Of Wangsa Maju weather and the Covid-19 pandemic

The two days covering April 14 and 15, 2021 saw a massive storm hit various parts of Kuala Lumpur. The neighbourhood of Section 2 in Wangsa Maju, where I have lived for the past 16 years, was among the areas that were badly affected.Many trees that had stood steadily sturdy for decades broke and came crashing down; some even fell on several cars which sustained varying degrees of damage from light scratches to being outright flattened and split into separate pieces. Thankfully, no one was in any of the affected vehicles at the time, nor were there any reports of people getting hurt, other than the heartache of having to clean up the areas and pathways surrounding their flats.I arrived back from work late on both nights, only to be shocked at the extent of the aftermath. And on each morning after, I spoke to various people about it: my immediate neighbours, whose gardens were left in disarray; the workers who were tasked with cleaning up the mess, who shared more photos with me; and my regular friendly local mamak restaurant operators, who were able to give more details on what happened when.(This being Ramadan, I did not stop at the latter to eat, of course, but because I’ve been one of their patrons for many years, they have become like an extended family so I just wanted to check in on how they were doing.)As I got on with my day and prepared to head out to get some work done, it kind of hit me how this whole situation over the past two days seems like a perfect metaphor for how Malaysia is doing in the current Covid-19 pandemic.Think about it.Wangsa Maju which for decades was under Barisan Nasional’s jurisdiction gave way suddenly to opposition candidates who eventually had problems and issues with their own respective parties (definitely a clone of the country’s current “emergency” scenario).A sudden storm comes out of nowhere, catching everyone unaware and with pretty strong after-effects (the coronavirus).There are various promises by the authorities to fix things as soon as possible, which prove to be untrue at best, as demonstrated by the fact that the bus stand just down the road from the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital – which was damaged by a landslide caused by a storm last September – is still unrepaired (we all know about politicians and their promises).The latter point is also complicated by the fact that the responses are uncoordinated and done without proper planning or logic, with unfortunate results – for example, the response to last September’s storm that I mentioned was to pave the sidewalks with cement and thin wire fencing, causing opportunistic motorcyclists to use what should have been walkways for pedestrians, and the fencing being demolished by the falling trees (this point covers both the cronies who can make a profit from people’s misery and the double standards of dealing with them versus dealing with normal folk).And what is the parallel between the citizens of Wangsa Maju and the people of Malaysia? Simply this: the vast majority of us have helped out our neighbours as best we could and carried on with our lives as best we could, whether it was dealing with the disarray of job loss, school/work from home, or making sure that Mak Cik Kiah has enough food.Yes, there are some who have done nothing but complain about the whole situation. And yes, there have been many instances when those who make grandiose claims have been caught with their pants down (whether on video or audio). But we need to spend less time pointing fingers, and actually use those fingers, hands and arms to hold on to one another as we make it through this storm together. There’s a reason why #KitaJagaKita resonates more than #BankerJagaBanker.Oh, and if Tan Yee Kew, the MP for Wangsa Maju, is reading this – please do something about the bus stand? I really would prefer to wait for the bus at the right spot rather than on the road itself…The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


No rush for state election, says Sarawak CM

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today said he was in no rush to call for a state election, particularly given the current surge in number of Covid-19 cases.He said although the election could be called any time now, public health should be given due consideration before such a decision is made.“We are monitoring the situation. Why should we rush (to call for an election) as the (health of the) people is more important?” he told reporters after attending an event with Samarahan community leaders.Abang Johari added that he would seek expert advice from the health ministry and ensure that the Election Commission is fully prepared to implement procedures for the new norms in conducting the election.“They (health experts) are monitoring and they are giving me advice (to facilitate my making the decision on the election),” he said, declining however to reveal the advice given to him by the experts.The term of the current state assembly will end in June next year.“A state election is inevitable, except that we don’t know when the election (is going to be called),” said Abang Johari, who is also the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu president and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman.Meanwhile, GPS secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi said the coalition, which also includes the Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, and Progressive Democratic Party, has yet to decide on a date for the state election.“So far, there has been no meeting of the GPS Supreme Leadership Council to discuss the state election,” he said in a statement.He added that the GPS government was concerned about the current spike of Covid-19 infections and was taking into serious consideration the danger of the disease to the safety and lives of people in Sarawak.


Cops probing Tajuddin for going maskless at press conference

Police are investigating Prasarana chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman for not wearing a face mask during a press conference yesterday after inspecting the scene of an LRT accident near the KLCC station in Kuala Lumpur.Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said all parties involved in the case would be called to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters for questioning soon.“Police are investigating the incident under Section 21A of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Regulation 17 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Areas of Infection) Regulations 2021,” he said in a statement today.He said the investigation paper would be handed over to the deputy public prosecutor’s office once the probe is complete.Zainal said police opened the investigation after videos of Tajuddin wearing a face shield but not a face mask at the press conference went viral on social media.He reminded the public to comply with the SOPs issued by the National Security Council to curb the spread of Covid-19, saying action can be taken against violators.Tajuddin held the press conference at the KLCC station after inspecting the scene where two trains collided on Monday night, leaving 213 people injured.


Prerequisites needed to ease SOPs for the fully vaccinated, says health ministry

The health ministry has recommended several prerequisites for the easing of SOPs for individuals who have completed both doses of Covid-19 vaccine.Health deputy director-general (research and technical support) Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim said this includes the need for a high vaccination rate among the population so that there will be no new surge in Covid-19 cases.“A certain level of SOP compliance needs to be implemented as well, as the existing variants are more transmissible and more infectious. So we need to prioritise the use of face masks and physical distancing, and avoid mass gatherings.“When these prerequisites can be implemented, then an announcement can be made on the benefits for those who have completed their vaccination,” he told a special press conference today.Also present were the ministry’s secretary-general Shafiq Abdullah, public health deputy-director and Great Klang Valley Special Task Force commander Dr Chong Chee Kheong, and Selangor Health Department director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman.Hishamshah said the matter was still being discussed at the highest level.He said the implementation of the flexibility in SOPs for those who have completed their vaccination should not be done in haste as the matter has to be handled cautiously by the government and health ministry.Hishamshah said Malaysia needs to learn from the experience of countries that have given privileges to fully vaccinated individuals.“They give the privileges to individuals who have completed their vaccination, but when they look back at the decision, they feel the privileges were given too early. As a result, they see an increase in Covid-19 cases,” he added.


IMF urges China to boost Covid vaccinations, restore property sector confidence

The International Monetary Fund urged China on Wednesday to boost Covid-19 vaccination rates and give more robust support to its troubled property sector to restore confidence and reduce risks from a global economic slowdown and high energy prices.
In a statement following virtual meetings for its annual review of China's economic policies, the IMF said it was maintaining GDP growth forecasts issued in October. These envision growth of 3.2% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2023, assuming a gradual lifting of China's strict Zero-Covid strategy in the second half of next year.
"Although the zero-Covid strategy has become nimbler over time, the combination of more contagious Covid variants and persistent gaps in vaccinations have led to the need for more frequent lockdowns, weighing on consumption and private investment, including in housing," IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said in a statement.
"Going forward, a further recalibration of the Covid strategy should be well prepared and include boosting the pace of vaccinations and maintaining it at a high level to ensure that protection is preserved," Gopinath added.
The comments come as Chinese authorities are grappling with a spike in Covid cases that has deepened concern about the economy and dimmed hopes for a quick reopening.
The IMF said economic risks for China were tilted to the downside, due to headwinds from a global slowdown, higher energy prices and tighter global financial conditions.
Longer term, the Fund said rising geopolitical tensions risk fragmentation of the global economy, with China facing potential financial decoupling and limits to trade, foreign direct investment and technology access.
The IMF recommended that China's fiscal policy should be neutral in 2023 after strong support this year, but should protect the recovery and facilitate rebalancing toward more domestic consumption. It said China's monetary policy should remain accommodative and rely on interest-rate based measures.
Property support
The Fund applauded authorities' recent support initiatives for China's slumping property sector, including a loan program to help complete unfinished homes and allowing forbearance on troubled property loans.
"Building on these efforts, additional robust and well-funded mechanisms are needed for completing troubled unfinished projects and protecting new presale buyers from the risk of non-completion, while forbearance measures should be phased out," Gopinath said.
"These measures will help restore homebuyer confidence and facilitate market-based restructuring," she said, adding that in the medium term, structural reforms in the sector and new savings models can help transform the market to a more sustainable size.
The IMF also renewed its longstanding call for more market-based reforms in China, including ensuring "competitive neutrality" between private and state-owned firms.


Offer of DPM posts still stands, says Zahid

The offer to create three deputy prime minister (DPM) posts still stands even though it was not included in the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the 15th general election (GE15), BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Zahid, who is also Umno president, said if BN wins the upcoming election and forms the new government, the three DPM posts would definitely be created, to represent the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, along with ministerial portfolios to be decided later.
"Of course, it will increase the power of Sabah and Sarawak representatives in the Cabinet, not just because of the post of DPM, but also the ministerial portfolios that they will hold.
"Those appointed as DPMs are not only there to assist the prime minister, but also to help the territories (peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak) that they represent," he said in Bagan Datuk.
On Oct 23, Zahid was reported as saying that Sabah BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) could suggest to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that this proposal be included in the BN and GPS manifesto for GE15.


