Free Covid-19 vaccines for all, including foreigners, says Putrajaya

Putrajaya has decided to extend its free Covid-19 vaccination to all non-citizens in the country, saying it is part of the government’s humanitarian responsibility as well as to ensure herd immunity.It said the vaccine supply secured by the government is also more than enough for Malaysians.However, it said priority will be given to Malaysians when the mass vaccination programme begins at the end of this month.“This is also in line with the government’s stand to vaccinate as many people in Malaysia to achieve herd immunity in efforts to stop the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a statement by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee, jointly chaired by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.Malaysia has so far secured Covid-19 vaccine supplies from five companies at a total price of over RM2 billion, enough to inoculate more than 80% of the population and achieve herd immunity.The Pfizer vaccines will be the first to arrive in Malaysia at the end of the month, despite the recent controversial export curbs by the European Union on vaccines produced in the bloc.This will be followed by vaccines under the Covax facility (March) and from AstraZeneca (April).Three other vaccines will come from Sinovac and CanSino (China) and Gamaleya (Russia), totalling 23.9 million doses under various regiments.Putrajaya’s joint vaccination committee meanwhile noted that a huge number of Covid-19 infections are from migrant workers in the plantation, construction and manufacturing sectors.It said these workers have become part of the local community and have contributed to the nation’s economy.It said the government has been burdened by the huge cost of containing the pandemic among the migrant population including for quarantine and treatment measures.Putrajaya said its decision to extend free vaccination to non-Malaysians residing in the country was also inspired by the move by other countries to include Malaysian nationals in their inoculation programmes.


NZ police begin clearing anti-vaccine mandate protesters

New Zealand police on Thursday began forcefully removing hundreds of people who have been camping outside its parliament building for the last three days to protest Covid-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions.Inspired by the truckers demonstrations in Canada, which is into its 13th day with protesters blocking two border crossings with the US, several thousand protesters this week blocked streets near the parliament in capital Wellington with their trucks, cars and motorbikes.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday told the protesters to “move on”, saying the demonstration “is not reflective of where the rest of New Zealand is out right now.”“All of us want to actually move on. We are working very hard to put ourselves in the best possible position to do that, Ardern told reporters after visiting a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Auckland.Officers were seen taking many protesters away amid shouting of “shame on you” after they stepped in to clear grounds around the distinctive “Beehive” parliament building, a Reuters witness said. Police were using loudspeakers warning protesters to take down their tents or be arrested.“We are protesting peacefully. Why should we leave?,” one protester said. “We are here with a clear message… to end the mandates.”New Zealand has put in place some of the toughest restrictions for the last two years to deal with the coronavirus that have helped keep infections and deaths lower than in many comparable nations.A country of five million people, New Zealand has reported just over 18,000 confirmed cases and 53 deaths since the pandemic began. About 94% of eligible people there are vaccinated.But the restrictions have frustrated many, and with borders still closed, tens of thousands of expatriate New Zealanders are cut off from families while tourism businesses are struggling to stay afloat.Ardern said every New Zealander had the right to protest but that should not disrupt others’ lives, adding the decision to remove protesters was an operational matter for police.It was not immediately clear how many were arrested on Thursday but police in a statement issued late on Wednesday said three men were arrested on parliament grounds and have been charged with obstruction.


PAS to stay out of Perak amid talk of PKR-Umno coalition

PAS today said it would not participate in the formation of a new state government in Perak following the ouster of Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu through a motion of confidence brought by Umno.The party’s central leadership said it supported the decision by its three state assemblymen to back Faizal.“In line with the decision, PAS has decided not to be part of any efforts to form a new Perak state government,” said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.The stand is consistent with PAS’ support at the federal level for the Perikatan Nasional coalition, of which the Islamist party is a component.It also comes on the back of a call by Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz for Umno to cooperate with PKR and Amanah to form a new state government.“Maybe we can work? But we haven’t decided yet. Everything is new and anything is possible,” Nazri, the former Barisan Nasional secretary-general, was quoted as saying in The Star.However, he said DAP, with 16 seats, should not be in such a coalition because the party “is still difficult there”.A combination of Umno with 25 seats, PKR (three) and Amanah (five) would result in a majority in the 59-member state assembly.Faizal fell out of support with Umno over his decision to appoint Pengkalan Hulu assemblyman Aznel Ibrahim as his political secretary.Umno had wanted the menteri besar to consult the party over the appointment.


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Lawyers group slams 'PH hypocrisy' after cops launch probe on pro-Muhyiddin protest

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today slammed the authorities over an investigation into a gathering to show support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, saying it exposes the "rhetoric" of government leaders over the years on the holding of peaceful assemblies.
"The police probe is oppressive, unnecessary and unbecoming of any government or leader that claims to be 'reformist'. The gathering at MACC was peaceful," LFL director Zaid Malek said.
"Pakatan Harapan (PH), which now forms the backbone of the federal government, has consistently over the years supported the public’s right to freedom of assembly without police harassment. Was it all mere rhetoric?"
He called for an immediate halt to all police probes, adding that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must publicly declare there will be no "further crackdown on any peaceful rallies or assemblies in the future".
Police have said they will call in political leaders and those behind the gathering outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, where Muhyiddin was questioned for more than eight hours a day before he was slapped with corruption charges on Friday.
LFL said the gathering was protected under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution for all Malaysians "irrespective of political alignment".
"Public assemblies can occur on the spur of the moment as an immediate response to an event, exactly as what occurred in the case of the gathering by those in support of Muhyiddin Yassin at the MACC headquarters," it said, adding that the Peaceful Assembly Act which came into force during the Barisan Nasional administration does not fulfil the constitutional guarantee.
"This was always the position taken by PH when it was in the opposition. PH maintained that it is a sacred right protected under our constitution that must not be curtailed by the PAA.
"It would be obvious hypocrisy and double standards for a PH-led government to now preside over a crackdown on peaceful public assemblies held by the current opposition."


Loggers behind devastation belong in hellfire, mufti cites Prophet’s warning as floods worsen

The mufti of Perlis has reminded Muslims of a hadith that warns against rampant logging and tree-cutting as attention turns to illegal logging in the wake of the floods that have devastated several states, killing at least 48 and causing billions of ringgit in losses.Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin cited a hadith in which Prophet Muhammad said, “He who cuts a lote-tree, Allah will send him to hellfire.”The tree species native to the Arabian peninsula and desert areas is traditionally mentioned in holy books, with nearly every part having benefits including being used for shade by travellers of old.Asri said the lote tree was singled out by the Prophet as it signifies protection for man and animals.“The lote tree grows in the desert. It can withstand dry and hot weather. People take shelter under it, and when needed its fruits can be eaten.“Maintaining a functioning lote tree is to maintain the balance and roles of God’s creation. Destroying it destroys an essential element in the security of human life,” he said.“As such, anyone who destroys without any justification the shelter for humans and animals when it is most needed, must be among those who are very evil.”He said based on this logic, the warning also applies to those whose act of felling trees causes disasters that destroy lives and property.“If even cutting down a lote tree condemns a person to hell, what more carrying out logging that causes thousands of people to suffer and die!” Asri said in a commentary published on his official website.His remarks come amid growing concerns that the floods which ravaged several parts of Pahang during the current monsoon season were caused by rampant logging.It was also alleged that the wood debris in Sungai Telemong in Bentong was due to land clearing activities for the illegal planting of the lucrative Musang King durian.On Monday, the Pahang forestry department issued a temporary stop-work order for timber logging in the state.Pahang, along with Selangor, was badly hit by the floods which began last month after days of continuous heavy rain.The number of flood victims forced to evacuate to temporary relief centres in the state was still on the rise last night, with just over 2,300 people recorded at 8pm compared to some 2,200 earlier in the evening.The water levels of Sungai Pahang in Kuala Sungai Chini, Pekan and Sungai Serting in Padang Gudang, Bera, meanwhile were still above danger levels.Asri said the rampant felling of trees was a crime “both in this world and the hereafter”.“Regardless of who the perpetrators are, whether lowly citizens or aristocrats, politicians or businessmen, upon them shall be the people’s curse.“The Prophet warned that the curse would befall them. They will face the consequences in this life and the hereafter,” he said.


