Protest-hit Iran abolishes morality police

Iran has scrapped its morality police after more than two months of protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest for allegedly violating the country's strict female dress code, an official said Sunday.
Women-led protests, labelled "riots" by the authorities, have swept Iran since the 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin died on Sept 16, three days after her arrest by the morality police in Tehran.
Demonstrators have burned their mandatory hijab head coverings and shouted anti-government slogans, and a growing number of women have refrained from wearing the hijab, particularly in parts of Tehran.
"Morality police have nothing to do with the judiciary and have been abolished," Attorney-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri was quoted as saying by the Isna news agency.
His comment came at a religious conference where he responded to a question on "why the morality police were being shut down", the report said.
The move represents a rare concession to the protest movement, and authorities have also acknowledged the demoralising effect of an economic crisis spurred by US sanctions.
"The best way to confront the riots is to... pay attention to people's real demands," said the parliament praesidium council spokesman Seyyed Nezamoldin Mousavi, referencing "livelihoods and the economy".
'Culture of modesty'
The news was treated with scepticism by some Iranians on social media, including those who expressed fears its role would be taken over by another unit, as well as others pointing out that intense social pressure remained at home.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew Iran's US-backed monarchy, authorities have monitored adherence to the strict dress code for women and men.
But under hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the morality police – known formally as the Gasht-e Ershad or "Guidance Patrol" – was established to "spread the culture of modesty and hijab".
The units were set up by Iran's Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, which is today headed by President Ebrahim Raisi.
They began their patrols in 2006 to enforce the dress code which also requires women to wear long clothes and forbids shorts, ripped jeans and other clothes deemed immodest.
The announcement of the units' abolition came a day after Montazeri said "both parliament and the judiciary are working" on the issue of whether the law requiring women to cover their heads needs to be changed.
Raisi said in televised comments Saturday that Iran's republican and Islamic foundations were constitutionally entrenched "but there are methods of implementing the constitution that can be flexible".
The hijab became mandatory in 1983. Morality police officers initially issued warnings before starting to crack down and arrest women 15 years ago.
The squads were usually made up of men in green uniforms and women clad in black chadors, garments that cover their heads and upper bodies.
The role of the units evolved, but has always been controversial.
Clothing norms gradually changed, especially under former moderate president Hassan Rouhani, when it became common to see women in tight jeans and with loose, colourful headscarves.
But in July this year his successor, the ultra-conservative Raisi, called for the mobilisation of "all state institutions to enforce the headscarf law".
Raisi at the time charged that "the enemies of Iran and Islam have targeted the cultural and religious values of society by spreading corruption".
Thousands arrested
In September, the Union of Islamic Iran People Party, the country's main reformist party, called for the hijab law to be rescinded.
On Saturday it also called for the Islamic republic to publicly shut down the morality police and "allow peaceful demonstrations".
Iran accuses its enemy the US and its allies, including Britain and Israel, and Kurdish groups based outside the country, of fomenting the street protests.
More than 300 people have been killed in the unrest, including dozens of security force members, an Iranian general said on Monday.
Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights last week said at least 448 people had been "killed by security forces in the ongoing nationwide protests".
Thousands have been arrested, including prominent Iranian actors and footballers.


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Three-month deferral of loan repayments for eligible PTPTN borrowers

The government has agreed to defer the repayment of National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans for three months for those who are eligible.Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad said the decision was made due to the government’s concern, adding that it was aware of borrowers still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic who had not been able to repay their loans.“Affected borrowers can submit applications through PTPTN’s official portal from tomorrow (June 10) to Aug 31. The loan repayment deferment period starts from the month the application is approved,” she said in a statement today.Noraini said the deferral process would be detailed by PTPTN and voiced hope that the announcement would help ease the burden of borrowers.The government had previously postponed the repayment of PTPTN loans from March 19, 2020 to Dec 31, 2020 for all borrowers before giving a special postponement of repayment to affected borrowers for three months from January to May 2021.Those with further inquiries can contact the PTPTN careline at 03-2193 3000, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.


PAS’ non-Muslim leader backs decision not to have day off for Thaipusam

PAS’ non-Muslim wing has come to the defence of Kedah’s decision not to declare an occasional holiday for the Thaipusam festival in the state, saying it is the state government’s right to decide on such matters based on the current situation.Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had earlier said that as all Thaipusam-related gatherings are banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there would be no day off as had been the case in the last two years.The move drew criticism from Hindu politicians, including Human Resources Minister M Saravanan.But Dr G Balachandran, the information chief for the PAS Supporters Wing – seen as the voice of the non-Muslims in the Islamist party – said he failed to see the fuss over the matter.“I don’t see where the Kedah MB is wrong. The decision took into account the current situation and movement control order, everyone should take precautions and stay indoors,” he told MalaysiaNow.He rejected accusations of PAS as intolerant, saying there are factual and legal issues involved in the decision.Sanusi has since said that there is no ban on Hindus in the state celebrating Thaipusam as long as health SOPs are followed.“All this while, Kedah has never observed a holiday for Thaipusam other than in the past two years, and it is not a state public holiday,” he said in a statement.Thaipusam has been declared as a state holiday in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya since 2008.Balachandran said an occasional holiday is not the same as a public holiday.“It is up to the state government to decide on occasional holidays. So when gatherings are not allowed during the MCO, one can perform the rituals at home.“When people are at home, there is no need for a holiday,” he added.


Experts warn of shift in HIV transmission from injections to sex

Public health experts say new trends have emerged in the spread of HIV despite a drop in infection rates and AIDS-related deaths in the country, including a large number of male patients and a shift in mode of transmission.Speaking at a recent webinar, Dr Nurliza Ibrahim from the health ministry said statistics from the National Registration Department for 2002 to 2021 showed that 85.5% of the 67,880 people living with HIV in 2021 were men.“Between 2006 and 2021, 90% of new HIV infections were among men,” she said.“Figures also show that 63% of HIV cases in 2021 were attributed to men who have sex with men.”Dr Raja Iskandar Raja Azwa from the Malaysian AIDS Council meanwhile said that the transmission of HIV had shifted over the past three decades or so, from infection through injections to sexual transmission.He said rapid development and migration to urban areas had exposed more people to the risk of HIV infection. Nevertheless, he added, public health strategies had remained unchanged.He called for a shift from the focus on condoms as the main HIV prevention strategy to the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP medication.“PrEP is a preventative medication that lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99% when taken correctly,” he said.“But it is not a huge game changer today despite being in the public since 2015 at least.”Raja Iskandar also said that PrEP treatment should be made more widely available at the community level, and urged the government to take the pragmatic step of subsidising it for those in the low-income group.Dr Anita Suleiman from the health ministry’s disease control division meanwhile said there was a lack of large-scale intervention studies on public willingness to take PrEP pills.“We have to understand, before the ministry can come out with a policy, it must have strong data-based evidence,” she said.Adding that plans for wide-scale studies on PrEP were underway, she said other initiatives and programmes to reduce HIV infection were also ongoing, especially to help those from the low-income bracket get better access to healthcare.Consequently, she said, there had been a 70% drop in the number of new HIV cases from 2002 to 2021.


EC to decide state election dates on July 5

The Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting this Wednesday to discuss important dates for the elections in six states.
EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said the meeting followed the receipt of notices of the official dissolution of the Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan state assemblies from their respective state assembly speakers.
"The special meeting will be chaired by EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh who will discuss the important dates for the state elections, such as the date of the election writ, nomination day, polling day, the electoral roll to be used and other preparations," he said in a statement today.
A press conference will be held immediately after the special meeting.


North Korea’s Kim visits new city in first public outing in over a month

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a new city being built near the border with China and a sacred mountain revered by his family, state media reported on Tuesday, in his first public appearance in more than a month.The northern alpine town of Samjiyon is being transformed into a massive economic hub, called a “socialist utopia” by officials, equipped with new apartments, hotels, a ski resort and commercial, cultural and medical facilities.The developing city is near Mount Paektu, the holy mountain where Kim’s family claims its roots, and he has made multiple visits since 2018, with the official KCNA news agency touting it as “epitome of modern civilisation.”KCNA said Kim’s latest trip was designed to inspect the third and last phase of construction, due to be completed by the end of this year after delays caused by international sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic.KCNA did not give a date for Kim’s visit, but it is the first report of public activity by the leader for 35 days, since he gave a speech at a defence exhibition, his longest absence since 2014.The young, reclusive leader’s disappearance from state media often sparks speculation over his health or whereabouts. South Korea’s intelligence agency said late last month that he had no health issues.“He said Samjiyon has turned into an example of a mountainous modern city under socialism and a standard of rural development thanks to the workers’ steadfast struggle despite the unfavourable northern environment,” KCNA said.Kim said building the new city provided experience in construction, design and technologies that would boost economic growth for other regions.The city is one of the largest initiatives Pyongyang has launched as part of Kim’s push for a “self-reliant” economy as the country faces international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.Nearly two years after sealing borders to head off Covid-19, North Korea has recently resumed rail freight with China, the latest sign that they could reopen the border soon.