Converting RM7.5 million into cheques was money laundering, witness says in Zahid’s graft case

The Kuala Lumpur High Court was today told that the process of converting RM7.5 million in cash into 35 cheques in the case involving Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was money laundering derived from illegal sources.Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mohd Fahmee Mohamad Nor, 39, said this was based on his investigation into the case involving the former deputy prime minister.Fahmee, the 95th prosecution witness, was speaking on the 49th day of the trial of Zahid, who is facing corruption, abuse of power and money laundering charges involving millions of ringgit in funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.According to the 27th money laundering charge, Zahid is alleged to have ordered money changer Omar Ali Abdullah to convert RM7,511,250.20 in cash into 35 cheques to be deposited into law firm Lewis & Co to purchase fixed deposits in Maybank.During re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Harris Ong Mohd Jeffrey Ong, Fahmee said according to Omar Ali, he did not know the individuals who gave him the money, which he converted into cheques under the name of Messrs Lewis & Co, the trustee of Zahid’s Yayasan Akalbudi.“Omar Ali only said that the individuals were neatly dressed and that the money was given on Zahid’s instructions,” he said.Yesterday, Fahmee told the court that Omar Ali had received a large amount of money from unknown individuals around his company Syarikat Marhaba Enterprise Sdn Bhd premises.Asked whether the investigation had found that the money was a donation from charity foundation Yayasan Albukhary, Fahmee said no.“The investigation did not find any receipt showing that the money was a donation from the foundation,” he added.“Yayasan Al Bukhary is a big foundation, but I did not conduct an in-depth investigation on it. I did not look at Yayasan Albukhary’s accounts and did not record a statement from Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary.“I decided not to conduct a detailed investigation because Omar Ali did not know the individuals who gave him the money,” he said.On whether he had been contacted by anyone from Yayasan Al Bukhary after Omar Ali testified in Zahid’s trial, Fahmee said no.Earlier, when asked by lawyer Ahmad Zaidi Zainal who is representing Zahid whether he knew that Omar Ali had testified in court that the money was a donation from Yayasan Al Bukhary, Fahmee did not answer.Zahid, 68, is facing 47 charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving millions of ringgit of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.The trial continues before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.


No decision yet on use of BN's 'dacing' by allies at state polls

Barisan Nasional (BN) has not decided whether to allow its allies in the coalition government to contest under the BN symbol in the six state elections due this year, said BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"… we will not object if other parties in the government wish to use the BN symbol but a final decision has yet to be made. The intention (of others to use the BN logo) is there but it has not been finalised," said Zahid, who is Umno president.
However, he said the BN Supreme Council had decided that BN candidates would contest the six state polls using its own symbol.
The deputy prime minister told reporters this after chairing a meeting of the supreme committee on violence control in Putrajaya today.
Yesterday, BN elections director Mohamad Hassan said BN was considering a proposal by some allies in the coalition government to use BN's "dacing" (scale) symbol in the state elections.
Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah must hold their state elections this year because they did not conduct their polls during the general election last year.


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Erdogan invites Mahathir to join hands for Islamic summit in Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited Dr Mahathir Mohamad to attend a follow-up event to the Kuala Lumpur Summit held in 2019, in what is seen as the Turkish leader's continued support for the former prime minister's proposal for a new Muslim power bloc.
Following an hour-long meeting in Ankara on Tuesday where Mahathir and wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali were welcomed at the presidential palace, he said Erdogan was keen to organise the Istanbul Summit to pursue what was discussed during the KL Summit, where top leaders of Malaysia and Turkey, as well as Qatar and Iran, had agreed to cooperate.
"There were also a lot of discussions on the fate of the Muslim ummah and the need to help Muslims and their nations which are facing hardship and wars.
"Mahathir also acknowledged, given Turkiye’s rapid development and progress in various fields, that it can be the model nation for other Muslim countries," said a statement on Mahathir's Facebook.
It said both leaders agreed that the Istanbul Summit would be held in either September or October this year, adding that Erdogan would like Mahathir's team to partner his Turkish side for the event.
In 2019, Erdogan alongside Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani attended the KL Summit, which has been renamed as the Perdana Dialogue, a forum that organisers say complements the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in addressing issues affecting the Muslim world.


‘I keep on praying’: a mother’s decades-long struggle with a special needs child

When her daughter complained of chest pains in March, Paridah Muhammad assumed it was a bout of pneumonia, attacks of which Chik Saim often suffered.As usual, she packed a bag and took Chik to Hospital Putrajaya for treatment.This time, though, the 63-year-old mother was told that her daughter would have to be admitted to the emergency ward.The next morning, she hurried to the ward to visit but Chik was non-responsive.“She didn’t look at me when I called her name. Her eyes were darting everywhere else.”After running a scan, the doctor told her that Chik had suffered a stroke due to high blood pressure and was now partially paralysed.“When they told me this, I could not accept it,” Paridah told MalaysiaNow at her home in Sepang, Selangor. “I got angry and cried but the doctor and nurses comforted me.”Chik spent three weeks in hospital because of the stroke. She eventually recovered enough to go home but her life has been irrevocably changed.Now 41, she was a special needs child from the start. She was born with Down’s syndrome although she was able to move about like normal until the stroke.Now, she can only lie on a bed in the living room.The doctor had suggested an operation but Paridah did not dare risk it as Chik’s chances of survival would be only 50-50.From bad to worseThe second of six children, Chik was always her mother’s especial responsibility.“Even her birth was difficult although thank God she was born safely,” Paridah recalled.“But she was always a bit feeble. She was slow to move and get up. She was seven years old before she learnt how to stand up and move.”This remained the case despite visits to the doctor and attempts at treating her with traditional medication.But the biggest challenge for Paridah came when Chik experienced her stroke.Confined to her bed, Chik developed sores from lying in the same position for too long. Her kidney and heart function also deteriorated, adding to the challenges brought on by her diabetes.Her nutrition comes from the milk that she drinks through a nasogastric tube which runs through her nose and down to her stomach. This tube must be changed once a month at the clinic in Salak Tinggi.Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Paridah was frank about her limitations and acknowledged that she could not take care of Chik on her own. She said she had asked one of her sons to come home to help look after his sister.But even with help, other obstacles remain.The cost of Chik’s treatment alone is a massive hurdle for Paridah, who is no longer working.“Since she became bedridden, I have had to rush her to the hospital twice – once in April and another time in May.“An ambulance came to take her to the hospital but to go home after that, I had to find another one and pay for it with my own money,” Paridah said.The cost of a one-way ambulance trip is about RM250, depending on the kindness of the operator.This is without factoring in the cost of other essentials like medication, diapers, gel and cleanser for Chik’s sores.At 63, Paridah struggles each day to stay ahead.But despite her financial constraints, she is thankful as her children and the zakat centre are always ready to help out.She has also received assistance from charity organisation MyHeart Association which gave her medical equipment, medication and transportation worth about RM15,000, all in.“I keep on praying,” she said. “If Chik can eat normally again and sit, even in a wheelchair, I will be so grateful.”


Homes burned, children missing after deadly volcano erupts in Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo volcano Mount Nyiragongo erupted on Saturday, turning the sky red and spewing out a river of lava that flowed towards Goma, a city of two million.Fifteen deaths have been confirmed, but the number is likely to rise as rescuers and officials reach the hardest-hit areas.At least nine were killed in traffic accidents as people fled to safety.Four others were killed as they tried to escape a local prison, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said on Sunday.More than 170 children are feared missing and 150 others were separated from their families, according to Unicef, which said centres would be set up to help unaccompanied minors.The lava halted on the outskirts of Goma, burying hundreds of houses and even large buildings.Once the eruption subsided, local residents returned to find destroyed houses and loved ones missing.“All the houses in Buhene neighbourhood were burned,” Innocent Bahala Shamavu told the AP news agency.Lava crossed one highway connecting Goma to the city of Beni, severing a key aid and supply route. However, the city’s airport was untouched, despite earlier reports that it had been affected.“Seismic tremors have been felt in the aftermath,” Muyaya tweeted. “People are advised to remain vigilant, avoid non-essential travel, and follow directions.”The volcano, located 10km from Goma, last erupted in 2002, killing 250 people and making 120,000 homeless.Residents started leaving their houses even before the government announced an evacuation plan. At night, crowds were seen fleeing on foot with mattresses and other belongings.Rwandan authorities said more than 3,000 people had officially crossed from Goma. Some started to return on Sunday. Others went to higher ground to the west of the city.One Goma resident, Richard Bahati, said he was in his house when he heard screaming and became extremely worried as he saw the sky reddening outside.“I lived through the problem with this volcano in 2002. The volcano devastated all our homes and possessions,” he said.A local trader, Kambere Ombeni, was among those who returned to the scene as the rubble still smouldered. “We watched the whole neighbourhood in the Nyiragongo territory go up in smoke. The fire came right down to here. Even now we can still see lava,” he said.Mount Nyiragongo is one of the world’s more active volcanoes but there were concerns that its activity had not been properly observed by the Goma Volcano Observatory, since the World Bank cut funding amid allegations of corruption.Professor Mike Burton, a volcanologist at the University of Manchester in England, told the BBC that the lava in Mount Nyiragongo is particularly fluid and has the potential to move fast.The volcano’s deadliest eruption happened in 1977, when more than 600 people died.


