<p>Pelabuhan Klang: Sebuah helikopter persendirian terhempas di kawasan Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ), di sini, hari ini.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Where is Malaysia headed with Covid-19?
An observation written by Senior Consultant Paediatrician Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS.
This past year has been an emotional, financial and medical ‘roller-coaster-ride’ for all of us in Malaysia. 2020 has brought much anguish, despair and grief to many, especially those in poverty, pushed into poverty or have lost their jobs or a family member due to Covid-19. While we have done reasonably well in managing the pandemic, it has exposed many of our limitations.
Never before have we as a nation or health service faced such a prolonged outbreak for which, even now, we can see no immediate end. We recognise our health care professionals are fatigued and the system is not able to cope. This long-drawn-out pandemic has eaten into the emotional reserves of our health care professionals. They need our compassion and support.
We need to reflect on the coming year and ask ourselves where we are going as a nation with Covid-19. We cannot keep looking at and be affected by the day to day numbers of reported cases detected. I would suggest we stop looking at these numbers as they are just a factor of the scale of testing – how wide and how many tests we do each day. Models suggest we are missing at least 3-4 times as many cases as we detect, perhaps higher. In addition it is important to note that our testing remains very limited and is being restricted. For example we hear in some states of restrictions placed on general practitioners (GPs) on how many tests they can do per day because the system cannot cope with pickups and placements of persons detected as Covid-19 positive.
Hence the public does not get a full picture of the true situation and cannot respond appropriately, allowing for fake news to abound. Whistle-blowers tend to get victimised. The ingrained mentality to always hide unpleasant truths needs to stop. One problem is that we have a major trust deficit.
So where are we going as a nation with Covid-19 in 2021? We have used MCOs as a tool to try and mute the spread of Covid-19, especially in the face of our limited testing response. But this cannot continue as it now harms a significant portion of the population. Vaccines offer us much hope but we will have to see how they will work in the real world context, to control the pandemic from spreading, and allow some return to an active society. Even then we will have to maintain many SOPs for the coming year at least.
For Malaysia to have a hopeful 2021 where Covid-19 is concerned we need the following changes in outlook and behaviour.
Transparency is Crucial
If we want to move forward then there must be transparency. We must not learn about things first from whispers on social media and cries for help on Twitter or Facebook. We must learn it first from the authorities, no matter how unpalatable the situation. The public must not be given part of the information or part of the truth but the whole truth. Sharing extensive data openly is the only way we can work together as a nation. This is the way we can mobilise everyone and can be united as a nation to fight this scourge.
Stop Blame Shifting and Take Responsibility
Stop putting the entire blame on the public for the failure to control the pandemic. It is time to stop fining and arresting the average citizen for SOP violations. The failure of some elected representatives in government to maintain effective SOPs and the lack of penalty for them is a major thorn in the side of the public. In addition, get ‘your own house in order’ first – some government departments have not embraced the SOPs, as can be seen from their image postings of recent official meetings and gatherings. It is time to continue supporting health staff and not discourage them with threats of disciplinary action for lapses in SOP. We must also stop the negativity towards our economic migrant workers, they have contributed to the development of our nation and we must support them in this pandemic. Encouraging compliance with leadership-by-example and taking responsibility for failures is what is required.
We Need Many Voices
We need many people with ideas to speak up. We need many divergent views to be aired and discussed. We need an ongoing national dialogue to chart the best way forward. There is no time now to ‘lead from front’ and ignore the wealth of knowledge and thinking ability available in the community. No one can see the unknown, or predict accurately what is going to happen with Covid-19 in the near future. Hence it is important that we encourage the community to express critical opinions and learn from each other. We must stop this culture of trying to silence individuals who speak or share divergent views on how to tackle the outbreak.
More Support is Required
The amount of resources and support we have put into dealing with this pandemic is still limited. We need to ramp up our support and initiatives. We urgently need to absorb all the health manpower that is available (before we lose them to our neighbours). No one should be left on a contract job – all medical officers, pharmacists, nurses or other allied health staff on contracts should be offered permanent posts immediately. This should include the thousands of medical/pharmacy graduates waiting to get a job. We must ramp up our testing capacity considerably to enable the end to MCOs. Using extended MCOs as a control measure without wide-scale testing only damages the economy. We need to do at least 100,000 antigen tests per day for community screening and reserve PCR for symptomatic admissions. On-going, significant improvement in health infrastructure is vital. We need to extensively support those who are suffering in this time – those who have lost their jobs, are struggling financially and have no food security. This has still not been fully resolved by government agencies.