US, Europe expand sanctions on Belarus for ‘migrant smuggling’

The US, Canada and European allies expanded sanctions on Belarus on Thursday, placing restrictions on government figures and entities for human rights abuses and official support for “migrant smuggling.”The sanctions targeted senior security and justice officials, prominent media figures, a son of Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, defence-related firms and a major fertiliser exporter.The US Treasury also restricted the trading of some Belarus sovereign debt by US entities.The sanctions were in response to “continuing attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus, disregard for international norms and repeated acts of repression,” said a joint statement from the US, Britain, Canada and the European Union.The statement demanded Lukashenko’s regime “immediately and completely halt its orchestrating of irregular migration across its borders with the EU.”“We call for the regime to unconditionally and without delay release its almost 900 political prisoners (and) end its campaign of repression,” it said.Washington said its sanctions target “migrant smuggling and victimization of migrants.”“Today’s actions demonstrate our unwavering determination to act in the face of a brutal regime that increasingly represses Belarusians, undermines the peace and security of Europe, and continues to abuse people seeking only to live in freedom,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.


2 killed in shooting at Japan army training range

Two soldiers were killed and a third wounded when a fellow recruit opened fire at a training range in central Japan on Wednesday, the military said.
"During a live-bullet exercise as part of new personnel training, one Self-Defense Forces candidate fired at three personnel," the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) said in a statement.
"The death of another person has been confirmed of the three who were shot at," the GSDF added later, after earlier announcing a first death and two injuries.
Earlier, government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said a suspect had been detained, but gave no further details.
Local police told AFP the shooter was an 18-year-old SDF candidate who was detained on the spot by other soldiers.
He has been charged with the attempted murder of a 25-year-old soldier, a local police spokesman said, declining to be identified.
The suspect "fired a rifle at the victim with the intent to kill", the spokesman told AFP.
National broadcaster NHK reported the wounded were a man in his fifties and two other men in their twenties.
Aerial footage broadcast by the station showed military and civilians gathered around an emergency vehicle and police blocking nearby roads.
Some appeared to be investigators, wearing covers over their shoes and hair.
A local resident told NHK he saw several emergency vehicles rushing to the area at around 9.30am local time (0030 GMT) but had not heard anything before that.
Recent incidents
The training range is administered by the region's Camp Moriyama and is a covered facility of more than 65,000 square metres.
Violent crime in Japan is extremely rare and gun possession tightly controlled.
But several high-profile incidents have rattled the country over the last year.
In July 2022, former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead on the campaign trail by a man who allegedly targeted him over his links to the Unification Church.
The accused assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, was due to make his first appearance in court this week, but the session was cancelled after a package sent to the facility set off a metal detector.
It was later found to contain no explosives, but rather a petition signed by thousands calling for a lenient sentence for Yamagami.
He has garnered surprising sympathy from some quarters over the effect his mother's devotion to the Unification Church had on his family and childhood.
In April, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida escaped unharmed after a man threw an explosive device towards him at a campaign event.
That incident came shortly before Japan hosted the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Hiroshima and prompted renewed calls for stepped-up security.
Thousands of police were deployed to secure the gathering, which passed without a security incident.
Last month, police in the Nagano region west of Tokyo detained a man after an hours-long knife and shooting rampage, followed by an extended stand-off.
The man killed four people, including two police officers, before he was detained. He is reportedly the son of the speaker of the local city assembly.


Feeling ‘super bad’ about economy, Musk wants to cut 10% of Tesla jobs

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has a “super bad feeling” about the economy and wants to cut about 10% of jobs at the electric carmaker, he said in an email to executives on Thursday seen by Reuters.The message came two days after the world’s richest man told employees to return to the workplace or leave the company.Tesla employed around 100,000 people at the end of 2021, according to its annual SEC filing.Tesla was not immediately available for comment.In an email titled “pause all hiring worldwide,” Musk said he had a “super bad feeling” about the economy.On Tuesday, Musk told staff to return to the workplace or leave the company, a demand that has already faced pushback in Germany where the company has a new factory.“Everyone at Tesla is required to spend a minimum of 40 hours in the office per week,” Musk wrote in that email.“If you don’t show up, we will assume you have resigned.”Musk also engaged on Thursday in a Twitter spat with Australia tech billionaire and Atlassian Plc co-founder Scott Farquhar, who ridiculed the directive in a series of tweets as being “like something out of the 1950s”.Musk tweeted: “recessions serve a vital economic cleansing function” in response to a tweet by Farquhar who encouraged Tesla employees to look into its remote work positions.In late May, when asked by a Twitter user whether the economy was approaching a recession, Musk said, “Yes, but this is actually a good thing. It has been raining money on fools for too long. Some bankruptcies need to happen.”


New infections just over 3,000 as death toll up by 7

Another 3,080 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,626,061.
There were 3,399 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,548,014.
There are now 42,185 active cases, of which 40,622 or 96.3% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 34 (0.1%) are at quarantine centres while 1,472 (3.5%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 57 are in ICU with 37 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 61.7%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 13.8%.
Another seven deaths were reported, including three who were brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 35,862.


Putrajaya enters key phase in Covid battle to keep Malaysia from going Italy’s way

Top officials in Putrajaya are stepping up the war on Covid-19 amid concerns that the country could follow the path of European nations hard hit by the pandemic within the next one month, with new infections hitting four figures each day.Sources who spoke to those involved in the daily monitoring of the Covid-19 situation said the country could hit 3,000 new infections each day in four weeks’ time.“We don’t want to become like Italy, where we reach the point at which we need to choose which patient to save.“If that happens, perhaps only those below 69 years old will have access to treatment,” the source told MalaysiaNow.Italy, the first European country to be hit by the global pandemic, is among the countries with the highest numbers of deaths compared to its population, with 98 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants.“We don’t want to become like Italy, where we reach the point at which we need to choose which patient to save.”During its first wave of Covid-19 infections in March last year, it recorded about 5,500 deaths and over 60,000 positive cases.Since December, officials have been focusing on preparations for another round of infections amid a projected scenario of 5,000 daily cases by end-February, which could put further pressure on government hospitals and frontliners already treating thousands of patients every day.ICUs at hospitals are reaching full capacity due to an increase in Covid-19 patients with chronic underlying illnesses, a problem compounded by cases of health workers themselves falling victim to the virus.Yesterday, MalaysiaNow reported that the government is weighing a tighter form of movement control order that would see restrictions on interstate travel and social activities in six states classified as red zones, including the Klang Valley.It is learnt that in states like Melaka, Kedah, Johor, Penang and Selangor, more than 70% of hospital beds at government facilities have been taken up by Covid-19 patients alone.“We don’t have a lot of room left to treat patients.”“In Johor, the Enche Besar Hajjah Kalsum hospital has already hit 100% capacity in terms of beds and facilities.“Hospital Sungai Buloh has also reached 100% capacity while the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) has used up all its beds.“We don’t have a lot of room left to treat patients. If daily cases continue to hit four figures, in a month’s time our healthcare system will collapse and we won’t be able to take in any more patients.”Covid-19 cases began spiking in September following the Sabah state election, sparking what the health ministry called a third wave of infections.Yesterday, new cases hit a high of 2,593 while the death toll increased to 513.Meanwhile, the source said there are currently 44 Covid-19 patients in critical condition waiting for a place in an ICU, all of which are running at maximum capacity.“The Sungai Buloh hospital can’t take in other patients because there isn’t enough manpower,” it added.


Cambodian villagers killed by toxic rice wine at funeral

In rural Cambodia, dozens of people have died in recent months after drinking toxic home-brewed alcohol.In the village of Thnong in Kampot province, a bad batch consumed at a funeral left tragedy in its wake when eight people died and more than 50 others were hospitalised.The mass poisoning was one of three cases in Cambodia in less than a month, resulting in at least 30 deaths.Thirteen people died in Pursat province at the start of June, and at least 12 people lost their lives in Kandal in May.Tests on the funeral batch showed that efforts to raise the drink’s potency had resulted in deadly levels of methanol.Methanol is the simplest form of alcohol. It is used for various industrial purposes but is toxic to humans. However, since it is cheaper to produce than ethanol – the only type of alcohol which is safe to drink – it is often added to increase the strength of alcoholic drinks for profit reasons, especially in low-income countries like Cambodia.“The situation has been pretty constant, with home distillers operating ramshackle stills inside their houses or shops, and selling this home-produced rice whiskey to their neighbours for wedding parties and other celebrations,” said Jonathan Padwe, an anthropologist and Cambodia expert.Most villages in Cambodia have two or three of these stills, and there are no legal controls, inspections or quality controls, he told the BBC.Since the recent spate of deaths, Cambodian authorities have been attempting to show they are taking the problem seriously.In Pursat, officials have temporarily banned the production and sale of rice and herbal wines, and at least 15 rice wine brewers and sellers have been arrested, Cambodian police say.But Dr Knut Erik Hovda, a global expert in methanol poisoning, told the BBC that education on the dangers of bootleg booze was more important than going after the sellers.“Of course, if I was the Cambodian government I wouldn’t let the people keep selling that toxic alcohol,” Hovda said. “But I would focus on educating people and healthcare providers on how to handle methanol poisoning. It has been happening for at least 150 years, and it’s going to keep on happening.”Shutting down bootleg brewers only results in new brewers opening up for business, he said.The health ministry has reportedly made some headway in implementing programmes to better identify and prevent methanol poisoning, but progress has been hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry declined to comment.In Thnong village, the atmosphere has not been the same since the day of the fatal funeral.Police came and questioned a woman who had sold rice wine in the village for decades, after locals said they had bought some of the deadly brew from her. But she was not arrested.The woman, who gave her name only as Kolap, and most other villagers believe the ghosts of those who passed away on that terrible day are still with them.“I am scared of the ghosts because on that day there were many people who died and it frightens me,” she said. “They make noise in my house and I can’t sleep.”


