Muhyiddin to offer resignation, says minister

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will offer his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said, potentially spelling an end to his 17-month-old government and plunging the country into fresh turmoil.Muhyiddin has faced mounting pressure to step aside after losing his parliamentary majority, and over his administration’s handling of a worsening coronavirus outbreak.He made a last-ditch attempt to cling to power Friday by urging opposition MPs to support him in exchange for institutional reforms – but his offer was rejected.Minister Mohamad Redzuan Yusof told AFP that Muhyiddin had informed lawmakers from his party during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday that he would tender his resignation.“He will hold a final Cabinet meeting on Monday, then he will head to the palace to submit his resignation letter,” said the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.“We did try to convince him to stay on, but he said: ‘We do not have the number of MPs.'”Muhyiddin told the meeting it would be up to the king – who has publicly criticised his government – to accept his resignation or not, the minister added.There has been speculation that, should he step down, a new government will be formed without elections due to concerns that polls could worsen the virus outbreak.But, with no clear successor as prime minister, there are likely to be days of political horse-trading ahead as MPs seek to form a workable coalition.It will ultimately be up to the constitutional monarch to appoint a leader whom he believes commands parliamentary support.Muhyiddin came to power in March last year without an election at the head of a scandal-plagued coalition following the collapse of a two-year-old, reformist government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.But his government was beset by turmoil from day one – it had weak parliamentary support, its legitimacy was constantly questioned, and he faced a serious challenge from opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim.Pressure mounted after some MPs from Umno, the biggest party backing Muhyiddin, publicly withdrew support.Muhyiddin had pledged to hold a no-confidence vote in September but it quickly became clear he could not muster enough backing.


New cases over 2,000 again

Another 2,148 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 367,977.Sarawak reported 512 cases, followed by Selangor (459), Kelantan (221), Sabah (202), Johor (182), Kuala Lumpur (171) and Penang (134).Terengganu recorded 57 cases, Melaka 53, Perak 51, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan 34 each, Kedah 26, Putrajaya eight, Labuan three and Perlis one.The last time the country recorded over 2,000 cases was on March 5, when 2,154 cases were reported.Active cases stand at 17,575 with 212 in the ICU and 82 in need of respiratory assistance.Fifteen more clusters were detected:1. Kampung Bunut Sarang Burung (Tumpat, Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah in Kelantan; 121 screened, 50 positive)2. Kampung Domis (Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Tanah Merah in Kelantan; 152 screened, 40 positive)3. Kampung Labok (Machang in Kelantan; 96 screened, nine positive)4. Lok Lanas (Kota Bharu, Tanah Merah and Tumpat in Kelantan; 56 screened, 31 positive)5. Jaya Setia (Petaling in Selangor; 94 screened, 12 positive)6. Perabot Olak Lempit (Kuala Langat in Selangor; 326 screened, 25 positive)7. Lorong Megah Jaya (Sandakan in Sabah; 38 screened, 18 positive)8. Jalan Labuk Tiga (Sandakan and Lahad Datu in Sabah; 82 screened, 15 positive)9. Jalan Radin (Lembah Pantai and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur; 30 screened, 10 positive)10. Biah Skim (Keningau in Sabah; 20 screened, 10 positive)11. Melangkap Tomis (Kota Belud and Tuaran in Sabah; 188 screened, 10 positive)12. Kampung Bechah Semak (Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah in Kelantan; 111 screened, 36 positive)13. Jalan Cempaka Putih (Kulai and Kota Tinggi in Johor; 106 screened, nine positive)14. Taman Rakyat (Dungun in Terengganu; 429 screened, 26 positive)15. Kampung Pokok Machang (Baling, Kuala Muda and Kulim in Kedah; 35 screened, 14 positive)Ten others ended, leaving 346 active clusters across the country.Another 1,259 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 349,039.However, 10 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 1,363.


Australia passes landmark law requiring tech firms to pay for news

Australia’s parliament passed landmark legislation Thursday requiring global digital giants to pay for local news content, in a move closely watched around the world.The law passed easily after a last-gasp deal that watered down binding rules Facebook and Google had fiercely opposed in return for the tech giants agreeing to pay local media companies.The new law paves the way for Google and Facebook to invest tens of millions of dollars in local content deals, and could prove a model for resolving the firms’ tussles with regulators worldwide.Google will now pay for news content that appears on its “Showcase” product and Facebook is expected to pay providers who appear on its “News” product, which is to be rolled out in Australia later this year.Regulators had accused the companies, who dominate online advertising, of draining cash away from traditional news organisations while using their content for free.Big tech firms had fiercely opposed the legislation from the outset, fearing it would threaten their business models.In particular, the companies objected to rules that made negotiations with media companies mandatory and gave an independent Australian arbiter the right to impose a monetary settlement.That prospect was dramatically reduced by last-minute government amendments.“Importantly, the code encourages parties to undertake commercial negotiations outside the code and the government is pleased to see progress by both Google and more recently Facebook in reaching commercial arrangements with Australian news media businesses,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement.Google was also keen to avoid creating a precedent that platforms should pay anyone for links, something that could make their flagship search engine unworkable.Facebook – which is much less reliant on news content – had initially said being forced to pay for news was simply not worth it and shut down access to news content for its Australian users.‘Public interest journalism’The government said the law, called the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code, would ensure that news businesses “are fairly remunerated for the content they generate, helping to sustain public interest journalism in Australia”.Facebook and Google now have an additional two months to reach further agreements that would stave off binding arbitration.Google has already brokered deals worth millions of dollars with local media companies, including the two largest: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Nine Entertainment.Facebook on Tuesday lifted a site-wide ban on Australian news, introduced in protest at the law, and announced its first proposed deal with an Australian media company, Seven West.Facebook and Google have said they will invest around US$1 billion each in news around the world over the next three years.Critics of the law say it punishes innovative companies and amounts to a money-grab by struggling – but politically connected – traditional media.Tech insiders see the legislation as driven, in particular, by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which dominates the local media landscape and has close ties with Australia’s conservative government.Nick Clegg, head of global affairs, on Thursday said the original draft of the law would have forced Facebook to pay “potentially unlimited amounts of money to multinational media conglomerates under an arbitration system that deliberately misdescribes the relationship between publishers and Facebook”.Thousands of journalism jobs and scores of news outlets have been lost in Australia alone over the past decade as the sector watched advertising revenue flow to the digital players.For every US$100 spent by Australian advertisers today, US$49 goes to Google and US$24 to Facebook, according to the country’s competition watchdog.


I have to pay for other people’s negligence, Zahid tells court on ex-aide

Former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the High Court yesterday that his former executive secretary Major Mazlina Mazlan @ Ramly had committed negligence in handling his personal expenses as well as the finances of Yayasan Akalbudi.Zahid, 69, said this included failing to understand and read his credit card statements which had caused her to make either insufficient or excessive payments.“The mistakes that Mazlina made included making credit card payments amounting to RM71,283 instead of RM65,153.32. Besides that, she (Mazlina) also underpaid the credit card bill, paying only RM2,600 when she should have paid RM64,668.24,” he said, reading his witness statement on the third day of his defence proceedings on 47 charges of breach of trust, corruption and money laundering.He said Mazlina had testified in court that she had no knowledge of, was unsure of and could not remember matters regarding the management of his credit card bills, in addition to admitting to being negligent in handling the expenses.“As a trained and experienced banker, if I knew Mazlina was behaving in this way I would not have given her permission and would have stopped her actions immediately,” he said.When asked by his lawyer, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, what could have caused Mazlina to make the extra payment, Zahid said: “This is what I do not understand, why pay more and sometimes pay less, it means she was negligent… I have to pay for other people’s negligence. Where is the justice?”He added that Mazlina had never shown him the monthly credit card statements although he had asked her to do so.“She (Mazlina) said she would give me the credit card statements, that she would come to my office.“I waited but she didn’t come. She pretended to forget about it, every time I asked about this, she would give me so many excuses.”Zahid also said Mazlina had used Yayasan Akalbudi cheques to pay for his credit card bills without his instruction, knowledge or agreement.“Mazlina used my signature stamp on the Yayasan Akalbudi cheques that were used to pay for personal credit card bills as well as my wife’s (Hamidah Khamis) without my knowledge… the stamp should have been used on certificates of appreciation and festive season greeting cards.“I never ordered Mazlina to use the Yayasan Akalbudi cheques that I had pre-signed for purposes other than charity and I had never allowed Mazlina to use signature stamps or pre-signed cheques for credit card payment purposes or to pay for my vehicle insurance policy,” he said.Zahid also denied any knowledge that Mazlina had used such cheques from 2013 until 2016, adding that if he had known about the matter, he would have immediately fired her for misusing the foundation’s cheques.“Due to Mazlina’s failures, I had to appoint Messrs Lewis & Co as trustee to the Yayasan Akalbudi funds,” he said.When asked by Zaidi why he did not take any action against Mazlina even though she had committed several offences, Zahid said: “I am a professional… I treat the officers serving under the agencies and departments that I lead professionally. I have never demoted any officer. Instead, I give advice and guidance as well as promote them so that the officer is no longer working in the office or ministry that I lead.“… as a professional, I felt that I should advise and guide (those who have made mistakes). I would change tactics where I would advise them because they are an asset to the department, agency or ministry that I lead. That way, I don’t oppress and ill-treat or belittle them or destroy their career,” he said.Zahid is on trial for 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.On Jan 24, the court ordered him to enter his defence against all of the charges after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.The trial before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues today.


