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

Key Highlights

  • Politicians can't follow SOPs

  • Malacca drama

  • Biscuit spotlight



Politicians can't follow SOPs

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin grew increasingly critical of politicians, including those from his own party, for failing to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against Covid-19.

He ticked off fellow politicians for not wearing face masks in public, warning that they may not have it easy against Covid-19 even if vaccinated as many are unhealthy and obese.

Following scenes of large groups at pre-election events ahead of the Malacca polls on Nov 20, Khairy also announced a ban on gatherings and social events by political parties.

However, the opposition criticised the move, pointing out that it will benefit the government during the polls as the latter controls television networks and other critical machinery.

The government had also outlined SOPs during the Sabah polls in September last year but compliance was poor, causing the Covid-19 virus to eventually spread nationwide.



HIGHLIGHTS

MOH addresses deaths involving vaccinated individuals
They were an elderly woman and a teenage girl.
War on drugs became war on poor - expert
Govt urged to carry out reforms.
Parliament agendas: New deputy speaker, ordinances revocation
Both motions were delayed due to controversies.




Malacca drama

After bringing down the Malacca government, incumbent Sungai Udang assemblyperson Idris Haron continued to spark controversy after Umno accused him of gatecrashing their branch meeting.

This caused the Klebang Kechil Umno branch meeting to be postponed.

Idris, who was sacked from Umno, denied causing trouble, claiming that he lived nearby and only went over to the meeting venue as attendees were "noisy".

Idris is not the only one with an uncertain political future. It is still unclear if BN is prepared to cooperate with PN in the Malacca polls.

Amid the uncertainty, PN is already preparing for the possibility of fighting BN in the state polls. Azmin Ali nudged BN to make a decision as soon as possible.

PAS and some within Umno continued with some last-minute lobbying for BN to work with PN in the Malacca polls but Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is adamantly against this.

Umno will formally decide its stand on Oct 28.

Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu assured that even if Bersatu under PN and Umno under BN clash in Malacca, their alliance at the federal level will hold.


HIGHLIGHTS

S'wak election not discussed with the ruler - CM
He says the discussion was on Covid-19.
PKR MP tells Idris quartet to stand as indies
'They cannot hide under political parties.'
Guan Eng: Zahid too 'weak' to afford 3-cornered fights
'Zahid is weakest Umno president in history.'




Biscuit spotlight

Hup Seng's iconic cream crackers came under the spotlight after a Hong Kong NGO raised safety concerns about the company's product sold in the special administrative region.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council alleged that the Hup Seng product was tainted with cancer-inducing material, prompting Malaysia's Health Ministry to initiate an investigation.

Hup Seng said it was prepared to cooperate and maintained that the product marketed in Malaysia is safe for consumption.


HIGHLIGHTS

Millionaire gamer aims for Dota 2 world title
The 20-year-old is with a China-based team.
C4 Center wants MACC probed
It says a revamp is needed.
Docs held over illegal selling of ‘Covid-19 vaccines’
Authorities yet to ascertain if the vaccines were real.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 5,666 new cases yesterday (Oct 24).

  • Another 46 fatalities put the death toll at 28,400.

New cases by state:

Selangor (1,078)
Sarawak (754)
Johor (566)
Sabah (502)
Kelantan (469)
Kedah (421)
Perak (349)
Penang (279)
Terengganu (277)
Malacca (262)
Pahang (252)
Negeri Sembilan (218)
Kuala Lumpur (162)
Perlis (40)
Putrajaya (30)
Labuan (7)



What else is happening?

  • Business groups say they are perturbed that nightclubs and pubs are still not allowed to open during Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan and there is no exit path for them from the lockdown.

  • Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng expressed shock that the Muhyiddin Yassin government revived the Najib Abdul Razak-era pipeline projects that were purportedly a front to get China to bail out 1MDB. The opposition called for the MACC to investigate.

  • The highly anticipated constitutional amendments that will, among others, grant bumiputera status to Sarawakian children of mixed parentage where only one is a native, hit a speed bump after Putrajaya decided to pause the effort. The proposed amendments are to be tabled in Parliament but the second reading will be postponed.

  • Hasbie Muda was appointed as the new Amanah Youth chief, replacing Shazni Munir Mohd who died from Covid-19. Meanwhile, Tenggaroh assemblyperson K Raven Kumar and A Kishva were elected the MIC Youth and Putera chiefs respectively, after winning uncontested.


HIGHLIGHTS

Ministry says no cover-up after Pandelela's expose
Victims urged to lodge complaints.
Graft trial: Zahid just following Najib’s orders, court told
Witness says this is based on Najib's minutes.
‘Corporate M'sia digging own grave by ignoring racism’
Turning a blind eye is being complicit, warns Chandran Nair.

 


What are people saying?

Critical to plug corruption floodgates in 12MP
By Akhbar Satar
The business of the media industry - can it survive?
By Premesh Chandran
Indianisation of early Malay kingdoms and society
By Ranjit Singh Malhi


CARTOON KINI