Free pneumococcal vaccination for children at health clinics starts today

The government has never appointed any agency to carry out house to house immunisation against Covid-19. AFP file photo

RAUB (Dec 1): The free pneumococcal vaccination under the National Immunisation Programme for children begins simultaneously today at the Ministry of Health (MOH) health clinics nationwide, which will benefit 500,000 children each year.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said children born on or after Jan 1, 2020, are eligible for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) which would be given in three doses, the two primary doses at the age of four months and six months, and the PCV booster at 15 months.

However, the pneumococcal immunisation schedule would be adjusted for children whose vaccinations have been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic this year.

“The administration of the pneumococcal vaccine is the most effective method to prevent pneumococcal bacterial infection and indirectly reduce the resistance to antibiotics. This vaccine is also safe and effective.

“The vaccination is vital and quite timely after the number of cases of children with the pneumococcal disease increased from 17,446 in 2017 to 19,773 last year,” he said after launching the National Pneumococcal Immunisation Programme for Children at a health clinic here, today.

Also present were MOH disease control director Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli, state Works, Transportation and Health committee chairman Datuk Seri Norol Azali Sulaiman and Pahang health director Datuk Dr Bahari Che Awang Ngah.

The vaccine is intended to prevent bacterial infections of streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus, which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, sinusitis, middle ear infection (otitis media), meningitis and bacterial infections in the blood (septicemia).

“Complications of pneumococcal disease include hearing impairment, brain deformity and death. Children aged five and below are the most at risk of becoming infected and experiencing complications of this disease. Apart from reducing the rate of morbidity and mortality due to related diseases, the vaccination can also reduce treatment costs,” he said.

Dr Adham also said that the MOH always ensures that the vaccine used is effective and safe, but parents are urged to report the side effects of the vaccine, if any, to health personnel or through the website at npra.gov.my.

MOH will also deploy the Orang Asli mobile team, mobile bus services, mobile boats and air doctor services to administer the vaccination to children in the rural areas, he added. – Bernama

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33 Sabah police frontlines tested positive for Covid-19 in stable condition

Hazani (file photo)

KOTA KINABALU: Thirty-three police frontliners in Sabah who were tested positive and still undergoing treatment for COVID-19 are in stable condition, according to Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

“Another 232 Sabah police frontliners, however, have been instructed to undergo quarantine at quarantine centres,” he told reporters after gracing the Sabah Police Contingent blood donation campaign here today.

Meanwhile, Hazani said the level of compliance with the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) standard operating procedure (SOP) among the Sabahans was at 98 per cent.

“It is at a good level. However, the police and other agencies will continue to monitor the situation so that the compliance level can be maintained or improved,” he added.

Over 200 police officers and personnel were involved in the two-day blood donation campaign to help patients in need as well as increasing the blood supply at local hospitals. -Bernama

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Reman pendakwah selebriti dilanjutkan

<p>Shah Alam: Reman pendakwah selebriti yang ditahan berhubung dakwaan merogol seorang gadis dilanjutkan lima hari lagi hingga Ahad.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

BNM’s international reserves at RM436.5 bln as at Sept 30, 2020

Malaysia’s international reserves stand at RM436.5 billion or US$ 105 billion as at Sept 30, 2020, and is sufficient to finance 8.4 months of retained imports and 1.1 times total short-term external debt, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. – Bernama file photo

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): Malaysia’s international reserves stand at RM436.5 billion or US$ 105 billion as at Sept 30, 2020, and is sufficient to finance 8.4 months of retained imports and 1.1 times total short-term external debt, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri said the reserves increased US$1.4 billion from US$103.6 billion at end-2019.

“International reserves are used for certain purposes and not to finance budgets or economic stimulus packages following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The economic stimulus packages were financed mainly through domestic loans from the local financial markets,” he said in response to a question from Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) who wanted to know the amount of total national reserves and Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) total international reserves as at September 2020.

The reserves of the country, which also refer to BNM’s international reserves, consist of foreign currency reserves, International Monetary Fund (IMF) reserves position, Special Drawing Rights, gold, and other reserve assets. – Bernama

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Floods: 5,422 PPS ready to accommodate 1.55 mln evacuees – Mohd Redzuan

Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof — Bernama file photo

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): A total of 5,422 temporary evacuation centres (PPS), capable of accommodating up to 1.55 million people, have been prepared to face the floods during the monsoon season, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said each PPS could house at least 200 flood victims at any one time.

