Johor, Terengganu to move to Phase 4

Johor and Terengganu will transition from Phase Three to Four of the National Recovery Plan effective Oct 25, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today.The two states will join the Klang Valley, Melaka, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Labuan in the final phase of the recovery plan.Perlis, Sarawak, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Sabah meanwhile are in Phase Three.In a statement, Ismail also said the Special Covid-19 Pandemic Management Committee had agreed that the facilities available to fully vaccinated adults will be allowed to teenagers who have completed their inoculation regimen.“This means, the condition for full vaccination for adolescents aged 12 to 17 will be stated in all SOPs,” he said.Adding that the government would synchronise all related facilities for this purpose, he said teenagers would be given a grace period of three weeks or until mid-November.“This is to ensure that about 80% of the teenagers who have received a first dose now will be fully vaccinated,” he said.He also said SOPs for the international tourism bubble in Langkawi as well as for the entry of foreign workers into Malaysia, particularly to fulfil the needs of the agriculture sector, had been settled.“The government calls for these concessions to be fully utilised by the people, with full discipline and a sense of responsibility,” he said.“The successful navigation of the country from the pandemic does not depend only on government efforts and strategies.“It also depends greatly on the level of SOP compliance among the people. So wear a face mask, practise physical distancing, and always ensure personal hygiene and safety.”


Warisan to field ex-heavyweights in 2 KL seats

Warisan will be fielding two ex-MPs for the Pandan and Wangsa Maju seats, in a move that could split the votes of Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters.
The Sabah-based party announced former MCA president Ong Tee Keat for Pandan, where PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli will contest in his bid for a parlimentary comeback.
Meanwhile, former DAP man Wee Choo Keong will be vying for a return to Wangsa Maju, the seat he wrested from Barisan Nasional on a PKR ticket in 2008 before leaving the party a year later.
Ong was the MCA president until his defeat in 2010 by Chua Soi Lek, costing him his Cabinet position.
In 2013, owing to his quarrel with the MCA leadership, Ong was not chosen to defend the Pandan seat where he had been the MP for two terms. The seat was won by Rafizi, and later by Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the 2018 polls.
Wee meanwhile was once a senior DAP leader who represented the Bukit Bintang constituency before falling out with the party leadership.
In 2008, running under PKR, he beat the incumbent MCA candidate by a 150-vote majority.
Wee said he had chosen to contest on a Warisan ticket due to its president Shafie Apdal, adding that he was a "good national leader with a proven track record of 35 years".
He also took PH to task, saying the coalition had been inconsistent as an opposition force in entering into an agreement with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"What is important is that we give the people a real alternative in GE15. We don’t need an opposition that signed an MoU and received RM3.7 million into their account," he said, referring to the allocations given to PH MPs.
He also accused PH of being two-faced with its supporters when voting in support of government bills including the budget.
"Outside Parliament they will say that it was a failed government. It is a question of saying one thing and doing another," Wee told MalaysiaNow.


WHO says coordinating with UK over monkeypox outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and other European health officials after British authorities detected at least seven cases of monkeypox this month.Health officials have noted some of these infections may be through sexual contact – in this instance among gay or bisexual men – which would be a new development in understanding transmission of the virus.Symptoms in humans of monkeypox – which is endemic in parts of Central and Western Africa – include lesions, fever, muscle ache and chills.Transmission is usually via close contact with infected animals such as rodents and monkeys and is limited between people. It has only been fatal in rare cases.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said Monday it had detected four new cases – three in London and one linked case in Newcastle, northeast England – after registering three cases earlier in May.All four of the additional cases were men who have sex with men or self-identify as gay or bisexual, the UKHSA said.None have known connections with the three earlier confirmed cases, the first of which was linked to travel from Nigeria, it added.Those patients needing medical care are in specialist infectious disease units at hospitals in London and Newcastle, according to the agency.In a briefing Tuesday, the WHO said there was also one “additional probable” case reported in Britain.“We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men,” Ibrahima Soce Fall, assistant director general for emergency response at the WHO, told reporters.“(It) is new information we need to investigate properly, to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in UK and in some other countries.”Maria Van Kerkhove, another WHO official, said the organisation was working with its regional office, as well as the European Centers for Disease Control and the UKHSA, to better understand the outbreak.“We are working very closely with [them]… to evaluate each of these cases, the source of their infection,” she added.Van Kerkhove noted that involved “forward contact tracing to ensure that there isn’t further human-to-human transmission, as well as back contact tracing to better understand the source of their infection”.


China province limits power to homes, offices amid extreme heat

China's southwestern province Sichuan began limiting electricity supply to homes, offices and malls on Wednesday, due to a severe power crunch driven by extreme heat waves and drought, according to state media and one power company.
Residential areas, officies and shopping malls in Dazhou, a city of 5.4 million people, were informed of rotating brownouts each lasting several hours throughout Wednesday, according to the official Wechat account of state-run Dazhou Power Group.
Residential brownouts are rare as China typically limits power supply to industries first to prioritise residential and commercial use in any power squeeze.
In what appears to be an official call to conserve electricity use, government offices were asked to set air conditioners to no lower than 26 Celsius and use more staircases instead of lifts, the provincial government-run Sichuan Daily said in front-page report on Wednesday.
Fountains, light shows and commercial activities during the night hours are to be suspended, the paper said.
Sichuan, which relies on hydropower to generate 80% its power, on Sunday ordered producers of lithium, fertilisers and other metals to shut plants or curb output amid the worst heatwave in 60 years.
Soaring temperatures and little rain this summer have reduced hydropower generation in the province of 83.75 million people, while also boosting power demand for air conditioning.
Analysts said if the heatwave persists the power crunch could spill over to eastern provinces like Zhejiang and Jiangsu which have relied partly on buying electricity from Sichuan.


Najib, Arul Kanda freed in 1MDB audit report case

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today acquitted former prime minister Najib Razak and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy in their 1MDB audit report tampering case.
The decision was delivered by justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.
Zaini said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against them at the end of its case.
He also said that Arul Kanda, who was called as a prosecution witness, had made a truthful and full discovery during the trial.
Najib, who is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence for the misappropriation of SRC International funds, was charged with using his position to order amendments to the final 1MDB audit report before it was presented to the Public Accounts Committee to avoid any action against him.
Arul Kanda, was charged with abetting Najib in making the amendments to the report, to protect Najib from being subjected to action.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Department Complex, Putrajaya, between Feb 22 and 26, 2016.
Both Najib and Arul Kanda were charged under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
MORE TO COME


Haunted by 2019 deaths, Orang Asli fear the worst as mining activities resume

It’s been three years since she lost two of her children and another two grandchildren, but Som still remembers everything as if it was yesterday.The four children had gone for a dip in the river near their house in Kampung Orang Asli.“They went off and then came home not long after,” Som recalled. “After a while, they began to feel unwell. They felt warm and could not eat.”Not two days later, all four children died.Others who had gone to the river with them were fortunate enough to be rushed to the hospital.All in all, 14 children from the Orang Asli community in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang in Kelantan died including Som’s children and grandchildren.Police said they had died of tuberculosis and pneumonia, a bacterial infection in the lungs. The deputy water, land and natural resources minister at the time, Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, said the water was polluted by manganese mining activities.A woman carries an umbrella to shield her baby from the sun at the village in Taman Negara Kuala Koh.Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who was then deputy prime minister visited the area, following which the village was equipped with facilities such as electricity and running water.But three years down the road, the Orang Asli are once again facing the spectre of pollution as the mine said to be the cause of the tainted water the last time around has resumed operations.The mine, located just several kilometres from the village, started up again towards the end of last year.With the memory of their children’s death still fresh in their minds, many fear the worst.Papan, a middle-aged man, lost two daughters in 2019. One was 13 and the other, 15.“They died here in the house,” he told MalaysiaNow. “Before they died, they said eating their food was like eating poison.“They also complained that their necks and stomachs hurt.”Papan sits on a log in a clearing in the village as he speaks with MalaysiaNow.The Batek Orang Asli tribe have been living in the village since 2008 on the advice of the Department of Orang Asli Development.Before that, they lived as nomads, moving about in the forest area of Taman Negara Kuala Koh.For the past few years, Kuala Koh has experienced logging and oil palm planting activities of an aggressive level which have brought many changes to its natural landscape.The forest produce such as rattan and roots which they once gathered and sold is nowhere as plentiful as it used to be, either.Surrounded by plantations instead of forest, their way of life was forced to change as well.A child draws in the sand outside his house in Taman Negara Kuala Koh.To make matters worse, their village must regularly fend off visits from unwanted guests – a herd of elephants, who, like them, is trying to survive the change in landscape.A villager named Jes said the elephants had often passed through the area throughout the years but had never disturbed the settlement.As of late, though, the animals have been venturing into the village itself in search of food.The villagers worry about what might happen if the huge animals become aggravated.On the day of MalaysiaNow’s visit alone, the Orang Asli had made two reports about elephant intrusions, once in the morning and the other at night.But such is life, and the Orang Asli do what they can to get by. Meanwhile, they continue to hope that the mine will be shut down.For Papan, the biggest disappointment is in those from the village themselves who go there for work.“We have told them off many times,” he said. “Why would you want to work there when you already know what has happened?”