Last drawn salary was RM97,000, ex-1MDB chief tells court

Former 1MDB CEO Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman told the High Court in Najib Razak’s corruption trial yesterday that his last drawn salary for his position was RM97,000.Hazem, 48, said he received RM93,000 when he began as CEO in 2013 with a five-month bonus that same year.“During my tenure as the CEO, I received (the bonus) twice. The second one was 10 months’ bonus in 2014,” he said.Hazem, the 10th prosecution witness, was replying to additional questions from deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustafa P Kunyalam.Hazem said he first joined 1MDB as chief operating officer (COO) in 2012 and replaced his predecessor, Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, the following year.“As the COO, I received a monthly salary of RM65,000,” he said.Before joining 1MDB, Hazem was managing director of Sime Darby Auto Connexion. His last drawn salary there was RM38,000.The High Court previously heard that Shahrol’s last drawn salary as CEO was RM99,000 a month and that he received a bonus of 18 months’ pay.During cross-examination, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah went through Hazem’s career progression, in which the witness said he was paid RM1,800 pay when he first started as a senior executive with Arab Malaysian Merchant Bank from 1996 to 1998.In 1998, he said, he earned RM2,500 a month as a senior executive at Dana Modal Nasional Bhd.“Then I moved on to Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia Kuala Lumpur as an investment analyst in 2002. My last drawn salary there was about RM12,000.“In 2002, I joined Deutsche Bank Kuala Lumpur as an investment analyst until 2006, with RM15,000 as my last drawn salary.”Hazem also testified that when he joined 1MDB in 2012, it was Shahrol who interviewed him at Eastin Hotel in Petaling Jaya.Shafee: Were you headhunted by Shahrol?Hazem: He did not headhunt me. It was my former boss at Arab Malaysian Merchant, Nor Badli Mohd Alias.Hazem said Nor Badli was a friend of Ismee Ismail, who was one of the board members at 1MDB.“Nor Badli told me that 1MDB was looking for a COO and I could send my resume directly to Ismee if I was interested,” he said.Najib, 67, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.The hearing will continue before justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Oct 5.


Japan set to announce easing of strict border measures

Japan is set to announce on Thursday that it will ease border controls put in place to counter the spread of the coronavirus, measures that are the strictest among wealthy nations and have been slammed by business leaders and educators.About 150,000 foreign students have been kept out of the country, along with workers desperately needed by an aging nation with a shrinking population, prompting warnings of labour shortages and damage to Japan’s international reputation.Japan briefly eased its border rules, which have effectively kept the nation closed to non-residents for two years, late in 2021 but tightened them again just weeks later as the Omicron variant emerged overseas.Among the measures set to be announced will be raising the number of people allowed to enter Japan to 5,000 a day from the current 3,500, according to media reports.Others are likely to include shortening the required quarantine period, currently a week, to three days under certain circumstances, such as the coronavirus risk level in the nation people travel from and whether they are fully vaccinated, including a booster shot.Japan designates 82 nations as “high risk” and requires three or six days of mandatory hotel quarantine as part of the week of isolation for many. Two weeks of quarantine were required until mid-January.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the new measures at a news conference on Thursday. They would take effect in stages from March, media reports say.Kishida and his government have hailed the tight border controls for buying Japan time as Omicron surged around the world, and a vast majority of the public supports them.Yet with the variant now widespread in Japan, which is struggling to roll out booster shots, business leaders and some politicians have warned the measures are obsolete.For Kishida, who faces a crucial election in July, deciding when and how to change the measures has been tricky, said political analyst Atsuo Ito.“If you look at the overall situation now, they’re meaningless; you can get the virus anywhere. But as a result of having them, he got a lot of public support,” he said.If they’re not changed, Ito added, “the result over the long term is that Japan is going to be left behind the rest of the world.”


Will the real prime minister please stand up?

The stars are now aligned for Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Earlier this week, his lawyers requested the court to delay his 47 corruption charges, with a view of having them dropped owing to "new facts and evidence".
What's more shocking was that the deputy public prosecutor told the court that there were instructions not to object to the request made by Zahid's legal team.
This is not the first time that the prosecutors, who are supposed to be legally adversarial to Zahid, have made decisions that favoured the Umno president. Late last month, the deputy public prosecutor also did not object to Zahid's application to the court to get his passport back permanently as there were also "instructions" to that effect.
Here we have a serving deputy prime minister facing a litany of corruption charges amounting to millions of ringgit, gleefully walking away with his passport while study loan defaulters or those declared bankrupt for a far smaller quantum are barred from travelling abroad.
Are there two sets of laws in Malaysia – one for the political elite and another for lesser mortals?
What's more troubling is that Zahid has been riding roughshod over the government with such impunity that the very foundations of good governance and transparency which Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has espoused are at risk of crumbling.
Remember when Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, appointed his loyalist Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob as Felcra Bhd chairman in December? The announcement created a massive public fallout because it went against Pakatan Harapan's pledge of not appointing politicians to GLCs, so much so that Anwar had to announce that the appointment was put on hold.
But lo and behold, last month, Jazlan's appointment to Felcra was confirmed. That's it: Zahid 1 - Anwar 0 as far as political appointments in GLCs are concerned. It did not stop there. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, another Zahid loyalist, was made Mara boss while Parit Sulong MP and Umno Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad was appointed to chair Risda.
The latest appointment was ex-Baling MP Abdul Azeez Rahim to the Kedah Development Authority (Keda). But given Azeez's tainted reputation, especially when he chaired Tabung Haji, Anwar recently announced that the appointment had been put on hold.
But will Anwar buckle under political pressure from his own deputy? One cannot rule out another "Ahmad Jazlan episode" with regards to Azeez's appointment to Keda.
These incidents make one wonder who is really pulling the levers of power in Putrajaya. Is Zahid the puppeteer prime minister? Does he have Anwar under his thumb?
It is not difficult to see why Anwar is willing to make major concessions when it comes to Zahid. Barisan Nasional (BN) has 30 MPs, the bulk of whom are from Umno and subservient to Zahid.
They are the ones propping up Anwar's government, which is nothing more than a marriage of convenience between a kleptocracy-tainted BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH), a front that was, prior to this, built on reforms and good governance.
Alas, just like the Malay proverb "Kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga", or its English equivalent, "A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel", PH's image is being speedily chipped away by the shenanigans from the likes of Zahid.
PH needs to do some soul-searching ahead of the elections in six states before Anwar, the longest PM-in-waiting, becomes the prime minister with the shortest tenure. For starters, he should stand up to his own deputy and show who's the boss before the people stand up to him and tell him that they are the boss, not Zahid.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


China's tightening Covid-19 curbs fuel pushback

Frustration simmered in China among residents and business groups navigating stricter Covid-19 control curbs as the country reported on Friday another historic high of daily infections just weeks after hopes were raised of easing measures.
The resurgence of Covid cases in China, with 32,695 new local infections recorded for Thursday as numerous cities report outbreaks, has prompted widespread lockdowns and other curbs on movement and business, as well as pushback.
The French Chamber of Commerce in China called for authorities to properly implement Covid "optimisation" measures it announced two weeks ago, in a statement widely shared on social media after the French embassy posted it on its Twitter-like Weibo account on Thursday.
The 20 measures, which include shortened quarantines and other more targeted steps, had "given hope" to French companies for more bilateral trade and economic exchanges, but "good policies also need to be implemented in a uniform manner and without adding layers of other contradicting policies", the chamber's statement said.
The announcement of the 20 measures, just as rising cases prompted an increasingly heavy response under China's strict zero-Covid approach, has caused widespread confusion and uncertainty in big cities, including Beijing, where many residents are locked down at home.
At the world's largest iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, more than 20,000 new hires have left after Covid-induced worker unrest this week, further imperilling output at Apple supplier Foxconn's plant there, Reuters reported on Friday.
References to a speech by a man in the southwestern city Chongqing who called for the government to admit its mistakes on Covid were shared widely on Chinese social media, despite the work of censors.
"Give me liberty or death," the bespectacled man told onlooking residents at the gate of a compound in an impassioned speech on Thursday, according to videos seen by Reuters.
"There is only one disease in the world and that is being both poor and not having freedom," he added. "We have now got both. We're still struggling and suffering over a little cold."
The man was later seen being bundled towards a police car by security personnel, prompting angry shouts from onlookers.
Hashtags related to the man, who netizens have called "Chongqing's superman brother" or "Chongqing hero" were censored on Friday. But individual users continued to show support by posting subtle messages or cartoon pictures of him.
Alternative approaches?
As lockdowns afflict more people, some residents are proposing alternative approaches for their communities. In Beijing, residents of some compounds shared on WeChat proposals for how infected neighbours could quarantine at home if they did not display serious symptoms.
It's not clear whether such proposals would succeed.
Notices listing the circumstances under which health workers may remove a person from their home, aimed at educating people of their rights if asked to be taken to a quarantine centre, were also circulated online.
Oxford Economics senior economist Louise Loo said in a note that reports of public dissatisfaction across provinces in partial or full lockdowns have gained momentum, as was the case during the last big outbreak in April, although these "don't yet reflect large-scale collective action".
"As before, we expect officials to be able to respond swiftly to stem the social risk of escalating protests, either through a combination of heavier-handed information controls or with piecemeal easing of restrictions," Loo said.
Although the April outbreak was concentrated in Shanghai, case clusters this time are numerous and far-flung.
The southern city of Guangzhou and southwestern Chongqing have recorded the bulk of cases, although hundreds of new infections have been reporting daily in cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Jinan, Lanzhou, Xian and Wuhan.
Guangzhou, a city in the south of nearly 19 million people, reported 7,524 new locally transmitted cases, while Chongqing reported 6,500 cases.
Beijing reported 1,860 cases on Thursday, while the northern city of Shijiazhuang saw numbers quadruple.


