Good morning! Let's update you on the notable developments.

Key Highlights

• MCO 2.0 reliefs
  
  
• Emergency challenged
  
  
• DAP rep sacked
  
  

MCO 2.0 reliefs

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveiled his economic relief package for the second movement control order (MCO 2.0).

Notable aids include RM500 for taxi, bus and e-hailing drivers but many were also a repeat of Budget 2021 items. Old wine in a new bottle? You decide. Details here. 

For context, the package is RM15bil. The MCO 1.0 package was RM250bil. Muhyiddin said MCO 2.0 is less damaging as more businesses remain open.

Banks reiterated last year’s commitment to give a 3-month loan moratorium to the B40 community and those who lost their jobs.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Muhyiddin unveils MCO 2.0 relief  It is more modest compared to MCO 1.0.
	S'gor wants to buy 5mil Covid-19 vaccine doses MB says it will reduce Putrajaya's burden.
	'Test or not, close contacts must still isolate' Health DG addresses worry the virus may spread.

Emergency challenged

While the opposition tip-toed on the emergency, Khairuddin Abu Hassan filed his own legal suit.

The stalwart of ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad previously lodged police reports on the 1MDB scandal in several countries, landing him in Sosma detention upon return.

Interestingly, Mahathir also filed to intervene in a previous and separate suit against the Agong.

That suit was filed by a lawyer in October when the Agong initially rejected Muhyiddin’s request for emergency.

Muhyiddin acknowledged unhappiness over the emergency and promised to mitigate the impact. Mahathir, however, predicts imminent abuses.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Dr M's stalwart files suit over emergency It is on the validity of the PM's advice to Agong.
	Dr M predicts abuses will soon manifest He says this comes with absolute power.
	Dr M seeks to intervene in Agong suit  He is joined by four other Pejuang MPs.

DAP rep sacked

DAP sacked its Malim Nawar assemblyperson Leong Cheok Keng after he reportedly applied to join MCA.

What’s the backstory? Perak DAP was plagued by factionalism.

It boiled over when Tronoh assemblyperson Paul Yong was charged with rape in August 2019. Yong claimed he was framed.

A month later, Leong resigned from the Perak DAP leadership in protest against its chief Nga Kor Ming for his comments about Yong.

Yong defected to PN in March last year, bringing down the Pakatan Harapan government in Perak. Leong is now headed in the same direction.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Perak DAP rep sacked for MCA move Dual membership not allowed.
	Umno AGM postponed again This is due to MCO 2.0.
	Jamal Yunos on trial This is over offensive videos.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 3,306 new cases yesterday (Jan 18).
  
  
• Daily new cases above 3,000 for five consecutive days. Active cases rose for 10 consecutive days.
  
  
• 38,791 patients under treatment, way above the 34,126 beds available. Mild symptoms patients stay home.
  
  
• Malaysiakini continues to compile daily locations affected by Covid-19 so you can take precautions.
  
  

What else is happening?

• The lawyer of a teen who was raped in police custody wants the on-duty cops to be charged. The CCTVs weren't recording.
  
  
• Seremban and Port Dickson are placed under full MCO 2.0 today.
  
  
• The "datuk" who beat up a couple after being told not to speak loudly said sorry.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Harapan ponders on emergency panel It wants details first.
	Over 90 Covid-19 cases at KL market 600 workers are being screened.
	No Thaipusam joy under MCO, CMCO Celebrations cannot be held at temples.

What are people saying?

	10 questions for the Health DG By Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming
	Where is the vaccination plan? By Bukit Tengah ADUN Gooi Hsiao Leung
	The debate on Sinovac vaccine's safety and efficacy By Malaysiakini readers

CARTOON KINI

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