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Key Highlights

  • MCO fines raised to RM10k

  • Unnatural sex decision

  • Vaccines hiccups



MCO fines raised to RM10k

The PN government invoked emergency powers to increase the maximum compound for violating movement control order (MCO) rules to RM10,000, up from RM1,000.

Rules were also updated allowing parents to travel across districts or states to send their children to school. No permission from police required but they must get a letter from the school.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri also clarified some standard operating procedure (SOP) confusions:

1) Cops were wrong to fine a driver for ferrying passengers from different households. The same household rule for cars is no longer valid.

2) A condominium was wrong to fine a one-year-old child for not wearing a face mask. They don’t have the power to fine any resident on MCO rules.



HIGHLIGHTS

Incentives for Covid-19 vaccine registration
Businesses are offering discounts.
S'gor MB and excos vaccinated
Assemblypersons are next in line.
Aged care centres need more time
This is for Covid-19 vaccine registration.

 



Unnatural sex decision

The Federal Court struck down a Selangor syariah law provision that criminalised “unnatural sex” - often used on people in same-sex relationships.

However, this did not mean that “unnatural sex” is now legal. It is still an offence under the Penal Code, a federal law.

It was struck down on grounds that the matter falls under federal jurisdiction. Therefore, states which legislate syariah laws do not have power on the matter.

Human rights groups hailed the decision as a win for the LGBT community but noted that they still face discrimination under the Penal Code.



HIGHLIGHTS

M'kini editor, MP summoned to Bukit Aman
This is over comments about a Federal Court decision.
Taman Rimba Kiara case now at Federal Court
Four parties want to reinstate condo development.
Ex-Uber driver acquitted of kidnapping Pastor Koh
He allegedly blackmailed Koh's family.

 



Vaccine hiccups

Complaints emerged from hospital staff that certain people are jumping the Covid-19 vaccine queue but the Health Ministry dismissed this as “fake news”.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he is doing fine a day after the vaccination.

However, he became a target of conspiracy theorist who zoomed in on the different needles used on him. They have since been debunked.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 private healthcare workers were accidentally left out of the vaccination list after an oversight by the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) which has promised to fix the mistake.



HIGHLIGHTS

Unlimited Rapid Penang bus ride with My30 pass
This is to encourage public transport use.
Rosmah's money laundering trial in Nov
It will run for 17 days.
CNY visits lead to Covid-19 cluster
14 infected in Sarawak.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,924 new cases and 12 deaths yesterday (Feb 25).

  • First time new daily cases dipped under 2,000 since Jan 4.

  • Active cases also dipped under 30,000 for the first time since Jan 11.

  • However, patients in the intensive care unit climbed back above 200, with 14 new cases.

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


What else is happening?

  • Sebatik assemblyperson Hassan A Gani Pg Amir quit Warisan to become a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-friendly independent.

  • The government confirmed that the Form 4 history textbook which Umno claimed glorified communists were made when Umno still controlled the Education Ministry in April 2018.

  • Eight Chinese school representatives were charged with unlawful assembly over a protest against Jawi lessons in 2019.

HIGHLIGHTS

Spotlight on Amanah Ikhtiar
This is over plans to rope in private interests.
Jail for M’sian who blackmailed grieving parents
An Australian court rejected appeal for lighter sentence.
Pakistani national dies in custody
Family wants inquest.



What are people saying?

A tale of two emergencies
By Andrew Sia
Immigration DG should face the music
By Martin Vengadesan
Umno shares blame for our ‘dead’ democracy
By Malaysiakini readers

 


CARTOON KINI