Truth must be spoken and we cannot hide the reality of the Covid-19 situation and impact on the country. Any attempts to do so will only harm the nation. Our hope, as always, is in the people of this nation who will rise to any challenge if they are given the information, opportunity and freedom.
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Malaysia, Singapore terminate HSR project after failing to reach agreement
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 1): The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project has been terminated, as both countries failed to reach an agreement on changes proposed by Malaysia before the project agreement lapsed on Thursday (Dec 31).
A joint press statement by Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong said the Malaysian government had proposed several changes to the HSR project due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian economy.
“Both governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement. Therefore, the HSR Agreement had lapsed on Dec 31, 2020,” it said.
The leaders said both countries will abide by their respective obligations and now proceed with the necessary actions, resulting from this termination of the HSR Agreement.
“Both countries remain committed to maintain good bilateral relations and cooperate closely in various fields, including strengthening the connectivity between the two countries,” they said.
On May 31 last year, the two governments agreed to postpone the development of the RM110 billion bilateral project until Dec 31, 2020.
It was the second time the 350-kilometre HSR project had been postponed after it was first postponed in September 2018.
On Dec 13, 2016, Malaysia and Singapore inked the landmark bilateral agreement to pave the way for the implementation of the HSR project, which was scheduled to be completed in 2026 and would cut travel time between the two cities to just 90 minutes. — Bernama
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RCEP a proof of Malaysia, member countries resolve to strengthen regional integration – Azmin
Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali
KUALA LUMPUR: The recently concluded Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement is a proof of Malaysia, together with Asean member countries and the five Asean Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) partners, resolve to continue strengthening regional economic integration, facilitating cross-border trade and investment, and reducing non-tariff barriers.
Senior Minister cum International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the RCEP agreement was the largest FTA covering 2.2 billion or nearly one third (29.7 per cent) of the world’s population and contributed US$24.8 trillion or almost one third (28.9 per cent) of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) based on the World Bank’s data in 2018.
“The RCEP can accelerate the process of the regional economic recovery post Covid-19, as well that of our country, through market opening, increased investment, trade facilitation and industrial integration, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the regional value chain,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Despite all the challenges and uncertainties of the global economy triggered by the spread of Covid-19, Mohamed Azmin said all the government’s efforts and careful planning to rebuild the country’s economy have paid off.
“Bank Negara Malaysia, in its report, stated that real GDP in the third quarter of 2020 recorded a contraction of 2.7 per cent.
“The contraction in the GDP rate, which was much smaller in the third quarter of this year compared to the second quarter of 2020, which was -17.1 per cent, reflects the growing economic activity,” he said.
He said the country’s economic recovery was the result of the government’s responsible action to implement four economic stimulus packages, namely Prihatin, Prihatin SME, Penjana and Kita Prihatin worth RM305 billion.
The reopening of the economic sector and rising external demand have also helped revitalise business and investment activities.
“The Perikatan Nasional under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin will continue to strive to champion the country so that Malaysia continues to develop as a progressive country in all aspects.
“We want to make 2021 a year that promises prosperity, peace and unity of the rakyat and the country,” he said. — Bernama
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Panik rumah diserang lelaki dengan cangkul
<p>Sitiawan: “Saya bersyukur tidak diapa-apakan, namun kejadian itu sangat mencemaskan terutama apabila lelaki itu kelihatan agresif dengan memegang cangkul,” kata wanita yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Ira.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Malaysia, Singapura tamatkan projek HSR
<p>Kuala Lumpur: Projek Kereta Api Berkelajuan Tinggi (HSR) Kuala Lumpur-Singapura ditamatkan memandangkan kedua-dua negara gagal mencapai persetujuan berhubung perubahan yang dicadangkan oleh Malaysia susulan perjanjian projek itu berakhir pada semalam.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Helikopter terhempas, dua cedera
<p>PELABUHAN KLANG : Sebuah helikopter persendirian terhempas di kawasan Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ), di sini, hari ini.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
PM umum strategi bersepadu pemulihan negara pasca Covid-19 [METROTV]
<p>Kuala Lumpur: Kerajaan menggariskan lima keutamaan dalam strategi bersepadu pemulihan negara pasca Covid-19 bagi 2021.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Nikmati kemanisan hidup
<p>SELAMAT tinggal 2020, selamat datang 2021.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Siasat onar 'orang dalam'
<p>Tasek Gelugor: Siasatan pihak berkuasa sama ada terdapat ‘orang dalam’ bersubahat dalam isu pelepasan najis babi ke dalam Sungai Kereh dijangka mampu menyelesaikan masalah yang berlarutan selama empat dekad itu.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
Authorities conducting contact tracing, health tests on Rumah Uming residents following positive Covid-19 case there
KUCHING (Dec 31): The Sarawak Health Department has conducted active contact tracing following the detection of a positive Covid-19 case at Rumah Uming, Sungai Mador, Meradong yesterday.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), as of 12pm today, 31 close contacts of the case have been placed at a quarantine centre in Sarikei and Sibu for 14-days isolation and quarantine.