Bursa adds another PN17 company to list including AirAsia

Construction firm Zelan Bhd has been classified as a PN17 company, joining a list of entities that includes budget carrier AirAsia Group and its sister airline AirAsia X as released by Bursa Malaysia today.
The market regulator in a statement said it would monitor the progress of Zelan in its compliance with listing requirements.
It also said as of today that a total of 28 out of the 949 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia had been classified as PN17 and one as GN3, a reference to "distressed companies" listed on the bourse's ACE Market.
The announcement comes as AirAsia Group, renamed as Capital A Bhd, awaits a decision by Bursa Malaysia on its bid to seek an extension for submission of a regularisation plan to address its PN17 status.
The plan is seen as a determining factor in the viability of AirAsia's flight operations. AirAsia’s air service licence was due for renewal in March.
AirAsia X was classified as PN17 in November 2021, while Capital A was classified in that category two months later in 2022.
AirAsia X was given until April 28, 2023 to submit a realignment plan to Bursa Malaysia Securities while Capital A was given until July 7, 2023.


Agriculture ministry freezes permit fees for livestock feed imports

The agriculture and food industries ministry has announced the suspension of permit fee collections for four livestock feed commodities – corn, soy, wheat and other animal- and plant-based feed – effective today, to facilitate the import of these commodities.The import fee previously charged for corn, wheat and soy was RM15 per permit application, while permits for other animal- and plant-based feed were RM20 per application.The ministry, in a statement today, said the high cost of raw materials for feed in the livestock industry had contributed to the increase in prices of food such as whole chicken in the local market.“Most of the raw materials for animal feed are imported from abroad. The suspension of permit fee collections for the import of these commodities can help reduce logistics costs in an effort to stabilise feed prices in the country,” it said.It also said that the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department would implement a rapid entry process for the commodities at the country’s entry points to streamline the import processes and reduce logistics costs.


Sorry.


‘Russia up to its old tricks’: US fights Covid-19 jab disinformation

The Biden administration said on Monday it is taking steps to combat Russian disinformation aimed at undermining international confidence in the vaccines produced by Pfizer and other Western companies.“We will fight the disinformation with every tool we have,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing on Monday.On Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported that four publications, all fronts for Russian intelligence, have taken aim at Western-produced Covid-19 vaccines with misleading coverage that exaggerates the risk of side effects and raises questions about their efficacy.The State Department confirmed the WSJ report on Monday, saying officials had identified four Russian online platforms that are spreading disinformation about the vaccines.“It is very clear that Russia is up to its old tricks, and in doing so is potentially putting people at risk by spreading disinformation about vaccines that we know to be saving lives every day,” said Ned Price, the State Department’s chief spokesman.Pfizer’s vaccine has been the prime target of Russian misinformation, according to a report released Monday by the Alliance for Security Democracy, a nonpartisan initiative that studies disinformation and other campaigns by autocratic governments.The alliance examined public propaganda messages from Russia, China and Iran spread via Twitter, state-sponsored news sites and other avenues.“Russia was the most likely of the three studied countries to suggest linkages between the Pfizer vaccine and the subsequent deaths of vaccine recipients,” the report states.Russian-controlled media outlets and government officials often implied there was “a causal connection” between the vaccine and the deaths of vaccine recipients – when in fact, none had been established or had even been proven to be unrelated.“The emphasis on denigrating Pfizer is likely due in part to its status as the first vaccine besides Sputnik V to see mass use, resulting in a greater potential threat to Sputnik’s market dominance,” the Alliance report says. Sputnik is the Russian-made vaccine.Bret Schafer, an expert on disinformation and one of the report’s authors, said the stakes are incredibly high as countries like Russia and China compete to distribute their own vaccines to the developing world.“When you look at their effort to get the vaccine approved in Mexico and Latin America, that’s a big economic win for them and also gives them diplomatic leverage.”He said the reliance on information that is “loosely true” also makes it harder for fact-checkers and social media sites to knock down.


Malaysians working in Singapore dream of borders reopening

For nine years, Muhammad Fauzi Muhammad Toha had worked across the border in Singapore as an elevator technician.Earning Singaporean dollars, he made enough each month to comfortably support the rest of his family.But that was before Malaysia’s closure of its international borders and the government’s implementation of the movement control order (MCO) in March 2020.The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic forced Fauzi’s return to his home town in Johor Bahru. Since then, he has been unable to return to the island republic to look for work.At his lowest point, he was unemployed for seven months in a row.Desperate for a job, he applied to become a food delivery man and, after three months of waiting, finally found himself gainfully employed again.Now, he is out of the house by 8am and returns home sometimes as late as 10pm.“I don’t earn as much as I did in Singapore, but it’s enough to support my family and take care of my financial commitments,” he told MalaysiaNow.Fauzi said he returned to Malaysia ahead of the border closures because of his four children, three of whom are still at school. The fourth, meanwhile, is still a toddler.“If I had been forced to stay here throughout the MCO, the company wouldn’t have given any incentives at all,” he said. “We would have to be 100% responsible.”Fauzi is one of some 100,000 Malaysians who regularly made their way across the causeway to work in Singapore before the Covid-19 pandemic.Today, two years after the pandemic began in Malaysia, international borders remain closed with the exception of travel movements through the Vaccinated Travel Lane.A hot topic ahead of the Johor state election this month, the reopening of Malaysia’s borders was brought up by National Recovery Council chairman Muhyiddin Yassin in February.He said then that Malaysia should not lag behind in reopening its borders, citing countries such as Australia which had already welcomed back vaccinated travellers despite having a lower vaccination rate than Malaysia.Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, on his recent working visit to Thailand, assured that the borders would be reopened.This is an announcement eagerly awaited not only by workers waiting to enter Singapore again, but also those who are still employed in the city-state.Fauzi puts on his helmet as he prepares to head off for a delivery.Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad, 29, is one of them. Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said he chose to remain in Singapore as he knew it would be difficult to find work again if he returned home to Malaysia.“I haven’t been home in a long time,” he said. “I wasn’t even able to go back when one of my family members was seriously ill.”Like many others, Syafiq has commitments that he needs a job in order to settle.“But even today, I still plan to return to Johor one day,” he said.Syafiq, who was born in Muar, said many of his friends in Singapore were facing the same dilemma.He himself works as a frontliner at a hospital in the island republic. He wanted to find a job in Singapore because of the high exchange rate.When the borders were first closed, he and his colleagues were given accommodation by the government for three months. After that, they were forced to find somewhere to rent.At the moment, he is involved in the management of health facilities as well as disinfection operations.But the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak graduate does not intend to spend his entire life working in Singapore.“Many young people here want to save up enough money to open up a business back home in Malaysia,” he said.“This is what I want to do as well. I hope the economic situation in Johor improves, but for now, we have to put our dreams on hold because the borders are still closed.”Fauzi meanwhile is pushing 40. After having spent two years on the road delivering food, he cannot wait to get back to Singapore.He hopes that the government will reopen the borders soon.“I can find other work depending on what the government in Singapore decides, seeing as my old company might not take me back,” he said.


Malaysian women fed up with road to nowhere for children’s citizenship

A group of Malaysian women married to foreign men who have been trying for years to obtain citizenship for their children born abroad are expressing frustration with a system which is inherently pitted against them.One of them, who called herself Myra, said she has been trying to get Malaysian citizenship for her daughter who was born in her husband’s home country Zambia.It has been the same old tiring routine for seven years now.Twice, she said, her application for citizenship for her daughter was rejected without reason.“When I asked why, they said it is private and confidential,” the 29-year-old told MalaysiaNow.Myra and her husband got married in 2013. Their second daughter who is three years old has Malaysian citizenship as she was born in Selangor. It’s the citizenship of their oldest child, who is now seven, that is the problem.“Every time we go out together, my daughter is treated like a foreigner,” Myra said.“We have to pay more when we go to places like the zoo and the aquarium as she is charged international prices. These are twice as expensive as the charge for locals.”Further problems arose when her daughter began school early this year. The registration process alone saw Myra running from one location to another in order to get things done.“Every time we go out together, my daughter is treated like a foreigner.”For starters, she had to make an official application to the school and obtain permission from the state education department.“After you get permission, the state education department issues a student visa pass. After that, I had to go back to the school to pay the fees. Then, I had to go back to the department with a copy of the receipt.”There are also additional fees for foreign students, and she had to fork out more for her daughter’s textbooks as she does not qualify for the textbook loan programme.Under the Federal Constitution, children born overseas to Malaysian fathers are automatically granted citizenship.Those born to Malaysian mothers, however, need to apply for citizenship.National securityDeputy Home Minister Ismail Mohamed Said previously said in the Dewan Rakyat that in other countries, children born overseas follow their father’s citizenship, and as such, there could be dual citizenship for children born abroad to Malaysian women with foreign husbands.He also cited concerns over national security.Rights group Lawyers for Liberty however said the same “risk” of dual citizenship exists for children of Malaysian men with foreign spouses.It also urged the government to consider the rights of Malaysian women to have their children granted citizenship by operation of law, saying this could be done by amending Part II of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution to substitute the word “father” with “parent”.Myra also questioned how children such as her daughter could be labelled as a threat to national security, saying such statements were “rubbish”.Elly, who married a British man and lives in Bangkok, Thailand, met a similar dead end in her quest to obtain citizenship for her three-month-old daughter.The 37-year-old started the application process even before her daughter was born but received no response from the embassy.“She cannot even board a flight as she has no passport.”“I believe my daughter has the right to Malaysian citizenship until the age of 18,” she told MalaysiaNow.“So if you ask why I am not applying for British citizenship, it should not even be an issue.”If anything should happen to her husband, Elly fears that she will not be allowed to bring her daughter back to Malaysia.“She has no official documentation. She cannot even board a flight as she has no passport,” she said.Bina Ramanand, founder of the Foreign Spouses Support Group (FSSG) to which both Elly and Myra belong, said the challenges faced by Malaysian women overseas in securing citizenship for their children are “devastating”.“Many women are unaware of this provision and are let down when they are told that they cannot automatically pass their citizenship to their children just because of their gender,” she told MalaysiaNow.