Covid-19 vaccines safe to use while fasting, say doctors

This year, Ramadan once again falls during the Covid-19 pandemic.Doctors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reassured Muslims worldwide that it is safe to be vaccinated against Covid-19 while fasting during Ramadan.The holy month is expected to begin on April 12 or 13, but as the UAE continues to roll out its nationwide vaccination programme, doctors are urging those to continue with their first or second dose of a vaccine as planned.In some cases, fasting can actually help improve immunity, they say.Dr Maisaa al-Sulaiman, a specialist at Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah, said Muslims fasting during the month of Ramadan should not be wary about taking inoculations to protect against Covid-19.“Fasting in Ramadan shouldn’t prevent people from taking the vaccine,” she told Al Arabiya English. “It is actually the opposite: scientifically, taking the vaccine while fasting is more effective and gives better results.”Medically, this is due to a process called autophagy which she explained “is the immune system starting to clear out the body from all types of dead cells, diseases, and cancerous cells as well.”She also said, “While fasting for more than 12 hours the body will be in its best state to defend itself and fight against any pathogens, and the result of the vaccine will be much better.”Some people may experience minor side effects from vaccines, but the benefits far outweigh the risks, she said.“Minor side effects like headache, dizziness, and pain in the arm shouldn’t scare people away.”The British Medical Journal says that people from some UK ethnic minority backgrounds, such as black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani, may be more hesitant to receive a Covid-19 vaccination during Ramadan because they don’t want to compromise their fast.Faraz Mughal, of the British National Institute for Health Research, says it is important for these groups to know that having vaccines intramuscularly during daily fasting time does not nullify one’s fast and vaccination should not be delayed.Clinicians and Covid-19 vaccinators advise those fasting to drink more clear fluid and take simple analgesics outside of fasting times to mitigate any side effects.


As a tech enthusiast, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of 5G for a while now. With the promises of faster download speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections, it’s no wonder that many of us are excited about the possibilities of this new technology.
However, as the rollout of 5G networks continues around the world, it’s becoming clear that the reality of 5G may not be what it’s all cracked up to be. According to the latest data from Ericsson’s November Mobility Report, 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 780 million by the end of 2022. China, the US, and South Korea are expected to lead in terms of deployment.
While these numbers may seem impressive, the report also emphasises that subscription numbers alone won’t measure 5G’s success. The truth is that the deployment of 5G networks is slow and expensive, and many people may not even have access to 5G for years to come. Let’s explore some of the concerns and challenges associated with 5G, and why it may not be the game changer that many of us had hoped for.
Health concerns
One of the major concerns about 5G is its potential impact on human health. As the deployment of 5G networks continues around the world, some people are worried that the increased exposure to radiofrequency radiation could be harmful to our bodies. While some studies suggest a potential link between radiofrequency radiation and health problems such as cancer, infertility, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity, the scientific community has not yet reached a consensus on this issue.
On the one hand, some experts and organisations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), have stated that the current scientific evidence does not suggest that 5G technology poses a significant risk to human health. According to Eric van Rongen, chair of the ICNIRP, "The exposure from 5G is expected to be similar to or lower than that from existing mobile phone technologies, and any potential health effects are expected to be negligible."
On the other hand, other scientists and organisations have expressed concern about the potential health risks associated with 5G. Devra Davis, an epidemiologist and founder of the Environmental Health Trust, has said that "5G radiation has not been proven safe for humans. On the contrary, scientists worldwide are calling for a halt to the rollout of 5G, citing health effects ranging from cancer to reproductive harm to electromagnetic hypersensitivity."
While the debate about the safety of 5G is ongoing, it is important that we consider and evaluate all of the available scientific evidence. As we continue to deploy 5G networks, we should prioritise research and studies to further understand any potential health risks and how to mitigate them.
Expensive rollout
Another issue with 5G is the high cost of deploying the necessary infrastructure. Building a 5G network requires a significant amount of investment in new equipment and infrastructure, which can be costly for telecommunication companies and governments alike.
For example, according to a report by Deloitte, the total cost of building a nationwide 5G network in the US could range from US$130 billion to US$275 billion. As a comparison, Nasa’s budget for its lunar exploration programmes, including the Artemis programme to land humans on the moon by 2024, costs only US$25.2 billion, according to 2022 fiscal year budget request.
The high cost of 5G deployment can be attributed to a few factors. First, 5G networks require a significant amount of new equipment and infrastructure, including new cell towers and small cells, fibre optic cables, and specialised radios and antennas.
Second, the deployment of 5G networks can be more challenging and costly in certain regions, such as rural or mountainous areas, where there may be limited access to existing infrastructure or difficult terrain to navigate.
Finally, the cost of deployment may also depend on the regulatory environment in a given country, with some governments, like the US, China, Japan and the UK, providing subsidies or other incentives to encourage the rollout of 5G networks.
Despite the high cost of deployment, many telecommunications companies and governments view 5G as a worthwhile investment. It has the potential to support the development of new applications and services in areas such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Security concerns
While 5G networks offer the promise of faster and more connected devices, there are concerns about the potential security risks that come with this increased connectivity. As more devices become connected to 5G networks, there is a greater risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches. In addition, the use of new and untested technologies in 5G networks may create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
While these security concerns are valid, it’s important to note that telecommunication companies and governments are aware of the potential risks and are taking steps to address them. For example, the 5G security standards developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project include features such as encryption, authentication, and network slicing, which can help to protect against cyber-attacks and data breaches. Additionally, governments and regulatory bodies are also implementing regulations and guidelines to ensure that 5G networks are secure and reliable.
It’s worth noting that security concerns are not unique to 5G networks, and that all networks are potentially vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches. Similar concerns were also raised when 4G was introduced commercially in the late 2000s. While there were some bona fide incidents of security breaches and cyber-attacks on 4G networks, like the "fake ID" vulnerability, the impact was relatively limited and the industry was able to develop effective security measures to address these issues. The same can be expected for 5G networks too, as the industry continues to work to develop and implement security measures to protect against potential vulnerabilities and threats.
In conclusion, the introduction of 5G networks represents a significant leap forward in mobile connectivity, promising faster speeds, lower latency, and greater reliability. However, as with any new technology, there are also potential challenges and risks that must be addressed.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to jump onto the 5G bandwagon or not will depend on a wide range of factors, including individual preferences, available infrastructure, and the potential risks and benefits of the technology. As with any decision involving new technology, it’s important to stay informed and to carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits before making a decision.
So, are you ready to embrace 5G and all the benefits it has to offer? "To 5G or not to 5G, that is the question."
Mohd Ezanee Rusli is chief operating officer of Universiti Tenaga Nasional and an associate professor at the Department of Computing, College of Computing and Informatics, Uniten.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


Nearly 6 million booster jabs given

A total of 22,851,542 individuals or 97.6% of adults had completed their Covid-19 vaccination as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow portal, 23,146,049 individuals or 98.9% have received at least one dose of vaccine.In terms of the adolescent population, 87.4% or 2,752,103 individuals have completed their vaccination while 2,844,678 individuals or 90.3% have received at least one dose of vaccine.Yesterday, a total of 185,321 vaccine doses were dispensed, with 3,364 as first doses, 4,900 as second shots and 177,057 as booster jabs.This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to 57,305,127, including 5,908,852 booster shots.


A convict as your economic adviser? Some advice for Ismail

Recently, the grapevine has been abuzz with talk of ex-prime minister Najib Razak being roped in as the economic adviser to newly minted PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob.This talk gained further credence with former minister Nazri Aziz lauding the proposal, citing Najib’s vast experience including nine years as PM and having served as the finance minister.Seriously? What have people in Putrajaya been smoking that they would even entertain the notion of Najib’s return to the corridors of power? Have we forgotten that Najib is the man at the centre of the country’s largest financial heist in history, the 1MDB scandal?It was an operation so extensive, involving sums of money so obscene, carried out with such brazen bravado, that some one dozen countries launched probes and prosecuted perpetrators in this shameful transnational crime. The 1MDB scandal also resulted in global media infamy for Malaysia, described as a “kleptocracy” by the US Justice Department, under the leadership of Najib.And as much as Najib tries to distance himself from the skulduggery that has come to define Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, he’s a convict sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million – a conviction against which he is appealing. This is not to mention the slew of other charges the man referred to as “MO1” by the US authorities is facing, almost all of which are related in one way or another to 1MDB.The High Court judge who handed down Najib’s sentence, in his written judgment, described the crime as “the worst case of abuse of position”. With that in mind, are we now ready to roll out the red carpet for Najib to a position where his hands will be dangerously close to our national kitty?What kind of message does Ismail, who has yet to warm his seat in Putrajaya, want to send to the nation about his priorities and principles, or lack thereof? Is the country so bereft of qualified professionals that the PM has to rope in an economic crime convict as his economic adviser?If Najib were to defile the inner sanctum of political power with his return, would that not jeopardise the criminal proceedings he faces by way of perceived political interference and pressure?The Najib administration was roundly rejected by voters during the 2018 general election, chiefly because of his involvement in 1MDB, where he was chairman of the company’s board of advisers.The court has found him to be corrupt and of having abused his powers. If not for the appeal process, Najib would now be behind bars, not a heartbeat from the centre of political power where he was convicted of having committed grand theft.Should the PM bring Najib back to Putrajaya, from which the latter was booted out in 2018, Ismail himself risks being kicked out of power, considering the short stints our previous two PMs ruled. Consider this a warning shot, Mr Prime Minister!The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


FAA certifies Boeing 737 Max to return to the skies after fatal crashes

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday issued an airworthiness directive rescinding its grounding order on the Boeing 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 9 commercial passenger planes, reports Business Insider.The grounding order was issued in March 2019 following the second of two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia.The FAA noted that the 737 Max will not immediately return to the skies as the agency must still approve Boeing’s revamped pilot training programme. Airlines that have parked their 737 Max fleets “must take required maintenance steps to prepare them to fly again”.But will travellers want to fly on the plane when it returns to the skies? After more than 18 months on the ground, countless technical and software changes, and a revised recertification process, it could be argued that the 737 Max will be the safest plane in the air. The FAA combed over the plane and it is highly likely that the agency’s engineers missed nothing.All of that should allay any fears people have of flying in the plane – but how long it will take passengers to forget the two crashes remains to be seen.


