First fruits of peace with Israel on display in UAE market

It’s only a veggie stall in a produce market but on Saturday it became a significant step in international relations as the Fresh Market in Dubai opened its first ever Israeli fruit and vegetables display.It forms the latest link in the two countries’ efforts to establish diplomatic and business links, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, greeted the Israeli exporter at the market.Shlomi Fogel, chairman of Carmel Agrexco one of Israel’s largest exporters of agricultural produce said, “The export of fresh agricultural products from Israel to the UAE has a significant advantage because of the geographical closeness and the speed with which the products can be transported directly to markets in the UAE and beyond.“It’s a fact that Israeli agriculture is highly advanced, and we are confident that everyone will enjoy our produce. We are excited to be part of the growing ties between Israel and the UAE. Together with our colleagues in Dubai, we are beginning to see the ‘fruits of peace’ today.”In September, the UAE and Israel signed a historic peace agreement called the Abrahams Accord, at the White House in Washington.With President Donald Trump doing the brokering, the two formerly opposed sides agreed that along with establishing diplomatic relations they would also promote investment and tourism, as well as launch direct flights connecting the two countries.Direct flights between the UAE and Israel are now set to start on Nov 26 through Dubai-based airline Flydubai.Last week UAE and Israeli ministers agreed to form a joint team dedicated to establishing anti-crime programmes and safety services.


Sorry.


Not everyone is a frontliner

In our current Covid-19 vaccination programme, there are many innocent, quiet folks being left behind. We have cases of people registering since February but who have yet to even get a first or second dose. Every one of us knows of such instances.I believe our politicians let the MySejathera queueing process be messed up by a scenario of “who shouts the loudest about being a frontliner”.The only true frontliners that matter are the doctors and nurses of our public health system. And only them.Everyone else should just have to wait for their turn.I do not believe our political representatives are frontliners. So too our civil service. So too our manufacturing. So too our retail sector. So too our teachers. So too our hawkers and SMEs, and so on and so forth. No one realises that all these are pushing innocent folks further down the queue.We should all have to wait for our turn.Instead, every day we hear of someone championing some group as frontliners. The latest example that triggered me was Lim Guan Eng asking for 20,000 doses for hawkers etc in Penang. This is the wrong time to hog the limelight as champions.What everyone should understand is that this is a zero sum game. Asking for 20,000 doses here means that someone somewhere else could be deprived of the 20,000 doses. Can all our politicians really say they are medically competent to judge who deserves more and who deserves less?All of us should just let our best medical minds run the show and stay the hell out.The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


How much is the Suez mishap going to cost?

The total cost of the Suez Canal accident is clearly hard to calculate, and analysts say much will depend on how long it takes to sort out.The Taiwan-owned, Panama-flagged MV Ever Given, a 400m long and 59m wide container ship, has been lodged sideways across the waterway since Tuesday.At present, more than 200 ships are stuck, with several billion dollars worth of goods on board.‘Could not have come at a worse time’The coronavirus pandemic has already brought unprecedented pressure to bear on global supply chains, so the grounding of a giant container ship “could not have come at a worse time for one of the world’s busiest manmade waterways”, noted Jonathan Owens, a logistics specialist at the University of Salford Business School.The total value of goods that are now blocked or will have to be shipped along an alternative route varies according to how it is estimated.Owens says the equivalent of US$3 billion worth of merchandise normally passes through the canal each day.Lloyd’s List, a British maritime shipping publication, says daily traffic in both directions is worth around US$9.6 billion.$£?? Anybody’s guessGiven the large number of companies affected directly and indirectly, it is impossible at this point to quantify the value of merchandise being held up, according to Moody’s analyst Daniel Harlid.And just because something is delayed does not mean it has been lost, notes Jai Sharma, a maritime transport lawyer at Clyde and Co.The final impact on companies, and possible chain reactions still to come, cannot be calculated now and will depend in part on the level of stocks in hand, he says.Plan B for crudeAnd while the blockage has been cited as a factor in higher oil prices, that sector could in fact be affected less than others, because only around 1.74 million barrels of crude pass each day through the canal.80% of Middle Eastern oil headed for Europe, which not a lot to begin with, is pumped through the Sumed pipeline from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean near Alexandria, says Paola Rodriguez Masiu at Rystad Energy.The pipeline currently has capacity to spare, she notes.Slow boat to Rotterdam?Transporters can now either wait for the 200,000-tonne ship to float free, which could take days or weeks, or sail around the southern tip of Africa.Shipping giants Maersk and Hapaq-Lloyd are seriously considering the second option.That is likely to cost several hundred thousand dollars in extra fuel, raising shipping costs by 15-20% according to Plamen Matzkoff, an analyst at VesselsValue.Lawyers are lining upIn addition, up to 90% of shipments are not insured against delays, Lloyd’s List points out.It quoted sector specialists as saying that lawyers would likely be kept busy arguing who should pay the bill.As for easing the ship from its new berth, the cost could run to several million dollars, Sharma estimates, especially if containers have to be unloaded from it first.But transporters’ insurance policies are often underwritten by several companies, Moody’s analyst Soichiro Makimoto says, so that tab at least is likely to be shared by insurers and re-insurers.


Now, Labuan to come under conditional MCO

Labuan will come under conditional movement control order (CMCO) from Oct 17 to 30, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.However, he said all economic activities including industrial and factory activities would be allowed to continue.This comes just days after the government announced that Sabah, Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur would be placed under CMCO as well.Movements in Labuan under the CMCO will be subject to the following restrictions, among others:– Only two people from each household will be allowed to go out for groceries or other necessities.– High-risk individuals and children are advised to avoid public and crowded areas.– Vehicles carrying workers will be allowed to operate contingent on SOPs.– Interstate travel will be prohibited although inter-district travel will be allowed with police permission for emergency situations and funerals.– Only workers with valid passes or letters from their employers will be allowed to travel for work purposes.– Police permission will be required for air travel through the Labuan airport.– Ferry services will be allowed to continue until 6pm only, with limited capacity subject to physical distancing between passengers.– Supermarkets and retail stores will be allowed to open according to SOPs.– Restaurants, food stalls, food trucks, roadside stalls, vendors and food courts will be allowed to open from 6am until 10pm.– Dine-in meals are allowed at restaurants, limited to two people per table, although customers are encouraged to buy food via drive-thru, delivery or take-away services.– Day markets will be allowed to open from 6am to 4pm.– Farmers markets will be allowed to open from 6am until 12pm, subject to SOPs.– Petrol stations will be allowed to run from 6am until 10pm.– Public transport, taxi and e-hailing services will be allowed, limited to two passengers per vehicle for the latter two, from 6am until 10pm.– Suggestions on the number of congregants allowed for prayers at mosques will be brought to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department, to be presented to the Agong for his approval.– For non-Muslim houses of worship, a maximum of six worshippers will be allowed.– Entertainment and cultural activities will not be allowed, including activities at night clubs and pubs, indoor playgrounds and cinemas.– Contactless sports and recreational activities such as e-sports, walking, jogging, cycling, hiking and fishing will be allowed, capped at 10 people.– Indoor activities, swimming, contact sports, team sports, contests and events which involve spectators or participants from out of state will not be allowed.– All schools and institutes of education including public and private colleges, tahfiz centres, daycares and kindergartens will not be allowed to open for normal classes.– Social events including weddings, birthday celebrations and reunions will not be allowed.


North Korea lashes out as South and US begin exercises

South Korea and the US have gone ahead with their four-day military training exercise despite warnings from North Korea.The two allies’ summer exercises are scheduled for Aug 16 to 26 and this week’s drills are focusing on contingency planning, Yonhap News Agency reports.South Korea and the US usually conduct joint military exercises each year in spring and summer.This year, Seoul is believed to have urged the US to scale down the size of the drills, to avoid ruffling feathers in North Korea.Pyongyang is warning that the exercises will negatively affect inter-Korean relations and that it will strengthen its defences against the military threat from the US.The US, South Korea and Japan are on the alert for any provocative action from the North, such as testing ballistic missiles while the exercises are going on.“I would like to express my deep regret at the perfidious behaviour of the South Korean authorities,” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong said in a statement, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.“Whatever the scale and mode, the joint military exercises are of an aggressive nature as they are a war rehearsal and preliminary nuclear war exercise.”In June 2020, Pyongyang blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in the border city of Kaesong after shutting down all lines of communication with Seoul, in retaliation for defectors releasing balloons containing leaflets critical of the North.On July 27, Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae In agreed to reconnect communications between the two countries to mark the 68th anniversary of the signing of the ceasefire that suspended the open warfare of the 1950-1953 Korean War. As there was no peace treaty, the North and South are still technically at war.Since the reconnection, Seoul and Pyongyang have been holding phone conversations every mid-morning and late afternoon, as they did before the lines were disconnected.But South Korea’s unification ministry and defence ministry said on Tuesday that these regular calls were now not being answered by the North.It is not clear whether the military drills are the reason for this, although Yo Jong’s statement continued: “As long as the US forces stay in South Korea, the root cause for the periodic aggravation of the situation on the Korean peninsula will never vanish.”Negotiations between the US and North Korea on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and lifting of sanctions have been stalled for around two years.