Govt studying need to review ceiling price for self-test kits

The government is looking into the need to review the ceiling price for Covid-19 antigen rapid test kits or self-test kits which are currently considered a necessity, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government had gazetted such kits as a controlled item under the Control of Supplies Order 2021 on Nov 24, enforced on Dec 1 to ensure adequate supply in the market.“The government always takes into account the needs and interests of consumers, especially from the aspect of adequacy of supply in the market as well as getting face masks and self-test kits at prices that are not burdensome.“As such, enforcement, inspection and monitoring by my ministry’s enforcement division is always done on relevant items at every level such as manufacturers, wholesalers and traders,” he said during the ministers’ question time.He was replying to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on whether the ministry would review and reduce the ceiling prices for face masks and Covid-19 self-test kits, as well as set ceiling prices for oximeters and thermometers which are essential items at this time.Responding to Cha’s suggestion on ceiling prices for oximeters and thermometers, Nanta said these would be implemented if necessary.To a supplementary question on the government’s efforts to control the quality of products in the market like face masks and self-test kits, Nanta said the ministry was evaluating the matter to ensure that the quality of these items is of medical standard.“Not only are the prices monitored, we also want quality (standards) to be met. We are looking into the matter and will gazette the standards on quality later.“In relation to the Covid-19 test kits earlier, it (medical standard) is under the jurisdiction of the MDA (Medical Device Authority) under the health ministry. So this ministry will continue to work with the MDA to monitor the matter to ensure these devices (in the market) are of quality,” he said.


US Treasury can meet all obligations after debt ceiling suspension

The US Treasury said it can now meet the federal government's payment obligations after a debt ceiling suspension, following earlier warnings that it would run short of funds on Monday if Congress failed to act.
"Now that Congress has acted to suspend the debt limit, Treasury has the tools needed to ensure that the US continues to meet all of our obligations," Treasury spokesperson Christopher Hayden said in an emailed statement on Monday.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had warned Congress that without a debt ceiling increase, Treasury would be unable to make an estimated US$92 billion (about RM423.3 billion) in payments and transfers this week, including a US$36 billion adjustment to the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.
The Treasury on Friday auctioned US$15 billion worth of one-day cash management bills that settled on Monday and mature on Tuesday.
After President Joe Biden signed the debt ceiling legislation on Saturday, the Treasury auctioned US$61 billion in six-month bills and US$68 billion in three-month bills that settle on Thursday.
The debt ceiling suspension allows the Treasury to maintain its planned auction schedule for total borrowings of US$726 billion in the April-June quarter. The plan assumes an end-June cash balance of US$550 billion. The Treasury has said it expects to borrow US$733 billion in the July-September quarter, for an end-September cash balance of US$600 billion.
The Treasury's cash balance as of Thursday fell to just US$22.9 billion – below the US$54 billion on hand on Aug 2, 2011, when Congress also had narrowly avoided a debt ceiling default.


Jho Low, parents enter appearance in 1MDB suit

Wanted businessman Low Taek Jho as well as his parents Larry Low Hock Peng and Goh Gaik Ewe have entered appearance in the US$3.7837 billion suit filed against them by 1MDB.The appearance was entered by law firm, Messrs Valen, Oh & Partners representing the three defendants on Dec 29, 2021.Lawyer K Siva Kumar, who represented 1MDB, said the court had ordered Low, popularly known as Jho Low, and his parents to file a statement of defence on or before Jan 26, besides setting Feb 9 for case management.“However, the other three defendants, namely Jho Low’s sister May Lin, his younger brother Taek Szen and his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong, have yet to enter an appearance in the suit,” the lawyer said when contacted by reporters after the case management was carried out online before deputy High Court registrar Nor Afidah Idris today.On May 7, 1MDB and its four subsidiaries, 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Limited, had filed a suit against the six defendants.Based on the writ, 1MDB is claiming US$661 million from Jho Low and US$41 million, US$397 million, US$608 million and US$1.9 billion from Jho Low and Tan respectively as well as US$325 million from Jho Low and his father Hock Peng.1MDB Global Investments Limited is also seeking US$630 million from Hock Peng, Jho Low and Tan and US$2 million from Taek Szen, Jho Low and Tan.The plaintiffs are also seeking US$3.5 million from May Lin and Jho Low and US$1.695 million from Goh, Jho Low and Tan in connection with the purchase of jewellery and secret profits apart from claiming US$25.5 million from Jho Low, Tan, Hock Peng and Taek Szen.Based on the statement of claim, the plaintiffs claimed that they were manipulated by a group of individuals, including Najib Razak and the first defendant (Jho Low), to facilitate a large-scale and long-term fraud which resulted in billions of ringgit being fraudulently misappropriated into privately controlled accounts for the benefit of various fraudsters, including the defendants.“In carrying out the fraud, multiple breaches of trust and/or fiduciary duties were committed by Najib, members of the board of directors and senior management of the plaintiffs.“The funds and assets of the plaintiffs which were transferred to the defendants were misappropriated, with the knowledge of the defendants, in breach of trust and fiduciary duty,” the plaintiffs said.They also claimed that Najib had abused his power and position to protect himself and cover up the fraud against the plaintiffs, among others by obstructing efforts to investigate and uncover evidence related to fraud and misconduct against the plaintiffs in Malaysia.


Ukraine targets Russian soldiers accused of threatening nuclear plant

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russian soldiers who shoot at Europe's largest nuclear power station or use it as a base to shoot from that they will become a "special target" for Ukrainian forces.
Meanwhile, an Africa-bound food aid cargo was getting ready to depart from Ukraine in the coming days, the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and sources said the first grains ship to leave Ukraine under a UN deal was nearing Syria.
Russian troops captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility in southern Ukraine early in the war, but it is still being run by Ukrainian technicians.
Amid fears of a nuclear catastrophe over renewed shelling there over the past days, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the establishment of a demilitarised zone. Ukraine and Russia trade blame for the shelling.
"Every Russian soldier who either shoots at the plant, or shoots using the plant as cover, must understand that he becomes a special target for our intelligence agents, for our special services, for our army," Zelensky said in an evening address on Saturday.
Zelensky, who did not give any details, reiterated that he considered Russia was using the plant as nuclear blackmail.
The plant dominates the south bank of a vast reservoir on the Dnipro River. Ukrainian forces controlling the towns and cities on the opposite bank have come under intense bombardment from the Russian-held side.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak accused Russia of "hitting the part of the nuclear power plant where the energy that powers the south of Ukraine is generated".
"The goal is to disconnect us from the (plant) and blame the Ukrainian army for this," Podolyak wrote on Twitter.
Local Russian-installed official Vladimir Rogov wrote on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were shelling the plant.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is seeking to inspect the plant, has warned of a nuclear disaster unless fighting stops. Nuclear experts fear fighting might damage the plant's spent fuel pools or the reactors.
Grain ships
While fighting continued, some cargo ships have continued to leave Ukraine as part of a UN- and Turkey-brokered deal in late July aimed partly at easing a global food crisis.
The UN-chartered ship Brave Commander will depart for Africa in the days ahead after it finishes loading more than 23,000 metric tonnes of wheat in the Ukrainian port of Pivdennyi, a UN official said on Sunday.
The ship, which arrived in the port near Odesa, will sail to Ethiopia via a grain corridor through the Black Sea.
"The world needs the food of Ukraine. This is the beginning of what we hope is normal operations for the hungry people of the world," Marianne Ward, World Food Programme deputy country director, told reporters. The relief agency purchased more than 800,000 tonnes of grain in Ukraine last year.
Separately, the first ship to depart Ukraine under the deal two weeks ago was approaching the Syrian port of Tartous on Sunday, two shipping sources said. The Razoni had been destined for Lebanon but hit a snag when the buyer refused delivery, fearing the quality of the corn had diminished after months on board.
Fighting
Kyiv has said for weeks it is planning a counteroffensive to recapture Zaporizhzhia and neighbouring Kherson provinces, the largest part of the territory Russia seized after its Feb 24 invasion and still in Russian hands.
Russia's priority over the past week has likely been to reorient units to strengthen its campaign in southern Ukraine, British military intelligence said on Sunday.
Russian-backed forces of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in the eastern region of Donbas continued assaults to the north of Donetsk city, the British Defence Ministry said in its daily intelligence bulletin on Twitter.
Ukraine's military command said early on Sunday that Russian soldiers had continued, unsuccessfully, to attack Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, which since 2014 has become one of the outposts of Ukrainian forces near Donetsk.
Russia, in a daily briefing, said it had taken control of Udy, a village in the eastern Kharkiv region, which is under continual shelling by Russian forces.
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.
Russia calls the invasion of Ukraine a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" its smaller neighbour, has pushed Moscow-Washington relations to a low point, with Russia warning it may sever ties.


