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


Key Highlights

  • WFH rule dropped

  • Umno's next battle

  • Political tension



WFH rule dropped

From tomorrow, civil servants and personnel for businesses under the International Trade and Industry Ministry are no longer required to work from home.

Previously, Putrajaya limited the number of management and supervisory staff who can work from the office.

The movement control order - both conditional and recovery - will also be extended until April 14. Interstate travel ban remains.

In a related development, the Health Ministry said those who are vaccinated against Covid-19 are still not exempt from quarantine and prevention rules.

More info was needed on the vaccine’s effectiveness. Previously, a pilot who was vaccinated questioned why he couldn’t undergo home quarantine - as a minister could.



HIGHLIGHTS

'Covid-19 probably passed from bats'
WHO report says more study needed.
Dr M 'puzzled' by Undi18 postponement
He questions purported difficulties.
Undi18 protest: Eight questioned by cops
More are expected to be called in.

 



Umno’s next battle

After Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s faction secured the outcome they wanted at the party’s annual general assembly - for Umno to quit the PN federal government - their attention now turns to the party polls.

Zahid’s faction wants to postpone the Umno polls - the last platform for rebels to try and scuttle their plan before GE15 is called.

Umno’s Khairy Jamaluddin pushed back, insisting party polls must be held in June to resolve the "internal chaos".

In the interim, Umno ministers who were summoned by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin informed him that they will quit in August.

That’s when the emergency expires and Parliament is restored. For now, Umno’s support doesn’t matter as an emergency government needs no majority.



HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar downplays Zahid's 'no Anwar, no DAP'
He says it's a previous decision.
'Consider rakyat before setting date to resign'
Umno man asks ministers to consider the people.
Warisan not Mahathir's puppet - sec-gen
Good relations does not mean being controlled.

 



Political tension

Umno’s internal drama is spilling over and causing friction among its allies and coalition partners.

Bersatu warned it too can pull out of the Johor government which will lead to the collapse of the Umno-led state government.

The BN-PN government in Johor controls 29 out of 56 seats. Bersatu has 12.

Meanwhile, a local Umno division retaliated by demanding the Sungai Siput seat from MIC, after MIC expressed concern about the developments in Umno.

MIC slammed the “arrogant” response and said Umno can contest GE15 alone if it can’t treat its BN allies as equal partners.



HIGHLIGHTS

PAS needs to exit PN - political analyst
It can't be friends with both Umno and Bersatu.
DAP national congress on June 20
Party polls will also be held.
Private hospitals hopes for faster vaccine procurement
Group says it won't compete with public supply.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,133 new cases and five deaths yesterday (March 30), back to four-digits.

  • The infectivity rate in Kedah, Pahang, Sarawak, Penang, Kelantan and Malacca are above 1.0  - meaning cases are on the rise there.

  • The number of Covid-19 clusters fell to 369 compared to 428 clusters two weeks ago.

  • For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.


What else is happening?

  • Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador called out "traitors" in the force who were in cahoots with the "Nicky Gang".

  • Construction of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Suke) was halted for a safety audit.

  • Publisher Gerakbudaya is challenging the government's ban on a book titled "Gay is Okay! A Christian Perspective".

  • Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdullah pressed the attorney-general for a decision on the death of the late firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim,  more than two years after he was believed to have been killed in a riot.

  • Penang said its governor will recommend to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to allow the state to convene a State Legislative Assembly sitting, despite the emergency.


HIGHLIGHTS

Ban on Top Glove  tarnishes M'sia - minister
He won't compromise on the abuse of workers.
Top Glove to clarify on seized gloves at US ports
The US issued a Finding on forced labour.
'Services sector reform crucial for Malaysia'
This is according to the World Bank.

 


What are people saying?

Umno is alone
By Bridget Welsh
The steamy, spicy 'pau' served at Umno’s PAU
By Andrew Sia
High Court's bold decision on the use of 'Allah'
By Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin

 


CARTOON KINI