of paramount concern over that of the document a person holds, in this dire situation.”


We have thought thoroughly, Hadi stands firm on working with PN

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang says the party will remain in Muafakat Nasional as long as it serves to unite the community, following his statement today attacking those who strayed from the agreement signed with Umno in 2019.He said PAS was already committed to the charter, but that Umno appeared to have reneged on a pledge to bring in Bersatu as a third party.He said both he and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had signed the letter inviting Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to join them.“I have signed, Zahid has signed, inviting Muhyiddin. I can show you the letter,” he told reporters after his weekly religious lecture in Rusila, Terengganu, today.Earlier, Hadi penned a lengthy statement urging Muslim groups to unite under the Perikatan Nasional coalition, while saying his party would not be part of any agreement that strays from the Muafakat Nasional charter.His remarks came amid repeated calls from Zahid reminding PAS that it was bound by Muafakat Nasional, the charter of cooperation between PAS and Umno.Yesterday, Zahid said PAS should think thoroughly about its agreement with Umno, and reminded the Islamist party of failed political pacts it had entered into with other parties in the past.Zahid said among others that a lack of honesty had led to the collapse of cooperations inked by PAS in the 1990s, such as the Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah which included DAP, and with Semangat 46, the now-defunct party once led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.But Hadi today said PAS had already weighed throroughly its commitment to the PN coalition.“We have had so much experience. We had cooperated with everyone. You can read history as far back as the 50s and 60s,” he said.He said PAS had survived as a political force, adding that those who split with it had since collapsed.“I don’t have to mention names. Read history. Read from the history of the 50s when PAS worked with Parti Negara, where is Parti Negara now? PAS is still around.“Then we worked with the Socialist Front. Where is the Socialist Front now? PAS is still around.”He said PAS had also worked with Barisan Nasional, referring to the party joining the coalition in the 1970s.“PAS is still around. Where is Barisan Nasional now?”Hadi said, likewise, Semangat 46 is also no longer around.“There are many instances.”He said various state Umno chapters are split over the party president’s stand on working with PN.“The Umno ministers have not resigned. What is important is battling Covid-19,” he said.


10,000 Olympic volunteers quit ahead of Games

Around 10,000 of 80,000 planned Tokyo 2020 Olympic volunteers have quit, organisers have revealed as they battle persistent doubts over the Games with just 50 days until the opening ceremony.Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto ruled out a further postponement of the Games, speaking to a Japan sports paper, and said cancellation would only happen in catastrophic circumstance such as most delegations not being able to come to Japan.Organisers will later Thursday mark 50 days to go when they unveil details about the medal ceremonies, in the latest attempt to build public enthusiasm despite polls showing most people in Japan want the Games delayed or cancelled.Japan is battling a fourth wave of coronavirus infections, with Tokyo and several other parts of the country under a state of emergency due to last until a month before the Games.On Wednesday night, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto told local media that around 10,000 volunteers – who are vital to the smooth running of the massive event – have quit, largely over coronavirus concerns.Others dropped out after the Games were postponed by a year, or in protest over sexist remarks made by Hashimoto’s predecessor who was forced to resign.Some of the volunteers are likely also to be among the approximately 80% of people in Japan who oppose hosting the Games this year, according to opinion polls.But surveys among the population of Tokyo have found a more even split between those in favour and opposed to holding the Games.Muto said the reduction in volunteers would not affect the running of the Games because the event has been scaled back, so fewer people are needed.Participants cutOverseas fans have already been barred from attending, and a decision on whether to allow domestic spectators is expected later this month after the state of emergency in Tokyo ends on June 20.The number of overseas officials and participants coming for the Games has been cut by about half, to around 78,000, with calls for further reductions.Hashimoto reiterated that the Games are on and will be safe for participants and the Japanese public in an interview published Thursday, saying cancellation was virtually inconceivable.“If various countries around the world experience very serious situations, and delegations from most countries can’t come, then we wouldn’t be able to hold it,” she told the Nikkan Sports daily.“But conversely, unless such a situation emerges, the Games will not be cancelled.”Australia’s softball team earlier this week became the first Olympic athletes to arrive in Japan for the Olympics, a major step forward.Hashimoto said she believed the tide of public opinion could be turning as Japan’s initially slow vaccine campaign begins to speed up.“We are hearing more and more voices from people saying ‘if this is the case, the Olympics may be able to take place’,” she said.Japan has seen a smaller Covid-19 outbreak than many countries, with just over 13,000 deaths. Around 2.9% of the population has been fully vaccinated.


Tokyo to vaccinate 18,000 Olympics workers, volunteers

Around 18,000 Tokyo Olympics workers including referees and volunteers will be vaccinated from next week, organisers said Friday, as they try to build confidence that the Games will be safe.With just six weeks until the pandemic-postponed Games open, officials are still battling domestic opposition and fear that the event could spread the coronavirus.Japan’s vaccination programme got off to a slow start and, while it is now picking up pace, just over 4% of the population is fully vaccinated, with close to 13% having had a first dose.Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto said she hoped the vaccinations would allow staff to “participate in event operations with peace of mind”.The jabs will target those “interacting closely with the athletes on a frequent basis”, she said.They include referees, Olympic village staff, employees and contractors, airport employees, doping testing officials and assistants from the national Olympic and Paralympic committees.Some of the 70,000 volunteers will also be included, if they are expected to have regular close contact with athletes.Hashimoto said the vaccinations would begin on June 18, with second doses administered before the Games open on July 23.Public opinion polls have tended to show most in Japan oppose holding the Games this year, favouring cancellation or a further postponement.Organisers are trying to drill home their message that tough restrictions will keep participants and the Japanese public safe.They have slashed the number of overseas participants, and will require daily testing of athletes, including those already vaccinated.Overseas fans have been banned and a decision on how many local spectators will be allowed, if any, is expected later this month.Parts of Japan including Tokyo are currently under a virus state of emergency due to end on June 20, with infection numbers dropping.


