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

Key Highlights

• Hisham and China
  
  

• Study for Sinovac boosters
  
  

• Driving licence for the elderly
  
  
  

Hisham and China

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's immediate response to the formation of a security pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom - to visit China in order to seek Beijing's views - has raised eyebrows.

The opposition described the move as "strange and misplaced", claiming that it appeared as if Malaysia was taking instructions from China and stressed the country should remain neutral.

Hishammuddin defended his plan and refuted claims that the Malaysian government was "receiving instructions" from Beijing.

Previously, the Sembrong MP also had to defend his "big brother" China gaffe.

The security pact will, among others, transfer technology to Australia for it to build its own nuclear submarines, seen as an attempt to check China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Malaysia is in a delicate situation as it does not want to see an arms race in the South China Sea, but at the same time it has to is deal with the continuous incursion of Chinese ships into Malaysian waters.

Yesterday, another Chinese ship entered Malaysia's exclusive economic zone and came close to a Petronas-contracted ship off the waters of Sabah.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Johor sultan keeps pressure up for MM2H He had met with the PM.
	Economist: Bring GLC spending out of the shadows ‘They are abused to channel money to politicians.’
	PM: Reform necessary to strengthen UN's effectiveness This is to enhance UN credibility, transparency.

Study for Sinovac boosters

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the government is studying whether there is a need to provide booster shots to recipients of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.

This was after the Health Ministry released data showing that the Sinovac vaccine was still highly effective in reducing severe illness and death but fell behind its Pfizer and AstraZeneca peers.

Khairy said the study is to determine whether the outcome of the findings was due to the vaccine's own efficacy or was influenced by other factors, such as their target demography.

Meanwhile, the duration interval between the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca will be reduced to six weeks from nine. It was previously already reduced from 12 weeks.

Khairy said this was to make it easier for people. Research has shown that a longer interval provides better protection.

HIGHLIGHTS

	KJ explains why herd immunity no longer realistic Delta variant shifts the goalpost.
	The majority of deaths in Klang Valley are unvaccinated This was despite the vaccination rate exceeding 100pct.
	Woman rescued after being forced to work 3 years without pay The Indonesian worker arrived legally in 2003.

Driving licence for the elderly

An off-the-cuff suggestion by Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Azisman Alias to limit the driving licence for senior citizens prompted a scramble to downplay the issue.

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani distanced the police force from the proposal by claiming that it was Azisman's personal view.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said imposing driving licence conditions based on age would be discriminatory and should only be a last resort after proper tests.

Long story short: It wasn't a serious suggestion. Unless you have a medical condition, you're keeping your driving licence regardless of age.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Interstate travel permission expected in 3 weeks - minister 'Many matters need to be thought out.'
	Theme parks expected to reopen by Nov - deputy minister The adult vaccination rate is expected to reach 90pct.
	Ministry shelves plan to allow supporters back into stadiums It will seek input and advice from health experts.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 13,104 new cases yesterday (Sept 26), the lowest in 66 days.
  
  
• The death toll crossed 25,000 last Saturday. Another 278 fatalities were reported yesterday, putting the death toll at 25,437.
  
  
• Various data show the pandemic situation is improving. The active cases of 183,289 are down 12.9 percent from a week ago. Covid-19 patients in the ICU are down 11.2 percent and intubated ones are down 12.4 percent in the same period.
  
  
• Deaths, while still significant, are also showing signs of moderating. The seven-day average is 285 compared to the 30-day average of 330, indicating a downtrend.
  
  

What else is happening?

• Pakatan Harapan presented its Budget 2022 proposals to the government and will be engaging Putrajaya over four meetings, a condition imposed in the confidence and supply deal.
  
  
• Umno Youth, which had pushed the government to allow people to dip into their retirement savings during the pandemic, is now calling for a long-term plan to ensure sustainability.
  
  
• The Foreign Ministry appointed a special adviser to facilitate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, which is now under Taliban rule.
  
  
• The Education Ministry is mulling transferring teachers who refuse to vaccinate against Covid-19 if it impacts teaching and learning.
  
  
• 11-year-old Maryam Muzamir was highlighted on a US talk show for her award-winning work in converting seashells into livestock feed. She also earned praise from the prime minister.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Captain Planet to Family Frontiers - an activist's journey Chee was inspired by Gi in 'Captain Planet'.
	Rehab centre owner loses custody of six gibbons Mariani Ramli lost a protracted court battle.
	Group disputes S'gor claim Shah Alam Community Forest was degazetted It says a survey plan is not an official gazette.

What are people saying?

	Freight forwarders and bumi equity: Looking beyond headlines By Ong Kian Ming
	Why minorities did an eye-roll over Umno PM's 'apartheid' remark By Martin Vengadesan
	More Bar Council members for a better Bar By Syahredzan Johan