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Key Highlights

  • New emergency ordinance

  • RM10k fines kick in

  • Undi 18



New emergency ordinance

Putrajaya introduced a new emergency ordinance that granted it sweeping powers against what is deemed as “fake news”.

Ordinances are laws made using emergency powers without going through Parliament.

The new ordinance closely resembled the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, passed by the BN government amid the 1MDB scandal but later repealed by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2019.

However, this ordinance is specific to “fake news” relating to Covid-19 and the emergency proclamation.

Rights group have expressed concern over the wide definition of “fake news” that could lead to abuse.

The ordinance also overwrites procedures in the Evidence Act 1950 and allows arrests without a warrant.



HIGHLIGHTS

MPs decry 'fake news' ordinance
They say PN trying to control narrative.
Don't speculate 'Allah' ruling - Home Minister
'Respect the judicial process'.
Senior minister gets order against ex-Bersatu woman
It's part of a defamation suit.



RM10k fines kick in

The fine increase from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for violating movement control order (MCO) rules took effect yesterday.

Many offenders, including first-timers, got a rude shock when they were all slapped with the maximum fine of RM10,000.

This was despite police previously saying that the maximum fine is targeted at repeat offenders.

However, police explained that they don’t have the power to lower the fine and must follow what is in the emergency ordinance.

Instead, they said the appropriate procedure is to then appeal to the district health department to lower the fine.


HIGHLIGHTS

Court: King's call on emergency cannot be challenged
This is over a judicial review attempt.
Sabah moots train from KK airport
Initial routes identified.
223,923 vaccinated for Covid-19
Sarawak is still ahead of other states.

 



Undi 18

Bersatu’s Dewan Negara speaker Rais Yatim continued his offensive against lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 (Undi 18), claiming that it was impractical to implement it by the next general election.

This prompted the opposition to demand the Perikatan Nasional government clarify if it was no longer committed to a July target to gazette the change.

Bersatu Youth retaliated by branding the criticisms as an attempt to create negative sentiments, but we’re no closer to knowing if Putrajaya will ensure 18-year-olds can vote in GE15.

However, Undi 18 found support from Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah who called opponents “outdated and politically immature”.

The Federal Constitution was amended in 2019 to lower the voting age but several related laws are yet to be updated for implementation.

The updates will require Parliament to sit but it is suspended during the emergency which will last until August.



HIGHLIGHTS

Include senators in vaccine priority list - Rais
He wants them to be considered frontliners.
'Don't blame millennials for overspending'
Root cause must be addressed.
Senate to look into 'communist' textbook issue
Umno claimed Form 4 history textbook glorified communists.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,647 new cases yesterday (March 11). the sixth consecutive day that they are under 2,000.

  • 9 new fatalities put the death toll at 1,200.

  • Malacca's 71 new cases were the highest in 28 days due to an outbreak at the Machap Umboo immigration detention centre.

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


What else is happening?

  • Two 17-year-old school leavers were charged in court for insulting their teacher.

  • Umno and PAS want the 'Allah' ruling to be appealed but the proposal earned a rebuke from Sarawak.

  • Pakatan Harapan Youth chief urged the coalition not to work with Umno leaders facing graft charges in court.


HIGHLIGHTS

Businessman 'felt special' Zahid asked for RM10m
Then DPM had asked for a 'donation'.
Police grill Guan Eng; Mat Sabu next
This over Harapan's statement on emergency.
IGP denies cops a tool for PN govt
'Police action not related to politics'

  


What are people saying?

Seriously, we should give 'Allah' row a rest
By Francis Paul Siah
Bad politics driving people away
By Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi
Awaiting election showdown with party-hoppers
By Malaysiakini readers

 


CARTOON KINI