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

Key Highlights

  • Kedah MB critics hauled up

  • Concerns over vaxxed benefits

  • Covid-19 vs Confidence vote




Kedah MB critics hauled up

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's latest gaffe about taking bookings for makeshift morgues may have inflamed the masses, but it is the average Joes who are facing action.

Police have detained four people over insults and threats against Sanusi in the days following his gaffe.

This included a senior citizen who went on a rant about the menteri besar.

Previously a woman who blew the whistle on Sanusi for going on a test drive had also been the subject of online harassment. The Kedah MB was eventually fined RM1,500 for alleged SOP breach.

Sanusi, who is usually unrepentant over his controversial remarks, had apologised over his latest morbid joke - which he claimed was taken out of context.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Stop using taxpayers' money to settle scores
PSM ticks off Kedah MB.
'Why so quick to nab senior citizen?'
Ramasamy questions action against Sanusi critic.
Police probe upside down Jalur Gemilang
The inverted flag was flown in Batu Pahat.

 




Concerns over vaxxed benefits

The medical community remains hesitant to Putrajaya's plans to grant fully vaccinated individuals more freedoms.

The government's decision is believed to be driven by the enormous economic pressure brought on by restrictions.

However, the Malaysian Medical Association believes that the relaxed rules are not based on sound science, and should be deferred until Covid-19 cases drop.

Concerns have also been raised over unvaccinated individuals falsifying vaccination credentials to enjoy perks.

Online marketplaces are already offering services to print Covid-19 digital certificates - which raised questions on whether the authorities would be diligent in authenticating those with physical copies.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kota Bharu eateries postpone dine-in
Safety top priority - cafe manager says.
Woman gets wrong second vaccine
Kedah Health Dept apologises.
'Reopen economy based on company's vaccination rate'
They say this will avoid recession.

 




Covid-19 vs Confidence vote

One area where fully vaccinated individuals will likely not enjoy perks anytime soon is Parliament.

Amid the tussle for power, there have been repeated calls for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to face a vote of confidence before Parliament convenes in September.

However, it appears that Covid-19 will get in the way of that - much to the chagrin of the opposition.

The Health Ministry announced that there are now 97 Covid-19 cases linked to the Dewan Rakyat sitting last month.

A deputy minister's aide, who had been in Parliament during the sitting, has since died from Covid-19.

Follow Malaysiakini's Battle for Putrajaya tracker to see how the cards are being stacked.

HIGHLIGHTS

PKR MPs reject Muhyiddin in palace letters
PM should resign now - Fahmi Fadzil.
Johor ruler disappointed with power struggle
'Prioritise the rakyat, not your own selfish interests.'
Parliament reviewing occupancy in September
This is to prevent Covid transmission.

 



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 19,991 new cases yesterday (Aug 10).

  • Six states report four digit cases, including Kedah, Kelantan and Sabah, which recorded record high cases.

  • 201 fatalities pushed the death toll to 11,162.

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



What else is happening?

  • Musician and copywriter Wani Ardy shares how Long Covid has taken a toll on her and disrupted her ability to earn a living.

  • Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin has been urged to be objective and allow police to investigate, without bias, reports on allegations that opposition MPs were offered 'durians' to jump ship.

  • The Registrar of Societies says Umno's leadership is only a caretaker one while it reviews the party's appeal to get their decision to postpone party elections re-validated.

  • Actor Shuib Sepahtu shared a heartbreaking account of how his three children broke out sobbing when told that their mother Siti Sarah Raissuddin would not be returning home.



What are people saying?

Vaccinate children before schools reopen
By Dr Kelvin Yii

Review the relaxed restrictions for fully vaccinated persons
By Malaysian Health Coalition
Creativity facing gale-force winds
By R Nadeswaran