Morocco ‘breathing again’ as tourists back after Covid shutdown

Moroccan snake-charmer Youssef watched as long-absent tourists again thronged Marrakesh’s famous Jamaa El-Fna square, ending a long pause forced by the Covid pandemic.“We’re breathing again,” he said.The ancient southern city, famous for its views of graceful red buildings set against palm trees and snow-capped mountains, has long drawn visitors including celebrities from Madonna to Yves Saint Laurent.But it was particularly hard hit by a two-year collapse in tourism that saw arrivals to the North African kingdom plummet to just a third last year from 2019.For Youssef, taking a break from playing his oboe-like “ghaita” pipe before the seemingly mesmerised serpent, “it’s such a pleasure to be back here after these slow, painful months”.Tourism – which accounts for some 7% of Morocco’s economy and creates hundreds of thousands of formal and informal jobs – was battered by Morocco’s tight restrictions during the pandemic.Today, Marrakesh residents see signs of hope again as tourists have returned to the Unesco-listed old city’s narrow alleys.Cafe terraces are full and foreigners browse shops and market stalls for traditional clothing, furniture and souvenirs.“We’re not back to pre-pandemic levels but the situation has been improving over the past month,” said salesman Abdellah Bouazri, after serving an Argentinian customer in a Boca Juniors football top.Bouazri, 35, said the coronavirus had forced him to temporarily abandon his shop and find alternative work as a security guard.The father of two was one of many in the beleaguered industry forced to find an alternative income – including many informal workers without contracts or social security.But he said he was optimistic about the future: “It has been hard, but today I’m delighted to be going back to my real job.”‘Recovery incomplete’Morocco this week reopened land borders with the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, two years after they were shut due to Covid and a major diplomatic row.That was the latest step in a slow recovery for the tourism sector, backed by the government which has launched a two billion dirham (190 million euro) support fund, on top of 95 million euros it released to prop up hotels.“The recovery might be underway, but it’s incomplete,” said the FNIH national hotels federation’s chief Lahcen Zelmat.According to the tourism ministry, Morocco last year earned some 3.2 billion euros in tourism revenue – less than half the figure for the year before the pandemic.But revenue in the first quarter was up by 80% on last year, according to official figures, and the finance ministry predicts a “more favourable outlook for 2022”.That was reflected in the steady flow of tourists outside the Medersa Ben Youssef, a 16th-century Koranic school in Marrakesh.“This place is magical – I’m impressed by all the detail,” said Nick, a 29-year-old Londoner visiting for the first time. “Since Covid I’ve been missing exploring new cultures.”Nearby, other visitors queued up to the Yves Saint Laurent museum, one of the city’s top tourist spots.“The museum was a must,” said Coco, a Chinese student living in Germany. “We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to travel again, and we’re really charmed.”


All 279 kidnapped Nigerian students released, governor says

All 279 girls kidnapped from their boarding school in northern Nigeria have been released and are on government premises, the local governor told AFP Tuesday.Nigeria has been rocked by four mass abductions of students in less than three months, sparking widespread anger against the government and memories of the 2014 kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok, in the country’s east, that shocked the world.“I am happy to announce that the girls are free,” Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara state, told an AFP journalist. “They have just arrived in the government house and are in good health.”An AFP reporter saw hundreds of girls wearing hijabs, gathered at the government premises.Authorities initially said 317 girls were abducted in the raid by hundreds of gunmen on the Government Girls Secondary School in remote Jangebe village on Friday.But Matawalle said the “total number of female students abducted” was 279.“We thank Allah they are all now with us.”AFP footage showed minibuses pulling up in the night with students inside and lines of girls filing into a building.Government officials had been in talks with the kidnappers, known locally as bandits.A source said “repentant bandits” had been contacted to reach out to their former comrades as part of efforts to free the students.Armed gangsHeavily armed criminal gangs in northwest and central Nigeria have stepped up attacks in recent years, kidnapping for ransom, raping and pillaging.The Nigerian military deployed to the area in 2016 and a peace deal with bandits was signed in 2019 but attacks have continued.In December, more than 300 boys were kidnapped from a school in Kankara, in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina, while he was visiting the region.The boys were later released but the incident triggered outrage and memories of the kidnappings of 276 schoolgirls by jihadists in Chibok.Many of those girls are still missing.The gangs are largely driven by financial motives and have no known ideological leanings.But there are concerns they are being infiltrated by armed Islamists. The jihadists’ decade-old conflict has killed more than 30,000 people and spread into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.Authorities have denied paying any ransom to secure the recent releases, although analysts say this is unlikely and security experts fear that this will lead to an increase in kidnappings in these regions plagued by extreme poverty.President Buhari, who has been criticised for failing to deal with the unrest, had insisted that he would “not succumb to blackmail by bandits”.Kidnapping for ransom in Africa’s most populous country is already a widespread national problem, with businessmen, officials and ordinary citizens snatched from the streets.At least US$11 million was paid to kidnappers between January 2016 and March 2020, according to SB Morgen, a Lagos-based geopolitical research consultancy.The student abductions have increased the number of children who cannot attend school, especially girls.The regions involved account for the greatest number of unschooled children in the world, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group says.


Ahmad Maslan’s trial for money laundering, false statements transferred to High Court

Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, who is charged with failing to declare RM2 million received from Najib Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), will have his trial heard at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.This follows a decision by judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah today, allowing Ahmad’s application to have his case transferred from the Sessions Court to the High Court.Ahmad’s lawyer, Hamidi Mohd Noh, when contacted today, said the decision was made as there were serious legal issues involved, especially in the charges faced by his client under Section 32 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.“Besides that, there were two other similar cases including the case of Shahrir Ab Samad (former Felda chairman) which was also transferred to the High Court,” he said, adding that the application to transfer the case was filed on June 28.Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar said the prosecution had no objection to the case being transferred to the High Court.“The prosecution will present 10 or 11 witnesses to testify at the trial,” he said.The case was previously set for trial before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussain from July 5 onwards.On the charge of money laundering, Ahmad was alleged to have violated Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 by not stating his real income on the RM2 million he received from Najib in the income tax return form for assessment year 2013.He is alleged to have received the money, believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities, through a check from AmIslamic Bank Bhd dated Nov 27, 2013, which he personally cashed on the same day.The offence was allegedly committed at the LHDN Duta branch on April 30, 2014.The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.The other charge was for giving false statements to the MACC when questioned by investigating officer Mohd Zairi Zainal over the issue at the media conference room at the Parliament building between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on July 4, 2019.The charge, framed under Section 32(8)c) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM3 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, upon conviction.


Rafizi's nasi lemak vending machine idea runs into problems

At the Cempaka LRT station in Kuala Lumpur, an orderly line of men and women wait for their turn at a vending machine selling packets of nasi lemak for RM2 each.
Many are dressed in office clothing although foreign workers and people out and about on daily errands are part of the queue as well.
One by one, they pay, collect their nasi lemak, and turn to leave.
Every once in a while, though, a packet of rice gets caught on its wrapping and ends up stuck out of reach.
Others make it through the shaft but are let down by the packaging and the single rubber band holding them together which give way, sending grains of rice flying as they land.
The sale of nasi lemak in vending machines is a recent scheme under the People's Income Initiative programme helmed by the economy ministry.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli had envisioned the process beginning with chilli farmers giving part of their harvest to other B40 operators in order to make sambal, the fiery red sauce essential to any serving of nasi lemak.
The nasi lemak would then be sold for as low as RM2 at vending machines in public places.
At the Cempaka LRT station, though, getting the nasi lemak out of the machine was not the only hitch.
A handful of customers also encountered problems paying for their meal with cash as the machine would encounter technical problems.
"Not everyone here can pay by card," a bank clerk who introduced herself as Faqih said.
"I have seen foreign workers queuing to pay with cash but the machine will not accept their money.
"It will be troublesome if it continues like this."
'A waste'
At her stall about 7km away from the station, a nasi lemak vendor described the initiative as a waste.
The woman who called herself Kak Julia also said that it made things difficult for vendors like herself.
Julia, who has run her stall for 17 years, said they too could prepare nasi lemak for RM2 if the government would distribute chilli harvests directly to them.
"It would be better for the minister to come and meet those of us who sell nasi lemak at the side of the road and give us those chillies," she said.
"Then we could save on costs and give customers quality side dishes, not just an egg."
Such an initiative could also be established throughout the country while saving the government the money it would need to maintain the vending machines, she added.
Asfanizam, a vending machine distributor agent in the Klang Valley, said there were many aspects of the initiative that needed to be addressed.
For one, he said, the cheap plastic wrapping secured only with a rubber band was not efficient for the customers.
He said the idea of selling nasi lemak had been around for a number of years, citing the earlier use of air-tight containers to keep the food fresh for a longer period.
These packages were also kept in temperature-controlled vending machines, which prevented the nasi lemak from going bad in the heat.
"Most vending machines or food vendors will also have a microwave oven to heat up the food once it is bought," he said.
Asfanizam said the new nasi lemak vending machine initiative could endure and achieve its original aim if such improvements were made.
"Otherwise, the customers will face the same situation every day," he said.
"They pay RM2 but the food gets stuck in the machine. Then they have to pay RM3 more to buy nasi lemak from another stall at the side of the road.
"That's such a waste. It would have been better for the person to have paid RM5 from the start for rice and side dishes somewhere else."


