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


Key Highlights

  • Motorists crushed again

  • Tambi controversy

  • A statement in Parliament



Motorists crushed again

In the span of three weeks, three more people died from another mishap at the Sungai Besi–Ulu Klang Expressway (Suke) project site.

A crane collapsed and crushed a car, killing three in the vehicle, who were employees. A motorist was also seriously injured.

Works Minister Fadilah Yusof ordered works to stop at the Persiaran Alam Damai section in Cheras, where the accident happened.

On March 3, two people died after a portion of the unfinished Suke highway was hit by a lorry and collapsed onto a van.

In September last year, a woman escaped death after a concrete slab from the highway flattened the passenger side of her car.

There have been more than 10 recorded incidents involving the highway. The routine: stop work, probe, resume.


HIGHLIGHTS

Activist warns quarry will destroy Gunung Baling
Kedah MB questions why it's an issue now.
Dam threatens to drown Orang Asli's way of life
Vast tracks of jungles will be logged and flooded.
PM: Putrajaya wants fair treatment for Sabah
He promises sustainable development.

 



Tambi controversy

Why is Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) embroiled in controversy over the definition of the word “Tambi”?

Context: DBP publishes three dictionaries and here’s how they define the word “Tambi”:

Kamus Dewan: “Panggilan untuk orang India berpangkat adik”.

Kamus Dewan Perdana: “Panggilan untuk orang lelaki muda India yang berpangkat adik”.

Kamus Pelajar: “Panggilan untuk orang Keling yang lebih muda”.

Reason: Kamus Pelajar was not updated since 1987 whereas the two others were updated in 2005 and 2020.

DBP promised to update Kamus Pelajar - including the online version - to keep up with the times as the word “Keling” is considered derogatory to Indians in this day and age.


HIGHLIGHTS

Lawyer to raise 1986 cabinet policy in 'Allah' appeal
He claimed the High Court had erred.
Cops ready for North Korean 'threat'
N Korea rep said M'sia must bear consequences.
IGP wants to eradicate 'blue code of silence
'Don't turn a blind eye to wrongdoings.

 



A statement in Parliament

The opposition sought to make a statement by meeting in Parliament at a time when Putrajaya refused to lift the suspension of the legislature.

Parliament officials gave them the cold treatment for trying to thumb their nose at the emergency government.

For context, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun was appointed by the PN government while his two deputies are also MPs from the ruling coalition.

As night markets, cinemas and soon Ramadan bazaars reopen, calls to reconvene Parliament are sounding like a broken record.

Putrajaya threw a myriad of reasons not to do so, including referencing the fact Parliament once did not convene for two years. Suggestions that it was trying to cling to power is "fake news".



HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar: MACC pushed ball to AG's court
This was over graft cases being dropped.
'Reduce PM's powers to appoint judges'
Experts call for judicial reform.
Couple flout Covid-19 SOP for honeymoon
It ended with a hefty fine.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,116 new cases and five deaths yesterday (March 22).

  • Active cases resume their decline to 14,134 after the previously 23-day reduction streak was disrupted by a spike last weekend.

  • Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have stubbornly remained above 150 in the last 10 days. Yesterday was 156.

  • We've updated our Covid-19 site to track vaccination data, so don't forget to check this out.


What else is happening?

  • Putrajaya will pay up to RM50,000 in the rare event you suffer adverse effects from the Covid-19 vaccine that require hospitalisation and up to RM500,000 if it results in permanent disability or death.

  • Ex-Air Putih assemblyperson Wan Ahmad Nizam Wan Abdul Hamid went public over allegations he molested someone's wife. He disputed the claim.

  • The Federal Court found the police and government liable for the custodial death of lorry driver P Chandran and ordered them to pay RM357,500.


HIGHLIGHTS

'Datuk Seri' charged with molesting daughter
He pleads not guilty.
Build on fantastic All-England win, Chong Wei tells Zii Jia
This after Zii Jia won the All England championship.
KJ: House-to-house Covid-19 vaccine registration
Some do not have internet access.


What are people saying?

When will Harapan stop 'hoping' for the number?
By Wong Chin Huat
The problem with working with Umno
By S Thayaparan
People have right to know the contents of govt deals
By R Nadeswaran

 


CARTOON KINI