As US Covid-19 cases rise, so does demand for antivirals

Rising Covid-19 cases are driving up the use of therapeutics, with Pfizer Inc’s oral antiviral treatment Paxlovid seeing a 315% jump over the past four weeks, US health officials said on Tuesday.The increase in US cases and hospitalisations is starting to affect recommendations on behaviour, with New York City, the nation’s most populous city, advising stricter mask usage but stopping short of new mandates. Apple has scrapped return to office plans.“Increasingly, we’ll see this virus hit people who are substantially older, frail, have underlying illnesses, or are distinctly immunocompromised,” said Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.“But we now have better treatments and many of those people will leave the hospital vertically rather than horizontally.”The US is averaging nearly 97,000 new cases a day, up from about 73,000 a week ago, according to a Reuters tally. Cases have been gradually rising since hitting a recent low of 30,000 new infections a day in late March.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday estimated that about half of infections last week were from the sublineage of the Omicron variant, which has been on the rise since mid-April and is already the dominant strain along much of the East Coast.“The other thing that’s going on is that we’re providing the opportunity for spread; we’ve taken off our masks, we’re going back to group activities both in business and for recreation,” said Schaffner.“Going forward, we will have to figure out when is the impact of this virus sufficient such that we might have to start putting our masks back on and doing more social distancing. That sort of discussion is going on in New York right about now,” he added.New York City raised its Covid-19 alert level to high on Tuesday with its health department strongly advising wearing masks in all public indoor settings for everyone and in crowded outdoor settings for those older than 65 or at high risk.New waveBased on population, the US Northeast has seen the greatest rise in new cases in the last seven days, led by Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.There are currently nearly 20,000 people hospitalized across the country, up from 16,500 last week, according to a Reuters tally. Hospitalisations have also been steadily rising from a recent low of 12,000 in mid-April.Based on population, the states with the most hospitalizations are Maine, New York and Delaware.Deaths, a lagging indicator, have held fairly steady at a daily average between of 300 to 500. Covid-19 has killed more than a million US residents since the start of the pandemic.Nearly 115,000 courses of Paxlovid were dispensed during the first week of May, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday.A total of 668,954 courses were administered out of the available supply of 3.3 million, HHS data show.Paxlovid is approved to keep high-risk individuals with Covid-19 from becoming seriously ill. It is meant to taken for five days beginning shortly after symptom onset.Providers gave out 230,257 courses of molnupiravir, Merck & Co’s rival oral antiviral developed along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. About 3.2 million molnupiravir courses are available, HHS data show.Vaccines, tests and treatmentsThe White House said last month it was aiming to address unexpectedly light demand by expanding access to treatments like Paxlovid by doubling the number of locations at which they are available.“In recent weeks we’ve gone from 20,000 sites with Paxlovid to approximately 35,000 and we’ll keep working to increase availability,” the senior health official said, adding that 88% of the population lived within 5 miles (8km) of a site.Health officials face a challenge in convincing the public that repeat vaccinations are beneficial, said Schaffner.“We’ll have to keep vaccinating because it would appear that to one degree or another over a period of months protection against serious disease begins to wane,” he said.The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorised the use of a booster shot of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, making everyone 5 or older eligible for a third shot.The government has shipped around 360 million coronavirus tests to homes nationwide, the official said, and has opened a third round of ordering on its Covidtest.gov website on Monday to allow additional requests.


Perak Sultan consents to Saarani as new MB

Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah has given consent for Kota Tampan assemblyman Saarani Mohamad to be appointed as the new menteri besar.Comptroller of the Perak Royal Household Abd Rahim Mohamad said based on Article XVI, Clause 2 (a) of the Perak constitution, Sultan Nazrin is of the opinion that Saarani is capable of gaining the majority support and confidence of the Perak state assembly members.“His Majesty has set the swearing-in ceremony to be held at 11am tomorrow at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar,” he said in a statement read out by Dewan Negara Perak member Mohd Annuar Zaini today.


Study the Standing Orders and stop the politics of hate, speaker tells PH leaders

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun today urged top Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders to study the Standing Orders regarding the mechanism that determines the business of special meetings, in the wake of their latest statement calling for room for debate during the sitting to convene on July 26.PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had criticised Azhar’s recent statement on July 15 explaining that the special five-day sitting from July 26 to Aug 2 was only to listen to explanations by ministers without any debate by MPs.They said the Agong had on Feb 24, June 16 and June 29 expressed his view that a Parliament sitting should be held as soon as possible so that MPs could debate the emergency ordinance, the National Recovery Plan and expenditure related to the Covid-19 pandemic.“PH urges the speaker and the Perikatan Nasional government not to commit treason against His Majesty’s views and to allow room for debate and permit Parliament to function normally again and MPs to fulfil their responsibility to defend the rights of the people,” they said in a statement today.“There will be no vote of no confidence against the prime minister presented by PH, which wants the focus to be solely on the troubles of the people in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis and the spiralling economy.”In a statement to MalaysiaNow, Azhar said he was “bewildered and puzzled” by PH’s remarks.“I would like to advise the PH Presidential Council to read the Standing Orders, most particularly Rule 11(3), and ascertain with precision as to the entity that appoints the business of the meeting during a special meeting,” he said.“With the collective number of years PH has had in Parliament as MPs and even as part of the government, and with a stellar line-up of well-known legal practitioners in its stable, it doesn’t appear to understand or even know the Standing Orders very well.”He also called for an end to what he called “the politics of hate through subtle and surreptitious misinformation as well as false narratives”.“Stop trying to drive a wedge between me, my office and Istana Negara by issuing irresponsible statements that are no more than pure political drivel without any kind of substance,” he said.


French pharma firm convicted of manslaughter over weight loss pill deaths

A court on Monday found pharma giant Servier guilty of manslaughter over hundreds of deaths caused by its diabetes and weight loss pill, in one of France’s biggest health scandals.The drug Mediator was on the market for 33 years and used by about five million people before being pulled in 2009 over fears it could cause serious heart problems – more than a decade after such concerns had first been raised.The company “weakened people’s trust in the health system”, the court’s presiding judge Sylvie Daunis said as she pronounced the verdict.“Although they knew about the risks for many years… they never took the necessary measures”, she said.Instead the company “misled” consumers, she said, fining the company €2.7 million (US$3.2 million) for aggravated deceit, manslaughter and causing unintentional injury.Servier’s former deputy boss, Jean-Philippe Seta, was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence of four years.Its powerful chairman, Jacques Servier, died in 2014.France’s medicines agency, meanwhile, was fined €303,000 for its delay in suspending the use of the drug.In a damning verdict for the regulator the court convicted it of manslaughter and causing unintentional injury, saying it “seriously failed in its role as health watchdog”.Initially intended for overweight people with diabetes, Mediator was widely prescribed to healthy individuals as an appetite suppressant.The first cases of heart disease linked to the drug were flagged in 1999, a decade before the drug was withdrawn.Over 6,500 plaintiffs, including France’s health insurance funds, are seeking €1 billion in damages.Many of the victims who testified in court about the impact of the drug on their lives were women.“It was said that the drug was extraordinary. I lost 10kg the first month,” said one plaintiff, Stephanie, who took the drug for three years before being diagnosed with heart disease in 2009.About 500 people are thought to have died as a result of the drug, though experts say it may eventually cause as many as 2,100 deaths.Thousands of victims have already reached settlements with the company, totalling nearly €200 million, according to Servier.The Mediator affair was the subject of the 2016 French film “150 Milligrams”, about the work of lung specialist Irene Frachon who was instrumental in bringing the wrongdoing to light.Servier and Seta claimed they did not know the drug was dangerous until 2009 when it was withdrawn.By then it had been outlawed in the US, Spain and Italy.


Ukraine downs swarm of attack drones over Kyiv

Ukrainian forces said Wednesday they had shot down an entire swarm of Iranian-made drones launched at the capital by Russian troops in their latest attack on Kyiv.
Explosions rang out over a central neighbourhood in the early hours of Wednesday, the mayor said, and AFP journalists saw law enforcement and emergency service workers inspecting metal fragments at a snow-covered impact site.
"The terrorists started this morning with 13 Shaheds," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, referring to the Iran-made weapons.
"According to the preliminary information, all 13 were shot down by our Ukrainian air defence systems."
He added that residents of the capital, which has now been subjected to nearly 10 months of air raid sirens and frequent aerial attacks since Russia invaded the country in February, should stay alert to government warnings of incoming attacks.
Kyiv region officials praised the Ukrainian air defence and electronic warfare units for downing the latest wave of suicide drones.
US ambassador in Ukraine Bridget Brink said following the morning attacks that Kyiv could continue to rely on Washington's backing.
"More support is on the way," she wrote on Twitter.
'Fight through winter'
Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on social media at 6.41am local time (0441 GMT) that "explosions" had been heard in the central district of Shevchenkivsky and that emergency services were responding.
"Debris from downed drones hit one administrative building and four more residential buildings suffered minor damage. No one was injured," added Sergiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv regional military administration.
Since a series of key battlefield setbacks this summer and autumn, Russia has been pummelling critical infrastructure across Ukraine with missiles and drones, plunging millions into cold and darkness in winter.
Moscow last week also targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, piling pressure on the country's power grid, whose operators have for weeks been forced to implement rolling blackouts.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said this week that between 40% and 50% of the country's grid was out of action because of Russia's strikes.
The latest round of attacks on Wednesday came one day after Zelensky issued urgent appeals to around 70 countries and international organisations at a Paris conference to help Ukraine withstand Russian attacks this winter.
In a video message from Kyiv, Zelensky said Tuesday that Ukraine needed assistance worth around €800 million (RM3.74 billion) in the short term for its battered energy sector.
He also said that his country needs spare parts for repairs, high-capacity generators, extra gas and increased electricity imports.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Ukraine's allies to provide his country with more weapons to help it "fight through the winter" and sustain Kyiv's military advances.


