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


Key Highlights

  • MCO fines discount

  • Another aid package

  • Opposition nudges PKR



MCO fines discount

Putrajaya revised its “RM10,000 fine now, appeal later” policy for movement control order (MCO) rules violation.

De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan gave several examples: RM1,500 for first-time offenders not wearing a mask, RM5,000 for refusing orders by authorised officers or RM10,000 for going to a night club.

But the emergency ordinance has yet to be updated nor the official list of fines released, as the decision was hastily announced after the cabinet meeting yesterday.

The general principle is this:

  • Pay within 7 days: 50 percent discount
  • Pay within 8-14 days: 25 percent discount
  • After 14 days: No discount

Those fined from March 11, when the fine was increased 10 fold, are also eligible for discounts, counted as if they were fined yesterday (March 17).

Offences will be tiered into three categories: Severe, moderate and normal. We’ll update you when the list of official fines becomes available.



HIGHLIGHTS

BN task forces to check on govt
This despite it being part of the govt.
'Accusing the police of cruelty is unfair'
IGP defends cops amid fines fiasco.
Boy dies after being left in car
He was unattended for four hours.

 



Another aid package

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced another RM20 billion aid package, mostly targeting the most vulnerable communities. 

Some highlights:

  • Smart device subsidy increased from RM180 to RM300 for Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) recipients with school-going children.

  • One-off RM500 for B40 folks who lost their income.

  • Additional RM500 for BPR recipients earning RM1,000 or less a month.

  • Extension of wage subsidy for sectors that closed during MCO.

The new assistance provide some relief as the previous RM15 billion package announced in January were mostly a repeat of Budget 2021 items.

Moving forward, Muhyiddin indicated that MCO restrictions may become district-based instead of state-wide.


HIGHLIGHTS

Kedah MB: Muddy water for Penang
He says this is if Penang doesn't pay up.
Arrests after Gang 36 holds a procession
Funeral procession displayed the "36" logo.
Hindu shrine demolition in Kedah put on hold
Discussions are underway.

 



Opposition nudges PKR

Amanah, DAP, Warisan, Muda and PSB, in a joint statement, called for PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to unite the opposition and reject cooperation with kleptocrats.

Notably absent from the statement was PKR. It came a day after Anwar confirmed he was in initial talks with Umno on possible cooperation.

Problem: The only anti-PN Umno faction willing to engage Anwar is the court cluster - Umno leaders standing trial for corruption.

There are two other major factions in Umno. The pro-PN group, which allegiance is already clear. And the third, which is also anti-PN but believe Umno/BN can win GE15 on their own.

It highlights that while the PN government is fragile, the opposition is also fractured.



HIGHLIGHTS

Hadi: PAS open to party hoppers
They can be educated.
Zahid takes aim at Umno leaders leaking info
They were reportedly identified.
Kampar MP sorry for Perak DAP polls outburst
But he wants complaints investigated.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,219 new cases and two deaths yesterday (March 17).

  • Sabah, once the epicentre of the pandemic, recorded under 100 new daily cases for 16 consecutive days.

  • Active cases at 15,075, at less than half of the maximum bed capacity of 34,216. It peaked at 52,186 on Feb 11, when many had to be kept at home.

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


What else is happening?

  • Deputy minister Edmund Santhara Kumar made it to the New Zealand Parliament when an opposition MP there asked the government about his quarantine status.

  • Health Ministry said there are unknowns to consider after Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim suggested postponing the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to allow more people to get their first dose.

  • A 40-year-old woman is seeking to nullify her unilateral conversion to Islam when she was aged 10.


HIGHLIGHTS

PKR Youth wants Santhara extradited
Deputy minister on extended leave in NZ.
New judge for US$340m suit against Petrosaudi
Case linked to 1MDB scandal.
Najib is US court battled
He is seeking documents.

 


What are people saying?

Fake news ordinance more draconian than we think
By Andrew Khoo
A lesson in irony
By Thor Kah Hoong
 Why it’ll be a tragedy if PKR botches GE15 candidates
By Martin Vengadesan

 

CARTOON KINI