He also said that the staff at the PPS were also prepared with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Security Council (MKN) to address the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic among evacuees placed at the centres.

“The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will continue to work closely with each state disaster management committee, state Civil Defence Force and other relevant agencies through engagement sessions involving management, disaster simulation, community capacity building and as well as ways to increase the resilience of all parties involved,” he said.

He said this in his reply to a question from Che Alias ​​Hamid (PAS-Kemaman) who wanted to know the level of preparedness of Nadma in facing the floods this monsoon season as well as compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs to curb the spread of the virus infection at PPS, during the Minister’s Question Time session.

He also said that 15,000 units of cubicle tents have also been distributed for the use of flood evacuees at the PPS while another 26,000 units will be sent later in stages.

“To ensure that the pandemic (Covid-19) can continue to be curbed during the northeast monsoon season, Nadma is coordinating the procurement of personal protection equipment (PPE) for the use of frontliners,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said through Nadma’s recommendations, telecommunications companies had developed a system of early disaster warning to the people through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) as well as the deployment of short messaging service (SMS) system which would be implemented between November and March every year.

He said that early warnings will be sent to residents in flood-prone areas so that they will stay vigilant or move to safer places if the need arises.

“Early warning for residents in flood-prone locations based on forecasts from leading agencies, namely the Meteorological Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage via the flood forecast and alert programme,” he said. – Bernama

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Lorry driver killed after vehicle crashed into another lorry at Samalaju Light Industrial Park

Bomba personnel extricate the victim who was pinned to his seat.

BINTULU (Dec 1): A lorry driver was killed when his vehicle crashed into another lorry at Samalaju Light Industrial Park early this morning.

The impact of the accident left the 33-year-old lorry driver pinned to his seat.

Samalaju Fire and Rescue station chief Hashim Norshidi when contacted said the victim was identified as Anggat Ukam.

He said five Bomba personnel were dispatched to the scene after received a distress call about the incident at 2.29am.

According to him, the other lorry driver was pulled out by members of the public and taken to a hospital for further treatment.

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Mechanic killed in accident at Mile 13 Bintulu-Miri road

Bomba personnel trying to extricate the victim from the wreckage.

BINTULU (Dec 1): A 33-year-old mechanic was killed after his car was involved in an accident at Mile 13 Bintulu-Miri road last night.

Bintulu police chief Supt Zulkipli Suhaili said the accident happened at about 10.20pm.

He said prior to the accident, the deceased identified as Robinson Engkang Rundang was on his way to Rh Gawan, Mile 14 and was believed to have lost control of his car.

Zulkipli said the victim’s car skidded to the right side of the road and crashed into the road divider.

“The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedic team and then taken to Bintulu Hospital,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Nine firefighters from Bintulu Fire and Rescue station were dispatched to the scene to extricate the victim who was trapped in his seat and the whole operation ended at 11.33pm

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38-year-old woman found dead in living of her house in Kuching

KUCHING (Dec 1): A 38-year-old woman was found dead in the living of her house at Jalan Stampin here yesterday.

According to Kuching district acting Police chief Supt Merbin Lisa said the woman was found by her friend who was worried about her after she  did not answer her call since Sunday night.

“Following that, three of the woman’s friends had gone to her house at around 1pm yesterday. She was found unconscious and her friends then contacted the police.

“However, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH),” Merbin said when contacted yesterday,

Merbin said initial investigation showed that there were no criminal elements involved in the death of the woman.

The woman’s body was transferred to the SGH for a postmortem.

“Preliminary examination on the woman’s body found no injuries and the case has been classified as sudden death while awaiting for the autopsy report,” he said.

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Motorcyclist killed, another seriously injured in accident in Kuching

The aftermath of the accident at Jalan Tan Sri Abang Ikhwan in Petra Jaya yesterday.