Sudan factions agree to extend ceasefire deal amid clashes

Sudan's warring military factions agreed on Monday to a five-day extension of a ceasefire agreement, after renewed heavy clashes and air strikes in the capital threw fresh doubts on the effectiveness of a truce designed to ease a humanitarian crisis.
Saudi Arabia and the US, which brokered a week-long ceasefire deal and have been monitoring it remotely, announced shortly before it was due to expire on Monday evening the parties had agreed to extend it.
Although the ceasefire had been imperfectly observed, it had allowed the delivery of aid to an estimated two million people, the two countries said in a joint statement.
"The extension will provide time for further humanitarian assistance, restoration of essential services, and discussion of a potential longer-term extension," the statement said.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said starting on Saturday it had been able to make its first food distributions in Khartoum since the beginning of the conflict.
Sources with knowledge of the new deal said discussions on amendments to make the truce more effective were continuing.
Hours before it was signed, residents reported battles in all three of the adjoining cities that make up Sudan's greater capital around the confluence of the Nile – Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri. The intensity of the fighting was greater than over the past three days, they said.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a power struggle that erupted into conflict on April 15, killing hundreds and driving nearly 1.4 million people from their homes.
Air strikes, which the army has been using to target RSF forces embedded in neighbourhoods across the capital, could be heard in Omdurman on Monday afternoon, residents said.
"Since yesterday evening there has been bombardment with all types of weapons between the army and the Rapid Support," Hassan Othman, a 55-year-old resident of Omdurman, told Reuters by phone. "We're in a state of great fear. Where's the truce?"
On past days, the truce deal had brought some respite from heavy fighting, though sporadic clashes and air strikes have continued.
Saudi Arabia and the US have previously said both sides had committed various violations of the truce, as well as impeding humanitarian access and restoration of essential services.
Sudan's health ministry has said more than 700 people have died as a result of the fighting, though the true figure is likely much higher because of the difficulty health and aid workers have had in accessing conflict zones.
The government has separately recorded up to 510 deaths in El Geneina, one of the main cities in Darfur, a western region already scarred by conflict and displacement.
In Khartoum, factories, offices, homes and banks have been looted or destroyed. Power, water and telecommunications are often cut, there are acute shortages of medicines and medical equipment, and food supplies have been running low.
At Sudan's largest orphanage, Reuters reported how dozens of babies have died since the start of the conflict, which one Khartoum state official attributed mainly to staff shortages and recurrent power outages caused by the fighting.
The United Nations and aid groups say that despite the truce, they have struggled to get bureaucratic approvals and security guarantees to transport aid and staff to Khartoum and other places of need.
The WFP said it had begun three days of distributions in the capital on Saturday and had reached more than 12,000 people in Omdurman in areas controlled by the army as well as the RSF. It said it plans to reach at least 500,000 people in Khartoum.
The WFP expects up to 2.5 million people in Sudan to slip into hunger in the coming months, raising the number of people affected by acute food security to more than 19 million, or 40% of the population.
The head of the UN refugee agency told Reuters that a projection that one million people could flee Sudan by October may prove a conservative estimate.
More than 350,000 people have already fled into neighbouring countries, with most heading to Egypt, Chad and South Sudan.


Penang ready to work with MACC to tackle corrupt practices

The Penang government today said it is ready to work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure that officers involved in corrupt practices are dealt with severely.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government welcomed MACC’s investigations on corruption involving civil servants in the state as they were in line with the CAT principles of good governance, competency, accountability and transparency practised since 2008.
"No one is above the law and civil servants, whether from federal, state or local authorities and agencies, found to be involved in accepting bribes, abuse of power and making false claims, must be investigated and charged as soon as possible," he said in a statement.
However, Chow said the Penang government also wanted MACC to be transparent in revealing the number of cases brought to court and the number of civil servants found guilty.
"We demand transparency on the part of MACC as we do not want the image of Penang civil servants and the state government to be tarnished only by account of the number of complaints received since 2019," he said.
Chow was responding to a statement by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who expressed concern yesterday over civil servants in Penang accepting bribes, abuse of power and making false claims.
Azam said MACC had received a total of 919 complaints on such offences from 2019 until now.


Pakistan court extends former premier Khan's pre-arrest bail on terrorism charges

A Pakistani court on Thursday extended former Prime Minister Imran Khan's pre-arrest bail for one week in a terrorism case over a speech, his lawyer said, shortly after the former premier appeared in court in person amidst tight security.
Khan's lawyer and political aide Babar Awan told Reuters bail had been granted until Sept 1, after which they will apply for another extension. The former premier maintained after the hearing he had said nothing wrong in the speech last week.
Police filed charges on Saturday against former cricket star and national team captain Khan over what they said was a threat when he spoke about police torture of an aide who faces sedition charges for inciting mutiny in the military.
Political tensions in Pakistan remain high as Khan rallies support for elections that are not due until October next year. The former premier, who has attracted large crowds in gatherings across the country since being ousted in April, said his opponents were spooked by his popularity.
In his speech last week, Khan said he "would not spare" the Islamabad police chief and a female judge who remanded his aide to custody, adding he would take legal action against them.
Police cited that comment and said Khan's purpose was to spread terror amongst the police and the judiciary and prevent them from doing their duty.
Khan's bail in the matter was to expire on Thursday, but the court granted him one more week after his court appearance.
"We asked for a longer time because Imran Khan is contesting elections on many seats and he needs to go on campaign, but court gave us just a week,” Awan told Reuters.
Khan's supporters and former ministers in his government have threatened mass protests if he is arrested. One former minister has said his supporters would "take over" Islamabad.
Speaking after the extension of his bail, Khan - surrounded by his aides and supporters - told reporters outside the court he had said nothing wrong.
"I say I will take legal action, and they make a terrorism case on me because of that, just think what mockery has been made of this internationally," he said.


Ukraine vows not to give up on Bakhmut amid constant Russian attacks

Ukraine's top military commanders have vowed to keep defending the besieged city of Bakhmut, where Russia is hoping to make its first major wartime gain in more than half a year, and will strengthen their defences, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Amidst some of the bloodiest fighting of the more than one-year long invasion, Moscow says capturing the city would be a step towards its major objective of seizing the full territory of the surrounding Donbas region.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces late on Monday reported that the city and surrounding areas were under "constant attacks" as "the enemy takes no account of losses."
After Russian gains in recent weeks, at the culmination of a winter offensive, Ukrainian troops have been reinforcing positions west of Bakhmut in apparent preparation for a possible retreat.
However, late on Monday, Zelensky said that at a meeting of top military officials he had asked the commander of the regional grouping and Ukraine's commander in chief how they proposed to proceed.
"Both generals responded not to withdraw but to strengthen (our defences)," he said in his nightly address.
"I told the commander in chief to find the appropriate forces to help our guys in Bakhmut."
The intense battle has depleted both sides' artillery reserves, with thousands of shells fired daily along the eastern and southern fronts. Kyiv's European allies are working on a deal to procure more ammunition for the fight.
The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary force, which is leading the Bakhmut assault, said on Monday he needed the regular army to supply him with more ammunition, reinforcements and covering support if he was to win the battle.
The appeal from Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin came amid signs of a deepening rift between him and the Russian defence ministry whom he has bitterly criticised for months and accused of deliberately starving his men of ammunition, an allegation it has rejected.
"I'm knocking on all doors and sounding the alarm about ammunition and reinforcements, as well as the need to cover our flanks," he said in a statement released by his press service.
"If everyone is coordinated, without ambition, screw-ups and tantrums, and carries out this work, then we will block the armed forces of Ukraine. If not, then everyone will be screwed."
There was no immediate response from the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Separately, Reuters reported Kyiv has broadened a request for controversial cluster bombs from the US to include a weapon that it wants to cannibalise to drop the anti-armor bomblets it contains on Russian forces from drones, according to two US lawmakers.
A National Security Council spokesperson said that while Ukraine and the White House "closely coordinate" on military aid, she had no "new capabilities to announce."
Bakhmut more symbolic than strategic, says US
After losing ground during the second half of 2022, Russia launched a winter offensive of intense trench warfare, making use of hundreds of thousands of reservists called up late last year.
Russia's offensive has produced no notable gains, failing to seize ground in Luhansk province further north and taking heavy losses in particular around Vuhledar to the south.
Ukraine has focused mainly on defence for the last three months, trying to inflict high casualties while preparing for a counter-offensive when new weapons arrive and the muddy ground dries out.
Speaking to reporters in the Middle East on Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he would not predict when or if Ukrainian troops might leave Bakhmut, but that should it fall that "won't necessarily mean that the Russians have changed the tide of this fight".
"I think it is more of a symbolic value than it is strategic and operational value," Austin said.
Kyiv says Russia's losses in trying to seize a city already reduced to rubble could determine the future course of the war by destroying combat power ahead of decisive battles later this year.
Russia refers to the campaign as a "special military operation" but has increasingly reframed initial denunciation of "Nazis" in Ukraine to describe it as a fight against the "collective West" which threatens its very existence.
Ukraine and the West describe Russia's actions as an unprovoked war of aggression aimed at expanding territory.
On Monday, Russia's FSB security service said it had thwarted a Ukraine-backed car bomb attack against a prominent nationalist businessman who has been a cheerleader for Moscow's war. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.


