Good morning. Here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

• Rose-tinted Covid-19 glasses
  
  
• Syed Saddiq to be charged
  
  
• Azalina wants AG in Parliament
  
  

Rose-tinted Covid-19 glasses

There were 199 Covid-19 deaths yesterday, a new record as the number of cases and fatalities continue to spiral.

But while the number of casualties gives a bleak outlook, there are indications that the government may be trying to paint a softer image of the pandemic.

The Health Ministry has stopped disclosing a detailed breakdown on Covid-19 fatalities, including the ages of those deceased and what comorbidities they had.

At the same time, the ministry has also been releasing new charts about the severity of new cases during admission, which indicates that less than one percent of new cases per day are severe and critical, while more than 95 percent are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

Experts warned that without better context, this data could lead the people to let their guard down, since the data does not reflect the possible progression of cases.

The rosier data presentation comes as the government plans to announce eased restrictions for those fully vaccinated this week.

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	'Fatigue behind 'blank shot' cases' Deputy minister wants action if it was intentional.
	'No more sexual harassment at PPVs' 'Those working at PPVs should focus on their tasks'.

Syed Saddiq to be charged

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will be charged today for the alleged misappropriation of Bersatu funds.

This is after MACC launched a probe against him over an allegedly "suspiciously large" amount of cash he was entrusted with.

The probe itself came after the former youth and sports minister lodged a police report over RM250,000 that went missing from his home. He denied the cash belonged to Bersatu.

Syed Saddiq said today's charges are politically motivated and came after he refused to back the fragile Perikatan Nasional government in the forthcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting.

He had recently engaged auditors to go over his fundraising activities to buy tablets and laptops for his constituents.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'PN not avoiding elections' Kelantan deputy MB backs PM.
	#Lawan street protest planned for July 31 The time and location will be disclosed later.
	Dr M drubs National Recovery Council 'It's a politicised version of Pejuang's suggestion'

Azalina wants AG in Parliament

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Azalina Othman Said wants Attorney-General Idrus Harun to be in the Parliament next week to take questions on emergency ordinances.

She argued that Idrus was duty-bound to do so due to his role as advisor to the King and the cabinet.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan is calling on Idrus' younger brother, Azhar - who is the Dewan Rakyat speaker - to make sure there are debates on the emergency in the coming Parliament session.

Otherwise, Harapan argued, that Azhar would not satisfy the King's desires for the session, and he should resign.

HIGHLIGHT

	'Emergency should have been debated earlier' Dr M says both houses need to pass such a proclamation.
	'Debate education issues' Harapan says govt is 'directionless' on the education system.
	Asean MPs urge govts to protect migrants This is amid the surge in Covid-19 cases

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 11,985 new cases yesterday (July 21).
  
  
• The death toll is now at 7,440 after a record 199 fatalities.
  
  
• There are 137,587 active cases now.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• Bukit Aman crashed a booze and karaoke party at a police station in Kajang, arresting four officers and four women.
  
  
• A man who allegedly provoked the police while being compounded for not wearing a mask in public was remanded for four days.
  
  
• A film producer was charged for producing Namewee's controversial movie Babi without a Finas licence.
  
  
• Police arrested 49 people for violating SOPs by performing Aidiladha prayers in the open in Penang. Another 31 people were arrested in Batu Caves over an Aidiladha feast.
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	DPM advises Azeez to return to M'sia 'Situation in Gaza remains uncertain'
	NGOs to sue Kulim Municipal Council  This is over alleged brutality against stray dogs.
	Red flag over bauxite mining NGO warns of risks due to lax enforcement.

What are people saying?

	Are 'blank shots' just isolated incidents? By Rafidah Aziz
	Muhyiddin's new clothes By James Chai
	NEP subservient to the majoritarian agenda By P Ramasamy

CARTOONKINI