KUCHING (Dec 1): A motorcyclist was killed, while another was seriously injured after being involved in an accident at Jalan Tan Sri Abang Ikhwan in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

Sarawak Traffic Investigation and Enforcement department chief Supt Alexson Naga Chabu said, the victim was identified as Muhammad Amilluddin Mansor, 24 from Taman Puteri, Bandar Semariang here.

According to Alexson, during the accident at around 9pm, the victim was riding alone from Jalan Depo roundabout towards Jalan Sultan Tengah.

“The accident happened when a motorcycle from Jalan Sultan Tengah heading towards the Jalan Depo roundabout tried to overtake another vehicle before crashing into the victim who was coming from the opposite direction.

“Following that, another car who was from Jalan Sultan Tengah did not manage to avoid and crashed into one of the motorcycles,” he said in a statement today.

He added, both motorcyclists who were seriously injured were later taken to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

“However, the victim died when he was being treated at the SGH Emergency Unit, while the other motorcylist was reported to be in a stable condition,” he said.

The driver and the passenger of the car did not suffer any injury.

The investigation is on going and being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

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Diving activities allowed

Masidi (left) at the press conference.

KOTA KINABALU: Diving activities are now allowed in Sabah but the ban on inter-district travel at red zones remains in place.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said that the decision to allow diving is because it is categorized under sports and recreational activities that does not involve physical proximity.

He said diving is allowed on the condition that boats ferrying divers to the dive site carry only 30 percent of their capacity and comply with social distancing requirement.

On another note, the sole company licensed to handle clinical waste in Sabah, Sedafiat Sdn Bhd, receives between six metric tonnes and 13 metric tonnes of clinical wastes from the 45 quarantine centres in Sabah.

Masidi said that the Environment Department has been monitoring the company since March this year to ensure they comply with the guidelines set in the handling and management of clinical wastes.

He also said that to address the pile-up of medical wastes in Lok Kawi, where the company is situated, the construction of an incinerator has been suggested to destroy the wastes.

Another solution he mentioned is to ship the medical wastes to Peninsular Malaysia for them to be properly disposed of.

He added that prior to the shipment, the wastes must be properly packaged to ensure they do not compromise the safety and standard fixed.

As of yesterday, another 326 Covid-19 cases were detected in Sabah with one more death reported in Lahad Datu. This brings the total tally of Covid-19 cases in Sabah to 28,771.

About 153 cases or 46.93 percent resulted from close contacts followed by 101 cases (30.98%) from ongoing clusters, 28 cases from symptom-testing, 17 cases of community testing and 27 cases from other categories.

Masidi said that altogether, there are 90 clusters in Sabah with 64 still active. The cluster with the largest number of cases is the Kapayan prison which remains active until now.

The number of patients discharged yesterday was 459 bringing the total number of recovered patients to 25,567.

Meanwhile, 638 patients are still being hospitalized while 1,576 are being treated at PKRC (low risk treatment centres).

He also noted that 61 people are being treated at intensive care wards and 14 people require ventilation assistance.

Only 30.91 percent of beds available in Sabah are being utilized presently.

When presenting the daily Covid-19 briefing for Sabah, Masidi also said that the Temporary Detention Centre in Sibuga, Sandakan will undergo Enhanced Movement Control Order from Dec 2 to 15.

He said that 324 tests had been conducted there, with 104 detected positive involving inmates and staff of the centre.

The implementation of the EMCO involved 1,209 individuals consisting of 1,104 inmates and 105 personnel.

Kg Desa Bajau and Kg Dasar Baru in Lahad Datu will also undergo EMCO during the same period.

The Health Ministry had carried out 665 tests and recorded 90 cumulated cases from the two villages.

The EMCO will affect 914 houses with 4,934 people.

During the period of the EMCO, all social and economic activities will be halted with only retail outlets allowed to operate between 6am and 6pm and the market opens twice a week.

Masidi also said that the average compliance level of the people is 97.88 percent, with the folks in Kinabatangan, Sipitang and Kota Belud recording the highest percentage of compliance at 99 percent.

He mentioned that the shortest recovery period for Covid-19 in Sabah is 10 days but noted that this could be longer for people with prevailing health conditions.

Masidi also commented that politics should take the back seat and that efforts should be focused on stopping the pandemic from worsening.

He said this in reply to a question on the Bugaya by-election which has been announced by the Election Commission to take place in January 4.