Sri Lanka locks down as Covid deaths surge, hospitals overflow

Sri Lanka announced a nationwide lockdown Friday, bowing to intense pressure from medical experts as coronavirus infections overwhelmed hospitals, morgues and crematoriums.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had resisted calls for a lockdown for weeks, agreed to the 10-day closure after dire warnings that hospitals could no longer cope with the inflow of Covid-19 patients.“Nationwide lockdown in effect from 10pm today to Monday (30/08),” health minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on Twitter. “All essential services will function as normal. I sincerely request all #lka citizens to adhere to the law and #StayHome.”Officials said the president was due to address the nation later on Friday night to discuss the public health emergency and measures to contain the pandemic.Supermarkets, grocery stores and fuel depots saw large crowds stocking up on supplies as news of the lockdown spread over social media.Long queues were seen at fuel pumps across the country and energy minister Udaya Gammanpila urged consumers not to cause shortages through panic buying.Record death tollsThe daily death toll hit a record 186 alongside a new high of 3,800 infections on Thursday with no more ICU beds available for virus victims.Official figures show 6,790 people have died of the virus while 373,165 have been infected.However, independent health experts have said the actual toll is at least twice as much.Rambukwella said 10 days ago that the country had not reached a “critical stage” and any lockdown would be a “last resort”.“But we are not there yet,” Rambukwella told reporters on Aug 10. Since then, 1,568 people have died and 40,218 have been infected.Junior partners in the ruling coalition and the influential Buddhist clergy had urged Rajapaksa to shut the country to contain the rapidly spreading Delta variant.A junior minister for health, Channa Jayasumana, had called the Delta strain “a powerful bomb which has exploded in Colombo and is spreading elsewhere”.Sri Lanka’s third wave of infections has been blamed on traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations in mid-April.Following a month-long lockdown, the government reopened the country in June relying on an aggressive vaccination drive as its main strategy to deal with the spread.Despite over five million out of the 21 million population receiving two doses of a vaccine, the virus has claimed more victims beyond the capacity of state and private sector hospitals.With bodies piling up at several state hospitals, the government resorted to mass cremations last week.


Iranians desperate for vaccine, accuse govt of looking to profit from local shots

In the Middle East’s worst-hit country, Iran, ordinary people are wondering with increasing frustration and despair whether a Covid-19 vaccine will ever reach them when “even Venezuela” and neighbouring Iraq have already imported doses for their populations.“Just import the vaccine,” is what furious Iranians are posting on social media, accusing their government of dragging its feet on purchasing available internationally approved coronavirus vaccines, reports Al Monitor.Iranian officials are demonstrating a reluctance to purchase with confusing and often contradictory excuses, even as the country’s mortality rate is closing in on 55,000.Officials in President Hassan Rouhani’s administration have in recent weeks been struggling to offer explanations for the delay.A lack of freezing technology to preserve the doses as well as international sanctions and US-imposed banking restrictions remain the major justifications that have failed to convince the public.Responding to queries from Iranian journalists, the World Health Organization’s Covax international initiative for ensuring fair Covid-19 vaccine delivery to all nations made it clear that the Islamic republic is facing no hurdles on its way to order vaccines.Iran’s health ministry says clinical trials have already begun for vaccines developed by three Iranian companies, with the distribution process planned for June.The three companies working on the vaccines all come under the patronage of the Imam’s Directive, a powerful network of business enterprises linked to the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.As Iran has declared that its own vaccine will not be free, suspicions have grown that the Imam’s Directive is attempting to block vaccine imports in order to secure its monopoly and guarantee the expected profits from the sale of millions of doses to citizens.The president of the Iranian Medical Council, Abbas Aghazadeh, has advised the Rouhani administration to put aside political considerations and focus instead on vaccine purchases.“Millions of lives cannot be compromised for the sake of ideological rivalries,” he said.But remarks by the Iranian president last week added more confusion. In a swipe at Western vaccines, Rouhani said his government cannot allow “unreliable” products to be tested on Iranians.Under mounting public pressure, Iran’s Central Bank has announced €200 million has been allocated for vaccine purchases through Covax.That money is expected to cover 16 million doses for 8 million individuals, less than 10% of Iran’s population.However, Iranian medical experts argue that for an effective curb of the pandemic, at least two-thirds of the population must be vaccinated within a short-term period.


Highway crawl not balik kampung returnees, say cops after viral posts

Police today denied that the traffic jam along a major highway in Selangor yesterday was due to people returning from their home towns after the Hari Raya break.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Gombak district police chief ACP Arifai Tarawe said the congestion along the Karak highway was due to stricter checks at roadblocks to ensure that road users are complying with the ban on interstate and inter-district travel.“There was a jam of about 3-4km from the roadblock,” he said. “Most of the travellers had interstate travel permission and letters from their employers.”He added that only 27 compounds were issued yesterday for attempting interstate or inter-district travel without permission.A photo of vehicles from the east coast lining up to enter the Klang Valley was shared on the Twitter acocunt of the Malaysian Highway Authority yesterday.Social media users had voiced concern over compliance with the ban on interstate travel, implemented under the current movement control order until June 7.


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ECRL alignment extended 25km, says transport minister

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) has been extended to 665km from the original alignment of 640km, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said today.He said the additional alignment will encompass the original 30km which is 24km from Jalan Kastam (Port Klang) to West Port and 6km from Jalan Kastam to the North Port.“This is why we have to build a land bridge and optimise usage of rail.“The primary objective of constructing the ECRL is as a cargo route which is 70% cargo and 30% for passengers. So we need to ensure there are returns,” he said in a recent MOT Malaysia Prihatin Achievement interview.An overall study was also carried out to improve ECRL logistic advantages, especially involving issues of train congestion and safety currently faced by going through KL Sentral.Wee said better passenger service would also be offered with connectivity to other public transport to Kuala Lumpur through the Gombak Integrated Terminal.He said the success of the ECRL was not only in reverting to its original alignment but in improving it by passing through Serendah and linking Port Klang, with West and North Port.“In terms of engineering cost, it only involved about RM50 billion compared to RM46.379 billion. This did not include land acquisition which would take it to more than RM54 billion,” he said.The project, which is expected to be ready in 2026, was 20.37% complete in January, ahead of the original schedule of 19.39%.“The progress is due to Section B (Dungun-Mentakab) which was 9.47% completed compared to 5.83% as scheduled,” Wee said.


Puspakom won't be sole provider of vehicle inspection services anymore, says Loke

Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer (Puspakom) will no longer be the sole provider of periodic motor vehicle inspection services from Sept 1, 2024 onwards, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
He said the Cabinet at its meeting on March 17 had decided that other qualified companies would also be allowed to provide such services on behalf of the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
He said the process of inviting private companies to offer this service was expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024, at the latest.
"This decision means Puspakom will no longer be the sole provider of periodic motor vehicle inspection services on behalf of JPJ beginning Sept 1, 2024," he told a press conference in Putrajaya.
He said the decision was in line with the government’s desire to create a competitive service environment and to make it easier for people to deal with such tasks.
This followed public complaints about a lack of efficiency as people had to spend hours waiting for their vehicles to be inspected, as well as the fact that there are a limited number of Puspakom branches in certain places.
Loke said the transport ministry and JPJ would develop the qualifying conditions, operational regulations, and scope of service and guidelines, including on inspection locations, before opening up the service to other companies.
Companies interested in providing this service must fulfil the same conditions imposed on Puspakom, including hiring only qualified workers, he said.
They must also provide and use computerised inspection equipment regulated and approved by JPJ, provide services which fully meet the scope, standards and procedures set for vehicle inspection, and charge inspection fees according to the specified rates.
"Interested private companies are not allowed to offer repair or modification services for vehicles or sell spare parts," he said.
Loke also said that Puspakom’s concession agreement would be extended by 15 years with improved terms once it expires on Aug 31, 2024.


New cases back over 17,000 as 195 more deaths logged

Another 17,105 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 1,163,291.Selangor recorded 5,836 cases, Kuala Lumpur 2,309, Johor 1,275, Kedah 1,036 and Sabah 1,010.Perak recorded 967 cases, Kelantan 915, Negeri Sembilan 816, Penang 798, Pahang 628, Melaka 508, Sarawak 494 and Terengganu 429.Putrajaya recorded 72 cases, Perlis seven and Labuan five.Active cases stand at 203,664 with 1,066 in the ICU and 537 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 12,297 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 950,029.However, 195 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 9,598.


