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Key Highlights

  • MACC intrigue

  • 12th Malaysia Plan

  • Legal battles by the unvaccinated



MACC intrigue

After a RM25 million theft case in the MACC, well-placed sources, including a retired senior officer, told Malaysiakini of the internal politics in the agency that had raised red flags.

They described the incident as only the tip of the iceberg and that past offences have gone unpunished.

The police, who finally swooped in, discovered a series of other potential crimes, including drugs and firearms violations.

One of the suspects was described as "untouchable" due to his connections, culminating in the multi-million ringgit theft from a graft case that rocked the anti-graft agency.

The MACC only issued a public statement on the matter after a blog leaked the alleged theft. The MACC initially also investigated itself instead of getting the police to do so, raising concerns of a cover-up.



HIGHLIGHTS

Umno will not work with Bersatu in GE15
Umno veteran tells Muhyiddin.
Ceiling price for affordable housing in resale market mooted
There will be a database of affordable homeowners.
Drug addicts to be removed from criminals registry
This is if their offence is not related to any other crimes.

 



12th Malaysia Plan

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday tabled the 12th Malaysia Plan document of more than 500 pages, which outlined the country's policy direction for the next five years.

Among the measures listed include the setting up of a special unit to address poverty and income inequity.

The document also included a proposal to limit the sale of bumiputera-owned equity to the bumiputera community, similar to how bumiputera-assigned properties can only be sold to other bumiputera.

The 12th Malaysia Plan also has a significant emphasis on the environment, including a position that supports state governments to hold public hearings before degazetting forest reserves.

An opposition lawmaker said this should be codified into law as a mandatory requirement.

However, a policy advocacy group said the plan fell short in the healthcare aspect, despite the country grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic for almost two years.

The government also said it plans to review several detention-without-trial laws, but did not provide details.

The document is largely a statement of intent and whether they are realised depends on Putrajaya's political will. The full document can be viewed here.



HIGHLIGHTS

Carbon-neutral commitment to attract investment
Minister says it's also to address climate change.
National Defence Policy to be introduced under 12MP
To set the direction for local defence and security industries.
12MP to enhance competitiveness of the transport, logistics industry
This is in line to make the country a transport hub in Southeast Asia.

 



Legal battles by the unvaccinated

With the government now increasingly tailoring its policies based on whether a person is vaccinated against Covid-19 or not, it is also finding itself being challenged in court.

An unvaccinated hawker in Ranau, Sabah, who received a notice to get vaccinate or face hefty fines by the local council there is challenging restrictions on unvaccinated individuals on grounds that they violate the Federal Constitution.

Meanwhile, a former army sergeant who was discharged for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19 has also taken the army to court.

For now, the government has not introduced specific laws to mandate Covid-19 vaccination but has instead incentivised them through policies.

However, the outcome of the legal challenges could decide the government's future direction.



HIGHLIGHTS

Kit Siang: All M'sians want to see KJ win the pandemic war
The DAP leader praises the minister for his vigilance.
3 Felda settlements, another 4 Orang Asli villages under lockdown
Based on MOH's presentation of its risk assessment.
Vaccination for the homeless begins in Kuala Terengganu
18 inoculated with single-dose CanSino vaccine.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 10,959 new cases yesterday (Sept 27), the lowest since July 18.

  • Fresh infection in Selangor, which had been the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic for the most part of this year, dipped under 1,000 for the first time since May 4.

  • The positivity rate in the Klang Valley has inched down to 5.34 percent, close to the limit of five percent recommended by the World Health Organisation. A high positivity rate means there are many undetected cases.

  • However, the situation in Sarawak, where the positivity rate is over 20 percent, remains worrying and hospital admission is on the rise. Deaths are also inching up but there has been no significant spike in the well-vaccinated state.


What else is happening?

  • Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Edmund Santhara filed a defamation suit against Batu MP P Prabakaran over comments the PKR lawmaker made about his 55-day leave in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • The government's bid to stay a court ruling that struck out discriminatory citizenship rule for Malaysian mothers will be heard on Nov 15.

  • Putrajaya is mulling new price control for Covid-19 self-test kits in December. At present, the retail price is capped at RM19.90 each.

  • The government will begin discussing the reopening of the country's international borders, which have been largely closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Restoration of interstate travel is expected next month.


HIGHLIGHTS

Amanah alleges Annuar issued a support letter
This was for a developer to obtain land.
Fuziah: Is govt serious about terminating Lynas licence?
This was if it failed to meet licence conditions.
9 Vietnamese fishermen nabbed for harvesting sea cucumbers
They were in Malaysian waters.

 


What are people saying?

Lessons for Malaysia from Brickendonbury
By R Nadeswaran
Addressing 'sensitive topics' in Malaysian literature
By William Tham Wai Liang
Going after 1MDB 'warrior' while culprits roam free
By Malaysiakini readers