Sharp hikes for SOP penalties coming

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

Key Highlights

• Sharp hikes for SOP penalties coming
  
  
• Borneo now Malaya's constitutional equal
  
  
• Muda finally set for registration
  
  

Sharp hikes for SOP penalties coming

After giving itself an RM1,000 fine for failing to ensure Covid-19 prevention SOPs were followed at an official function, the government is now seeking a sharp increase in penalties for similar offences.

Proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) are expected to be bulldozed through the Dewan Rakyat by tomorrow (Thursday) at the latest.

The Health Ministry said there will be a three-tiered penalty system, with the maximum compound of up to RM10,000 for individuals, and RM1 million for organisations.

The ministry gave its assurance that there would be proper guidelines indicating what offences would be in which category, and that not wearing a mask would not result in an RM10,000 fine.

The Health Ministry is also proposing a "general penalty" for offences that don't have a specific price tier, which can result in an RM100,000 compound or up to seven years in jail for individuals.

Examples of "general" offences covered by this include obstructing the authorities and providing false information.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Harapan can't back the current Act 342 bill It raises concerns over abuse of power.
	Act 342: Concern over RM100k fine Fears of double standards remain.
	Hisham pins SOPs failure at report card event on organiser The government is not at fault, he says.

Borneo now Malaya's constitutional equal

Sabah and Sarawak, are now constitutionally equal to the entire Peninsular Malaysia.

Constitutional amendments passed in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday state that the Federation of Malaysia now consists of two groups, the Borneo states (Sabah and Sarawak), and the 11 peninsular states, now known again collectively in the Federal Constitution as "Tanah Melayu" (Malaya).

The amendments also give Sarawak the power to determine who it defines as natives. 

The amendments coincide with the Sarawak Legislative Assembly election, which will be held this Saturday.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Anwar warns Borneo leaders against corruption This is to avoid past abuses.
	Heat is on for the hot seat of Pujut Five-cornered fight for the seat held by DAP.
	Tiong's reputation gives him an edge But there's no guarantee of SUPP support.

Muda finally set for registration

Fifteen months after it submitted its paperwork to the Registrar of Societies, the youth-based party Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) is set to finally be registered as a political entity.

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has ordered the Home Ministry to register Muda within 14 days, after dismissing allegations that the party was a national security threat.

While known as a youth platform, Muda chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman vowed that the party would serve all Malaysians regardless of their age, religion, race or even political leanings.

Coincidentally, constitutional amendments lowering the voting age to 18 officially comes into force today, although new voters will not get to vote in the Sarawak election, which uses the electoral roll finalised in November.

HIGHLIGHTS

	New Malacca Bersatu leaders Mohd Yadzil and Mas Ermieyati take over.
	Umno still on the fence with PN govt 'Economy a bigger concern'.
	Peter Anthony to enter defence in false document case Prosecution proves prima facie case

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 4,097 new cases yesterday (Dec 14).
  
  
• 48 new fatalities bring the death toll to 30,956.
  
  
• The national R-number for Covid-19 has declined to 0.94, which is the lowest since Nov 8.
  
  

New cases by state:

Selangor (1,021)
Johor (436)
Kelantan (428)
Pahang (329)
Kuala Lumpur (317)
Penang (285)
Kedah (267)
Sabah (232)
Terengganu (183)
Malacca (159)
Negeri Sembilan (159)
Perak (139)
Sarawak (64)
Perlis (39)
Putrajaya (27)
Labuan (12)

What else is happening?

• New X-ray cargo scanners on which the government spent RM242.24 million to procure for Customs inspections are not working up to specifications and failed to do the job at least half the time, according to internal documents sighted by Malaysiakini.
  
  
• A lawmaker is calling for a probe into MACC chief Azam Baki's alleged ownership of almost two million shares in a public listed company, exceeding the limit imposed on civil servants.
  
  
• Two ministers and deputy ministers have declared ownership of overseas assets to the MACC.
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Amri's wife seeks task force's secret report The report is on his disappearance.
	Rep drags chicken carcass into Perak state assembly Stunt highlights the price hikes of basic goods.
	Guan Eng admitted to IJN He's in for a procedure.

What are people saying?

	Credibility – KJ, the govt must have it before it can lose it By R Nadeswaran
	Of chopsticks and being Malaysian By Syahredzan Johan
	Withdrawal of foreign-sourced income tax exemption can backfire By Ong Kian Ming