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

Key Highlights

• Total lockdown 'backdoor'
  
  

• Record deaths
  
  

• Moratorium clarification
  
  

Total lockdown ‘backdoor’

Some non-essential businesses are being approved to operate during the total lockdown.

A photography firm owner, upon hearing friends who also own non-essential businesses such as shoe manufacturing getting approval, tried his luck with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and was also given the approval to operate during this lockdown.

Amid businesses that shouldn’t operate but are being allowed to do so, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri posted a cryptic message on Facebook.

“I have closed the front door, but…” said the senior minister who is in charge of the lockdown.

This led to speculation that Ismail was upset that businesses were being allowed to operate through the "backdoor".

Meanwhile, some businesses that should be approved for operations weren’t able to get approval due to Miti’s online system clogging up.

Several food and beverages outlets said they decided to shut down pending Miti’s approval for fear that they would be fined.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'No vax centres even in PM’s constituency' Johor opposition says more centres are needed.
	Small-time hawkers don't need Miti approval 'Roadside hawkers only need to show their hawker permit.'
	PM told to reallocate RM1b slush fund for Covid-19 battle It was allocated during Budget 2021.

Record deaths

Daily Covid-19 deaths hit three digits for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

A record of 126 people succumbed to Covid-19 yesterday, putting the death toll at nearly 3,000.

Infectious disease expert Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the total lockdown working was imperative as a University of Washington study showed the death toll could reach as high as 26,000 by September.

Daily deaths are expected to continue climbing as the number of Covid-19 patients is still climbing.

It hit a new record high of 878 yesterday with 441 on ventilators, also a record high.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Mall association denies profiting from vaccination Malls in the programme are only charging RM50.
	'Vaccinate cleaners, guards and gardeners' 'Their sacrifices shouldn't be ignored.'
	Freight forwarders need vaccines, warn of port jams The economy could be impacted.

Moratorium clarification

The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) clarified that the three-month loan moratorium will apply to all households in the B40 income group.

This was after its initial statement appeared to suggest that the moratorium was only for those who had lost their jobs.

Meanwhile, the government came under criticism for claiming that it did not have the legal power to force banks to give a blanket moratorium.

DAP Youth chief Howard Lee pointed out that if Putrajaya could find a legal way to suspend Parliament, then it can do the same with the loan moratorium.

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also listed the legal provisions which he said would allow Putrajaya to enforce a blanket moratorium.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'Bomoh' backs out after Covid-19 ad goes viral 'Traditional healer cancelled his service'.
	Socso launches reality show 'Luar Biasa' The show features success stories.
	USM VC denounces hostel's 'move out' remarks Hostel occupants complain about privacy invasion.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 7,703 new cases yesterday (June 2).
  
  
• Selangor saw 2,728 new cases, the second-highest since the resurgence of the third wave, which started in mid-April.
  
  
• States that are seeing elevated cases (more than 500) also included: Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak, Johor and Kelantan.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia defended Beijing's move to fly military planes over Malaysia's exclusive economic zone, stressing that it was in accordance with international law.
  
  
• Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali, who is also PAS' Kuala Nerus MP, claimed that certain Umno leaders were out to attack him after they raised questions about the Malaysian Rubber Board's land leases.
  
  
• Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak claimed in an affidavit that the Inland Revenue Board was being weaponised to damage his reputation and political career.
  
  
• A housewife and a tutor were among the first people to be charged under the emergency ordinance for allegedly circulating fake news about the Covid-19 pandemic.
  
  

• The World Health Organization (WHO) finally approved China's Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. 
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	UK seeks 'modified' AstraZeneca vaccine against 'beta' variant The vaccine is less effective against the South African variant.
	'Probable link between Pfizer vaccine and myocarditis' 275 cases of myocarditis found in Israel.
	MySejahtera adds feature for pregnant mums It will recommend a suitable Covid-19 vaccine for them.

What are people saying?

	Allow healthcare staff to pass through roadblocks By Mastura Mohd Yusof
	Going about establishing a national unity govt By Lim Teck Ghee & Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi
	Answers needed on sudden changes in policies By R Nadeswaran

CARTOON KINI