Good morning, here's what you need to know today.
Key Highlights
- China vaccine jabs begin
- Anwar's 'sandcastle'
- 'Allah' case: behind the scenes
China vaccine jabs begin
China’s Sinovac became the second type of Covid-19 vaccine to be administered in the country, with Khairy Jamaluddin as the first recipient, as promised.
The immunisation minister joked that he could speak good Mandarin after the jab, but on a serious note, assured of its safety.
A recap of the vaccination targets:
Phase 1 (Feb - April)
Target: 500,000 - frontliners
Phase 2 (April-August)
Target 9.4mil - old, sick, disabled folks
Phase 3 (May-Feb 2022)
Target: 13.7mil - everyone else above 18
With 367,213 vaccinated as of March 17, we’re slightly ahead of schedule albeit complaints some private doctors are still waiting to be vaccinated.
So far, three vaccines have been approved in Malaysia: Pfizer-Biontech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca.
Globally, roll out of the first two have generally been smooth but investigators are looking at unusual symptoms among a small group of AstraZeneca recipients in Europe. It won't be arriving in Malaysia yet, so there's time to wait for data from other countries.
HIGHLIGHTS
Govt considering third booster vaccine dose This if the Covid-19 pandemic doesn't improve.
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After Khairy, Najib wants Sinovac vaccine too
Continuation of Khairy vs Najib row.
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Zahid trial: Charity funds used for electoral survey RM360,000 was spent.
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Anwar’s ‘sandcastle’
Pressure from the opposition continues to mount on PKR president Anwar Ibrahim after he announced initial talks with Umno ahead of GE15.
Five MPs from Warisan, Muda, DAP and PKR cautioned Anwar not to build “sandcastles” and want him to drop his numbers game.
Meanwhile, Anwar briefed Pakatan Harapan allies on his recent meeting with Umno leaders and assured there isn’t any commitment - yet.
DAP and Amanah, growing increasingly impatient, have taken over the leadership of the coalition’s women’s and youth wings respectively.
This is a break from convention where the allies would often make way for PKR, seen as the coalition’s de facto leader.
HIGHLIGHTS
'If you can do better than Anwar, go ahead' PKR MP says criticism of Anwar uncalled for.
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PKR MP fears planted cash Offers made to defect.
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Do not defame Bersatu - Wan Saiful He says no evidence Bersatu enticing MPs.
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‘Allah’ case: Behind the scenes
Ex-minister Baru Bian revealed the previous Harapan government was working on an out-of-court settlement on cases related to the “Allah” word.
However, he said Muhyiddin preferred the cases to run their course in the courts, something Baru did not favour as the cases were sensitive and divisive.
That explains why the Jill Ireland and Sidang Injil Borneo cases were delayed for a long time, pending negotiations.
With the out-of-court proposal abandoned after the Harapan government’s collapse, the cases resumed and the KL High Court ruled that non-Muslims can use the word “Allah” in Jill Ireland’s case.
Now, battle lines are drawn in the legal battle with East Malaysian MPs asking Putrajaya to drop its appeal against the decision while Umno and PAS favouring a challenge.
Even the Johor sultan have joined in to back the appeal.
HIGHLIGHTS
Penang drafted anti-religious propagation law This is on the spread non-Muslims religions to Muslims.
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Riparian rights lost on Kedah MB - Penang DCM MB had threatened 'muddy water' for Penang.
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Orang Asli villagers win injunction against Kelantan govt
Temporary ban on commercial activities.
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A daily glance at Covid-19
- 1,213 new cases and three deaths yesterday (March 18).
- Spike in Sarawak with 303 new cases, the highest in two weeks. The state only recorded above 300 cases on two other occasions.
- Active cases finally dipped under 15,000 for the first time in 91 days. At 14,782, it's the lowest since Dec 17 last year.
- For trends on daily cases, individuals tested, hospital bed capacity and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
What else is happening?
- The government will decide on whether to allow interstate travel for Hari Raya based on data in the next two months. In the meantime, it is trialling stadium events.
- Several ministers are under police investigation for allegedly attending a wedding a Negeri Sembilan despite an interstate travel ban due to Covid-19.
- Inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador alleged there was a plot by a cartel of police officers to undermine him.
- The country's deficit will rise to six percent, more than the initial target of 5.4 percent, due to the Pemerkasa stimulus package.
- Malaysiakini interviewed Muhammad Lukman Mohamad, who escaped death row over "medical marijuana".
HIGHLIGHTS
Umno man puzzled bazaars can open but not Parliament Govt decided to allow Ramadan bazaars.
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Latest aid package falls short - ex-finance minister
'More needs to be done'.
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Zafrul: Not right time to introduce new taxes Focus is on economic recovery.
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What are people saying?
One year of Covid-19 lockdown
By Bridget Welsh
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Covid-19 - can we really achieve herd immunity?
By Dr Amar-Singh HSS
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Malaysia’s palm oil persecution complex
By Phelim Kine
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CARTOON KINI