Good morning. A third Umno warlord after Najib Abdul Razak and Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is sent to jail. Here's what you need to know.

Key Highlights

  • Felda chair jailed

  • Harapan's pandering

  • Health DG under pressure



Felda chair jailed

Former Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was sentenced to six years imprisonment and fined RM15.45 million.

This was for corruption in relation to Felda’s purchase of a hotel in Sarawak. He is out on bail.

The scandal is only the tip of the iceberg. The Felda White Paper in 2019 detailed widespread corruption which Malaysiakini summarised here.

Isa’s tenure saw the listing of Felda assets under FGV, which shares have fallen 75 percent.

The government had to bail out Felda in 2019 and is now working to delist FGV.



HIGHLIGHTS

Ex-Mara Inc chairperson arrested
He will face 22 charges over RM33.45mil bribes.
Malaysia improved in 2020 democracy index
Progress in the electoral process.
Muhyiddin to make official visit to Indonesia
He will discuss the pandemic.

 



Harapan’s pandering

“Poor” - That was how former attorney-general Tommy Thomas described Pakatan Harapan’s law reform efforts.

Thomas’ memoir revealed that in his conversations with Harapan leaders, they feared public opinion, leading to many U-turns.

Responding to the memoir, ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad revealed that he was satisfied with Thomas’ performance but intended to replace him anyway.

Mahathir said this was because he had to take “so much bashing” as Thomas was unpopular in the Malay community.

The memoir ruffled more feathers. Ex-solicitor-general Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria lodged a police report against Thomas for expressing a lack of confidence in him.


HIGHLIGHTS

Harapan's dithering and pandering
It made many U-turns on law reforms.
Dr M: I was bashed by Malays
They didn't want Tommy Thomas.
Muda won't appeal ROS rejection
They will fight in court.

 



Health DG under pressure

A campaign against Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah appears afoot.

A day after Umno called for a new “czar” to oversee the Covid-19 pandemic, false messages were circulated claiming Noor Hisham had resigned.

Noor Hisham defended his team and said his leadership is limited by collective decisions.

Based on leaks, it is known the Health Ministry wants an economic shutdown to control the pandemic but most ministers have resisted.

Noor Hisham is known not to publicly contradict the government. He has not had a televised address since Jan 21 but continued to engage the press in other ways.


HIGHLIGHTS

Hotelier turns to selling roadside food
His workers need to survive.
Another young healthy Malaysian dies of Covid-19
The 31-year-old was brought in dead.
Business group pleads to lift MCO
They cite job losses.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 4,284 new cases yesterday (Feb 3).

  • The death toll crossed the 800 mark.

  • Four out of 18 deaths were brought in dead. That means they died before they could be treated.

  • Malaysiakini also compiles daily locations affected by Covid-19 so you can take precaution.


What else is happening?

  • A 31-year-old man died from blunt force trauma to the head while under police custody.

  • PKR president Anwar Ibrahim panned an attempt by the home ministry to have him investigated for appealing to the Agong on the emergency.

  • Parti Pejaung Tanah Air is eyeing to contest between 50 to 60 seats in the next general election.


HIGHLIGHTS

Some stateless children still denied education
Putrajaya urged to review policy.
Anwar wants another blanket moratorium
He also calls for an Asean response.
Porn during classes - teachers share struggles
Some students are disruptive.



What are people saying?

Caught in a tangled web of vaccine nationalism
By KS Jomo
Redefining pupillage in M'sia
By Nicholas Wong
Govt should loosen purse strings
By Malaysiakini readers

 


KINI LENS

Ex-Felda chair Isa Samad hugs a family member after he was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption.