Status of 4 Sabah MPs unchanged, final decision after 21 days, says speaker

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul today said that the status of the four MPs from Sabah who quit Bersatu remains unchanged for now and that their seats have not been left vacant.
He said he received a notice from Bersatu to confirm that there had been unexpected vacancies in the four parliamentary seats on Dec 27.
"(But) I have to really look into this first... a decision on the status of the four MPs will be announced after a period of 21 days," he said when contacted by Bernama.
This comes after Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee said in a statement today that the party had sent a notice to the Dewan Rakyat about the unexpected vacancies of four parliamentary seats occupied by its former leaders.
He said this was done in accordance with Article 49A (3) of the Federal Constitution, regarding the four leaders who won their seats at the 15th general election on a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ticket. Article 49A (3) of the Federal Constitution states that whenever the speaker receives a written notice from members of the Dewan Rakyat on the occurrence of a casual vacancy among the members, the speaker should establish that there is such a vacancy and notify the Election Commission within 21 days of the date he received the written notice.
Ronald said during the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Dec 19, the four MPs – Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Jonathan Yasin (Ranau) and Matbali Musah (Sipitang) – had been seated in the government bloc.
"Their act of joining the government bloc and not supporting Bersatu led by Muhyiddin Yassin as the president and Hamzah Zainudin as the opposition leader is seen as crossing the floor and breaking the promises they made to the voters," he said.
He said their Bersatu memberships were terminated in accordance with the party constitution and that they were notified of the matter through a letter dated Dec 21.
"Hence, according to Article 49A (3) of the Federal Constitution, the four MPs must cease to be members of the Dewan Rakyat and their seats must be vacated," he said.
On Dec 10, former Sabah Bersatu leader Hajiji Noor was reported to have said that Sabah Bersatu leaders had unanimously decided to quit Bersatu, but stay under GRS.
Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, said the decision was made after taking into account the country’s current political landscape, especially in Sabah, for the sake of the state and unity, and with the aim of fulfilling the people’s desire for them to fight under the auspices of a local party.


Najib taken to Hospital Kuala Lumpur?

Former prime minister Najib Razak has reportedly been taken to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) from Kajang Prison, MalaysiaNow has learnt from a credible source.
This comes a week after the general election which saw Umno striking a deal with Pakatan Harapan to form the government.
It is understood that the former leader, who started serving his sentence more than three months ago after losing his final appeal at the Federal Court over the SRC International case, was moved today by the prison authorities.
Neither the Prisons Department nor HKL have responded to queries from MalaysiaNow.
Since his jailing, Najib has been in and out of prison to seek treatment at HKL as well as the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital.
He returned to prison on Sept 23 after doctors gave him a clean bill of health.


Land acquisition for Sungai Baru redevelopment must go on, says PKB

The land acquisition for the Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru redevelopment project must continue as it has met the legal requirements under the Land Acquisition Act (APT) 1960 although some owners are against it, Kampong Bharu Development Corporation (PKB) says.PKB said in a statement that if the land acquisition process was discontinued, the government must be prepared to bear all of the losses incurred by the developer and the owners involved.It said the losses include RM50 million in land acquisition deposit payment to the director-general of lands and mines (JKPTG), RM30 million for the cost of providing transit and rental houses to residents until the replacement houses are completed, relocation costs for residents returning to their original homes, as well as the cost of repairing the homes that had been abandoned for six years.PKB said based on APT 1960, no percentage of landowner consent is required before any land acquisition is implemented.“However, in the Kampung Baru redevelopment programme, the ministry has stipulated that redevelopment can only be considered if the developer manages to obtain a threshold value of at least 50% of the property owners’ consent to safeguard the interests and welfare of the residents involved,” it said.According to PKB, the land acquisition for the Sungai Baru redevelopment project was gazetted under Section 8 of APT 1960 on June 21, 2021, involving 37 terraced lots, 72 flat units and one Tenaga Nasional Bhd electrical substation lot.“To date, a total of 291 lots (27 terraced lots and 264 flat units) representing 88.72% have agreed to this redevelopment project.“The developer has also continued to hold engagement sessions with the 37 terraced house lot owners but have failed to get their cooperation,” he said.Earlier, former federal territories minister Khalid Abd Samad was reported to have set up a committee comprising lawyers to challenge the gazette on the acquisition of the residents’ land in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru.Kampung Sungai Baru Property Owners Association chairman Zulfakar Wahid requested that the second hearing on the land acquisition, which had been postponed since December last year, be continued so that the wait of more than five years to return to the heritage village would end.Zulfakar said it was unfair to entertain the voice of the minority who only represented 11% while the other 89% who had given their approval were required to wait longer to move into new homes.“We who have agreed have been living in transit houses (at the Kerinchi Residence) for more than five years. It is unfair for us to wait any longer just because the 37 units do not agree,” he said.Meanwhile, developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd director Abdul Hadi Ahmad denied the allegation that the compensation offer was not competitive and the owners were not given the chance to negotiate.“There is no issue of shortchanging the owners… in fact, through land acquisition, they can only get 5% (compensation value), but the developer was generous enough to offer what they agreed on,” he said, adding that all procedures were in accordance with the law.


Breaking the lethal cycle of child poverty

In the living room of a humble apartment unit at a low-cost housing area in the city, a couple sit side by side on the shabby sofa, recalling the death of their child several years ago.The little girl was by herself at the time – her father had gone to work and her mother was settling her older sister at school.Alone in the apartment, she fell to her death from one of the open windows.Today, her parents continue to grieve their loss. But as they speak about their daughter and the way in which she died, there is also an air of fear and concern overhead.It is a struggle for the mother to admit that she cannot afford a babysitter to take care of her children while she and her husband are away from home.Whenever she takes the older children to school, or runs out to buy food, the younger ones wait for her return alone. She cannot take them with her as she goes out on foot – there is no money for a car.She has tried asking her neighbours to keep an eye on them while she is gone, although she does not have the money to pay them for their time and trouble.But busy with their own affairs, they grew increasingly surly about her requests, and soon, she learnt to stop asking for help.The father, meanwhile, says he must work harder to give his family a better life.“I need to make sure that none of my other children die like this,” he says.Child povertyIn Malaysia, the national mean poverty line income is RM2,208 for households and RM1,169 per household for the hardcore poor.The World Bank estimates that some 5.6% of Malaysian households are currently living in absolute poverty.But the issue of child poverty – the state of children living in poverty including children from poor families and orphans being raised with limited or no state resources – is a less widespread subject.According to economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, there is no accurate data to define child poverty in Malaysia.Nevertheless, he said, the issue exists and can be seen in the lifestyle, income and state of households which he described as an ever-growing dimension of poverty.“How big the problem is exactly, I cannot say without concrete data. But anecdotal evidence shows that it does occur,” he said, adding that a comprehensive policy will be needed to solve it in urban and rural settings alike.Education and nutritionAfzanizam of Bank Islam said child poverty is closely linked to other issues including poor nutrition, a lag in studies, lack of access to the devices needed for online classes, and period poverty.For him, the best weapon against it is education.Since the onset of Covid-19 in the country, he said, many aspects of education had been hampered due to the need for online learning – and with them, the development of students themselves.“It is a given that those without access will be left behind in terms of their studies,” he said.“The question now is how to get these children back on track.”There is also the problem of nutrition.For many students from poor families, schools are the best platform for the provision of healthy meals. The closure of schools throughout the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that these students were deprived of perhaps the only nutritious meals they had received.Now that the country has begun the transition to the endemic phase, schools have reopened once more.Afzanizam said it was the responsibility of school managements to ensure that the meals provided are up to standard in terms of quality and nutrition.“Schools are the best platform for covering the aspects of education and nutrition,” he said.But helping children break free from the often lethal cycle of poverty cannot be done overnight. In the meantime, families struggling to get by do what they can to make it to another day.Back in the small living room of their low-cost flat, the father who lost his little girl stops talking about the practical considerations of work and money and gives in to his emotions.“It doesn’t matter,” he says. “If she were still alive, she would have nothing but a hard life anyway.”


No review, says Saifuddin amid storm over Sosma

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today maintained his position against any need to review the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or Sosma for the time being.
Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya, he said laws are dynamic, not static, and that Sosma could still be reviewed and amended from time to time.
"This is why we have Parliament to enact and amend the existing laws," he said.
"That is the mechanism that exists in our country. We need to respond according to need from time to time. Does it need to be amended right now? No.
"Those are my principles and what I hold to for now," he said when asked to respond to the call by DAP's Gobind Singh Deo for him to reconsider his remarks on Sosma.
Saifuddin had said at a press conference on Dec 13 that the government had no intention of reviewing Sosma.
He said Sosma allowed the court process to take place, and compared it to its predecessor, the Internal Security Act, saying that under Sosma, the period is "only 28 days".
He also said that arrests under Sosma were only done on "reliable intelligence and evidence".
Gobind, the Damansara MP, had asked Saifuddin to reconsider his position, saying it was against the stand of Pakatan Harapan which had all along acknowledged Sosma as an oppressive law.
The former communications and multimedia minister also suggested a review of several sections of Sosma, including Sections 6, 13, 14 and 18A.
Saifuddin agreed that there were several sections and clauses in Sosma that needed to be amended and studied by the home ministry.
"Certain sections and clauses cannot remain there forever and should be given due consideration over time.
"But at the moment, I say no, because I have only been at the ministry for two weeks."