The first Covid-19 screening has also been conducted on the individuals and samples have been sent to Sibu Hospital for testing.
“All tests are awaiting results and a second swab test will be done on Day 10 before they are allowed to return home. Sarikei Health Department with the help of other agencies under Sarikei Disaster Management Committee will conduct swab tests on all Rumah Uming, Sg Mador residents to ensure none of them were infected,” said SDMC in a statement today.
“We are estimating 120 villagers will undergo the screening. The 11 passengers who were on the same flight as the case and are still in Sarikei were given swab tests and results returned negative. Tracing for other close contacts are being carried out by the Sibu Division and Sarikei Division Health Offices.”
Sarawak Health Department thanked the various agencies involved for their co-operation and help in this activity and also cooperation from Rumah Uming, Sungai Mador villagers during the active control and contact tracing.
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Covid-19: 2 new cases detected in Sarawak today, both imported cases in Miri
KUCHING (Dec 31): Sarawak recorded two new imported cases of Covid-19 in Miri today, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,117.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), case 1,116 is a Malaysian who works as an assistant pilot at a rural air service in Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak who went for a scheduled Covid-19 screening as he works in an essential service sector. His last test on Dec 14 was negative.
He sought treatment and Covid-19 screening on Dec 29 at a private hospital after getting a sorethroat the previous day. He tested positive for the virus on Dec 30.
Based on early investigation, he had an overnight return trip between Kota Kinabalu and Miri on Dec 21, 24 and 26 before showing symptoms on Dec 28.
He had visited several eateries and shopping malls around Miri on Dec 28 and flew from Miri to Lawas, Ba’Kelalan and Bario on Dec 30. He had also visited several eateries at Miri Airport and a restaurant in Miri City before he was warded for further treatment on Dec 30.
“The case is categorised as an imported case as he was infected at high-risk area which is in Sabah. Detailed movement and contact tracing for the case is being actively carried out by Miri Division Health Office,” said SDMC in a statement today.
Case 1,117 is a Sarawakian man who came back from Kuala Lumpur via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Dec 27.
He worked as a technician in Johor since January before shifting to Penang as a temporary security guard from Dec 21-24. On Dec 25, he went back to KL and stayed overnight at Tasik Bandar Selatan before coming back to Miri on Dec 27.
Upon arrival at Miri Airport, he was placed under quarantine and had a Covid-19 screening on Dec 29 and tested positive for the virus on Dec 31.
He was asymptomatic and was warded at Miri Hospital for further treatment. This case is categorised as imported case as he was infected while in Johor or Penang. Active close contact and social contact tracing is being carried out.
Meanwhile, SDMC also informed that one case was allowed to be discharged today from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), bringing the total number of recoveries in the state to 1,069 or 95.7 per cent of the overall cases.
“There are 27 patients who are still being treated and isolated, of which 11 are receiving treatment at SGH, seven at Miri Hospital, five in Bintulu Hospital and four in Sibu Hospital. None are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or require breathing assistance.”
There are no new deaths reported and the state’s death toll remains unchanged at 19.
On the number of persons-under-investigation (PUI), SDMC said eight new cases were reported with none awaiting test results.
Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Lawas remained yellow zones with the total of five local transmissions reported over the past 14 days, with two of them in Sibu and one each in Kuching, Bintulu and Lawas. The remaining 36 districts remain as green zones.
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Malaysian Well-Being Index up by 0.6 pct in 2019
Mohd Uzir said the positive growth in well-being of Malaysians came from increases in 11 out of 14 economic and social components in 2019. — Bernama file photo
PUTRAJAYA (Dec 31): The Malaysian Well-Being Index (MyWI) increased 0.6 per cent to 121.0 index points last year compared to 120.3 index points in 2018, largely due to a positive growth in economic well-being.