However, he reminded that the decision is not up to the State government and urged that the precedent set by Batu Sapi to be made as a consideration.

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Vaksin ditemui, harga emas jatuh

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Berita pengumuman penemuan vaksin Covid-19 yang memberi kelegaan kepada semua orang di dunia termasuk di Malaysia menjadi faktor utama penurunan harga emas secara mendadak sejak kebelakangan ini.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

Top Glove to fully cooperate with authorities on EMCO extension

KUALA LUMPUR: Top Glove Corp Bhd yesterday said it will extend its fullest cooperation to the relevant authorities in flattening the curve with regard to the extension of the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) on the company’s hostels in Meru, Klang.

Earlier today, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the EMCO which was scheduled to have ended today, will be extended until Dec 14, 2020.

Top Glove said all Meru factory employees are undergoing a COVID-19 mass screening exercise, while sanitisation of the factories is also being carried out.

“Top Glove wishes to assure all stakeholders that we will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities through this period and adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures, with the continued safety and well-being of our employees and local community as our foremost priority,” it said in a statement. — Bernama

 

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Include Sabah in clinical trial for vaccine – SCCC

Liew

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) president Datuk Frankie Liew has urged the Health Ministry to include Sabah in the clinical trial for Covid-19 vaccine.

He said Sabah was one of the states with the highest positive Covid-19 cases, yet was excluded from the list of eight hospitals which have been selected for clinical trial for the Covid-19 vaccine.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia would undertake the Covid-19 vaccine trial in collaboration with China’s Institute of Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

He said the Health Ministry had selected eight government hospitals for the trial, namely Ampang Hospital, Sarawak General Hospital, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Pulau Pinang Hospital, Seberang Jaya Hospital, Taiping Hospital, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Alor Setar and Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh.

Liew said Sabah was one of the worst-hit states which once recorded over 1,000 daily increase in Covid-19 cases.

For the past week, he said the number of new cases daily hovered around 300.

As such, he believed that Sabah should be included as one of the clinical trial states.

“If the vaccine is successful, Sabah should be given priority in Covid-19 vaccination to curb the spread of the virus in the shortest time possible.

“It is baffling that Sarawak was included in the clinical trial when its new cases maintain at single digit, whereas Sabah that is severely hit by Covid-19 was excluded.”

Liew urged the Health Ministry to reconsider its decision and include Sabah in the clinical trial.

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Milimewa Superstore closes another branch

Milimewa Superstore Kota Kinabalu has closed on November 30 after 32 years of operation.

KOTA KINABALU: Milimewa Superstore in Kota Kinabalu was officially closed yesterday after 32 years of operation.

The Kota Kinabalu branch at Jalan Pantai was the fourth Milimewa Superstore to shut down after the Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Luyang branches since October this year.

Milimewa Superstore had 15 branches in Sabah. The 11 remaining branches are located in Penampang, Lido, Inanam, two in Keningau, Kota Marudu, Kudat, Ranau, Semporna and Tawau.

The two-storey building that housed the Milimewa Superstore in Kota Kinabalu was previously the Central Market and Kojasa Supermarket.

Milimewa Superstore ventured into Sabah around 32 years ago, offering local shoppers a variety of food and other products. It was also notably the first superstore to have escalator in the premises in the state capital.

After serving the local community for over three decades, Milimewa Superstore has undoubtedly left good memories among Kota Kinabalu folks.

The superstore has posted a notice at its entrance notifying customers that its Kota Kinabalu will no longer operate effective December 1 this year.

However, customers holding Milimewa membership card could still redeem their reward points at their nearest Milimewa branch, such as in Penampang, Lido or Inanam.

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Sabah’s MPs fail to voice out for Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: Former Putatan member of parliament Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh has expressed his disappointment towards members of parliament from Sabah for not raising their concerns when the national budget was unveiled.

“Except for the MPs from Sipitang, Kota Kinabalu, Kimanis, Semporna and Penampang, most are quiet. But even though they spoke, they were very brief. Perhaps there is a time limit?” he said to reporters.

“Our Sabah MPs are not as vocal as those MPs in Semenanjung. They are not vocal enough to voice out for the people of Sabah…the way they talk. They are towing the line.