Personal data leaks could be an inside job in exchange for bribes, says expert

Experts say personal data can be leaked to third parties if those in the related institutions, whether public or private, accept bribes to do so, in the wake of warnings by the authorities of scams and cases of fraud especially during the pandemic season.Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners president Akhbar Satar said the leak of personal data by irresponsible parties can be overcome through transparency and integrity on the part of the staff involved.“Corruption and a lack of integrity among employees makes them bold enough to sell users’ personal data to outsiders,” he told MalaysiaNow.The Inland Revenue Board recently warned the public to be wary of fraudulent syndicates disguised as taxmen, saying 18 reports involving over RM600,000 in losses had been lodged from Jan 1 until Feb 9 alone.MalaysiaNow also previously reported that the Covid-19 pandemic had given crooks many opportunities to trick people out of their money, with a large number of scams related to financial assistance and loans to those affected by the economic downturn.The nature of e-commerce, to which many had turned during the various lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the virus, has also given scammers a leg up.Akhbar, who was previously head of Transparency International-Malaysia, said scams are less common in neighbouring Singapore.“This is because they have high integrity and do not disclose personal information to outsiders.“We should emulate them and steer clear of engaging in corrupt activities,” he said.He said some victims may have a history of tax debts and are easily targeted by scammers who threaten them with legal action if they do not transfer the money.“Crimes like this are widely reported by the media, but there are still many who are deceived by calls from those disguising themselves as the authorities.”Even highly educated people and those with professional careers fall prey to such tactics, he added.He urged consumers to exercise caution when receiving calls, especially from individuals claiming to be government officials.“If you get a call saying you’re involved in a crime, or about tax payments, stop the conversation as soon as possible,” he said.“Contact the relevant parties to check if you are really involved in any of the matters stated.”He said users should also be careful about emails or text messages which display banking links.“Try to avoid putting information in your phone such as bank passwords, because if the phone is stolen, criminals can immediately use this to withdraw money from your bank,” he added.“The protection of personal data is important for the public so that it is not misused by others. Most importantly, do not be easily deceived when receiving calls that instruct you to make money transfers.”


Malaysia, Singapore curb arrivals from southern Africa over new variant

Singapore and Malaysia will restrict arrivals from seven African countries, health officials said Friday, after South Africa discovered a new Covid-19 variant with a large number of mutations.All non-citizens and people without permanent residency who have recent travel history to the seven countries will be barred from entering.In both Singapore and Malaysia, the restrictions will apply to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.Citizens and foreigners holding permanent resident status will be allowed to return to Singapore and Malaysia, but will have to undergo quarantine, health officials in both countries said.Malaysians are also banned from visiting the seven affected nations.The curbs will kick in over the weekend in both countries.Neither country has detected the new variant, but Singapore’s health ministry said it was seeking to “take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks” of it reaching the city-state.The restrictions are unlikely to have a big impact, with Malaysia’s borders still largely closed to foreign visitors and Singapore only slowly beginning to re-open its own.The measures were introduced as several European countries banned most travel from South Africa.Singapore has had a mild outbreak of Covid-19, although Malaysia was hard hit earlier this year by the Delta variant.Scientists in South Africa announced the discovery of the variant, which goes by the label B.1.1.529, on Thursday, and are blaming it for a surge in infections.


Govt could save up to RM17 billion if T20 not given fuel subsidies, says deputy minister

The Dewan Rakyat was today told that the government could save up to RM17 billion if the top 20 income group (T20) was not given petrol, diesel and liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan said that in 2022, consumption of the three types of fuel by the lowest income group (B40) was only 24%, while the middle-income group's (M40) was 41% and the T20's was 35%.
"In terms of data, the total is RM50.8 billion and if multiplied by the 35% used by the T20, the value is RM17 billion.
"If the T20 are not given petrol, diesel and LPG subsidies, the amount saved is between RM15 billion and RM17 billion, so imagine how many other items we can use to assist the people in various matters in 26 ministries," he said during the question-and-answer session at Dewan Rakyat.
He was replying to a supplementary question by Ahmad Amzad Hashim (PN-Kuala Terengganu) who asked if the government's move to use an integrated database in the targeted subsidy mechanism was effective in preventing leakage, and how those in the M40 group who drop out of the B40 group in the city benefit from the targeted subsidies.
Ahmad said the total subsidy given for diesel from 2018-2019 was RM5.8 billion to RM6.1 billion, but that this increased to RM8.4 billion due to its increased use.
Meanwhile, he said the government would continue to monitor petrol and diesel smuggling activities in an integrated manner with the relevant agencies including the customs department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the police.
He said the price of RON95 in Malaysia was much cheaper at RM2.05 per litre compared to neighbouring countries such as Singapore (RM8.51 per litre), Thailand (RM5.71 per litre) and Indonesia (RM3.78 per litre).
Ahmad was replying to a supplementary question by Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) on the measures taken by the government against individuals who smuggle fuel.


Russian forces pound Ukraine's Donetsk region

Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk that has become a key focus of the near six-month war, but said they had repelled many of the attacks.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces also reported Russian shelling of more than a dozen towns on the southern front – particularly the Kherson region, mainly controlled by Russian forces, but where Ukrainian troops are steadily capturing territory.
Much attention has been focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine amid fears of a catastrophe over renewed shelling in recent days that Russia and Ukraine blame on each other.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called for the establishment of a demilitarised zone and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russian soldiers who shoot at Europe's largest nuclear power station or use it as a base to shoot from that they will become a "special target" of Ukrainian forces.
The Zaporizhzhia plant dominates the south bank of a vast reservoir on the Dnipro River. Ukrainian forces controlling the towns and cities on the opposite bank have come under intense bombardment from the Russian-held side.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, which seeks to inspect the plant, has warned of a nuclear disaster unless fighting stops. Nuclear experts fear fighting might damage the plant's spent fuel pools or reactors.
Zelensky said Ukraine had many times proposed different formats to the Russian leadership for peace talks, without progress.
"So we have to defend ourselves, we have to answer every form of terror, every instance of shelling – the fierce shelling which does not let up for a single day," he said in video remarks late on Sunday.
Fighting in east, south
Kyiv has said for weeks it is planning a counteroffensive to recapture Zaporizhzhia and neighbouring Kherson province, the largest part of the territory Russia seized after its Feb 24 invasion and still holds.
Ukraine's military command said early on Sunday that Russian soldiers had continued unsuccessfully to attack Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, which, since 2014, has become one of the outposts of Ukrainian forces near Donetsk.
Ukrainian military expert Oleg Zhdanov said the situation was particularly difficult in Avdiivka and nearby towns, such as Pisky.
"We have insufficient artillery power in place and our forces are asking for more support to defend Pisky," he said in a video posted online. "But the town is basically under Ukrainian control."
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.
Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" its smaller neighbour. The war has pushed Moscow-Washington relations to a low point, with Russia warning it may sever ties.
While Russia has been largely isolated on the global diplomatic stage, North Korean state media on Monday said Russian President Vladimir Putin told leader Kim Jong Un the two countries would expand "comprehensive and constructive" ties.
In July, North Korea recognised as independent states the Russian-backed breakaway "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, and officials raised the prospect of its workers being sent there to help in construction and other labour.
Ukraine immediately severed ties with Pyongyang over the move.
Grain ships
Amid the fighting, more ships carrying Ukrainian grain left or prepared to do so as part of a late July deal to ease a global food crisis.
An Ethiopia-bound cargo, the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was getting ready to leave in the next few days, while sources said the first grain ship to leave Ukraine under a UN deal was nearing Syria.
"The world needs the food of Ukraine," Marianne Ward, the deputy country director of the World Food Programme, told reporters. "This is the beginning of what we hope are normal operations for the hungry people of the world."
The relief agency bought more than 800,000 tonnes of grain in Ukraine last year.


