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Musk made his prediction on the eve of Twitter’s April 1 ultimatum that verified accounts with the cherished blue tick that had not forked over cash would lose it. — AFP file photo
WASHINGTON, United States (April 1): Elon Musk on Friday defended his controversial pay model for Twitter, claiming that any social media platform that didn’t follow suit would fail because they would be swarmed by bots.
Musk made his prediction on the eve of Twitter’s April 1 ultimatum that verified accounts with the cherished blue tick that had not forked over cash would lose it.
“The fundamental challenge here is that it’s (easy) to create literally 10,000 or 100,000 fake Twitter accounts using just one computer at home and with modern AI (artificial intelligence),” Musk told a question and answer session on Twitter.
“That’s the reason for really pressing hard on verified where the verified requires a number from a reputable phone carrier and a credit card,” Musk said.
“My prediction is that any so-called social media network that doesn’t do this will fail,” Musk added.
The change in system puts pressure on companies, journalists and celebrities who used Twitter as their main channel of communication and relied on the blue tick for credibility.
And it also raises the specter of imposters and jokesters paying for an officially verified, but totally fake account.
In the US, the subscription plan, known as Twitter Blue, costs $8 a month or $84 a year, or $11 a month if bought through Apple’s app store.
Since its creation in 2009, the blue tick or checkmark became a signature element that helped the platform become a trusted forum for news makers and campaigners.
But Musk and his fans said the blue check was decided by fiat in a secretive procedure and called it a symbol of an unfair class system.
Opening the blue tick to paying subscribers was among the first decisions made by Musk when he took ownership of Twitter last year, but his overhaul backfired.
Within hours, Twitter was flooded by fake yet verified accounts impersonating celebrities, major companies and even Musk himself.
Musk swiftly backtracked, but many advertisers fled the site, denying Twitter a major source of income that the CEO is struggling to replace.
For now, blue checks of celebrities — including Justin Bieber and his 113 million followers or footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his 108 million — are tagged on the site as “legacy” accounts.
The verified account conundrum also involves officials, charities and news media companies.
Already the White House, which will keep a special designation as a government entity, told employees it would not pay to have its staff’s official Twitter profiles keep the blue tick, Axios reported.
News media companies, firms and charities already lost their blue tick and were tagged as verified business accounts under Musk’s new system.
According to Twitter’s website, these cost a hefty fee of $1,000 a month in the United States, and $50 for each additional affiliated account.
“This will be awful for those who can’t afford the new fees,” said Andrew Stroehlein, European Media Director of Human Rights Watch, who said his group would not pay for the privilege.
“It will damage the effectiveness of local activists, including human rights activists, who have long used Twitter for grassroots organizing,” he added in a blog post.
The New York Times said it will not pay for a verified business account and that it would only subscribe for a blue tick for journalists when essential for reporting needs.
The “pay to play” verification model is also being tested by Twitter rival Facebook in Australia and New Zealand, which has also drawn major criticism.
Much is riding on Musk’s ability to find a business model for Twitter.
Last week Musk put the current value of Twitter at $20 billion, less than half the $44 billion he paid for the social media platform just five months ago. — AFP
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Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz says with the UK’s eventual accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Malaysian exporters will stand to benefit from additional preferential access into UK’s market. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): Malaysian exporters are set to benefit from additional preferential access into United Kingdom’s market with the latter’s eventual accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said today.
As a result of the trade pact’s ministerial meeting yesterday, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) said this would eventually eliminate import duties on products including palm oil, cocoa, rubber, electrical and electronics and chemicals.
“We congratulate the UK on its impending membership into the CPTPP, which will mark Malaysia’s first free trade arrangement with the sixth largest economy in the world. With the UK’s eventual accession into the CPTPP, Malaysian exporters will stand to benefit from additional preferential access into the UK’s market.
“Upon implementation of the Agreement, the UK will eliminate import duties for a wide range of products including palm oil, cocoa, rubber, electrical and electronics and chemicals, which are of significant export interest to Malaysia,” he said in a statement.
Tengku Zafrul further said that the eventual accession of the UK into the CPTPP will open new opportunities for Malaysian businesses and small-medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly through wider sourcing channels for materials at competitive prices, as well as technical assistance and capacity-building programmes.
“With Malaysia and the UK’s historical trading and investment ties, membership into the CPTPP will further enhance this close relationship and foster greater economic cooperation,” he added.
He also said that all parties in the CPTPP will work towards finalising the legal accession instrument, including the signing of the accession protocol scheduled in the third quarter of 2023.
On Twitter, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also announced the accession and said that the trade deal is set to boost the country’s revenue by £1.8 billion (RM9.8 billion).