“From my observation, they may not know what is the content of budget.”

He added that the national budget failed to specify what was in store for Sabah.

For example, the budget has failed to include the term ‘Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak’ and used only the general term ‘Bumiputera’, he said.

Mojigoh explained that although there was nothing wrong in this, it would be better if the term ‘Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak’ was used so that the Bumiputeras in both states would benefit from the budget.

He added that if the term is not specified, the assistance for Bumiputeras may not reach the target group in Sabah and Sarawak.

Mojigoh also queried the huge allocation given to Jcom (Community Communications Department).

He said that it is redundant to set up Jcom which carries the same function as the Information Department.

“The Information Department can carry out the function of correcting the fake news and misinformation. There is no need to set up another department,” he said.

He also queried the rationality of funding mega projects such as the Gemas double electric tracking and rapid transit from Johor to Woodland (Singapore), while reducing allocations for the much-needed Pan Borneo project for Sabah and Sarawak.

“Why scale down for Sabah?”

Mojigoh also berated the MPs from Sabah for failing to ask about the cabotage policy which is still causing prices of goods in Sabah to be 30 percent more expensive than in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Can you imagine how more expensive it is for these products when they are transported to the interiors of Sabah? The folks in the interior are the poor people. The government should subsidise the price difference of goods and costs incurred so that there is one price nationwide and avoid the anti-semenanjung sentiment by Sabah and Sarawak. We don’t want to be treated as adopted children,” he said.

He also reminded that because of the restriction imposed on shipping fleets to Sabah, even goods manufactured in Sabah are not competitive to those manufactured elsewhere in the country since it is costlier in the state.

He also reminded that Sabah is still the poorest state and urged Keningau MP Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili to look into getting companies that are headquartered outside of Sabah but are operating in the state to pay their tax dues to Sabah.

He said that these companies should pay corporate and sales taxes in Sabah since they operate in the state.

At the same time, he said that the federal budget should also include a specific budget to address illegal immigrants’ issues.

He reminded that the present government won because of the illegal immigrants issue.

“Hence the Federal government must give its priority to address the issue regarding illegal immigrants in the country.”

Mojigoh said that the plantation sector and construction industry must be required to employ locals and these sectors should move towards mechanization to reduce their dependence on foreign labour and deprive locals.

He also said that although the budget was acceptable, he would like to know the source of the funding for the largest budget for the country.

“Is it from the sales of assets of GLCs (government-linked corporations) or government? There needs to be transparency,” he said.

Mojigoh also commended the Finance Minister for being so accommodative towards the proposal from those taking part in the debate during the winding up, and also expressed his appreciation towards Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s proposal for the government to ‘look at Borneo policy’.

“Sabah and Sarawak people loved that. It is high time for the Malaysian government to focus on Sabah and Sarawak and the interest of her people so that the anti-Malaya sentiment among some people will cool down.”

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No reason to worry, border security tightened – Ismail Sabri

Ismail Sabri said the government is considering increasing the number of MAF personnel at the Malaysian-Thai border area to strengthen security control in the area where the shootings occurred. Bernama Photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Task Force (NTF) will be meeting this week to discuss measures on how to further tighten border controls following two shooting incidences at the Malaysian-Thai border last week that killed a security force member and injured two others.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said there may be a need for reinforcements, especially members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), there.

“The NTF will look closely on other needs as well, whether to set up new control posts and such or for added assets needed by the military and the police… all these will be discussed,” he said at the media conference on the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) here today.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said those in the northern region should not worry as the NTF has added reinforcements there.

“I was made to understand Chief of Defence Force (Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang) and the Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador) sometime this week will be providing more details on measures to be taken,” Ismail Sabri said.

Last Thursday, Ismail Sabri said the government is considering increasing the number of MAF personnel at the Malaysian-Thai border area to strengthen security control in the area where the shootings occurred.

At the same time, he said the ministry will continue to cooperate with the police in order to improve operational alertness in the area.

Last Tuesday, a General Operations Force (GOF) personnel Sergeant Baharuddin Ramli, 54, was killed while his colleague Sergeant Norihan a / l Tari, 39, was seriously injured during a shootout with a group of smugglers, about 600 meters from the TS9 control post in Padang Besar.