Nazri being considered for ambassador’s job?

Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz is being considered for an ambassador’s post, MalaysiaNow has learnt from diplomatic sources.It is understood that Nazri, who last served in the government as the tourism minister, could be posted to a European capital.But when contacted, Nazri denied knowing anything about such an appointment.“I don’t know. I didn’t receive any information. Where did you hear this?” he asked.A source told MalaysiaNow that the Cabinet would discuss a proposal to appoint Nazri as a Malaysian ambassador at its next meeting.Attempts to obtain confirmation from Wisma Putra have failed.Nazri, who was among the Umno MPs who openly defied the party president’s move to topple Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, recently indicated that he was no longer interested in political positions.MalaysiaNow cannot independently confirm the claim, but any move to appoint Nazri, who is trained as a lawyer, would be a break from the policy announced during the Pakatan Harapan administration that only career diplomats would be given these posts.The former government had at that time planned to replace politically appointed ambassadors with career diplomats.


China's daily Covid cases hit record high

China on Wednesday reported the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic began nearly three years ago, official data showed.
Excluding imported cases, the number of new local cases was 31,444 on Nov 23, of which 3,927 were symptomatic and 27,517 were asymptomatic, health authorities said on Thursday.
That number broke the previous record set on April 13, when local cases hit 29,317.
There was one death, compared with zero the previous day, pushing fatalities to 5,232. As of Nov 23, mainland China had confirmed 297,516 Covid cases with symptoms.
China's capital Beijing reported 509 symptomatic new locally transmitted Covid-19 infections and 1,139 asymptomatic cases for Nov 23, local government data showed, compared with 388 symptomatic and 1,098 asymptomatic cases the day before.
Financial hub Shanghai reported nine symptomatic cases and 58 asymptomatic cases, compared with 15 symptomatic cases and 53 asymptomatic cases a day before, the local health authority reported.
Guangzhou, a city in the south of nearly 19 million people, reported 428 new locally transmitted symptomatic and 7,192 asymptomatic cases, compared with 235 symptomatic and 7,735 asymptomatic cases a day before, local authorities said.
Chongqing reported 409 new symptomatic locally transmitted Covid-19 infections and 7,437 asymptomatic cases, compared with 215 symptomatic and 6,728 asymptomatic cases the previous day, local government authorities said.


China's navy begins to erase imaginary Taiwan Strait median line

For nearly 70 years an imagined line running down the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China has helped keep the peace but the so-called median line is looking increasingly meaningless as China's modernised navy asserts its strength.
China has never officially recognised the line that a US general devised in 1954 at the height of Cold War hostility between Communist China and US-backed Taiwan although the People's Liberation Army largely respected it.
Now Taiwan is bracing for warships from China's much larger navy routinely pushing over the line as part of the steps an angry Beijing has taken to protest against a visit to Taipei three weeks ago by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"They want to increase pressure on us with the end goal of us giving up the median line," said one Taiwanese official familiar with security planning in the region.
"They want to make that a fact," said the official, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the issue.
Some Taiwanese officials say it would be "impossible" for the island to abandon the concept of a buffer that the line represents.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a news conference this month a change in the status quo could not be tolerated.
"We need to join our hands with likeminded partners to make sure that the median line is still there, to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Wu said.
Other officials and security analysts warn that it would be difficult for the island to defend the line without raising the risk of dangerous escalation.
Projecting power
Taiwan would have to react militarily if Chinese forces entered its 12 nautical miles of territorial waters, the Taiwan official said, but apart from that, there was no immediate plan to give the military or coastguard more authority to respond.
President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said Taiwan will neither provoke nor escalate conflict.
It is questionable whether international support for Taiwan is sufficient to deter China from patrolling into Taiwan's side of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, or if Taiwan's friends would help it maintain the line.
Ships of the US and other Western navies sail through the strait to highlight what they maintain is its international status, not to strictly enforce the imaginary line that has no legal standing.
The Taiwan Strait is some 180km (110 miles) wide and at its narrowest, the median line is about 40km (25 miles) from Taiwan's waters.
An established Chinese naval presence close to Taiwan's territorial waters would stretch Taiwan's military and make any Chinese blockade or invasion much easier, Taiwanese officials warn.
Ultimately, a redundant median line would also usher in further challenge to the long-standing U.S. dominance of China's near seas - the so-called first island chain - and help China to project its power into the Pacific.
The median line has no features marking it. For years, China tacitly acknowledged it but in 2020 a foreign ministry spokesman stated it "did not exist". That was echoed by its defence ministry and Taiwan Affairs Council.
In recent days, the two sides' frigates and destroyers have played cat-and-mouse, with Chinese ships attempting to manoeuvre around Taiwanese patrols to cross the line.
Chinese fighter jets have also crossed the line this month, albeit only going a short way over, something China's air force has only done rarely in the past.
China's defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
'Political artefact'
Chieh Chung, a security analyst from the National Policy Foundation think tank in Taipei, said the "overthrowing" of the median line consensus had increased the risk of accidental conflict.
Chieh said the codes of engagement for Taiwan's coastguard and military should be reviewed to give them more authority and legal protection in reacting to increasingly complex challenges from Chinese forces.
Within weeks, US warships are expected to sail through the Taiwan Strait, underscoring what they see as its status as an international waterway, to the inevitable annoyance of China, which claims sovereignty and other rights over the strait.
But the US ships are not expected to challenge Chinese vessels on either side of the median line.
Three US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Chinese crossings of the median line had little tactical importance.
"It's an imaginary line that's symbolic and it's about poking Taiwan in the eye a bit," one of the officials told Reuters.
The US saw little need to uphold the status of the line or push back against China's moves across it, they said.
Christopher Twomey, a scholar at the US Naval Postgraduate School in California, said he believed the US Navy viewed the line as a "political artefact" rather than a legal one.
Speaking in a private capacity, Twomey said the dangers should not be overstated and the recognition and use of the strait as an international waterway would continue. He described Chinese activities as "political statements".
"Mere Chinese presence on either side of arbitrary lines within that area is not likely to lead to any operational response," Twomey said.


Suspended India ruling party spokesman in more trouble after Prophet Muhammad remarks

Police in New Delhi said on Thursday they have filed a complaint against a suspended spokesman for India’s ruling party for “inciting people on divisive lines” on social media, days after her remarks on Prophet Muhammad led to a diplomatic backlash.Many Muslim-majority countries have condemned India after Nupur Sharma, a spokesman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), commented on the Prophet’s private life during a recent heated TV debate that Muslims found insulting.Calls have grown for a boycott of Indian products in Gulf countries, while the BJP has suspended Sharma and asked its spokespeople to speak more responsibly in public.Delhi Police said they had registered two preliminary complaints – known as first information reports – on the basis “of social media analysis against those trying to disrupt public tranquillity & inciting people on divisive lines”.“One pertains to Nupur Sharma & the other against multiple social media entities,” the department said on Twitter, without specifying what posts triggered the complaint and what were the entities.“Even as notices are being sent to social media intermediaries for details of those behind these accounts/entities, #DelhiPolice appeals to everyone to desist from posting anything that may disrupt social and communal harmony.”In India, the filing of a complaint is the first process in any police investigation and is typically followed by questioning of the accused.Sharma did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via a Twitter direct message. Reuters could not find a phone number or email address for her. A BJP spokesman did not answer his phone.Sharma said on Twitter on Sunday her comment on the Prophet was in response to “continuous insult and disrespect” towards a Hindu god during the TV debate, but that she had withdrawn her statement.Many Indian TV stations regularly host debates on communal issues where Muslim and Hindu speakers shout at each other.A religious cum political party in Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami, has called for a protest march in Islamabad to the Indian embassy on Thursday against Sharma’s remarks.


Pejuang denies rumour of cooperation with Bersatu

Bersatu splinter group Pejuang today denied speculation of any cooperation between the two parties, saying its present focus is on finding a solution to the Covid-19 crisis as well as solving the health, economic and social problems plaguing the people.In a statement, Pejuang information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin said the party’s chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad had repeatedly rejected such claims, adding that its political bureau had never discussed any cooperation with Bersatu.“The focus is on discussing how to handle Covid-19 within the framework of the National Recovery Council proposed by the party,” he added.“If Pejuang intended to work with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional, we would not have worked so hard to get the party registered. We might as well have returned to our old party.”He also said that Pejuang’s registration had been in line with a court decision giving the home ministry 14 days to decide on the group’s appeal.“There were no behind-the-back discussions or political manoeuvres. The decision was the result of the court’s ruling,” he said.Pejuang was formed by Mahathir and a handful of other MPs after their sacking from Bersatu in May last year.Mahathir announced on July 8 that his Pejuang outfit had succeeded in registering as a political party.“We did things by the book,” he said at a press conference. “There was no reason why we could not register.”


US state secretary praises Malaysia’s pandemic control

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken today commended Malaysia’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s contribution of vaccines to Covax, a worldwide vaccine sharing initiative.Blinken said because of Malaysia’s remarkable leadership and success, it even had the capacity to distribute excess vaccines to other countries and Covax.“This is deeply appreciated and evidence of real leadership,” he said during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.He said during the bilateral meeting with Saifuddin earlier, they had touched on what could be done together to overcome the current challenge of Covid-19 and build back better for the next pandemic.“We have to take this moment to strengthen the global health security system. So the next time we are better able to hopefully prevent, certainly detect, and as necessary deal with effectively a new pandemic,” he said.Blinken arrived in Kuala Lumpur last night for a two-day working visit. He had earlier stopped in Jakarta, Indonesia and will continue with his itinerary to Bangkok, Thailand.He said the US is also working hard on making good on its commitment to provide again through Covax, so that these vaccines will be equitably distributed.“By through 2022, the US expects to donate 1.2 billion vaccines around the world without strings attached, we have a commitment to see what can be done to close the gaps in terms of vaccinations,” he said.


