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


Key Highlights

  • Sexual harassers liable to RM250k damages

  • Pushback against SOP penalty hikes

  • Millions spent on faulty cargo scanners



Sexual harassers liable to RM250k damages

The long-awaited Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill has finally been tabled in Parliament, although it will likely only be debated next year - if at all.

The bill moots the setting up of a tribunal to handle sexual harassment complaints, which will be headed by members of the judicial and legal services.

The tribunal is to be empowered to order harassers to issue an apology to their victims, and may even prescribe compensation or damages of up to RM250,000.

Sexual harassers who refuse to comply can be subject to fines and even jail time.

HIGHLIGHTS

13.1pct of young B40 women in KL can't afford pads
Govt distributing hygiene kits.
Police told to arrest Islamic preacher
He's accused of insulting non-Muslims.
Johor, Malacca yet to lower age to contest in polls
Undi18 is now in force.

 



Pushback against SOP penalty hikes

The government is still facing pushbacks against plans to increase penalties for Covid-19 SOP violations, despite toning down its proposal.

The revised bill has reduced the proposed maximum RM100,000 fine or up to seven years' jail for "general offences" by individuals to a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to three years' jail.

For organisations, the proposed fine has been reduced from RM1 million to RM500,000.

However, the watered-down proposals have not won over Pakatan Harapan, which still believes it leaves room for abuse of power and double standards.

HIGHLIGHTS

Tax deductions for Covid-19 tests
The rebate also covers mental health.
Be on alert for booster appointments
Don't miss SMS, notifications
Vaccines may be less effective against Omicron
This is based on preliminary findings.

 



Millions spent on faulty cargo scanners

X-ray cargo scanners worth RM242.24 million - that went through a questionable government procurement process - are not performing up to expectations, according to insider information.

Tests by the Customs Department appeared to indicate that the machines are failing to perform almost half the time.

To top it off, maintaining and keeping the functioning of the machines has been described as "impractical and burdensome".

A source warned that the problems with Customs inspection systems could pose security and smuggling threats.

The company that won the contract to supply the scanners, however, has defended the machines they bought and described the problems that surfaced as teething issues that have been resolved.

HIGHLIGHTS

LGE received RM44,375 per month as CM
Witness reveals this in court
'DNB is not the same as 1MDB'
Deputy finance minister rebuts allegations
Zahidi blasts ex-boss over 5G rollout
'Saifuddin and Zafrul kept deputies in the dark.'

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,900 new cases yesterday (Nov 15).

  • The national R-naught is now at 0.93,  but Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Pahang are just over the 1.00 level.

New cases by state:

Selangor (1,134)
Johor (403)
Kuala Lumpur (325)
Pahang (318)
Penang (279)
Kedah (263)
Perak (234)
Sabah (224)
Terengganu (205)
Negeri Sembilan (202)
Kelantan (111)
Malacca (95)
Sarawak (50)
Putrajaya (22)
Perlis (21)
Labuan (14)


What else is happening?

  • Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called for a national conversation on the role of constitutional monarchy, saying the rulers should not partake in politics.

  • Mahathir also admitted to allowing Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin to court Umno and PAS before the Sheraton Move. He also claims he did not know it was meant to take bring down the Pakatan Harapan government.

  • DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang wants the government to reveal its 100-day report card for special envoys, including that of Middle East special envoy Abdul Hadi Awang.

  • Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is under scrutiny again for his address at COP26 after allegations surfaced that he spoke in Malay without a translator present.

  • Malaysiakini followed the trail of PAS in Beting Maro, Sarawak, a seat where the Islamist party could win in Saturday's election.

HIGHLIGHTS

Bersatu hopes GPS will keep GE15 deal
Bersatu wants Parliament seats.
Perak rep ticked off over chicken stunt
Speaker warns against livestock props.
Thaipusam holiday in Kedah next year
It was declared an occasional holiday.

 


What are people saying?

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