MCMC considering regulatory action against TV channel

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is considering taking regulatory action against Awesome Broadcasting Sdn Bhd following a possible violation of Section 36 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (AKM) 1998.
In a statement today, MCMC said any broadcasting operation by television stations must comply with the rules and licensing conditions set out in the Content Application Service Provider Individual Licence (CASP) (I).
"MCMC views licensing compliance seriously and is committed to ensuring CASP (I) licence holder compliance.
"Failure to do so is a serious offence and can be subject to action according to the provisions of the existing law," it said.
On Feb 21, MCMC opened an investigation paper on local television channel Awesome TV over a news report claiming that the number of civil servants would be reduced.
The investigation is being carried out under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for failure to comply with licence conditions.


Prison, not the end of the line for inmates

In many developed countries, governments are working to reduce their prison operations and the number of inmates by introducing alternative sentences and boosting efforts to deter crime from a young age.
In Malaysia, though, the trend would appear to be moving in the opposite direction.
In 2022, there were approximately 70,000 inmates at 50 prisons including satellite centres across the country – far above the maximum capacity of 62,000 people.
In terms of prisons alone, Malaysia has 27 – 18 in the peninsula and nine more in Sabah and Sarawak, with plans afoot since 2016 for the construction of more.
Each year, the government spends hundreds of millions of ringgit on the prisons department.
But the department itself is adamant that prison is not the end for those ordered to serve time behind bars.
In 2008, for instance, it introduced a parole system similar to those used in Australia, Canada and the US.
Under this system, prisoners who meet the necessary criteria can be released to serve the remainder of their sentence outside the prison walls.
Their release, based on the conditions set by the parole board, is an extension of the department's rehabilitation programme, dubbed the Human Development Programme.
Some 90% of the inmates in the country are part of this initiative.
Kausalya Devi Sathoo of the Prison Policy Division said the parole system came into effect on June 30, 2008 through amendments to the Prison Act 1995.
"Those imprisoned for offences like theft and burglary can apply for parole," she said in an interview at the prison headquarters in Kajang where MalaysiaNow was granted exclusive access to the prison premises.
"But parole is not granted to those imprisoned for offences under the Fourth Schedule of the Prison Act, such as rape, sodomy, and those on death row."
While the formation and implementation of alternative punishments are outside the scope of the department, she said, it continuously works with the Attorney-General's Chambers to study the execution of such penalties.
In any event, jail terms are not the only punishment meted out through the department as it works with several other institutions to help rehabilitate offenders, including the Henry Gurney School, rehabilitation centres and special detention centres under the Prevention of Crime Act, in addition to the district parole offices.
There is also the possibility of a suspended sentence where the offender is not placed in prison as an inmate.
"Right now there are fewer facilities in prison because only those who truly need to be jailed have to go in," Kausalya said.
"For example, if a mother neglects her children, she is sent to jail. Isn't that difficult for them? Perhaps there will only be a counselling session."
Life of luxury?
The 2020 budget had allocated RM16.9 billion to the home ministry with RM20 million specifically set aside to develop skills training and programmes for prisoners.
In 2021, however, the government spent RM630,480 a month – nearly RM230 million the entire year – just to cover the cost of food for inmates.
Estimating that food rations cost RM12 to RM15 per day, Kausalya said the prison department did need a high allocation for the cost of rehabilitation classes, workshops and industrial preparation efforts for prisoners.
She said the funds channelled to the institution was not just for food.
"The inmates don't live in the lap of luxury," she added. "They are only given bread and water. Surely we can give them this, at least."
She said the department also covered the cost of medical treatment for the prisoners.
"It's nothing surprising if an inmate sees a doctor for the first time after he or she is sent to jail," she said.
If prison sentences were to bear fruit, she added, they would require investments in human capital.
She gave the example of parents who feel that education for their children is a waste of time.
"There will be no results," she said. "The same goes for prisoners in jail, if they are not educated and there is no investment in human capital.
"Try and release them and see what happens."


Japan destroys new rocket in space after second-stage engine failure

Japan said it had destroyed a new medium-lift rocket it launched into space on Tuesday after the vehicle's second-stage engine failed to ignite, in a blow to its efforts to expand access to space and remain competitive in a launch market roiled by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
The 57 metre (187 ft) tall H3 rocket had lifted off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (Jaxa) Tanegashima space port, following an aborted launch last month. Jaxa said it sent a self-destruct signal to the rocket after the engine failure.
The H3 was carrying the ALOS-3, a disaster management land observation satellite that is also equipped with an experimental infrared sensor designed to detect North Korean ballistic missile launches.
Shares in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI), the H3's builder, fell 1.8% in morning trade, while the broader Japanese benchmark index was up 0.4%.
Powered by a new simpler, lower-cost engine that includes 3D-printed parts, the H3 is designed to lift government and commercial satellites into Earth orbit.
It also meant to ferry supplies to the International Space Station.
As part of Japan's deepening cooperation with the United States in space, it will eventually carry cargo to the Gateway lunar space station that Nasa plans to build as part of its programme to return people to the moon, including Japanese astronauts.
MHI has estimated that the H3's cost per launch will be half of its predecessor, the H-II, helping it win business in a global launch market increasingly dominated by SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 rocket.
In a report published in September, the Center for Strategic and International Studies put the cost of a Falcon 9 launch to low Earth orbit at US$2,600 (about RM11,600) per kg. The equivalent price tag for the H-II is US$10,500.


Vietnam bans all inbound international flights to battle fierce Covid-19 outbreak

The Vietnamese civil aviation authority has suspended all inbound international flights to its capital of Hanoi for a week as the nation seeks to contain its Covid-19 outbreak, with new cases doubling over the past month.The inbound flight suspension to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport will affect all international flights from June 1 until 7, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) said in a statement on Monday.Outbound flights will continue as normal. The CAAV did not specify in its statement whether domestic flights would be affected by the measure.Vietnam’s southern business hub and largest city, Ho Chi Minh, had previously introduced a similar measure banning all foreign arrivals to its Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The suspension was expected to remain in place until June 4, but the CAAV said on Monday that it would be extended until June 14.Even before the latest decision was announced, Vietnam had been limiting foreign arrivals to the country, with anyone arriving from abroad having to enter a mandatory 21-day quarantine.The country has launched a criminal probe after a Covid-19 cluster was linked to a Christian church in Ho Chi Minh City.HCM city’s top official, Nguyen Thanh Phong, said that extra restrictions were imposed to contain the cluster of infections connected to the Christian group called the Revival Ekklesia Mission.According to the VnExpress news website, 126 Covid-19 patients have been linked to the church since Wednesday.Police launched an investigation into the church on Sunday. The congregation is suspected of violating laws that ban “spreading dangerous infectious disease in humans”, news website Vietnamplus reported.Vietnamese media cited the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control as saying that worshippers had gathered in a small, poorly ventilated space and did not wear masks.State newspaper Vietnam News said Ho Chi Minh city now plans to test all 9 million residents, with a testing capacity of 100,000 samples a day.In total, the nation of 98 million has registered over 7,200 cases and 47 deaths to date. Its vaccination campaign has been limited so far, though, with only around 28,000 people fully vaccinated against the virus.The government is now encouraging local authorities and companies from Monday to import Covid-19 vaccines on their own, adding that it can be done through a health ministry procedure or through one of 27 licensed importers.


It’s ‘Sarawak premier’ from today onwards

The Sarawak chief minister will be known as the premier of Sarawak from today onwards, as amendments to the state constitution passed in the legislative assembly last month take effect.The office of the chief minister meanwhile will be known as the office of the premier of Sarawak.The deputy chief minister will be known as the deputy premier, while assistant ministers will be known as deputy ministers.The Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 was passed with the support of two-thirds of the assembly on Feb 15.Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who tabled the bill said the amendments would reflect the special status of Sarawak in the federation, following the recent changes to four articles in the Federal Constitution relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.He also said the move to replace “chief minister” with “premier” under Article 6(3) of the state constitution was similar to the practice in other commonwealth regions.“The head of the federation is called the prime minister, and heads of regions constituting the federation are called premiers while the other sub-regions or states are headed by chief ministers,” he said.