French president slapped in the face while greeting crowd

French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face while greeting a crowd in southeast France on Tuesday, in a shock incident he shrugged off as “isolated” but which drew widespread condemnation in a tense political climate.Video footage on social media shows Macron shaking hands with voters when a man in a green T-shirt takes hold of his forearm and slaps him.Someone can be heard in the video shouting an old French royalist battle cry, and “Down with Macronism”.Macron’s bodyguards quickly intervened and two people were detained after the incident in the village of Tain l’Hermitage, local officials said.Two 28-year-old men living in the region are being questioned, said local prosecutor Alex Perrin. But “at this stage of questioning, their motives remain unknown”.The incident took place in a tense and increasingly polarised political climate in France, weeks ahead of regional elections and less than a year before presidential polls.In an interview with the Dauphine Libere newspaper, Macron insisted he was unafraid and would continue to meet people in this way.“I am doing fine. We must put this incident, which I think is an isolated event, into perspective,” he said.He added that “ultra-violent individuals” should not be allowed to “take hold of the public debate: they do not merit it”.Election tourThe assault sparked outrage across the political spectrum and overshadowed what Macron has billed as a listening tour to “take the country’s pulse”.“Politics can never be violence, verbal aggression, much less physical aggression,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told parliament, adding that “through the president, it is democracy that has been targeted”.Macron continued meeting the public, alongside his wife Brigitte.“I always seek out contact, within shouting distance, as I say. I want it,” he said afterwards.He described the slapping as “stupidity – and when stupidity combines with violence, it is unacceptable”.In the video someone can be heard shouting “Montjoie Saint Denis!”, a medieval battle cry associated with fringe right-wingers who want France to return to being a monarchy. The phrase also features in the 1993 hit French comedy “Les Visiteurs”.The man arrested for the slap, who has been named as Damien T, appears to practise medieval combat and follows several prominent far-right influencers online, according to social media accounts in his name.A friend, who was filmed next to him by a television crew shortly before the incident, told AFP he was astonished by what happened.“This isn’t someone who’s violent,” said 36-year-old Loic Dauriac, who was not present when Macron was slapped.He said the use of the battle cry was more likely a reference to the hit film than to the royalist cause, which Damien T did not support.The other man detained, named as Arthur C, is a neighbourhood council member, according to the town hall website.Macron, who remains a highly divisive figure, is widely expected to seek a second term in next year’s presidential elections. Polls show him with a narrow lead over far-right leader Marine Le Pen.His nationwide tour includes around a dozen stops over the next two months, with the former investment banker keen to meet voters in person after more than a year of Covid-19 crisis management.But previous meet-and-greets have seen him verbally abused.A 2018 tour to mark the centenary of the end of World War I saw furious citizens booing and heckling him.It took place just as “yellow vest” protests were gaining momentum, denouncing the government’s policies as well as Macron’s personal leadership style, which was criticised as aloof and arrogant.Macron and his wife were also verbally abused by protesters while out on a walk in Paris last July.CondemnationShortly before the slapping incident, Macron was asked to comment on remarks from far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon suggesting that next year’s election would be manipulated.“Democratic life needs calm and respect, from everyone, politicians as well as citizens,” Macron said.Even the president’s most outspoken political rivals came to his defence on Tuesday.Melenchon said he stood “in solidarity with the president”, while Le Pen called the slap “unacceptable and profoundly reprehensible in a democracy”.The incident is nevertheless likely to spur debate about France’s political climate, just two weeks from the first round of regional elections and 10 months from the presidential contest next April.“It’s tense everywhere,” ruling party MP Patrick Vignal commented. “This campaign stinks and it’s because of the personalities. No one is going to come out a winner.”


Rural B40 families left in the dark as tech-savvy townies shop, pay their bills online and more

Compared to just a year ago, digital technology is playing such a crucial role in the “new normal” that it has quickly become an indispensable part of the lives of Malaysians during the on-again off-again movement control orders or MCOs.These days you can and should do pretty much everything from home without going outside, and most people are getting used to it, maybe even liking it.However, you need to have certain things in your home to be able to do that and a large segment of the population is having a hard time getting the stuff together to make the obligatory shift to life online.Finding affordable digital equipment and reliable internet supply is still a problem for the rural B40 income group.Experts say solving network coverage issues and making computers cheaper should be a vital part of the country’s pursuit of a digital transformation.As the country speeds towards more online shopping, banking, bill paying, learning, and registering on government sites, the poor are left scratching their heads.Although 83% of rural households now have internet access, only 55% own a computer.While a grasp of information and communications technology (ICT) is readily achievable in the city, it becomes more difficult the further you live from population centres.Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng tells MalaysiaNow there is a widening digital gap between urban and rural communities in Malaysia.Citing the findings of the Department of Statistics’ ICT Use and Access by Individuals and Households 2020 Survey Report, he says that although 83% of rural households now have internet access, only 55% own a computer.Compare this to urban households, with 93% internet access and around 80% computer ownership.Yeah says these national average percentages mask larger anomalies.“Differences between urban and rural households are greater in the less developed east coast peninsular states, and Sabah and Sarawak,” he says.“The 2019 Department of Statistics income survey shows that the national median monthly household gross income of the B40 group is RM3,152 but the lowest is in Kelantan at just RM2,194.“A laptop today costs as much as a B40 household’s monthly income.”But even if it were affordable, hardware alone is of limited use without good connections.“In addition to affordability, rural families face problems of poor digital infrastructure, accessibility, and quality,” says Professor Madeline Berma of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. “And many of them are unfamiliar with the technology.”She confirms that even in these perilous times, digital infrastructure development, especially fibre connections, is invariably focused on cities and urban areas as opposed to vulnerable rural and remote communities.However, both Yeah and Berma say there are ways these issues can be solved.Yeah believes government and commercial subsidies aimed at making digital equipment more affordable would narrow the gap.“Providing tax incentives and encouraging sales promotions and discounts to the B40 group would be one way to bring them up to speed,” he says.“A laptop today costs as much as a B40 household’s monthly income.”Berma agrees on the need for bold policies, especially from internet providers.She says large plantations and other rural big players should be incentivised to provide free broadband services to communities in their areas.“There is definitely a need for more competition to provide rural communities with fast and reliable internet service and affordable digital equipment,” she says.The National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) was drawn up to improve broadband quality and coverage, reduce broadband prices and provide reliable internet access across all spectrums of society.The time frame for the implementation of NFCP was set as five years, from 2019 to 2023, which, pre-pandemic, might have been thought of as impressively fast.Times have changed though, and Yeah says the NFCP should be accelerated and targeted to solve network coverage issues in rural areasBerma says government departments, schools, and libraries in rural areas should be subsidised to introduce schemes to “lend or check out” devices to poorer communities as well as running familiarisation courses.Once decision makers get over the shock of discovering that poor, remote communities are obliged to use the internet too in the time of recurring Covid thunderstorms, maybe somebody will act quickly to bring them under the national digital umbrella.


Water supply back in 24 hours, says environment minister

Water supply to millions of consumers affected by the closure of the Phase 1, 2, and 3 water treatment plants in Sungai Selangor as well as the plant at Rantau Panjang due to the pollution of raw water is expected to be restored in 24 hours.Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the incident was due to odour pollution which caused the four plants to be closed early this morning.However, he said the situation had shown improvement as of 1.30pm.To overcome the problem of odour pollution, Tuan Ibrahim said the Selangor Water Management Authority had released 285 million litres per day (MLD) from Horas 600 and pumped 336 MLD of water from alternative ponds to dilute the water in Sungai Selangor.“We are expecting the four plants to resume operation in another one or two hours, thereby restoring water supply to about five million consumers in 24 hours,” he said at a press conference after visiting the phase 2 water treatment plant in Sungai Selangor today.Also present was Selangor Environment, Green Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian.Tuan Ibrahim said the Rantau Panjang plant had ceased operations at about 12.30am following level-one threshold odour number (TON) pollution at the surface of the plant intake point while plants 1, 2 and 3 halted operations after odour pollution at level-three TON was detected at the surface of their intake points.“Initial investigation by the authorities found solvent as the source of the odour pollution this morning.“The smell of solvent was similar to the incident in early September which is still under investigation,” he said, adding that the ministry had identified several industrial areas as the source of the pollution.Tuan Ibrahim said the ministry did not rule out the dumping of solvent by illegal factories operating around Selangor.“If the factories hold licences issued by the ministry, they would be frequently inspected for compliance with the licensing conditions and for licence renewal,” he said.This morning, 1,196,457 Air Selangor accounts involving 1,292 areas in Klang Valley experienced yet another disruption in water supply after four Sungai Selangor plants halted operations following pollution at the raw water source.


Lockdown SOPs to be reviewed if daily cases drop below 4,000, says Ismail Sabri

The government will review the need to continue or relax the total lockdown SOPs under the movement control order (MCO) 3.0 if the daily number of Covid-19 infections drops to below 4,000 cases.Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the targeted figure was set by the health ministry to ensure the daily infectivity rate nationwide could be reduced.“I have been informed by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah that when the cases are down to 4,000, we will review the MCO.“It does not mean we will end the MCO but we may review the SOPs to determine which ones can be relaxed a bit.“However, the ministry will see and advise the National Security Council (NSC) at its (coming) special meeting to see what we can do when the infection level goes down to 4,000 cases or below.“We do not promise to end it or anything else, but are just getting advice,” he said after visiting the Malaysian Armed Forces field hospital at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru today.He voiced hope that daily Covid-19 infections would drop to below 4,000 by next week given the implementation of the total lockdown under MCO 3.0 since June 1.Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad, Adham, Noor Hisham and armed forces chief Affendi Buang.Ismail said the government’s main focus at the moment before any plan to end the MCO can be implemented is to vaccinate enough people to achieve herd immunity or at least 60% of the population.On the armed forces field hospital at HSA, he said it was expected to begin operating by June 17. It is the sixth built with the cooperation of the health ministry to provide support for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.Adham said the field hospital would have four ICU beds and 60 beds in the ward for Covid-19 patients in categories three and four to help boost the recovery rate.As of June 11, the usage of hospital ward beds for Covid-19 patients in Johor was at 92% or 1,095 beds out of 1,186. Usage of ICU beds at six specialist hospitals in the state was at 70%.


