Good morning, here's a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • Sinovac in the spotlight

  • Umno man acquitted

  • Loads of briefing



Sinovac in the spotlight

The government's decision to stop using the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine next month sparked speculation, prompting the local supplier and government to clarify that this was because they had run out of them.

The Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines will still be available on the private market starting next month.

The government ordered enough Sinovac vaccines for 23.4 percent of the population. The bulk of the supply will be from Pfizer-BioNTech, which is expected to pick up and will cater to 70 percent of the population.

The others are AstraZeneca (20.9 percent) and Cansino (10 percent) while the initial plan to purchase Sputnik V appeared to have fallen off the radar.

However, it still put the spotlight on the Sinovac vaccine amid developments in other countries, including Thailand's plan to provide an AstraZeneca booster shot for Sinovac recipients.

Former health minister S Subramaniam suggested that Putrajaya conducts a trial for a similar move, citing concerns over the more virulent Delta variant that has wreaked havoc in the Klang Valley.

Doctors who led a Chilean human trial of the Sinovac vaccine have also recommended a third dose to protect against the Delta variant.

Most Covid-19 vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant but to varying degrees. Data is still preliminary for the variant. Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng also urged the government to address these concerns.


Sinovac uses an older but tested method of vaccine production compared to Pfizer-BioNTech, which uses newer technology. Read our KiniGuide to learn more about the vaccine.

Generally, the vaccines have reduced severe symptoms but breakthrough infections are still possible.

The government is moving up its target to have all adults fully vaccinated by October, amid mounting cases and deaths.


HIGHLIGHTS

Health Ministry approves Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine
Two doses to be administered at a 21-day interval.
Father admitted for operation dies from Covid-19
His family is seeking answers.
CITF plugs loophole in MySejahtera
This is to stop illegal vaccine agents.

 



Umno man acquitted

The Court of Appeal overturned the corruption conviction against Umno's Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The former federal territories minister was accused of accepting RM2 million from a property development firm. The court agreed 2-1 that it was a political donation.

An anti-graft group criticised the decision, pointing out that the RM2 million exceeded the election spending limit of RM200,000.

The prosecution has yet to decide whether to appeal the decision.

Among the high-profile graft cases that have seen the accused acquitted or discharged include ex-Sabah chief minister Musa Aman, ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's stepson Riza Aziz and Abdul Latif Abdul Rahim, the brother of Umno’s Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.


HIGHLIGHTS

Govt loses appeal in legal action over KVDT2 project
Dhaya Maju LTAT can sue the govt for the termination.
Tabung Haji placed under Bank Negara
'It's due to its importance to the financial system'.
Govt does not manipulate Covid-19 numbers - Saifuddin
He gives his assurance that the govt lets people know the real situation.

 



Loads of briefing

Opposition MPs were up in arms after the Dewan Rakyat agenda showed all five days of sitting will be on ministerial briefings despite the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asking for the Covid-19 pandemic to be debated.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wrote to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, pressing him to ensure adequate debate while Pakatan Harapan urged the government not to go against the ruler's decree.

De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan gave his assurance that there will be debates during the special sitting starting July 26, stating that the prime minister had also written to the House speaker.

Outside Parliament, the Perikatan Nasional government began engaging with opposition leaders on the Covid-19 pandemic, a shift in strategy amid the worsening situation.



HIGHLIGHTS

Fugitive wanted for Bill Kayong’s murder arrested after six years
The suspect was believed to be hiding in China.
Hisham quarantined for the fourth time
He was a close contact of a Covid-19 patient.
Kedah MB finally fined for a test drive during lockdown
This was after more than a month of investigation.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 10,710 new cases yesterday (July 18), the sixth consecutive day where fresh infections were in the five digits.

  • Active cases hit another record high of 124,593, putting unprecedented strain on the healthcare system.

  • Daily deaths hit a record high of 138 last Saturday, only to be broken again with 153 fatalities the next day. The death toll is now at 7,019.

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


What else is happening?

  • The government announced its intention to commence the reopening of schools beginning in September, subject to a risk assessment.

  • A Singaporean firm entered into a joint-venture with the Johor ruler to mine gold and other minerals in Johor, which will see the company pay an RM3 million fee and a tribute equivalent to 30 percent of profits.

  • Police won't accept letters issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry as permission for travelling during the Hari Raya Aidiladha season to prevent abuse for balik kampung travels.

  • Three activists were fined RM2,000 each for a flash mob protesting the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • The enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Selangor ended last Saturday, following the conclusion of targeted mass screenings. The whole state is now back under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan.


HIGHLIGHTS

Hundreds of indigenous bumiputera in Sarawak are still stateless
Even those who fought for M'sia wait decades to be made citizens.
Selangor rolls out Covid-19 centralised funeral initiative
This is amid congestion at hospitals.
Councillor warns of Covid-19 preventable deaths
Patients should get an ambulance when needed.

 


What are people saying?

Prejudice, powerful foreigners and Penan citizenship
By Jenifer Laeng, Natasha Sim & Lim Huck Hai
'Hidden violation' in redelineation
By Danesh Prakash Chacko
There is no right way to protest
By Sun Cheng Kidd



CARTOON KINI