Money laundering in the world of art

Works of art, long associated with culture, exhibitions and fund-raising events for charity, appear to have come under the spotlight now for a different reason: a new way of laundering money, thanks to the space allowed for flexible prices and anonymous purchases.
In order to change the status of so-called dirty money to clean, the purchase and sale of high-value works of art can be used as a method to disguise the origin of illegally obtained funds through a process known as layering.
Given the lack of regulation for the price and process of appraising artwork, this is an easy way for money launderers to change their money on a mass scale.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that billions of dollars are laundered through the global art market each year, with billions more estimated through the black market including illegal imports, counterfeits and the products of theft.
In Malaysia, there is no formula to assess works of art.
"There is no specific format that must be followed by all artists," a curator who has dealt in local art since 2005, told MalaysiaNow.
"Sometimes expensive works of art can come from even young artists."
The curator added that on the local scene, art pieces such as those by Ibrahim Hussein and Latiff Mohidin can go for hundreds of thousands of ringgit each.
More recently, Damansara MP Tony Pua collected some RM1.3 million through the sale of over 8,000 digital copies of a painting he had made, titled "Sheraton Steps".
The copies were sold online through cryptocurrency in the form of non-fungible tokens or NFTs.
A Twitter user later questioned the transactions, claiming that of the 148 NFT owners, 94 belonged to the project owner himself, Langkah Sheraton NFT.
The Twitter user, @pedagang_eth, also claimed that the money collected was withdrawn and put back through nine different accounts, a process repeated in subsequent transactions.
"This means that the same money was used over and over again," the user said.
"Is this a form of manipulation to show it as popular?"
MalaysiaNow is still trying to reach Pua for comment.
Crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim said the essence of laundering money through artwork was the same as any other form of money laundering as it was still based on the element of fraud in the illegal transfer of funds.
"The money is mobilised when the work of art is acquired and then resold at a cheaper price," he said.
"For example, someone might buy an artwork for RM10 million at an auction and then resell it at a lower price of RM7 million.
"It looks like that person has lost RM3 million but in reality, he has laundered the money and gotten back RM7 million."
For this reason, Kamal said, when the perpetrator deposits the money into a bank account, the authorities cannot question the source of the funds, making the entire process easy to manipulate.
MalaysiaNow is seeking a response from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on money laundering activities and movements in the country using works of art.


Chinese ‘vaccine diplomacy’ on display in overtures to Taiwan allies

Taiwan has formal ties with only 15 countries worldwide, and Beijing, which asserts that the island does not have the right to diplomatic recognition, has stepped up efforts to coax them away.Increasingly Beijing is using promises of vaccines to persuade governments to drop Taiwan.Speaking on Wednesday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said China, is “flexing its muscles” with its vaccine diplomacy, in particular in South and Central America, where Taiwan has five allies.“If you look at those countries that are receiving the Chinese vaccines, whether it’s Brazil or Chile or El Salvador, I think it’s having lots of impact on our diplomatic allies,” Wu said.Last month, Taipei said it was helping Paraguay, its sole remaining partner in South America according to Reuters, buy Covid-19 vaccines after protests from Paraguayans over their government’s handling of the pandemic.Recently Beijing has put pressure on the South American country to ditch Taipei in exchange for shots.China has denied trying to entice Paraguay with vaccines. However, reports claim that the Chinese government was “very active” in saying to the Paraguayan public that if the government in the capital Asunción severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the people would get millions of doses of China’s vaccines in return.Wu said that Taiwan was forced to take the initiative to defend its links with Asunción.“We spoke to like-minded countries, including Japan and the US, and India has been able to provide some Covaxin vaccines to Paraguay,” he said, referring to a vaccine developed by India’s Bharat Biotech.India says it shipped 100,000 Covaxin doses to Paraguay on March 26 as a gift from the Indian government and promises there will be another 100,000 to come soon.Wu commented: “The most important trend is the Indian government who is willing to help, and the US who has decided they want to help. I think this is going to relieve a lot of pressure for a lot of countries.”The US, India, Japan and Australia are currently working to counter China with a billion-dose vaccine pact.


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Binance CEO's trading firm received US$11 billion via client deposit company, SEC says

Merit Peak, an offshore trading company controlled by Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, received around US$11 billion (about RM50.7 billion) of client assets through a Seychelles-based firm set up to take customer deposits, a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing shows.
The SEC filing, which on Tuesday asked a US court to freeze Binance's US assets, came a day after the SEC sued Binance, its billionaire CEO Zhao, and the operator of its US affiliate exchange, for allegedly operating a "web of deception."
In its 13 charges, the SEC alleged that Binance and Zhao used Merit Peak and Sigma Chain, another trading firm controlled by Zhao, to commingle corporate funds with client assets and use the monies "as they please." This put customers' assets at risk while Binance sought to "maximise" its profits, the SEC wrote in its civil complaint on Monday.
In response to the SEC's lawsuit, Binance said it would defend its platform vigorously. "All user assets on Binance and Binance affiliate platforms, including Binance.US, are safe and secure," it said in a statement on Monday.
The funds received by British Virgin Islands-based Merit Peak between 2019 and 2021 flowed from Key Vision Development Ltd, also controlled by Zhao, the SEC filing on Tuesday showed.
The US$11 billion sent from Key Vision to Merit Peak form part of the US$22 billion in assets – mostly belonging to Binance and its US affiliate – that Merit Peak received between 2019 and 2021, the SEC filing on Tuesday showed.
Binance did not respond to Reuters' emailed questions on the filing, and a spokesman did not respond to a voice message.
Reuters reported last month that Key Vision and Merit Peak, along with Binance's Cayman Islands holding company, formed the core of the global crypto exchange's financial network.
In response to that article, Binance denied mixing customer deposits and company funds, saying users who sent money were not making deposits but rather buying Binance's bespoke dollar-linked crypto token.
The SEC said in its lawsuit that Merit Peak, which described itself as trading with the "self-made wealth" of Zhao, operated on both the Binance.com and Binance.US platforms.
The SEC said in the filing on Tuesday it could not determine why an entity "purportedly trading" on Binance.US with Zhao's personal funds "acted as a 'pass through' account for billions of dollars of Binance Platforms customers' funds."
Between 2019 and 2023, Sigma Chain's US bank accounts received almost $500 million, mostly from Binance and BAM Trading, with US$15 million coming from Key Vision, the SEC's Tuesday filing said.
FX wires
The SEC's filing on Tuesday gave further examples of how Binance and Zhao, one of the most prominent figures in crypto, allegedly moved "billions of dollars" through the US.
Some Zhao-owned accounts have sent monies "offshore" over the last few months, the SEC wrote in the filing.
Through 2022, a US account for a company called Swipewallet, of which Zhao is the beneficial owner, sent US$1.5 billion in foreign exchange wires offshore, the SEC said in the filing without elaborating. The SEC said in such processes, dollars are converted to a foreign currency before transmitting to a beneficiary.
Binance acquired Swipe, a digital wallet and debit card platform, in 2020. There have been no public posts on Swipe's social media accounts since early last year. Swipe did not respond to a request for comment.
In some of the most detailed examples of the fund transfers by Binance and Zhao, the SEC's filing on Tuesday alleged that on Jan 1 this year, US$840 million was deposited into eight companies owned by Binance and Zhao, with US$899 million withdrawn from those accounts "during that same time frame." At the end of March, all but one of the accounts had a balance of zero, the SEC said.
The SEC's filing also said between January and March this year, multiple Binance bank accounts then wired over US$162 million offshore to a foreign account belonging to a Singapore company beneficially owned by Binance's back office manager, Guangying Chen, a close associate of Zhao.
Binance did not respond to requests for comment on these alleged transfers.
Some US$32 million was also sent from Sigma Chain to Chen, the SEC said, without elaborating. Chen did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.