Daily cases hit 3 digits for first time since December

Another 941 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 342,885.Selangor recorded 219 cases, Sarawak 192, Johor 171 and Penang 164.Kuala Lumpur recorded 57 cases, Kelantan 49, Sabah 34, Negeri Sembilan 18, Kedah 13, Melaka eight, Perak and Pahang five each, Terengganu four, and Labuan and Putrajaya one each.Active cases stand at 14,219 with 166 in the ICU and 73 in need of respiratory assistance.Three new clusters were detected:1. Seksyen 16 (Hulu Langat and Sepang in Selangor; 322 screened, 18 positive)2. Jalan Azlan (Kepong and Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur; 70 screened, nine positive)3. Taman Vistagro (Sri Aman in Sarawak; 179 screened, 18 positive)Eleven others ended, leaving 373 active clusters across the country.Another 1,097 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 327,406.However, five more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 1,260.


Selangor sultan repeats warnings on corruption

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today repeated his warnings against the culture of corruption, saying heavy punishments should be meted out to those convicted of corrupt activities.In his speech at the opening of the Selangor state assembly sitting today, he said there had been reports of late concerning the arrest of several high-ranking public servants by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the state.He said he had also received reports regarding MACC investigations into political leaders related to corruption and the abuse of power.“I regret that there are still those who are dishonest in fulfilling their duty as civil servants and political leaders despite my many reminders against involvement in corrupt activities that could spoil the nation,” he said.“I would like to remind everyone once again that I do not want to hear a single report on the involvement of any government official or political leader in my state in such corrupt activities.”Sultan Sharafuddin had said earlier this month that the trials of corruption cases should be sped up.In a Facebook post, he said courts should not entertain the postponement of cases without solid reasons, adding that the people were tired of seeing prosecutions drag on for too long.He also called for the eradication of corruption in Selangor to ensure that it would not become a bigger problem and harm the future generations.Speaking today, Sultan Sharafuddin said he had ordered MACC to carry out comprehensive probes to cleanse the state of corruption.“I also hope that those who commit corrupt acts will be brought to court and, if they are convicted, that they are given heavy sentences to convey the message to the people to reject corruption,” he said.“There is no place for corrupt people in our society, and we need to fight against graft to the end.”


334 evacuated as floods rise in Baling

A total of 334 victims from nine villages in Baling had been evacuated to relief centres (PPS) as of 2am today due to floods.Baling district police chief Supt Shamsudin Mamat said the floods which had been on the rise since 4pm yesterday had so far affected 85 houses.He said the floods also affected Sekolah Menengah Agama Yayasan Al-Khairiah, although the water there had receded.The evacuation operation went smoothly with the involvement of various agencies, he said when met at the PPS at SMK Jerai early today.He said the state-level National Security Council would meet today to decide on further action involving assistance for the flood victims and the search and rescue operation for the missing victims.


Govt urged to open up other vaccine brands after good response to AstraZeneca

The association representing private hospitals in the country today suggested that the government provide a voluntary option for the Pfizer vaccine similar to the approach taken for the AstraZeneca jab in order to facilitate the rollout of the national immunisation programme.Dr Kuljit Singh, president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, said the “first come, first served” approach for the AstraZeneca vaccine had been well receivd despite fears of side effects including rare cases of blood clots reported in other countries using the vaccine.“We suggest that a similar methodology of opening options for a given number of vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech) in the national immunisation programme to the public without following the subscribed phase.“This could be opened to all citizens and residents in the country from time to time, in addition to the AstraZeneca rollout,” he said.Administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine began on May 5 at four designated centres in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.A total of 268,600 slots had been allocated for residents in these areas, all of which were snapped up within hours.The government decided to administer the jab on a voluntary basis instead of including it in the mainstream vaccination programme, given the public anxiety over the risk of developing blood clots.Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is in charge of the national programme, said that 8,000 people had cancelled their vaccination registrations under MySejahtera following the government’s initial announcement that the AstraZeneca jab would be included in the national immunisation programme.But given the positive response to the voluntary option, he said, the opt-in programme would be expanded as more AstraZeneca doses arrive in the country from the Covax facility as well as from AstraZeneca itself.Kuljit said any move to offer other vaccines on a voluntary basis could be kept under tight control by the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply.In a statement, he said it could be offered based on available stock without depriving vulnerable groups.“The proposed ad-hoc vaccination from time to time can be managed by the private hospitals based on MySejahtera appointments,” he added.“This will greatly help those who require the vaccines early for international travel and for other economic frontliners, particularly now with the recent increase of cases and the potential spread of new variants.”


Hamas arrests suspect in 2018 killing of academic in KL

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the 2018 killing of a Palestinian academic in Malaysia, Anadolu Agency reported the Hamas-run interior ministry as saying on Sunday.In April 2018, Fadi al-Batsh, a research engineer thought to be linked to Hamas, was gunned down near his home in Kuala Lumpur by two gunmen who fled the scene.While his family accused Israeli spy agency Mossad of having carried out the assassination, then-Israeli defence minister Avigdor Lieberman denied Israel’s involvement in the killing.Interior ministry spokesman Iyad al-Buzom told a press conference in Gaza City that the suspect had confessed to being recruited by Mossad.Israeli media had described al-Batsh as “a Hamas engineer and an expert in drone-making”, hinting at the possibility that Mossad had played a role in his death.Israel is widely believed to have killed numerous Palestinian activists in the past, many of them overseas, the report said.In 1997, Mossad agents tried – and failed – to kill Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal in Jordan by spraying poison into his ear.Mossad is also believed to have been behind the assassination in 2010 of top Hamas commander Mahmud al-Mabhuh at a Dubai hotel.Israel has never confirmed or denied its involvement in Mabhuh’s murder, it added.


Public health must always be prioritised but life has to go on

It’s been almost two years since Covid-19 was first detected. Since then, countries have closed up, completely ceasing international travel and tourism, and imposed movement restrictions while public health data has been the guiding hand in formulating policies for the protection of public health all across the world.In that time, the human race has made great strides in the realms of data analysis, vaccine development and bridging the gap between governments and their peoples. However, in that time too, children have had vital growth years ripped away from them – according to Unicef, schools for more than 168 million children globally have been shut for more than a year. This has profound effects on their academic and social development which will undoubtedly impact an entire generation for decades.As a father of two, the future of my children is scary and uncertain. Will my children ever lead a normal childhood let alone a normal life? Will they ever have normal friendships and develop close ties with their extended family? Will team sports ever be risk-free and will they be able to see the world as we have been able to all these years? Questions like these frequently keep me up at night.With the thinking that classifying the pandemic as endemic is a more pragmatic solution than achieving herd immunity, we must come to terms with living with Covid. Countries like Singapore and the UK have shown that despite high vaccination rates, breakthrough infections still occur. Priorities must be shifted from managing the case count to managing severe illnesses and deaths. Booster vaccinations are key to ensuring success.Living with the virus means that governments must have increased hospital and ICU capacity. This is to manage the inevitable flare-ups in infections as well as a precautionary measure if a new, more infectious and transmissible, variant emerges. Guidelines must be enforced at all levels of society in order to ensure a truly new normal is adapted.Harm reduction is a concept which emphasises our new priorities. We must not close up. Our children are depending on us not to. Therefore, risk must be managed as it becomes increasingly apparent that it will not completely disappear. We must move forward in the direction that utilises scientific data to ensure the best balance between living the life we are used to and living the life we are forced to.Yes, the risks are incredibly frightening, especially with cases of long Covidcoming to light. Its association with long-term cognitive dysfunction and acceleration of Alzheimer’s symptoms simply cannot be ignored. However, the risk of losing a larger part of our children’s vital development through educational and social interaction should be weighed as well.I firmly believe that a lifestyle that has some semblance of normalcy can be achieved while adhering to social must-dos such as vaccination and masking, coupled with responsible ventilation of public premises – which could be a requirement enforced by public pressure, if not by policymakers. This will significantly reduce the risks associated with being outside the safety and comfort of our homes.We must be pragmatic.We may not be at the end of the tunnel, but we have reached the part of thetunnel where the lights are on. Forge ahead everyone.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Almost 50% of buildings in Selangor without fire certificate

A total of 789 premises or 47% of buildings in Selangor which require certification by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) have been found to be operating without a fire certificate (FC), according to Selangor JBPM director Norazam Khamis.
He said the premises without FCs included 394 factories, 129 office buildings, 117 warehouses and 67 shops such as supermarkets, grocery stores and shopping centres.
A total of 37 hotels, 22 hostels, 17 hospitals and treatment centres, five places of gatherings such as multipurpose halls and clubhouses, and one library were also found to be without an FC, he told Bernama.
Norazam said the owners of premises should be aware of the law requiring them to obtain an FC according to the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341).
"Building owners need to have this certificate to confirm that the fire safety system in their premises is working properly and able to detect fires, issue warnings, and in some cases, extinguish fires automatically," he added.
Norazam said the reasons given by building owners for not possessing FCs included being unaware of the need for the certificate and having insufficient financial resources to maintain a fire safety system.
He advised owners of premises who still do not have an FC to obtain one to avoid being subjected to legal action.
Norazam said anyone found guilty of not possessing an FC can be fined not more than RM50,000, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.
"We are also giving a 30-day grace period to newly identified premises (that do not have FCs), to give owners time to prepare and submit the relevant documentation to JBPM," he added.


