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

Key Highlights

• Pfizer boosters for Sinovac recipients
  
  
• Rape remarks under fire
  
  
• Muhyiddin beats the war drums
  
  

Pfizer boosters for Sinovac recipients

Starting today, Sinovac recipients who have been fully vaccinated for at least three months can get a Pfizer booster shot.

This mixing of vaccine brands, or heterologous boosters, will start rolling out in phases, with eligible recipients being informed via MySejahtera or text message.

For now, priority will be given to senior citizens aged 60 and above.

Getting a booster shot will be voluntary, but it is meant to ensure optimum protection from Covid-19.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Early warning over rising Covid-19 hospitalisations It's going up in the Klang Valley.
	Anti-vaxxers face restricted freedom 'They will not enjoy the same freedoms'.
	MySejahtera security flaws still being fixed Complaints still coming in.

Rape remarks under fire

An actor's inappropriate remarks about acting out sexual assault scenes have reignited conversations on the pervasiveness of rape incidents in society.

National athlete Pandelela Rinong revealed how one of her former coaches used to make lewd jokes often - and when she spoke out on this, it led to her being bullied.

She said the man had the backing of the diving team's head coach.

Years later, Pandelela said the coach moved on from making lewd jokes to allegedly committing rape.

Previously, student Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam also courted flak for exposing rape jokes allegedly made by a teacher, with some people defending the jokes as harmless.

HIGHLIGHT

	Rafidah chides 'warped minds' This is over rape jokes, whiskey controversy.
	Nur Sajat claims she was molested by Jais officers This was while she was being questioned.
	Police: No mention of molesting in Sajat's report The police report only mentioned assault.

Muhyiddin beats the war drums

Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin has had enough of trying to cut a deal with Umno for the forthcoming Malacca state election.

He gave signals yesterday that Bersatu will square off against Umno in three-cornered fights in the state election.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has reportedly agreed to stick with Bersatu for the polls, but some in the party are still hoping for a truce between Bersatu and Umno.

A preliminary analysis indicates that Bersatu will be in for a very tough fight in Malacca, and may even be wiped out, despite having PAS' support.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Harapan rejects Norhizam as a candidate Ex-CM Adly is made team captain.
	Loke chides Tian Chua over working with 'traitors' 'This is his personal opinion.'
	Harapan to divvy up six seats Bersatu contested Bersatu only won in two seats.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 6,210 new cases yesterday (Oct 21)
  
  
• There were recent upticks in Covid-19 hospitalisations in the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak following the re-opening of state borders.
  
  

New cases by state

Selangor (1,027)
Sarawak (725)
Sabah (651)
Johor (595)
Kelantan (540)
Terengganu (485)
Perak (384)
Penang (381)
Kuala Lumpur (343)
Kedah (319)
Pahang (294)
Malacca (235)
Negeri Sembilan (167)
Perlis (33)
Putrajaya (29)
Labuan (2)

What else is happening?

• In part two of Malaysiakini's deep dive into the local coal energy industry, we explore how major banks are still putting their money into this fossil fuel.
  
  
• The US has barred imports from local glovemaker Supermax Corp over alleged forced labour practices. The company says it is seeking more clarity on the matter.
  
  
• The Perikatan Nasional government under Muhyiddin Yassin revived the controversial Trans Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, which the Pakatan Harapan administration had shelved.
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Sarawak CM office downplays election rumours State assembly expected to be dissolved soon.
	Two MACC officers charged with cheating The victim was cheated of RM40,000.
	Govt looking at project opportunities in Afghanistan This is to aid in reconstruction.

What are people saying?

	Malacca polls show Harapan's systemic dysfunction By S Thayaparan
	Pulau Batu Puteh: Is Mahathir saying S’pore has sovereignty? By P Ramasamy
	Do you dare to be a peak performer? By Ranjit Singh Malhi