Back to school for 94,000 students after 6-month break

Face-to-face school sessions commenced today for 94,000 students in 10 states under Phase Two to Four of the National Recovery Plan.The return to the classroom involved students in Penang, Perak and Sabah which are in Phase Two; Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Melaka, Perlis, Pahang and Sarawak which are in Phase Three, and Negeri Sembilan and Labuan in Phase Four.Returning students comprised those in the second semester of Form Six, international examination classes, students with special needs (MBK) and in the integrated special education programme (PPKI) who will be attending classes without rotation according to the provisions for Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan.For Negeri Sembilan and Labuan, the return to school involves preschool, MBK and PPKI students, students sitting for public and international examinations who are in boarding schools, day schools and private schools, as provided for under Phase Three.Yesterday, face-to-face school sessions began in Terengganu, Kelantan and Langkawi after a six-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Schools in Johor and Kedah will open in stages for face-to-face learning from Oct 10.


A dozen US senators plan to oppose Biden certification

A group of Republican senators led by veteran lawmaker Ted Cruz said Saturday they will challenge Joe Biden’s election win – the latest last-ditch move to support Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine the vote.The initiative, which appears certain to fail, flies in the face of rulings in dozens of courts and the findings by officials in several key states that there were no widespread voting problems.The Republicans’ statement, signed by Cruz and six other current senators along with four senators-elect, asserts that “allegations of fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election exceed any in our lifetimes”.The group said that when Congress convenes in a joint session on Wednesday – for what normally would be a pro-forma certification of Biden’s victory – they will demand the creation of a special commission to conduct an “emergency 10-day audit” of the election results.The statement says individual states could then convene special legislative sessions and potentially revise their vote totals.“An attempt to steal a landslide win. Can’t let it happen!” Trump tweeted Saturday.Posting a list of the 11 senators, Trump added: “And after they see the facts, plenty more to come… Our Country will love them for it!”They join Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who said earlier that he planned to raise objections on Wednesday.A Republican member of the House of Representatives, Louie Gohmert, has also announced his plan to oppose certification, and more than 100 House Republicans reportedly will back his challenge.Gohmert sought to further raise the stakes with a lawsuit that would have given Vice President Mike Pence – traditionally in a ceremonial role in Wednesday’s session – the power to overturn the election result.Pence opposed that effort, and a federal judge in Texas on Friday rejected the suit. On Saturday, a federal appeals court upheld that dismissal.The Hawley and Gohmert challenges will ensure that Congress must meet to hear the complaints.‘The Electoral College has spoken’The Congress sessions, sure to be contentious, will play out against a backdrop of pro-Trump rallies in Washington next week.As with Trump’s other attempts to reverse his election defeat, the latest political maneuvering appears doomed. Democrats control the House, and many Republicans are expected to vote Wednesday for certification.The 11 senators conceded that most Democrats and “more than a few Republicans” would likely oppose their initiative.Among them is Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, a battleground state that helped Biden to victory. Its result is expected to be among those contested on Wednesday.“A fundamental, defining feature of a democratic republic is the right of the people to elect their own leaders,” Toomey tweeted.“The effort by Sens Hawley, Cruz, and others to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in swing states like Pennsylvania directly undermines this right.”He added: “I voted for President Trump and endorsed him for re-election. But, on Wednesday, I intend to vigorously defend our form of government by opposing this effort to disenfranchise millions of voters in my state and others.”Responding to Toomey late Saturday night Hawley criticized the “shameless personal attacks,” and urged senators to avoid “making unfounded claims about the intentions of our fellow senators.”“I never claim to speak for another senator, but I do speak for my constituents when they raise legitimate concerns about issues as important as the fairness of our elections,” he said in a message to the Senate GOP conference, first reported by Politico.Earlier, Utah Senator Mitt Romney, a vocal Trump opponent, dismissed his colleagues’ rationale as “nonsense”.“The egregious ploy to reject electors may enhance the political ambition of some, but dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic,” Romney said.“Members of Congress who would substitute their own partisan judgment for that of the courts do not enhance public trust, they imperil it,” he added. “Has ambition so eclipsed principle?”Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell also urged fellow Republicans to vote to certify and avoid a divisive political brawl.Pence, however, is reportedly encouraging lawmakers to debate the baseless accusations of voting irregularities.“Vice President Pence shares the concerns of millions of Americans about voter fraud and irregularities in the last election,” his chief of staff Marc Short said in a statement to US news outlets.Biden won in the all-important Electoral College by a vote of 306 to 232.Cruz is considered a likely 2024 presidential candidate. Hawley is also said to be positioning himself for a 2024 run – and so is Pence.


Thousands sign petitions to stop Amazon billionaire boss from returning to Earth

Two Change.org petitions to stop Jeff Bezos returning to Earth from space are well on the way to amassing 50,000 signatures.The one most people have signed is called: “Do not allow Jeff Bezos to return to Earth,” says Business Insider.Bezos will lift off on July 20 in his rocket New Shepard’s first manned flight into space.The founder of space-exploration firm Blue Origin, and his brother Mark Bezos will make the return trip.Three days after the richest man in the world’s announcement of his upcoming flight, two petitions were launched to try and prevent him returning to Earth. They have both garnered thousands of signatories in just 10 days.“Billionaire’s [sic] should not exist…on earth, or in space, but should they decide the latter they should stay there,” one petition’s description said.Some signatories gave a reason for signing the petition, which included comments such as “being let back into Earth is a privilege – not a right”, and “Earth don’t [sic] want people like Jeff, Bill [Gates], Elon [Musk] and other such billionaires.”Jose Ortiz, who set up one of the petitions, said in the description that Bezos is “an evil overlord hellbent on global domination”.Both petitions are aiming to get 25,000 signatures, making them two of the top signed petitions on Change.org, according to the website.Bezos will take the 11-minute flight to the edge of space in his New Shepard spacecraft alongside his brother and the anonymous winner of the Blue Origin auction for a seat, which sold for US$28 million.They’ll be strapped into a dome-shaped capsule, which sits on top of the rocket booster.Once New Shepard reaches the Kármán line – an imaginary boundary 100 kilometres above the Earth’s surface – the capsule will separate from the booster, re-enter the atmosphere, and float back down to Earth with the help of parachutes.Bezos said in a video posted to Instagram on June 7, “I want to go on this flight because it’s a thing I wanted to do all my life. It’s an adventure – it’s a big deal for me.”


PM thanks Agong for confidence in govt’s handling of Covid-19

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has expressed his thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his confidence in the government’s ability to address the Covid-19 crisis.In a short statement, Muhyiddin said his Cabinet will meet to deliberate on the Agong’s decision not to declare a state of emergency as proposed.“The government and the Cabinet’s priority is to protect the people from Covid-19,” the prime minister said.Earlier, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said he felt there was no need to declare a state of emergency to help authorities in efforts to fight Covid-19, saying Muhyiddin’s administration had so far done a good job of battling the deadly pandemic.“That being the case, His Majesty would like to remind politicians to immediately cease all politicking that will disrupt the stability of the nation’s administration,” said a statement released by Istana Negara, shortly after a meeting of Malay rulers to discuss a proposal to declare an emergency in order to prevent snap polls.


Storm destroys 100 homes in Perlis

A total of 100 houses were destroyed, most of them with the roofs ripped off, during a thunderstorm in Kangar yesterday.
However, state civil defence force director Mohd Izaimi Md Daud, when contacted by Bernama today, said there were no reports of casualties so far and that the amount of losses had yet to be ascertained.
He advised the public to be vigilant given the uncertain weather conditions, and alert to the disaster warnings issued by the authorities.
Yesterday, Bernama reported over 50 houses damaged due to a storm that struck Perlis from about 10am until late evening.
Among the areas affected were Mata Ayer, Kampung Panggas Kechil, Kampung Lubok Besar, Kuala Perlis, Padang Pauh, Lubuk Sireh, Kangar, Abi, Bukit Keteri, Kurung Batang, Balik Bukit, Wang Besar and Beseri.
According to the website of the Malaysian Meteorological Department, rain is forecast in the morning, with thunderstorms in the afternoon in one or two places in the interior of the state until July 17.