Chinese premier in Germany as Western mistrust mounts

China's Premier Li Qiang will meet German leaders during a trip to Berlin on Monday, at a time when Beijing's policies on Russia, trade and human rights are receiving an increasingly hostile reception in the West.
Li – who is making his first trip abroad since being appointed premier in March – will begin his two-nation tour with so-called "government consultations" involving talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his cabinet, before heading on to France for a financing summit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
China cited the "importance" placed on ties with Germany and outlined its "hopes to deepen and expand its relations" with the EU heavyweight.
But Germany's first national security strategy, published days ago, could set the tone at the talks.
The blueprint stridently accused China of acting against German interests, putting international security "under increasing pressure" and disregarding human rights.
At the same time, it underlined the necessity of getting Beijing's cooperation on global issues like fighting climate change.
Berlin is expecting "a good and productive exchange with a partner", said government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner.
But "how the partner should be classified is something that you have heard during the presentation of the national security strategy", he added.
Scholz himself had said the message sent by the document is that "China's integration into world trade and world economic relations should not be impaired.
"But at the same time the security issues that arise for us must be taken into account."
Beijing has bristled at being described as a "partner, competitor and systemic rival" in the text.
"Viewing others as competitors, rivals or even adversaries and turning normal cooperation into security or political issues will only push our world towards a vortex of division and confrontation," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
Push to diversify
Export giant Germany, by virtue of its economic might, has always enjoyed special ties with China.
Under former chancellor Angela Merkel, Berlin took a pragmatic approach of talking up economic opportunities while keeping less flattering opinions on rights and freedom behind closed doors.
That made China a key market for Germany's exporters while also allowing Berlin to take in prominent human rights activists like Liu Xia, apparently without suffering any retaliatory consequences.
But the coronavirus pandemic raised doubts about the wisdom of relying on a far-flung partner with its own huge domestic needs for essentials from medication to surgical gowns to masks.
And Russia's war on Ukraine turned the approach of economic rapprochement on its head.
With China refusing to distance itself from Russian President Vladimir Putin, concerns are growing in the West over its motives and reliability.
The European Commission last week warned that Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE posed a risk to the EU's security and said it would stop using services that relied on the companies.
Diversifying has now become a buzzword for Germany's elites, with Berlin intensively wooing more partners beyond the world's biggest powers.
'Economy in trouble'
But inconveniently for China, the shift is happening when the Asian giant is experiencing an economic slowdown.
Sluggish exports and domestic demand are weighing on China's post-Covid economy, while headwinds from major powers like the United States are growing.
It was no surprise, then, that Li had picked Germany as his first stop abroad, analysts said.
Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute, told AFP that "as relations with the US deteriorate, Beijing has an interest in demonstrating it has constructive relations with the biggest player in Europe".
Beijing could also use the chance to "advance policies that drive a wedge" between Europe and the United States, he added.
Li is "in charge of fixing the economy, which is in trouble", Ian Johnson, China expert at the US think tank Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.
"So it makes sense to go to China's biggest trading partner in Europe," he said, adding that Beijing needs "further investment and better business ties with companies, such as BASF, VW and Siemens".
Benner said it was "open whether Germany continues to play the game of pretending there is broad agreement with Beijing", in a meeting he called a "stress test".
Alternatively, it could choose "a new path of straight talk and limiting the final statement to areas where there is a genuine path forward for cooperation".


Chinese agents stepping up attempts to influence Biden team, says US spy chief

Runaway Chinese researchers were actually agents who formed part of an organised attempt to influence president-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration, a US intelligence official has said.“It’s an influence campaign on steroids,” claimed William Evanina, of the Director of National Intelligence’s counter-intelligence branch. “We’re very keen on making sure the new administration understands that influence, what it looks like, what it tastes like, what it feels like when you see it.”He also claimed Beijing attempted to meddle in US efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine and the recent elections.During the recent White House campaign, both Biden and President Donald Trump traded accusations of being influenced by Beijing. Trump focused on business dealings by his rival’s son Hunter Biden in China, while Biden focused on Trump’s Chinese bank account.During Wednesday’s virtual discussion at the Aspen Institute think tank, John Demers, chief of the Department of Justice’s national security division, said hundreds of Chinese researchers with ties to their country’s military had been identified by FBI investigators over the summer, reports the BBC.He said the inquiry began when US authorities arrested Chinese researchers who had hidden their affiliation with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).“Those arrests were just the tip of the iceberg and honestly the size of the iceberg was such that folks didn’t realise how large it was,” he said.He told the discussion that the FBI conducted dozens of interviews with other individuals, after which “more than 1,000 PLA-affiliated Chinese researchers” fled the country.“Only the Chinese have the resources and ability and will to conduct such political and economic espionage and other malign activity,” he told the discussion.The absconded researchers were in addition to a group of 1,000 Chinese students and researchers whose visas were revoked by the US back in September.The US State Department said back then it would only welcome Chinese students “who do not further the Chinese Communist Party’s goals of military dominance”.In July, the state department closed China’s consulate in Houston, Texas, accusing Beijing of stealing intellectual property.Beijing hit back by accusing the US of racial discrimination, but Demers denied on Wednesday that the American authorities were racially profiling Chinese students.Sino-US relations have plummeted since Trump taunted Beijing over issues ranging from trade to Hong Kong to being the source of the pandemic.


Graduates trade job market scrum for the world of micro-business

Stiff competition for a shrinking job pool is causing some fresh graduates to rethink a conventional career in their field of study, pushing them instead to consider other options including launching their own micro-business in the increasingly borderless world of e-commerce.As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the economy, many companies have postponed student internships and slammed the brakes on recruitment, derailing the plans of graduates who had planned to enter the workforce this year.Hana Mira, 20, still has a year to go at law school but she is all too aware of how the pandemic has affected the job market.“I wouldn’t say that I am pessimistic, but I would say that I’d be at a disadvantage in trying to secure a job during this pandemic,” she told MalaysiaNow.“This is because I have no work experience, and it’s evident that most companies prefer those who do.”It’s also tough for fresh graduates to meet the requirements of companies looking to fill specialised positions, she said – their chances of being hired for such posts are slim.In a nutshell, she believes the likelihood of her embarking on a so-called regular job is small.“I feel like I’d be able to secure odd jobs better than a 9-5 job.”Not for everyoneBut leaving the well-trod path of conventional careers and diving into the world of micro-businesses is easier said than done.Wei Pen, 25, graduated with a degree in psychology last year. Seeing the success of a friend who launched her own micro-business, she too decided to give it a try.“But in order to do that, you need money as well, so that fell.”“I feel like I’d be able to secure odd jobs better than a 9-5 job.”She now works in a retail position and while she loves her job, she sometimes wonders how life would be if her micro-business had not failed.Hana, meanwhile, has had more luck with hers. Like many other young Malaysians, she utilises social media platforms to sell her products.She began her business in June, selling K-pop albums. She initially meant to buy them for herself but realised that they were cheaper on one particular Korean website.That was the beginning of her career as a “group order manager” (GOM). Essentially, she buys the albums online, marks up the price and then sells them.“I advertised the marked-up albums on Twitter and received around 10 orders, which was surprising to me as strangers on the internet trusted me to buy them,” she said.She does the math for shipping fees and market prices and makes payments using either her PayPal account or her dad’s credit card.For now it’s a small venture even by micro-business standards, but she hopes to expand one day.“I have envisioned myself starting or owning another business in the future, most likely when I am able to get a stable income,” she said.And she is not alone. She told MalaysiaNow that others like her have saturated the market.“There are already existing GOM accounts that have over 800 to 4,000 followers or accumulated buyers.”‘Exciting’Because she has no experience in business or marketing, Hana’s expectations are still low. However, she is keen to continue.“I felt like it was an exciting project,” she said. “I thought I would only do it once, but I have had the opportunity to continue my business until this day.”More than just exciting, micro-businesses could be the answer for thousands of entrepreneurs struggling to survive the economic fallout of Covid-19.According to Hana, there has been a surge in local business on social media platform TikTok.“Most of them sell handmade items such as scrunchies, jewellery, paintings and customised tote bags,” she said.“I have seen some videos where business owners earn three times the amount they would normally get, even though some of them were on the verge of closing down prior to the pandemic.”Another positive outcome she sees is the rise in support for local businesses.“Even though this pandemic has been rough for most of us, I am glad to see aspiring entrepreneurs who may have started doing it as a hobby but have the opportunity to grow their own business from home.“Seeing the amount of support they get from other Malaysians and sometimes people overseas – it’s heart-warming.”


WHO urges China to share raw data on early Covid cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged China to share raw data from the earliest Covid-19 cases to revive the pandemic origins probe – and release information to address the controversial lab leak theory.WHO stressed it was “vitally important” to uncover the origins of the worst pandemic in a century, which has killed at least 4.3 million people and battered the global economy since the virus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.In the face of pushback from Beijing, the UN health agency called for the provision of “all data and access required so that the next series of studies can be commenced as soon as possible”.After much delay, a WHO team of international experts went to Wuhan in January to produce a first phase report, which was written in conjunction with their Chinese counterparts.Their March report drew no firm conclusions, instead ranking four hypotheses.It said the virus jumping from bats to humans via an intermediate animal was the most probable scenario, while a leak from the Wuhan virology labs was “extremely unlikely”.However, the investigation faced criticism for lacking transparency and access, and for not evaluating the lab-leak theory more deeply – with the US upping the pressure ever since.A WHO call last month for the investigation’s second stage to include audits of the Wuhan labs infuriated Beijing, with vice health minister Zeng Yixin saying the plan showed “disrespect for common sense and arrogance towards science”.Data access criticalIn a statement on advancing phase two of the studies, WHO insisted the search was not “an exercise in attributing blame” or political point-scoring.“The next series of studies would include a further examination of the raw data from the earliest cases and sera from potential early cases in 2019,” the UN agency said.“Access to data is critically important for evolving our understanding of science.”WHO said it was working with several countries that reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in samples from 2019 stored biological specimens.For example, it said, in Italy, it had facilitated an independent evaluation by international laboratories, which included the blind retesting of pre-pandemic blood samples.“Sharing raw data and giving permission for the retesting of samples in labs outside of Italy reflects scientific solidarity at its best and is no different from what we encourage all countries, including China, to support so that we can advance the studies of the origins quickly and effectively,” WHO said.Lab leak theoryAfter reading the phase one report, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concluded that the probe into Wuhan’s virology labs had not gone far enough.Long derided as a right-wing conspiracy theory and vehemently rejected by Beijing, the hypothesis has been gaining momentum.It was a favourite under former US president Donald Trump, but his successor Joe Biden is also keen to see this line of enquiry pursued.“China and a number of other member states have written to WHO regarding the basis for further studies of the SARS-CoV-2 ‘lab hypothesis’,” WHO said.“They have also suggested the origins study has been politicised, or that WHO has acted due to political pressure.“In order to address the ‘lab hypothesis’, it is important to have access to all data and consider scientific best practice and look at the mechanisms WHO already has in place.”Row on reportIt added that analysing and improving lab safety and protocols “including in China, is important for our collective biosafety and security”.Meanwhile Danish scientist Peter Ben Embarek, who led the international mission to Wuhan, said a lab employee infected while taking samples in the field falls under one of the likely hypotheses as to how the virus passed from bats to humans.He told the Danish public channel TV2 that the suspect bats were not from the Wuhan region and the only people likely to have approached them were workers from the Wuhan labs.He also revealed that up until 48 hours before the end of the mission, the international and Chinese scientists still could not even agree on mentioning the lab theory in the report.