“We’re signing our first-ever free trade agreement with Malaysia. This gives the UK: access to an economy worth £271 billion in 2021, zero tariffs on UK exports like whisky and cars, more trade and greater share of the market,” he wrote.
Yesterday, it was reported that the UK had concluded the 21-month negotiation to be part of the CPTPP, making it the 12th member and set to boost its trade with Malaysia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Under the announcement by the CPTPP and the UK ministers on the substantial conclusion of the UK’s accession negotiations into the CPTPP, all parties will work towards finalising the legal accession instrument, including the signing of the accession protocol scheduled in the third quarter of 2023.
The CPTPP is one of the most comprehensive trade deals ever concluded, eliminating 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone representing a combined GDP of US$13.5 trillion (RM60 trillion), representing 13.4 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and a population of over 500 million people. — Malay Mail
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Wee signs his letter of appointment witnessed by Dr Sim.
KUCHING (April 1): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will continue making significant efforts to streamline the bureaucratic process to see efficient decision-making and enhance service delivery, said Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
The Kuching South mayor said the council wants to ensure residents in MBKS areas will receive prompt and reliable services without unnecessary delay.
“To achieve this, we will set up a comprehensive internal tracking system for the processing of documents. This will reduce the waiting period for any application to a maximum of 10 working days.
“We understand waiting for approvals can be frustrating, and we are committed to delivering faster and more efficient services to our residents,” he said at the swearing-in of MBKS councillors at the council’s Chamber here today.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian witnessed the ceremony, where Wee and Hilmy Othman were reappointed as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.
The ceremony saw 17 new councillors sworn in and 13 existing councillors reappointed.
Wee said MBKS is also committed to improving the traffic situation in the city, and will dispatch more traffic wardens to handle congestion as well as install smart traffic lights and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to promote safety.
He said this would go a long way in reducing traffic congestion and ensure roads are safe for all users.
“As a city council, we are committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. We recognise the importance of ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices and will self-impose them based on professional standards.
“Our focus will be on rethinking, refusing, reducing, reusing, recycling and repairing waste,” he said.
Wee also pledged that MBKS will remember its responsibility to serve the community with dedication, integrity, transparency and accountability.
“We are committed to working with our community to overcome the challenges we face and build a sustainable and prosperous future for our beloved city.”
For the coming term, Wee said MBKS will focus on high-impact projects that provide economic, social and environmental benefits.
He said this should include eco-friendly construction and improved access roads to elevate the community’s standard of living.
“Furthermore, the Sarawak government is committed to promoting economic and social benefits for all Sarawakians, particularly the underprivileged, by ensuring access to basic infrastructure and implementing initiatives to raise household income,” he said.
Wee said councillors must shoulder the responsibility of making decisions which would directly impact the lives of the community.
“This task demands unwavering dedication, hard work and humility. I implore you to consistently prioritise the needs and interests of the community as you fulfill your duties.
“Your actions will shape the future of our city and it is imperative that you act with integrity, transparency and accountability,” he said.
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Participants relaxing after a short hike to reach the campsite. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
PADAWAN (April 1): Sarawakians are called to promote tourism destinations and attractions in their respective areas, especially in rural areas with potential to attract overseas and domestic tourists.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau said that looking at the encouraging number of visitors coming into the state in January and February, he was optimistic and confident the state can achieve at least 3 million visitors this year.
“In order to achieve this, we need all of you — all Sarawakians — to become tourism products. A lot of people think tourism products are just hotels and resorts, but actually the biggest component is the people.
Dennis (right) addresses participants of the programme. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
“If we are good to the people, definitely (the visitors) who come to Sarawak will have a good experience and they will tell their experiences to their friends and family,” he said in a briefing with participants of STB’s Sarawak Product Experience (SPE) programme at Kiyau Campsite, Kampung Sapit here on March 29.
On the programme, Dennis said it is an initiative under STB to introduce and promote hundreds of tourist attractions in the state.
As such, he also appealed to tourism industry players and the media to promote such attractions.
Meanwhile, when met by the press after addressing the participants, Dennis said the environment in Kampung Sapit was already enough to be made as a tourist attraction.
However, he said it needs to have aggressive promotion to attract more tourists to come, as well as the know-how to further beautify and promote the area to meet their expectations.
Participants arriving at Kiyau Campsite. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
“This is one of the products that can be promote because this place is not far from the city area and it has the road links that for me, are good enough. Maybe some people are afraid to travel through the road but it is part of the fun.
“I’m happy because the locals here managed to develop this place to promote their culture and their way of life. This is what we want because we cannot wait for the government to develop it, otherwise it will not match the local conditions and environment.
“So maybe other places in Sarawak with similar conditions as Kampung Sapit can turn into tourism products,” he said.