Vietnam jails former coast guard chief for 16 years for embezzlement

A military court in Vietnam on Thursday sentenced a former coast guard commander to 16 years in prison, after finding him guilty of embezzlement in siphoning off US$2 million (about RM9.3 million) from military procurement deals, state media reported.
Nguyen Van Son, 59, was convicted of masterminding the theft of US$2.12 million while head of the coast guard, in what the judge described as a "particularly serious case" that hurt the image of the defence services, Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported. Six of his associates were also jailed.
They were the latest victims of a "blazing furnace" crackdown on corruption by long-serving Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, which has this year seen the jailing of several high-ranking officials, the exit of the country's president and dismissal of two former deputy prime ministers.
The six other former top coast guard officials received prison time ranging from 10 to 15 and a half years each for their involvement in the embezzlement, VOV said.
They were arrested last year, according to the defence ministry, which said Son was responsible for violations between 2015 and 2020, including "financial mismanagement" and "procurement irregularities".


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Massive Ganges religious gathering worries India as Covid-19 cases surge

India’s health ministry warned on Sunday that a huge gathering of devotees for a Hindu festival could send coronavirus cases surging, as the country recorded the most new infections in nearly four months.The ministry said up to 40 people were testing positive for Covid-19 daily around the site of the weeks-long Mahakumbh that began this month and peaks in April in the Himalayan holy town of Haridwar, next to the Ganges.The festival is held only once every 12 years. Organisers have said more than 150 million visitors are expected. Many Hindus believe bathing in the river during this period absolves people of sins and brings salvation from the cycle of life and death.In a letter to the state government of Uttarakhand, where Haridwar is located, the health ministry told local authorities their daily coronavirus testing of 55,000 people in Haridwar was not enough given the large numbers of pilgrims expected, and that cases are already rising.“This positivity rate has the potential to rapidly turn into an upsurge in cases, given the expected large footfall during Kumbh,” the ministry said in a statement.“Currently more than 12 states in India have shown a surge in Covid-19 cases during the past few weeks, and pilgrims expected to visit Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela could also be from these states.”Uttarakhand’s government says that apart from following rules laid down by the federal government, it has made mask-wearing mandatory for devotees, would distribute millions of masks for free and also keep sanitising public areas.India reported nearly 45,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with its richest state Maharashtra again accounting for about 60% of the infections.Deaths rose by 200, the highest in more than two months, to 160,000, data from the health ministry showed.India’s new Covid-19 cases peaked at nearly 100,000 a day in September and had been falling steadily until late last month.But now five states – Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh – account for nearly 78% of the new cases.As cases increase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been criticised for exporting more vaccines than the number of people inoculated at home so far, Reuters reports.Under pressure to boost local supplies, the Serum Institute of India has told Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Morocco that shipments of further doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to them would be delayed.India has so far donated eight million doses and sold nearly 52 million doses to a total of 75 countries. It has administered more than 44 million doses since starting its immunisation campaign in the middle of January.


Heavy rain expected in northern states

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a weather warning for heavy rain expected today and Friday in Kedah, Penang and Perak.Its director-general, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, in a statement issued late last night, said the areas involved in Kedah are Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Kulim and Bandar Baharu.In Perak, the affected areas are Kerian, Larut, Matang, Selama and Manjung, while the whole of Penang is expected to be affected by severe weather.“The northwest wind is expected to bring heavy rain, and will result in flooding in low-lying areas in the affected zones,” Helmi said.


Prasarana still owes over RM700 million, says LRT3 contractor in disputing chairman

Prasarana’s project delivery partner MRCB-George Kent (MRCBGK) has disputed a claim that it was paid up to October 2020, saying RM723,888,000 in outstanding amount has yet to be paid.The joint venture company which was appointed for the construction of the third phase of the Light Rail Transit (LRT3) said the payment it received in October covered works done up to June last year.It also denied that it had sidelined Bumiputera contractors in the project, as claimed by Prasarana chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman today.“We have also exceeded the minimum 30% Bumiputera quota by having 39.7% Bumiputera contractors in the LRT3 project,” it said in a statement, hours after a press conference held by Tajuddin to explain allegations that he was meddling in Prasarana’s business deals.Tajuddin also denied claims that Prasarana had refused to settle payments owed to MRCBGK, saying payments were made up to October 2020.The LRT project involves 21 contractors and some 10,000 workers.Earlier today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raided Prasarana’s office and seized several documents, launching an investigation into the finance ministry-owned company.Tajuddin also accused Prasarana’s CEO, Muhammad Nizam Alias, of being behind allegations that he was meddling in the company’s business matters.Nizam is currently suspended pending the completion of an internal probe for insubordination.Tajuddin said he had called for an investigation into Prasarana’s agreements with MRCBGK as he wanted to ensure Bumiputera contractors were also given a fair deal.“When it is not fair, how can I as the chairman of Prasarana keep quiet? I must look into it, I must enquire,” he had said.But MRCBGK said the contractors were appointed through open tender by Prasarana in 2016.“We have treated our WPC fairly by applying the contract rates as stipulated in the original contract with Prasarana Malaysia.”Tajuddin today said that Prasarana had cash flow issues and had to prioritise the maintenance of its rail network, adding that it still paid what it owed to MRCBGK.He said MRCBGK should also play its part by injecting capital to help the company.But MRCBGK said it had done its part by advancing over RM200 million for the LRT3 project.“Both MRCB and George Kent have given a corporate guarantee to Prasarana Malaysia and issued a paid-up capital of RM5 million each,” it added.


34 deaths as 4,113 new cases logged

Another 4,113 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 462,190.Selangor recorded 1,269 cases, Sarawak 533, Kelantan 371, Johor 335, Kuala Lumpur 306, Penang 266, Kedah 228, Pahang 178, Terengganu 165, Perak 147, Negeri Sembilan 124 and Melaka 107.Sabah recorded 53 cases, Putrajaya 20, Labuan six and Perlis five.Active cases stand at 41,471 with 482 in the ICU and 250 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 4,190 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 418,897.However, 34 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 1,822.


Kalwant to hang as scheduled after Singapore court throws out stay application

Malaysian Kalwant Singh will be hanged as scheduled tomorrow after failing in an eleventh-hour bid to stay his execution for the offence of trafficking just over 60g of diamorphine into Singapore nine years ago.
Kalwant was arrested in the island republic on Oct 24, 2013, when he was 23 years old. He was handed the death penalty on June 1, 2016.
He filed a notice of motion yesterday to the Singapore Court of Appeal for a stay of his execution as well as a review of his conviction and sentence.
His stay application was heard by a three-man bench today.
The court however dismissed his bid, meaning that he will be executed at Changi prison at dawn tomorrow.
Kalwant's date with the gallows comes less than three months after the execution of Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, which took place despite an international outcry and amid increasing scrutiny of the republic’s use of the death penalty.
He had an IQ of 69, a level recognised as a disability, and was reportedly coerced into committing the crime of drug trafficking.


PKR, DAP suffer second election defeat in a month

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition suffered another election defeat today in Sarawak, on the heels of its poor performance at the Melaka state polls last month.PKR, led by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim, was completely wiped out, losing all 28 seats it contested in Sarawak.Amanah likewise failed to win any of the eight seats in which it had fielded candidates.DAP meanwhile retained the seats of Pending and Padungan but lost in the 22 other seats it contested including Kota Sentosa, Pujut, Pelawan, Bukit Assek and Tanjung Batu which it had won in the 2016 polls.Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen won Padungan with 4,686 votes, defeating GPS candidate Wee Hong Seng with 1,198 votes.Meanwhile Violet Wong won the Pending seat for a fourth term, obtaining 5,188 votes and beating SUPP’s Milton Foo Tiang Wee.Parti Sarawak Bersatu won four seats: Ba’kelalan, Batu Lintang, Engkelili and Bawang Assan, with the first two retained by former PKR members Baru Bian and See Chee How.Baru won with 2,687 votes while See won with 4,420.


Over 1,000 Myanmar nationals deported despite court order

Malaysia today deported over 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their homeland just weeks after a coup, the country’s immigration chief said, despite a court order halting the repatriation and a storm of criticism from rights groups.Authorities sent back 1,086 detainees on three Myanmar navy ships from a military base on Malaysia’s west coast, immigration chief Khairul Dzaimee Daud said.“The immigration department wants to emphasise that no Rohingya migrants or asylum seekers have been sent back,” he said in a statement.“All of those who have been deported agreed to return of their own free will, without being forced.”The statement made no mention of a ruling from the Kuala Lumpur High Court just hours earlier ordering that the repatriation be halted so that rights groups could present a challenge arguing for the repatriation to be stopped.Activists have raised concerns there are asylum seekers among those being deported, while the US and United Nations had also criticised the plan.