Typhoon In-fa forces closure of Shanghai airports

Typhoon In-fa slammed into China’s east coast province of Zhejiang on Sunday, causing mass evacuations in Shanghai districts.Communities have been drenched in knee-deep water and 10,000 trees have been uprooted, although there are no immediate reports of any major damage.About 330,000 residents of the Fengxian District on Shanghai’s southern side have been evacuated.The storm made landfall in the city of Zhoushan, south of commercial hub Shanghai, shortly after midday, packing wind speeds of up to 100kph with gusts of up to 155kph.Authorities shut Shanghai’s two international airports, with hundreds of flights cancelled. Train services were also suspended and residents were warned to remain indoors.Government officials closed the Zhoushan Bridge to islands near Ningbo and ordered schools, markets and businesses in Zhejiang province to remain shut.Ports along the east coast halted operations, and container ships had to be moved from Shanghai’s Yangshan Port on Saturday.The storm hit as central China is still reeling from record flooding that has now killed more than 60 people and made more than a million homeless.The national weather agency forecast heavy rainfall of 250-350 millimetres in the region as the typhoon moves north along the coast.“It is necessary to be highly vigilant and prevent disasters that may be caused by extreme heavy rainfall,” the Meteorological Administration said on Sunday.Some of the areas hit by last week’s flooding could also be affected.“People should not willingly go outdoors,” the Chinese national weather agency said.Chinese authorities say the death toll has now risen to 63 people after devastating floods in central China, where a year’s worth of rain fell in the space of just three days.Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan province, was among the hardest-hit areas. Dramatic footage showed commuters trapped in subway trains with rising water levels. Twelve people drowned as the city’s subways became flooded death traps.Cleanup operations have led to the discovery of more victims who were found in the flooded underground system. Officials say five people are still missing.The flooding has affected millions, and left many without food or water for days. The damage is expected to run into the billions.Annual summer flooding is not unusual in China, although this season’s deluge is raising a number of questions, with climate change being among the key issues of concern.


If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, health experts say on calls to revamp vaccination plan

Health experts have defended the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the country following criticism that Malaysia is lagging behind in the administration of jabs as it seeks to achieve its target of herd immunity against the virus by this time next year.Those who spoke to MalaysiaNow said the current vaccination plan should be maintained, with only slight improvements to the process.Dr Subramaniam Muniandy, president of the Malaysian Medical Association, said the registration process itself is fairly simple despite concerns over the paperwork involved as well as access to the MySejahtera app – presently the most popular mode of registration – for those in rural areas or from low-income groups.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said those who do not have access to the internet or a smartphone to download MySejahtera can still register for vaccination by going to the nearest health clinic.He also expressed support for the current vaccination plan which is divided into three phases: Phase One for frontliners; Phase Two for senior citizens, the disabled and those in high-risk groups; and Phase Three for those above 18.“If the timetable is followed, we know in three weeks that another batch of the same vaccine needs to be delivered.“If we wait until everyone has received at least one dose, it will be very complicated sending different amounts of different vaccines with different storage requirements for the second dose,” he said when asked about suggestions that the vaccination schedule be reshuffled in this way.He also recommended that frontliners be fully vaccinated before the next two phases of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme or PICK begin.“If we wait until everyone has received at least one dose, it will be very complicated.”If concerns remain at that point about the pace of vaccination, he said private institutions could be allowed to purchase vaccines if the government has an adequate supply.PICK, which was launched on Feb 24, has come under criticism by some including former prime minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who say the rate of vaccination should be stepped up.Comparisons have also been made with countries like Singapore, the US and Britain.Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, acknowledged that registration for vaccination against Covid-19 remains sluggish but pointed out that the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee has responded by activating other methods of registration including online registration through its website and phone registration through dedicated hotlines.He also spoke of an outreach programme to engage with the underprivileged such as the initiative announced yesterday by Khairy Jamaluddin, the minister in charge of PICK.“We need to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.He said such efforts could also reach those who lack access to smartphones or who are not tech-savvy, communities in rural or remote areas, and senior citizens.Khairy, in a press confernece yesterday, had announced a new campaign to ensure that those in rural areas are not left out in the vaccination drive.Under the initiative to be coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency, officers will be sent to rural areas and villages without internet access to manually register recipients.“We need to ensure that no one is left behind.”Azrul said it was also possible that people were hesitant to register for vaccination because of issues unrelated to the process such as concerns over the jabs themselves.But he agreed with Subramaniam that it would be better to stick with the current approach of reserving the second dose rather than using the supply to administer initial doses to more people.“There is sufficient stock of the vaccines for people in essential and critical services and functions. The target for the first phase is 500,000 people. We are now at 367,213 individuals,” he told MalaysiaNow.Meanwhile, Dr Steven Chow of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia, suggested involving general practitioners in the rollout of jabs to boost the rate of vaccination.“The health ministry cannot possibly do this alone in the shortest possible time frame,” he said.He said vaccines that do not require specialised ultra-cold chain logistics should be made available at GPs’ clinics.“By then, anyone who needs to be vaccinated who presents themselves at a GP can be vaccinated,” he added.Khairy had previously said that PICK would involve private health services in the rollout of vaccines in the country.At the moment, private hospitals are being used as vaccination centres for private healthcare workers under Phase One of PICK.


Norway wealth fund puts rubber glove giant Supermax Corp under observation

Norway’s US$1.2 trillion wealth fund put Malaysia’s Supermax Corp under observation for two years on Wednesday, citing unacceptable risk that the company contributes to serious violations of human rights.“The executive board has made the assessment that the company’s announced measures to improve living and working conditions for migrant workers leave uncertainty about future developments,” the fund said in a statement.The fund added it has also revoked the exclusion of IJM Corp Bhd and decided to end its active ownership for South Africa’s AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.IJM Corp was excluded in 2015 due to its activities in palm oil plants in Indonesia, and since these activites have been terminated there are no longer grounds for exclusion, the fund said.AngloGold Ashanti has been under special active ownership since 2013 because of concerns over serious environmental damage and serious violations of human rights related to activities in two goldmines in Ghana.“The executive board now finds that the risk in terms of future developments appear to have been reduced,” it said, adding that going forward, the company will be followed up through ordinary ownership activities.


Infected or not, we’ll ensure every MP gets to vote, speaker assures

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun has given his assurance that MPs who must undergo quarantine or who test positive for Covid-19 will still be allowed to participate in the confidence vote next month.“The Parliament will do its best to facilitate every MP to cast their vote just like it was during the budget session,” Azhar told MalaysiaNow, allaying concerns that MPs might miss the critical vote if they test positive for the virus.The government has set Sept 7 for the confidence vote in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, following the withdrawal of support announced by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said to have been endorsed by some 14 MPs from the party.In December last year, opposition MPs protested when Azhar allowed three MPs, including one from the opposition, to be present in the House under strict SOPs approved by the health director-general.Ministers Adham Baba and M Saravanan, and PKR’s P Prabakaran, who were forced to undergo quarantine due to close contact with positive cases, had turned up in Parliament wearing personal protective equipment to vote for one of the ministerial budget bills.Asked how MPs would be able to attend if they fall within the more critical categories of illness requiring hospitalisation, Azhar cited as precedent a 2010 apex court judgment involving then-Perak menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin.“A decision from the floor of the Dewan would be indicative of support or the lack of support.“If, God forbid, an MP is in critical condition or not allowable to come to the Dewan to vote, he or she may indicate support by ‘extraneous means’ as decided by the Federal Court in Nizar’s case, and that kind of show of support or the lack of it may be taken into consideration by all relevant parties,” he said.In the judgment he referred to, the Federal Court had dismissed a suit by Nizar after he was toppled as menteri besar through defections, 11 months after the Pakatan Rakyat coalition wrested control of the state in the 2008 election.Nizar lost his suit against Zambry Abdul Kadir who was installed as menteri besar based on statutory declarations submitted to the palace showing that the latter enjoyed support from a majority of assemblymen.Meanwhile, it is understood that a proposal to conduct parliamentary sittings both virtually and physically was not followed through with despite all systems being in place for a hybrid session.In June, Azhar told MalaysiaNow that the implementation of hybrid proceedings would take place at the level of the House Committee and the Rules Committee, comprising MPs from both the government and the opposition.“It’s just not my decision, I cannot just snap my fingers and expect it to be done. I can only bring it to the committee but the members, the MPs, have to discuss,” he had said, adding that any proposal such as for hybrid parliamentary sittings must be brought to these two committees for approval.


