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


Key Highlights

  • Anti-vaxxers target minister

  • Authorities open Pandora's box

  • Najib and Rosmah want to travel



Anti-vaxxers target minister

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin became a target of anti-vaccine groups which have, among others, claimed that he engaged in "demonic" practices.

This was over his tough rhetoric against them, declaring that the government will make life difficult for those who can get vaccinated against Covid-19 but refuse to do so.

This included plans to restrict their access to certain premises and mandating weekly testing.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was also firm on the position, stating that the inconveniences faced by anti-vaccine individuals were their own doing.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, however, disagreed with what he described as a "forceful" approach.

Despite the tough talk, the government stopped short of a blanket Covid-19 vaccine mandate, which is enforceable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

The government has used that law to punish Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) violations but the wording also includes "immunisation", a component that Putrajaya has not invoked.



HIGHLIGHTS

MACC to probe alleged misuse of Indian community funds
This is related to Mitra's funds.
Najib warns grassroots not to crave luxury, material goods
He adds Umno must be prepared to stand alone.
It's my brother's right to form a new party - Ismail Sabri
Differences not new, he says.

 



Authorities open Pandora's box

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government will not interfere if the authorities investigated Malaysian involvement in offshore entities revealed in the Pandora Papers.

The statement was innocuous but also a signal to the authorities, which immediately swung into action. The MACC and the police announced their investigations into the matter.

The government's implicit blessing is noteworthy as the same crop of leaders in previous governments had largely ignored similar leaks in the past.

Offshore entities are not illegal but can potentially be abused to conceal wealth or for tax avoidance.

Malaysiakini has detailed the Malaysian personalities named in the Pandora Papers, who include Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.


HIGHLIGHTS

Minister downplays simultaneous polls in S'wak, Malacca
'We leave it to the Election Commission to decide.'
Johor seeks resolution to 70,000 unsold homes
The MB says new MM2H rules have impacted them.
Muhyiddin briefs Harapan on Covid-19
It's the maiden bipartisan NRC meeting.




Najib and Rosmah want to travel

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, who are both facing graft trials, are seeking to travel abroad for the first time in more than three years.

The duo's last travel plan, immediately after Najib was ousted in the 2018 general election, had sparked a frenzy, with claims that they were trying to flee and then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad blocking them.

This time, the court has found it appropriate to temporarily return Rosmah's passport so she can travel to Singapore to be with her daughter, who is expecting a baby.

Najib is also making a similar application on similar grounds.



HIGHLIGHTS

PM tells unvaccinated teachers not to put others at risk
'Protect your colleagues and students'.
Back to school for Standard 1, 2, and 3 in NRP Phase 4
Form 3 and 4 students will also return.
'Don't embarrass M'sians over UN human rights seat'
MP says govt must walk the talk.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 6,145 new cases yesterday (Oct 17), the lowest since July 4.

  • Another 63 reported fatalities put the death toll at 27,921. The daily deaths, though still significant, was the lowest in 105 days.

New cases by states:

Selangor (1,036)
Johor (732)
Sarawak (730)
Kelantan (572)
Sabah (504)
Perak (461)
Penang (438)
Kedah (370)
Terengganu (319)
Pahang (305)
Negeri Sembilan (214)
Malacca (206)
Kuala Lumpur (182)
Perlis (51)
Putrajaya (22)
Labuan (3)


What else is happening?

  • There were renewed calls to abolish the death penalty after a viral video showed a single mother of nine wailing after being sentenced to death for drug possession.

  • Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who now enjoys perks equal to a minister, said he will donate his RM33,500 in allowances.

  • Beginning today, all states will be in Phase 3 and beyond of the National Recovery Plan. Amid the progress, the quarantine period for fully vaccinated individuals is reduced from 10 to seven days. There's also a pilot programme to allow some individuals, such as ministers, to skip quarantine.

  • The government's planned amendments to the Federal Constitution will include granting bumiputera status to Sarawakian children of mixed marriages where only one parent is a native.

  • Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan acknowledged differences between the Umno president and his deputy on the way forward in the Malacca polls, particularly on cooperation with Bersatu and PAS. The Election Commission is expected to announce the election date today.


HIGHLIGHTS

'Find culprits who showed sex video to students'
MP urges Education Ministry to be proactive.
MOH explains discrepancy in Covid-19 death by ethnicity data
Two parliamentary replies show different data.
Assault on beggars: Komtar management to meet firm
Two cleaning staff were arrested.



What are people saying?

Of Halimah and national unity
By Zaid Ibrahim
RM1b for London transport but zilch for Klang Valley
By R Nadeswaran
Our own backyard is where human rights matters most
By Comango