Google to pay US$3.8 million to settle compensation, hiring discrimination claims

Google has agreed to pay a US$3.8 million settlement to resolve allegations that the company underpaid female employees and discriminated against hiring female and Asian applicants, Sputnik news agency reports.“The US Department of Labour has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington state facilities and will pay over (US)$3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants,” a press release by the department said on Monday.The release said US$1.3 million will be distributed to 2,565 female Google employees in engineering positions who were victims of pay discrimination.In addition, US$1.2 million will be given to 1,757 female and 1,219 Asian applicants who were not hired for software engineering positions with the company.Google will also allocate a cash reserve of about US$1.2 million in pay-equity adjustments for the next five years for US employees in engineering positions at five of the company’s locations nationwide, the release said, adding that Google has hired 51 female and 17 Asian applicants for software engineering positions.Google will review its policies on hiring and compensation and will take corrective action to ensure non-discrimination practices in the workplace, it added.


We’ll keep talking to avoid clashes in facing BN, says Muhyiddin

Perikatan Nasional (PN) is open to holding talks and negotiations with any political party regarding strategies to face the 15th general election (GE15) to prevent clashes in facing Barisan Nasional (BN).PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said more active discussions would likely be held after Hari Raya.“If the situation permits, we will arrange discussions with any party about strategies for GE15,” he said at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the National Recovery Council today.He added that such efforts would not depend only on himself, signalling that his coalition was open to any party that wished to negotiate.Political observers had recommended that the disparate opposition groups unite in facing BN and the Umno court cluster after a string of defeats at state-level elections, most recently in Melaka and Johor.


4-day water disruption for nearly 1,000 Klang Valley areas

Nearly 1,000 areas in the Klang Valley will experience a four-day disruption to water supply beginning Oct 13 as a result of repair and maintenance works at the Sungai Selangor Phase 1 water treatment plant.Air Selangor said the works, which had been pushed down from their original schedule for 2019 and 2020, followed incidents of water pollution which had caused unscheduled large-scale disruptions to water supply.A total of 998 areas in Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Langat and Kuala Selangor will be affected from 9am on Oct 13, with water supply expected to be restored by 9pm on Oct 16.Air Selangor said water supplies would be channelled to users in stages from 5pm on Oct 14 until the repair and maintenance works are complete.“The period of water supply disruption and restoration will differ based on the location of the premise and pressure on the water distribution system,” it said.It said 105 water tankers would be sent to the affected areas with priority given to critical premises such as hospitals and dialysis centres.Eighteen public water taps will also be provided from Oct 14 to 16 for users who require water supply during this period.A full list of the affected areas is available here.


UN chief rallying global pressure to nix Myanmar coup

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres pledged on Wednesday to mobilise international pressure on Myanmar’s military to end Monday’s coup.The reversal of elections is “unacceptable”, he said, and coup leaders must be made to understand this is no way to rule the country.The Myanmar army detained the country’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and many others on Monday in response to “election fraud”.Army chief Min Aung Hlaing took the reins of power and imposed a state of emergency for one year. The country is now ruled by an 11-member military junta.Neither Suu Kyi nor deposed President Win Myint have been heard from since the takeover which cut short Myanmar’s long transition to democracy.“We will do everything we can to mobilise the international community to put enough pressure on Myanmar to make sure that this coup fails,” Guterres told The Washington Post. “It is absolutely unacceptable after elections – elections that I believe took place normally – and after a large period of transition.”The UN Security Council is discussing a possible statement. An initial draft put forward by Britain forcibly condemned the coup. However, diplomats said the language would likely need to be softened to win the support of China and Russia, who have traditionally shielded Myanmar in the Security Council.Guterres said, “Aung San Suu Kyi – if we can accuse her of something – is that she was too close to the military, is that she protected too much the military, namely in relation to what has happened with the dramatic offensive of the military army against the Rohingya.“All those detained by the military during the coup must be released and constitutional order restored,” he said.“I hope that it will be possible to make the military in Myanmar understand that this is not the way to rule the country and this is not the way to move forward.”Meanwhile internet providers in Myanmar including state-owned telecom MPT were blocking access to Facebook-owned services in the country on Thursday (Feb 4).A letter posted online by the Ministry of Communications and Information overnight said Facebook would be blocked until Feb 7 for the sake of “stability”.Some users in Myanmar reported they were not able to access several Facebook services.


Over 1,200 conferred federal awards, medals by king

Former Felda Group chairman Raja Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali today headed a list of 1,207 people who were conferred federal awards and medals by the king.Raja Muhammad Alias was conferred the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) award, which carries the title “Tun”, in conjunction with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s official birthday this year.Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg received the Panglima Mangku Negara (PMN), which carries the title “Tan Sri”.A total of 18 individuals were conferred the Darjah Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM), which also carries the title “Tan Sri”.They are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim; Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun; Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob; Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki and Malaysian International Islamic University president Mohd Daud Bakar.Other PSM recipients were Malaysian Institute of Integrity board of directors member Ismail Ibrahim; Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Shahril Ridza Ridzuan; expert in astronomy and astrophysics Mazlan Othman; Leong Hup International Bhd executive director Lau Eng Guang; Khazanah Nasional Bhd board of directors member Mohammed Azlan Hashim and The Edge Media executive chairman Tong Kooi Ong.Also awarded the PSM were Ikhlas Capital chairman Mohamed Nazir Tun Razak; LB Aluminium Bhd executive chairman Leow Chong Howa; Perfect Group Holdings Limited executive director Tan Jyh Yaong; former Bersatu permanent chairman Mohd Shariff Omar; former MCA president Liow Tiong Lai; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak permanent chairman Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.A total of 18 individuals received the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), and two individuals were conferred the Darjah Panglima Setia Diraja (PSD). Both awards carry the “Datuk” title.The recipients of PJN included Court of Appeal judge ESM Nantha Balan; Companies Commission of Malaysia chief executive officer Nor Azimah Abdul Aziz; dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu campus Jayum Anak Jawan; former national badminton player Misbun Sidek and Celcom Axiata Bhd CEO Mohamad Idham Nawawi.For the PSD award, the recipients were division secretary, Human Resource Division of the Prime Minister’s Department Shahrul Kamal Osman and former assistant chief of staff of personnel services, Malaysian Armed Forces Azlan Abdul Rahman.Meanwhile, 33 individuals were bestowed the Johan Mangku Negara (JMN) including Sarawak Bersatu chairman Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian; Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman and PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin.Sixty-one individuals were bestowed the Johan Setia Mahkota (JSM); Johan Setia Diraja – JSD (three); Kesatria Mangku Negara – KMN (205); Kesatria Setia Diraja – KSD (seven); Ahli Mangku Negara – AMN (303); Pingat Pangkuan Negara – PPN (514); and Bentara Setia Diraja – BSD (38). There were two recipients for the Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB).Among the JSM recipients were MACC director (security) Mohammad Soib Abdullah; director-general of the Department of Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges Zainab Ahmad and former national bowler Shalin Zulkifli.For the JSD recipients, two of them were Istana Negara officials, namely the Dang Perwara of the Management Division Hamimah A Karim and and Assistant Grand Chamberlain Sophian Ab Rahman, while the third recipient was former Brickfields district police chief Anuar Omar.The recipients of the KMN, among others, were Bernama head of strategic planning, strategic planning division Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Putrajaya district police chief ACP Mohd Fadzil Ali; Sentul district police chief ACP CS Shanmugamoorthy and MIC Youth chief TR Thinalan.Two members of the elite Senoi Praaq police unit, the late Baharuddin Ramli and Norihan s/o Tari, who were involved in a shooting incident at the Malaysia-Thai border in November last year, were conferred the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) award.


Full physical classes for secondary schools after 90% vaccination rate achieved

Secondary school students from remove classes, in Form Four, Five, Six, pre-university, and those attending the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), as well as international examination students must attend physical classes without rotation once the vaccination rate has reached 90%.The education ministry in a statement today said for the third term of the 2021/2022 session, physical classes will be conducted on a rotational basis for educational institutions that have not reached the 90% vaccination rate.“The list of educational institutions which have yet to reach the 90% vaccination rate will be released every Wednesday.“Any institution that has reached the 90% rate will be removed from the list and can start operating on Sunday or Monday the following week without rotation,” it said.For Form One, Two and Three students, attendance will be on a rotation basis, while students with special needs (MBK) in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SMKPK), Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional (SMPKV) and the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) should attend their face-to-face classes without rotation.On Dec 24, the education ministry announced that the third term of the 2021/2022 school session would be postponed for a week following the floods.The ministry said schools in Group A states, namely Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, would start on Jan 9 and those in Group B, namely Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, would start on Jan 10.The statement added that Form Four, Five and Six students from boarding schools as well as pre-university, IBDP, and international examination students, can attend face-to-face classes on a non-rotational basis.Meanwhile, Form One, Two and Three students will continue with home-based teaching and learning.As for primary schools involving MBK students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SKPK) and PPKI, as well as Standard One, Two and Six pupils and Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) recipients, they have to attend physical school sessions without rotation.“Standard Three, Four and Five pupils can attend classes on a rotational basis,” the ministry said.It said private and expatriate schools with fewer than 300 students can conduct physical classes without rotation.“Expatriate schools which have more than 300 students can submit their applications to operate fully to the ministry for assessment,” it added.Students taking the Malaysia Vocational Certificate, Malaysian Skills Certificate as well as under the National Dual Training System and the Malaysia Vocational Diploma are allowed to attend school without any rotation from Jan 9.“For matriculation colleges, face-to-face teaching and learning sessions will begin on Jan 9 for the Two-Semester System Matriculation Programme and Four-Semester System Matriculation Programme,” it said.As for Teacher Education Institutes (IPG), the ministry said physical classes for all programmes will begin on Feb 6 according to the current academic calender.“Only fully vaccinated KM and IPG students are allowed to return to college or campus, in line with the Guidelines for Management and Operation of Teacher Education Institute and Matriculation College 3.0,” it said.The education ministry said students are allowed to wear appropriate attire if their existing uniforms are no longer suitable.If parents decide not to send their children to school, it will not be considered a disciplinary offence, but they must inform the school of the matter for record purposes.