Cabinet reshuffle only speculation, says PM Ismail

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today dismissed word of a looming Cabinet reshuffle which MalaysiaNow previously reported could happen as early as this month with attention on ministers and deputies from Bersatu and other Perikatan Nasional (PN) components.Describing such reports as mere speculation, he said the focus now was on the floods and Covid-19 situation, according to Bernama.“Yes, people are talking, names are being mentioned, it’s normal,” he was reported as saying after presenting aid to flood victims at a temporary relief centre in Melaka.“I have said it before, my focus is now on the floods so I don’t want to talk about whether or not there will be a Cabinet reshuffle. I didn’t announce any, so there’s none.”MalaysiaNow had said that the reshuffle could be a test of Ismail’s ability to hold his coalition government together despite the growing bad blood between Bersatu and the Umno faction led by former prime minister Najib Razak.An Umno source said that the reshuffle would see no major changes in line-up while a source close to Ismail’s inner circle had spoken of a “balancing act” to maintain unity in the Cabinet.Ismail was sworn in as prime minister on Aug 21 last year after obtaining the support of 114 out of 220 MPs.The MPs who stated their support for him comprised those from PN, Umno and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, as well as four independents.Ismail was among the Umno leaders and Cabinet members who refused to join their party bosses Najib Razak and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in campaigning for the ouster of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin by revoking their support for him.His Cabinet, sworn in on Merdeka eve last year, saw many of the ministers appointed under Muhyiddin’s government maintained with some exceptions and exchanges of portfolios.


Syrian president and wife test positive for Covid-19

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, have tested positive for Covid-19, the president’s office said in a statement on Monday.The Assads were in “stable condition” and planned to self-isolate for up to three weeks, the statement said.Syria has recorded at least 50,000 positive Covid-19 cases and over 2,000 total deaths based on cumulative numbers of multiple local medical authorities, but a full picture of the outbreak in the country has been difficult to get.Damascus received its first shipment of vaccines on March 1 from an unnamed “friendly” country, according to Syria’s state news agency. The name and quantities of the vaccines were not mentioned in the statement.Other territories in Syria, including rebel-held and Kurdish-held locations, have not received vaccines yet.Assad has repeatedly been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria’s decade-long ongoing war. His government in Damascus has denied the charges.The British-born wife of the Syrian president is a high-profile figure who has stood by Assad throughout the civil war. In 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since recovered.Born and raised in London to immigrant parents from Homs, Syria, she graduated from King’s College London in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and French literature.


Appointment of Kedah Regional Development Authority chair to be reviewed, says PM

The appointment of the Kedah Regional Development Authority (Keda) chairman will be reviewed, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday.
"I have discussed with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The letter has not been sent out as there is no appointment yet," he told reporters in Ipoh.
Anwar also said the appointment of several Umno leaders to government-linked companies (GLCs) has received criticism from various parties.
Earlier, former Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was announced by Zahid as chairman of Keda.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the appointment of Umno leaders to GLCs was based on qualifications, and that those appointed have to meet stringent conditions.
"These are not public listed companies. If there are qualified individuals, we will appoint them.
"Our conditions are tight, those (appointed) must be responsible and not spend excessively and allowances will also be limited according to qualifications," he said.


US judge rules in favour of university’s vaccine mandate

A US federal judge on Monday upheld a university’s decision to require its students and employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19, the first ruling on an increasingly divisive issue ahead of the new school year.The decision by judge Damon Leichty of the South Bend court, around 120km east of Chicago, can still be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.In a case brought by eight students, the judge refused to suspend new health rules imposed by Indiana University in preparation for the resumption of classes between Aug 1 and 15.The rules require Covid-19 vaccination for the school’s 90,000 students and 40,000 employees but allow for exemptions on religious or medical grounds.The US Constitution allows students to refuse “unwanted medical treatment based on bodily autonomy,” Leichty wrote.But it also “permits Indiana University to pursue a reasonable and due process of vaccination in the legitimate interest of public health,” he continued in his 100-page ruling.Six of the eight plaintiffs already have religious exemptions, but they don’t want to wear face masks or abide by social distancing, he said.Some put forward religious reasons or the fear of being discriminated against, while others described the measure as a cultural attack.However, in recent months, they had all agreed to comply with such health measures in other contexts, the judge pointed out.The vaccination campaign in the US, which has made enormous progress against the pandemic, has stalled in recent weeks.About 68% of adults have received at least a first dose, but there are large geographical disparities.Opposition to the vaccine is significantly tied to the political divide in the country, with hostility much more pronounced in the right-wing demographic, particularly among supporters of former president Donald Trump.Several conservative groups, such as student organisation Turning Point, have launched a campaign against mandatory vaccination on campuses and are backing lawsuits across the country.Universities have taken various positions, with 500 currently requiring their students or staff to get Covid-19 vaccines.


Frontliners in Phase 1 to complete first jab by mid-April

All frontliners in the government and private sectors targeted in Phase One of the national vaccination programme are expected to have received their first dose of vaccine by April.Speaking at a press conference today, Khairy Jamaluddin, the minister in charge of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, said about 90% of the 500,000 frontliners listed in Phase One have received their first jab.He said frontliners on the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force targeted list should complete their vaccination by mid-April.“Based on the original line listing, 90% of medical and non-medical frontliners have received at least the first dose.“We will be completing Phase One in the next two weeks for the first dose,” he said.He said the government is depending on health officials at hospitals, district health offices and state health departments involved in the programme to ensure that every medical frontliner completes their first dose as soon as possible.“We are hopeful that hospitals, district health offices and state health departments have not forgotten anyone in the line listing,” he said.“That’s a manual thing we are looking into, to make sure everyone qualified receives it.”Phase Two of the vaccination programme, involving those aged 60 and above and high-risk groups, is expected to begin on April 19.Khairy said those listed under the second phase will be notified two weeks before their vaccine appointments through the MySejahtera application.


India objects to Singapore PM’s remarks about ‘criminal’ MPs

India has complained to Singapore about a remark its prime minister made on the number of Indian parliamentarians facing criminal charges, an Indian official said on Friday, in a rare instance of friction between the Asian allies.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the remark in Singapore’s parliament on Wednesday during a debate about accusations of lying levelled at a member of Singapore’s opposition.Lee, referring to parliamentary standards, mentioned India, suggesting a decline there since its first prime minister after independence from Britain in 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in charge.“Nehru’s India has become one where… almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder,” Lee said, referring to India’s lower house of parliament.He did add, however, that many of the charges were politically motivated.Indian media reported that Singapore’s ambassador had been summoned to the foreign ministry to explain.The Indian ministry declined to comment but an official there criticised what the Singapore leader said.“The remarks by the prime minister of Singapore were uncalled for,” said the official, who declined to be identified.“We have taken up the matter with the Singaporean side.”Lee’s office said it had nothing to add.India and Singapore are both former British colonies and have been close allies for decades.India’s main opposition Congress party, led by Nehru’s great-grandson, Rahul Gandhi, took the opportunity to extol its old leader and have a dig at its rivals.“Nehru’s magnanimity continues to inspire world leaders even today,” Congress said in a statement on Twitter.“Pity the ones here at home who fail to have the vision to understand the exceptional leader he was.”


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New cases surge past 7,200

Another 7,234 Covid-19 cases were recorded today, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 2,895,014.Another 5,254 patients recovered, bringing total recoveries to 2,799,608.Meanwhile 118 are in the ICU, including 81 confirmed Covid-19 patients.A total of 57 are in need of respiratory assistance including 34 confirmed Covid-19 cases.Of the 7,234 cases reported today, 73 (1.0%) are in Category Three and above. The remaining 7,161 (99.0%) are in Category One and Two.