India's Bengaluru hit by flooding, traffic snarls after heavy rain

Large parts of India's tech capital Bengaluru were under water on Monday after torrential rains uprooted trees, caused crippling traffic and forced offices to issue work-from-home orders to employees, raising fears of further disruptions through the week.
The Bangalore Urban district on Sunday received 28.1 mm rainfall, 368% more than the average, according to data compiled by the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The city has received 141% more rainfall than average since the start of monsoon season on June 1.
Bengaluru, home to various global companies as well as home-grown startups, has established itself as an important business centre in the country's southern region.
"Bengaluru and south interior Karnataka are likely to get heavy rainfall until Friday. From Saturday, rainfall activity will go down," said a senior weather official with IMD based in Pune.
On Monday, sources told Reuters that Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc had asked their employees to work from home. IT major Wipro Ltd and Walmart's Flipkart said they had asked employees to work from home.
"After two years of work from home, companies are coming back and infrastructure has completely collapsed," said Krishna Kumar, General Manager at the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA).
The group represents firms whose offices are located on the Outer Ring Road, which acts as a major connector in the city.
"Authorities need to focus on scaling up the infrastructure," Kumar said.
Monday's flooding forced citizens to empty basements and parking lots, spend more time on the roads in traffic and face power outages in places.
"Right now, we are all living in fear," said Deepa Babu, a psychologist who counsels adolescent kids and lives in Rainbow Drive, an enclave near the city's major tech hubs.
"Yesterday the boundary wall next to our house just collapsed," she added.


Philippine children back in school as pandemic restrictions ease

Millions of Philippine students returned to classrooms for the first time in more than two years on Monday, after the country lifted most remaining Covid-19 curbs to try and reverse learning losses.
Students, all wearing face masks, queued to enter their classrooms and attended flag raising ceremonies in their schoolyards across the Southeast Asian country as the government phases out remote learning.
"For two years, we longed for face-to-face classes so even if there's a flood, we will continue our lessons," said school teacher Mylene Ambrocio, 37, as she stook in ankle-deep water in a classroom in Pampanga province north of the capital. "I am happy to see the children face-to-face."
Precautions such as temperature checks, mandatory masks and limits on the number of students per classroom remain in place.
The country's school closures due to the pandemic were among the longest in the world, with reopening delayed by slow vaccine rollouts and elections earlier this year.
In November, the education ministry pilot tested in-person classes involving almost 300 schools but only this week broadened that out to cover all schools as the new school year got underway.
The education ministry currently mandates students learn in-person for at least three days a week. Starting Nov 2, all schools should have transitioned to five days of in-person classes, it said.
The shift to online classes, self-learning modules and educational television and radio programmes has proven extremely challenging for the country of more than 110 million where less than a fifth of households have internet access and many lack mobile devices.
Officials have underscored how important in-person learning is for the economy to achieve long-term growth.
"We are committed to pursuing the country's full reopening, including the return of face-to-face schooling to address the learning losses and increase domestic activities," Economic Planning Arsenio Balisacan said earlier this month.


Biden reinforces Japan ties, unveils Asia trade initiative

President Joe Biden meets with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo and unveils a multinational trade initiative Monday as part of his push to reinvigorate US strategic power across Asia.Fresh from a three-day visit to another key US ally, South Korea, Biden will also have talks with Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.US officials describe Japan and South Korea as lynchpins in Washington’s pushback against rising Chinese commercial and military power, as well as partners in a Western-led alliance to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.On Tuesday, Biden reinforces the theme of American leadership in the Asia-Pacific by joining the prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan for a summit of the Quad group.Biden praised the newly elected prime minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, for deciding immediately on his victory this weekend to attend the summit.This is “a vital opportunity to exchange views and continue to drive practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific”, the White House said, using the administration’s term for the Asia-Pacific region.However, Quad member India stands out for refusing to condemn Moscow openly or cut trade with Russia. Biden will also be meeting one-on-one Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.North Korea ignores BidenHanging over every step of Biden’s Asia tour is fear that unpredictable North Korea will test a nuclear-capable missile or a bomb.Speculation that this might even happen while Biden was just across the border in Seoul did not materialise over the weekend.But US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that the threat remains and said that the dictatorship has a choice.“If North Korea acts, we’ll be prepared to respond. If North Korea doesn’t act, North Korea has the opportunity, as we’ve said repeatedly, to come to the table,” he said.Pyongyang has so far declined to answer the US’ appeals for dialogue, officials say, even ignoring offers of help to combat a sudden mass outbreak of Covid-19, according to Biden.The situation will be on the agenda for the Biden-Kishida talks, the White House said, as well as their “shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific” – US diplomatic code for maintaining the status quo with a rising China.The pair are expected to make a statement on the need for “stability” in the Taiwan Strait, as concern rises about Chinese pressure on the island.And in a sign of Japan’s worry about regional tensions, Kishida is expected to announce plans for increased defence spending, a sensitive issue in a country whose constitution limits the military to defence.Trade initiativeAfter holding a joint press conference with Kishida, Biden will unveil a long-awaited trade initiative – also meant to cement the US presence in the region – dubbed the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, or IPEF.IPEF is being touted by Washington as a framework for what will ultimately become a tight knit group of trading nations.Unlike traditional trade blocs there is no plan for IPEF members to negotiate tariffs and ease market access – a tool that has become increasingly unpopular among American voters fearful of undermining homegrown manufacturing.Instead, the programme foresees integrating the trading partners with agreed standards in four main areas: the digital economy, supply chains, clean energy infrastructure and anti-corruption measures.The White House has so far been tight-lipped about how many countries are signing up and it faces questions over how agreed standards of behaviour between the partners can be enforced.However, there is no political appetite within the US for returning to a binding Asian trade deal following Trump’s 2017 withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.That huge trading bloc was revived, without US membership, in 2018 as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.


Indian priests pray for mercy from coronavirus ‘goddess’

Hindu priests at an Indian temple are saying daily prayers to two coronavirus goddesses in an effort to tame the pandemic as the country battles a new infection surge.Two “Corona Devi” idols have been set up in the southern city of Coimbatore, badly hit in an outbreak that has killed 100,000 people nationwide in the past four weeks.The Kamatchipuri Adhinam temple is closed to worshippers because of the city’s high infection rates but priests are paying tribute in front of the goddesses, one made of sandalwood and the other from stone.They leave food and other offerings, chant prayers urging an end to the pandemic and bathe the idols in turmeric water and milk.“We have had similar temples for smallpox, chicken pox and plague in the past,” said temple manager Anandbharathi K.“We are worshipping the virus in the form of a goddess and praying to her every day to reduce the impacts of this disease,” he added.While case numbers are easing in much of India, the country of 1.3 billion people has been shocked by the severity of the latest wave of the pandemic, which overwhelmed hospitals and led to critical shortages of oxygen and medicines.“Even doctors are unable to deal with the enormity of the situation. So, we turn to faith and God as a last resort,” Anandbharathi said.The priests plan to continue their prayers to the “Corona Devi” idols for another seven weeks.