Former Tourism Malaysia chairman prods SC boss on AirAsia probe

Former Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong has questioned the Securities Commission (SC) on a probe into allegations of bribery involving the top bosses of AirAsia which apparently came to an abrupt end after intervention by the capital market regulator two years ago.In a Twitter post tagging SC chief Syed Zaid Albar, Wee, a former MP, asked if the latter was still chairman of the commission, following a revelation by MalaysiaNow last month that the SC had intervened to stop Bursa Malaysia from investigating AirAsia.“SC covering up?” asked Wee.The probe was launched by Bursa Malaysia not long after court documents filed in the UK in early 2020, naming the budget carrier as among several airlines which received bribes from Airbus.In the documents, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Britain’s anti-corruption authority, said Airbus had paid a bribe of US$50 million to secure plane orders from AirAsia, in what investigators believed was part of a pattern of corruption by the aircraft manufacturer spreading over about a dozen countries including Malaysia.Question mark over outcome of SC’s 2-year probe into bribery allegations linked to AirAsiaRevealed: How SC stopped Bursa Malaysia from investigating AirAsia over Airbus scandalIt said the aircraft maker gave US$50 million in the form of sponsorships of a sports team owned by two persons it named as “Executive 1” and “Executive 2” in AirAsia.“AirAsia Executive 1 and AirAsia Executive 2 were key decision makers in AirAsia and AirAsia X, and were rewarded in respect of the order of 180 aircraft from Airbus. The payments to the sports team were intended to secure or reward improper favour by them in respect of that business,” the SFO said in court documents sighted by MalaysiaNow.AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and executive chairman Kamarudin Meranun subsequently announced that they were stepping down pending an internal probe by the company, which eventually cleared them and reinstated them in their positions.Last month, MalaysiaNow revealed that Bursa Malaysia unable to proceed with its investigation into AirAsia following the SC’s intervention.Some time between Feb 11 and 12, 2020, the SC had asked Bursa to stand down from its investigation and to cease all communication with AirAsia Group Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd relating to the Airbus matter.When contacted, the SC told MalaysiaNow that it could not comment on investigations.SC has also not issued any explanation since MalaysiaNow highlighted its pending investigation on AirAsia.


Two-year-old believed to have suffered nicotine poisoning from vape device

The health ministry says a two-year-old girl was believed to have suffered acute nicotine poisoning in Bera, Pahang, on May 30.
According to a statement, on the day of the incident, the child's grandfather found her coughing, vomiting and having difficulty breathing. A disposable e-cigarette or vape device was found on the floor near her.
"The girl is suspected to have inhaled or swallowed the liquid from the disposable e-cigarette device. She was sent to Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh, in Pahang as she needed respiratory assistance at the children's ICU.
"The child was reported to have had two seizures while undergoing medical treatment. She is now stable and breathing without the aid of a ventilator. She being monitored closely in the hospital," the statement said.
"The results of a urine test showed the presence of a high level of nicotine. The e-cigarette device has been sent to the laboratory for further testing.
"Nicotine poisoning due to the use of tobacco or e-cigarette liquid can cause acute effects such as heart palpitations, vomiting and seizures," it added.


Huge Chinese ‘fishing fleet’ in Philippine waters alarms Manila

The Philippines has called on China to withdraw a massive fleet of ships it accuses of encroaching upon its territorial waters in the South China Sea.Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana said the Chinese ships were violating the Philippines’ maritime rights.Manila says the “fishing boats” do not appear to be fishing and are crewed by China’s maritime militia.The 220 Chinese vessels were moored at the Julian Felipe Reef, also called Whitsun Reef, in Manila’s exclusive economic zone, Philippine authorities said.“Despite clear weather at the time, the Chinese vessels massed at the reef showed no actual fishing activities and had their full white lights turned on during nighttime.”The reef lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the country’s cross-government task force said on Saturday.“We call on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights and encroaching into our sovereign territory,” Lorenzana said.He accused the Chinese of a “provocative action of militarising the area”.Five years ago, an international court rejected Chinese claims of sovereignty over 90% of the South China Sea water mass, but Beijing does not recognise the ruling.The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have all been contesting China’s claim for decades, but tension has steadily increased in recent years.Beijing continues to claim an area known as the “nine-dash line” and has backed its claim with island-building and patrols, expanding its military presence while maintaining that its intentions are peaceful.China denies reports that it uses fishing fleets to help assert its territorial claims.Two years ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended his non-confrontational approach to the maritime dispute with a quip about Chinese President Xi Jinping.“When Xi says ‘I will fish’ who can prevent him?” he said. “If I send my marines to drive away the Chinese fishermen, I guarantee you not one of them will come home alive.”


Lockdown for the unvaccinated ‘days away’, says Austrian chancellor

Austria is days away from placing millions of people not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 on lockdown, as daily infections are at a record high and ICUs are increasingly strained, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Thursday.Around 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the lowest rate of any Western European country apart from tiny Liechtenstein, according to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data.Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccinations, a view encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third-biggest in parliament.Under an incremental government plan agreed in September, once 30% of intensive-care beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients, people not vaccinated against the coronavirus will be placed under lockdown, with restrictions on their daily movements. The current level is 20% and rising fast.“According to the incremental plan we actually have just days until we have to introduce the lockdown for unvaccinated people,” Schallenberg told a news conference in the westernmost province of Vorarlberg, adding that Austria’s vaccination rate is “shamefully low”.The conservative-led government said on Friday it was banning the unvaccinated from restaurants, theatres, ski lifts and providers of “services close to the body” like hairdressers.“A lockdown for the unvaccinated means one cannot leave one’s home unless one is going to work, shopping (for essentials), stretching one’s legs – namely exactly what we all had to suffer through in 2020,” Schallenberg said, referring to three national lockdowns last year.Centrist opposition parties have accused the government of doing too little for months to boost vaccination levels and keep infections in check.Some conservatives have argued that a lockdown for the unvaccinated would be unenforceable. Schallenberg said the police would conduct spot checks.The surge in Austria comes at a time when Eastern European states, with the continent’s lowest vaccination rates, are experiencing some of the world’s highest daily death tolls per capita. Dutch experts on Thursday recommended a two-week partial lockdown, which would be Western Europe’s first since vaccines were widely deployed, and other countries are requiring vaccination certificates to enter public spaces.


Mother of late minister Jamaludin Jarjis wins appeal to set aside conditional stay

The mother of former minister, the late Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis, today succeeded in her appeal to set aside a conditional stay obtained by her two grandchildren, which among others barred her from disclosing information on Rantai Wawasan Sdn Bhd accounts to third parties.A three-member Court of Appeal panel led by justice Yaacob Md Sam allowed the appeal of Aminah Abdullah, 87, to set aside the conditional stay granted by the High Court in September last year to Nur Anis Jamaludin and Ikwan Hafiz Jamaludin.In the unanimous decision, he said the court was guided by the Federal Court decision in Kosma Palm Oil Mill Sdn Bhd & Ors v Koperasi Serbausaha Makmur Bhd which held that it was mandatory for an applicant to show that the existence of special circumstances before a stay can be given.“We are of the view there are no special circumstances warranting a stay of the High Court order,” said Yaacob, who presided with justices Supang Lian and Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.He said there were merits to Aminah’s appeal, allowing it with costs of RM10,000 to be paid by Nur Anis and Ikwan Hafiz.Aminah filed a suit on Jan 3, 2019, claiming that Nur Anis and Ikwan Hafiz, as joint administrators of Jamaludin’s estate, had failed to include three company shares as inheritance in the list of assets in the letter of administration when Jamaludin died in 2015. She said they also failed to enter the shares as a liability since July 6, 2017.In her statement of claim, Aminah said her grandchildren failed to enter the shares of Rantai Wawasan, Alpine Motion Sdn Bhd and Ivory Insight Sdn Bhd as part of Jamaludin’s estate with the intention of denying her the rights and interests as a beneficiary.On Aug 13 last year, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur allowed Aminah’s application for a declaration that the three million shares of Rantai Wawasan be included in the list of her late son’s estate.However, the High Court dismissed her application for a declaration that the six million shares in Alpine Motion and two shares in Ivory Insight were part of the estate of her late son.On Sept 20 last year, Nur Anis and Ikwan Hafiz obtained a conditional stay from the High Court pending the disposal of their appeal in the Court of Appeal against the High Court ruling that the Rantai Wawasan shares be included as part of the estate of the late minister.The conditional stay granted by the High Court, among others, was to bar Aminah or her solicitors from showing, or disclosing and furnishing the affidavits of accounts or any part thereof to any third parties, and to limit the affidavit of accounts to be served to Aminah or her solicitors Messrs Wan Merican Hamzah & Sheikh.Aminah also filed an appeal against the High Court’s refusal to grant her a declaration that the shares of the other two companies be included as part of her late son’s estate.The appeals are scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on March 14.Jamaluddin, a former science, technology and innovation minister, was killed in a helicopter crash on April 4, 2015.Lawyers Wan Zafran Pawancheek and Pawancheek Marican represented Aminah in the virtual court proceedings today while lawyers S Suhendran and Frank Wong appeared for Nur Anis and Ikhwan Hafiz, respectively.