Malaysian chief statistician, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the positive growth in well-being of Malaysians came from increases in 11 out of 14 economic and social components in 2019.
“The increase was encouraged by economic well-being, growing by 2.3 per cent to 131.8 index points in 2019 compared to 128.8 index points in 2018.
“Social well-being, however, dropped 0.6 per cent from 115.6 index points in 2018 to 114.9 index points in 2019,” he said in a media statement here today.
The MyWI report was published to measure the level of well-being of Malaysians from the economic and social perspectives, comprising five economic and nine social components.
The five economic components are transport, communications, education, income and distribution as well as working life while the nine social components are housing, leisure, public safety, social participation, governance, health, culture, environment and family.
MyWI, which measures the development of Malaysians’ well-being, showed a significant increase in economic well-being compared to social well-being from 2000 to 2019.
Economic well-being registered an increase of 31.8 points while social well-being increased 14.9 points during the same period.
The increase of both social and economic components drove the MyWI index up by 21.0 points to 121.0 in 2019.
Mohd Uzir said all five economic components and six out of nine social components registered positive growth last year.
He said the three highest indices among the economic well-being components were the transport component (139.6 index points), followed by the education index (133.2 index points) and communications (130.9 index points).
“In terms of social well-being, the three highest indices were leisure (132.5 index points,), public safety (132.3 index points) and governance by 122.7 index points,” he said.
The calculation of the 2019 MyWI took into account 68 indicators, including 26 economic indicators and 42 social indications.
In line with the current needs and situation, the report was improved with an additional new indicator, which is infectious disease under the health component.
MyWI is an important benchmark in the formulation of policies and programmes to achieve a developed high income status country that is inclusive and sustainable.
To ensure the well-being and lifestyle of Malaysians continue to be given priority, the Malaysian Statistics Department will conduct a study for the development of the Malaysian Human Development Index and the Malaysian Happiness Index next year. – Bernama
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Fundamental changes needed for Labuan’s economic recovery
LABUAN: Having endured the pain inflicted by Covid-19 in 2020, Labuan’s economy is on a bumpy road to recovery in 2021, according to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Dr Romzi Ationg.
He said the duty-free island, a federal territory like Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, has taken a beating on the economic front as Covid-19 has “rubbed salt into an open wound” in 2020.
But there is still hope if fundamental changes could be made to deal with the unprecedented impact of the pandemic, both in terms of policymaking and the way businesses operate, he told Bernama in an interview.
“There is a need for federal government consensus for fundamental changes in the way Labuan is to be managed.
“It is generally agreed that changes should include severance of the collusive link between government and business as well as financial institutions,” he said.
Dr Romzi said the pandemic posed formidable challenges to policymakers and had direct and indirect effects on the interconnected global economy.
“Labuan, being Malaysia’s international business and financial centre contributing hundreds of millions (of ringgit) in taxes to the government’s coffers, was not spared the impact,” he added.
“On the supply side, (the Covid-19) infections reduced labour supply and productivity, the lockdowns resulted in business closures and supply disruptions.
“On the demand side, there were layoffs and the loss of income (from morbidity, quarantine and unemployment) and the worsened economic prospects reduced household consumption and firms’ investment,” he said.
He is of the view that the extreme uncertainty about the path, duration, magnitude and impact of the pandemic could pose a vicious cycle of dampening business and consumer confidence and tightening financial conditions, which could lead to loss of jobs and investment.
He said the key challenges for any empirical economic analysis of Covid-19 are how to identify this unprecedented shock, how to account for its non-linear effects, how to consider its cross-country spillovers and how to quantify the uncertainty surrounding forecasts, given its unprecedented nature.
To be sure, it had not been smooth sailing for Labuan’s economy even before the deadly coronavirus struck early in 2020.
On April 29, 2019, Labuan business chambers submitted a memorandum to the Federal Territories Ministry with a list of 15 economic issues which it said were “sine qua non” for economic recovery. The pandemic simply exacerbated the situation.
Bernama had reported that at least 29 entertainment outlets and sports bars, including karaoke outlets, on the island were at risk of closure after the owners incurred losses to the tune of RM6 million since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18.
The losses led to concerns over the future of the local entertainment industry.
Associate Professor Dr Geoffrey H. Tanakinjal of Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) said Labuan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was RM7.6 billion in 2019 according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
The main economic leader was the services industry with a contribution of RM5.9 billion (2018: RM5.5 billion), followed by the manufacturing industry (RM1.4 billion), construction industry (RM177.2 million) and the agriculture industry (RM133.3 million), all of which reported increased values.