Govt says will protect rights in South China Sea after opposition reproof

The government said on Saturday it was firmly committed to protecting its sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea after China expressed concern about energy projects in a part of the sea that China also claims.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last Tuesday China was worried about activity by state energy firm Petronas in a part of the South China Sea that Malaysia says is its territory.
Anwar said he was open to negotiations with China, drawing criticism from the opposition, which said Anwar was risking Malaysia's sovereignty.
The foreign ministry said in a Saturday statement Anwar's comment meant Malaysia would like all issues related to the South China Sea to be resolved in a peaceful manner and without compromising Malaysia's position.
"The government of Malaysia is unequivocally and firmly committed to protecting Malaysia's sovereignty, sovereign rights and interests in its maritime areas in the South China Sea," the ministry said.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, through which about US$3 trillion (RM13.24 trillion) worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have some overlapping claims.
Petronas operates oil and gas fields within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and has in recent years had several encounters with Chinese vessels.
China stakes its claim with a reference to a "nine-dash line" on its maps, which loops as far as 1,500km south of its mainland, cutting into the EEZs of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration, however, ruled in 2016 that the nine-dash line has no legal basis.
Anwar said last week Petronas would continue its activities in the South China Sea.


Kate Moss expected to testify at Depp v Heard trial

The high-profile defamation case between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard is poised to get another dash of celebrity – British model Kate Moss is expected to testify.The 48-year-old Moss, Depp’s former girlfriend, is scheduled to make an appearance by video on Wednesday.Moss, who went out with the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star from 1994 to 1997, is being called to the witness stand by Depp’s legal team, the New York Post and other US media said.The 36-year-old Heard, during her testimony earlier this month, mentioned a reported incident in which Depp was alleged to have pushed Moss down a flight of stairs.That reference provided an opening to Depp’s lawyers to call Moss as a witness to address the allegation.Depp, 58, filed suit against Heard over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”Heard, who had a starring role in “Aquaman,” did not name Depp in the op-ed, but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and is seeking US$50 million in damages.The Texas-born Heard countersued, asking for US$100 million and claiming that she suffered “rampant physical violence and abuse” at his hands.Depp, during his four days on the witness stand, denied ever striking Heard or any other woman and claimed that she was the one who was frequently violent.‘Narcissistic traits’On Monday, the seven-person jury hearing the case listened to testimony from two doctors called as witnesses by Heard’s team and from a Hollywood industry expert.Richard Moore, an orthopedic surgeon, said it was unlikely that a finger injury sustained by Depp during a fight with Heard occurred in the manner in which Depp said it did.Depp said the tip of the middle finger on his right hand was severed when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him while the couple were in Australia, where he was filming the fifth installment of the “Pirates” franchise.Moore, who reviewed the medical records, said the wound was not consistent with that explanation.David Spiegel, a psychiatrist, testified that Depp had “narcissistic traits” and behavior that indicated he had a substance use disorder.Spiegel engaged in a testy exchange with one of Depp’s lawyers when pressed about the American Psychiatric Association’s so-called Goldwater Rule, which says it is “unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination.”Spiegel acknowledged that he did not personally examine Depp but said his opinions were valid as an expert witness.‘Causing his own demise’Also testifying on behalf of Heard was entertainment expert Kathryn Arnold, who said Depp’s habitual “tardiness, drinking and drug abuse” had hurt his career along with pursuing this and other lawsuits.“He’s causing his own demise,” Arnold said.Arnold said that allegedly defamatory statements made about Heard by Depp’s former lawyer, Adam Waldman, had damaged her career.Heard’s career was “on the precipice of a meteoric rise” following her starring turn in “Aquaman” but it has been stymied by a “lot of negative publicity,” she said.“Her world has been silenced in terms of opportunities,” she added, estimating that Heard has suffered between US$45 and US$50 million in lost film and TV roles and endorsements.Depp’s lawyers put experts on the stand earlier in the trial who testified that the actor lost millions because of the abuse accusations, including a US$22.5-million payday for a sixth installment of “Pirates.”Depp filed the defamation complaint in the US after losing a separate libel case in London in November 2020 that he brought against The Sun for calling him a “wife-beater.”Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, and Heard were married in February 2015. Their divorce was finalized two years later.Judge Penney Azcarate has scheduled closing arguments in the case for Friday, after which it will go to the jury.


1,937 new cases, nine more deaths

Another 1,937 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 82,246.Selangor recorded 823 cases (42.5%), of which 714 (86.8%) were from clusters and close contact screening.This was followed by Sabah (429) and Kuala Lumpur (238).Johor recorded 105 cases, Penang 102, Pahang 79, Perak 62, Negeri Sembilan 49, Kedah 16, Melaka 15, Labuan 11, Terengganu six, and Sarawak and Kelantan one each.Active cases stand at 13,751 with 121 in the ICU and 66 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 911 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 68,084.However, nine more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 411.


Lebanon sells cheapest Big Mac in the world as currency collapses

Lebanon is home to the world’s cheapest Big Mac after the Lebanese pound slumped in value, leaving it more than 70% undervalued against the US dollar, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.At nearly 30,000 Lebanese pounds, a Big Mac is not cheap for those being paid in local currency, but with an exchange rate of 17,800 to the dollar, the world’s best-selling burger costs just US$1.68 (RM7) for tourists and locals lucky enough to get paid in dollars.The slump in the Lebanese pound is exacerbating and accelerating inflation on a basic basket of goods, including rice, sugar and flour, on a daily basis, said Lebanese economic analyst Bassel Al-Khatib.Most people are paid in the local currency in Lebanon, where the national minimum wage stands at 675,000 Lebanese pounds per month.This was once worth almost US$450 at the official exchange rate, but today barely fetches US$30 on the black market, according to the Crisis Observatory at the American University of Beirut (AUB).The Observatory said the cost of food has soared by 700% over the past two years, and this increase had picked up pace to 50% in the past few weeks alone.Most Lebanese people are getting poorer on a daily basis, pushing some of them to sell their gold, cars and even furniture to survive, while others wait for US dollar transfers from their relatives abroad, or wait for civil society aid, Al-Khatib told Arab News.This is all reflected in Lebanese social media, which is flooded with donation requests for new-born baby milk and medications that are not available anymore in the markets or are sold for extremely high prices. There are also numerous donation requests for people in need of food.At the same time, others are sharing their expensive restaurant bills, such as Babel Baher who spent five million Lebanese pounds on a meal and posted the cheque on Facebook.“This is almost nothing for someone coming from abroad,” a Facebook user called Rania wrote under the post.Al Khatib said that those paid in US dollars are living an affordable life spending only US$300 out of their monthly salaries while before they needed US$3,000 to have the same quality of life.“The patchwork policies to support some commodities is not helping as all commodities that are subsidised are smuggled, ” he said.“The country’s mismanagement with no plan or economic vision to save Lebanon from its worsening crisis, led us here, and there are no positive prospects as long as there are no radical solutions in the country.”The Big Mac index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as a lighthearted guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. It is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity, the notion that in the long run exchange rates should move towards the rate that would equalise the prices of an identical basket of goods and services (in this case, a Big Mac) in any two countries.So until things change, almost no-one is going to be saying under the golden arches in Beirut these days, “Can I get fries with that?”


Melaka Umno divisions reject cooperation with Bersatu for polls

Several Umno divisions in Melaka have ruled out any form of cooperation between Umno and Bersatu in the state election on Nov 20.Speaking on behalf of the group, Tangga Batu Umno division chief Mohamad Ali Mohamad said the decision was made out of respect for the wishes of the party grassroots and also because of other factors which made the cooperation impossible.“This decision is based on the wishes of the grassroots. This is our final stand, which means we will not have any more discussions or contact with Bersatu,” he told a press conference in Melaka today.Also present were Kota Melaka Umno division chief Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman, Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali and Alor Gajah division deputy chief Rosepandi Leman.Ali also said Umno should strengthen the Muafakat Nasional cooperation with PAS to face the Melaka polls.“I urge all Umno and PAS members to join forces in an effort to win the Melaka election for the benefit of all the people in Melaka,” he added.Polling for the state election is on Nov 20 and nominations are on Nov 8.The state election was called following the dissolution of the Melaka state legislative assembly on Oct 4, which was triggered after four state assemblymen withdrew their support for Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.