Najib’s RM27 million SRC International trial postponed to August

Najib Razak’s second trial over SRC International funds in which the former prime minister is facing three money laundering charges involving RM27 million has been deferred to August this year.His lawyer Nur Syahirah Hanapiah, when contacted, said the trial dates previously set by High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan in July this year had been vacated but that the trial dates in August from 2 to 5 and 9 to 10 were maintained.“The court also fixed additional trial dates for next year in March, from 7 to 10 and 28 to 31 and in April from 11 to 14 and 25 to 28,” said Nur Syahirah after case management before High Court deputy registrar Catherine Nicholas today.The trial was originally fixed on July 5 to 8, July 12 to 15 and July 26 to 29 this year.Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul, when contacted, confirmed that the trial dates in August were maintained, adding that the court has fixed July 16 for another case management.On Feb 3, 2019m Najib pleaded not guilty to three charges of money laundering in which he is accused of receiving money totalling RM27 million, allegedly proceeds from unlawful activities, in three AmPrivate Banking accounts belonging to him.Najib is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank, Bangunan Ambank Group, No. 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million, jail not exceeding five years, or both, upon conviction.He was initially charged in the Sessions Court but the case was transferred to the High Court on March 13, 2019, following an application by the prosecution.On July 28 last year, High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years’ jail and fined him RM210 million after finding him guilty on seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of position involving RM42 million of SRC International funds.The case is at the appeal stage at the Court of Appeal. The court has set May 18 to continue hearing Najib’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling.


First all-female flight crew fly into Afghanistan aviation history books

Kam Air, Afghanistan’s only private airline, is celebrating its first flight with an all-female crew.The first-ever female Afghan pilot, 22-year-old Mohadese Mirzaee, joined Captain Veronica Borysova in the cockpit for the Boeing 737 flight from the capital Kabul to Herat in western Afghanistan last week.Four female cabin crew served passengers during the routine 90-minute flight, making the flight crew 100% female.Mohammad Qasim Wafayezada, head of the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority, posted on his Facebook page that the flight had made Afghan aviation history.As is normal in the country, the historic flight was not publicised at the time as Afghanistan’s heightened security discourages high-profile events.Josh Cahill, a travel blogger, was invited to document the historic flight during his recent trip to Asia.“For security and safety purposes, large gatherings or public celebrations aren’t very common in Afghanistan,” Cahill said.He told Business Insider the flight was as smooth running as any that he’s taken in his extensive global journeys, saying the flight crew consisted of “highly trained pilots”.“The crew has been very professional, just as you would expect from any other airline around the world,” he told Insider. “I have joined a few crews on the flight deck around the globe and I couldn’t notice any difference. I have frequently visited Afghanistan for the past six years and it is nice to see how Kam Air is developing given the difficult circumstances.”The airline lost nine staff members in a 2018 Taliban attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.Kam Air is currently banned from European Union airspace but plans to start flights to Frankfurt, Germany soon, citing its certification under the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit as a step towards being taken off of the EU’s blacklist.Cahill said, “Unfortunately, it is still rare to see female pilots, especially in male-dominated societies such as the Middle East, but I really hope that this will inspire more women to fly.”


Two dead, hundreds flee floods in Philippine storm

At least two people were killed and hundreds forced to flee their inundated homes in the Philippines as torrential rain triggered flooding and landslides in the storm-battered archipelago, officials said Saturday.Huge waves smashed into a coastal village on Lapu-Lapu island in the central province of Cebu on Friday night, wiping out dozens of houses and leaving around 290 people homeless, Mayor Junard Chan said on Facebook.Photos posted online by the mayor showed piles of wood and bamboo near the few houses still standing after the region was drenched by heavy rain.Rescuers retrieved the bodies of two elderly women who were killed when a landslide hit an area of Mahaplag town before dawn in the nearby province of Leyte, police officer Racquel Hernandez said.A boy was also pulled from the rubble of his home and treated for his injuries, Hernandez told AFP.About 1,500 people were forced to leave their homes on the major southern island of Mindanao as floodwaters engulfed 13 villages, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons every year, which typically wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure in already impoverished areas.The latest storm comes after a succession of typhoons in recent months pummelled the country, taking the lives 148 people, destroying hundreds of thousands of houses, wrecking cash crops and leaving swathes of the country without power.


16 local UN staff held in Ethiopia amid push to end war

Sixteen Ethiopian staff working for the UN were in detention Tuesday after government raids targeting ethnic Tigrayans, UN and humanitarian sources said, as foreign envoys scrambled to end the country’s year-long war.The detentions in Addis Ababa followed the declaration of a six-month nationwide state of emergency last week after Tigrayan and Oromo rebels claimed major advances on the ground, raising fears of a march on the capital.Some UN staff members were taken from their homes, humanitarian sources said, shortly after a senior UN envoy visited Tigray to plead for more aid to civilians.Sixteen UN staffers, all Ethiopian nationals, remained in detention while another six were freed, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the world body’s headquarters.“We are of course actively working with the government of Ethiopia to secure their immediate release,” Dujarric said.“There has been, as far as I know, no explanation given to us on why these staff members are detained.”In Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price called detentions based on ethnicity “completely unacceptable”.Lawyers say arbitrary detentions of ethnic Tigrayans – commonplace during the war – have spiked in the last week, ensnaring thousands, with the new measures allowing the authorities to hold anyone suspected of supporting “terrorist groups” without a warrant.The war, which has ravaged northern Ethiopia since November 2020, has been punctuated by accounts of massacres and mass rapes, with thousands of people killed and two million displaced.In a report Wednesday, Amnesty International said 16 women in the Amhara town of Nifas Mewcha said they had been raped by rebels during an offensive in August.A joint investigation by the office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission published last week found evidence of “serious abuses” by all sides in the conflict, saying some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity.Tensions between the Ethiopian government and the UN have been high throughout the war.In September, Ethiopia’s foreign ministry announced it was expelling seven senior UN officials for “meddling” in the country’s affairs.UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths on Tuesday called for peace following a weekend visit to Tigray’s regional capital Mekele where he met leaders from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group.‘Window of opportunity’Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has been leading mediation efforts for the African Union. He met with Jeffrey Feltman, a US envoy who is in Addis Ababa.Briefing the AU’s 15-member security body on Monday, Obasanjo expressed optimism that progress was in the offing.“All these leaders here in Addis Ababa and in the north agree individually that the differences opposing them are political and require political solution through dialogue,” he said in a copy of his statement seen by AFP.“This, therefore, constitutes a window of opportunity that we can collectively tap.”Price, the US spokesman, said Tuesday that the US believes the window of opportunity “does exist and continues to exist”.The TPLF and its allies, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), have claimed several victories in recent weeks, taking towns about 400km from the capital, and they have not ruled out marching on Addis Ababa.The government says the rebels are greatly exaggerating their gains but has ordered the capital to prepare to defend itself.Much of the conflict-affected zone is under a communications blackout and access for journalists is restricted, making battlefield claims difficult to verify.Nevertheless, a number of countries have urged their citizens to leave Ethiopia while commercial flights are still available.The US embassy has also ordered non-essential staff to leave and the UN has suspended non-essential missions to Addis Ababa.Britain on Tuesday advised nationals to leave Ethiopia, citing a deteriorating security situation.Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray in November 2020 to topple the TPLF, the former regional ruling party that dominated national politics before Abiy took over in 2018.Winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, Abiy promised a swift victory but by June the TPLF had retaken most of Tigray before expanding into the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar.


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Erdogan expresses solidarity with Malaysia in Covid battle during meeting with Azmin

International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today paid a courtesy call to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the end of an official visit to meet with business leaders in the republic as well as to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.A photograph of the visit was shared on the presidential Twitter account.At the meeting, Erdogan expressed Turkey’s solidarity with Malaysia in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as an interest in working closely with Malaysia on vaccines.“In this vein, the senior minister expressed Malaysia’s ardent hope for both countries to emerge from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, stronger and more resilient, on to a path of vibrant and sustainable economic recovery and growth,” said a statement released by the international trade and industry ministry (Miti).It said Azmin also informed the president of an agreement to expand the free trade agreement between the two countries, as well as efforts to enhance their cooperation in defence.“The president noted that there are 14 MoUs in the defence sector that are currently in place. He stressed that realising these MoUs is of critical importance to ensure that both sides truly gain from such arrangements,” Miti said.Erdogan also invited Malaysian state-owned enterprises such as Khazanah to boost their investments in Turkey.They also agreed that a meeting should be held between officials to advance discussions on the bilateral currency swap agreement, in the wake of a recent meeting between the central banks of the two countries.Erdogan last visited Malaysia in late 2019 to attend the Kuala Lumpur Summit hosted by then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, during which Turkey signed 15 agreements in various fields.Turkey is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner in West Asia after the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with a total trade of RM9.62 billion.Malaysia’s total trade with Turkey surged by 79.4% to RM6.70 billion for the first five months of this year.


Bursa allows 3-month extension for AirAsia X to submit restructuring plan

Low-cost airline AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) has been granted a three-month extension until July 28 to submit a restructuring plan to Bursa Securities.
This is the second time the company has been given an extension. It was previously given until April 28 to submit a restructuring plan.
The matter was announced by AmInvestment Bank Bhd, which represents AAX, through a notification to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
"On behalf of the AAX board of directors, AmInvestment Bank Bhd announces that Bursa Securities through a letter dated May 9, 2023 has allowed an extension of time for three months until July 28 for the company to submit a reorganisation plan to the regulatory authorities," it said.
AAX was categorised as Practice Note 17 or PN17 on Oct 27, 2021. Capital A Bhd, previously known as AirAsia Bhd, joined the list on Jan 14, 2022.
AAX announced on Feb 21 that the company had recorded a net profit of RM153.48 million for the sixth quarter of the financial period ending Dec 31, 2022, up from RM25.9 million for the previous quarter.
Revenue for the quarter under review also increased to RM339.3 million compared to RM100.1 million recorded in the previous quarter.