The situation changed in 2020 due to the pandemic which suspended global economic activity, said Geoffrey, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of International Finance.
“Owing to the need to remain indoors, work losses were inevitable. While work from home has been implemented, the fact that companies are not used to closing their doors during business hours has not changed.
“Labuan also depends on outsiders to spur the island’s tax haven status. Education is a significant segment,” he said.
He said UMSKAL has a capacity for 1, 900 students, the Labuan Matriculation College usually has around 2,100 students and the Labuan Vocational College and the Industrial Training Institute, 500 each.
“Approximately 5,000 students from outside Labuan spend on their daily needs, food, transport and accommodation. The trickle-down effect of student spending has had a huge impact on Labuan’s economic environment as their spending directly impacted small business establishments.
“Imagine, if one student spends RM100 per month, the total group spending will be RM500,000 per month or RM6 million per year,” said Geoffrey. – Bernama
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Fictitious agreement used to mask bribe payment to Rosmah, says prosecution
Rosmah arrives at the Kuala Lumpur Courthouse to attend a court proceeding on Sept 14. – Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): A fictitious agreement was used to cover-up the payment of the bribes from former managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, Saidi Abang Samsudin, to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, said the prosecution.
The prosecution, led by senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram said, the purpose of the said agreement was to ‘regularise’ the bribe that Rosmah would receive.
“The object was to prepare an agreement to conceal the true nature of the payment by Saidi, who is the 17th prosecution witness, to the accused. The euphemism ‘consultancy’ was used to mask the payment of the bribe,” said the prosecution in its written submission filed at the High Court here, on Tuesday (Dec 29).
Rosmah, 69, is on trial for soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi, as a reward for helping Jepak Holdings to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project, as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel gen-sets, for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, which was worth RM1.25 billion from the Education Ministry (MOE) through direct negotiation.
The presiding judge, Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, fixed Feb 10 for the parties to appear before him for oral clarification, before deciding whether to acquit Rosmah of the corruption charges or to call for her defence.
The prosecution, who closed its case on Dec 11, said, if the payment in question was truly a genuine political donation to Rosmah’s husband, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, then it was unnecessary to mask it under a ‘consultancy agreement’.
In the submission at the end of its case, the prosecution said the agreement for the solar hybrid project that has since gone missing, was prepared by the 20th prosecution witness, businessman Lawrence Tee Kien Moon.
“Tee is a truthful witness and despite the accusations of unethical conduct hurled at him, his credibility remains unshaken. He is a disinterested witness and his evidence is purely of corroborative value,” it said.
The prosecution said, based on evidence, the money was delivered to Rosmah on two occasions, the first payment of RM5 million was delivered to her official residence and the second payment of RM1.5 million was delivered to her private residence.
It said there was evidence that Rosmah spoke to former Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, the ministry’s then secretary-general Tan Sri Madinah Mohamed and Madinah’s successor, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad, to facilitate or accelerate the award of the contract to Jepak Holdings and later to expedite payment to the company (Jepak Holdings).
“This evidence fairly supports the prosecution case that the accused solicited for a bribe as a reward for assisting Jepak to obtain the solar contract,” the prosecution said.
It said the decision of the Public Prosecutor to prosecute Rosmah and adduce such evidence that is lawfully admissible to prove her guilt is not selective or discriminatory prosecution.
The prosecution said the accused’s contention of selective or discriminatory prosecution, which it denied, was not a defence to the charges against her.
“Based on the foregoing, this Honourable Court is respectfully moved to make a finding that the prosecution has established a prima facie case and for an order that the accused’s defence be called upon all three charges,” it said.
Meanwhile, the defence, in its written submissions filed on Monday (Dec 28), countered that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case because it was abundantly clear that Saidi was the one who intended and offered a political donation to Rosmah.
The defence, led by lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh, said that the political donation was meant for Najib, as a “gesture of gratitude” for supporting the application by Jepak Holdings, and to ensure the victory of Barisan Nasional during the 14th General Election (GE-14).
On the alleged consultancy agreement, the defence said, Rosmah had no knowledge whatsoever about the document, which was purportedly drafted by Tee, and that Saidi ,in his witness statement, also testified that the idea to draft a consultancy agreement was Tee’s idea.
