Good morning, some key changes to the country's Covid-19 policy is coming. Here's what you need to know.

Key Highlights

• Less Covid-19 tests 
  
  
• Opposition's dilemma
  
  
• Errant datuks strike again
  
  

Less Covid-19 tests

An overwhelmed Health Ministry will stop testing Covid-19 close contacts if there are no symptoms. If there's a cluster, only a percentage will be tested. Quarantine is still needed.

Health experts worry asymptomatic patients could spread the virus but the system is strained. Three new daily records were set in the last seven days, each with more than 3,000 cases.

Some highly vulnerable VIPs were infected, including 92-year-old former Lord President of the Supreme Court Mohamed Salleh Abas and 83-year-old Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri gave a prelude to a major shift to cope with the crisis. He said emergency powers can be used to compel private hospitals. Refusal comes with up to RM5 million fine and jail.

We'll be publishing the inside story of this policy shift at around the same time this newsletter reaches you, so don't forget to check Malaysiakini's website.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Minister explains expanded powers in Covid-19 fight Private hospitals can be fined for non-compliance.
	KJ explains why neighbours got vaccines first Khairy cites unique circumstances.
	Rule change: Coin laundromats can open Staff must be present to monitor.

Opposition's dilemma

Putrajaya wants three opposition MPs to join the emergency committee to advise the Ruler. 

Pakatan Harapan maintains the emergency is the prime minister's way to buy time after losing his majority, under the guise of fighting Covid-19.

Snubbing the committee gives the government complete monopoly. Joining means there's at least some checks and balances but legitimises the emergency.

While the opposition weighs its options, its leader Anwar Ibrahim urges MPs to write to the Ruler to revoke the emergency.

They'll have to tip-toe around as elements in the ruling coalition have shown a tendency to paint critics of the emergency as anti-monarchy.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Govt seeks 3 opposition MPs for emergency committee The opposition has reservations.
	Anwar asks MPs to plead with Agong  Lawmakers told to write letters of appeal.
	Group launches #BantahDaruratMuhyiddin Civil rights groups want objections heard.

Errant Datuks strike again

A "datuk" went berserk after being told not to speak too loudly, slapped a man and his female companion, and tried to reach for a pot of hot soup in Petaling Jaya. [Video]

The incident happened on Jan 12 but just went viral. He's now a doxing target by a mob of internet vigilantes who also left negative online reviews for his businesses.

Police arrested him and his underling. Incidentally, the same datuk was in the news in 2018. Then, he claimed to be a victim in a datukship scam. 

If this sounds familiar, a then 29-year-old "Datuk Seri" beat up Rela personnel members in 2017. Both the "Datuk" and "Datuk Seri" received their titles from Pahang.


HIGHLIGHTS

	Hotpot assault: 'Datuk' caught by cops Cops investigating underworld links.
	Threatening 1MDB witness: Court dismisses Lokman's appeal  Federal Court's decision was unanimous.
	Police questions Guan Eng over 2019 remarks Cops recorded his statement in Penang.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 3,337 new cases yesterday (Jan 14), a new record high.
  
  
• 15 deaths, one shy of the record-setting 16 deaths on Jan 8.
  
  
• 107 people have died in just two weeks, making up almost 20 percent of the death toll.
  
  
• Malaysiakini continues to compile daily locations affected by Covid-19 so you can take precautions.
  
  
  

What else is happening?

• Arau MP Shahidan Kassim was dropped from the Parliamentary Select Committee for Women, Children and Social Development hours after his appointment was made public and an outcry.
  
  He was previously accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl but the case was dropped. Shahidan denied the claim.
  
  
• Lynas' controversial waste disposal facility was approved for construction at Bukit Ketam, Pahang amid concerns of water source pollution.
  
  
• Penang rolled out an RM20 million aid package to help worst-hit groups during the second movement control order.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Senator tests positive for Covid-19 Yaakob Sapari was supposed to visit flood victims.
	Azmin to strike out voters' suit His lawyer says the suit is abuse.
	Explainer: Why the varying effectiveness for China's vaccine Trial data raises more questions than answers.

What are people saying?

	The new abnormal By Fa Abdul
	The bedrock of Covid-19 infection control By Dr Musa Mohd Nordin & Asst Prof Mohammad Farhan Rusli
	Unconvincing reasons for emergency By Selayang MP William Leong

KINI LENS

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