Good morning, here's what you need to know today.


Key Highlights

  • Interstate tourism

  • Complicated relationships

  • Child marriages



Interstate tourism

Starting today, interstate travel for tourism is allowed, on the condition that you engage a registered tour agency.

It only applies to travel between states that are under the recovery movement control order (MCO).

You must be ferried by a vehicle registered with the tourism ministry. Don’t expect a road trip on your own any time soon.

When the interstate travel ban was lifted in December, daily Covid-19 cases went from the 1,000 range to 5,000 in January.

Here's a recap of the MCO status for all states and territories.

Recovery MCO: Malacca, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan and Perlis.

Conditional MCO (No interstate tourism): Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Perak.


HIGHLIGHTS

166k vaccinated for Covid-19
Sarawak is the fastest moving.
Siti Hasmah explains why she got Covid-19 vaccine
She wants to encourage Langkawi folks to vaccinate.
Lawyers decry 'sham' inquest after documents withheld
This is over a custodial death.

 



Complicated relationships

At the federal level, a clash between BN (Umno, MCA, MIC, PBRS) and Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu, PAS, Star, SAPP, Gerakan + allies GPS and PBS) appears imminent.

But at the state level, the stories are different. In Selangor, Umno and PAS yesterday jointly snubbed Bersatu on federal appointments.

But in Sabah and Perlis, the state Umno revolted against their central body and insisted on working with Bersatu.

If that’s not complicated enough, an Umno supreme council leader wants a special arrangement with PAS even if the Islamist party joins with Bersatu.

He proposed PAS don’t campaign for Bersatu if the latter contested in traditional Umno seats.


HIGHLIGHTS

Trial hears Zahid's cash-to-cheques scheme
Witness says it's money laundering.
PKR defector: PM promised me position
He says it is to help the nation.
Pro-PN Umno MP appointed PR1MA chairperson
His appointment is effective immediately.




Child marriages

Two years ago, the nation was shocked when a 41-year-old man married an 11-year-old girl.

Following the incident, some states like Selangor, were proactive in banning child marriage. Others were more hesitant.

Putrajaya also created the National Strategic Plan to Address the Causes of Underage Marriage.

But since a change in government last year, Putrajaya’s commitment to the plan was unclear, especially since PAS, which is part of the new government, is against banning child marriage.

Yesterday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun gave her commitment to press on with the Harapan-era plan to address child marriages.


HIGHLIGHTS

Migrant rights activist Aegile Fernandez dies at 72
Her family wants her mission to be kept alive.
Top Glove: No systemic forced labour
It posted record profits.
Court allows extension to stop deportation
This is for 114 Myanmar nationals.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,280 new cases yesterday (March 9), another new low for this year.

  • 71.9 percent of the new cases involved Malaysians.

  • Active cases down to 18,704, the lowest since Dec 22 last year.

  • 9 new fatalities put the death toll at 1,186.

  • For trends on daily cases, individuals tested, hospital bed capacity and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.


What else is happening?

  • The groundbreaking ceremony of a Johor royalty-backed solar project had to be cancelled after Putrajaya did not respond.

  • Two former MACC chiefs were appointed to the Prasarana board following complaints that its chairperson had tried to influence contract appointments.

  • The Inland Revenu Board (IRB) denied it had made a U-turn on the tax amnesty and stressed it treated cases based on facts and merits.

  • Graphic artist Fahmi Reza is being investigated by police for his artwork on social media.

  • Ex-MCA vice president Chor Chee Heung was appointed as the new Star Media Group chairperson.

HIGHLIGHTS

PKR Youth veep downplays revolt
this is after Harapan Youth snubbed PKR.
'Parliament cannot sit without notice from PM'
Deputy speaker says 28-day notice needed.
'Don't drag Malaysia into Saudi-led war in Yemen'
Ex-minister's advice amid PM's visit to Saudi Arabia.

 


What are people saying?

What Najib and MCA have in common
By James Chai
Strange bedfellows needed to realise better nation
Zaid Ibrahim
Being a woman during the pandemic
By Melati Nungsari

 

CARTOON KINI