Record Giroud, sublime Mbappe send France into quarter-finals with Poland win

Kylian Mbappe was in another league yet again, oozing class throughout, while the ever-reliable Olivier Giroud netted a record goal to send defending champions France into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Poland on Sunday.
Les Bleus, who now face either Senegal or England for a spot in the last four, scored on the stroke of halftime as Giroud became their all-time record scorer with 52 goals before Mbappe's late screamers sealed Poland's fate and put the 23-year-old alone at the top of the scoring chart with five goalsand two assists.
Poland, in the knockout stage for the first time since 1986 and looking for a first quarter-final appearance since 1982, had a huge chance in the first half but the France midfield did a great job of cutting the feeding line to Robert Lewandowski, who reduced the arrears with a twice-taken, last-second penalty.
Keeper Hugo Lloris made his 142nd appearance and is now tied with Lilian Thuram as France's most-capped player, and his experience mattered when he made a superb quick save to deny Piotr Zielinski.
Coach Didier Deschamps had warned that there was more to Poland than Lewandowski and he was proved right at the Al Thumama stadium as the French were at times shaky at the back.
"It's not been easy because they're a well-organised team and we had to make some positional changes at halftime," said Deschamps.
"We're a united squad and tonight the players' impeccable behaviour has been rewarded. Now we're going to spend a little bit of time with our families."
France got off to a dominant start before abandoning possession, looking to create space in the back of the Polish defence after Mbappe's first forays failed to lead to clear chances.
Poland's poise came close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Zielinski's shot was parried by Lloris. It came back into the midfielder's path but his second attempt was deflected by Theo Hernandez.
Jakub Kaminski followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goal-line by Raphael Varane.
"We fought, we created a couple of chances, some really clear ones, especially in the first half; it’s a pity nothing went in," said Lewandowski.
Nine World Cup goals
One minute from the break, however, France's tactics paid off.
Mbappe drew the defence to him and slid the ball through into the path of Giroud, who grabbed the inch of space he needed to clip the ball past Szczesny and net his third goal of the tournament.
The 36-year-old Giroud, who did not score in Russia four years ago, had drawn level with Thierry Henry on 51 goals after netting a double in the defending champions' 4-1 win over Australia in their opening Group D game.
France looked too casual, however, especially Mbappe, but the forward came up with a spine-chilling rising shot that went under the bar before curling another jaw-dropping shot into the top corner one minute into injury time.
They were his fourth and fifth goals in Qatar. Mbappe now has nine World Cup goals to his name, as many as Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi, and became the first player to reach that mark before his 24th birthday.
It helped Mbappe to erase painful memories from last year's European championship, when he missed the decisive penalty that sent Switzerland into the last eight after a shootout following a 3-3 draw.
A handball by Dayot Upamecano gave Lewandowski a chance of scoring a consolation goal with a penalty that was first saved by Lloris before being retaken – and scored – as the keeper did not have his feet on the line.
While the French players celebrated on the pitch and went to greet the 3,000 nationals in the crowd, Szczesny was left consoling his tearful daughter.


Daily caseload passes 4,800 as death toll up by 9

Another 4,816 Covid-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking total confirmed infections in the country to 4,648,931.
There were 3,928 recoveries, taking total recoveries to 4,563,473.
There are now 49,547 active cases, of which 47,932 or 96.7% are undergoing home quarantine.
Meanwhile, 31 (0.1%) are at quarantine centres while 1,535 (3.1%) have been hospitalised.
A total of 49 are in ICU with 28 in need of respiratory assistance. ICU utilisation throughout the country stands at 61.9%, with Covid ICU utilisation at 12.1%.
Another nine deaths were reported, including one who was brought in dead. Total deaths now stand at 35,911.


‘A lot of money’ brought down Warisan in Sabah, says Dr Mahathir

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today accused the Perikatan Nasional-backed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition of using “a lot of money” to win the recent Sabah election, in an exclusive interview with MalaysiaNow during which he took potshots at his once-closest ally Muhyiddin Yassin.The former prime minister said he believed Warisan Plus, the alliance led by former chief minister Shafie Apdal, should have emerged victorious in Sabah.“Warisan won the most (number of seats for individual parties). But I have been told that so much money was used.”Mahathir claimed there was also an instance in which “a voter was handed RM1,000”.“That’s what people tell me, but I am unable to prove it,” he said in the hour-long interview.Mahathir, 95, resigned as prime minister in February this year, causing the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government which he had led for 22 months.He later fell out with Muhyiddin, who co-founded Bersatu, and in August announced the formation of a new party called Parti Pejuang Tanah Air.The recently concluded Sabah state election saw GRS, which brought together Muhyiddin’s PN, Barisan Nasional and PBS, winning 38 of the 73 seats. Shafie’s Warisan Plus, comprising Warisan, DAP, Amanah, PKR and Upko, won 32 seats.Mahathir, who had openly stated his preference for Shafie to head Putrajaya should PH make a comeback, said the former CM had dissolved the Sabah state assembly after sensing attempts to “buy over” Warisan assemblymen.“He called for the election to allow the people to decide. But when he allowed the people to decide, they were used, influenced with money. Then again, it’s difficult for us to prove.”Mahathir said similar tactics were used in the Slim by-election in Perak.“We found out that they pretended to transport voters using buses and vans. But inside, they were given money,” he added.He further claimed that voters who were “paid” were told to snap a picture of the ballot paper to show whom they had voted for.“This is what’s happening. We have reached a level where the government can be bought.”Mahathir said elections in Malaysia were now “meaningless”.“The losers form the government. This is what happened at both the federal level and in Sabah.”Mahathir believes the present Sabah government under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor will not be stable, drawing comparison to Muhyiddin’s PN government.“He basically has only two seats more. If there are people don’t attend (Dewan Rakyat), the government could fall.”


Wagner chief says Russian position at Bakhmut at risk without promised ammunition

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary force warned that Russia's position around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut was in peril unless his troops got ammunition, the latest sign of tension between the Kremlin and the private militia chief.
Ukrainian military officials and analysts also reported leaders of Russia's 155th Brigade fighting near the town of Vuhledar, south of Bakhmut, were resisting orders to attack after sustaining severe losses in attempts to capture it.
For its part, the Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday said Russian forces had hit a command centre of the Ukrainian Azov Regiment in southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. The ministry did not elaborate on the attack.
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Russia's front lines near Bakhmut could collapse if his forces did not receive the ammunition promised by Moscow in February.
"For now, we are trying to figure out the reason: is it just ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal," Prigozhin, referring to the absence of ammunition, said in his press service Telegram channel on Sunday.
The mercenary chief regularly criticises Russia's defence chiefs and top generals. Last month, he accused Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and others of "treason" for withholding supplies of munitions to his men.
In a nearly four-minute video published on the Wagner Orchestra Telegram channel on Saturday, Prigozhin said his troops were worried that the government wanted to set them up as possible scapegoats if Russia lost the war.
"If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse," Prigozhin said. "The situation will not be sweet for all military formations protecting Russian interests."
'Defence is holding'
A Russian victory in Bakhmut, with a pre-war population of about 70,000, would give it the first major prize in a costly winter offensive, after it called up hundreds of thousands of reservists last year. Russia says it would be a stepping stone to completing the capture of the Donbas industrial region, one of its most important objectives.
Volodymyr Nazarenko, a commander of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut, said that there had been no order to retreat and "the defence is holding" in grim conditions.
"The situation in Bakhmut and around it is very much hell-like, as it is on the entire eastern front," Nazarenko said in a video posted on Telegram.
Ukraine's military said early on Monday its forces had repelled 95 Russian atacks in the Bakhmut area over the previous day.
"The situation in Bakhmut can be described as critical," Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said in a video commentary.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine on a "special military operation" just over a year ago.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions have fled and cities have been reduced to rubble but Ukrainian forces, with the help of Western weapons, have limited Russian advances to the east and south.
To the north of Bakhmut, Russian troops advanced towards the town of Bilohorivka, just inside the Luhansk region, and shelled several settlements in the direction of Kupiansk and Lyman, the Ukrainian military said.
To the south, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces made preparations for an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, shelling dozens of towns and villages including the city of Kherson, causing civilian casualties.
A woman and two children were killed by Russian mortar bombs in a village in Kherson region, the head of Ukraine's presidential office said.
The governor of Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine said one person was wounded by falling debris on Monday after Russian forces shot down three missiles near the town of Novy Oskol.
Belgorod borders Ukraine's Kharkiv region and has repeatedly come under fire since the beginning of Russia's invasion. Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia.
'Refusing to proceed'
Near Vuhledar, southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, Ukraine said senior officers of Russia's 155th Brigade, which Kyiv says suffered heavy recent losses, were refusing to obey orders to attack.
"The leaders of the brigade and senior officers are refusing to proceed with a new senseless attack as demanded by their unskilled commanders - to storm well-defended Ukrainian positions with little protection or preparation," Ukraine's military said in a statement.
Military analyst Zhdanov said two "Cossack" Russian units known as Steppe and Tiger had expressed frustration with their commanders and refused to take part in any new offensive on the hilltop town.
Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.
Russian Defence Minister Shoigu paid a rare visit to his forces in Ukraine on the weekend, awarding medals and meeting commanders.
In the US, two Ukrainian pilots are in Arizona to fly flight simulators and be evaluated by the US military, two US officials said on Saturday.
Ukraine has asked for its Western allies to provide F-16 jets but the US has not said if it will send fighter aircraft or sophisticated remotely piloted drones to Ukraine.


PM’s convoy given priority over ambulance to prevent accidents, say police

The police today said that the move to stop a four-wheel drive vehicle and an ambulance at an intersection to allow the convoy of a VIP to pass through in Hulu Langat, a video of which went viral on social media, was to prevent accidents from occurring as the entourage was already on the main road.Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement chief Azman Shari’at said there would have been a risk of an accident and danger to other road users if the traffic policeman did not stop the four-wheel-drive and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society ambulance from exiting the intersection.As such, he said the traffic policeman on duty made an initial assessment to give priority to the convoy on the main road.“The traffic policeman made an initial assessment before stopping the two vehicles just for a brief moment because the lead vehicle of the convoy was nearing the intersection,” he said in a statement today.The statement was issued to explain the action taken by the traffic police after a video showing a four-wheel-drive and an ambulance being stopped at an intersection to give way to a convoy escorted by the police went viral on social media yesterday.The incident was believed to have occurred at 11.30am when Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s convoy escorted by police was checking out the cleaning work undertaken by the relevant agencies in flood-affected areas in Hulu Langat.Azman said once the convoy had passed the intersection, the traffic policeman took immediate action to ensure that the ambulance and the four-wheel-drive vehicle passed through.“The police are also concerned and committed to giving priority to public interests, especially when it involves the safety of road users and emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines,” he added.