Japan stops use of 1.63 million Moderna doses over contamination

Japan will halt the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna’s Covid vaccine after reports of contamination in several lots, drugmaker Takeda and the health ministry said Thursday.Takeda, which is in charge of sales and distribution of the Moderna shot in Japan, said it had “received reports from several vaccination centres that foreign substances have been found inside unopened vials from specific lots”.“Upon consultation with the health ministry, we have decided to suspend the use of the vaccine from the lot from Aug 26,” it added.The firm said it had informed Moderna and “requested an urgent investigation”.Moderna did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Takeda did not detail the nature of the contamination, but said it had not so far received any reports of health concerns arising from affected doses.The health ministry said it would work with Takeda to secure alternative doses to avoid disruption to the country’s vaccine programme, which has ramped up after a slow start.Around 43% of Japan’s population is currently fully vaccinated, but the country is battling a record surge of virus cases driven by the more contagious Delta variant.Around 15,500 people have died from Covid-19 in the country during the pandemic, and large parts of Japan are under virus restrictions.


Over 22.86 million adults fully jabbed

A total of 22,864,655 individuals or 97.7% of adults had completed their Covid-19 vaccination as of yesterday.According to the CovidNow portal, 23,155,545 individuals or 98.9% have received at least one dose of vaccine.In terms of teenagers, 87.6% or 2,758,498 individuals have completed their vaccination while 2,849,786 individuals or 90.5% have been given at least one dose of vaccine.A total of 208,327 vaccine doses were dispensed yesterday, with 2,768 doses administered as first doses, 3,843 as second shots and 201,716 as booster jabs.This brings the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to 58,055,878, including 6,627,119 booster shots.


Najib’s shamelessness in lecturing others about shame

I refer to Najib Razak calling Muhyiddin Yassin a shameless hypocrite on the former’s social media recently.It started with Muhyiddin expressing relief over not having to work with a party that embraced someone convicted of criminal wrongdoings. Muhyiddin, the Bersatu president, was clearly alluding to Najib, who still holds sway in Umno despite being convicted of abuse of power and corruption.Najib shot back by saying that Muhyiddin could not have become the prime minister in March 2020 without the support of Umno.Najib must have forgotten that the tainted leader here is himself as he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million. His appeal has been rejected by the Court of Appeal and his final recourse is the Federal Court. In total, four top judges – one from the High Court and three from the Court of Appeal – found Najib guilty as charged.On top of that, there’s still a slew of outstanding criminal proceedings against Najib, not to mention the disrepute that Bossku has brought to the country.Najib seems to have forgotten that there is nothing wrong with a criminal backing a leader – provided there’s no quid pro quo. And Muhyiddin had made it clear, when he was PM8, that he would not entertain any requests to interfere in the judiciary.In fact, it was revealed that Najib had wanted Muhyiddin to remove senior DPP Gopal Sri Ram from prosecuting Najib. And because Muhyiddin refused to bend backwards, he lost the premiership last August due to a putsch by Umno’s “court cluster” led by Najib.Now that Muhyiddin is no longer the PM, he has, as a matter of principle, chosen to distance himself from the likes of Najib, who still pulls the strings in Umno. In other words, Muhyiddin is just consistently opposed to colluding with criminals. For Muhyiddin to do otherwise would be a sham.And who is Najib to question Muhyiddin for shamelessly accepting support from Umno when it suits Muhyiddin but opposing Umno when the chips are down? Najib does not have an iota of credibility to talk about “shame” when the Court of Appeal called Najib a “national embarassment” in the SRC trial verdict.If Najib knew what “shame” was, he wouldn’t have stolen billions from the country and made Malaysia an international laughing stock. If he knew what “shame” was, he wouldn’t have subjugated government machinery to keep himself in power and out of jail during his premiership. Najib is the last person in the country qualified to talk about shame!The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.


March 31 deadline for booster jab final, Khairy says it again

The March 31 deadline for Sinovac primary vaccine recipients to get a Covid-19 booster dose injection to retain their fully vaccinated status is final, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.He said after this, their vaccination status will change to incomplete if they have yet to receive a booster jab.“Starting April 1, for Sinovac primary vaccine recipients aged 18 and above and senior citizens who still have not taken a booster dose, their vaccination status will change from yellow to white.“It is final,” he said at a press conference on Covid-19 developments today.The health ministry previously said that vaccine recipients aged 60 and above and Sinovac recipients aged 18 and above must obtain a booster dose before Feb 28 to retain their fully vaccinated status.However, Khairy in a press conference on Feb 24 announced that the timeframe to obtain a booster dose for the groups had been extended until March 31.Khairy said that to date, a total of 35,000 senior citizens who were vaccinated with Sinovac had yet to receive a booster shot.“For the elderly, a booster dose has been shown to prevent the adverse effects of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important to get a booster dose.“Indeed, the Omicron wave is not seen to be as aggressive as Delta, but for the elderly, especially those with comorbidities, it will not be a mild disease as this can lead to death,” he said.Khairy said Sinovac recipients, especially the elderly, could now get booster dose injections by walking in at vaccination centres.In another development, Khairy said he would meet the parents of the 13-year-old boy who allegedly died after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine injection at the Presint 18 Health Clinic on Dec 30 last year.He said a meeting with the parents of the boy, Ravnesh Kumar, would be held at his office at the health ministry tomorrow.“It is better to meet the parents of the boy first before anything is announced… because the details of health and death are confidential,” he said.On Feb 26, a portal reported that the parents of the boy who died a few weeks after being vaccinated had called on the relevant parties to explain the cause of death of their only child.The boy was said to have collapsed in a lift at his housing block on Jan 16 while on his way to a karate lesson. He was rushed to Kajang Hospital where he was pronounced dead.


US state brings back outdoors mask mandate

Masks will have to be worn outside in Oregon, the state’s governor announced Tuesday, as the US grapples with a surge in Covid-19 cases.The mandate, which takes effect Friday, makes the northwestern state the first in the country to re-introduce a rule that was common during the darkest days of the pandemic.“The Delta variant is spreading fast and wide, throwing our state into a level of crisis we have not yet seen in the pandemic,” said Governor Kate Brown.“Cases and hospitalisations are at a record high,” she said. A 2019 study found Oregon has among the lowest number of hospital beds per capita in the country“Masks have proven to be effective at bringing case counts down, and are a necessary measure right now, even in some outdoor settings, to help fight Covid and protect one another,” added Brown.The rules mean everyone – vaccinated and otherwise – must wear a mask in any public place where people from different households are mixing.Oregon, along with other states, already requires the wearing of masks indoors, but is the first to require them routinely outside.Los Angeles County in California announced earlier this month that masks had to be worn at large outdoor events, like sports fixtures and concerts.The US is suffering a huge upswing in Covid-19 infections, driven by the highly infectious Delta variant.Scientists say the fight against the disease is being hampered by poor take-up of vaccines, which are free and readily available.Around half of all Americans are fully vaccinated, although take-up varies considerably from region to region.Despite their proven effectiveness, masks – and vaccines – are hugely controversial in the US, with opposition driven by politics, distrust of government and antipathy towards science.Health professionals hope that the full regulatory approval granted to the Pfizer jab on Monday will help overcome unfounded suspicions that the vaccine is unsafe.A growing number of public and private bodies are requiring employees to be vaccinated.But suspicions remain strong.A senior firefighter was being investigated in Los Angeles on Tuesday after posting a lengthy video in which he labels the fire department’s vaccine requirement for staff as “tyranny”.


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PM and PH leaders to sign historic memorandum on political stability

The government and the main opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) have reached an understanding which they say will return political stability as the country continues the Covid-19 battle, with a historic memorandum to be signed by both sides tomorrow.Representatives from both sides said in a joint statement today that the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability would be signed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob together with top leaders of PH, which now includes Sabah-based Upko, at Parliament tomorrow.“With this understanding, both sides will give focus and priority to a new political landscape through initiatives of transformation and reforms of governance, especially in strengthening the role of parliamentary institutions,” said the statement issued by 11 individuals representing the government and the opposition coalition.They said they had reached the decision following a series of talks between Putrajaya and PH, where they agreed to a bipartisan approach in Malaysia’s road to economic recovery from the pandemic.Yesterday, Ismail said his administration was ready to implement a series of reforms to strengthen the role of Parliament, similar to that made by his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin at the tail end of his administration last month.They include the tabling of a law that would force a re-election if an elected representative switches parties, a balanced representation of MPs from the government and opposition in the Special Parliamentary Select Committee, the implementation of Undi 18, consultation with MPs before the tabling of bills, an upgrade of the status of opposition leader to that of a minister, a 10-year limit to the prime minister’s term and the involvement of opposition members in the National Recovery Council to present their views and suggestions for improvements.Ismail had met with the top leaders of PH on Aug 25, in a move seen as in keeping with advice from the palace that the new government work together with the opposition in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.They also signed a rare joint statement pledging to find common ground in “lowering the political temperature”.In the statement co-signed by Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu, the leaders said among others that there was mutual agreement on strengthening the function of Parliament and making it more transparent.However, DAP said earlier this month that any failure to hold a confidence vote in Ismail when the Dewan Rakyat convenes would mean that a much anticipated cooperation across the political divide could not take place.DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said a confidence vote was the “correct constitutional position” despite an earlier revelation that the Agong had told Ismail such a vote was no longer required.The Dewan Rakyat reconvenes tomorrow.