RoS rejects Pejuang’s application to register as political party

The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has rejected Pejuang’s application to be registered as a political party.Lawyer Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, who represented the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led group, said the RoS had notified Pejuang pro tem secretary-general Amiruddin Hamzah of the rejection in writing at 5.50pm yesterday, saying the application was improperly done.“I’m waiting for further instruction from my client as they probably want to appeal to the home ministry,” he told reporters after the proceeding before High Court judge Mariana Yahya today.The court was initially slated to hear Pejuang’s application for a judicial review against the RoS’ act of delaying approval for the registration application.But Mior said Pejuang had withdrawn the judicial review application following the RoS’ decision on grounds that it had become academic.He said Pejuang is expected to hold a media conference on the issue later today.On Dec 10 last year, Amiruddin filed a judicial review application through law firm Messrs Haidir & Co, naming the director-general of RoS and the RoS as the first and second respondents.Amiruddin had applied for a declaration that the actions of the respondents in not giving a decision or registering Pejuang were in conflict with the statutory obligations of both respondents as well as unreasonable and mala-fide.He also applied for a declaration that the failure of the respondents to approve the party’s registration application as a registered organisation was contrary to the applicant’s legitimate expectation.He also requested a mandamus order for the respondents to make a decision on Pejuang’s registration application according to Section 7 (1) of the Societies Act 1966 within seven days from the date of judgment, as well as costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.


PH gets support of Umno ‘klepto’ group to push Anwar as PM

Some 15 MPs aligned with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, including those facing multiple corruption charges, will be backing PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim to be appointed as prime minister in the event of a government collapse, MalaysiaNow can confirm.The latest move appears in keeping with former leader Najib Razak’s indication that there would be a major development at Istana Negara within the next “24 to 48 hours”.“Whatever decision made, including by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, will determine the future of the country,” Najib had said in a speech yesterday.This comes after negotiations by PH with other opposition blocs and individual parties failed to gain their support for Anwar.“It was then decided that PH can only be a government with the support of Zahid and his men,” a senior PKR office bearer familiar with the negotiations late last night told MalaysiaNow.Yesterday, opposition parties rejected a cross-party consensus offered by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin ahead of a planned confidence vote to determine his support among MPs.Despite strong reservations from some DAP MPs, including many who had privately protested any move to combine forces with “a group of kleptocrats that we have fought so hard to evict from Putrajaya”, the source said PH leaders believed such an opportunity would never come again.“Anwar’s men in PKR are adamant that there is nothing illegal in kleptocrats backing a PH government.“In the end, they agreed that time is running out,” the PKR veteran said.Yesterday, Muhyiddin listed seven items in his proposal for a cross-party consensus to avoid a collapse of the government which he said risked a power vacuum that could be filled by “kleptocrats” while disrupting efforts to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.The term “kleptocrats” refers to a group of Umno leaders who are facing multiple corruption charges, led by Najib, who alongside Zahid and Anwar are leading the current efforts to oust Muhyiddin.Muhyiddin among others pledged to channel equal allocations of funds to all MPs across the political divide, enact an anti-hopping law, limit the prime minister’s tenure in office, and ensure a balanced representation of MPs from the government and opposition in the Special Parliamentary Select Committee.He also promised to implement Undi18 to allow those who reach 18 years of age to vote at the next general election, which he pledged to call by the end of July next year subject to the Covid-19 situation.Several DAP MPs contacted by MalaysiaNow have warmed up to the proposal, mainly driven by the fear of working with scandal-tainted politicians such as Najib and Zahid.At least two DAP MPs – Tony Pua and Ong Kian Ming – have publicly urged their party to consider the offer, emphasising the importance of blocking the return of kleptocrats as well as the need to focus efforts on battling the Covid-19 pandemic.


Zahid's man Asyraf Wajdi is new Mara boss

Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has been appointed as the new chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) effective March 10, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirms in the wake of rumour of the former Umno Youth leader's appointment to head the Bumiputera economic powerhouse.
Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said the letter of appointment was delivered to Asyraf at the rural and regional development ministry in Putrajaya.
"Asyraf Wajdi has been appointed, it is not a rumour anymore. I signed it (the appointment letter) on Friday.
"(The photo which went viral) is authentic and the appointment was made at the rural and regional development ministry because Mara is an agency under the ministry," he was qouted by Bernama today.
Asyraf is among close allies of Zahid, the Umno president who has been widely criticised by senior party leaders over the move to back Pakatan Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim for the top office following a hung parliament in the aftermath of the general election last year,
Asyraf was also among a group of vocal MPs who backed the move engineered by Zahid and former leader Najib Razak to topple the Perikatan Nasional government in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
In the last polls, Asyraf lost to PN's Fathul Huzir Ayob in a three-way contest for the Gerik parliamentary seat.


Unlicensed durian farmers aren't encroachers, PH says

Raub MP Chow Yu Hui today said that unlicensed durian farmers in the district are victims of state crime, adding that it is their human right to be given permits to cultivate the lands.
He said durian farmers who have been planting without permits should not be considered encroaching as they have been doing so since the 1970s, with encouragement from the state government.
Chow, from Pakatan Harapan, then suggested that the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) review the issue from a human rights perspective to advocate for justice on their behalf.
"These farmers are victims of state crime," he said during a debate of the Suhakam annual report.
"Although they were encouraged to engage in farming activities and cultivate the Musang King as a leading international brand, their contributions were never recognised.
"The farmers have been constantly applying for land titles and licenses through propel channels but are rejected or ignored by the state authorities."
Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Roslan Hashim then interjected and said that unauthorised cultivation on state government lands is an encroachment.
"I don't think that falls under human rights.
"It is an encroachment," Roslan, from Perikatan Nasional, said, asking Chow to correct his statement earlier.
Chow, however, disagreed with the opposition MP's "perception", saying that the durian farmers have been cultivating the lands for decades.
"What they (the opposition) perceive is one thing, but they (durian farmers) have been cultivating the lands for decades.
"It is their human right to obtain land titles and licenses," he said.