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Lau (fifth left) exchanges the MoU documents with Chen.
SIBU (Apr 1): International exposure and global presence in research works are important to broaden perspective, said Sarawak Chinese Cultural Association (SCCA) president Lau Pek Kii.
Speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between SCCA and Tamkang University from New Taipei, Taiwan here yesterday, Lau said the MoU marks the association’s official engagement with the university’s Southeast Asian History Research Office.
The bilateral ties between SCCA and Tamkang University were first initiated in 1994, when a professor from the university contacted the association to collaborate on a field research on Chinese cultures and their roles in Sarawak.
“Since then, the university’s students have been brought in to Sibu to conduct research works and I believe we can further develop our ties after today’s MoU signing,” said Lau, while expressing hopes for more academic exchanges and visits from its strategic research partner in future.
Tamkang University was represented by its Southeast Asian History Research Office director, Professor Chen Tsung Yuan.
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Photo shows the bus on its side at the scene of the collision.
SIBU (March 31): The drivers of a bus and a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle were injured after their vehicles were involved in a collision at Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai here last night.
It is understood that the 4WD’s driver somehow lost control of the vehicle and swerved into the opposite lane, leading to the collision with the oncoming bus.
The driver of the bus plying the Kapit-Sibu route is said to have been on his way to town for refuelling when the collision occurred.
The bus was not carrying any passengers at the time of the mishap.
Both drivers were brought to Sibu Hospital for further observation and treatment.
In a statement, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said a report on the accident was received at 8.11pm.
“On arrival, it was found that there was an oil spill due to the collision between the bus and the 4WD,” the statement said.
Firefighters cleaned up the spill and debris on the road to ensure there was no danger for other road users before returning to base.
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Najib at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on March 3, 2023. — Malay Mail photo
PUTRAJAYA (March 31): The Federal Court has refused disgraced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bid for it to review its ruling last year upholding his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, cementing his 12-year sentence and RM210 million fine.
Today’s ruling by the five-judge bench led by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli effectively endorsed the August 2022 decision of the panel chaired by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat that ordered Najib to begin serving his sentence.
The others in today’s panel were Federal Court judges Datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, and Datuk Nordin Hassan, who were joined by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais.
On July 28, 2020, Justice Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali found Najib guilty of all seven charges — three for criminal breach of trust, three for money-laundering, and one for abuse of power — at the High Court.
Mohd Nazlan, who is now a Court of Appeal judge, then sentenced Najib to 12 years in prison and fined him RM210 million in default five years imprisonment.
His decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Dec 8, 2021. — Malay Mail
MORE TO COME
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Trump survived two impeachments and kept prosecutors at bay over everything from the US Capitol riot to missing classified files, only to land in court over a sex scandal involving Stormy Daniels, a 44-year-old adult movie actress. — AFP photo
NEW YORK (March 31): A New York grand jury on Thursday indicted Donald Trump over hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges.
The historic indictment of the 76-year-old Republican — who denies all wrongdoing in connection with the payments made ahead of the election that sent him to the White House — is certain to upend the current presidential race in which Trump hopes to regain office.
And it will forever mark the legacy of the former leader, who survived two impeachments and kept prosecutors at bay over everything from the US Capitol riot to missing classified files — only to land in court over a sex scandal involving Stormy Daniels, a 44-year-old adult movie actress.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed that it had contacted Trump’s lawyers Thursday evening to “coordinate his surrender” for arraignment in New York — with the felony charges against him to be revealed at that point.
Trump slammed the indictment as “political persecution and election interference,” raging against prosecutors and his Democratic opponents and vowing that it would backfire on his successor, President Joe Biden.
Surrendering for arraignment — which Trump’s lawyers have said he would do if indicted — would normally involve him being fingerprinted and photographed, potentially even handcuffed.
In the Republican camp, Trump’s allies and sons denounced what they see as a vendetta aimed at derailing his 2024 campaign — while his expected challenger for the party nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, slammed the indictment as “un-American”.
Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in the House of Representatives, said the indictment had “irreparably damaged” the country.
But the top Democrat Adam Schiff — lead prosecutor of Trump’s first impeachment in 2019 — called it “a sobering and unprecedented development”.
“The indictment and arrest of a former president is unique throughout all of American history,” Schiff said in a statement. “But so too is the unlawful conduct for which Trump has been charged.”
An attorney for Daniels welcomed the news as proof that “no one is above the law”.
“The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy,” Clark Brewster tweeted. “Now let truth and justice prevail.”
– Possible protests –
On March 18, Trump had declared he expected to be arrested within days over the payment to Daniels — who received US$130,000 weeks before the election that brought Trump to power, to stop her from going public about a tryst she claims they had a decade earlier.