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30% of children fully vaccinated against Covid-19

A total of 1,063,569 children or 30% of those aged five to 11 had completed their vaccination under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow website, a total of 1,646,257 children or 46.4% have received at least one dose of vaccine.For adolescents aged 12 to 17, a total of 2,905,317 or 93.4% have completed their vaccination, while 3,002,852 or 96.5% have received at least one dose.A total of 16,066,394 individuals or 68.3% of the adult population have received a booster dose, while 22,971,246 or 97.6% have completed two doses of vaccine.Meanwhile, 23,247,211 individuals or 98.8% have received at least one dose of vaccine.Yesterday, a total of 9,228 vaccine doses were dispensed, with 2,700 as first doses, 4,779 as second shots and 1,749 as booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to 70,689,336.


Remember your pardon from Kelantan sultan, PN tells Anwar

Pengkalan Chepa MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary today told Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to remember the pardon granted to him by Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V, following the government's decision not to grant Kelantan and Terengganu oil royalty of 5%.
He said Sultan Muhammad, during his time as Agong, had consented to release Anwar who at that point was serving time for a sodomy conviction.
He also urged Anwar to uphold Sultan Muhammad's decree for petroleum payments to the state of Kelantan to be fulfilled according to the agreements signed.
"The joint-development area, a petroleum mining area that overlaps with Thailand, is only 145km from the Bachok beach.
"But the government decided in 1996, when Anwar was finance minister, to move the landing to Songkhla, which is 230km away.
"If you want to raise the dignity of the Malays, where are the Malays in Songkhla? If you want to help the hardcore poor, it should have been done in Bachok," he said during his debate on the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Anwar was released from prison after obtaining a royal pardon following Pakatan Harapan's victory at the 2018 general election.
Marzuk said Sultan Muhammad had also ordered that the produce of the land be based in Kelantan, which completed its petroleum industry zone at Pantai Bachok in 1990.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said had said that Kelantan and Terengganu did not qualify to receive petroleum royalties as they could only claim rights up to three nautical miles, according to the Regional Sea Act 2012.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli meanwhile said that the country's oil and gas deposits could exceed that distance.
He also said that 50% of infrastructure development funds in the budget for 2023 would go to Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak.


300,000 high-skilled job opportunities to be created by 2025

A total of 300,000 high-skilled job opportunities for youths in high-impact sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive, chemicals and advanced materials, as well as life sciences and medical technology, are expected to be created by 2025.
International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said for this year alone, a total of  20,000 similar job opportunities would be created through the Academy in Factory (AiF) programme.
"To ensure foreign investors continue to make Malaysia an investment destination, it is our responsibility to provide highly skilled and technological talents.
"This is in line with the emphasis for the country's workforce to improve skills and re-skilling or upskilling in line with the 4th Industrial Revolution which is expected to increase productivity by 30% in all sectors by 2030," he said when opening the Productive Youth Carnival and AiF programme in Kuala Lumpur today.
The AiF programme is an initiative by  the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) to address the shortage  of workers and develop high-skilled talents among local youths, towards building a future-ready workforce.
Azmin said Malaysia was moving towards being a productive developed country and that the local workforce should be prepared with high skills suitable for meeting the demands of the industry.
"The new high-skilled job opportunities created are for all youth groups, including those in rural areas, villages and the Orang Asli children," he said, adding that to increase long-term competitiveness, the country needs to develop skilled, productive, creative and innovative human capital.
Meanwhile, MPC director-general Abdul Latif Abu Seman, in his speech at the same event, said MPC was committed to spearheading the programme to increase productivity and competitiveness based on the main drivers of productivity growth.
“When skills improve, productivity also increases and can lead to profits. Thus, wages can be increased in line with increased productivity and profits.
"In the long term, this will contribute towards achieving the target of 40% workers' compensation, as set under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said.
Latif also said that the country's productivity performance had returned to positive growth at a rate of 1.8% in 2021, and that labour productivity per worker increased by 2.7% with an added value of RM23,129.


Thousands start school – at home – but problems persist

Tens of thousands of students start their school year today through online learning, more than two months after classes came to an abrupt halt in the wake of a fierce spike of Covid-19 cases.Primary and secondary school students up to Form 3 will follow home-based teaching and learning (PdPR), while Form 5 and 6 students will attend school physically.The online learning method still faces several problems, with one study citing issues related to students’ attention as well as a lack of devices and internet infrastructure among the two biggest setbacks.The study by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Faculty of Education found that student attendance was below 80%.Many are also unable to focus on their lessons due to the unconducive atmosphere at home.The study also found that about half of teachers are not comfortable conducting online classes.It said only 50-60% of teachers have the IT skills needed to do so.Azlin Norhaini Mansor, who heads UKM’s Centre of Education Leadership and Policy and who also led the study told Bernama that the online teaching method was less effective as it did not correspond with the competency and learning levels of the students.She said even with sufficient devices and good internet access, teachers, students and parents face constraints and difficulties in implementing online learning.“The students find it difficult to understand what is taught to them online due to the one-way communication… they can’t ask questions or seek clarification.“In such instances, their parents have to tutor them and help them to complete their exercises,” she told Bernama.Many parents are also unable to help as they too are working from home due to the movement control order.Azlin called for the creation of virtual schools using media channels such as television, radio and even Netflix and Astro to broadcast lessons.“The teachers can come up with a schedule to teach two subjects for up to four hours a day,” she said, adding that anything longer than that could make students lose focus as they stare their screens for too long.National Parent-Teacher Associations Consultative Council president Mohamad Ali Hasan welcomed online learning, saying it is the best approach in the current situation.But he said one issue to be addressed is access to broadband internet access in rural and remote areas.“What students really need to help them in the PdPR sessions are comprehensive and tested e-guidebooks. Effective monitoring and evaluation (of the students) is also required. These are the constraints the authorities must address systematically,” he told Bernama.Ali proposed the creation of a PdPR referral centre at every district and state education office to deal with issues related to online classes.“A special officer should also be appointed to coordinate and plan PdPR, not only now but also after the pandemic has ended,” he added.


Contract worker gets death sentence for drug trafficking

A contract worker was sentenced to death by the Muar High Court today after he was found guilty of trafficking 183.14g of methamphetamine four years ago.Judge Abu Bakar Katar handed down the sentence on Loo Yong Heng, 44, after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.Loo was charged with trafficking in the drug at a house in Jalan Bukit Kontang, Tangkak, at 10.30am on Feb 13, 2018.The charge, framed under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, provides the death penalty upon conviction.Loo was also found guilty under Section 12 (2) of the same law of five counts of possession of various types of dangerous drugs at the same location, time and date. The offence is punishable by a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.The court sentenced Loo to two years in prison for each charge, to be served concurrently from the date of sentencing.The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Azfar Mahmod, while Loo was represented by lawyer Lim Chon Sin.


Who’s to blame when big malls fall silent?