We decide what to teach our kids about sex, Slovenian PM tells EU

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has condemned the EU’s western countries for imposing “imaginary European values” without respecting local cultures.Jansa supports Hungary in its fight against pro-LGBT content being taught in schools.Sandwiched between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia is a tiny country of just over two million people. However, for the next six months, it will set the agenda of the European Council.Speaking after his country took over the council’s rotating presidency last week, Jansa made it clear that his priorities might be different to those of the bloc’s western powers.He spoke out against the EU’s promotion of its liberal values in eastern and central Europe.Imposing “imaginary European values”, like LGBT promotion he argued, would be the “fastest road to collapse” for the bloc.“The European Union brings together countries with different traditions, with different cultures, and there are differences that need to be taken into account and respected,” he said.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen openly disagreed with Jansa during the press briefing, saying that “freedom of expression, diversity and equality” are fundamental “European values” that need to be upheld.The clash between Jansa and von der Leyen is just one more battle in a growing cultural conflict between the liberal west of the EU and the more conservative centre and east.In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has led the charge against Brussels in this conflict, angering western countries by passing a law which forbids portraying homosexuality to children.Brussels in return has threatened legal action against Budapest.Seventeen western European leaders signed a letter last month condemning “discrimination towards the LGBTI community” and their “fundamental rights”.Orban has insisted that the new law does not discriminate against the LGBT community, but allows parents to decide what to teach their children about matters of gender and sexuality.Jansa has taken a similar line. Responding to von der Leyen on Friday, he said that he and Orban defended “the right of parents to educate their children” as they see fit.Von der Leyen responded that “the right of parents to educate their children is not at all disputed”, but “the question is whether the amendments of existing laws discriminate against minorities”.Jansa also proclaimed that Slovenia is not “a colony” of the EU to be dictated to, much like Orban last week condemned the Dutch “colonial” mentality.Their remarks were prompted by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte declaring that Hungary “has no business being in the European Union any more” if it doesn’t submit to the bloc’s position on LGBT rights.


Govt says ready for possibility of fourth Covid wave after Melaka polls

The government is prepared to face the eventuality of a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections following the Melaka state election last Saturday.Deputy Health Minister II Aaron Ago Dagang said the effects of the Covid-19 infection could only be detected after 10 to 14 days.“We are monitoring the situation. The government is aware and is ready to face the possibility of a fourth wave happening in the country,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.He was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) on preparations by the government to face the eventuality of an increase in Covid-19 cases in Melaka following last Saturday’s state election.Taking a lesson from the Sabah election last year, Aaron said very strict SOPs were set for the Melaka state election by not allowing large-scale campaigns to be held.He said strict SOPs would also be used for the coming Sarawak state election to curb the spread of Covid-19.


As interest wanes, does philosophy still have a place in Malaysia?

Azizi Jusoh has always been proud of his master's degree in philosophy, earned nearly three decades ago at a university in the UK.
After returning to Malaysia, he had frequent meet-ups with friends who would engage him in conversation about what he had learned abroad.
He was also sought out by those who were interested in reading up on the side about the field of philosophy.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he recalled a number of local publishing houses which sold books on philosophy from other countries, including some which were translated into English and Indonesian.
Back then, he said, people were interested in philosophy as it offered a wider perspective in assessing issues and even problems in day-to-day life.
Over the years, though, Azizi began noticing a change as the focus on philosophy was slowly taken over by fiction novels and books in the political genre. "If you visited the recent international book fair in Kuala Lumpur, you would have seen too many novels and books on religion," he said.
"No one wants to offer people critical reading material. There are a few here and there, but they are not new books. Most of them are old publications."
Even in the academic field, he said, many universities no longer offered philosophy at the master's and PhD level.
"It's worrying," he added.
No more philosophers?
In Malaysia, famous thinkers include Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, Usman Awang, and A Samad Said.
For Azizi, though, the burning question is: where will Malaysia turn to for its thinkers and philosophers in time to come?
According to social critic Chandra Muzaffar, there is no fixed background from which such individuals can be found.
Generally, though, they come from the academic circle as they are more likely to talk about philosophy, he said.
"If we look back at history, there were thinkers who had nothing to do with universities," he said.
"Socrates was not a university graduate and never had a degree or anything like that. But it cannot be denied that he is among the best leaders in world history."
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said philosophers did not need degrees or academic qualifications.
Rather, he said, the title was normally awarded to individuals or groups.
"And this does not necessarily happen while the person in question is still alive," he added.
"Background is not important. Time is the deciding factor."
Chandra said philosophy could be defined as a form of activity that prioritises the thought process and the result of this for the benefit of society.
"For example, right now we need to think more deeply about the pandemic: how it came about, its nature, cause and effect," he said.
"The Covid-19 pandemic clearly shows that mankind as a whole is not ready."
He said a deeper discussion could also be held about issues such as corruption.
"We have to think in-depth, what is corruption? What are its effects, and so on? We also need to ask how corruption can grow in societies around the world, even though there are those who sincerely oppose it."


Heatwave in Bangladesh leads to school closures, power cuts

A searing heatwave in Bangladesh spurred the closure of primary schools this week and triggered frequent power cuts, worsening conditions for residents unable to run fans to cool themselves as weather officials warned relief was not imminent.
The maximum temperature soared to nearly 41 degrees Celsius from 32C 10 days ago. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned that there was no end in sight for the heat.
Scientists have said climate change is contributing to more frequent, severe, and longer heatwaves during summer months.
Bangladesh could face power cuts for two more weeks, said Nasrul Hamid, minister of state for power, energy and mineral resources, as a fuel shortage sparked shutdowns of several power-generating units, including its biggest coal-fired plant.
"Due to the global energy crisis and the unprecedented surge in international currency markets, we are exposed to this unwanted load shedding," Hamid said in a Facebook post.
This heatwave comes as the country already grapples with power cuts that have hurt its economy in recent months, including its crucial apparel sector that accounts for more than 80% of its exports.
“The weather is unreasonably hot these days but the hours-long power cuts further add to our miseries,” said Mizanur Rahman, a shopkeeper in the capital Dhaka.
Residents were seeking medical attention due to the heat.
"We are getting many patients who have suffered heat-stroke or other heat-related problems," said Shafiqul Islam, a physician in the northwestern part of the country.
Authorities have been encouraging residents to stay indoors and drink water, but the heatwave along with power cuts have also resulted in water shortages in many places.
"The water shortage and the heat are suffocating us," said Mohammad Sultan, 52, a rickshaw puller.
"Not a leaf is moving anywhere. There's no shade. It is becoming tough to pull a rickshaw. Very difficult!," he said.
"I lost over 20 (chickens alone today) due to excessive heat. The electricity is going off for over two hours at a time. I can't even sleep properly. I feel so helpless,” chicken seller Mohaamd Suman, 37, said.
The power crunch could also disrupt summer clothes supplies for retailers such as Walmart, Gap Inc, H&M, VF Corp, Zara and American Eagle Outfitters, some of Bangladesh's largest export customers.
The loss of exports will exacerbate issues around the country's dollar reserves, which have plunged by nearly a third in the 12 months through April to a seven-year low, and limited its ability to pay for fuel imports.
"I am deeply sorry for your suffering. I also want to assure you this situation is temporary. We will be back in good condition very soon," Hamid, the state power official, said.


Cost of living top of the list for Tambun townsfolk

Just outside the main town of Tambun in Perak, two elderly friends man a small stall selling firecrackers and fireworks at the side of the road.
For years, Thana and Seng have run their little business, supplying the townsfolk with firecrackers at every festive season.
Now in their 60s, they are candid about their reason for doing such work at their age.
"I need to work to support my family," Thana said when met by MalaysiaNow. "The cost of living is just too high."
Seng agreed. "Even with a salary of more than RM3,000, it's hard to get by in Tambun," he said.
"In Kuala Lumpur, it would be worse. How would we eat? Things like flour and eggs are more expensive now.
"I'm 60 years old and still working more than 12 hours every day. If we don't work, we can't eat."

For years, Thana has earned a living selling firecrackers at a small roadside stall with his friend, Seng.