Over 600 in ICU as 6,493 new cases logged

Another 6,493 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 498,795.Selangor recorded 2,163 cases, Kuala Lumpur 641, Sarawak 612, Kelantan 467, Kedah 434, Johor 406, Perak 382, Negeri Sembilan 370, Penang 302, Melaka 165, Pahang 161, Sabah 144 and Terengganu 139.Labuan recorded 84 cases, Putrajaya 20 and Perlis three.Active cases stand at 52,106 with 643 in the ICU and 363 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 4,508 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 444,540.However, 50 more deaths were reported, pushing the virus toll to 2,149.


Malaysian first to lose PR status as Singapore gets tough on Covid-19 offenders

A Malaysian man who left his hostel in Singapore four times despite being told to stay at home has had his permanent residence (PR) status revoked, becoming the first to be stripped of PR status for breaching Covid-19 rules in the city-state.Chong Tet Choe, who was charged last June with breaking his stay-home notice (SHN) on four occasions despite knowing that he had Covid-19 symptoms, was also sentenced to two weeks in jail on Aug 7, Singapore’s Straits Times reported today.The court heard then that he had gone to a clinic on April 29 complaining of a cough and body aches. The clinic issued him a medical certificate and told him that it was also a SHN.Under the SHN, Chong was ordered to remain at home from April 29 to May 3 except in the event that he required medical attention.According to his hostel records, however, he left his home four times within that time frame in order to buy food and groceries, withdraw money and top up the credit on his mobile phone.He did not confess to these acts until he was shown the access records, the court was also told.Under Singaporean law, Chong could have faced jail of up to six months and a fine of S$10,000 for each of his offences, ST said. He could also have been jailed for up to a year and fined a maximum of S$20,000 for repeat offences.Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said Chong’s PR status was revoked yesterday.“Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence will have their PR status reviewed by the ICA,” it said in a statement.“In the case of Chong Tet Choe, the ICA revoked his PR status on Feb 4.”It added that foreigners who fail to comply with public health regulations could face further administrative action by the ICA, the manpower ministry or both.As of today, Singapore had reported a total of 59,649 Covid-19 infections, a mild outbreak compared to that of many other countries.Channel NewsAsia said Chong was one of 367 people who had breached their SHN from a total of 308,442 issued since Jan 25.


Sarawak tells why it wants its man at LHDN

Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said that having a representative at the federal Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) would allow Sarawak to claim the return of its share of the tax revenue collected in the state.
He said having a representative from the state on the LHDN board was needed to ensure the relevant allocation of funds, given Sarawak's vast size.
"All these years, we have been doing a lot of collections here in Sarawak, just like in other parts of Malaysia.
"Companies and individuals have been paying taxes, and these taxes all go to the finance ministry. So that is one of the reasons we would like to see some representation on the board," he told MalaysiaNow.
Earlier this week, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said he had submitted the name of a candidate to represent the state on the LHDN board of directors.
Karim said while Putrajaya was obliged to provide special grants for Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, the state government wanted these grants to be specified through a formula based on the annual income revenue at the federal level instead of in a fixed amount.
"The rightful place to know how much tax is collected in Sarawak is at LHDN, not the finance ministry," he added.
"The figures from LHDN can be a guide for us in formulating how much we can demand in funds for Sarawak. The smaller the amount of revenue that the federal government gets, the less we ask for. The bigger the amount, the more we ask for. That's fair."
Adding that the finance ministry is in charge of formulating financial policies, Karim said Sarawak only needed information on how much tax is collected in the state.
"This can be used to calculate how much should be returned to Sarawak for development, as prescribed under Article 112D of the constitution or under the annual federal budget," he said.
"Who sits in the finance ministry is the prerogative of the federal government, not the state administration.
"We are demanding a seat at LHDN because that was agreed on by all parties when we agreed to form Malaysia, as one of the safeguards for the state."
Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar meanwhile said that allocations for the development funds were fundamental as they had been articulated in the Inter-Governmental Committee report, one of several important documents in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"When the Cobbold Commission made its first report, it was submitted to the intergovernmental committee to provide more details on what was reported," the Santubong MP said.
"The committee suggested that Sarawak and Sabah have a representative on the revenue board."
He added that the amendments of the four articles in the Federal Constitution relating to the rights of Sabah and Sarawak must be upheld by Putrajaya.
"It is a constitutional obligation for the federal government to realise this matter," he said.
"Whoever is appointed (to the board) by the Sarawak premier, the federal government must accept."


Ex-automotive boss accused of laundering RM4 million

A former CEO of an automotive institute pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in Shah Alam today to nine charges of money laundering amounting to RM4 million.
Mohamad Madani Sahari, 56, was charged with six counts of indirectly engaging in transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities through the bank account of his lawyers, Norizan & Associates, via a letter of instruction to the accounts of several individuals and companies, amounting to RM750,000.
Madani was charged under Section 4(1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla).
For the other three charges, Madani was accused of making payment for legal fees amounting to RM250,000 and buying Islamic redeemable preference shares class F, amounting to RM3 million.
The charges, under Section 4(1)b of Amla, carry a jail term of not more than 15 years and a fine no less than five times the amount of illegal proceeds, or RM5 million, whichever is higher. All the offences were allegedly committed at Hong Leong Bank Shah Alam branch and Trillion Cove Holdings Bhd, Subang Business Centre, Subang Jaya between July 10, 2021 and Feb 21, 2022.
Deputy public prosecutors Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Akhir, Haresh Prakash Somiah and Nurul Atiqah Mohamad Alias prosecuted, while lawyers Rahmat Hazlan and Rahmat Abu Bakar represented the accused.
Judge Rozilah Salleh allowed the prosecution’s application to transfer the case to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to be heard with the accused’s previous charges and for the bail to be tied to the RM300,000 that was imposed earlier on the accused by the Shah Alam Sessions Court.
The court set June 9 for mention.


Daily cases dip again to 2,600

Another 2,690 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 2,767,044.Another 3,535 patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 2,695,751.Meanwhile 265 are in the ICU, including 188 confirmed Covid-19 patients.A total of 147 are in need of respiratory assistance including 81 confirmed Covid-19 cases.Of the 2,690 cases reported today, 52 (1.9%) are in Category Three and above. The remaining 2,638 (98.1%) are in Category One and Two.


40 reported Covid deaths take toll to 30,280

Another 40 Covid-related deaths were reported on Nov 27, taking the cumulative death toll in the country to 30,280.According to the health ministry’s Github data repository, eight or 20% of these were brought-in-dead (BID) cases.Perak had the highest number of reported deaths at six or 15% followed by Kelantan, Selangor and Terengganu at five or 12.5% each.Johor, Pahang and Penang reported three deaths each while Sabah, Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur reported two deaths each.Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis reported one death each while no deaths were reported in Putrajaya and Labuan.A total of 5,097 new cases were reported yesterday, taking the overall total to 2,619,577.As of yesterday, there were 67,252 active Covid-19 cases reported and 5,352 recoveries.


US issues new terrorism threat warning ahead of 9/11 anniversary

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a new terrorism threat advisory on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the Sept 11 terror attacks and amid a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.The National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin said the US faces a “heightened threat environment” from both domestic terrorists “and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences”.It cited increased use of “online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity”.The new advisory updated a January alert following the attack on the US Congress by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, when DHS said the country faced “increasingly complex and volatile” threats from anti-government and racially motivated extremists, often stirred up by online influence from abroad.The bulletin had already been amended in May, with DHS warning violent extremists could exploit the easing of Covid-19 restrictions to conduct attacks.“Extremists may seek to exploit the emergence of Covid-19 variants by viewing the potential re-establishment of public health restrictions across the US as a rationale to conduct attacks,” the DHS advisory said, adding that “pandemic-related stressors… may contribute to more violence this year”.Despite a rapid vaccination programme, coronavirus case numbers have increased sharply in recent months in the US due to the spread of the Delta variant, prompting new health measures.The advisory, which expires on Nov 11, also noted that in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks, the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap), had put out an English-language version of its propaganda “Inspire” magazine for the first time in over four years.This “demonstrates that foreign terrorist organisations continue efforts to inspire US-based individuals susceptible to violent extremist influences”, DHS said.The US, which considers Aqap the terror group’s most dangerous branch, has carried out a campaign of drone strikes against its fighters in Yemen since soon after the 9/11 attacks.DHS was established after 9/11 and regularly issues terrorism threat advisories.