From a secret affair to wedding bells

This month marks the sixth for us here at MalaysiaNow.Six months for an organisation is a short period, even in these trying economic times.But from the perspective of political news, it’s been long enough for some drastic changes to have taken place.For example, what was once hushed up as a secret affair is now paraded with pride like an open declaration of love.We are specifically referring to the letter by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his predecessor Najib Razak declaring their support for Anwar Ibrahim. Of these three, one is fighting in court to avoid becoming a convict, one is already a convict, and the last, an ex-convict.When we exposed the letter to the palace in October, some of the strongest attacks came from Najib himself and his sycophant followers.Today, there is no inhibition from these three leaders in stating that their threesome would be good for the country.The former prime minister has also made it his responsibility to dedicate time and effort to unearthing MalaysiaNow’s financial and organisational backgrounds.Just last weekend, he posted screenshots of our pages, accompanied by details of the owner’s identity.This is a far cry from someone who was unaware that millions of dollars had made their way into his bank account.Digging into a company’s ownership is a walk in the park; all it takes is a small fee at the Companies Commission or a look at the site’s About Us page.But knowing that one’s bank account has been credited with cash takes no effort at all, and it’s free. Many Malaysians struggling to make ends meet check their bank accounts on a weekly, if not monthly, basis. Not a single entry in the credit column escapes their notice although they pretend not to look at withdrawals.Najib’s defence, of course, failed to get him off the hook in his RM42 million SRC International case. He was found guilty of all seven charges related to the money.For someone who made global headlines over his involvement in what US authorities describe as one of the biggest financial scandals they have ever dealt with, it takes extraordinary guts to lecture others on how to deal with the financial impact of Covid-19.Yet his attempts at a comeback have been encouraged by the soundbytes he uploads on social media and a ready audience waiting to cheer him on without bothering to check his facts.Over the past two weeks, Najib has made several criticisms of the government’s Covid-19 battle by banking on misinformation and twisting the facts.But his version of events often go unchallenged, barring one recent response from Khairy Jamaluddin regarding allegations that the government’s vaccination rate is behind schedule.Again – pretty revealing for a leader who rushed through an “anti-fake news” law at a time when it was least needed.But that’s how politicians behave, whether on Facebook, Twitter or other forms of digital banter. They thrive on cheers from an audience that spends more time clicking the “like” button than googling for clarification.Six months ago, we set out on a quest to write news as it is, without owing anything to politicians, political parties or interest groups.In doing so, we decided to stay very much behind the camera.We know that this may not be possible under the present circumstances, when politicians incite against journalists and news organisations (and with no response from “press freedom activists” who selectively jump to defend their own).But here’s a hint: when the camera is turned on us, we feel obliged to check the person behind the lens.And that is what we will be doing in the weeks to come.Abdar Rahman Koya is CEO & editor of MalaysiaNow.


CITF approves vaccination guidelines for undocumented migrants, refugees

The guidelines for undocumented immigrants and refugees to receive Covid-19 vaccine shots have been approved, says National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin.He said the guidelines were approved by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) to enable illegal immigrants and refugees to be present at vaccination centres (PPVs) for vaccination, with the details to be announced later.In a virtual interview with the media recently, Khairy said NGOs such as the Red Crescent would be involved in the vaccination exercise for refugees and illegal immigrants.“Illegal immigrants and refugees will be more comfortable if the PPV is handled by NGOs which have been giving health services to this group. This way, they will not be afraid to go to the PPV for vaccination,” he said.Khairy said he hoped the guidelines would encourage illegal immigrants and refugees to come forward for vaccination.“We hope illegal immigrants and refugees who have obtained their vaccine jabs will inform their friends from the same country to come forward for their inoculation as well,” he said.“Do not be afraid to go to the PPV for vaccination. This is important because they are at risk and also put others at risk. No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he added.Asked if Operation Surge Capacity would be extended to other states, Khairy said any decision to implement the operation at other locations would be determined based on the incidence rate of Covid-19 outbreaks.Under Operation Surge Capacity, which was introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the Klang Valley, each adult in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is ensured of receiving at least one dose of vaccine by Aug 1.On complaints by many who have yet to receive their appointment for vaccination despite registering a long time ago, Khairy said the algorithm used in the MySejahtera application for appointments works according to the vaccine registration date.However, he said appointments are also given according to location and phases of priority determined by PICK.“For example, the Rembau district has completed Phase Two of PICK, so appointments for Phase Three will be given out and this is based on the stipulated sequence.“There are some hospitals which have waiting lists, that is for those who frequent the clinic or hospital for treatment. Priority is given to them,” he said.


659 new cases, record 1,000 recoveries

Another 659 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 31,548.Active cases stand at 10,051 with 83 in the ICU and 19 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 1,000 patients were also discharged, pushing total recoveries to 21,248.No new deaths were reported, leaving the virus toll unchanged at 249.


Slight dip in new cases although daily infections remain over 2,000

Another 2,078 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 377,132.Sarawak recorded 589 cases followed by Selangor (457), Kelantan (290), Kuala Lumpur (153), Sabah (125) and Johor (115).Penang and Negeri Sembilan recorded 91 cases each, Kedah 48, Perak 43, Pahang 32, Melaka 27, Terengganu eight, Labuan six, Putrajaya two and Perlis one.Active cases stand at 20,522 with 228 in the ICU and 93 in need of respiratory assistance.Fourteen more clusters were detected:1. Tangok (Bachok, Kota Bharu and Machang in Kelantan; 139 screened, 15 positive)2. Pulai Chondong (Machang, Bachok and Pasir Mas in Kelantan; 199 screened, 23 positive)3. Jalan Tagasan (Semporna in Sabah; 109 screened, six positive)4. Jalan Medan Aliff (Johor Bahru in Johor; 67 screened, nine positive)5. Jalan Weng (Baling in Kedah; 121 screened, 11 positive)6. Jalan Hospital (Pasir Mas in Kelantan; 525 screened, 50 positive)7. Sungai Duan (Mukah in Sarawak; 321 screened, 84 positive)8. Sungai Passin (Matu and Sibu in Sarawak; 441 screened, 49 positive)9. Sungai Selitut (Bintulu and Tatau in Sarawak; 65 screened, 18 positive)10. Jalan Bandar Universiti (Perak Tengah and Manjung in Perak; 107 screened, 13 positive)11. Jalan Sulah 16 (Klang in Selangor; 549 screened, 46 positive)12. Jalan Cahaya Baru (Batu Pahat in Johor and Kepong in Kuala Lumpur; 90 screened, 20 positive)13. Cyber Park (Kulai in Johor; 21 screened, nine positive)14. Bayan Cenderawasih (Kota Setar in Kedah; 38 screened, 10 positive)Twelve more ended, leaving 340 active clusters across the country.Another 1,402 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 355,224.However, eight more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 1,386.


Court allows Zahid release of passport to perform umrah pilgrimage

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today allowed the application by former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the release of his passport to perform the umrah pilgrimage.High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah granted the Umno president’s application after lead prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran said the prosecution had received instructions not to object to the application.She said as the dates on which Zahid needed to perform the umrah clashed with the trial dates of April 26 to 28, the vacated days should be replaced with new dates.Earlier, Zahid’s lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said the defence hoped his client’s passport would be released today as he needed it for his visa application.“My client will be away from April 21 to 30, and pledges that the passport will be returned before May 5,” he said.Sequerah then fixed April 13 and 15 as well as July 1 as the substitute dates for the trial.Before this, the court had fixed May 23 to 26, June 27 to 30, July 4 to 7, Aug 22, 23, 29 and 30, Sept 19 to 22 and 26 to 29, Oct 17 to 20 and 31, and Nov 1 to 3 and 7 to 10 for the trial.On April 13, Zahid will testify in his defence trial for 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering involving Akalbudi Foundation funds.On Jan 24 this year, Sequerah ordered Zahid to enter his defence on all charges after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case.In October last year, the High Court also allowed the temporary return of his impounded passport to enable him to seek medical treatment from a leading specialist in Munich, Germany for back and neck pain.