Throughout the town, sentiments are much the same, with talk of politics low on the list of priorities even as the 15th general election (GE15) looms around the corner.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the coalition's candidate for prime minister, is contesting the Tambun parliamentary seat.
He will clash with the incumbent, Ahmad Faizal Azumu of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Tambun Umno division chief Aminuddin Md Hanafiah representing Barisan Nasional (BN), and Abdul Rahim Tahir of Pejuang.
But even with the prospect of a four-way fight ahead, the townsfolk of Tambun appear indifferent to political affairs.
All they want is a government that can guarantee them a better life and alleviate some of their financial pressure, they say.
For Seng, whoever ends up in Putrajaya must also think about fixed costs such as housing payments, utilities bills and insurance – the main contributors to the monthly expenses of most working people.
"It doesn't matter who wins, these must be resolved," he said.
"We want a government that can make things better for the people."
A young woman who introduced herself as Zuleha meanwhile said she had just begun working after graduating from university.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, she said she was not familiar with the ins and outs of politics.
"But I have my own benchmarks for the candidates who will be contesting the election," she said.
For her, background is an important indicator, whether religious or family, as well as the candidate's track record in serving the people.
Even if a candidate is a Malay-Muslim, she said, if he or she makes decisions that are not in line with her criteria, that person might be rejected.

Fresh out of university, Zuleha says she has her own benchmark for the candidates in this year's polls.

Political analyst Ahmad Atory Hussain said the positions of the three candidates from PH, BN and PN could already be predicted through surveys conducted online.
Atory, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, also said Anwar's decision to run in Tambun was a safe move given that Malays form the majority of constituents there at 60%.
"He can predict victory as the Malay vote in Tambun will be split three ways as it was in GE14," he said.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that victory was not yet certain for Anwar as PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan Tanah Air would be against BN and PH.
Back at their stall, Thana and Seng are still preoccupied with the cost of living and how to continue putting food on the table for their families.
Nevertheless, they see no reason why they should not go out to vote on Nov 19.
"Of course we will still vote," they said. "Otherwise, we are the ones who will lose out."


Eligible Muslims wait in line as special haj quotas abused and sold

A controversial practice of allocating special haj quotas to government leaders is believed to have continued until as recently as last year, despite indications by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government at the time that it would do away with it, MalaysiaNow has learnt.The practice sees VIPs such as ministers and MPs given special haj slots as a gesture of courtesy by the Saudi government.However, sources familiar with such allocations said it was an “open secret” that these slots had been sold to travel agents who operate the haj and umrah pilgrimages using the Furada visa – privately managed haj journeys – without going through the Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji), the government agency tasked with managing the annual pilgrimage for Malaysian Muslims.A privately organised haj journey using the Furada visa could cost around RM20,000, depending on the class of air travel and accommodation.It is understood that the Saudi government has been dishing out an unlimited number of Furada visas as gifts to imams, Islamic teachers, members of the royalty, and politicians.“It is up to the discretion of the ambassador,” Razali Mohd Sham, president of the Association for Travel Agencies of Umrah & Hajj Malaysia, told MalaysiaNow.Ministers given haj quotasAn investigation by MalaysiaNow reveals that politicians and elected representatives have been the biggest recipients of haj quotas over the decades.“Usually, their assistants liaise with the embassy. But once the quota is given, they sell it to the travel agency,” said a senior government officer who is familiar with the allocation of free haj quotas.He said as recently as last year, at least two senior ministers in the PH government were given special haj quotas from the Saudi government.“The practice was a norm during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration. But it was continued under PH although they said they would do away with it,” he told MalaysiaNow.MalaysiaNow is withholding the names of the ministers pending a response.Muslim worshippers circle the kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the city Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Photo: APIn December 2018, then-deputy minister in charge of Islamic affairs, Fuziah Salleh, said the government would no longer allow MPs and ministers to receive haj quotas, a move she said was to ensure transparency.She also said that the haj quotas belonged to the general public.She reportedly said that the allocation of special quotas as practised by the BN government had denied many elderly Muslims a chance to perform the pilgrimage.When contacted, she declined to comment but said the special quotas through the Furada visas would not be at the cost of those registered with Tabung Haji.“It is the Saudi government’s policy, and we have no say in it,” she said.A senior officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission meanwhile agreed that any act of cashing out on free haj quotas would be tantamount to corruption.Haj politicsThe allocation of such quotas often denied the general Muslim public who had registered with Tabung Haji and were awaiting their turn the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage.Pilgrims registered with Tabung Haji are selected to perform the haj based on several criteria, with priority given to the elderly and those going for the first time.Even so, many first-timers find themselves in a queue, with some told to wait more than 10 years for their turn.“Every year, these special quotas for VIPs would be at the cost of more deserving Malaysian Muslims who were forced to wait for years to perform the haj due to country limitations set by the Saudi Arabian government,” a former government aide said, requesting anonymity.The Saudi government currently allows about 31,000 Malaysians to perform the haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which attracts some two million Muslims from around the world in what amounts to a huge logistics exercise for Riyadh.The quota system for each country is calculated based on 0.1% of its population, and was introduced to prevent overcrowding during the haj season.The quota system was enforced just a year after a bloody confrontation between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces in the holy mosque of Mecca in July 1987, which killed more than 400 pilgrims according to Saudi estimates.Muslim countries including Malaysia have lobbied in various ways with the Saudis for the allocation of more slots, with many governments careful to maintain a cordial relationship with Riyadh in order to achieve this.As calculations are based on the country’s population, not the size of its Muslim community, the quota system works in favour of Malaysian Muslims who, at just about 60% of the population, get larger haj allocations.Still, the increasing number of Malaysian pilgrims over the years has meant that the quota remains insufficient.In 2019, the last time the haj took place before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the massive annual gathering, Malaysia was given a quota of 30,200 pilgrims without any increase.


No more appointing ministers as reward, Anwar says

Reiterating that his Cabinet will be downsized, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said he will do away with the extravagant manner of appointing ministers as a form of reward.
"I want them to support me based on my policies and my commitment towards good governance, my commitment to the anti-corruption drive, and to resuscitate the economy… it is actually that.
"Of course, we can consider one or two cases where it’s absolutely necessary, but it should not be seen as rewarding political masters in order for them to support you," he said in a press conference after chairing the 2022 National Action Council on Cost of Living Special Meeting in Putrajaya.
On when the Cabinet line-up would be announced, he said it would be in the next few days as he is currently in discussion with coalition members including the main parties in Pakatan Harapan namely PKR, DAP and Amanah and Upko.
"I had a very good meeting with Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg (Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman) yesterday.
"Then I’ve got to speak with Barisan Nasional representatives, they have working committees also to give some recommendations," he said, adding that he would be meeting Sabah Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor later that evening.
Anwar, at a press conference on his first day in office on Nov 25, said the Cabinet size would be reduced. He also said he was seeking the agreement of members who will be appointed to reduce their salaries.


Netflix tops 200 million subscribers as pandemic-time growth continues

Netflix on Tuesday delivered stronger-than-expected subscriber growth in the past quarter, keeping ahead of new streaming rivals competing for viewers stuck in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic.The streaming television leader added some 8.5 million paid subscribers in the quarter to reach 203 million, topping 200 million despite recent price hikes, its quarterly earning update showed.Netflix shares jumped more than 12% in after-market trades following the release.Profits dipped to US$542 million in the fourth quarter, compared with US$587 million in the same period in 2019. But overall revenue in the quarter surged 21.5% to US$6.6 billion.For the full year, Netflix added a record 37 million paid memberships, according to the earnings report.“We’re enormously grateful that in these uniquely challenging times we’ve been able to provide our members around the world with a source of escape, connection and joy while continuing to build our business,” Netflix said in a letter to investors.Paid membership increased 23% in the final quarter of 2020 when compared with the same period a year earlier, but average revenue per membership was flat, according to the Silicon Valley based company.While Netflix raised rates slightly in the US late last year, the majority – some 83% – of its new subscribers were from outside North America, the earnings report indicated.Films to launchNetflix has invested heavily in original shows and films to make itself a must-have service in the increasingly competitive streaming television market.Apple, Comcast, Disney and others have taken on Netflix with streaming television services of their own“The big growth in streaming entertainment has led legacy competitors like Disney, WarnerMedia and Discovery to compete with us in new ways, which we’ve been expecting for many years,” Netflix said in the letter.“This is, in part, why we have been moving so quickly to grow and further strengthen our original content library across a wide range of genres and nations.”Netflix executives said its productions are back up and running in most regions after being derailed by the pandemic.Netflix boasted having more than 500 titles in post-production or being readied for release on the service, with the plan being to launch at least one new original film weekly.Already the master of the pandemic-era movie landscape, Netflix last week offered a preview of upcoming 2021 releases, a list with no fewer than 70 star-studded feature films.From drama, comedy and science fiction to horror and even Westerns, the slate will take in every major film genre before the year is out, with some releases poised as potential competition for major awards.Among the most-anticipated titles is “Don’t Look Up”, from filmmaker Adam McKay of “The Big Short” and “Vice” fame and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.“The Harder They Fall”, a Western co-produced by Jay-Z and with a primarily black cast including Regina King and Idris Elba, also promises to be one to look out for.The announcement – via a brochure on the streamer’s website – was accompanied by a short video presented by “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot, “Jumanji” lead Dwayne Johnson and “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds.Johnson, Gadot and Reynolds will appear in “Red Notice”, an action film with a US$160 million budget, according to US media.