Pub, nightclub owners risk legal action for breaching RMCO, says Ismail Sabri

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob today warned that owners of nightclubs and pubs found to be operating illegally during the recovery movement control order (RMCO) will face stern action, including being charged in court and having their operating licences revoked.He said entertainment centres were still prohibited from operating during the RMCO, and those which opened would be in breach of the directive under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.“For operators who disobey (the directive), the police can issue summonses and compounds, and can even detain them and take them to court, because they are not only violating the SOPs but also going against the government ban, which it is wrong under the law,” he said in a press conference on the RMCO.He earlier said that of the 778 people detained for breaching the RMCO yesterday, 600 allegedly committed offences at nightclubs and pubs.Given the rise in number of arrests due to such activities, he said, the police had decided to include the local authorities in raids and spot-checks at entertainment centres.“If arrests are made during raids on nightclubs and pubs without the involvement of local authorities, a list of the premises involved will be submitted to the authorities concerned,” he said.“Local authorities have the power to close and revoke the licences of such premises.”


US command says Iranian-made drone hit tanker off Oman

An attack on a tanker off the coast of Oman on Tuesday was carried out by an Iranian-made drone, US Central Command said in a statement, adding that a multilateral maritime operation led by a British Royal Navy frigate had responded to the area.
An Israeli official had blamed Iran for the strike on the Pacific Zircon tanker managed by Israeli-controlled Eastern Pacific Shipping. The company said there was minor damage to the hull but no injuries or spillage of the gas oil cargo.
A White House official earlier said the US was "confident that Iran likely conducted" the hit using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Iran's Nournews, which is affiliated with the country's top security body, blamed Israel for the attack.
US Central Command said in a statement late on Wednesday that debris "reveals that it was a Shahed-series one-way attack drone" that hit the vessel, identifying it as Iranian-made.
"This unmanned aerial vehicle attack against a civilian vessel in this critical maritime strait demonstrates, once again, the destabilizing nature of Iranian malign activity in the region," the Central Command statement said.
It said a multilateral operation responded to the scene led by the British Royal Navy's HMS Lancaster. US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans and a US Navy patrol coastal ship and patrol craft were involved in the operation.
Attacks on tankers in Gulf waters in recent years have come at times of heightened regional tensions with Iran.
In July 2021, a suspected drone attack off Oman's coast hit a petroleum product tanker managed by an Israeli firm. Iran denied the accusations that it was responsible.


Two names in the running after ouster of Perak MB

Speculation is rife on who will replace Ahmad Faizal Azumu as Perak menteri besar following the motion of confidence at the state legislative assembly today which saw him lose by 38 votes.A source from Perak Umno told MalaysiaNow that two names are being circulated as the most likely candidates: Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad and former menteri besar Zambry Abd Kadir.“Saarani is the first choice because he is the state Umno chief, who is usually chosen as menteri besar.“Zambry meanwhile did a good job when he held the position of menteri besar for two terms, from 2009 to 2018. So don’t be surprised if Zambry is chosen again by the Perak sultan,” the source said.Saarani Mohamad.When contacted by MalaysiaNow, Shaarani who is Kota Tampan assemblyman declined to comment.If Zambry is chosen to lead the state, the source said, Perak’s ties with Putrajaya would continue as he has a good relationship with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.The Perak state assembly comprises 25 representatives from Umno, 16 from DAP, five from Bersatu, five from Amanah, three from PKR, three from PAS, one from Gerakan and one independent.Meanwhile, Faizal told MalaysiaNow that he is awaiting a date for an audience with Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Sultan Azlan Shah.Zambry Abd Kadir.“The choice of menteri besar is Umno’s business. Bersatu will not interfere,” he said. “Bersatu will remain with Perikatan Nasional (PN).”An MB from Umno would mean Perak becoming the third state to return to Umno’s rule since PN took over the federal government in late February.It follows Johor and Melaka, which were under Pakatan Harapan (PH) until the coalition’s collapse.Former Perak exco Hamidah Osman who has been a member of both Umno and Bersatu said today’s events showed the beginning of cracks between the two Malay parties in the PN state government.He added that it would not be so easy to choose a new menteri besar.“To choose a menteri besar, we need the support of 30 assemblymen. Presently, Umno only has 25 – five short of the necessary number,” Hamidah, who is currently vice-president of Putra, the party founded by former Kelantan MP Ibrahim Ali, told MalaysiaNow.He added that the identities of the 10 assemblymen who had voted in support of Faizal remained unknown.“Could there be representatives from PAS among them? If so, it would mean that Umno still lacks the support needed to choose the menteri besar.”Hamidah said the best way to resolve the political situation in Perak would be to dissolve the state assembly to make way for a state election.“But due to concerns over the spikes in Covid-19, the sultan must look carefully at all aspects before coming to a decision on the matter.”Faizal was removed as menteri besar today after losing the support of the majority in the state legislative assembly.The motion of confidence, submitted by Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Abd Manaf Hashim, saw 48 voting against him, 10 voting in support of him and one abstaining.


4 fully vaccinated people among 12,993 fatalities

A recent clinical audit revealed that four out of 12,993 fatalities recorded involved individuals who had been fully vaccinated, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.“Our recent clinical audit data analysis on ‘breakthrough deaths’ showed that among the overall 12,993 deaths recorded, 80 cases had been partially vaccinated (0.6%) and four cases had full vaccination (0.03%),” he said in a tweet today.Over the 24-hour period up to noon yesterday, another 293 fatalities due to Covid-19 were recorded, bringing the death toll to 13,077.


Contract doctors look to election vows as they put off plans to leave

For four years now, Nur Khaliesa has been working as a contract medical officer at a government hospital in Kedah.
She had applied numerous times to be absorbed as a permanent staff at the health ministry, but each time, her application was rejected without any explanation by the Public Services Commission.
In June, she made up her mind to say goodbye to Malaysia and to explore better career opportunities in other countries like Brunei or Singapore.
This was a hard decision to make, even though she had spent more than five years in Australia as a medical student before coming back home to work.
"I had already prepared all of the documents I would need to start work at a new place," she said.
"I planned to resign sometime early next year, then take a few weeks off for a holiday before going back to work."
But after going over the manifestos presented by political parties ahead of the election, she decided to put her plans on hold, at least for now.
"I want to see what happens to the promises they made to the contract doctors," she said.
"I really hope a party that cares about the health sector is given the mandate this time. Take care of the dumping of contract doctors and establish a special commission for the health sector.
"We don't want a government that promises to resolve this problem and then ends up making a decision that doesn't benefit anyone."
At least 13 of her contract doctor friends are also waiting to see what happens at the election before deciding whether to quit or to look for work in another country.
Over 23,000 medical, dental and pharmacy officers are expected to cast their votes on Nov 19 – all of them young doctors who have waited a long time to be absorbed as permanent staff who would then be able to work towards becoming specialists in their fields.
Pakatan Harapan, for its part, has promised to tackle the issue of contract doctors if it forms the government after the general election.
Perikatan Nasional, meanwhile, has offered to form a health services commission to address the problems faced by doctors, and to increase allocations for the health sector.
It has also pledged to resolve staffing issues and bullying cases, and to focus on the welfare of doctors in addition to addressing the shortage of medical specialists.
The welfare of contract doctors has also been raised by Barisan Nasional's candidate in Sungai Buloh, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
A contract doctor from Terengganu said he would not hesitate to move to Taiwan if a party that does not care about the health sector is voted into government.
Teo, who has been working since 2017, said he and several of his friends had prepared their resignation letters as early as August this year.
They initially planned to submit these at the end of the year.
"But when the general election was announced, we were excited because there were manifestos that included specific promises for the health sector," Teo said.
"This could be our chance to remain in Malaysia without needing to leave our families in order to make a living."
He said a government that prioritised the health sector would build a better country as health was the key to public well-being.
"I will wait," he said. "I hope that leaders who are ready to take these issues into hand will be voted in to form the next government.
"Taiwan can wait. I want to stay here, in my own country."