“There is no independent evidence before the court that the accused has knowledge about the alleged consultancy agreement or the accused has sighted the same. After the alleged consultancy agreement was drafted and finalised, the parties were Jepak and a company named Lucky from Taiwan (the name was given by Tee), and the name of the accused was not mentioned at all.
“Since the accused had never instructed and her name was not mentioned at all in the alleged consultancy agreement, a nexus could not be made to the accused,” it said.
The defence said there was also no credible evidence produced by the prosecution to corroborate the evidence of Rosmah’s former aide, Datuk Rizal Mansor, to prove that he was indeed instructed by the accused to ask for the gratification from Saidi.
Further, it submitted that, the fact the gratification was allegedly demanded through Rizal showed that Saidi had no firsthand knowledge in proving that Rosmah was the one who demanded the gratification.
“The prosecution has failed to show credible and independent evidence that the accused solicited and received any of the corrupt monies. The truth completely unfolded through the evidence of the three main prosecution’s witnesses Saidi, Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah (Saidi’s former business partner) and Rizal, where their evidence contradicted with each other.
“The prosecution’s case does not lead to an irresistible inference that the accused committed all the offences as charged. Hence, defence should not be called merely to clear or clarify the prosecution’s case,” said the defence. – Bernama
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2021: King, Queen pray for Malaysia’s recovery from Covid-19
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (right) and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. – Bernama file photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, have expressed their hope that the arrival of Covid-19 vaccine can flatten the pandemic curve and break the virus transmission in Malaysia.
Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah also hoped that the people would remain patient and resolute in facing the Covid-19 pandemic as well as prayed for the country’s recovery.
The Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world and the country since the beginning of this year has drastically changed the way people live their daily lives and affected the economy as well as the socio-economic well-being of the people.
“Their Majesties also take this opportunity to express their gratitude to the Almighty who has bestowed Malaysia with peace and unity even though throughout the year 2020, the country we love was hit by various tests,” he said in a statement today.
Extending 2021 New Year greetings to all Malaysians, Their Majesties advised the people to always ensure the safety and health of themselves and their families by complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the government. – Bernama
— MORE TO COME —
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Lift ‘mining lease’ on land in Bau to enable more development, says Tasik Biru rep
Abang Johari (third right) shares a light moment with local community leaders in Bau (left) after they present the memento — a gold nugget — to him. Seen from right are Abdul Karim, Manyin and Henry. Photo by Roystein Emmor
BAU (Dec 31): Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Jinep has urged the Sarawak government to lift the ‘mining lease’ imposed on certain areas in Bau to pave the way for new development for the district.
According to him, gold mining activities in Bau, which started way back in 1820, had come to a complete halt in 2014.
“Despite the cessation of gold mining activities in Bau, a vast tract of land in Bau is still under the mining lease, making these lands impossible to develop.
“These lands hold great potential to be developed as residential areas, tourist attractions including hotels, resorts and even golf courses to support the development of Greater Bau,” he said before Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the Bau Bicentennial Celebration 2020 in the Tasik Biru Square here today.
According to Henry, Greater Bau comprises not just Tasik Biru but also Siniawan, Buso, Krokong and other areas.
He said the locals in Bau wished to see more new development planned and implemented in the district.
As such, he called on the chief minister to lift the mining lease imposed on the land in Bau so as to see further progress in terms of development in the district.
He said the environment and nature in Bau ought to be preserved with new projects injected to give a boost to the tourism development in the area as well as for the benefits of generations to come.
“We want Bau to be the epicentre of Sarawak’s eco-tourism industry capitalising on the tourism belt of Santubong/Bau/Sematan presenting endless potential to be developed as the eco-tourism capital of Sarawak, leveraging on digital technology,” he added.
Touching on the history of Bau, he said the first gold mine in Sarawak in the year 1820 was started by the Chinese from Sambas in Kalimantan who migrated to Bau in the early 19th century.
He said they started antimony and gold mining activities in Old Bau as early as the 19th century and established a settlement called Mau San at that time.
“That settlement became known as one of the oldest and richest settlement in olden day Sarawak as it has its own kingdom and currency.
“It was during those years that active trade and commerce in Bau, developed between the Chinese miners and the local native people, the Dayaks as they were known then (the Bidayuh today) and the Malays,” he said.
He added that history had recorded that the Bidayuh and the Malays first settled in Bau around the 1600s, with the Malays settling along the riverbanks of Sarawak Kanan while the Bidayuh settled in the interior.
“Today marks the last day of 200 years history of Bau. We will start a new page for Greater Bau as we usher in the new year tomorrow.