Nothing controversial about replacing IGP, says Saifuddin

A police officer or civil servant who is appointed on contract can be terminated or have his or her services shortened at any time, says Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In this regard, he said the replacement of the inspector-general of police (IGP), a position held by Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, with his deputy Razarudin Husain, was a normal process.
"Nothing controversial, don’t read beyond that. I had an audience earlier with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, followed by the prime minister, and the matter proceeded smoothly.
"I have also spoken to Acryl Sani… and tomorrow (today) we will conduct the handover of duties ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur police training centre, so there is nothing controversial," he said in an exclusive media editor session with the mome Minister at the home ministry complex yesterday.
He was commenting on the appointment of Razarudin as the new IGP to replace Acryl Sani effective June 23, as announced by him in a statement yesterday.
Acryl Sani was appointed as IGP on contract after retiring for two years effective Oct 4, 2021, meaning that his services should have ended on Oct 4 this year.
Saifuddin said that in principle, police officers with the rank of commissioner of police (CP) are eligible to be appointed to the post of IGP or deputy IGP.
"The police force has 25 officers with the rank of CP. They are the pool of talent to hold these two posts, and they are currently occupying positions in Bukit Aman departments or serving as state police chiefs or in the Special Branch.
"Currently, we have 47 officers with the rank of deputy commissioner of police, and this is the talent of police officers that will be involved if there is a vacancy for the position," he said.
He said they would be evaluated based on several criteria including integrity and a good understanding of public security and order, in addition to experience and academic qualifications.
He also expressed his appreciation to Acryl Sani for the services he provided during his tenure as IGP.
"I am comfortable with the level of cooperation with him, he is very conducive. It is not difficult to work with him. He managed a lot of matters on peace and public order professionally as long as the police force was under his leadership," he said.


Record 1,884 new cases, 1,203 in Selangor

Another 1,884 Covid-19 cases were reported today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 56,659.Of these, 1,203 were recorded in Selangor, with 1,067 from the Teratai cluster.This was followed by Sabah (289), Kuala Lumpur (196), Perak (81), Negeri Sembilan (41) and Kedah (36).Johor recorded 15 new cases, Penang 12, Kelantan nine, and Perlis and Putrajaya one each.This was followed by Sabah (289), Kuala Lumpur (196), Negeri Sembilan (41) and Kedah (36).Active cases stand at 13,842 with 115 in the ICU and 48 in need of respiratory assistance.Another 883 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 42,480 or 75%.However, two more deaths were recorded, pushing the virus toll to 337.


Neelofa questioned over no-face mask claim at Seremban police HQ

Celebrity Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor today spent an hour at the Seremban police headquarters to give her statement over the allegation that she had not worn a face mask at the Seremban court complex last Thursday.Neelofa, 32, arrived at the police headquarters at 10.10am accompanied by her husband, Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail, and two lawyers.She told reporters she had given her full cooperation to the police.Seremban police chief ACP Mohd Said Ibrahim agreed that Neelofa had cooperated and said she had adhered to SOPs when giving her statement today.He said the case is being investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code and Regulation 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) 2021.Said in a statement last Friday said a police report had been lodged claiming that Neelofa did not comply with the SOP to wear a face mask in public places, which applies to all, including those who wear a niqab.This was after pictures of the celebrity who appeared as if she was not wearing a face mask under her niqab when she arrived at the court compound on Thursday went viral on social media.On that day, Neelofa and Haris pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to violating SOPs under the conditional movement control order at a carpet shop in Nilai on May 2.


Sorry.


Pandemic blues see more Malaysians turning to antidepressants

The recent spike in number of Covid-19 cases has been accompanied by an increase in use of antidepressants, experts say, sending worrying signals about the state of mental health in the country as daily cases remain firmly in the four-figure range.They say the development is of concern given the rise in number of people seeking mental health treatment since last year, which hit a peak between April and June during the movement control order (MCO) period.Amrahi Buang, president of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, referred to health ministry statistics showing that from January to June last year, 465 patients attempted suicide.“This all happened during the Covid-19 infection period, so it’s clear that the trend began spiking during the MCO compared to the recovery MCO period from July to September,” he told MalaysiaNow, adding however that official data on the consumption of antidepressants is still being compiled by the health ministry.He said frontline workers such as doctors and pharmacists have also been given antidepressants to help them cope with the stress of working in Covid-19 wards.“We also know that the government has made counselling services available to them,” he added.In Malaysia, antidepressants are classified as a controlled substance, requiring a presecription from certified doctors or pharmacists.According to the health ministry’s portal, there are four types of antidepressants available – Trisiklik (Tricyclic), Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase type A (RIMAs), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) – all of which require different dosages.In October, the National Health and Morbidity Survey showed that nearly half a million Malaysians suffer from depression, of which 424,000 are children diagnosed as early as 14 years old.Amhari said the situation would likely become worse as the Covid-19 situation continues, adding that immediate action should be taken.“Depression is to be expected in many cases.”He hailed the RM344.82 million allocation set aside in the 2021 budget for mental healthcare, but said it was still less than 1% of the total amount set aside for healthcare. In countries such as Britain and the US, he added, allocations for mental healthcare are on average 2.8% of the health budget.Dr Steven Chow, president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia, agreed that there had been an increase in intake of antidepressants in the private sector.He said such drugs are given when patients are no longer able to alleviate their stress levels through counselling sessions with certified pyschiatrists.“It is because they are unable to cope. Depression is to be expected in many cases.“Their family and doctors will decide what is needed and monitor the use of the medication to get them back to normal,” he told MalaysiaNow.Amhari also voiced concern over the shortage of psychiatrists with figures from 2018 showing only 410 registered psychiatrists in the country – a ratio of 1.27:100,000 or one doctor per 100,000 mentally ill patients. This is far short of the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:10,000.However, he said other counselling services are also available such as the government’s Talian Kasih hotline and the Befrienders.He also advised people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, saying this can help ensure good mental health.


Grounded worldwide, Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly again ‘too early’ says expert

A former senior manager at Boeing’s 737 plant in Seattle, Washington, has raised new concerns over the safety of the 737 Max.The aircraft, which was grounded around the world after two fatal accidents, has already been cleared to resume flights in North America and Brazil, and is expected to gain approval in Europe this week.But in a new report, Ed Pierson claims that further investigation of electrical issues and production quality problems at the 737 factory is badly needed.Regulators in the US and Europe insist their reviews have been thorough, but in his report, Pierson claims that they have ignored factors which may have played a direct role in the accidents.A Lion Air flight and an Ethiopian Airlines flight both crashed in incidents investigators believe were triggered by the failure of a single sensor which sent inaccurate data to a piece of flight control software called MCAS.This automated system then repeatedly forced the nose of the aircraft downwards after take off while the pilots were trying to gain height. The software pushed each aircraft into an unrecoverable dive.Efforts to make the 737 Max safe have focused on redesigning the MCAS software.For Pierson, this is not enough. He told congressional hearings he had became so concerned about conditions at the 737 factory that he had told his bosses he was hesitant about taking his family on Boeing planes.He testified that during 2018, the factory was in a “chaotic” and “dysfunctional” state as, he claimed, staff there struggled under pressure from managers to build new planes as quickly as possible.Now, he is worried that these factors have been overlooked in the rush to get the 737 Max back carrying passengers in the air.His report draws on material from the official investigations. It claims that both of the crashed aircraft suffered from what he believes were production defects which he insists have not been addressed by regulators.Pierson’s concerns are supported by the celebrated aviation safety campaigner Captain Chesley Sullenberger, one of the pilots who safely ditched a crippled Airbus plane in the Hudson river off Manhattan in 2009.He too believes that modifications to the Max do not go far enough.“Pierson’s report is very disturbing,” said Sullenberger. “Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must finally become more transparent.”The FAA insists it only approved the return to service of the Max following a “comprehensive and methodical safety review process”.Boeing itself will not comment on whether the electrical and flight control problems highlighted by Pierson may have played a factor in the two accidents, on the grounds that this is a matter for the investigating authorities.Relatives of those who died in the crashes are continuing to urge regulators not to allow the 737 Max to operate in Europe, “until continuing concerns about the aircraft’s safety have been fully and openly addressed”.


Young Chinese games billionaire dies ‘after poisoning’

A young Chinese tycoon who died on Christmas Day was deliberately poisoned, Shanghai police are saying.Lin Qi, 39, was the chairman and chief executive of games developer Yoozoo, best known for the “Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming” strategy game.Yoozoo released its own statement, saying Lin had admitted himself to hospital after feeling unwell. Things took a dramatic turn on Friday when the company announced its founder had died.The Shanghai police statement pointed to one of Lin’s colleagues – identified only by his family name Xu – as the main suspect.According to local media reports, one person is in police custody. This could be Xu Yao, head of Yoozoo’s movie production arm, the BBC is reporting.There was also some speculation among local media that Lin was poisoned via aged pu’er tea, a fermented Chinese drink.Employees and ex-employees gathered outside Yoozoo’s office on Friday to mourn his death.Lin was believed to have a net worth of around 6.8 billion yuan (RM5 billion) according to the Hurun China Rich List.The young entrepreneur was a star of China’s lucrative gaming market and had also made a foray into film production.He founded Yoozoo in 2009 and successfully led the company through a period when the gaming industry saw substantial changes towards mobile gaming.The company issued an emotional statement on its official Weibo microblog.“Goodbye youth,” it said. “We will be together, continue to be kind, continue to believe in goodness, and continue the fight against all that is bad.”The post attracted thousands of comments while the topic has been viewed nearly 300 million times on Weibo.Apart from its Game of Thrones game, Yoozoo is also the co-publisher of Supercell’s smash-hit game “Brawl Stars” along with China’s Tencent Holdings.The company is also known for its connection with the Chinese sci-fi novel “Three-Body Problem” as it holds the rights for the book’s film adaptation.Youzoo’s expansion into the motion picture business wasn’t as successful as the company had hoped and the project to adapt the book into six films by Yoozoo Pictures never took off.In September, it granted US streaming platform Netflix the right to adapt the sci-fi novel for television.The book is the first instalment of the trilogy “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” by writer Liu Cixin and has received critical acclaim, counting both former US President Barack Obama and Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg among its fans.