In predicting his indictment, Trump also issued a call for demonstrations and dark warnings that it could lead to “potential death & destruction” that “could be catastrophic for our Country”.
His statement set New York on edge for possible protests but the prospect of a quick indictment had receded as the grand jury panel continued to hear witnesses — until Thursday.
A media scrum quickly gathered Thursday outside the district attorney’s office, along with a handful of anti-Trump protesters — but the situation was calm overall.
Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, who has testified before the grand jury, told Congress in 2019 that he made the payment to Daniels on Trump’s behalf and was later reimbursed.
Prosecutors argued the checks were not properly registered, and the jury was asked to consider if there had been a cover-up, intended to benefit Trump’s campaign by burying the scandal.
The New York investigation is the first to reach a decision on charges out of three major probes into the former president.
Trump also faces felony investigations in Georgia relating to the 2020 election and in Washington over the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by the ex-president’s supporters, who hoped to keep him in office after his election loss to Joe Biden.
– Republican frontrunner –
Trump, who is seen to be the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 election, has branded all of the investigations political persecution.
The impact of an indictment on his election chances is unpredictable, with critics and adversaries alike voicing concerns about the legal merits of the hush money case.
Detractors worry that if Trump were cleared, it could make it easier to dismiss as a “witch hunt” any future indictment in arguably more serious affairs — such as Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s election results.
The Manhattan charges will also likely juice turnout among Trump’s base, say analysts, boosting his chances in the party primary.
Trump staged his first presidential campaign rally in Texas on Saturday, addressing several thousand supporters — far fewer than the 15,000 he had expected — in the city of Waco, Texas.
“The innocence of people makes no difference whatsoever to these radical left maniacs,” he told the fired-up crowd. — AFP
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On Feb 18, 2021, the prosecution won its appeal in the High Court against Sam’s acquittal. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): Today, the Court of Appeal will be hearing Sam Ke Ting’s appeal against her conviction and six-year jail sentence for alleged reckless or dangerous driving, which was claimed to have resulted in the 2017 death of eight teenagers involved in basikal lajak racing in Johor.
This will be Sam’s final appeal, as her case started out at the Magistrates’ Court — where she was acquitted twice —and was previously at the High Court.
This case also casts a spotlight on basikal lajak — which are heavily-modified bicycles with the removal of safety features such as brakes and lights.
Here’s a quick recap by Malay Mail of Sam’s case, based on four court judgments in Johor Bahru in her case:
On March 28, 2017, Sam who was aged 22 was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act with “reckless or dangerous driving” of a car on Feb 18, 2017 at around 3.20am at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Bahru, which allegedly resulted in the eight teenage cyclists’ deaths.
After a trial spanning two years from August 2017 to August 2019 with the prosecution calling 46 witnesses, Magistrate Siti Hajar Ali on Oct 28, 2019 decided to acquit Sam without calling her to enter defence.
The magistrates’ court in Johor Bahru said the prosecution had failed to show a prima facie case. In other words, the court was not convinced Sam could be convicted — based on the evidence presented by the prosecution — if she was called to enter her defence but kept silent.
1. The first acquittal in 2019
Here’s why the magistrate acquitted Sam for the first time:
The magistrate said the prosecution failed to prove all three elements of the charge: that Sam was the driver of the car during the accident; that she drove recklessly or dangerously after taking into account all circumstances including the road’s nature, condition and size; and that the accident resulted in the deaths of any individuals.
The magistrate listed the facts and evidence in the case, including those from eyewitnesses and the police and expert testimony from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research:
Sam was driving uphill on the dimly-lit three-lane road, while an estimated 30 youths were gathered on all three lanes — particularly on the left lane — to race basikal lajak bicycles and to observe the race. The accident occurred slightly behind the hill, with the cyclists going against the flow of traffic.
At around 3.20am, the police received information of a fatal accident and went to investigate and control the situation, with six bodies found while two others sent to the hospital were later pronounced dead.
The prosecution cited Sam’s two police reports to say it proved she was the driver at the time of the accident, but the magistrate said the police failed to carry out complete investigations on who was the driver as there were doubts on the number of persons in the car.
Two prosecution witnesses had separately said they saw a Chinese man and Chinese woman outside the car before it was overturned or saw them at the scene, while another witness did not see any Chinese woman when the crowd overturned the car and had only seen Malays at the area where the car was overturned.
This point alone was enough for the magistrate to acquit Sam.
The magistrate said Sam did not create a dangerous situation as her car had the legal right of way on all three lanes of the road. The judge said Sam did not attempt to switch lanes or overtake any cars or go against the traffic flow during the accident, and she was not shown to have lost control of the car or racing or having hit any road objects before the accident.