North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills

North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile Thursday, Seoul's military said, in Pyongyang's latest show of force just days before South Korea and the United States kick off major joint military exercises.
Pyongyang's KCNA news outlet said hours later that leader Kim Jong Un was on the ground to witness "a powerful volley" by an artillery unit "ready to respond to actual war".
The report did not specify what weaponry Kim observed in the "fire assault drill" simulating the destruction of an enemy airport.
Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their worst points in decades, with the nuclear-armed North conducting ever more provocative banned weapons tests as Seoul moved to ramp up security cooperation with Washington in response.
Last year, Kim's regime declared North Korea an "irreversible" nuclear power and vowed to exponentially increase weapons production, including tactical nuclear weapons, as the US looks to move more assets to the region to defend ally Seoul.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that it "detected the launch of one short-range ballistic missile from the North's western port city of Nampo at 6.20pm (0920 GMT)".
It added it was analysing "the possibility that North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the same region simultaneously".
"Our military maintains a full readiness posture while closely cooperating with the US as we have strengthened surveillance and vigilance," it said.
North Korea has long claimed its nuclear weapons and missile programmes are for self-defence, and has bristled over US-South Korea military exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion.
Earlier this week, North Korea accused the US of "intentionally" ramping up tensions, and Kim's powerful sister warned that if the US were to intercept one of Pyongyang's missile tests, it would be seen as a "clear declaration of war".
'Freedom Shield'
After talks between Kim and then-US president Donald Trump collapsed in 2019, diplomacy has stalled and the North has doubled down on military development.
South Korea's hawkish President Yoon Suk Yeol has moved to boost diplomatic ties and security cooperation with Tokyo and Washington in response to growing threats from Pyongyang.
US President Joe Biden will host Yoon for a state visit on April 26, and the South Korean leader will also visit Tokyo next week, his office said.
This month, the US and South Korean militaries will hold their largest joint drills in five years.
Ahead of those exercises, named "Freedom Shield" and scheduled for at least 10 days starting March 13, the allies held air drills this week featuring a nuclear-capable US B-52 heavy bomber.
"This is likely only the beginning of a series of provocative tests by North Korea," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.
"Pyongyang is poised to respond aggressively to major US-South Korea defence exercises, as well as to President Yoon's upcoming summits with (Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden)," he said.
"The Kim regime may order missile firings of longer ranges, attempt a spy satellite launch, demonstrate a solid-fuel engine, and perhaps even conduct a nuclear test."
North Korea has framed its missile tests and military drills as justified countermeasures following US-South Korea drills.
Last week, it called on the United Nations to urge a halt to these exercises, and reiterated that its nuclear weapons ensured the balance of power in the region.


New Covid variant ‘probable’ this year, says top French expert

The French government’s top adviser on Covid-19 warned Friday that a new variant of the disease would “probably” emerge in the winter months this year.The country is currently battling an unprecedented spike in new cases caused by the more infectious Delta variant, which was first recorded in India.“We will probably have another variant arrive during the winter,” Jean-Francois Delfraissy, head of the French government’s scientific council, told the BFM news channel.He said that he could not predict the consequences, or whether it would be more dangerous, adding that Covid-19 had “relatively limited” capacities to mutate.The infectious diseases specialist urged French people to return to social distancing and mask-wearing, and said a “return to normal” would probably be in 2022 or 2023.“The big challenge for the next couple of years will be how are we going to co-exist, with two worlds: countries that are vaccinated and those that are not,” he said.The government’s strategy to contain the current fourth wave of cases is based on the introduction of a “health pass” system that requires people to show proof of vaccination or a negative test when entering public venues.Since Wednesday, cinemas, museums, swimming pools and sports venues have been required to ask patrons for their health credentials, leading to criticism from some that it restricts the freedoms of the non-vaccinated.The lower house of parliament approved a draft law early Friday morning that will extend the system to cafes and restaurants from next month, and make vaccinations mandatory for health and social care workers from September.The legislation will now be examined during an emergency session by the upper house senate, with the government hoping for approval by the end of the weekend.


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Now, Najib sues ex-AG Thomas for linking him to Altantuya’s murder

Najib Razak has filed a suit against former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and a publishing company over allegedly defamatory statements made with regard to the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu in the book entitled “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”.The former prime minister as the plaintiff filed the defamation suit through Messrs Shafee & Co in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, naming Thomas and GB Gerakbudaya Enterprise Sdn Bhd as the first and second defendants.In his statement of claim, Najib, 68, claimed that on Jan 31, Thomas had authored and caused the publication of the book which linked him to Altantuya’s murder.He claimed that the book was published by the second defendant (Gerakbudaya) and distributed in the country at the end of January this year, and subsequently worldwide.The Pekan MP claimed that several extracts from the book including the defamatory statements had been republished on websites around the world, and that the two defendants did not make any factual verification with the plaintiff.Najib claimed the defamatory statements implied that he had ordered two former members of the Special Action Unit (UTK), namely chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, to kill Altantuya, and that he had confused the public over the murder to cover his tracks.He also claimed that the defamatory statement implied he had influenced Sirul’s lawyers and others to meet with the policeman in Villawood, Sydney, to ensure the latter would not make any statement involving him in Altantuya’s murder.It was further claimed that the actions of both defendants in writing and publishing the defamatory statements were malicious and disparaging of the plaintiff in his capacity as former prime minister and finance minister.“The allegations stated in the book have no merit, and are scandalous.“Therefore, Thomas has abused his position as attorney-general to obtain ‘evidence’ against me in relation to Altantuya’s murder,” read the statement of claim.Najib said he had sent a letter to the two defendants demanding, among others, an apology, costs and compensation, but that they replied by denying the allegations and refusing to issue an apology or pay the damages claimed.Najib claimed that his reputation was affected by the publication of the defamatory statements, seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages against both defendants and an order for the defendants to remove the defamatory statements from the book.He is also seeking an injunction to prevent the defendants or their agents from publishing similar statements, in addition to an apology to be published in at least three major newspapers of the plaintiff’s choice, for three consecutive days.


The long road to keeping sexual harassment at bay

Cynthia Sara (not her real name) was working as a medical officer in a district office when she caught the attention of an officer stationed at the same branch.After a while, the man who was married and 20 years older than she was began sending her messages outside of working hours, asking her out on dates.Although she always declined his offers and reminded him about his wife, he continued to send her text after inappropriate text.“Hi dr, I want to date you,” they would read. “Hi dr, I want to kiss you, would you like to kiss me back?” “Do you have children already? I can give you one.”The messages continued for years despite numerous efforts on her part to get him to stop.Cynthia is just one of many women throughout the country who experience sexual harrassment on a daily basis.A 2021 survey conducted by the Centre for Governance and Policy Studies in collaboration with the All Women’s Action Malaysia (AWAM) found that more than 600 out of 1,056 respondents (57%) had experienced unwanted touching.AWAM said separately that it had also received 256 reports of sexual harassment last year, both online and physical.Worldwide, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women or UN Women estimates that one out of every three women experience sexual harassment.While existing laws such as the Employment Act and Penal Code contain clauses on sexual harassment, calls have arisen for a standalone bill to protect victims and provide them with a safe avenue to channel their complaints to authorities other than the police.And while the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was tabled in Parliament last December, there are concerns that it may not be enough.“The current bill is reactive and not proactive,” Emillia Shariff of Speak Up Malaysia said.“We need a comprehensive bill that also covers the prevention of sexual harassment and gives better protection of victims against retaliation if they were to speak up.”In Cynthia’s case, the harassment continued even after she applied for a transfer to a different office.“He keeps sending me text messages even at my new place,” she said.“I just don’t reply anymore. I told him off politely, and even harshly once, but to no avail.”The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality, a coalition of civil society organisations working towards gender equality, said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill must urge companies to take the necessary measures to create safe spaces and to prevent victims from suffering negative repercussions due to their complaints.A legal obligation like this, according to Daniella from the Association of Women Lawyers Malaysia, would make the biggest difference from the bill in its current form.“No matter how big or small the organisation is, the bill will enforce them to take reasonable steps in creating sexual harassment-free spaces,” she said.Asrawati Aslan of AWAM meanwhile said the amended bill would mandate the creation of comprehensive, anti-sexual harassment policies and prevention measures such as awareness training.It would also make it mandatory for universities and schools to have their own anti-sexual harassment policies.“With effective implementation, this will reduce the perpetration of sexual harassment in educational institutions in the long run,” she said.The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill will be tabled for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat this month.


Agong urges support for smoking control bill

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah today said he was proud of the government's efforts to protect and preserve the health of future generations through the tabling of the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 in Parliament.
He said the matter was a noble endeavor and that he hoped that all Malaysians would give their support so that the bill could be studied and scrutinised.
"I am so proud that another bill tabled in the Parliament related to the tobacco and cigarette control bill has been decided to be further reviewed," he said when opening the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Complex in Setia Alam today.
On Aug 2, the bill, dubbed as a generational endgame (GEG) policy providing for a ban on individuals born in 2007 and thereafter from smoking, buying or possessing tobacco products or smoking devices, was referred to a parliamentary select committee for further scrutiny. Sultan Abdullah said that young people need to be educated to adopt the best health practices in order to avoid matters that could be detrimental to their health and reduce the government's expenses for hospital care.
He also expressed his gratitude to the health ministry staff whom he said had provided the best service during the country's fight against Covid-19.
On the establishment of NIH Complex, Sultan Abdullah said it was a benchmark for a better approach to health issues to ensure the well-being and health of the people.


Over 3,000 evacuated in Selangor as floods rise

Some 3,086 victims have been evacuated so far to 30 relief centres (PPS) due to floods in the Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang districts following continuous heavy rain in Selangor since yesterday.State fire and rescue department director Norazam Khamis said 20 PPS have been opened in Klang to accommodate 2,604 of the victims.He said most of the victims were evacuated to the PPS at SK Telok Gong and SK Johan Setia, totalling 681 and 793 people respectively.The remaining PPS are in Sepang and Kuala Langat, involving 482 victims.Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said in a Twitter post that volunteers from Team Selangor and Selangor Volunteer have been mobilised to assist the flood victims.The meteorological department meanwhile has issued yellow rainstorm warnings for parts of Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang, and Selangor.