CPI up 2.3% in April, food inflation higher at 4.1%

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April 2022 increased 2.3% to 125.9 compared to 123.1 in the same month of the preceding year, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said today.According to its CPI April 2022 released today, the increase surpassed the average inflation in Malaysia for the period of January 2011-April 2022 (1.9%).Chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said food inflation in April was higher at 4.1% with 89.1% of food items in the food and beverages (F&B) group recording increases.This was followed by restaurants and hotels (3.2%), transport (3.0%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (2.7%), miscellaneous goods and services (1.8%), and recreation services and culture (1.3%), he said in a statement today.Uzir said education increased by 1.0%, and housing, water, electricity, and gas and other fuels climbed 0.8%.He said alcoholic beverages and tobacco and health increased marginally by 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.“Communication remained unchanged, while clothing and footwear declined 0.2% compared to the same month of the preceding year,” he said.He said the increase in food inflation, which contributed the most to the overall weight of the CPI, remained a major contributor to inflation.“Inflation for this group increased 4.1% in April 2022 compared to the same month of the previous year.“The increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages group was largely due to an increase in the component for food away from home which inclined 4.4% compared to 4.0% in March 2022,” he said.He added that an increase had been recorded in all subgroups for food and non-alcoholic beverages such as milk, cheese and eggs (7.2%), meat (6.2%), vegetables (4.5%), and fish and seafood (3.8%).“The increase in vegetable prices was due to weather uncertainties that affected the maturity of vegetables and caused a decline in supply in the market.“In addition, the incline in prices was attributed to the increase in fertiliser prices, logistics costs and labour shortage at agricultural sites,” he said.The increase in the transport group was largely due the increase in the average price of unleaded petrol, RON97, at RM3.84 per litre compared to RM2.55 per litre in the same month last year.This was in line with the 63.3% increase in Brent crude oil prices to US$105.78 per barrel in April 2022.On a monthly basis, the CPI increased 0.2% compared to March 2022, attributed by food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, recreation services and culture, and restaurants and hotels which increased marginally by 0.4%, respectively.Uzir said all states had registered increases in inflation with the highest increase recorded by Selangor and Putrajaya (3.1%).He added that inflation for those earning below RM3,000 increased 2.3% from 123.6 in April 2021 to 126.4 in April 2022.


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Quad nations warn on ‘change by force’ with eyes on China

Leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the US warned Tuesday against attempts to “change the status quo by force” as concerns grow about whether China could invade self-ruled Taiwan.A joint statement by the so-called Quad bloc avoided any direct mention of China’s growing military power in the region, but left little doubt about where its concerns lie.The carefully worded document also made reference to the conflict in Ukraine, but without offering any joint position on an invasion that India has pointedly declined to condemn.The Quad’s other members have been less coy about their view that a strong response to Russia’s war is needed and sends a message that will deter other countries, including China.“As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaking the fundamental principles of the international order… (we) confirmed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force will never be tolerated anywhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region,” Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.The group’s joint statement made no mention of Russia, or China, but listed a range of activities that Beijing has regularly been accused of in the region.“We strongly oppose any coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo and increase tensions in the area, such as the militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities,” it said.The four nations are attempting to build their loose grouping into a more substantive counterweight to China’s rising military and economic power, despite their differences.They unveiled plans to invest at least US$50 billion into infrastructure projects in the region over the next five years and a maritime monitoring initiative seen as intended to bolster surveillance of Chinese activities.The moves come with worries over recent efforts by China to build ties with Pacific nations including the Solomon Islands, which sealed a security pact with Beijing last month.China’s foreign minister will visit the Solomon Islands this week, with reports suggesting he could add other countries including Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati.‘Democracies versus autocracies’In a nod to those concerns, Kishida earlier urged Quad members to “listen carefully” to regional neighbours, including the Pacific islands.“Without walking together with countries in the region, the Quad cannot be successful,” he said.Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said the bloc needed to “push our shared values in the region at a time when China was clearly seeking to exert more influence”.The Quad met a day after US President Joe Biden raised eyebrows and the regional temperature by saying Washington was ready to intervene militarily to defend Taiwan against any Chinese attack.He insisted Tuesday that his comments did not mean a change to Washington’s longstanding “strategic ambiguity” on how it might respond to a Chinese invasion, but Beijing reacted angrily nonetheless.And if Biden was keen to avoid being seen as changing policy, he left little doubt about where the Quad’s focus lies.“This is about democracies versus autocracies, and we have to make sure we deliver,” he said as the Quad summit began.US strategy is for a “free, open, connected, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific. Russia’s assault on Ukraine only heightens the importance of those goals.”There is growing regional discomfort with Chinese military activity including sorties, naval exercises and encroachments by fishing vessels that are viewed as probing regional defences and red lines.The bloc said its new maritime monitoring programme would “promote stability and prosperity in our seas and oceans”, again avoiding pointing the finger at Beijing while referencing illegal fishing – an accusation frequently levelled at China.The leaders are set to meet again in person next year, in Australia.


Suhakam urges free vaccines for migrant workers

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to provide free Covid-19 vaccines for migrants and other vulnerable communities, saying the right to health is a basic human right enjoyed by all.In a statement, it said migrants, refugees, stateless persons, detainees at detention centres and prison inmates risk “falling through the cracks” due to their status, nationality and inability to afford healthcare costs.“Covid-19 does not discriminate. It affects everyone including these vulnerable communities,” it said.The first shipments of Covid-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in Malaysia late next month.Malaysia has ordered 25 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with which the government hopes to inoculate 40% of the population. It has also inked deals with other pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Sinovac and the multinational Covax Facility.Collectively, this will allow 82.8% or 26.5 million people to be vaccinated against Covid-19.The government is looking to reach 70% herd immunity, a goal which involves 23 million Malaysians.Suhakam said there are an estimated 2.5 million documented migrant workers in the country, with no clear data on the number of undocumented workers.Noting the establishment of the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply, also known as JKJAV, it said the committee had early this month reportedly planned to suggest free vaccination for migrant workers in the country.“In this regard, Suhakam hopes that JKJAV will look into this matter and ensure free Covid-19 vaccination for all, including migrant and undocumented workers, refugees, stateless persons and detainees in detention centres and prison inmates.”


High vaccination rate proves Covid immunisation programme going well, says PM

The high number of vaccine doses being administered each day is proof that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme launched on Feb 24 is proceeding smoothly, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.“Alhamdulillah the vaccination has picked up pace… yesterday more than 156,000 people (received their jabs) and it will increase to between 200,000 and 250,000 in July and then hit 300,000 to 400,000 daily.“This proves that the immunisation programme is going well, and it is important for more people to register with MySejahtera (for vaccination).“There is nothing to worry about or fear because it is proven that with the vaccine, we will have protection against Covid-19 or antibodies to keep us safe,” he told reporters after visiting the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children’s Hospital and inspecting the drive-through vaccination centre at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz in Kuala Lumpur today.Also present were Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad.Muhyiddin said the government would ensure that everyone who is eligible is vaccinated so that the country can achieve herd immunity by the end of the year to improve conditions in the country and speed up economic recovery.“That is why we have increased the number of vaccination centres to 600, and introduced mobile units and drive-thru centres, to reach out to people in the rural areas so that no one is left behind.“In certain areas where there are persons with disabilities, we go to their places, and this whole of society, whole of government approach is to ensure success in our fight against Covid-19,” he said.Muhyiddin also said the enforcement of the emergency ordinance to contain the spread of Covid-19 had succeeded in preventing the country’s healthcare system from collapsing.He said with the ordinance, the health ministry could take over and utilise any government or private hospital for the purpose of treating Covid-19 patients if necessary.“Alhamdulillah, from early on because of assistance from the government to finance facilities and allocations under the emergency ordinance, our healthcare system has remained intact.“This government strategy to take over hospitals is to ensure that any problems related to Covid-19 cases can be managed properly,” he said, citing as an example the takeover of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children’s Hospital (HPKK UKM) as a Covid-19 facility.HPKK UKM director Dr Syed Zulkifli Syed Zakaria said the hospital is expected to start receiving Covid-19 patients on Tuesday.On May 22, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry would use the emergency ordinance to take over Hospital Cyberjaya and HPKK UKM to treat Covid-19 patients.On Jan 12, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah proclaimed a state of emergency to remain in force until Aug 1 as a proactive step to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia.


Vietnam up in arms over minister’s gold-leaf steak

A video showing a powerful Vietnamese official enjoying a bite of steak smothered in gold leaf at a luxury London restaurant has sparked online anger in the Southeast Asian country, where the average person earns a few dollars a day.To Lam, minister of public security – whose agency deals with the monitoring of dissent and surveillance of activists in the authoritarian state – was seen tucking into the hunk of meat at Nusr-Et Steakhouse in the wealthy area of Knightsbridge.Nusr-Et, named after Turkish chef Nusret Gokce – known to his nearly 40 million Instagram followers as Salt Bae – serves up steaks wrapped in edible 24-carat gold leaf, reportedly costing more than US$1,000.David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell – and now the 64-year-old Lam – have been among the visitors to the steakhouse’s branches across the world.The clip of the Vietnamese politician, which was originally posted by the restaurant before being removed, had spread across Tiktok and Facebook in Vietnam by Friday.Many of those posting were angry about the decadence on display while the country struggles in the aftermath of a devastating wave of Covid-19 that has cost countless jobs and caused the heaviest contraction in Vietnam’s GDP on record.“People are facing extreme difficulties due to the pandemic, but (officials) are enjoying themselves in the manner of world-class celebrities,” wrote Pham Viet Duc on Facebook.“The government has always complained of financial difficulties yet they steal people’s money for this luxury life as if there is no tomorrow,” he said.Others posted pictures of poor children in Vietnam’s most deprived regions in comments about the clip.“It’s only by accident that people saw this video, but they have always been spending money in this way or a thousand times more”, said Tommy Lee on Facebook.The average Vietnamese citizen earned a monthly income of around US$184 in 2020, according to the country’s General Statistics Office.It is not clear exactly when the video was filmed, but Lam was in Britain for the COP26 climate conference and met the British interior minister on Monday.Lam, a member of Vietnam’s powerful 18-strong politburo, has been public security minister since 2016 and has taken a hard line on human rights movements in the communist country.Three years ago, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was also criticised for eating at a branch of the same restaurant group in Turkey.