Inappropriate to name Anwar as PM candidate when sex assault case still pending, says Bersatu

Bersatu today objected to the naming of Anwar Ibrahim as Pakatan Harapan's (PH) candidate for prime minister, citing the PKR chief's ongoing court case on an alleged sexual assault against his former research assistant.
Bersatu Supreme Council member Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, referring to PH's announcement in Perak on Oct 20, said any leader accused of sexual wrongdoing in court should withdraw from elections or government positions until the case has been settled.
"This is to ensure that only clean and moral leaders hold important government positions, to preserve public confidence and the country's reputation," he said.
"It is surprising and highly inappropriate for PH to nominate Anwar before the completion of Muhammed Yusoff Rawther's court case against him."
Yusoff, who worked at Anwar’s bungalow office in Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, filed a suit against the PKR president accusing him of sexually assaulting him some time in October 2018, days before the opposition leader won the Port Dickson by-election.
Yusoff claimed to have suffered serious physical, psychological and social trauma as a result of the incident.
Latiff said it was up to PH to reconsider its candidate for prime minister.
"They should respect the country's election process by ensuring that their candidates, including their prime ministerial candidate, are clean and persons of integrity.
"Until the High Court issues a decision in Yusoff's case, Anwar should not be named as a candidate for prime minister."
Yusoff recently won a defamation suit against Anwar's press secretary over the alleged assault, with the Shah Alam Sessions Court ordering Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah to pay him RM200,000 in costs.
Nashrul was told to apologise to Yusoff and pay him costs over a media statement in 2019, where he denied an assault incident which the latter claimed had taken place at Anwar's office.
Yusoff later said that the victory was a step towards proving his claims of what had transpired.


Singapore president orders respite of execution for mentally disabled duo

The two intellectually disabled men facing the gallows in Singapore for drug-related offences have been granted a respite by the president of the city-state, Halimah Yacob.This means that Singaporean Roslan Bakar and Malaysian Pausi Jefridin will not be executed as scheduled.“President has just granted a respite order and stopped/stayed the execution of Pausi,” prominent human rights lawyer M Ravi said in a Facebook post.This comes after MalaysiaNow learnt that Roslan had been granted a respite as well.It is understood that Halimah exercised her authority in accordance with Article 22P(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore and Section 313(h) of the Criminal Procedure Code.Article 22P states, among others, that the president may, on the advice of the Cabinet, grant to any offender convicted of an offence in Singapore, a pardon, free or subject to lawful conditions, or any reprieve or respite, either indefinite or for a period deemed fit by the president, of the execution of any sentence pronounced.Roslan and Pausi were initially scheduled for execution on Feb 16, but this was postponed after a last-ditch attempt by their lawyers to put a halt to their death sentence.Pausi and Roslan, who were charged with trafficking 96.07g of diamorphine and 76.37g of methamphetamine in 2008, were convicted in 2010.They failed in an appeal in 2017 to commute their death sentence to life imprisonment, despite lawyers citing medical reports on their intellectual capabilities which would render their executions illegal under Singapore laws as well as international treaties.News of their looming executions had sparked criticism, including by the United Nations which said that the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences was incompatible with international human rights law.UN rights office spokesman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva that capital punishment was only permitted under international law for the “most serious crimes, which is interpreted as crimes of extreme gravity involving intentional killing.”Their executions were eventually postponed as lawyers rushed in a last-minute bid to save them from the gallows.Singapore has some of the world’s toughest drugs laws, and insists that the death penalty is an effective deterrent against crime.


Anwar served writ on sexual assault suit by ex-staff

The writ of summons for a sexual assault suit by a former staff of Anwar Ibrahim was finally served on the PKR leader today after several failed attempts since the suit was first filed a month ago.Mahajoth Singh, the lawyer representing Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, confirmed that the writ of summons and the statement of claim had been served upon Anwar’s lawyers.Mahajoth also confirmed that the case management has been fixed on Sept 9.It is understood that several attempts were made to serve the writ earlier.Anwar’s lawyer had agreed to fix an appointment for the suit to be served today.In his statement of claim, Yusoff, 28, said he had suffered serious trauma as well as physical, psychological and sociological disturbances as a result of an alleged sexual assault by the politician at the latter’s former home in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.Yusoff, who listed about a dozen lewd acts and utterances allegedly committed by Anwar, is seeking a court declaration that the opposition leader had committed the sexual assault, as well as general, exemplary and aggravated damages which include the cost of the therapy sessions he is currently attending.


Analysts expect lively battle for top posts at next Umno election

Analysts are expecting some zing in the next Umno election as a number of leaders seen as heavyweights will likely be jostling for the top two spots in the party.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, they did not rule out the possibility that Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob would run for the presidency given his growth in popularity among the grassroots since becoming the prime minister.Ahmad Atory Hussain of Universiti Sains Malaysia however said that the position of prime minister is no guarantee that Ismail will be chosen as Umno president as several other challengers can be expected to put up a stiff fight.Others whom he expects to run for president include Khairy Jamaluddin and deputy president Mohamad Hasan.“Of course the vice-president and members of the Supreme Council or the ‘oldies’ dream of becoming the president,” he said.Atory sees four individuals in particular as having the edge needed to win the support of the grassroots.“Ismail is the prime minister while Tok Mat is the deputy,” he said, referring to Mohamad.“Hishammuddin Hussein meanwhile is known by international leaders and Khairy has strong support from among the youth.”As for former leader Najib Razak, Atory said he would not return as Umno president or prime minister any time soon.Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, is more difficult to predict as his court cases are ongoing, he said.On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal unanimously upheld Najib’s conviction and sentence for seven counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering in RM42 million from SRC International.Zahid, who succeeded Najib as Umno president, faces 47 charges – 12 of criminal breach of trust, eight of bribery and 27 of money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to charity outfit Yayasan Akalbudi.Ismail Sualman of UiTM said it was too soon to count Zahid out of the running as he has yet to be found guilty by the court.He added that Zahid still has an “aura” in Umno although he is seen as less popular than other leaders as he does not hold a Cabinet position.“As long as he has not been convicted, he will remain the president,” Ismail Sualman said.“That is a fact, and Umno members including the leaders still respect Zahid as their president.”He also cited Umno’s victories under Zahid’s leadership including at the by-elections in Semenyih and Rantau, and the Sabah and Melaka state elections.“It’s still seen as performing well,” he said.But he said it would be better for Umno to move away from its old practices and to allow other candidates to contest the top two positions.Up until the 14th general election, Umno did not normally contest the presidency and deputy presidency. This had been the case since the major split in the 1980s when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was challenged by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.At the Umno election in 2018, though, Zahid was elected as president after defeating four others including Khairy and Umno veteran Razaleigh.“The days of listing out candidates to influence delegates are over,” Ismail Sualman said.“Before this, members had to wait in line but now everyone can contest. The right to fight for positions in the party belongs to all, and this will ensure that individuals who lead the party have the support of the grassroots.”He agreed with Atory that Khairy, Mohamad, Hishammuddin and Ismail would be able to contest the Umno presidency.“They are the bigwigs in Umno and all have strong support.”