Opec debates oil output boost amid Russian isolation

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia hold talks Thursday on whether to adjust output, hard on the heels of an EU ban on Russian oil imports.Analysts had expected Opec+ producers to likely stick to their policy of only increasing output modestly, as they have done since May 2021.However, a Wall Street Journal report on Monday that said Opec was considering suspending Russia from the output deal has sown doubts.“Such a move would effectively bring a premature end to the group’s supply agreement and pave the way for an unrestricted increase in output,” Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Energy, said.The 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, chaired by Saudi Arabia, and their 10 partners, led by Russia, drastically slashed output in 2020 as demand slumped because of the coronavirus pandemic and worldwide lockdowns.They have increased output modestly to the tune of around 400,000 barrels per day each month since last year, resisting pressure by top consumers, including the US, to open the taps wider.The expectation was that output would increase by another 432,000 barrels per day in July.“So far, the market has been assuming that Opec+ would raise the planned production volume… Russia is still being included in this,” analyst Carsten Fritsch of Commerzbank said.Talks by videoconference begin at the technical level at 1200 GMT at Opec headquarters in Vienna, before moving into a plenary session.Russia a ‘pariah’European Union leaders agreed on Monday to ban more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports as part of a sixth package of sanctions on Moscow over its offensive in Ukraine.Britain has already said it plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022 and eventually stop importing its gas.The US, too, banned Russian oil and gas days after Russia’s invasion began on Feb 24.“Russia has now transformed into a pariah,” Seb analyst Bjarne Schieldrop commented, saying Opec+ may break up or the agreed quota system will be placed on hold amid Moscow’s international isolation.“Apparent elevated US-Saudi shuttle diplomacy lately may indicate that change in Opec+ may be near.”That, he added, would enable Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to use their spare capacity and lift oil production.“More oil from Saudi and the UAE will allow the West to implement sharper bans forcing Russian oil exports lower while not blowing up the oil price,” Schieldrop added.OPEC ‘reticence’Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated concerns about oil supplies, sending prices to record highs this year.As the economic screws have tightened around Russia, prices have further soared, putting pressure on the cartel to open the valves more widely and relieve the market.But Saudi Arabia, Opec+’s de facto leader, has given no indication it is inclined to make such a move.Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos that the kingdom had “done what it could” for the oil market.“It’s more complex than simply adding barrels to the market,” he added.Members of the G7 club of industrialised nations last week underlined Opec+’s “key role” in the face of the tightening of international markets.“Yet this latest attempt by the West to temper energy-driven inflation fell on deaf ears, again. Instead, Saudi Arabia signalled its allegiance to fellow Opec+ producer Russia,” said Brennock.Soaring oil prices have stimulated the Gulf region’s economies, with Saudi Arabia recording its highest growth rate in 10 years in the first quarter of 2022.Susannah Streeter, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said there “is likely to still be reticence about turning on the taps too freely” as a result.“Opec has also previously warned that it will be impossible to replace all the volumes lost from Russia due to sanctions, which is still likely to stem further significant drops in crude prices.”


Azam reappointed MACC chief due to satisfactory performance, says Anwar

The decision to extend the service of Azam Baki as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner is due to his satisfactory performance, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said he had given Azam and attorney-general Idrus Harun full authority to carry out their duties.
"From what I see, they have done a satisfactory job. He (Azam) takes action without taking any side," he told a press conference after chairing the National Economic Action Council meeting in Putrajaya today.
On May 10, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement, announced the reappointment of Azam as MACC chief commissioner effective May 12.
Zuki said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had consented to Azam’s appointment, which was made in accordance with subsections 5(1) and (2) of the MACC Act 2009.
Azam was first appointed as MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020, replacing Latheefa Beebi Koya.


Aid situation worsens as Sudan fighting spreads

Desperately needed relief supplies are being confiscated by the warring parties in Sudan as fighting spreads to areas previously untouched by the 10-week-old conflict between top generals, aid agencies said on Friday.
Demonstrations in support of the regular army were held Friday in greater Khartoum and in White Nile state to its south as civilians gave vent to their anger at the widespread requisition of private homes by the rival paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), witnesses said.
The battle for power between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has killed more than 2,000 people since April 15, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
Greater Khartoum and the flashpoint western region of Darfur have been the main battlegrounds so far but this week residents reported a flare-up of fighting in the Kordofan region, scene of another long-running rebellion.
On Friday, witnesses reported renewed artillery exchanges and street-fighting in Khartoum, as well as "clashes between the army and the RSF" in North Kordofan state, hundreds of kilometres to its south.
The United Nations says a record 25 million people – more than half of Sudan's population – are in need of aid and protection.
While some relief supplies have trickled in, aid agencies report almost insurmountable hurdles to their work.
"Blatant restrictions on entry into Sudan for humanitarian workers and aid supplies are leaving millions in need stranded," according to the Norwegian Refugee Council's William Carter.
Doctors without Border (MSF) reported similar hurdles. Permits have been "delayed, rejected, rescinded, or plainly not respected," while "supplies have been confiscated" and staff "beaten and violently threatened" by armed groups, it said.
'Bleeding to death'
Two-thirds of health facilities in the main battlegrounds remain out of service, according to the Sudanese doctors' union, which says medical personnel have been targeted amid widespread violations against civilians.
At least 36 cases of sexual violence have been recorded in Khartoum alone by the governmental Combating Violence Against Women and Children Unit, with the majority of survivors accusing RSF fighters.
"Reported and documented cases are no more than 2% of real figures," the unit said, adding that they have not been able to assess the case total in the western region of Darfur, "where the situation is getting worse every day".
Diplomatic efforts to broker a halt to the fighting are at a standstill after both sides violated the last, 72-hour ceasefire, which ended on Wednesday.
The United States, which brokered the truce along with Saudi Arabia, said Thursday it had put its mediation efforts on hold.
"On Wednesday, yesterday, we adjourned those talks because the format is not succeeding in the way that we want," US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Those ceasefires have not been fully effective, although they have allowed the transmittal of important, urgently needed humanitarian assistance," she said.
Analysts have criticised Washington's handling of the ceasefire talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah, which they said were doomed to fail.
"If Jeddah was the triage station before the emergency room, the duty doctors didn't diagnose the patient before setting to work," said Sudan specialist Alex de Waal
He said that the sanctions imposed by Washington on both sides after the collapse of a previous ceasefire at the start of the month would not work either, "until the mediators have fastened onto a strategy."
In the meantime, "Sudan is bleeding to death."


Indonesia to deport Australian arrested for drunken, naked rampage

An Australian man who was arrested for drunken assault and public nudity in Indonesia's ultra-conservative Islamic province Aceh is set to be deported, authorities said.
Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, was arrested by police in April after he was found streaking in an inebriated state through a village on Simeulue island off Aceh province. Residents said Risby-Jones, who was on a surfing trip to the island, attacked them, throwing punches and injuring at least one fisherman.
Risby-Jones was freed from jail in Simeulue on Wednesday after he apologised and paid US$16,778 (about RM77,400) in compensation to victims. He did not face criminal charges.
He said he was "very relieved and happy" to be released after he had "made a fool" of himself, according to media.
The Australian was handed over to immigration "to be deported to his country and is waiting for a ticket from his embassy," said Fauzi, an immigration officer who goes by one name, in Meulaboh, a town on the Aceh mainland.


Reluctance of some teachers to be jabbed affecting school session ‘slightly’, says minister

The reluctance of a group of teachers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 at the moment has slightly affected the teaching and learning process in schools, says Education Minister Radzi Jidin.He said while they numbered only about 2,000 out of some 415,000 teachers in the country, the administration of schools was still affected.“… the number is very small but as there are some such teachers teaching the same subject, how to teach (the subject)?“There are also such teachers who are the only ones teaching certain subjects, so these schools will have no teachers for these subjects,” he told reporters after viewing the first day of school at SMK Tunku Kurshiah in Kuala Pilah today.Radzi said the decision to transfer unvaccinated teachers to other places was not a threat but involved the schools’ administration while the Public Service Department requires civil servants to be vaccinated before Nov 1.Meanwhile, he said the education ministry is still studying the proposal to change the start of the school session from January to March and making next year’s session a guideline.He added that the ministry is taking into consideration the engagement with stakeholders including parents and teachers who have given positive feedback including on the managing of examinations during the monsoon season in some states.


North Korea appears to lift Covid mask mandate, reports say

North Korea appeared to have eased a strict Covid-19 mask mandate, media reports said this week, after state news agencies showed many people maskless.
The isolated country has maintained border lockdowns and other anti-Covid measures long after most other nations ditched such restrictions.
North Korean state television and newspapers did not make any official announcement, but showed crowds of people at theatres and other locations without masks.
That was a "stark change" compared to newspaper coverage dating back to September, according to analysts with NK News, a Seoul-based site that monitors North Korea.
Residents, factories and social groups were told that the mandate was lifted as of July 1, US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) said on Monday, citing unnamed sources.