Zii Jia claims maiden All England Open

Lee Zii Jia claimed his first All England Open on Sunday as he outlasted Danish second seed Viktor Axelsen 30-29, 20-22, 21-9.Lee edged a marathon opening set that went all the way to the maximum 59 points.The 22-year-old squandered nine game points before eventually getting over the line at the 10th time of asking.A tense second set followed in the same vein, but this time it was the defending champion who rallied from 18-14 down to take the match into a decider.However, Axelsen’s far more draining route to the final took its toll in the third set.The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist had been forced to a deciding set in three of his four previous wins this week, while Lee had not dropped a set.“I used a lot of energy, probably too much, in the first two rounds,” said Axelsen. “He deserves to be the champion this week.”The fresher player showed no signs of nerves as he avenged his defeat to Axelsen in last year’s All England semi-final.“I just can’t describe my feelings now,” said Lee, who missed having a crowd on site for his big moment. “I’m happy, sad and excited all coming in the one time. It is a very special moment for me.”Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara was a dominant winner in the women’s final, beating Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 21-16.“Five years ago I won here and there was no pressure, this time I’m in the top five players in women’s singles so that changed things,” said Okuhara.“But my overall play is now at a higher level so I am very happy.”Just months out from a home Olympics, Japan also dominated the doubles with all three finals between six Japanese pairings.Yuta Watanabe claimed both the men’s and mixed doubles titles.Watanabe teamed up with Hiroyuki Endo to beat Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda in the men’s doubles final 21-15, 17-21, 21-11.Arisa Higashino was Watanabe’s partner for the mixed doubles success as they saw off Yuki Kaneko and Misaki Matsutomo 21-14, 21-13.Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara beat Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota 21-18, 21-16 in the women’s doubles final.With the tournament not counting towards Olympic qualification, leading Asian badminton nations China, South Korea and Taiwan had opted not to travel because of Covid-19 restrictions.Indonesia’s team were forced to withdraw from the tournament earlier this week after a passenger on their flight to Britain tested positive for the coronavirus.


RM1.2 billion allocated for persons with disabilities

The government will continue attending to the welfare of persons with disabilities by allocating RM1.2 billion for this group through Budget 2023, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said today.
He said this allocation would provide aid for the care of those with chronic diseases and allowances for those who are unable to work as well as disabled workers.
"The government will also be implementing initiatives to hone the potential and skills of persons with disabilities towards looking after their own economy," he said when tabling the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat.
"In encouraging more persons with disabilities to go into business, the government will continue to boost the 1 PwD 1 Business Scheme through exemption of the business registration and licence renewal fees under the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
"Besides this, the government has allocated RM10 million to provide travel vouchers for persons with disabilities through the e-hailing service so as to ease mobility for this group. "In protecting the welfare of special education children and their teachers, RM20 million has been allocated to provide teaching devices and improve facilities at schools for special needs students," he said.
Zafrul said the government had also provided a special incentive for the establishment of 50 new kindergartens for children with disabilities compared to the existing 13 to enable parents to send their special needs children to safe schools.
"The finance ministry will also initiate the setting up of a friendly call centre for persons with disabilities by using the video call mode together with the services of sign language interpreters to convey messages to these children," he said.
He also noted that there were now 260,000 persons with disabilities eligible for Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia or Malaysian Family Aid.


UK researchers aim to infect volunteers to study Covid exposure

British researchers on Tuesday said they hope to expose healthy volunteers to the virus that causes Covid-19 in a groundbreaking study to discover the amount needed for people to become infected.The Human Challenge Programme – a partnership that includes Imperial College London – hopes the work will ultimately help to “reduce the spread of the coronavirus, mitigate its impact and reduce deaths”.In what researchers called a world first, the opening stage of the project will examine the possibility of exposing healthy volunteers to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.They aim to recruit volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 with no underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity.“In this initial phase, the aim will be to discover the smallest amount of virus it takes to cause a person to develop Covid-19,” Imperial College said in a statement.The volunteer would be infected via the nose, Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial, told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday.“The great advantage of these volunteer studies is that we can look at each volunteer very carefully not only during the infection but also prior to infection, and we can work out exactly what’s going on at every stage,” he added.The researchers would use the results to study how vaccines might work and to explore potential treatments.Because the study deliberately infects the volunteers, “it should be possible for scientists to begin to establish efficacy very quickly, by testing if those who have had a vaccine are less likely to become infected with the virus”, explained the researchers.“Our number one priority is the safety of the volunteers,” said Chris Chiu, from Imperial’s department of infectious disease.“No study is completely risk-free, but the Human Challenge Programme partners will be working hard to ensure we make the risks as low as we possibly can.”“The UK’s experience and expertise in human challenge trials as well as in wider Covid-19 science will help us tackle the pandemic, benefiting people in the UK and worldwide,” he added.The study is expected to begin early next year, said the research team from the partnership, which also includes the government, a clinical company and a hospital.


Govt in bid to decriminalise possession, use of small amounts of drugs

The government wants to introduce a law to decriminalise the possession and use of small quantities of illicit drugs, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today, citing a need to reduce prison overcrowding.
The move is the latest in a series of criminal justice reforms pursued by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, which this year abolished the mandatory death penalty and natural-life prison terms, and said it would seek to decriminalise suicide attempts.
Malaysia, like many of its Southeast Asian neighbours, has harsh penalties for drug crimes. Under reforms passed last month, it retained the death penalty for drug trafficking but said it will no longer be mandatory, with judges allowed to decide whether or not to impose the sentence on convicted offenders.
Under the proposed law, those found with small quantities of illegal substances will not be prosecuted but instead sent to drug rehabilitation centres for treatment, Saifuddin told reporters.
"For those found with small amounts of drugs, whether it was for possession or use, the idea is not to consider the act as a regular drug-related offence," he said.
A proposal on the new law is expected to be presented to the Cabinet in July for approval, Saifuddin said. If approved, a draft bill will be tabled in Parliament within the year, he added.
Malaysia is considered a key transit point for illegal narcotics. The police said nearly 29,000 people were arrested in 2022 for various drug offences, the bulk of whom were addicts.


Vaccine protection wanes within 6 months, says phone app study

Protection from two doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines wanes within less than six months, according to a study of phone app data Wednesday, suggesting that booster shots may be needed to ensure prolonged coverage.The latest finding comes as several countries are rolling out additional jabs for the fully vaccinated, a move slammed by the World Health Organization as millions in the world have yet to receive a single dose.The Pfizer jab was 88% effective a month after the second dose, but protection fell to 74% after five to six months, according to the latest analysis of data from the Zoe Covid Study.The study uses real-world data gathered via a mobile phone app with over a million active users, who log details on their vaccinations and test results, which is then analysed by researchers including scientists at King’s College London.The study drew on more than 1.2 million test results and participants.Protection from the AstraZeneca vaccine fell from 77% one month after a second dose to 67% after four to five months.The lead scientist on the Zoe app, professor Tim Spector, said that more data was needed on how vaccine effectiveness changes in different age groups.UK cases grew sharply after social restrictions lifted in July but hospitalisations have been stable for the last month.But Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, warned that waning vaccine effectiveness among the most vulnerable could lead to more hospitalisations and deaths by winter.“In my opinion, a reasonable worst-case scenario could see protection below 50% for the elderly and healthcare workers by winter,” he said.If high levels of infection remain, fuelled by the more transmissible Delta variant and easing of restrictions, “this scenario could mean increased hospitalisations and deaths”, the scientist said.“We urgently need to make plans for vaccine boosters,” Spector added.He also said the UK needed to decide whether its current focus on vaccinating children was “sensible if our aim is to reduce deaths and hospital admissions”.The latest findings come after another study by University of Oxford scientists published last week found that the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine declines faster than that of AstraZeneca.The UK began vaccinating older or clinically vulnerable people in December last year, so these make up most of the people who have been fully vaccinated for half a year and are now likely to be at increased risk of infection.


PM guarantees press freedom

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today assured media practitioners in the country that they are free to report any news but that the reports should be based on accurate and authentic facts.
In their role as disseminators of information, the prime minister said he believed media practitioners were aware of their limitations and responsibilities.
"The media must be responsible, which is to tell the truth, to provide true information. If the information is true, there will be no objections and constraints from the government on how the news is to be delivered," he told reporters during a visit to Media Prima in Sri Pentas, Kuala Lumpur, today.
He also said the government’s guarantee of press freedom was reflected in its actions.
"If they go beyond what is allowed, the government will definitely reprimand them, (but) so far, no media (organisation) has been closed down or had its licence revoked.
"This means there is freedom of the press," he said.
Describing the role of the mainstream media as important for disseminating accurate information, the prime minister said the public should not only rely on social media for information.
"As we know, inaccurate and distorted information is being disseminated, causing people to be confused.
"That's why it's important for the mainstream media, such as TV3 and the print media, to provide accurate information that is not misleading," he said.