Instead, the magistrate said the youths caused a dangerous situation to legitimate road users including Sam through the basikal lajak activity.
During the trial, a police officer told the court that youths had often gathered at the Jalan Lingkaran Dalam road for basikal lajak racing and the police had repeatedly attempted to crackdown on the activity but were taunted by the youths who escaped to the opposite side of the road.
On Feb 16, 2017 which was just two days before the fatal accident in Sam’s case, police had arrested 20 out of about 60 basikal lajak users in the same road area.
The magistrate cited prosecution witnesses who said gatherings were prohibited at the hilly and winding Jalan Lingkaran Dalam and gatherings there at night are dangerous, and that no permits would be issued for such bicycle gatherings there even if applied as it would be dangerous for the traffic on that road.
The magistrate said the public around that area had made many complaints about the basikal lajak activities on that road before the accident, but said it would only be reasonable to expect the road’s frequent road-users to expect such activities and that it was unfair to expect those who seldom or never used the road or who do not live in the area to expect the same situation.
The magistrate said there was no evidence to show that the basikal lajak gang including the eight deceased had worn safety vests or helmets, later also saying all seven of the eight youths were wearing dark clothing while another was only wearing his undergarments.
The judge said Sam could not have expected or could not have seen the basikal lajak group due to a slope leading to a “crest” in the uphill road limiting the distance that drivers could see, and that no alert was given to Sam that the group was behind the crest.
Among other things, the magistrate said Sam was driving responsibly and had reasonable driving skills, based on factors such as her not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or using her handphone while driving, and wearing her seatbelt while driving, and the car’s braking system and airbags being in good condition at the time of accident.
Out of the two probable driving speed ranges of 74.86 km/hour and 44.53 km/hour in Miros’s report on the accident, the magistrate opted for the lower speed, based on the legal principle where the inference favourable to the accused is to be chosen.
As for the third element of the offence, the magistrate said the prosecution failed to prove the identity of the eight deceased in relation to the identification of the bodies by the next of kin.
The magistrate then ordered Sam’s acquittal, and for the return of the RM10,000 bail money as well as the return of her driving licence which was suspended since she was charged. The magistrate’s 43-page written judgment was released on Nov 18, 2019, less than a month after she delivered her decision.
2. High Court sends the case back to trial
On Feb 18, 2021, the prosecution won its appeal in the High Court against Sam’s acquittal.
Then High Court judicial commissioner Shahnaz Sulaiman set aside the magistrate’s decision, ruling that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case and sent the case back to be heard before the same magistrate. The High Court also ordered Sam to enter her defence.
The High Court said the prosecution had shown the first element of Sam being the driver, as she had never disputed she was the driver and had lodged police reports on the accident.
For the second element, the High Court said it believed Sam was driving dangerously especially at 3am, and said she should have been more careful if the road conditions were dark.
The High Court also held the view that Sam was driving fast which allegedly caused her to be unable to stop or brake when she found the basikal lajakgroup on the road.
The High Court said the magistrate was wrong to stress on the basikal lajak group’s negligence in this criminal case, as this was not a civil case where liability could be apportioned or shared.
The High Court said the issue of the eight youths’ bodies’ identification was not an issue, as the next of kin had identified them and post-mortem reports showed their death to be due to collision with road traffic or motor vehicle.
The High Court released its 20-page written judgment on Aug 30, 2022.
3. Magistrate still acquits Sam
On May 9, 2021, Sam had the chance to tell the court about the accident, when she chose to give an unsworn statement from the dock to defend herself against the charge.
An unsworn statement is where court testimony is given, but with the prosecution and the judge unable to question the accused person.
Among other things, Sam said she was returning from a Chingay parade with her friends at 3am on the day of the accident, and she did not live in the area and did not know of the basikal lajak activities there.
Sam said the car was travelling below the speed limit at the left lane of the road, and she could not see the group when going uphill, and it was only after the peak of the road where she suddenly saw the basikal lajak group filling up all three lanes and only heard the sound of the crash.
She said she was shocked and unaware of what happened, only becoming aware or conscious when she was surrounded by the group which were shouting and threatening to hurt her.
She said she was in fear and saved by a police officer who brought her to the police station, adding that the police reports she had made were inaccurate and were made when she was in trauma, confused and without any medical attention.
Among other things, Sam told the magistrate she believed there could be other vehicles who had crashed into the eight cyclists and the 30 to 40 bicycles and said they could have escaped due to the crowd formed by the group and the public.
Sam was the only one who testified in her own defence as she did not call other defence witnesses or seek to recall any prosecution witnesses.
On Oct 10, 2021, the same magistrate decided it was unsafe to convict Sam as the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt, and ordered for her to be acquitted.