Despite Malaysia’s reputation as a country with a penchant for shopping, several malls in the capital city appear to be at risk of shutting down, with barely any of their commercial units still occupied and a drop in the number of shoppers and visitors.It is a situation exacerbated by the onset of Covid-19 which left the economic sector reeling from the consecutive lockdowns imposed since early 2020 in a bid to keep the spread of the virus under control.And it is a situation that threatens to continue even with the country’s transition towards the endemic phase which began earlier this month.MalaysiaNow’s recent visit to a well-known shopping complex in Ampang, Selangor, found the three-storey building a ghost of its former self.Nearly 90% of the shoplots were unoccupied while the few that were open were mainly traditional massage parlours.A woman speaks on her phone in the otherwise deserted Galaxy Ampang Mall.It was not always like this for the Galaxy Ampang Mall in Taman Dagang. Not too long ago, it was bustling with activity, drawing crowds every day which came for its entertainment centre, cinema and branded boutiques.Visitors were also spoiled for choice in terms of restaurants and eateries, winning the mall a loyal following of customers.Once upon a time, it was filled with locals who came to shop and to spend the day with their friends and families.It was also active on social media, with a community group on Facebook for promotions, announcements, and FAQs.The last time the group was active appears to be mid-2019.A single store stands open for business in a row of shuttered shoplots at the Galaxy Ampang Mall.A salon owner named Casey said she used to be able to make RM40,000 a month tending to customers who came flooding in every day of the week.Now, though, things are very different.“I can’t do anything,” she told MalaysiaNow. “The management doesn’t help either. I have been forced to look for somewhere else to invest.“Renovation, building entrance costs and deposits are all high,” she added. “I also have to make a living.”DigitalisationOne factor behind the shift in fortunes for malls such as Galaxy Ampang is customers’ move to the world of online shopping.Even long-time anchors such as cinemas have been affected, with many film buffs now choosing to stay at home and watch movies or TV series on Netflix.V Ravindran, chairman of the Selangor Shopping Center Entrepreneurs and Dealers Association, said some malls were sinking beneath the weight of their financial problems.He said many companies and business owners had told their workers to concentrate on offering online services which takes away the need for a physical premise.Many workers have also been let go in order to save on operating costs.While the mall is open for business, stalls and shops alike stand quiet and deserted.“The managements can no longer attract customers,” he said. “They haven’t made any improvements and they are still using the same approach even though so much has changed since the onset of Covid-19.”Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Ravindran said customer behaviour had changed.“They should consult experts to see how they can attract customers to return to their malls,” he said.Ravindran’s organisation estimates that more than 30% of businesses at malls in Selangor have closed shop over the past two years.He said this trend would likely escalate if no action is taken by the mall managements.One problem is a lack of representation which leaves shop owners and tenants with nowhere to turn for the protection due to them.Ravindran said many decisions are made by mall owners without taking into account how they might affect businesses under their roofs.Not a soul is in sight at mid-morning at the Galaxy Ampang Mall.In countries such as the UK, a number of cities are attempting new policies to fill the vacancies left in derelict shopping centres, including renovating such buildings to turn them into office space or accommodation to be rented out to students and young people.Analysts largely agree that leaving a building unoccupied incurs high maintenance costs.MalaysiaNow is attempting to reach the management of Galaxy Ampang Mall for a response.Hanging onAnother mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, meanwhile, is still clinging to life despite the pandemic storm of the past two years.Centrepoint Bandar Utama was once the hangout spot for locals who would flock to the complex at all times of the day.A handful of customers go about their business at Centrepoint Bandar Utama in Damansara Utama.While its coffee houses, cafes and restaurants once drew crowds, now, visitors are few and far in between.MalaysiaNow’s visit to the mall found a handful of shops still open but devoid of customers.Jasmindeer Kaur, a housewife who had come to buy kitchen utensils, said the Centrepoint held many memories for her and her children.On weekends, she and her family would come to go shopping and to enjoy a meal together. Her children, meanwhile, would meet up with their friends there after school.But now, all that’s left are memories.While customers still come to Centrepoint Bandar Utama, things are a far cry from the crowds that used to visit.Jasmindeer said her children no longer think to mention the mall when they talk about where to go for a walk.“I’m glad there are still places like the supermarket here,” she said. “That makes it easy for me to pick up the odds and ends that I need without having to drive out.“In any case, I still come here because there are a lot of sentimental memories for me and my late husband. This was where we would spend our time together as a family.”


Tioman polling on Dec 7, nomination on Nov 24

Polling for the Tioman state seat, which was postponed today following the death of Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Md Yunus Ramli early this morning, will be held on Dec 7.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said in a statement that nomination would be on Nov 24, with early voting on Dec 3.
He said the EC had received the election writ regarding Md Yunus’ death, which was returned by the Rompin returning officer today.
"The campaigning period is set for 13 days starting after the announcement of contesting candidates on Nov 24 until 11.59pm on Dec 6," he said.
This means that polling for the Tioman state seat will be held alongside the election for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat, following the death of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, M Karupaiya, who was also the incumbent, on Wednesday.


As Covid cases rise, US health officials mull widening second booster eligibility

Health officials are considering extending the eligibility for a second Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to people under 50 amid a steady rise in cases, with the US seeing a threefold increase over the past month.The US Food and Drug Administration had in late March authorised a second booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for people aged 50 and older, citing data showing waning immunity and the risks posed by Omicron variants of the virus.“With regard to a fourth dose for those under the age of 50, that is going to require action from the FDA, and we’re in conversations there,” US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walenksy said on Wednesday.Cases have steadily risen over the past five weeks, Walensky said at a White House briefing, with the the current seven-day average of daily cases rising 26% from the previous week to 94,000 cases per day and up threefold over the last month. The seven-day average for hospitalisations was up 19% to about 3,000 per day and the average for deaths was 275 per day, she said.“We of course must remember that each person lost to Covid-19 is a tragedy and that nearly 300 deaths a day is still far too many,” said Walensky.


Malaysia to record 6.0% economic growth in 2022, says Moody’s

Malaysia’s economy is likely to grow 6.0% this year, driven by the reopening of international borders and high vaccination rates, and as the country enters the transition to the endemic phase.Moody’s Investors Service assistant vice-president and analyst Nishad Majmudar said the reopening of international borders would bolster the tourism-related services sector.“(As for the transition into the endemic phase) over time, we expect that will support greater economic activity and private consumption in the country. Another factor is that we do expect weaker growth in key export markets like the European Union, which accounts for about 10% of exports.“Nevertheless, Malaysia is exporting quite a diverse basket of goods whereby demand remains in the strong part of the cycle, such as electronics and oil and gas sector, which should perform well with the high prices,” he told reporters at Moody’s virtual media roundtable titled “Inside Asean: Malaysia” today.However, he also said there were several downside risks, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as well as the potential for a surge in inflation to prompt Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to react more quickly in terms of policy rate normalisation.“The Ukraine-Russia conflict is the biggest downside risk for growth. In fact, we have already marked down the forecast for a number of G20 economies, mostly in Europe but also in Asia Pacific,” said Nishad, adding that BNM is expected to raise its policy rate in the second half of 2022.He said another round of border closures due to a new variant threat would be another potential risk but that the Malaysian government had indicated its interest in keeping the economy open and treating Covid-19 as endemic. Additionally, a volatile political environment would undermine Malaysia’s credibility and the effectiveness of its institutions, as well as threaten the stability of capital flows and investment, which could be another potential downside risk for Malaysia, he noted. “In our assessment over the last few years, some of the political noise that we have heard, in our view, have not affected the functioning of key economic institutions such as the finance ministry, Bank Negara, and securities regulators.“However, the uncertainties around the election timing and the relatively thin majority in Parliament, we think, have constrained the fiscal reform process most notably and made it difficult for any of the governments that we have seen over the last three years to focus on some of these reforms,” said Nishad.   He added that if the general election were to come soon, it could lead to a more volatile political environment and political noise, but would not affect the overall functioning of key institutions.Meanwhile, Moody’s expects Brent crude price to remain above US$100 (US$1=RM4.21) per barrel this year. The rating agency expects Petronas to spend more of its capital spending this year, which could benefit the exploration and production contractors and oilfield services companies, said its analyst Hui Ting Sim.“In terms of topline, I think we are quite positive as there will be more business for players in the oilfield service industry. The outlook for earnings and cashflows could be less positive because these companies will incur higher operating costs this year due to the inflationary pressure that leads to higher utility, equipment, and labour costs.“Profitability of these companies will depend on their ability to pass through the increase in costs to oil and gas producers,” she added.


Covid-coating nasal spray on the way ‘for use in crowded places’

As further waves of coronavirus infections sweep around the world, research teams are hunting for ways to tackle the disease in addition to vaccines.Just announced is a nasal spray formulated by a research team at the University of Birmingham Healthcare Technologies Institute in England, using materials already cleared for use in humans, report media sources.The spray is designed to catch and coat the virus inside the nose, from where it can be eliminated by either nose-blowing or swallowing. If any coated virus particles are passed on to another person via a sneeze or cough, that person is less likely to be infected by active virus particles, researchers say.Regular applications of the spray could significantly reduce disease transmission, and researchers believe it could be particularly useful in areas where crowding is less avoidable, such as on flights, in classrooms and in theatres and pubs.PrNewswire comments that crucially the spray uses compounds already approved by regulatory bodies in the UK, Europe and the US, and widely used in medicines and even food products. This means that the normal procedures to bring a new product to market are simplified, and the nasal spray could be commercially available very quickly.Team leader Richard Moakes told Sky News, “Products like these don’t replace existing measures such as mask wearing and handwashing, which will continue to be vital to preventing the spread of the virus.“What this spray will do, however, is add a second layer of protection to prevent and slow virus transmission.”


Idrus Harun reappointed as AG for another year

Idrus Harun has been reappointed as attorney-general for a one-year period effective March 6, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali said today.In a statement, he said that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had consented to the reappointment in line with Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution.Idrus was appointed as attorney-general on March 6, 2020 for a two-year period to replace Tommy Thomas, who resigned from the post on Feb 28, 2020.Prior to his appointment as attorney-general, Idrus was a Federal Court judge.He had also served as a deputy public prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, legal adviser to the Election Commission and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, solicitor-general and a Court of Appeal judge.