Mahathir weighs in on Penang-Kedah debate

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today revealed that he had urged former finance minister Lim Guan Eng to increase the RM10,000 annual payment by Putrajaya to Kedah for agreeing to lease out Penang during the British colonial era.
"I am not asking anyone to believe me. So you can take this story with a dollop of salt," the former prime minister who led the government twice said, weighing in on an ongoing debate sparked by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's remarks.
Saying he did not want to be dragged into the debate, Mahathir, who is a Kedahan himself, however, said there was nothing wrong with Sanusi giving his views on the history of the state's ownership of Penang.
He said the Sultan of Kedah agreed for the East India Company, Britain's colonial vehicle, to take over the Penang island and mainland for a total of 10,000 Spanish dollars annually.
"In addition, the agreement required the British company to help in the defence of Kedah if attacked by foreign countries. We know that the British failed to honour their words," he said.
He said the leasing of Penang should not be compared to Singapore's handover to the British.
"It was clearly a straightforward sale. The British made a one-time payment of 60,000 Spanish dollars to the Temenggong.
"It is worthwhile noting that Sultan Ali, the sultan at that time did not sign. He was awarded a house in Kampung Gelam in Singapore. This generosity was not accompanied by British recognition of Ali as the sultan," he said, referring to Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah of Johor.


Appeals court dismisses Khairy’s bid to challenge Anwar’s defamation suit

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Khairy Jamaluddin’s appeal to challenge Anwar Ibrahim’s defamation suit over a statement of immoral character filed against him 14 years ago.A three-member panel comprising judges Lee Swee Seng, Darryl Goon Siew Chye and Ghazali Cha, in a unanimous decision, ruled that there was no appealable error that warranted appellate intervention.Goon, who read out the decision during the virtual proceedings today, said the impugned statement uttered by Khairy, in the choice of analogy and figure of speech within the natural and ordinary meaning, was capable of being defamatory to Anwar.“The learned trial judge has taken the impugned statements in context including the figure of speech employed and concluded that the ordinary and natural meaning of the impugned statement by implication and/or inference, were both capable of being, and in fact, defamatory, as set out in his judgment.“”s it has been succinctly described, ‘words, like people, are judged by the company they keep’. The sting is not so much in the words that are actually used but what ordinary men would infer from them. The inference that may be borne from the words used is also to be regarded in law as part of the natural and ordinary meaning used,” he said.In relation to the quantum of damages – RM150,000 – awarded to Anwar, Goon said the court did not find that the reward was manifestly excessive and that there exists no justification for any appellate intervention.“We therefore find no merit to this appeal, and the appeal is accordingly dismissed. The decision of the learned High Court judge is affirmed. We award a sum of RM50,000 to the respondent (Anwar),” he said.The appellate court also dismissed Khairy’s appeal to amend his statement of defence with regard to the defamation suit by Anwar.“We find no appealable error on the part of the judge in the exercise of his discretion to disallow the appellant’s application to re-amend his statement of defence as it came much too late in the day after the trial concluded for an amendment of the nature sought to be made,” said Goon who also ordered Khairy to pay Anwar costs of RM10,000.On March 7, 2008, Anwar, who is PKR president, sued Khairy, who was then youth and sports minister and Umno Youth vice-chief, for allegedly uttering defamatory words about him during a ceramah in Lembah Pantai on Feb 20 the same year which led to the posting of a video clip titled “Anwar and kin no threat” on a news portal.In September 2017, High Court judge Azizul Azmi Adnan allowed Anwar’s suit against Khairy and found Khairy liable for defamation, ordering Khairy to pay Anwar RM150,000 in general damages.The judge also dismissed Khairy’s application to amend his statement of defence to say that his remark was a fair comment.Khairy subsequently filed an appeal against the High Court ruling but, in February 2018, the Court of Appeal struck it out after allowing Anwar’s counsel’s application to annul the notice of appeal.On Dec 15, 2020, the Federal Court allowed Khairy’s appeal for his case to be reheard on its full merits at the Court of Appeal.Anwar was represented by counsel Gopal Sri Ram while Muhammad Shafee Abdullah acted for Khairy.


'Liar' Hadi planning repeat of Sheraton Move, says Kit Siang

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today accused Abdul Hadi Awang of trying to create "another Sheraton Move conspiracy" to topple the government of Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim, while denying an earlier allegation by the PAS president of "Islamophobia" on the part of DAP.
In a statement, Lim said Hadi claimed he had masterminded the so-called Sheraton Move which saw the collapse of the PH government in February 2020 after just 22 months in power.
He said the "first step" of the "conspiracy" had centred on the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), announced by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018.
"The ICERD issue in 2018 allowed Hadi to spread lies and falsehoods that DAP was anti-Malay, anti-Islam and anti-royalty, and that DAP was behind the ratification proposal when in actual fact, DAP ministers and leaders were completely surprised when Mahathir announced in his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2018 that Malaysia was prepared to ratify the UN treaties and covenants on core human rights issues," he said.
Adding that Hadi had yet to apologise for his "lies and falsehoods" about DAP in this regard, Lim said the PAS leader had nevertheless begun to tell "new lies and falsehoods" about DAP in Anwar's government, accusing it of being "creedless and immoral".
"DAP is as innocent of Hadi‘s charges of Islamophobia as DAP is innocent of Hadi’s earlier charges of being the mastermind behind the abortive move to ratify ICERD in 2018," he said.
"Why is Hadi becoming such an incorrigible liar?"
Lim said he was for the ratification of ICERD but only "after the majority of the races and religions in Malaysia support it and understand that it poses no threat to the various races, religions or the Federal Constitution but a step forward to join the world in promoting human rights".
"Hadi’s latest allegation that DAP is guilty of Islamophobia is most ridiculous and laughable," he said.
"Since its formation 56 years ago in 1966, DAP has fully supported Article 3 of the constitution which stipulates Islam 'as the religion of the federation but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation'.
"Would a political party which is Islamophobic support Article 3 of the constitution?"


China urges ‘certain people’ to stop ‘malicious hyping’ of tennis star Peng Shuai

China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that “certain people” should stop the “malicious hyping” and “politicisation” of the issue of tennis star Peng Shuai, as foreign governments and organisations continue to raise questions around her wellbeing.The whereabouts of Peng, a former doubles world number one, became a matter of international concern for nearly three weeks after she posted a message on social media alleging that China’s former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.She re-appeared over the weekend in Beijing and held a video call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Sunday but the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has said that this did not address or alleviate concerns about her wellbeing.Amnesty International’s China researcher Alkan Akad also told Reuters the video call did little to ease fears over Peng’s wellbeing and that the IOC was entering “dangerous waters”.“This is not a diplomatic matter,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing on Tuesday.“I believe everyone will have seen she has recently attended some public activities and also held a video call with IOC President Bach. I hope certain people will cease malicious hyping, let alone politicisation.”


Boris Johnson wilfully misled parliament, says UK report dubbed 'rubbish' by ex-PM

Britain's Boris Johnson should be excluded from parliament for wilfully misleading lawmakers over rule-breaking Covid lockdown parties at his office, a committee said on Thursday in a damning report the former leader described as "rubbish".
In a more than 100-page report, the privileges committee - the main disciplinary body for lawmakers - said Johnson had wilfully mislead parliament on several occasions when he was asked about Downing Street gatherings during Covid-19 lockdowns.
The committee also accused Johnson of being "complicit in a campaign of abuse and attempted intimidation".
Johnson, one of Britain's most well-known and divisive politicians, shot back, repeating his innocence and condemning the report as "rubbish", "a lie" and "a charade", and accusing committee members of waging a vendetta against him.
In the report which details six events held at Downing Street, the committee, which has both members from the governing Conservatives and opposition Labour Party, said: "We conclude that in deliberately misleading the House Mr Johnson committed a serious contempt."
"We recommend that he should not be entitled to a former Member’s pass," it added, referring to a pass which enables former prime minister's to gain access to parliament.
The Committee found that Johnson sought to undermine the parliamentary process by deliberately misleading the House of Commons and the Committee, by breaching confidence, impugning the Committee and by being complicit in a campaign of abuse and attempted intimidation.
It said that were Johnson still a member of parliament, it would have recommended a suspension from the House for 90 days.
Johnson resigned from parliament last week after seeing an advance copy of the report, calling the inquiry a "witch hunt", a criticism he double-downed on after its publication.
"I believed, correctly, that these events were reasonably necessary for work purposes. We were managing a pandemic," he said in a statement.
"But don’t just listen to me. Take it from the Metropolitan Police. The police investigated my role at all of those events. In no case did they find that what I had done was unlawful."