Lionel Messi's deal could hit US$150 million before endorsements

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are finalising a megadeal worth up to US$150 million (about RM695.7 million) to bring the superstar to MLS, Sportico reported Monday.
That figure consists of salary, signing bonus and equity in the club and runs through the 2025 season with an option for 2026, per Sportico. Revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple and Fanatics, all of which are MLS partners, are not included in the initial figure.
Messi already has a lifetime deal with Adidas, per Forbes.
MLS is not subsidising the contract, and Messi will not have the same option to buy an MLS team that David Beckham received when he moved to MLS in 2007, Sportico reported. That option turned into Inter Miami, of which Beckham is a co-owner.
Messi, who turns 36 on Saturday, was the star of Argentina's 2022 World Cup championship team. He officially becomes a free agent at the end of this month when his contract at France's Paris Saint-Germain expires. He said on June 7 that he had selected Inter Miami over other overseas offers, including a reported US$400 million a year to play at Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.
He is expected to debut with Inter Miami on July 21 against Liga MX team Cruz Azul in a home Leagues Cup match.
Messi's new deal will add to his already vast wealth. He ranked second on Forbes' 2023 list of highest-paid athletes with US$130 million in annual earnings – half on the pitch and half in endorsements.


Over 45,000 evacuated as east coast states hit by floods

Over 45,000 flood victims had been evacuated to flood relief centres in five states in the peninsula as of 10pm last night, with the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu the hardest hit.
The number of evacuees rose slightly in Pahang, and decreased in Johor, while it remained unchanged in Perak.
In Terengganu, the number of flood victims rose sharply to 29,717 from 8,214 families compared to 19,601 from 5,699 families in the evening.
There are currently 273 relief centres operating in all eight districts in the state.
Kemaman was the worst affected district involving 8,375 victims from 2,109 families, followed by Hulu Terengganu (5,996 victims from 1,837 families), Besut (5,492 victims from 1,506 families) and Setiu (3,172 victims from 1,015 families).
Dungun recorded 1,963 victims (527 families), Kuala Nerus 575 victims (129 families), Kuala Terengganu 542 victims (129 families) and Marang 379 victims (81 families).
Fire and Rescue Department fire safety department director Ahmad Izram Osman said his team was conducting aerial monitoring to get an accurate account of the flood situation in Terengganu, and would do similar monitoring in Kelantan.
Meanwhile, in Kelantan, according to the state’s official flood portal, the number of flood victims increased to 14,359 people from 3,942 families last night, compared to 12,104 people from 3,295 families in the evening.
A total of 104 relief centres were opened in nine districts, namely Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Bachok, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang and Jeli.
The PublicInfo Banjir portal reported that river water in nine areas had exceeded the danger level including Sungai Lebir in Kampung Tualang, Kuala Krai with a reading of 40.71 m; Sungai Golok in Kampung Jenob, Tanah Merah (24.84 m) and Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas (10.78 m).
In Pahang, the number of flood victims rose slightly to 865 from 218 families, compared to 647 from 159 families at 4pm.
Eight relief centres were opened in Kuantan to accommodate 803 individuals from 198 families, while another 62 flood victims from 20 families were evacuated to three relief centres in Raub.
The water level of Sungai Keratong in Rompin has been receding but was still above the danger level last night.
In Johor, the number of flood victims in the Segamat district dropped to 53 people as of 8pm, compared to 75 in the evening.
The affected locations in the district are Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Kampung Batu 5 and Kampung Kuala Paya.
The victims have been placed at the Kampung Batu Badak community hall, Kuala Paya community hall and Kampung Tasek community hall.
In Perak, 54 people from 17 families remained in two relief centres, namely SM Abdul Rahman Talib Batu 4 and SK Sungai Tiang Darat.


Stateless teen dreams of having her own IC

Like many other teenagers, 18-year-old Aina dreams of weekend trips with her friends and taking happy pictures to upload on social media.There’s just one thing standing in her way: Aina is not considered a citizen and has no official documentation.“Everyone I know is going to faraway places, but all I can do is stay stuck at home,” she said in a recent interview with MalaysiaNow.As she speaks, tears roll down her face. While others her age are nearly done with school, she has nothing to show for herself but long hours spent at home, helping her unemployed mother around the house.When her friends ask why she is not at school with them, Aina keeps quiet, ashamed to tell them that she is undocumented.“I am terrified to go out with them,” she said. “I am worried that I will be caught if I go too far. Most of my friends do not know that I don’t have an IC.”Aina is one of about a million stateless people who were born in Malaysia but have no official documents.The few close friends she has who know about her situation often try to draw her out in conversation, asking what she needs to do to resolve the issue.But while she knows that they are asking out of love and concern, she is still uncomfortable with their questions.“I don’t know what to say. I cannot think, I really do not know what else to do.“It’s not that we are not trying,” she said. “We have done all that we can. But it didn’t work.”By we, she means her and her five siblings, all of whom were born and raised in Petaling Jaya. Three of them were born at government hospitals while the other three were born at home.Their father, who died of Covid-19 last year, was a Malaysian. He married their mother in her home country 24 years ago but did not register their marriage upon their return to Malaysia.Because of this, all six of their children are considered stateless, with no access to formal education or public health services.They spend their days at home, or hanging out with their friends in the neighbourhood, never venturing too far away.Having lost their father who was the main breadwinner, they dream of being able to support their family – but this, like Aina’s fantasy of travelling and taking the perfect Instagram shot, is just a dream.Instead, they are financially dependent on the cash given to them by their paternal grandmother.“If only I had an IC, I would really love to work,” Aina said.“I want to help my mother and my siblings. How long can I continue to rely on my grandmother? What will happen to us if we lose her, too?”While she loves her parents, she holds them responsible for her situation.“I always ask why other people were given ICs but not us. Why don’t we have the same rights as they do?“But my mother always tells us to be patient and to pray for a window of opportunity,” she said.Her face lights up when the conversation turns to her boyfriend whom she hopes to marry soon.But here, too, problems abound. Their solemnisation ceremony has already been postponed several times due to the lack of documentation needed by the religious authorities to process their marriage application.Her boyfriend’s parents are constantly pushing her to apply for an IC so that it will be easier for them to get married.“A lot of people have asked me, why the hurry,” she said. “They ask why I am getting married at 18.“But whether I am 18 or 19 or 20, my citizenship status will not change. For now, his parents understand my situation because we have told them. But it is really up to him to accept me along with all of my problems.”For now, Aina and her siblings receive assistance from a group of lawyers, civil society organisations and activists who are helping them apply for citizenship.Fortified by their help, she is determined to keep trying.“I am not giving up,” she said. “One day, I will have my own IC because I don’t belong in any other country.“I was born here and I grew up here. I know my place. This is my country.”


Batik dye causes blood-red flood in Indonesia

An Indonesian village was inundated by crimson-coloured water after flooding hit a fabric dyeing centre in central Java, sparking a social media frenzy.Residents of Jenggot, near the town of Pekalongan, were seen wading through blood-red water on Saturday and many shared images of the rare phenomenon online.Officials later confirmed the unique colour came from harmless fabric dye used by several batik factories in the area.Pekalongan itself is well known for its batik textiles industry, with many cottage industries flourishing across the town.“They did not dump the dye on purpose, but several home industries were flooded and the dye packages were carried away by the water,” local disaster agency official Dimas Arga Yudha told AFP on Sunday, adding that the batik dye was not toxic or dangerous.Local officials deployed pumps to drain the flooded area it was cleared in less than an hour.Floods are very common across the Indonesian archipelago, especially during the rainy season.In January at least 21 people died and more than 60,000 were evacuated after a series of major floods hit South Kalimantan.


Pardon Najib and put him back in power, NGO tells Agong

An NGO today presented a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asking the king to pardon Najib Razak and to appoint him as interim prime minister to resolve the country’s state of crisis.Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz, chairman of Persatuan Sahabat Ulul Amri Malaysia, said Najib had proven well able to govern the country.“I suggest that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong give Najib a royal pardon from any court action, whether ongoing or for which he has already been convicted,” he said in a statement today.He added that Najib’s leadership had been proven during his former administration of the country.“In my opinion, Najib did a good job throughout his tenure as the sixth prime minister,” he said.“He managed the economy well and brought the good name of Malaysia to the international stage.”Najib replaced Abdullah Badawi in 2009 after the latter was forced to resign following Umno’s general election setback a year earlier.He held the position until May 9, 2018 when his Barisan Nasional coalition was toppled at the 14th general election.On July 28 last year, Najib was convicted of seven counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in relation to RM42 million in funds from SRC International.He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.He is currently appealing against both conviction and sentence.


27.5% of children fully vaxxed, 44.5% given first jab

A total of 976,336 children or 27.5% of those aged five to 11 had been fully vaccinated under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow website, 1,580,723 children or 44.5% have received at least one dose of vaccine.For adolescents aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,900,460 or 93.2% have been fully vaccinated while 2,998,074 or 96.3% have received at least one dose.A total of 16,053,311 individuals or 68.2% of the adult population have received a booster dose while 22,969,986 or 97.6% have completed two doses.Meanwhile, 23,245,293 or 98.8% have received at least one dose of vaccine.A total of 29,791 vaccine doses were administered yesterday, with 12,393 as first doses, 14,168 as second shots and 3,230 as booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses dispensed under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 70,510,766.