Business as usual in Klang despite CMCO, Putrajaya says

Putrajaya has decided to allow economic sectors in Klang to continue operations as usual, a day before several parts of the town come under a conditional movement control order (CMCO) following a spike in Covid-19 cases.The government said the move was to strike a balance between public health and “the continuity of employment and sustainability of economic development”.The decision was made at a special meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today.In a statement, International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said he had briefed the council on the importance of Klang’s economic sector, where container ports contributed more than RM400 billion last year.“In light of this, and after considering the current health situation in the Klang district and the importance of ensuring economic sustainability, today’s NSC session has decided to allow all economic sectors in the Klang district to continue operations as before, subject to strict adherence to SOPs.“Authorities are henceforth instructed to enhance enforcement of SOP compliance to ensure the safety of workers and citizens in the Klang district,” the senior minister said.He warned that companies that flout the health SOPs would be slapped with “immediate termination of operations and legal action”.“In maintaining the effectiveness and sustainability of the current economic recovery phase, the government will not compromise on efforts to secure the safety and health of the people.”The CMCO in Klang will take effect from midnight tonight, but the government had stated that Port Klang will operate as usual.


Malaysian breakfast nominated for Unesco's intangible heritage list

The tourism, arts and culture ministry has submitted a nomination for the Malaysian breakfast culture to be inscribed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) list of intangible cultural heritage last March.
Its deputy minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the nomination under the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity highlighted the country's iconic breakfast food, such as nasi lemak, roti canai, and teh tarik.
"If this nomination is successful, the tourism, arts and culture ministry is confident that it will further increase Malaysia's visibility globally, making the country a tourist destination with a wide variety of heritage food," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) about the ministry's efforts to elevate the status of traditional Malaysian foods so that they are not claimed as the national food of other countries.
Khairul said the national heritage department had taken the initiative to gazette heritage food in Malaysia under the National Heritage Act 2005 to protect and preserve them from extinction.
"A total of 213 heritage foods from various states and races have been recognised as national heritage under this law," he said.
In addition, Khairul said the ministry had published four books on heritage food, including "Makanan Warisan Hampir Pupus" and "Malaysia Culinary Heritage: The Best Authentic Traditional Recipes".
He said the ministry also provides grants for any party interested in promoting national heritage food domestically and abroad through certain programmes.


Gambling money claim just another in Anwar's 'series of lies', says Bersatu

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin today said that Anwar Ibrahim's claim of gambling-related funds for Perikatan Nasional (PN) at last year's general election was just one in what he described as a series of lies, adding that action had been taken to strike out all such accusations.
Hamzah, responding to the announcement by law minister Azalina Othman Said yesterday that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had been unable to confirm Anwar's claim, said this was proof that it was "mere fabrication and lies".
"Just as he shamelessly lied to the people through promises that were not fulfilled, such as the promise to lower the price of oil, to solve the cost of living, to fight nepotism, and to fight corruption, but then appointed a deputy prime minister against whom a prima facie case has been established and who is defending himself against 47 charges in court," he added, referring to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who had been instrumental in rallying the support of his party for Anwar as prime minister.
Azalina said yesterday that the anti-graft agency had carried out a detailed investigation into the claims, made by Anwar after chairing his first Cabinet meeting last December.
"However, MACC found that the information at hand was too general and that no party could confirm the issue.
"Therefore, no investigation file was opened on this matter," she said.
PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin subsequently said that both Anwar and Zahid should apologise, and that the coalition would consult its legal team about further action.
Hamzah said legal action had already been taken, through the filing of an application to cancel the charges which he said were defective and without basis.
"The charges are too vague and unclear and violate the provisions of the law regarding mandatory details in the charge sheet," he added.
PAS, a component party of PN, has also urged Anwar to apologise for spreading false accusations.


Strikes to bring London's transport network to a halt

London's transport network will grind to a halt on Friday as tube and bus workers strike over pay and conditions, the latest in a summer of labour market disputes as double-digit inflation eats into wages.
Severe disruption was expected on all London Underground lines, London Overground services would be reduced, and dozens of bus routes in the west of the city would not run as normal, Transport for London (TFL) said.
Tens of thousands of workers from the wider national rail network walked out on Thursday and will do so again on Saturday.
Commuters across the country have already endured disruption from rail strikes this year, organised by unions over pay and conditions for their members that better reflect the soaring cost of living caused by energy price-driven inflation.
Data showed inflation at 10.1% in July, the highest since February 1982, as rising energy costs resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine hit consumers directly through their household bills, and indirectly through rising food prices.
That has led to a standoff between firms, who say rising costs and falling demand limit their room to negotiate, unions who say their workers cannot afford to live and the government, which is worried that big wage increases may fuel inflation.
Trade union RMT said the underground strike was in response to a lack of assurances about jobs and pensions from TFL. TFL is itself in prolonged negotiations with the government after the expiration of an emergency state funding deal, in part necessitated by a post-pandemic fall in passengers.
Workers in other British industries are also planning future strikes or moving towards industrial action. These include port workers, lawyers, teachers, nurses, firefighters, and waste collection, airport and postal staff.


Govt to review US$3.9 billion settlement deal with Goldman Sachs

The government is re-evaluating a US$3.9 billion (RM17.25 billion) settlement deal reached between the previous administration and US investment bank Goldman Sachs over the 1MDB financial scandal, Bernama reported on Monday.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a government task force looking into 1MDB issues was scrutinising the 2020 deal with Goldman, adding that it was a matter of recovering public funds, Bernama reported.
"I agree (with a review) because from the start, I felt the settlement agreement was done hastily which led to many questions being raised," Anwar was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Goldman Sachs agreed in 2020 to pay US$2.5 billion in cash and guarantee the return of US$1.4 billion in assets to Malaysia to settle a criminal probe into the bank's alleged involvement in the multi-billion-dollar scandal, in a deal reached during the administration of Muhyiddin Yassin.
Goldman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Malaysian and US authorities estimate some US$4.5 billion were stolen from 1MDB between 2009 and 2014, in a globe-spanning scheme that implicated high-level government and banking officials in Malaysia and elsewhere.
Goldman had helped 1MDB raise US$6.5 billion in two bond offerings, earning itself US$600 million in fees, according to the US Justice Department.
Since taking office last November, Anwar has sought to review previous governments' decisions on 1MDB in a bid to recoup money embezzled from the fund.
In February, Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Co and its unit Aabar Investments PJS agreed to pay Malaysia US$1.8 billion to settle a separate legal dispute over 1MDB.
1MDB is the subject of corruption and money-laundering investigations in at least six countries.
Last month, former Goldman banker Roger Ng was sentenced by a US court to 10 years in prison, after being convicted of helping to loot billions of dollars from 1MDB.


Isa Samad sentenced to 6 years’ jail, RM15 million fine

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today sentenced former Felda chairman Isa Samad to a total of 54 years in prison and a fine of RM15.45 million in default of 18 years’ jail after finding him guilty of nine counts of corruption involving RM3 million over the agency’s purchase of a hotel in Kuching.Isa, the former menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for each count. However, he will only serve six years as judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.When handing down the sentence, Nazlan said it was a lesson for Isa and to deter others from committing a similar offence.“The court took note of the accused’s background and administrative record, as well as his involvement in the country’s politics where the accused had served as a menteri besar for two decades and also as a cabinet minister.“Corruption-related offences are serious and threaten the country’s economy and are a cancer that affects the country’s democratic system.“Therefore, the court sentenced the accused to six years imprisonment on each charge, to be served concurrently.“The court also imposed a fine of five times the amount of bribe for each charge which amounted to RM15.45 million and, if he fails to pay the fine, he will be jailed two years for each charge,” Nazlan said.He allowed Isa’s application for a stay of the jail sentence and fine pending the disposal of his appeal at the Court of Appeal, saying the court was satisfied that Isa had established special circumstances for the stay application to be allowed.However, he increased the bail amount from RM800,000 to RM1.5 million, of which RM700,000 must be paid by 2pm tomorrow.Isa was also told to report himself to the nearest police station on the first day of every month until the disposal of his appeal.


New infections pass 3,200 as one more death reported

Another 3,296 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,893,733.
There were 1,960 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,827,215.
There are now 30,055 active cases, of which 28,721 or 95.6% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 0 (0.0%) are at quarantine centres while 1,276 (4.2%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 58 are in ICU with 35 in need of respiratory assistance.
One death was reported, taking total deaths to 36,463.


EC awaiting govt decision on voting for Covid-19 patients

The Election Commission (EC) is still awaiting the federal government’s decision on whether those under Covid-19 quarantine will be allowed to vote in the Sabah state election.EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said the commission was told that the matter would be discussed at a federal-level meeting today involving the police, the health ministry and the National Security Council.He said the EC would wait for the government’s decision and see what could be done if those under quarantine are allowed to vote.“We have look into the legal aspect as early voting is today and polling will be held three days later (on Saturday),” he told reporters after visiting the early voting centre at the state police headquarters in Kepayan.Ghani was responding to questions on whether another date would be set for Covid-19 patients and those under quarantine to vote.Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had said 270 police personnel in Sabah could not participate in early voting because they were under quarantine.A total of 16,877 people are eligible to cast their ballots in early voting. As of 10am today, 35% had voted.Early voting will close at 5pm.