Selangor leads as 1,482 new cases reported

Another 1,482 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 345,500.Selangor recorded 661 cases followed by Penang (200) and Sarawak (176).Johor recorded 86 cases, Sabah 69, Kelantan 57, Kuala Lumpur 42, Melaka 41, Kedah 37, Pahang 36, Negeri Sembilan 32, Perak 31, Labuan eight, Putrajaya three, Terengganu two and Perlis one.Active cases stand at 14,604 with 164 in the ICU and 81 in need of respiratory assistance.Thirteen new clusters were detected:1. Hevea Scruciana (Petaling and Klang in Selangor; 336 screened, 55 positive)2. Jalan Rasmi (Gombak, Hulu Langat, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Petaling and Sepang in Selangor and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur; 119 screened, 58 positive)3. Jalan Kingsway (Miri in Sarawak; 384 screened, 51 positive)4. Bulatan Aman (Sibu in Sarawak; 89 screened, 43 positive)5. Jalan Jelawat (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah, Seberang Perai Selatan and Timur Laut in Penang, and Kerian in Perak; 1,916 screened, 145 positive)6. Selima Baiduri (Kuala Muda in Kedah; 43 screened, 10 positive)7. Pulau Enoe (Labuan; 75 screened, eight positive)8. Jalan Baji (Sarikei in Sarawak; 29 screened, 20 positive)9. Kampung Baru Pasir Putih (Kalabakan and Tawau in Sabah; 89 screened, eight positive)10. Rimbayan (Keningau in Sabah; 42 screened, 15 positive)11. Emas Bemban (Baling and Sik in Kedah; 36 screened, six positive)12. Layar (Kota Setar and Kuala Muda in Kedah; 16 screened, 10 positive)13. Lorong Mulia (Johor Bahru in Johor; 71 screened, nine positive)Twelve more ended, leaving 370 active clusters across the country.Another 1,070 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 329,624.However, seven more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 1,272.


For the urban poor, even RM5 is too much for a meal

While the government's affordable food programme has been underway for more than a week now, some urban poor families say that even RM5 per meal is beyond their means as Malaysians struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Thanalinggam, a contractor in Selangor with four children, said he could not afford any of the food made available at eateries under the Menu Rahman programme.
"Maybe I could afford it once a month," Thanalinggam, who earns less than RM2,000, told MalaysiaNow.
"But to eat every day – it would be better to cook for ourselves at home. I would need RM30 to feed everyone in my house through Menu Rahmah, not counting my mother who also lives with us.
"That would make it RM35 for seven sets of food."
But even cooking at home would be difficult for his family, given the current price of even basic food items such as eggs.
It has been a year since he and his family enjoyed any regular protein like fish or chicken in their diets.
Instead, they have been eating the more affordable option of frozen food with white rice and soya sauce.
"Nuggets are RM6 or RM7 per packet," he said. "We can fry them and eat them with rice three or four times."
Sometimes, they also buy sardines or other cheap tinned food.
"It's cheaper than eating out, but still out of our budget most of the time," Thanalinggam said.  For him, it would be better for the government to lower the price of food items such as fish and eggs.  "We could all give our children good and healthy food," he said. "Then they could grow up strong and healthy."  Like hot cakes
Menu Rahmah, which offers meals consisting of rice, one protein source and a helping of vegetables, was launched last month.
Under the programme, meals are sold for as low as RM5 a set.
Participating eateries include Mydin, the Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, Pertom and the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association. At the Mydin hypermarket in Subang Jaya, the prepackaged meals were selling like hot cakes, with crowds of customers flocking to the tables.
One woman carrying a stack of containers said she was intentionally buying more food to make things easier for her in the house.
Introducing herself as Ida, she said her children could enjoy the food after returning home at 4pm, while the leftovers could be kept in the fridge and heated up again the next day.
"I can also take some to work if I don't have time to cook," she said.
"It's much easier to buy meals like this. If I run out, I can always come back and buy some more."
There are no strings attached to the purchase of Menu Rahmah meals at Mydin hypermarkets, with Mydin boss Ameer Ali Mydin recently saying he was confident that those in the more affordable bracket would not take advantage of the programme.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Ida said she and her husband were both civil servants but still struggled to meet their expenses each month.
A group of private university students in the area meanwhile questioned the effectiveness of the Menu Rahmah programme, saying many eateries already provide budget meals throughout the day.
As students, they said, they regularly ate at the roadside stalls near their university.
"There's rice, or laksa and curry noodles. Everything is below RM5 or RM6," they said, adding however that the portions were not as big as those sold at restaurants or coffee shops.
"Menu Rahmah is a good initiative, but even before this there were places offering cheap food – just not restaurants, only food courts or hawker stalls."


Claiming 'rushed justice', Najib turns to UN body in bid for freedom

Former prime minister Najib Razak has submitted a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) asking for a release or retrial following the apex court decision last year sending him to Kajang Prison to serve a 12-year jail term.
His lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said Najib was asking the UNWGAD panel, comprising five experts on international justice, to rule that the Federal Court's dismissal of his appeal on Aug 23, 2022, was unjust and flawed, and violated his basic rights as well as the Federal Constitution.
"The Federal Court proceedings failed to accord him a reasonable opportunity to argue his case and denied his lawyers adequate time to prepare it.
"The court did not allow his defence team even to make submissions in the appeal against his sentence of 12 years' imprisonment.
"In essence, Najib was sent to jail without the opportunity to defend himself at the Federal Court," Shafee said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
Najib was convicted in July 2020 by High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Ghazali of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.
The decision was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
Lawyers for the former leader had accused judge Nazlan of conflict of interest owing to his past involvement with Maybank. The argument was however dismissed by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who led the panel of judges hearing Najib's final appeal.
Shafee said the final days of Najib's appeal, during which time the former leader discharged and replaced his entire defence team, had amounted to a "rushed justice" as his lawyers were not allowed the time needed to go through the appeal papers or come to grips with the grounds of appeal.
While any ruling by the UNWGAD would not be directly binding, he said, it would be "very influential", especially since Malaysia had a jurist who was currently a member of the working group.
"They will not be called upon to decide whether Najib is guilty, but to determine whether his trial was fair.
"If not, they may call upon the government to release him or provide him with a retrial," he said.
Adding that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim himself was an advocate of the UNWGAD, and had described its opinion as "an important milestone on my journey to freedom", Shafee said Najib expressed hope that the government would follow the panel's ruling once it is made available.
In 2015, the UNWGAD had called Anwar's imprisonment for a sodomy conviction "arbitrary and illegal", urging the Malaysian government to free him immediately.
Putrajaya had then described the call as baseless, and explained that Anwar's jailing was not political, adding that he was accorded the same treatment as other prisoners.
"After a fair and lengthy trial of six and half years, he was convicted of the offence.
"Anwar is currently serving his sentence at prison, not in solitary confinement, and is being provided with appropriate facilities and medical treatment.
"As such, the opinion by the UNWGAD, calling for the immediate release of Anwar is without basis," Wisma Putra had replied in a statement.


Chinese ride-hailing giant files to go public in US

China’s biggest ride-hailing firm, Didi Chuxing, has filed papers to become a publicly listed company in the US.The Chinese giant is backed by some of Asia’s largest technology investment firms, including Softbank, Alibaba and Tencent.The number of shares to be offered and the pricing have not yet been revealed, reports the BBC.However, the company could raise around US$10 billion and seek a valuation of close to US$100 billion, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.Such numbers would make it the biggest share offering in the US by a Chinese company since 2014, when e-commerce giant Alibaba raised US$25 billion.Didi has a mobile app, through which users can hail taxis, privately owned cars, carpool, and buses in 500 cities across China.It also has interests in electric vehicle charging networks, fleet management, and car manufacturing.Didi is also exploring self-driving vehicles, saying it plans to operate more than a million autonomous taxis in places where ride-hailing drivers are less available by 2030.It has expanded into 15 countries, notably Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan but China remains its biggest market.Didi did reveal slower revenue growth as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in its filing, 9% lower than the previous year.However, as China opened up, the company has recovered strongly. Revenue more than doubled between January and March, compared to the same period last year.Didi already has its fair share of investors. In 2016, US tech giant Apple ploughed US$1 billion into Didi in an unusually large and public investment – thought to be related to Apple’s development of autonomous vehicles.US ride-hailing giant Uber also has a stake – 12.8% of shares – after it retreated from China in 2016, selling its ride-hailing business there to Didi.Didi however, has also had its share of controversies. In its filing, it mentioned two cases that caused a public outcry in China.In May 2018, A 21-year-old woman was killed in Zhengzhou after using Didi’s Hitch service, which pairs up commuters heading in the same direction.Then in August, a 20-year-old woman was raped and murdered in Wenzhou while using Didi’s ride-hailing service.The founders of Didi called the cases the company’s “darkest moment” and suspended the carpooling service for more than a year to improve protection for riders and drivers.Didi is the latest Asian tech giant to court Wall Street for investment.Earlier this year, Singapore’s biggest ride-hailing app Grab struck a US$40 billion deal through a special-purpose acquisition company to go public in the US.