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Daily caseload passes 1,700 as death toll up by 2

Another 1,722 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,848,314.
There were 1,639 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,788,889.
There are now 23,038 active cases, of which 22,011 or 95.5% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 0 (0.0%) are at quarantine centres while 979 (4.2%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 48 are in ICU with 26 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 63.5%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 13.2%.
Two more deaths were reported, both of which were brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 36,387.


At Kampung Baru, residents fed up with sweet promises

As the campaign period for the 15th general election (GE15) reaches the halfway mark, at one hot spot in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, the candidates from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) are busy trading blows.
But as the back and forth continues between Amanah's Khalid Samad and Johari Abdul Ghani of Umno, in the enclave itself, it's business as usual for the residents.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Samsuri Suradi, vice-chairman of the Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board, said the government had been intending to develop Kampung Baru since 1975.
After 45 years, little appears to have moved.
"Throughout the process, we saw many ministers who wanted to develop Kampung Baru," Samsuri said. "None of the efforts bore any fruit."
In his opinion, the ministers in question were all unfamiliar with the issues at hand.
"Developing Kampung Baru is not the same thing as developing Iskandar Shah or Putrajaya," he said.
"That is government land. But this is our land."

Samsuri Suradi, vice-chairman of the Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board, sits with other Kampung Baru residents, talking about the development issues in the area.

Kampung Baru, famous for its bubur lambuk and Ramadan bazaars, is also a major tourist attraction for those looking to experience village life in the middle of the capital city.
Its history can be traced as far back as 1899.
In 2019, reports said that Kampung Baru was being eyed by real estate brokers who wished to develop the land.
Kampung Baru has witnessed several development projects, including the Uda Legasi condominium, Tamu Hotel and most recently, the Jalan Raja Uda MRT.
Samsuri said all manner of plans had been launched for Kampung Baru, at the cost of millions of ringgit.
But none of these had taken into consideration the wants of the people, he said.
For example, he said, cycling routes had been established that looked good but did not take into account the underground waterways.
As a result, the problem of floods continued.
"They tried to act smart but all of their plans failed – from Raja Nong Chik, to Khalid Samad, to Annuar Musa and Shahidan Kassim," he said, referring to those who had at one time or another held the federal territories portfolio.
Khalid, for his part, has been banking on his record as federal territories minister under the PH administration in order to win the support of voters in the wider constituency of Titiwangsa.
Nevertheless, his remarks on land value had upset many and may come back to haunt him on the campaign trail for the Nov 19 polls.
Khalid, the Shah Alam incumbent, accuses Johari of staying mum even as the government took the land of the residents in Kampung Baru.
Johari, meanwhile, says that Khalid failed to resolve the problems of the people during his time in the Cabinet.
During Khalid's time, the government had offered RM1,000 per sq foot, but the residents had said that this was not enough.
At Kampung Sungai Baru near Kampung Baru, the villagers say that they too are unhappy with the amount offered by the government.
Yusuf Sukaruman, an heir to some of the land in the village, said the matter had become a political tool.
"It's not a reasonable offer," he said. "We already discussed the private appraiser who was appointed, but the land and mines office is not interested in that value.
"This is what we are still protesting today."
Resident Syed Putra Syed Abdul Rahman said he wanted locals to be appointed as federal territories minister and mayor, not "outsiders".
"We want a minister whose heart is here, and who knows the problems in Kuala Lumpur. Don't appoint a minister from somewhere else."
Samsuri meanwhile said that Umno and PAS appeared to have the upper hand in the village.
He said other parties that wished to win the support of the residents would need to understand their wants.
"Don't waste time like Khalid," he said. "You have to win hearts and minds, not just come and put up some flags.
"Make sure that your fight isn't just for one day."


Payments for printing, mailing police summonses not in line with contract, audit report shows

The Auditor-General's Report 2021 Series 2 has found that the payments for printing services and the posting of police summons notices were not in accordance with the contract.
According to the report released today, the police made payments before the service was carried out, involving payments of RM17.76 million and fines for late posted notices amounting to RM1.82 million that were not imposed.
"The audit review found that service company 227963-P issued a delivery order (delivery note) to confirm the service even though the actual service was only performed after 19 to 382 days from the date of payment.
"Further review of the audit found that the payment for the service of printing and posting 4.8 million police postal summons notices amounting to RM17.76 million was settled before the service was implemented," the report said.
The report said that according to the agreement, after printing and putting the police notice in an envelope as per the government's order, the contractor must post the notice within 14 days of the date the official order is made.
"When the police notice is posted late, the government is entitled to receive the police notice and demand compensation from the contractor.
"The delay in posting the notice of summons is between one and 34 days. Based on the audit's calculations, a total of RM1.82 million in fines can be imposed for late notices posted by the service company 227963-P," the report added.
The report also disclosed that service company 227963-P had appointed a subcontractor without approval with a contract value of RM32.58 million.
In order to ensure compliance with the financial regulations and conditions in the service agreement clause of printing and posting summon notices, the police were recommended to ensure that payments are made according to the stipulations of the agreement based on the actual number of summons notices printed and posted by the service company.
"It must also ensure that the monitoring of the period of completion of the printing service and the posting of summons notices is done more effectively by taking immediate action against any delays and enforcing existing agreement clauses as well as improving the terms of the agreement to protect the government's interests," it said.