The following day, another member from the same battalion who was on duty at Post M16 in Bukit Kayu Hitam was injured after being shot by an air rifle.

Kedah police later said that the GOF personnel may have also been shot by a smuggler. — Bernama

 

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Man remanded three days for allegedly defying hotel quarantine in Miri

Photo for illustration.

MIRI (Nov 30): A 24-year-old man has been remanded for three days after he was arrested for allegedly flouting the government-imposed Covid-19 quarantine at a hotel here.

Magistrate Md Syafique Md Hilmie ordered the suspect to be remanded until Dec 3 although investigating officer Inspector Akmal Nashreq Abd Malik had initially applied for a four-day remand order.

In his remand application, Akmal Nashreq told the court that the suspect, who was being quarantined from Nov 16 to 29, was captured by a closed circuit television video (CCTV) camera leaving the quarantine centre on Nov 20 from 3.33pm until 9.24pm.

The suspect also left the quarantine centre on Nov 21 from 8.57pm until 11.05pm and Nov 22 from 12.05am until 1.07am.

Akmal Nashreq said a police report was lodged against the suspect which led to his arrest at 5.20pm yesterday at the Miri Central Police Station.

When questioned, the suspect told the police that he left the quarantine centre to go to his family’s house.

The man is being investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code for negligently spreading a dangerous disease and under Section 22(b) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

 

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Over RM26,000 raised during ‘Project of Love: E-Charity Sale’

See (right) and a presenter Cindy Chow taking bids for a Chinese calligraphy work during the online charity event organised via Facebook Live last night.

KUCHING (Nov 30): A total of RM26,077 was raised during a charity sale named ‘Project of Love: E-Charity Sale’ organised by Persatuan Kebajikan Rencana Kuching over the past two weekends.

Supported by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, the online charity sale conducted via Facebook Live was aimed at raising funds for eight charitable homes and organisations in the city.

About RM12,050 in nett proceed was raised during the charity sale last night, while the remaining was donated on Nov 21 (Saturday).

The eight charitable organisations and homes were The Salvation Army, Sarawak Society for the Blind, Sarawak Hun Nam Siang Tng, Sarawak Chesire Home, Pusat Perkhidmatan Warga Tua Kuching, Programme Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society and Sarawak Society for the Deaf.

Most of the items sold during the charity sale were of local brands, as part of a wider initiative to support local business, as well as handmade rattan baskets from Sarawak Society for the Blind.

Baru (right) presenting a song “This Land is My Land” with his daughter in a pre-recorded video to raise funds for charity.

The charity sales also featured two Chinese calligraphy works sponsored by a calligraphy master that each fetched RM3,000 and RM1,700 respectively to raise funds for the online event.

Besides that, an Iban community’s traditional attire ‘Baju Burung’ was given out during the online sale to one lucky viewer.

The highlight of the charity sale was a pre-recorded performance by Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian with the song “This Land is My Land’”, which had raised over RM3,000 for charity purposes.

Due to the ongoing Parliament sitting at Kuala Lumpur, Baru apologised for not being able to perform live for the charity event but he promised to try to make it for the final day of the online charity sale on Dec 11.

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Govt expected to earn palm oil windfall profit levy of RM500 mln in 2021 – MPOB

The government is expected to earn palm oil windfall profit levy of about RM500 million in 2021 if the price of crude palm oil (CPO) records between RM3,000-RM3,500 per tonne compared to the expectation of RM348 million a year this. – File photo

BANGI (Nov 30): The government is expected to earn palm oil windfall profit levy of about RM500 million in 2021 if the price of crude palm oil (CPO) records between RM3,000-RM3,500 per tonne compared to the expectation of RM348 million a year this.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said the revenue collection was not impossible if the CPO price remained above RM3,000 per tonne level.

“The expected revenue of RM348 million for this year is an estimate based on increased CPO prices since June.

“We hope that with production and demand, as well as good weather conditions, it is not impossible that it (windfall profit levy) can reach about RM500 million next year while the country faces economic challenges,” he told a press conference here today.

In 2019, the windfall profit levy revenue amounted to RM256,000.

Ahmad Jazlan said India is projected to continue importing crude palm oil from Malaysia next year with a double-digit growth.