US private school bars vaccinated teachers, falsely citing risk to students

A private school in Florida is barring teachers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 from coming into contact with students, arguing against all evidence that the educators pose a health risk.Critics have held up the move by the Centner Academy as a particularly glaring example of the dangers of misinformation as the US works to get its population inoculated.In an email to parents on Monday, co-founder Leila Centner wrote that vaccinated people “may be transmitting something from their bodies” that could harm others, in particular the “reproductive systems, fertility, and normal growth and development in women and children”.Centner acknowledged that the assertion, which is false, “is new and is yet to be researched”.The school urged faculty and staff who have not yet been vaccinated to wait until the end of the school year to do so, saying they should hold off “until there is further research available on whether this experimental drug is impacting unvaccinated individuals”.The claims, which have been circulating on social media, have previously been debunked by experts and fact-checkers.“There’s no evidence to suggest that vaccination will cause a person to shed the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In fact it’s an impossibility, since all of the vaccines cause cells to produce only the spike protein, and no other components of the virus. So there’s no way the virus can be produced by the vaccine,” said Jamie Scott, professor emeritus and former research professor of molecular immunity at Simon Fraser University in Canada.Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, associate professor of microbiology at York University, said that “no spike protein gets shed when we get vaccinated. This is skewed science”.US health regulators and the World Health Organization have said that the three vaccines being used in the US on an emergency basis are safe and effective.The Centner Academy was founded in 2018, has about 300 students and charges some US$30,000 a year in tuition for middle school, according to its website.Centner founded the school with her husband David Centner, a former tech and electronic highway tolling entrepreneur.The couple donated heavily to Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican party, while giving smaller amounts to local Democrats, said The New York Times, which first reported the school’s email to parents.Parents at the school were divided on the letter.“We support the decision of the school 100 percent,” one, who gave his name only as Fabio, told AFP.“Because there is not too much information about this experimental vaccine, so we don’t trust it,” he explained.Another parent, who gave her name as Lidia, told a local NBC affiliate: “They’re very pro- ‘my body, my choice,’ and yet, it’s the complete opposite of that is what she’s actually telling these teachers. It’s your body, but it’s her choice.”‘No scientific evidence’ –The United States has so far administered more than 232 million vaccine doses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), enough for more than half of all adults in the US to have gotten at least one shot.New Covid-19 cases are falling, according to CDC numbers, and the agency said Tuesday that Americans vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks outdoors, as long as they are not at crowded events.But vaccine hesitancy is becoming a greater barrier to the country’s inoculation campaign.Centner also claimed in the letter that “thousands” of women have reported their menstrual cycles have been affected by the vaccine, and that it has caused a 366% increase in miscarriages.The only citation she gave for the figure was an article published on The Daily Expose, a website branded as “conspiracy-pseudoscience” by the mediabiasfactcheck.com.AFP fact checkers have refuted the claim, and the CDC says there is no evidence for it.Aileen Marty, a physician and infectious disease specialist at Florida International University, described the Centner email as “sad”.“(T)here’s not one citation, there’s not one physician or scientist whose name is spelled out in there. There’s no references. There’s nothing. There is no scientific evidence provided,” Marty told the Miami Herald.


Najib and son filed appeal to avoid paying tax, court told

The Federal Court today was told that the action by Najib Razak and his son Mohd Nazifuddin to appeal against the summary judgments obtained by Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to recover more than RM1.7 billion in tax arrears was to evade paying the tax.
Head of revenue solicitor Hazlina Hussain who was representing the IRB said generally the taxation scheme of every tax administration in the world demands that taxpayers pay the tax due and payable regardless of any appeal.
"If this appeal is allowed by the court, public interest shall be prejudiced as a whole and this appeal is filed by the appellants to evade the tax that is due and payable in the first place," she said during the hearing of Najib Razak and his son Mohd Nazifuddin's appeals against the summary judgments entered against them before a panel of five judges led by Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim.
The other judges are chief judge of Malaya Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah and Federal Court judges Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Abu Bakar Jais.
She said, the scheme of taxation that a taxpayer must pay first does not prejudice or discriminate against the taxpayer as any taxpayer aggrieved by the director-general of inland revenue's assessment can appeal to the Special Commissioners of Income Tax (SCIT), which is set up by an Act of Parliament, the Income Tax Act (ITA) 1967.
"The taxpayers must pay the amount due first and payable regardless of any appeal. The rationale behind this principle is to treat taxpayers equally, vis a vis, between compliant and non-compliant taxpayers, and most importantly, to protect the government's coffers," she added.
Counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah representing Najib and Mohd Nazifuddin submitted that it was clear the respondent is seeking to bankrupt the appellants even before the SCIT can hear the merits of the defence to the additional tax assessments raised against his clients.
"If the respondent succeeds in bankrupting the appellants even before the SCIT can proceed or conclude, this would mean that the respondent's entire argument of the SCIT being the 'proper forum' is academic," he said, adding that this case was not one that is suitable for summary judgment as there is a reason why it should proceed to trial.
The lawyer said this court is cloaked with the jurisdiction to hear and determine the constitutional challenge arising from Section 106(3) of ITA which stated that in relation to IRB civil action to recover taxes, the court shall not entertain any plea that the amount of tax sought to be recovered is excessive, incorrectly assessed, under appeal or incorrectly increased.
At this point, justice Nallini interjected, saying that such provisions are essential to Malaysia's ability to collect taxes as part of the government's efforts to redistribute wealth among the people.
The judge said the country still needs to collect taxes and the government's ability to collect taxes may be jeopardised if every taxpayer is allowed to present their statement of defence during the tax suit.
“If every taxpayer can come to court and have a full trial (against the IRB's tax suits and with no summary judgment allowed) on the amount assessed, the country would come to a standstill. The B40 would be wiped out as there would be no money (in the government's coffers)," justice Nallini said.
After the parties submitted, the court reserved judgment on the appeals.
The former prime minister and his son are appealing against the High Court's decision to allow IRB's application to enter summary judgments over the income tax arrears.
A summary judgment is obtained when the court decides on a case, through written submissions, without a full trial and calling witnesses.
Two separate High Courts had allowed the IRB's applications to enter summary judgments to recover tax arrears of RM1.69 billion from Najib and RM37.6 million from Mohd Nazifuddin respectively, for the period between 2011 and 2017.
Both Najib and Mohd Nazifuddin lost their appeals in the Court of Appeal in September 2021 to set aside the summary judgments. On May 10 last year, the Federal Court granted them leave to pursue their appeals to the Federal Court.


Najib was ‘relaxed’ about US$700 million transfer to Jho Low’s company, court told

Former second finance minister Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah told the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday that if he were the prime minister, he would have taken action after US$700 million belonging to 1MDB was transferred to Good Star Limited, owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.Husni, 70, said he would have taken immediate action, claiming it would have affected the financial position of the government.The 20th prosecution witness said when he learnt that the money was transferred out to Good Star Limited and not directly to PetroSaudi International (PSI), he had asked Najib Razak about it.However, he said the former prime minister kept quiet and did not react or take any action over the matter.“If I were the top leader, I would have been shocked and I would have taken action. Tapi dia relax je (he was just relaxed),” he said when cross-examined by Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at Najib’s trial for the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in funds from 1MDB.The court was previously told that the US$700 million was transferred to Good Star Limited on Sept 30, 2009.“Najib never worried about that matter. I met him several times, but no action was taken by him,” said Husni.Shafee: As PM, without the engagement of the company, how could he have taken action?Husni: He could call the management, he could remove them (management). But no action also. Tapi dia relax je (but he was relaxed).Husni also testified that Najib had the power to decide on everything related to 1MDB, including the approval of investments.Najib, 68, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues today.


Negeri Sembilan to consider face mask mandate again if cases spike

The Negeri Sembilan government is considering making the use of face masks compulsory again, especially indoors, if there is a drastic increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.
Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who described this as an early preventive measure, said Covid-19 cases in the state were currently under control.
"The wearing of face masks may be made mandatory in government offices and schools, but only if cases increase suddenly. We are among the states with the least number of cases," he told reporters in Seremban yesterday.
He added that the state government would make face masks compulsory at the 75th birthday celebration of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at Istana Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah on Jan 14.
Aminuddin said Tuanku Muhriz also proposed that the public be encouraged to wear face masks at programmes where there are big crowds.