Why the time frame for trillion-ringgit graft probe, Anwar asked

A Bersatu man has urged Anwar Ibrahim against selective investigation after the prime minister's order for a probe into a report that Malaysia suffered losses of up to RM4.5 trillion within 26 years due to corruption and leakage.
Razali Idris, the Bersatu information chief, said Anwar should instead carry out a full investigation covering as well his 15 years as finance minister and deputy prime minister, from the 1980s since his sacking in 1998.
"Start from the 1980s," he added. "That will show that he is serious about cleaning the country of such cases. Where are Anwar's rich cronies?"
Razali also called for an investigation into what he said was a leakage of RM7 billion each year due to illegal activities in the shadow economy.
He was responding to Anwar's instructions to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara Malaysia and the police to investigate the reports in line with existing legislation.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid agreed, saying Anwar should not focus on just 26 years if he wanted to uncover leakage and wrongdoing in the government administration.
"It's common knowledge that Anwar was in the Cabinet and government from 1982," he said.
"Why doesn't he go further? For example, 1982 to 1998 – that's 15 years."
Acknowledging that Anwar had been sacked by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said he had nonetheless held important portfolios throughout his time in government.
"If you want to be fair, investigate more than 26 years."
Anwar was appointed as finance minister in 1991 and elevated to deputy prime minister in 1993 after winning the post of Umno deputy president.
The report of trillions lost due to corrupt activities was published by independent think tank Emir Research.
The think tank, led by Rais Hussein who joined PKR in the run-up to the general election last year, also said that the estimated losses since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 were conservative, and that the number was likely to be greater.
Rafique said the probe instructed by Anwar could have been carried out at any time and did not require specific instructions from the prime minister.
"Anyone can carry out an investigation as long as they have the authority to do so," he added.
Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla meanwhile said there were two main issues at hand.
He, too, questioned the time frame of the probe, citing news reports of cronyism during Anwar's initial time in government.
"If you want to investigate leakage, everyone has to be involved," he said.
"Everyone must be investigated including Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin. Everyone."
Haniff said there should also be clear proof that the country had in fact lost RM4.5 trillion.
"We have to know how the study was carried out," he said.
"The investigation will not be accurate until we ascertain that the amount lost was really RM4.5 trillion or otherwise."
Haniff said it would be better for Anwar to confirm the study first, and the actual amount lost from the treasury.
Rafique meanwhile urged the people to follow up on the issue through the services of their MPs.
"Use your MPs to ask if the investigation has begun or not, who has been called, and who has been arrested or accused.
"There is no time limit for criminal offences. If the offence occurred in the 1970s, charges can still be brought today if there is enough evidence."


Penang customs seize 10.2 million smuggled cigarettes

The Penang Customs Department seized 10.2 million sticks of smuggled cigarettes with a total value of RM7.4 million, including unpaid duty, during a raid in Port Klang, Selangor on Aug 1.
Penang customs director Abdul Halim Ramli said acting on information from the public and surveillance carried out by the Customs Special Investigation Unit and the Penang Customs Enforcement unit, a container was seized in Port Klang at 1.10pm on Aug 1.
"The container was later taken to the Penang enforcement division for further investigations. After carrying out a detailed inspection of the container, 10.2 million sticks of cigarettes with unpaid duty were found.
"Unpaid duty for the cigarettes worth RM816,800 is RM6.542 million. The total value is therefore RM7.4 million," Halim said when met by reporters at the Customs Enforcement Store in Bagan Jermal, Butterworth today.
Initial investigations revealed that the entry of the container was handled by a shipping company with a branch in Port Klang, based in Kuala Lumpur. Halim said based on the documents obtained, the cigarettes were brought in from a country in Central Asia. Investigations are ongoing to determine the suspects involved in the attempted smuggling.
He said the company had declared the goods in the container as canned mushrooms. A check at the Registrar of Companies revealed that the company’s nature of business and business address were false.
"There have been no arrests yet because the documents were only from the shipping agent. However, we are confident of detaining the suspects involved in smuggling the cigarettes," he said, adding that the case would be investigated under Section 135(1)(e) and Section 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 74(1) (e) of the Excise Act 1976.


Pakistan's Russian crude shipment paid in Chinese currency, minister says

Pakistan paid for its first government-to-government import of discounted Russian crude in Chinese currency, the South Asian country's petroleum minister said on Monday, a significant shift in its US dollar-dominated export payments policy.
Discounted crude offers respite as Pakistan faces an acute balance of payments crisis, risking a default on its debt obligations. The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank are scarcely enough to cover four weeks of controlled imports.
The first cargo of discounted Russian crude oil arranged under a new deal struck between Islamabad and Moscow earlier this year arrived in Karachi on Sunday. It is currently being offloaded at the port in the southern city of Karachi.
Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, talking to Reuters by phone, did not disclose the commercial details of the deal, including pricing or the discount that Pakistan received, but said the payment was made in Chinese currency.
He said the purchase, Pakistan's first government-to-government (G2G) deal with Russia, consisted of 100,000 tonnes, of which 45,000 tonnes had docked at Karachi port and the rest was on its way. Pakistan made the purchase back in April.
Pakistan's purchase gives Moscow a new outlet to add to growing sales to India and China, as it redirects oil from western markets because of the Ukraine conflict.
Despite being a long-standing Western ally and the arch-rival of neighbouring India, which historically is closer to Moscow, analysts say the crude deal also presents a new avenue for Pakistan at a time that its financing needs are great.
Pakistan's Refinery Limited (PRL) will initially refine the Russian crude, the minister said. He had earlier referred to the purchase of the shipment as a trial run to judge financial and technical feasibility.
Malik on Monday played down concerns around the financial viability and concerns about the ability of local refineries to process Russian crude given the South Asian country's historical importation of Middle Eastern petroleum products.
"We've run iterations of various product mixes, and in no scenario will the refining of this crude make a loss," Malik said, adding, "We are very sure it will be commercially viable."
"No adjustments (were) needed at the refinery to refine the Russian crude," the minister told Reuters.
Energy imports make up the majority of the Pakistan's external payments. Islamabad imported 154,000 bpd of oil in 2022, around steady with the previous year, data from analytics firm Kpler showed.
The crude was predominantly supplied by the world's top exporter Saudi Arabia followed by the United Arab Emirates. The 100,000 bpd from Russia in theory greatly reduces Pakistan's need for Middle Eastern fuel.


A Malaysian story

Last night, as my family and I were heading home for the day, we drove through a pothole on the road – a simple enough matter and one that happens to nearly every Malaysian on a regular basis.
My husband and I did what we normally do in such situations: we said a few unsavoury words, quietly so that our two-year-old wouldn't hear us, and continued on our way.
Eventually, though, we realised that our dip into the pothole had done more damage than we initially thought. By the time we pulled over on the left-most lane of the highway, one of our rear tyres was shredded and completely flat.
We put on our hazard lights and tried to assess our situation. Obviously, we would have to call for help, so we did.
While we waited for help to arrive, my husband switched on his torchlight app and apologetically waved oncoming traffic away from our car. In the meantime, I took our daughter and went to find as safe a place as I could to stand.
We waited for what felt like a long time in the dark as cars whizzed by on the fast lane and circumvented us slowly on the left. After a while, though, we realised that two, and then three, other cars had pulled up further ahead of us and put on their hazard lights as well.
As we watched, the drivers emerged and made their way towards us – three Malay men, all beaming as they approached. From a distance, I could hear them calling, "Apa jadi?"
We explained our predicament and without any hesitation at all, they set to work. One of them hauled our spare tyre into place while another went back to his car and returned with what looked like a power drill tool.
The third one, meanwhile, ushered my daughter and I to his car where he deposited us safely with his wife and daughter. "Tak selamat tunggu kat luar," he insisted, waving away my apologies.
I was shy as I slid into the back seat, but his wife and daughter, a lovely smiling lady and a sweet, round-faced six-year-old, greeted us enthusiastically.
"Aunty tinggal mana?" the girl asked. "Aunty tinggal kat Subang," I replied.
"Mama," she said excitedly, "kita ambil saja aunty dan adik, kita tolong hantar mereka balik rumah kat Subang dulu!"
As it turned out, though, there was no need for that: outside, more help had arrived, the flat tyre had been replaced and our car was ready to go.
We thanked everyone and apologised once more for troubling them, but they just smiled, told us to take care, and went on their way.
Did we do everything by the book of Best Practices For When Your Car Breaks Down On The Highway? Probably not. Do I wish that our roads were kept in better condition given the hard-earned tax money that we cough up every year? Absolutely.
But I can honestly say that I am glad to have had such an experience.
No matter how careful we are in life, at one point or another we are going to find ourselves in need of help from someone else. And last night, when we needed help, help was there.
There will always be potholes in life, metaphorical and otherwise since fixing the roads appears to be an insurmountable task regardless of who is in government. After all, this is Malaysia.
But for every pothole and every breakdown at the side of the road, I hope that there will always be someone there to help.
After all, this is Malaysia.