Health ministry sets over 20 KPIs to hit in 100 days

The health ministry has outlined more than 20 key performance indicators (KPIs) to be achieved within 100 days, as Malaysia expects to enter the endemic phase by October.Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the KPIs mostly revolve around efforts to address the Covid-19 pandemic threat to ensure that preparations and the transition towards the targets are implemented in the best possible way.“Our focus is to ensure that the people can understand the new norms when entering the endemic phase. However, the health ministry will never abandon other health matters (which are not related to Covid-19),” he said in a special interview on the ministry’s 100-day KPI target.Khairy said among the KPIs is the vaccination programme for teenagers aged 12 to 17 and the policy announcement for the third dose of Covid-19 vaccines (booster dose).He hoped that as many teenagers as possible would complete their vaccination before the opening of the new school term next year.“Within 100 days, we will start vaccinating teenagers aged 12 to 17. Our target (number of recipients) will be announced based on the supply of vaccines, but we will give vaccines to this group for sure.“It will start next week in Sarawak because they have reached the threshold value of 80%. My hope is that in 100 days, as many teenagers as possible will be able to receive their vaccines so that by the beginning of the school year, our teenagers will have completed their vaccination,” he said.He said within the same period, the target of 80% of the adult population in Malaysia being fully vaccinated would be achieved.Apart from vaccination, the ministry will also focus on the hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients.He said within 100 days, the ministry is determined to reduce the bed usage for Covid-19 patients for non-ICU and ICU beds.“We will ensure that the percentage of ICU bed usage for Covid-19 is less than 70% while non-ICU beds for Covid-19 cases, less than 50%,” he said.“We will ensure that oxygen cylinders in health facilities are adequate by ensuring that each of these facilities has oxygen cylinders in excess of 85% of the requirements,” he said.He also targets reducing the percentage of brought-in-dead (BID) cases from 21% to 15%, besides expanding the virtual Covid assessment centre (VCAC) initiative in Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Johor and Perak.Regarding SOPs for the endemic phase, Khairy said the health ministry would work closely with the National Security Council, the finance ministry and the communications and multimedia ministry to produce a clearer SOP framework that can be easily understood.“It will focus on compliance efforts and improving the people’s understanding,” he said.Apart from that, he said the health ministry would share data related to Covid-19 with the public in detail starting this Monday, in an effort to boost transparency and public trust.Acknowledging that the existence of newer and fast-spreading Covid-19 variants is a challenge, Khairy said the health ministry would increase genomic surveillance to ensure these variants are quickly detected.Other targeted initiatives include releasing clinical trial data for ivermectin in Covid-19 treatment.The health ministry will also approve more self-test kits and expand the types of premises allowed to sell the kits other than pharmacies and health facilities by placing conditions related to the control of their sales, he said.He added that the ministry plans to provide free self-test kits and Covid-19 screening for the vulnerable and B40 groups in an effort to increase protection during the endemic phase.


Anwar's govt all talk and no action, says Mahathir

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that the coalition government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had made many promises but failed to fulfil what was pledged.
Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya, the former leader said many things were said to have been expedited with no results by the ministers and government members.
He gave the example of the frequent push for a "Madani government", adding however that nothing had happened.
Instead, he said, the economy and cost of living situation was still difficult.
"The political situation is also unstable," he added.
"Every day, he says he wants to do things but it looks like nothing has happened yet."
Mahathir also questioned the government's ability to protect the interests of the Malays, especially those living in poverty.
He also warned of a bleak future for the ethnic community, saying some had been forced to mortgage their assets and sell their land in order to survive.
"They have sold their land because of their poverty," he said.
"If this continues, the Malays will have no land left of their own. No assets.
"I am not confident that the current government can defend the Malays."
Mahathir said each time the matter of Malay poverty came up, the government would say that poverty was not unique to the community but crossed racial and religious boundaries.
He said this made it more difficult to eradicate poverty since helping the Malay economy had been a challenge from the start.
He said they were not efficient in the ins and outs of business, and had not benefited from many of the opportunities and the assistance given by the government.
"The Malay MPs, too, are loyal to their parties," he said.
"Even if their party goes rogue, they will continue to support it. They don't act as Malays but as party members."


Disallowing EPF withdrawals unpopular but in members' best interest, PM says

For the sake of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors’ future, the government has taken an unpopular decision to no longer allow special withdrawals from the fund, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the EPF is a statutory body entrusted with a big responsibility of protecting contributors’ savings and it has to keep to this objective.
"That’s why despite strong political pressure for withdrawals, I agreed with the management’s proposal and took the unpopular decision to disallow further (special) withdrawals because the duties, promises and pledges of the contributors are in line with the promise that was signed for their future.
"But during the (Covid-19) pandemic, I was one of those who insisted that it (withdrawal) be allowed because of the urgent situation during the emergency then, and the figure reached RM145 billion," he said when opening the Menara KWSP in Kwasa Damansara today.
However, Anwar said the situation had changed and the people were now free to go about their daily lives, and he did not want the EPF to deviate from its objective just to meet the wishes of certain parties.
Anwar said he believes the issue of special EPF withdrawals would be played up in the six state elections due this year but this did not prevent the government from remaining firm in its decision.
"In our wisdom, we do what is right and should not be dragged into making a decision just to satisfy some people. For those who are really facing hardships, the issue of eradicating poverty, the issue of eliminating extreme poverty, I will not reject it.
"That's why I said if GLCs (government-linked companies), GLICs (government-linked investment companies), EPF and others including Khazanah, ministries and departments can avoid leakages, we can help the people," he added.
Meanwhile, Anwar described the Menara KWSP Kwasa Damansara as a landmark signifying service with integrity and responsibility.
“If we look at this new development area, it gives an impression that sustainability awareness is not only about the achievement of rapid growth but also takes into account sustainability and green values that benefit the people.
"This includes solving national problems; good management and governance can make rapid progress but must be managed with integrity and the elimination of all forms of leakage and corruption," he said.


PN comeback not out of the picture, say analysts

Analysts say that Perikatan Nasional (PN) stands a fair chance of returning to federal power, even as the coalition that won the second highest number of seats at the recent general election buckles in for a stint on the opposition bench.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, they cited the Nov 19 polls which ended in uncertainty, with no single party or coalition winning enough support to form the government on its own.
The stalemate broke only days later, when Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim managed to obtain the support of MPs from Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan.
At the recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, PN's Hamzah Zainudin, speaking as opposition chief, said the coalition was ready to play the role of an effective opposition, adding however that it was prepared to take control of the government when the time came.
James Chin of Australia's University of Tasmania said the same could apply to any political party, as all that is needed to take over the government is the support of 112 MPs.
"PN or anybody can take over the government," he said.
"The problem is getting enough seats or getting elected, not so much about their ability. If you look at some of the past ministers, they were actually not fit to be ministers in the first place."
Meanwhile, Jeniri Amir, a senior fellow at the National Professors Council, said the trend of coalition governments might continue for the foreseeable future due to changes in the country's political landscape.
He said it would be difficult for any coalition, including PN, to form the government on its own, adding that it would need the support of at least the political blocs in Sabah and Sarawak.
"For now, it's not a given that parties that win big can form the government," he said.
"In other words, we need to take into consideration the political situation as a whole, including the support of smaller parties that succeed in winning a place in Parliament."
At the 15th general election (GE15), PH won 82 seats, followed by PN with 74. BN, meanwhile, saw its worst election performance ever, winning only 30 seats.
GPS won 23, GRS won six, and the remaining seven were won by other parties and independent candidates.
Chin and Jeniri agreed that the next step for PN if it wished to return to power would be to win the state elections expected in six states next year.
Jeniri said PN would win more support if it proved itself as an effective opposition in the Dewan Rakyat and continued to champion issues related to the Malay community.
"This will not be an easy task, given that both BN and PKR are now in the government, with many resources and networks at hand to help the people."
Chin, who estimated that PN was targeting four of the six states, said it could pull off a victory if it succeeded in repeating the "green wave" of GE15.
"The only two states where they don't stand a chance are Selangor and Penang," he said.
"If they can repeat the green wave at the state elections, then PH will be in big trouble."


Some settled, some clueless, Undi 18 head out to vote

With under 24 hours to go before election day, some young voters have already made up their minds who to support, fuelled by a wide variety of reasons as, for the first time, the Undi 18 group or those aged 18 to 21 head to the polls to have their say on the next government.
Kon Zi Yee, 20, is back in her home town of Seremban where DAP's Anthony Loke Siew Fook is looking to defend his seat for Pakatan Harapan (PH) against Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Felicia Wong Yin Ting of MCA and three others from Perikatan Nasional, Pejuang, and the independent bloc.
When asked how well she knew the candidates in her constituency, Kon said she was familiar with both Loke and Wong.
"Not the other three," she added. "But I already have in mind who I will vote for."
She said she would support this candidate based on what she had seen of their sincerity as well as Seremban's development alongside other parts of Negeri Sembilan.
However, she said she hoped that the environment would be preserved even amid the ongoing development projects.
When asked about her friends who would be voting alongside her tomorrow, Kon said many of them were clueless about their choice of MP.
"They will make their own choices," she said, adding that she had shown them some of the candidates' so-called report cards.
"With the abundance of information and all of the manifestos being shared, they prefer someone they trust."
On the race for support between Loke and Wong, she said Wong might stand a chance if she were not up against the DAP secretary-general.
"Sadly, Anthony Loke is her opponent – an MP that stays with Seremban," she said.
The Undi 18 voters have been the subject of interest this election, partly due to speculation over how they will cast their votes.
Of the 21,173,658 individuals registered to vote this weekend, 6.58% or nearly 1.4 million are in the 18 to 21 age group.
Tan Kai Ling from Segambut, meanwhile, has also decided who he will support after watching his candidates throughout the two-week campaign period.
"I know the candidates from their banners and online videos," the 20-year-old said.
"What impresses me is how this person speaks up and previously pushed a few agendas in Parliament."
Unlike Kon, Tan said most of his friends were aware of their options, adding that who they would support boiled down to the impression given by these candidates.
"First-timers will vote for someone they know," he said. "They can't be bothered with people they don't know.
"A friend of mine from Sungai Buloh only knew about Khairy Jamaluddin when I showed him his picture," he added, referring to the Rembau incumbent from BN who is contesting the seat of Sungai Buloh this election.
Tan said he believed that positive media coverage and exposure were also key factors in the decisions by first-time voters.
Phwah You Yang from Bakri in Johor, meanwhile, already voted once in the Johor state election in March.
Tomorrow, the 22-year-old will be casting his ballot for the second time.
He, too, has already decided on the best candidate to represent him.
"I hope that the party this candidate represents will be able to bring change to the system which has been burdened with corruption for a long time," he said.