The magistrate said an accused person only has to raise a reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, but said this cannot be an afterthought or bare denial.
The magistrate examined every line of Sam’s unsworn statement, and found it to be consistent with the evidence presented in court and not an afterthought or bare denial.
Just like in her previous decision, the magistrate again expressed her sympathy and condolences to the family members of the eight deceased youths.
The magistrate’s 55-page written judgment was released on October 10, 2021. This was before the High Court’s judgment was available.
4. High Court finds Sam guilty, sentences her to jail
On April 13, 2022, the prosecution again won its appeal at the High Court against Sam’s acquittal.
High Court judge Datuk Abu Bakar Katar found Sam to be guilty of the charge of driving recklessly or dangerously under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act, saying that she had failed to raise a reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case and saying that the magistrate had erred in her acquittal decision.
Among the factors taken into account by the High Court for her sentencing was that Sam did not plead guilty which would usually entitle her to a ⅓ reduction of the sentence, it was her first offence and her income was RM1,000 per month, the need to prioritise public interest over the accused’s interest, the serious nature of the offence and that the number of deaths caused, as well as past sentencing trends.
The High Court sentenced her to six years’ jail and a RM6,000 fine (with an additional six months’ jail if she fails to pay the fine) and disqualification from having a driving licence for three years after her prison term is over.
The judge ordered the offence to be recorded in Sam’s driving licence, and did not allow a stay of the sentence.
In other words, Sam had to be locked up, as the High Court ruled that her jail term was to start from April 13 itself. The High Court said this was because any appeal from the High Court (following an appeal from the Magistrates’ Court) to the Court of Appeal, would need the Court of Appeal’s leave or permission for the appeal to be heard.
The High Court’s 22-page judgment is dated Aug 29, 2022, and made references to the previous High Court’s August 2022 judgment.
On April 18, 2022, the Court of Appeal granted Sam leave to appeal and also granted a stay of Sam’s jail sentence, while setting bail at RM10,000 while waiting for her appeal to be heard.
This meant that Sam could be released from jail while waiting for her final appeal to be heard by the Court of Appeal today. — Malay Mail
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MIRI (March 31): Domestic and foreign artistes should consider holding their concerts in Sarawak, especially in this city, if they face difficulties in obtaining permits to perform in Peninsular Malaysia, said Miri mayor Adam Yii.
Yii, who is also Pujut assemblyman, said Sarawak is less strict when it comes to staging concerts compared to states in Peninsular Malaysia, although organisers would still have to ensure that local customs and sensitivities are respected.
“If (concert) permits cannot be obtained in Peninsular Malaysia, come to Miri. As mayor of Miri City, I will fully support and assist to ensure the smooth holding of concerts.
“Artistes should definitely consider Miri as the primary location for holding concerts in Malaysia. We warmly welcome your arrival,” he said in a statement.
His said this in response to recent remarks by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who had said that while Sarawak would not deviate from the federal government’s guidelines on organising events and concerts involving foreign artistes, the state would ‘not be too tight or too strict’.
“If we let everything be determined by the said (federal) guideline, it will be hard. We have our own methods, but our methods are reasonable,” Abdul Karim told a press conference in Kuching on March 24.
Yii said that Sarawak has many pull factors, such as its harmonious atmosphere and tourism attractions, that would appeal to artistes as well as concert goers from all around the world.
“I strongly believe many would be happy to come here and at the same time take the opportunity to travel around Sarawak,” he said.
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(From third left to right) Liaw, Tan and Choo with others cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Airworld Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd fourth branch.
KUCHING (March 31): Airworld Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd under Airworld Group of Companies have opened its fourth branch at Gala City here.
Airworld Group of Companies chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw said the Group aspires to bring in international tourists through charter flights like what they did for Sabah tourism many years ago.
“Many travel agents have closed down due to the pandemic- with Airworld Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd in Gala City, we hope to better serve the Kuching market; we want to provide tourism services and bring in international tourists.
“I spent five years developing the tourism in Sabah during the time when social media was not popular, Chinese nationals had no clue where Sabah was – some even asked what country it is.
“Times have changed and now Korean tourists are thronging Sabah. News reports have it that Chinese tourists are flocking to Hong Kong and after this; I think they may come to Sabah and West Malaysia. We hope to bring tourists to Sarawak.
“Some tourists prefer beaches while others may prefer the rainforests and nature better along with the local delicacies and culture offered at a destination. There is room for Sabah and Sarawak to receive more international tourists,” he said when met by reporters after the opening ceremony at Gala City yesterday.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang was the guest of honour, with MATTA Sarawak Chapter president Oscar Choo present.