PAS has plan B if cooperation with Umno fails, says Tuan Ibrahim

PAS has a plan B if the proposed cooperation with Umno does not materialise, says PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
However, he did not elaborate on the plan.
He said for the time being, PAS was still trying to resolve minor issues with Umno with which it had formed a political alliance under the umbrella of Muafakat Nasional (MN).
Tuan Ibrahim said to him, MN was an important platform, not just for politics but for Muslims in Malaysia.
"If we look at sensitivity, PAS is more sensitive towards Umno... we will work on resolving it first. If we succeed, we will continue but if it fails, we have plan B," he told reporters when met at the Parliament building yesterday.
As for the three conditions set by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for PAS to fulfil for any political cooperation for the 15th general election, Tuan Ibrahim said these were not spelled out in Umno's official statement.
"I feel that the three conditions must have been spelled out in the official statement. The official statement did not include any conditions," he said.
Zahid had set the three conditions for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, that is to exit Perikatan Nasional (PN), sever political ties with Bersatu, and openly declare that the party has severed ties with PN and Bersatu.
Earlier, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad was reported as saying that the party would convene for a meeting this Saturday, to discuss among others issues related to the party’s stand on political cooperation with other parties.


SC green light for CTOS to take over RAM criticised ahead of June 9 AGM

The prospect of a single commercial entity owning a majority stake in RAM Holdings has been met with criticism from analysts and market observers who warn that the company’s credibility as a debt rating agency will come under question.This follows the move by the credit rating agency to defend a plan by CTOS Digital to increase its share in the company at RAM’s annual general meeting (AGM) this Thursday.The controversial approval for the increase in CTOS shares came from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), MalaysiaNow revealed last week, citing a proposal attached to the AGM notice – a move which some players said could affect RAM’s credibility as a reference for the debt capital market.It was reported that in order to increase its stake, CTOS would first need to clear a legal hurdle by getting the AGM to approve a constitutional amendment to lift a ban on any single entity owning more than 20% of the shares in the rating agency.RAM had defended the plan, saying there were “key safeguard measures” in its day-to-day operations.“The SC would not grant approval to any party to exceed this limit if it deems this to be detrimental to the best interest of the credit rating agency and the bond market,” RAM Holdings CEO Chris WK Lee said in a response to MalaysiaNow’s report.“All directors including its chief executive, deputy chief executive and members of the rating committee are subject to the approval of the SC,” he added.RAM, established by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in 1990 to support the local debt capital market, is accepted as the industry leader in credit ratings by many fund managers. Its credit opinions are a crucial reference for banks as well as financial regulators.The takeover bid by CTOS, however, has prompted questions about how fairly RAM would be able to play this role.“As a rating agency, RAM’s shareholding structure should be such that its independence can be preserved,” Devanesan Evanson, who heads the Minority Shareholders Watchdog Group (MSWG), a body formed as part of a broader capital market framework to protect the interests of minority shareholders, told MalaysiaNow.Devanesan said any changes to the current shareholding structure that compromise such independence “create the potential for conflicts of interest”.“The previous structure does not allow any one party to control by limiting ownership to 20%. If one party controls RAM, there is a risk that that party can influence RAM to do what the controlling party wants to do.“In such instances, there must be a strong system of controls and checks and balances to mitigate the risk,” he added.Meanwhile, those familiar with the local equity market said the composition of RAM’s shareholders was already the talk among industry players, who feared the increasing control of the rating agency by a single entity.One of them pointed out a web of share ownerships linking back to an individual.“At least two companies are linked to this person, and both these companies combined already have significant stakes in RAM,” it said, asking if the SC was aware of this.“In such a case, it is already in clear breach of RAM’s constitution,” it added.Reacting to RAM’s defence of the plan, it said the SC’s approval for CTOS to increase its share ownership of RAM had set a “troubling precedent”.“There is nothing to prevent any new owner from asset-stripping and selling on to someone else once the flood gates are open.”It also called for case-by-case approval for each new significant shareholder.“But now, it will be anyone going forward.”MalaysiaNow has contacted the SC and CTOS for a response.When contacted, meanwhile, a spokesman for BNM replied: “We have no comments on this matter.”Last week, MalaysiaNow reported that the SC on April 28, 2022 gave its approval for CTOS to own majority shares in RAM, as well as any subsequent increase in shares.CTOS is already planning to increase its paid-up capital in RAM to 19.25%, up from the mere 4.625% it acquired last year.The request to amend RAM’s current ownership limit will be placed under “special business” at the AGM.The proposal was met with alarm by several fund managers and bankers, one of whom said there had been a “gradual subversion of RAM” over the years, pointing to non-banking as well as foreign entities which make up about a dozen shareholders in the agency.Adding to the fear is the potential conflict of interest by individuals in CTOS.“We know for a fact that at least one CTOS non-executive director is sitting on the SC board of directors,” a capital market analyst told MalaysiaNow, adding that as RAM’s credit reports have implications in the bonds market, the latest development points to conflict of interest as well as “the death of integrity in Malaysia’s financial sector”.In April, CTOS bought 910,000 ordinary shares from RAM for RM25.06 million, changing hands from OCBC Bank, Affin Bank and Affin Hwang Investment Bank.A senior economist meanwhile urged the SC to review its approval for CTOS to acquire RAM, saying it would have negative consequences on market perception.Zulkiply Omar, of Universiti Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Research Centre, said there was a potential for bias on the part of the rating agency.“If the holding is limited to 20% or less, it will be a minority vote, hence having to rely on a majority vote (other shareholders).”“But if only one entity is the majority, then it gets to the final say,” said Zulkiply, who was previously a senior research fellow with the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research.


AstraZeneca tests booster jab against Covid variant

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Sunday began new trials to test a modified vaccine against the Beta variant, which first emerged in South Africa.The “booster” vaccine’s trial will involve around 2,250 participants from Britain, South Africa, Brazil and Poland.They include people who have been fully vaccinated with two doses of the original Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine or an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer as well as those who have not got the jab at all.The new vaccine, known as AZD2816, has been designed using the same base as the main AstraZeneca shot but with minor genetic alterations to the spike protein based on the Beta variant.“Testing booster doses of existing vaccines and new variant vaccines is important to ensure we are best prepared to stay ahead of the pandemic coronavirus, should their use be needed,” said Andrew Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford.Britain has had a successful vaccine rollout programme, but experts do not know how long protection lasts.“This study will provide vital evidence on whether further doses including ‘tweaks’ against new virus variants may be needed in the future,” said Maheshi Ramasamy, Principal Investigator at the Oxford Vaccine Group.Initial data from the trial is expected later this year.Current vaccines are believed to be less effective against the Beta variant, although it is the Delta variant, which emerged in India, that is currently causing most concern.Although the main vaccines are believed to be highly effective at preventing serious illness, the Delta variant’s transmissible nature is leading to a spike in cases in some countries, including Britain.


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Moscow ‘not sure’ it needs resumed ties with West, will work on ties with China

Russia’s foreign minister said on Monday that Moscow would consider offers from the West to re-establish ties and determine whether that is needed, but will focus on developing relations with China.Sergei Lavrov, in a question and answer session at an event in Moscow, said Western countries had espoused “russophobia” since Russia launched its incursion into Ukraine – described by Moscow as a “special military operation”.Russia was working to replace goods imported from Western countries, he said, and in future, would rely only on “reliable” countries not beholden to the West.“If they (the West) want to offer something in terms of resuming relations, then we will seriously consider whether we will need it or not,” Lavrov said, according to a transcript on the foreign ministry’s website.Lavrov set down grievances with Western countries that he said were determined to change the rules of international relations to Russia’s detriment.“We must cease being dependent in any way on supplies of absolutely everything from the West for ensuring the development of critically important sectors for security, the economy or our homeland’s social sphere,” he said.Moscow says its incursion seeks to demilitarise Ukraine after what it describes as a Western-inspired coup in 2014 that embodied extreme nationalism and evicted a Russia-friendly president.Lavrov said Moscow’s goal now is to further develop ties with China.“Now that the West has taken a ‘dictator’s position’, our economic ties with China will grow even faster,” Lavrov said.“In addition to direct revenue for the state budget, this is a chance to develop (Russia’s) far east and eastern Siberia.”China, he said, had information and communications technologies “that are in no way inferior to the West. A great deal here will ensure mutual benefits.”Lavrov said Russia would count on “only ourselves and on countries which have proved themselves reliable and do not ‘dance to some other piper’s music’. If Western countries change their minds and propose some form of cooperation, we can then decide.”


Najib has explained 1MDB debt comments, says speaker

Former prime minister Najib Razak (Pekan-BN) has clarified the statement he made on 1MDB in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this month, speaker Azhar Harun said today.Azhar said he received the explanation at 10am last Tuesday.“I went over the explanation and it was quite thick (lengthy). I sat down with Yang Berhormat Damansara (Tony Pua) and have given him some time to respond to it,” he added.He said this when responding to RSN Rayer (Jelutong-DAP) who asked about Najib’s explanation on the repayment of 1MDB debts that was supposed to have been given two weeks ago.Azhar said he would make a decision once he received comprehensive feedback as the matter was complicated.“The details, I will have to look into whether what was said was confusing or not,” he added.Earlier this month, Pua (Damansara-PH) submitted a motion to refer Najib to the Rights and Privileges Committee for trying to mislead the members of the Dewan Rakyat with his speech on 1MDB.Azhar said an explanation had also been given by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz as requested.“I will give all copies to Yang Berhormat Pekan and Yang Berhormat Damansara so that they know what is being said, and once I have Yang Berhormat Damansara’s response, I will make a decision,” he said.