Time to do away with bunker mentality, experts say on lockdowns

Experts are urging the government to do away with the “bunker mentality” of enforcing lockdowns to curb the rising numbers of Covid-19 infections which reached a daily high of over 13,000 last week despite the strict movement controls imposed since June.Azrul Mohd Khalib, chief executive of think tank Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said lockdowns and restrictions create an artificial environment and a false sense of security.“We have to learn to manage and live with this disease,” he told MalaysiaNow.“That is why it is important for as many people to get registered and vaccinated as soon as possible.”The current lockdown, dubbed MCO 3.0, was enforced on June 1.The announcement came days after health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah warned Malaysians to “brace for the worst” amid an exponential trend indicated by the country’s Covid-19 graph. At that point, daily cases were at a high of about 8,200.“We have to learn to manage and live with this disease.”It also came amid an ongoing debate over the need to maintain a balance between lives and livelihoods, as businesses deemed non-essential are shut down each time a lockdown is declared.Azrul said the government could not continue to rely on the same approach taken during the first MCO last year as the outbreak had long since made its way into the community.“An epidemic of this level of infectivity means that a high level of adherence to SOPs and good hygiene practices will likely have a more effective impact than lockdowns, which yield temporary and unsustainable results,” he said, adding that total restrictions on movements should be a last resort.‘Inferior intervention’Dr Sanjay Rampal, an epidemiologist at Universiti Malaya, agreed that the effectiveness of lockdowns had decreased over the past year.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he added that lockdowns have a temporary effect and come at a high cost.He said lockdowns, which he called an “inferior intervention”, could only reduce community transmissions if the entire country is under lockdown for four to eight weeks.“However, it has a very high psychological, social, and economic cost,” he said.Even with the arrival of the Delta strain in the country, Sanjay said lockdowns are not necessarily an effective measure if certain sectors are still allowed to operate.“It has a very high psychological, social, and economic cost.”“The Delta strain is more easily transmitted, but the severity of the disease does not appear to worsen,” he said.“The latest lockdown has not been as effective, partly due to the decreased intensity which allowed more movement by the working population to lessen its financial and economic impact.”He, too, said the results of the restrictions are likely to be temporary, with cases increasing once they are lifted.‘Many failures’But Malaysia has not been alone in its struggle to find a solution to the rise in number of Covid-19 infections.While some countries have managed to bring their numbers under control, others are still fighting a seemingly never-ending surge of cases.In Italy, the first European country to be hit by the global pandemic, clinical biochemist Dr Salvatore Chirumbulo spoke of a similar failure of lockdowns.Italy’s strictest lockdown was enforced from March 8 to May 31 last year, after which the government came up with a warning map which categorised areas according to colours much like Malaysia’s red, yellow and green zones.But Chirumbulo, from the University of Verona, said cases and deaths continued in the country despite lockdown measures.“Population density is one of the factors that should be considered for any lockdown policy.”“The many failures were due to lockdown in houses, hospices, hospitals, workplaces, leading to the incubation of infected people and rising infection contacts. Home therapy protocols were shallow and clumsy,” he said, adding that data was also uncertain and communication non-transparent.On the latest lockdown in Malaysia, he said it is difficult to hamper viral spreading due to the high population density in many areas.“Population density is one of the factors that should be considered for any lockdown policy,” he said, adding that age distribution, crowding, urbanisation density, rural areas, communication frequency among citizens and the reliability of healthcare structures must also be taken into account.He said a better alternative would be to reduce hospitalisations by improving home therapy within the first three days of symptoms.‘Intended to be temporary’Closer to home, the New Zealand health ministry attributed its success in containing the spread of Covid-19 to its use of an alert system.“In March last year, less than a month after the first case was confirmed in the country, an alert level system was devised with four different levels, and the country went into Alert Level Four lockdown,” a spokesman for the country’s health authority told MalaysiaNow when contacted.“Lockdowns are not intended to reduce the number of people infected and eliminate the disease.”Alert Level Four requires everyone apart from essential workers to remain at home. Only essential services such as supermarkets and petrol stations are allowed to operate, with standard infection prevention control measures in place.After three weeks at Alert Level Four, the country progressed to Alert Level Three.However, the ministry said other measures were equally important including vaccination, isolation and quarantine, contact tracing and basic hygiene messages urging people to stay at home.Azrul agreed that countries such as New Zealand and South Korea have a better understanding of the epidemiological situation which allowed them to target their lockdowns.“South Korea, for example, has a very high level of SOP compliance and an aggressive strategy of testing for new cases.“They understand that lockdowns are intended to be temporary and to keep their health systems from being overwhelmed.“Lockdowns are not intended to reduce the number of people infected and eliminate the disease,” he said.


33.2% of children given first vaccine jab, 65.1% of adults boosted

A total of 1,180,323 children or 33.2% of those aged five to 11 had received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow website, 2,838,292 teenagers or 91.2% of those aged 12 to 17 have completed their vaccination while 2,938,106 or 94.4% have received at least one dose.A total of 15,317,615 individuals or 65.1% of the adult population have received a Covid-19 booster dose while 22,936,715 or 97.5% have completed their vaccination.A total of 23,213,016 individuals or 98.7% of adults have received at least one dose of vaccine.A total of 51,798 vaccine doses were administered yesterday, comprising 14,496 first doses, 2,055 second shots and 35,247 booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses given under National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 68,214,783.


Oxford researchers invent test to bring effective new jabs into use more quickly

The world is desperate for new Covid-19 vaccines to be available for use quickly and traditional large scale clinical trials involving thousands of human volunteers can take many months to conduct.Now researchers at Oxford University in the UK have developed a method to predict how well new Covid-19 vaccines will work based on a simple blood test.The method potentially offers a shortcut around the massive clinical trials traditionally used that are becoming increasingly difficult to conduct.Researchers and regulators around the globe are working on benchmarks which may allow slower companies in the vaccine development race to provide evidence of efficacy without having to conduct trials with tens of thousands of volunteers.The researchers looked at the concentration of a range of virus-fighting antibodies in the blood of trial participants after they had received a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, now known as Vaxzevria.By looking at which of those trial volunteers later contracted symptomatic Covid-19 and which did not, the researchers produced a model they hope will predict how powerful other vaccines will be, based on those blood readings.“The data can be used to extrapolate efficacy estimates for new vaccines where large efficacy trials cannot be conducted,” they said in their paper, which was posted online on Thursday and submitted for peer-review for future publication in a scientific journal.The Oxford researchers cautioned more work was needed to validate their model for many of the highly contagious new variants.They noted that they did not look into the so-called cellular immune response, a major weapon of the human body against infections alongside antibodies, but more difficult to measure.“There is an urgent need to increase the supply of vaccines for the world, but development and approval of new vaccines takes many months. We hope that the use of correlates by developers and regulators could speed up the process,” said Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and lead investigator on the Oxford Vaccine Trial.Those mass trials have so far relied on participants to contract the disease in their normal lives to provide vaccine efficacy results. That becomes more of a challenge where vaccination coverage is already high and the virus is not circulating widely.The traditional clinical trials also require many participants to get a placebo as a comparison to those who receive the experimental vaccine, posing an ethical dilemma where approved shots are available.