Liaw, who is Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents chairman, recalls developing Sabah tourism by mounting the inaugural flight between Kota Kinabalu and Shenzhen, China back in 2000 and Shanghai in 2001.
He said the Group subsequently introduced flights to more cities; Guangzhou, Kunming, Guiyang, Nanning, Guilin, Changsha, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Zhengzhou and to name a few.
“It took us a few years to develop the market in order to continue the series of charter flights – as frequent as three times a week to some destinations.
“Between 2000 and 2005, we only chartered flights during peak seasons in China – Chinese New Year (CNY), Labour Day Holiday and China National day. Meanwhile, from 2005 to 2009, we had flights between Kuching and Beijing – a direct charter during CNY season for five consecutive years,” he said.
He hopes with support from Sarawak Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia, direct flights from Sarawak cities like Kuching and Miri to cities in China could be introduced.
He added Borneo is an island and the only way to receive tourists is through air travel.
“In order to promote Sarawak tourism, we need the support from Sarawakian locals to sustain consistent routes to and from two cities; both ways must have equal passengers load traffic,” Liaw added.
Airworld Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays as well as between 8.30am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.
It is located at First Floor, Plot No. 66, Block 16, Gala City (above Traditional Bun), and can be reached at 082-282500 or 016-8981377.
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In this file photo taken on Sept 22, 2021 the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is prepared for administration at a vaccination clinic in Los Angeles, California. — AFP photo
GENEVA (March 30): The World Health Organisation yesterday said it is no longer recommending additional Covid-19 vaccine booster doses for regular, medium-risk adults as the benefit was marginal.
For such people who have received their primary vaccination course and one booster dose, there is no risk in having further jabs but the returns are slight, the WHO’s vaccine experts said.
The UN health agency’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (Sage) issued updated recommendations after its regular biannual meeting.
Sage’s new advice reflects the impact of the dominant Omicron variant of the virus and high-level immunity now achieved in the population through infection and vaccination, the WHO said.
Sage came up with three new, simplified priority categories for Covid vaccination: high, medium and low, based on risk of severe disease or death.
Sage recommended additional booster shots after the first one only for people at the highest risk of developing severe Covid-19 disease.
They include older adults; younger adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, people with immunocompromising conditions like HIV, pregnant women, and frontline health workers.
The medium priority group includes healthy adults, usually under 60, and children and adolescents with comorbidities.
Sage recommends a primary series and a first booster dose.
“When it comes to the medium-risk group, additional booster doses… are no longer recommended,” said Sage chair Hanna Nohynek.
“The vaccine is safe and it’s efficient against serious disease and death,” she said, but for this risk group, while there was no harm in having another shot, “the benefit of these additional boosters is actually quite marginal”.
The low priority group includes healthy children and adolescents aged six months to 17 years.
While primary and booster doses are safe and effective for this group, considering the low burden of Covid disease, Sage said countries’ vaccination decisions should be based “on contextual factors” such as health programme priorities and cost effectiveness.
Search for new vaccines
As for the impact of Covid-19 vaccines on Long Covid, or post-infection conditions, “the evidence on the extent of their impact is inconsistent”, said Sage.
Nearly 13.3 billion Covid vaccine doses have been administered around the world.
WHO vaccines chief Kate O’Brien said that versus Omicron, the existing vaccines provide very good immunity against severe disease, but “frankly they don’t last very long for the performance that they do have against mild disease or infection”.
The WHO is looking for new Covid vaccines that cover a broad spectrum of variants, have longer durability and better performance against infection and transmission.
It is also seeking vaccines that are move on from injection methods and ultra cold chain storage, O’Brien said, citing nasal, oral and skin patch vaccine methods.
Speaking of two nasally-administered vaccines, particularly one being used in China, Sage executive secretary Joachim Hombach said: “We know that they are immunogenic … but what we really need is data that actually studies the impact on transmission — because that could indeed make a major difference.” — AFP
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Photo shows MPs in the Dewan Rakyat chamber. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Issues regarding the formation of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Aukus) and mental health among members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are expected to be discussed in Parliament today.
According to the Order Paper on the Parliament’s official website, Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) will ask the Minister of Defence about Malaysia’s stance following the Aukus defence pact in which Australia will buy eight nuclear-powered submarines worth AU$368 billion, and its impact on the security of Asean countries based on the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality or Zopfan Declaration.
Lim also wants to know whether that eight nuclear-powered submarines will be allowed to operate in the waters of Asean countries.
The question will be raised during the Minister’s Question Time when Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN-Dungun) will ask the Home Minister to state measures taken to address mental health issues among the police.
This is especially for those who carry firearms, to ensure that the police can carry out their duties with a stable mind.
During the oral question and answer session, Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) will ask the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security about the ministry’s effort to expand the Sado cattle breeding activities by involving young and rural entrepreneurs.