“As a community, it is us who will decide our path, it is for us to choose our destiny, it is us also who will decide where we want to be in the next 200 years,” added Henry.
Among those present were Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020
PM Muhyiddin to deliver New Year message at 9pm
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin — Bernama file photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is scheduled to deliver his 2021 New Year message over national television tonight.
His speech will be carried live by several channels, including Bernama TV, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Astro Awani and TV3, at 9pm.
Muhyiddin said this on his official Facebook page today. – Bernama
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Battle against Covid-19 is not over – Dr Noor Hisham
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah poses with the book titled “The Fight Against Uncertainty : Hospital Services Journey In Combating Covid-19” after its launching today. – Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA (Dec 31): The war to curb the Covid-19 pandemic is not over, and the battle is getting tougher as it requires the integration of the people and Health Ministry (MOH) to fight the pandemic effectively.
Health director-general, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the efforts of MOH in containing Covid-19 transmission in the country would continue and public health facilities have so far been able to take on the pandemic.
He was speaking at the launch of a coffee book titled “The Fight Against Uncertainty : Hospital Services Journey In Combating Covid-19”, which was conducted virtually here today.
While wishing all Malaysians a happy new year, Dr Noor Hisham again reminded the people to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) such as observing physical distancing, wearing face mask, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places while gathering with the family to welcome the new year.
“If possible, do not gather, and if need be, there should not be more than 10 persons and adhere to MOH SOP,” he said in the ceremony which was also attended by Health deputy director-general (Medical), Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon.
Dr Noor Hisham also thanked all MOH staff, frontliners as well as media personnel for jointly combating Covid-19 for one year.
“The battle is a mentally and physically tiring for MOH staff and the people. We have not won and hope in 2021 we could break Covid-19 infection chain in the country with the cooperation of the people,” he said.
On the coffee table book, Dr Noor Hisham said it is a meaningful publication as it recounts the journey of the frontliners in fighting the disease over the year which could be shared with the future generation.
Published by the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) Hospital Service, Medical Programme, the 158-page book is compilation of articles and photographs on the battle against Covid-19 pandemic thus far.
A total of 350 copies were printed with contribution from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and they would be distributed to MOH, state health directors as well as other ministries and agencies, universities and the Association of Private Hospital of Malaysia (APHM).
Members of the public can read the coffee table book by surfing MOH official website. – Bernama
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MTUC S’wak lashes out at Abdul Karim for calling civil servants in SDMC ‘smartass’
Andrew Lo
KUCHING (Dec 31): Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak secretary Andrew Lo has lashed out at Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for calling civil servants in the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) ‘smartass’.
He said the recent remark by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister was an insult to the civil servants in the SDMC who put their own health at risk in performing their duties.
“There are also our Union members. The minister’s remark is reflective of the ignorance of workers and their struggles in Sarawak.
“They are duty bound to follow established rules without fear or favour of exemptions and without interference from politicians and ministers. Such remarks will only compromise the rule of law.
“It is reflective of the arrogance of some of our chest thumping ministers who think they can get away with anything,” Lo said in a statement today.
He was responding to Abdul Karim’s dissatisfaction that Malaysian artiste Dayang Nurfaizah was made to do a second Covid-19 swab test and quarantined when she entered Sarawak despite having clearance yesterday.
The Sarawakian-born artiste was invited as the main guest for the Sarawak New Year Countdown 2021 event happening tonight (Dec 31).
Abdul Karim was yesterday quoted as saying the procedure for certain personnel to enter Sarawak for special cases is that they must get their swab test done in Peninsular Malaysia.
He also said he had managed to get the clearance to enter the state from SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for Dayang.
“But I know some ‘smartass’ in SDMC must have overdone (their duty). The minister, the SDMC chairman had given me clearance but some ‘smartass’ tried to be better than the minister,” he had said.
In response to criticisms, Abdul Karim today in a Facebook post urged those opposing the Sarawak New Year Countdown 2021 event, especially the opposition members, not to politicise the issue.
He said the event was organised to recognise the frontliners in the state, and only those specially invited are allowed to come into the Stadium Perpaduan.
“I have challenged the opposition members by inviting them to come to the Sarawak New Year Countdown 2021 event tonight in the Stadium Perpaduan.
“I urge the opposition not to politicise this matter to gain support from the people. What is important is this event is for the frontliners, and those invited must have a special ticket to enter the indoor stadium.