US braces for surge of vaccinated international travellers

The US is expecting a flood of international visitors crossing its borders by air and by land on Monday after lifting travel restrictions for much of the world’s population first imposed in early 2020 to address the spread of Covid-19.United Airlines is expecting about 50% more total international inbound passengers Monday compared to last Monday when it had about 20,000.And Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian has warned travellers should be prepared for initial long lines.“It’s going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately,” Bastian said, adding that “we’ll get it sorted out”.Delta said in the six weeks since the US reopening was announced it has seen a 450% increase in international point-of-sale bookings versus the six weeks prior to the announcement.White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said on Twitter “As we expect high demand when the US lifts its existing air and land travel restrictions Monday, we are taking critical steps to be prepared by providing additional resources.”The Biden administration has held multiple calls with US airlines to prepare for the influx of additional travelers that will begin arriving at US airports and has warned travellers crossing from Canada and Mexico by land or ferry to be prepared for longer waits starting Monday.For Bhavna Patel, a flight from London will take her to New York on Monday to see her first grandchild after more than a year of watching him grow via FaceTime.The rules have barred most non-US citizens who within the prior 14 days have been in 33 countries – the 26 Schengen countries in Europe without border controls, China, India, South Africa, Iran, Brazil, Britain and Ireland.Trade group US Travel said the countries accounted for 53% of all overseas visitors to the US in 2019 and border communities were hit hard by the loss of tourists crossing from Mexico and Canada. The group estimates declines in international visitation “resulted in nearly US$300 billion in lost export income” since March 2020.US airlines are boosting flights to Europe and other destinations that were impacted by the restrictions. Airlines are planning events on Monday with executives meeting some of the first flights.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and United Airlines President Brett Hart are holding an event at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Monday to mark the reopening.US officials plan an Instagram live chat on Nov 9 to help answer questions.Many international flights are expected to operate close to full or full on Monday, with high passenger volume throughout the following weeks.Airlines will check vaccination documentation for international travellers as they currently do for Covid-19 test results. At land border crossings, US Customs and Border Protection will ask if travelers have been vaccinated and spot check some documentation.Children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirements. Non-tourist travellers from nearly 50 countries with nationwide vaccination rates of less than 10% will also be eligible for exemption.Also Monday, new contact tracing rules will take effect requiring airlines to collect information from international air passengers if needed “to follow up with travellers who have been exposed to Covid-19 variants or other pathogens.”


North Korea warns of 'fiercer' military responses to US, allies

North Korea warned on Thursday of "fiercer military responses" to US efforts to boost its security presence in the region with its allies, state media said, saying Washington is taking a "gamble it will regret".
North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, slammed a recent trilateral summit between the US, South Korea and Japan, during which the leaders criticised Pyongyang's weapons tests and pledged greater security cooperation.
Choe said the three countries' recent joint military drills failed to rein in the North but rather aggravated their own security crisis, and such moves would bring its "fiercer counteractions."
"The US will be well aware that it is gambling for which it will certainly regret," Choe said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.


No go in 14 countries including Malaysia for Disney’s ‘Lightyear’ showing same-sex couple

Walt Disney Co has been unable to obtain permission to show its new Pixar movie “Lightyear” in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries, a source said on Monday, and the animated film appeared unlikely to open in China, the world’s largest movie market.A “Lightyear” producer told Reuters that authorities in China had asked for cuts to the movie, which Disney declined to make, and she assumed the movie would not open there either. The animated film depicts a same-sex couple who share a brief kiss, which prompted the United Arab Emirates to ban the film.The United Arab Emirates said the couple’s relationship violated the country’s media content standards. Homosexuality is considered criminal in many Middle Eastern countries.Representatives of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Lebanon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why they would not allow the film to be exhibited.“Lightyear” is a prequel to Pixar’s acclaimed “Toy Story” franchise. Chris Evans voices the lead character, Buzz Lightyear, a legendary space ranger.In the film, Buzz’s close friend is a female space ranger who marries another woman. A scene showing milestones in the couple’s relationship includes a brief kiss.Disney has not received an answer from Chinese authorities on whether they would allow the film in cinemas, “Lightyear” producer Galyn Susman said. But she said filmmakers would not make changes to the movie. China has rejected other on-screen depictions of homosexuality in the past.“We’re not going to cut out anything, especially something as important as the loving and inspirational relationship that shows Buzz what he’s missing by the choices that he’s making, so that’s not getting cut,” Susman told Reuters at the movie’s red-carpet premiere in London.China is not a “make or break” market for Pixar, one theater industry source said. It contributed a mere 3% to the global box office for “Toy Story 4,” which grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales in 2019, according to Comscore.Any objections to “Lightyear” over LGBTQ issues were “frustrating,” Evans said.“It’s great that we are a part of something that’s making steps forward in the social inclusion capacity, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be,” Evans said.“Lightyear” is set to debut in theaters in the US and Canada on Friday.In May, Disney refused requests to cut same-sex references in Marvel movie “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.” Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries did not show the film.


North Korea’s Kim assumes late father’s mantle

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has had his official party title changed, state media reported Monday, assuming a position previously held by his late father in what analysts said was a move to bolster his authority.The North Korean economy is struggling in the face of self-imposed coronavirus isolation, and is subject to multiple sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.At the same time, nuclear talks with the US have been deadlocked since the collapse of the Hanoi summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in February 2019.The ruling Workers’ Party of Korea “unanimously adopted” a decision to elect Kim as general secretary at its congress on Sunday, the official KCNA news agency reported.“All the delegates expressed full support with stormy applause in great excitement,” it said.The South Korean military said it detected signs that a military parade may have been staged Sunday night for the congress.The last congress five years ago had named him chairman in what was largely seen as a formal coronation for the leader, who was in his early 30s at the time.The new title comes after Kim pledged at the meeting to strengthen his nuclear-armed nation’s military capabilities, and called the US his country’s “foremost principal enemy”.He also admitted that “almost all sectors fell a long way short of the set objectives” in North Korea’s previous economic plan.Experts said the new nomenclature was largely symbolic, with the congress changing job titles to reinstate a previously scrapped party secretariat system.North Korea is more isolated than ever after closing its borders last January to protect itself against the coronavirus that first emerged in neighbour and key ally China.“It’s another indirect way of admitting that plans introduced in 2016 – including the new chairman system – did not really work out,” said defector-turned-researcher Ahn Chan-il of the World Institute for North Korea Studies in Seoul.“Kim wanted to create a new image for himself and his era – that’s different from his father’s – by becoming a ‘chairman’, but it looks like he feels the need to stress his connection to his father in order to consolidate his leadership during this difficult time.”Kim’s father Kim Jong Il has remained the party’s Eternal General Secretary since soon after his 2011 death, while the current leader’s grandfather Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder, is the country’s Eternal President despite dying in 1994.‘Military parade’The congress is the top ruling party gathering, a grand political set-piece that reinforces the regime’s authority and can serve as a platform for announcements of policy shifts or elite personnel changes.The meeting named a new political bureau, which did not include Kim’s sister and key adviser Kim Yo Jong.She appeared to suffer a setback, not appearing on the lists of those appointed to the party central committee, having previously been an alternate member.The South Korean military said Monday it had detected signs a military parade had been held to accompany the congress on Sunday night in Pyongyang, but was tracking whether it was “an actual event or its rehearsal”.Reports have cited satellite images as showing a parade “with military elements” could take place, but without necessarily showing off the North’s latest missiles.It held a nighttime military parade in October to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling party, when it showed off a huge new intercontinental ballistic missile.Analysts concurred it was the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled missile anywhere in the world, and was highly likely to be designed to carry multiple warheads in independent re-entry vehicles.


CITF mulls designated jab centres for foreign workers

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) is considering the need to designate several vaccination centres (PPVs) to cater for foreign workers according to language, so that the vaccination process can be conducted more smoothly.CITF, in a statement, said the move was to enable the stationing of translators or volunteers at these stations to tackle the problem of overcrowding at PPVs caused by large numbers, which would violate the SOPs.“The failure of foreign workers to fill out the forms and download the MySejahtera application has caused the process to take a longer time.“Every foreign worker needs more than five minutes to fill out the form, which causes congestion at the registration counter. There are interpreters who help, but the process is still time consuming,” it said in comments on the congestion that had occurred at many PPVs in the Klang Valley.It said the congestion also occurred when a large number of vaccine recipients did not follow the appointment time given, for example coming in the morning when the appointment time was in the afternoon.To prevent the same problem from recurring, the CITF is also working with the police to block vehicles such as buses from outside the Klang Valley, carrying either foreign workers or Malaysians en masse, to get vaccinated in the Klang Valley.The CITF has also amended the appointment dates for some vaccine recipients to reduce the number of attendees, so that congestion stemming from communication problems involving foreign workers can be avoided.“As a result of this move, overcrowding at the PPVs involved, especially in the afternoon, has been reduced today, and the matter will continue to be monitored to enable appropriate action to be taken from time to time,” it said.