After the question and answer session, there will be the tabling of several bills for a second reading.
The bills will include the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Bill 2023. — Bernama
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Gerawat (seated centre) in a photo call with other guests and participants of the seminar and workshop.
MIRI (March 30): Kelabit community leaders are reminded of their roles as custodians of their customs (adat).
Instead, Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, said they must continue to preserve, promote and safeguard their adat.
“Community leaders are the keepers of our adat, you are the custodians and enforcers of our adat.
“If our community leaders are not willing to or do not carry keep these adat, they will disappear. If we do not care about our own adat, nobody will help us. This is a responsibility that we really need to take care of,” he said when officiating at the ‘Seminar/Bengkel Adet Kelabit 2008 (Pendrafan Semula/Pindaan Adat) Bahagian 1 Bagi Ketua Masyarakat Dan Ketua Kaum Komuniti Kelabit Sarawak’ programme organised by the Council for Native Customs and Traditions Sarawak (Mais) here yesterday.
The two-day programme which ended yesterday was participated by 28 Kelabit community leaders from Bario.
Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, said that changes in the way of life of many Kelabits who have moved to urban centres have led to many of them not understanding their own customs.
“Many think that our adat are no longer applicable after they have moved to the cities.
“Yes, there are indeed a number of provisions that may not be directly relevant like those related to farming and clearing of land. “However, in terms of marriage and divorce, for example, they still apply and this is what we as community leaders should explain to our people,” he added.
Gerawat added there were Kelabits too who have let disputes among them be settled by their church leaders.
“If there is any violation of our adat, community leaders must do their part and not just let the church leaders to take care of it.”
Gerawat also shared about the development of the Sarawak Bumiputera Court.
“The state government has taken the initiative to elevate the status of the Sarawak Bumiputera Court to be on par with civil and Syariah courts.
“The decision of the proposed Court Transformation Plan will be informed to us after the decision has been made by the state government. The roles of community leaders to judge on matters related to adat in the Bumiputera Court would see a few changes following the decision,” he said.
Mais head Datu Ronnie Edward, Orang Ulu Research Section head Dr Ipoi Datan and Miri Kelabit community leader Pemanca Freddie Abun Tadam were among those present at the seminar.
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Kong (right) hands over STR application forms to Shahminan while Sim looks on.
KUCHING (March 30): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak has urged members of the public not to wait until the last minute to apply for financial aid under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme.
“Instead, please arrange to submit them earlier to avoid long queues and/or disappointment. For those who are internet savvy, they may proceed with their application by logging in to https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my to apply or update their particulars online,” said special assistant to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Michael Kong Feng Nian in a press statement yesterday.
Over the last month, DAP Stampin for instance, has assisted 181 members of the public to fill up their STR application forms with the promise to deliver them to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) on the applicants’ behalf, Kong said.
“We understand that many of them do not have the time to go to Wisma Hasil to attend to the needful.”
“This morning, my comrade (Sim Kiat Leng) and I visited head of Department for STR applications in Sarawak, Shaminan Ahmad, to hand deliver application forms in our possession.
“We saw many people there to submit the forms,” he said.
Shahminan also has provided the DAP men a better understanding of their operations and how to overcome any difficulty especially with now being Ramadan.
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Shaharuddin (seated centre) with the delegation and officials from UPMKB.
BINTULU (March 30): The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) Sarawak delegation made a visit to Pusat Pertanian Putra (PPP) at Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu campus (UPMKB) here yesterday.
The working visit, led by Risda Sarawak director Shaharuddin Sabri, was also joined by Risda Sarawak officials, smallholders as well as representatives from the Department of Veterinary Services Bintulu Division and Sarawak Department of Agriculture Bintulu Division.
The visit was to discuss Risda’s agro-food programme for the broiler and quail farming project, of which five Risda small farmers from Kampung Sungai Selamak and five others from Kampung Sepadok, Bintulu will be involved in the collaborative project with UPMKB.
According to Shaharuddin, the project initiative by Risda is in response to the government’s call under the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 to reduce dependency on imported goods.
“The policy aims at revitalising domestic food industry to increase profitability and improve productivity as well as to gear the industry towards a more efficient, sustainable and resilient agricultural production process,” he said.
Among those who attended the knowledge sharing session were PPP deputy director Assoc Prof Dr Amy Halimah Rajaee, head of Livestock and Aquaculture Division Dr Carlina Freddie Simol, and head of Plantation and Forestry Division Nalong Buda.
Meanwhile, PPP on its Facebook page extended its appreciation to UPMKB campus director Prof Dr Shahrul Razid Sarbini, and hoped that such cooperation could be extended to other agencies for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
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