“There is no SOP compliance issue as determined by the Health Ministry and SDMC because they are also involved in the event to make sure everything will go smoothly.
“Therefore there is no need for the opposition to sensationalise the issue because the intention of this event is good,” said Abdul Karim.
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Taib donates 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to school children in Kuala Lumpur
(From right) Raghad, Taib, Annuar and Rosniah during the courtesy call. Photo by Astana Negeri Sarawak
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is donating 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to school children in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
He symbolically handed over the donations when receiving a courtesy call from Minister of Federal Territories Tan Sri Annuar Musa at His Excellency’s residence in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Dec 30).
A press release from Astana Negeri Sarawak today said the donation was made to complement efforts to address the Covid-19 situation in Kuala Lumpur.
Also present at the courtesy call was Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Taib and Annuar’s wife Puan Sri Rosniah Abdul Rahman.
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CM: Sarawak government to explore new ‘gold and minerals’ in Bau
Abang Johari (third left) cuts the ribbon to release the gigantic balloon to mark the Bau Bicentennial Celebration 2020. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
BAU (Dec 31): The Sarawak government will explore new ‘gold and minerals’ in Bau to bring the development of the district to a new height, said Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
The Chief Minister referred the ‘gold and minerals’ to new approaches and infrastructure development projects rather than natural resources like antimony and gold mining, which were the economic activities that Bau used to be active in.
He said he had received feedback from the Geological Department which had confirmed that the district no longer had economical deposit of gold worth pursuing for.
“If this is the case, what is the point for us to pursue an industry (gold mining) that does not bring benefits? Scientists have said that big data is the way forward now.
“In Bau, we have to see a change. We collect the data including culture and development in Bau and with this, we can have sustainable economic activities for Bau,” he said when launching the Bau Bicentennial Celebration 2020 in the Tasik Biru Square here.
To further develop Bau, Abang Johari said the state government had set aside RM40 million to provide water supply for the various communities from Bau right up to Lundu and Sematan.
He added that such project was underway and hopefully would be completed next year (2021).
In terms of road connectivity, he said apart from the Pan Borneo Highway, the state government had also allocated funds for the construction of a dual carriage way to connect Bau through Batu Kitang and Siniawan.
Abang Johari disclosed that the state government had injected a total of RM129 million into developing Bau in the last two years.
“(Tasik Biru assemblyman) Dato Henry Jinep has put forward some new projects and these will bring the total development funds for Bau to RM223 million,” he said.
Abang Johari signing the plaque to mark the Bau Bicentennial Celebration 2020. Henry is at left. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
He added that the private sector would work closely with the public sector to bring about more development in the district.
He assured that Bau and Sarawak in general would have a bright future given that the state had regained its oil and gas rights by imposing the State Sales Tax of five per cent on petroleum products.
With this state revenue, he said more funds could be channelled to develop not just Bau but Sarawak as a whole.
According to Abang Johari, a lot of Sarawakian talents particularly professionals had been returning to the state for career development in the recent years.
He said this was because the level of the state’s economy had upgraded and these talents could apply their expertise in Sarawak.
“With our level of economy taken to the next level, more opportunities and jobs will be provided. This will further develop our economy.
“While we celebrate the success of 200 years in Bau, let’s explore new gold to ensure continued success,” he enthused.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman also called upon the community to place unity above all in line with seeing further progress of Sarawak.
“I wish Bau and our people all the best. Let’s work together in a new era and explore new gold and minerals in Bau,” he added.
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EPF announces temporary closure of Kota Kinabalu branch
EPF said the temporary closure of its Kota Kinabalu office was made after a staff had tested positive for Covid-19. – Bernama file photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is temporarily closing its Kota Kinabalu office to facilitate the disinfection and sanitation of the premise starting from today until further notice.
In a statement today, it said that the move was made after a staff had tested positive for Covid-19, adding that the said employee is currently receiving treatment, while contact tracing is underway.
“Members who have made prior appointments are advised to log on to the Janji Temu Online (JTO) facility to reschedule their visits to a later date, or visit other EPF branches in Sabah which continue to operate as usual, or transact online via i-Akaun for selected services.
“The EPF is taking the necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of its employees and members of the public,” it said.
All service employees of EPF Kota Kinabalu will be taking the Covid-19 swab test, and if found positive, will undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine in accordance with the National Security Council’s guideline, it said.
The EPF said those who wish for clarification may call its Contact Management Centre at 03-8922 6000 or refer to the EPF website at http://www.kwsp.gov.my. – Bernama
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