Ukraine’s embattled farmers running on empty as world faces food crisis

After making it through the spring planting season, sometimes with the help of bulletproof vests and helmets, Ukraine’s farmers are facing another challenge – finding enough diesel for the harvest to come.The war with Russia cut fuel supplies just as farmers stepped up work for the spring season and they have lost about 85% of their normal supplies since the conflict started on Feb 24, farmers, fuel distributors and analysts say.The total area planted with grain this spring is already expected to be up to 30% smaller than last year because of the fighting, and yields could drop too if farmers don’t get fuel so they can apply chemicals and harvest crops at the right time.Ukraine was the world’s fourth-largest grain exporter last season, shipping staples such as wheat and maize to Africa and the Middle East, as well as supplying half the grain procured by the UN’s World Food Programme for emergency aid.With Ukraine’s Black Sea ports blockaded, getting crops out is fast becoming a global issue and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is attempting to broker a deal for grain shipments to resume – and calm world food markets.In the year to the end of June 2021, Ukraine exported 45 million tonnes of grain. It had been expected to ramp that up to 65 million after a record harvest late last year but the war has left some 21 million tonnes stranded in silos across territory it controls as the 2021/22 season comes to an end next month.And while security has been the most pressing issue for farmers so far, with swathes of land cut off by Russian advances or damaged by shelling, fuel shortages are starting to bite as the next harvest looms.“Fuel is the biggest problem at the moment, more than anything,” said Kees Huizinga, a Dutch national who runs a 15,000 hectare dairy and crop farm in central Ukraine.Severe shortagesUkrainian farmers use most of the 1.5 million tonnes of diesel they consumer each year, or more than 10% of Ukraine’s annual fuel demand, in the spring season, said Taras Panasiuk, commercial director of petrol station operator WOG.Ukraine usually relies on Russia, Belarus and imports from elsewhere coming in by sea for most of its fuel. Last year, for example, more than 60% of its diesel came from Russia and Belarus, Ukrainian oil products consultancy A-95 estimates.Now, Ukraine has been forced to embark on costly and complex ways to bring in fuel via land from neighbours such as Poland and Romania, though a lack of capacity and red tape has slowed these efforts, the Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association said.That task has become more daunting as countries nearby are facing their own diesel shortages, while Russian strikes on the Kremenchuk oil refinery and fuel depots have further squeezed supplies within Ukraine.A shortage of tanker drivers is also hampering fuel deliveries as many have been enlisted to fight, analysts say.Roman Gorobets, director of FE Astra, which cultivates about 2,000 hectares in the central Poltava region, said waiting times for diesel deliveries to farms were now two to four weeks.“Things have worsened. We are facing severe fuel shortages all over the country,” he said.The government has announced contracts to import 300,000 tonnes of diesel and 120,000 tonnes of petrol to cover May, and the deputy chief of staff at Ukraine’s presidency, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Friday that 1,500 tonnes of fuel had reached a customs point in Lviv in the previous 24 hours.As with other key materials such as seed and fertiliser, farmers have largely covered their fuel needs so far by using stocks and tapping into alternative supply chains, farmers say.Crop shiftFarms have also adjusted crop plans. Notably, they have shifted away from corn as it is intensive to grow and can produce bumper harvests that could overwhelm Ukraine’s already brimming grain silos.Instead, they are opting more for barley, soybeans and sunflower seeds because they are cheaper crops to grow and generate smaller volumes once harvested.Based on stocks left over from last year’s harvest and current monthly exports of some 1 to 1.5 million tonnes via land routes, only 65% of the normal grain storage capacity will be available come July when winter crops start to be harvested.Some growers such Gorobets, whose company completed its spring planting in mid-May, say not being able to sell the next crop is the biggest threat facing Ukrainian agriculture and the global food market.A lack of diesel for tractors could still hamper the rest of the growing season if the conflict goes on.“If you can get seed, fertiliser, whatever chemical you need, it’s kind of a one-time. Fuel is more steady, you need it consistently,” said Matt Ammermann, a commodity risk manager at StoneX, who covers eastern Europe.Huizinga says his dairy and crop farm in central Ukraine has enough fuel to round off planting, but not to cover the harvesting that will start within a couple of months.Like other war-time factors, the potential impact of fuel shortages on crop production is hard to predict and the Ukrainian government has not given forecasts of harvest volumes.For wheat, mostly sown before the war as winter crop, some analysts tentatively expect loss of land to the conflict and a squeeze on supplies from fertiliser to fuel to bring production down by 35-40% from a record crop of 32 million tonnes in 2021.Even with a decline of that magnitude, that would still leave about 20 million tonnes needing to be threshed and transported from July.With timing so important for farming, fuel to power machines can be a make-or-break factor, said Mike Lee, director of Green Square Agro Consulting, which specialises in crop analysis in the Black Sea region.“If you don’t have diesel, you can’t drive a tractor, no matter how much fertiliser and seed you have.”


Dr M again blasts treatment for Najib

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again questioned the delay in the court’s decision on Najib Razak’s appeal against his conviction and sentence for corruption, saying he has been moving about freely for months despite being found guilty of money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust involving millions in funds from former 1MDB unit SRC International.In a blog post today, Mahathir blasted the delay, saying the date of appeal had been fixed in April.“The entire time, he has been free to move about like an innocent person,” he said. “His case has not been heard due to a litany of excuses.“He can attend the Dewan Rakyat even though he cannot go to court. Sometimes he claims he is unwell.“The Court of Appeal has heard his appeal, but it postponed its decision on the matter. Six months have passed now, and the court has yet to make a decision. Now this convict has been allowed to go to Singapore.”Najib, who was convicted of seven counts of money laundering, abuse of power and CBT in July last year, was recently allowed the temporary release of his passport to visit his daughter in Singapore.He and his wife Rosmah Mansor, who is also facing criminal charges but was likewise granted the temporary release of her passport, were slated to travel to Singapore together. However, Najib later applied for an amendment of dates in order to accommodate preparations for the Melaka state election, to be held on Nov 20.He is now expected to leave for the city-state on Nov 21, the day after the polls.Mahathir, who recently labelled Najib a “VIP criminal”, said even if the Court of Appeal upholds his conviction, he would then appeal to the Federal Court.“This will take time, too,” he said. “The 15th general election is around the corner, and Najib has yet to be confirmed as guilty by the Court of Appeal. He will definitely be able to contest in GE15.”Mahathir added that many corrupt people were now free to travel across the world while their sentences were either suspended or dropped.“The people must be proud,” he said. “Those who steal RM10 are put behind bars immediately. Those who steal RM1 billion can escape jail.“Yet again, the world is amazed by Malaysia, an example of a liberal democracy where the winners lose, the losers win, those who steal a little are jailed, and those who steal much go free.”


Hong Kong aims to get 10,000 hotel rooms in Covid fight amid reports of mass testing

The Hong Kong government plans to make up to 10,000 hotel rooms available for Covid-19 patients as the city battles a surge in cases and local media reported the government will make testing compulsory from March.Chief Executive Carrie Lam renewed an appeal for support from the global financial hub’s 7.5 million people, many of whom are fatigued by some of the world’s most stringent restrictions even as most other major cities adjust to living with the virus.Daily infections have surged by more than 40 times since the start of February and authorities have shut schools, gyms cinemas and most public venues. Many office employees have reverted to working from home.Lam’s comments, in a statement released late on Wednesday, came after Chinese President Xi Jinping told Hong Kong’s leaders their “overriding mission” was to stabilise and control the coronavirus in the global financial hub.“With the utmost concern and staunch support of President Xi Jinping… all in society must now join hands in riding out the fifth wave of the epidemic, displaying the Hong Kong spirit in full,” she said.“I am optimistic that, through the joint efforts by the Government and hotel sector, at least 10,000 hotel rooms could be made available.”In a move to free up beds for isolation, Lam said she had spoken with local hotel owners and security chief Chris Tang would oversee the operation of participating hotels.Hong Kong was expected to report around 5,000 new cases on Thursday, Now TV reported, up from the previous day’s record high of 4,285 confirmed infections and an additional 7,000 preliminary positive cases.Some media reports, citing sources, said the government planned to test up to one million people each day from March and those who failed to comply would be fined HK$10,000 (US$1,282).The government did not respond to a request for comment.Hong Kong has adopted the same ‘dynamic zero’ coronavirus strategy, employed by mainland China to suppress all outbreaks.But the scale and speed of the highly contagious Omicron variant of the virus has left authorities scrambling. Hospitals are operating at maximum or over capacity with some patients treated in makeshift open air spaces outside medical centres in chilly and rainy weather.Authorities said they could no longer keep up their testing and isolation mandates, resulting in a backlog that could not keep pace with the daily infection numbers.China has said it would help Hong Kong bolster its testing, treatment and quarantine capacity, and secure resources from rapid antigen kits and protective gear to fresh vegetables.Hong Kong has recorded around 30,000 infections since the start of the pandemic, and around 230 deaths, far fewer than other similar sized major cities.However, medical experts have warned daily cases could surge to 28,000 by the end of March amid worries about high levels of vaccine hesitancy among the elderly.


PM, Cabinet still hold executive power, says AGC

The Attorney-General’s Chambers today said that Muhyiddin Yassin and his Cabinet will continue to perform their executive function despite Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement late last night that the party had revoked its support for the prime minister.In a statement, it said there were no clear facts showing that the prime minister no longer commanded the majority support of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.“According to Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, whether or not an individual possesses the majority support of MPs must be determined by the MPs themselves and not through a statement by a political party or party leader,” it said.“Therefore, from the legal perspective, the prime minister and his Cabinet members will continue to carry out the executive power at the federal level.”In his announcement after chairing a meeting of the Supreme Council last night, Zahid said Muhyiddin had failed to fulfil several conditions as the basis of Umno’s support for the Perikatan Nasional government.“Umno urges Muhyiddin to step down gracefully and to allow a new prime minister for a limited term,” he said.He also said the government had failed to manage the Covid-19 crisis, accusing it of using the virus emergency for its political benefit at the cost of the country’s economy, and of failing to uphold democratic practices and to effectively distribute aid to the people.However, it is understood that the vast majority of Umno MPs are sticking with their decision not to revoke support for Muhyiddin, despite Zahid’s announcement.A senior Umno source said aside from Zahid, only a handful of MPs who include former leader Najib Razak and Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan have decided to revoke support for the prime minister.MalaysiaNow also reported that the Supreme Council had allowed MPs the freedom to break ranks with its decision to revoke support for Muhyiddin.