Sarawak sees sharp spike in Delta cases

There has been a sharp increase in Delta Covid-19 cases detected in Sarawak, according to the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.IHCM director Dr David Perera in a statement today said an overall detection rate of over 73% had been recorded recently, a sharp increase from 50% reported on Aug 3.He said for the Kuching division alone, the Delta variant detection rate was approximately 90%.“This variant also continues to be detected in Bau, Lundu, Kota Samarahan, Simunjan, Miri and Bintulu. Additionally, we have detected six Delta variants in Sibu,” he said.IHCM has been at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic in the state, tasked with testing samples and genome sequencing analysis to detect changes in the virus.Perera said as of Aug 10, a total of 249 additional variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI) were detected from 338 Covid-19 cases sequenced, of which 248 were of the Delta variant.He said a cumulative total of 592 VOC/VOI had been detected in Sarawak from positive Covid-19 cases as of Aug 10.


US cutting forces, missile batteries in Middle East

The Pentagon said Friday it was cutting the number of troops and air defence units deployed to the Middle East, confirming a Wall Street Journal report that eight Patriot batteries were being moved out from the region.The move comes as President Joe Biden’s administration seeks to ease tensions with Iran after they heated up in 2019 and saw a strong escalation in the US military presence across the region.The Wall Street Journal said the Patriot anti-missile batteries were being removed from Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and that a separate anti-missile system, called THAAD, was being transferred from Saudi Arabia as well.Each battery requires hundreds of troops and civilians to operate and support them.Pentagon spokesman Commander Jessica McNulty said that some of the units were being redeployed to other countries and some were returning to the US for maintenance.She would not say where the redeployed units were being moved.“This decision was made in close coordination with host nations and with a clear eye on preserving our ability to meet our security commitments,” she said in an email.“We maintain a robust force posture in the region appropriate to the threat and are comfortable that these changes do not negatively impact our national security interests,” McNulty said.“We also retain the flexibility to rapidly flow forces back into the Middle East as conditions warrant.”The US military is rapidly adjusting its global footprint as it pulls out of Afghanistan entirely and sees a greater threat from China in the Asia-Pacific region.The Pentagon also slashed its troop presence in Iraq last year to 2,500, supporting Iraqi forces in their fight against the Islamic State group.Iran is still viewed as a major threat across the Middle East, but the Biden administration is in negotiations to restore the agreement on Tehran halting its nuclear development program, which would also see some sanctions on the country lifted.“The Defense Department maintains tens of thousands of forces in the Middle East, representing some of our most advanced air power and maritime capabilities, in support of US national interests and our regional partnerships,” McNulty said.


US lawmakers authorise US$800 million more for Ukraine in defence bill

US lawmakers agreed to provide Ukraine at least US$800 million (about RM3.5 billion) in additional security assistance next year and to boost Taiwan with billions in aid over the next several years, according to an US$858 billion defense policy bill unveiled on Tuesday.
The Fiscal 2023 National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, authorises the additional spending for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, an increase of $500 million over President Joe Biden's request earlier this year.
The bill also strengthens the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, with US$11.5 billion in new investments. And it authorises the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act of 2022, legislation to increase security cooperation with Taiwan with up to US$10 billion in spending over five years.
The compromise version of the NDAA, a must-pass bill setting policy for the Pentagon, is the result of months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
The overall bill authorises US$45 billion more in defence spending than Biden requested, as congressional negotiators sought to address the effects of global inflation and provide additional security assistance for Ukraine.
Passed every year since 1961, the NDAA addresses everything from pay increases for US troops - this year's is 4.6% - to how many ships or aircraft can be purchased to how to address China and Russia. Because it is must-pass legislation, lawmakers use the NDAA as a vehicle for a range of initiatives.
The fiscal 2023 NDAA includes a provision demanded by many Republican members in Congress that requires the Secretary of Defense to rescind a mandate requiring that members of the armed forces be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Critics of big tech companies including Meta's Facebook and Alphabet's Google tried but ultimately failed to include in the NDAA a measure that would allow news organizations to band together to demand more revenue from the tech giants.
The bill includes US$2.7 billion to boost munitions production capacity while temporarily waiving some restrictions on contracts for munitions to support Ukraine.
The bill authorises the more funds to develop hypersonic weapons, close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii and purchase existing weapons systems including Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jets and ships made by General Dynamics.
The fiscal 2023 NDAA is expected to pass the Senate and House of Representatives this month, and be sent to the White House for Biden to sign into law.
However, the bill is not the final word on spending. Authorisation bills, like the NDAA, only create programs. Congress must pass appropriations bills to give the government legal authority to spend federal money.
Congressional leaders have not yet agreed on an appropriations bill for next year.


Pfizer submits data for third dose approval in US

Pfizer and BioNTech on Monday submitted preliminary clinical data to US health authorities as part of their effort to seek authorisation for a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine for all Americans.Last week, the US approved the booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.Pfizer and BioNTech presented the results of their Phase One trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of a third shot.“The data we’ve seen to date suggest a third dose of our vaccine elicits antibody levels that significantly exceed those seen after the two-dose primary schedule,” Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement.“A booster vaccine could help reduce infection and disease rates in people who have previously been vaccinated and better control the spread of virus variants during the coming season,” said BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin.The companies plan to submit the same information to European authorities in the coming weeks.The move comes despite appeals by the World Health Organization for a moratorium on booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between rich and poor nations. Israel has also began administering third doses to its citizens.An advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, a top US healthcare agency, is slated to meet in late August to discuss the approval of a third dose of the vaccine for adults over 65, care home residents and healthcare workers.


Daily caseload at 241 as no new deaths reported

Another 241 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 5,040,609.
There were 235 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,994,250.
There are now 9,405 active cases, of which 9,080 or 96.5% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 0 (0%) are at quarantine centres while 316 (3.4%) have been hospitalised.
A total of nine are in ICU with three in need of respiratory assistance.
No new deaths were reported, leaving total deaths unchanged at 36,954.


Hershey looking to 'eradicate' lead, cadmium from chocolate

Hershey Co is looking to reduce "trace" amounts of lead and cadmium in its chocolate, chief financial officer Steve Voskiul told Reuters on Wednesday, after Consumer Reports found that some dark chocolate bars had potentially harmful levels of the heavy metals.
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit consumer group, tested chocolate bars including those made by Hershey late last year and found that some of them contained possibly harmful levels of lead, cadmium or both for people who eat more than one ounce per day.
The trace amounts of the metals found in some chocolate are "below any recommended level, any standard," Voskuil said, adding that lead and cadmium are elements in soil and can naturally occur in the product.
"Depending on where you source, you may get relatively more lead or cadium in West Africa versus South America, but in both cases it’s a naturally occurring ingredient," Voskuil said.
"We would love to eradicate it completely and continue to look for opportunities in the process, is there more we can do there," he said on the sidelines of the Reese's makers' investor day.
Consumer Reports found that Hershey's Lily's extremely dark chocolate 85% cocoa bar was high in lead and cadmium. Its Hershey's Special Dark mildly sweet chocolate and Lily's extra dark chocolate 70% were also high in lead according to the report.
Voskuil said the manufacturing and cleaning process for cocoa beans removes the "vast majority" of lead and cadmium.
Hershey is "evaluating" if it can remove more of the metals through additional cleaning of cocoa beans or alternate sourcing, he said.
"Despite the cleaning process we’re also always looking, are there other things we can do to reduce it even lower," Voskuil said.
Hershey faces multiple lawsuits from consumers who claim the chocolate maker should have disclosed the levels of heavy metals, and that they would have paid less for or not bought the products had they known.


US approves US$120 million sale to maintain Taiwanese warships

The US has approved a possible US$120 million sale of parts to help Taiwan maintain its warships, which the island’s defence ministry said would help ensure combat readiness in the face of China’s “frequent activities” near the island.The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington.It said the sale covered unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, and US government and contractor representative technical and logistical support.“The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient’s surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats,” the agency said in a statement, adding that the parts would be sourced from “approved US Navy vendors and/or US Navy stock”.Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Thursday the deal was expected to come into effect within one month, and expressed its thanks to Washington for its support in helping Taiwan be able to protect itself.“In view of the recent frequent activities of Chinese warships in the sea and airspace around our country, the ship parts that the United States has agreed to sell will help maintain the proper equipment and consumption of our naval ships and meet the actual needs of combat readiness tasks,” it said.Neither side gave details of the parts Taiwan would be receiving.Most of Taiwan’s main warships are US-made or -designed.The democratically governed island has complained of repeated missions by China’s air force in its air defence zone, part of what Washington sees as Beijing’s effort to pressure Taipei into accepting its sovereignty.China’s navy has also been conducting increasingly regular missions near Taiwan.The US, like most countries, does not have official relations with Taiwan, but Washington is its biggest backer and is bound by law to provide it with means to defend itself.Successive US administrations have advocated the sale to Taiwan of inexpensive, mobile and survivable – or “asymmetric” – weapons that could outlast any initial assault by China’s larger military. Read full storyThe US-Taiwan Business Council, which counts defence contractors among its members, welcomed the latest authorisation, but charged that President Joe Biden’s administration had undertaken “the most significant narrowing of US-Taiwan security assistance” since 1979.“There appears to now be little to no US support for substantial Taiwan force modernisation efforts, so we should expect to see mostly sustainment and munitions programs through the remainder of President Biden’s term (or terms) in office,” Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said in a statement.Taiwan’s military was likely to see “the loss of infrastructure, hollowing out of operational experience, and the loss of decades of expertise,” as a result, he said.