Friends or not, petty traders or rich, go after them, PM tells LHDN

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to investigate individuals or companies which engage in tax evasion, saying taxes must be paid by those eligible.
Anwar, when officiating the 27th Revenue Day last night, said this was to ensure that those who are obliged to pay income tax do not evade or escape legal claims.
"I deliberately express this to give encouragement to such efforts, that as long as I am entrusted to lead the government, I want these individuals, whether they are petty traders or the wealthy, to abide by the law and not evade paying income tax.
"I am saying this so that everyone, whether they are my acquaintances or not, my supporters or not – taxes must be paid and LHDN must search and look for the tricks used (to avoid paying taxes)," he said.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said if these efforts could be implemented well, the country's revenue would continue to increase and be even better than in previous years.
During his time as finance minister in the 1990s, he said, the Inland Revenue Department had faced challenges in collecting taxes, especially from public figures including VVIPs who refused to pay taxes.
"I said it was a bit strange, a sovereign independent country with rules and laws, and yet the super rich refused to pay (taxes).
"So I issued a statement for the Inland Revenue Department at that time, saying that I was on the side of the officers of the department, to ensure that those who were obliged to pay taxes did so without negligence.
"I was satisfied that, even though I faced difficulties because I had issued such a warning, after that, the performance of the department greatly improved. Most of the people who previously refused (to pay taxes) finally complied with the rules," he said.
He added that LHDN needed to strengthen its role and responsibility so that the performance of national revenue collection continued to improve.
He also reminded LHDN staff not to fall into corrupt practices, in order to protect the agency's image.


Research on local Covid jab ‘still at proof of concept stage’

Research on the country’s Covid-19 vaccine is still at the proof of concept stage, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ahmad Amzad Hashim said as for the mRNA vaccine, the candidate vaccine will undergo an in-vitro transcription process involving various complex laboratory tests.On the inactivated vaccine research, he said the process of inactivating selected viruses would be done and special substances such as adjuvants added to enhance the immune response.He was replying to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PAS-Kuala Krai) on the current status of the locally developed mRNA vaccine and about the RM5 million allocation given to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaya (UM) for vaccine research and development.Amzad said the research on the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine was being carried out by researchers at the Institute of Medical Research (IMR), while studies related to the development of inactivated virus vaccine technology are being conducted by IMR, with the cooperation of experts from UPM and the Veterinary Research Institute.He said the science, technology and innovation ministry through its Combating COVID-19 Fund had also channelled an allocation of RM4.9 million to finance two projects: the Construction of Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus Expressing Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) Protein of Sars-Cov-2 Virus as a Vaccine Candidate by UPM and the Development of Modular Mucosal Vaccine Platform Using Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) Bacteria Against COVID-19, conducted by UM.


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Huawei fighting to survive ‘nonstop US aggression’

Chinese technology giant Huawei says it is fighting for survival as “continuous attacks” from the US threaten to deny it access to key American technology.The US increased pressure on Huawei by bringing in fresh sanctions in May and August. These further restrict the company’s access to the state-of-the-art computer chips it needs to manufacture its smartphones and 5G networking gear.US regulators claim Huawei poses a threat to national security, alleging that the Chinese government could use company equipment to spy on the West and its interests.Huawei has repeatedly denied such allegations.The company’s chief executive Guo Ping said on Wednesday, “Huawei is in a difficult situation these days. Nonstop aggression from the US government has put us under significant pressure. Right now, survival is the goal.”Companies that use American software and technology to design and manufacture chips can no longer sell to Huawei without first obtaining a licence from the US Commerce Department.Major chipmakers such as Qualcomm and SK Hynix have applied for licences to sell to Huawei, according to Chinese state broadcaster CGTNSeveral analysts estimate that Huawei has stockpiled enough semiconductors to last the company until the end of the year or even longer.When asked how long supplies will last, Guo said: “We’re still evaluating more details.”Other analysts have called the latest US sanctions a “lethal blow” for the company.


Bolsonaro denies 'illegal acts' over Saudi jewels as Lula govt vows probe

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday denied committing "illegal acts" after a report that jewellery allegedly gifted by Saudi Arabia to him and his wife was brought into the South American nation without being declared to authorities.
The government of Bolsonaro's successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, pledged to investigate the matter.
On Friday, O Estado de S Paulo newspaper reported that a member of Bolsonaro's government had illegally tried to bring to Brazil a US$3.2 million (RM14.32 million) jewellery set consisting of a diamond necklace, ring, watch and earrings gifted to the far-right former president and former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro by the Saudi government.
The Saudi embassy in Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"I'm being accused of a gift I neither asked for nor received," Bolsonaro was quoted as saying in an interview with CNN Brasil. "There is no illegality on my part. I never committed illegal acts."
Still, Lula aides promised that probe into the matter would be launched.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino said he would request a federal police investigation, while Paulo Pimenta, a spokesman for the leftist Brazilian president, stressed there would be no impunity.
"The evidence is robust and the truth will out," Pimenta said in a social media broadcast.
According to O Estado de S Paulo, the jewels valued at €3 million (US$3.19 million) were found by customs agents in the backpack of an aide to then-Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque who was returning from an official trip to the Middle East in October 2021.
Agents at the Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo seized the jewellery, as people must declare any goods worth more than US$1,000 when they enter Brazil, the newspaper said, adding that the Bolsonaro administration unsuccessfully tried to recover the jewellery multiple times through government officials.
Bolsonaro is in the US, having flown to Florida in late December, 48 hours before Lula was sworn in. He attended the CPAC conservative conference in Washington on Saturday where he wasalso expected to meet former US president Donald Trump, his political ally.


Teenagers fined RM30,000 for participating in birthday gathering

Seven teenagers between 14 and 18 years of age were slapped with compounds totalling RM30,000 after illegally crossing into Melaka from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, to attend a friend’s birthday gathering.Alor Gajah district police chief Supt Arshad Abu said the teenagers were detained as they gathered in front of the house of the birthday girl in Taman Baiduri, Pulau Sebang, at about 5pm yesterday.“The 17-year-old girl who had organised her birthday gathering was issued a RM4,000 compound and all seven teenagers were detained and taken to the Pulau Sebang police station for violating the SOPs of movement control,” he said in a statement today.He urged the public to adhere to the government’s directive to remain at home, adding that action could also be taken against owners of premises who allow gatherings to be held.


Low response from PJ nursing homes for house-call jabs

Nursing homes and centres for disabled people in Petaling Jaya have been urged to respond to district health authorities to facilitate the vaccination of residents against Covid-19.Dr Yaacub Ibrahim, a medical officer from the Petaling Jaya health office, said only around 200 out of of 1,000 homes had responded to the on-site vaccination efforts which began in June.“We send personnel to the homes because they cannot travel to the vaccination centres due to various constraints,” he told MalaysiaNow.“However, many old folks’ homes and centres for the disabled have not returned our calls.”He said the lack of response was mostly due to communication constraints.“We telephone, but the management doesn’t answer,” he said.“Everyone needs to register for the vaccination programme. If they are able to travel, they should register through MySejahtera. If they have mobility issues, they should contact the nearest health office. We will send staff over to the home.”So far, teams have visited 151 homes in Petaling Jaya and administered nearly 4,000 first doses of vaccine.A medical worker shows a syringe of Covid-19 vaccine to a resident at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Warga Emas Kenangan Budi Kuala Lumpur in Petaling Jaya.While many homes have been slow to respond, residents at others are grateful to have received their Covid-19 jabs.Zainuddin Mirza Said, 92, said he was thankful to have received both doses of vaccine at the home instead of having to travel to a vaccination centre.Zainuddin, who is wheelchair-bound, said he had experienced no side effects from the vaccine.“Everything went well. My advice is, everyone should be vaccinated to help stop the spread of this pandemic,” he said when met at the Heritage Senior Care Centre in Petaling Jaya.Wong Keng Sheng, a caregiver at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Warga Emas Kenang Budi Kuala Lumpur in Petaling Jaya, expressed relief that all 15 residents at the home had been fully vaccinated.“We have senior citizens who are at risk due to health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Some of them were abandoned by their families while others lived alone.“After this programme was launched, we immediately requested that this home be included,” he said. “Within two weeks our residents had received their first jabs.”Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat this week, Khairy Jamaluddin, the minister in charge of Malaysia’s massive vaccination programme, said the percentage of the country’s population which had received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine had surpassed that of some developed countries like Japan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand.He said the immunisation programme, involving an allocation of RM5.8 billion, initially targeted 80% of the population to receive the vaccine by February next year. However, he said this was brought earlier to December this year after taking into account the current developments.“The duration has been further shortened to this October,” he said.