This is driven by India’s reduction of customs duty on crude palm oil to 27.5 per cent from 37.5 per cent on Nov 27, 2020.

For the period of January-October 2020, palm oil exports to India amounted to 1.97 million tonnes valued at RM5.15 billion.

Since June 2020, demand from India began to increase due to activities to increase stocks in the country and demand is beginning to recover following the relaxation of lockdown measures and gradual economic recovery.

On the MPOB Cess Order 2020, which is scheduled to take effect on Jan 1, 2021, he said the matter was still at the study and discussion stage.

“We decided to impose the Cess Order at the appropriate time, for example when palm oil is at its highest level over the past eight years.

“The cess collected (RM5.00 one-off) will be returned for the sustainability of the palm oil industry and for the commodity to remain competitive, not for MPOB savings,” he said.

Ahmad Jazlan said the revenue collected from the cess is actually not enough for the MPOB operations as a whole, as it needs to be distributed to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), which is a separate entity that conducts palm-related activities and campaigns.

The MPOB Cess Order 2020 set an additional payment of RM5.00 cess per tonne of CPO and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) produced compared with the current total amount of RM14.00 cess per tonne of CPO produced. – Bernama

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Bunuh cucu: Polis siasat dakwaan suspek terbabit ajaran sesat

<p>Kuala Lumpur: Suspek utama warga Nigeria yang mencampak cucu tirinya di sebuah pangsapuri di Setapak didapati mengalami masalah mental.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

Opposition fails to stop RM6.9 bln increase to Budget 2021 in first bloc vote

Parliament members attend the Parliament session. – Bernama file photo

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 30): Opposition lawmakers lost by 10 votes in their attempt to block a proposal to add RM6.9 billion in allocations for management expenditure within Budget 2021.

The division of the House was triggered after Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun found those supporting and rejecting this via a voice vote to be indistinguishable.

“The results of the vote are as follows, not in attendance 20, do not agree, 95, agree 105,’’ Azhar announced after the division

He added that the aforementioned allocation was considered as adopted in Budget 2021.

Unlike the policy stage voting for Budget 2021 last week, nearly all Opposition MPs had risen today when Azhar called for the division earlier. A minimum of 15 lawmakers must rise to trigger the division.

MORE TO COME

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Stampin MP questions unfair devt expenditure allocation for Sabah, Sarawak in 2021 Budget

Chong Chieng Jen

KUCHING (Nov 30): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has questioned the unfair allocation of specific development expenditure for Sabah and Sarawak in the 2021 National Budget.

He said the specific development expenditure for the two Bornean states was about 13 per cent of the total RM69 billion development expenditure in the 2021 National Budget, compared to 17 per cent when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government approved the 2020 National Budget.

“Even though the development expenditure has increased from RM56 billion in 2020 to RM69 billion for 2021, specific development expenditure for Sarawak and Sabah still remains at around RM9.6 billion.

“Therefore this is an injustice to Sabah and Sarawak,” the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman said in his 2021 National Budget debate speech in parliament today.

Chong also said despite the increase in the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) development expenditure from RM2.93 billion in 2020 to RM7.22 billion for 2021, the allocation for the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division under the PMD was only at RM22 million compared to the PMD management expenditure of about RM4.47 billion.

“That is not even 0.5 per cent (of the management expenditure). And the number of posts in the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division is only 106 compared to the PMD with 24,000 officers.

“This shows that the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister (Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili) is the only minister who has no development expenditure under his own jurisdiction.

“This means that Sabah and Sarawak continue to be sidelined under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government just like back during the Barisan Nasional (BN) days,” he said.

Chong also highlighted another unfairness in the 2021 National Budget allocation for the development corporations (PKN) of Sarawak compared to other states.

He said Sarawak PKN was only allocated a measly RM665,000, compared to Johor PKN which was allocated RM14 million, Kedah RM16 million, Kelantan RM7 million, Terengganu RM1 million and Sabah RM9 million.

“Even though the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has been the kingmaker during the ‘Sheraton Move’, the PN government only appointed several GPS leaders as cabinet ministers, and showed no appreciation to Sarawak in the 2021 National Budget,” said Chong.

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