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


Key Highlights

  • MACC's 'tell-all' presser

  • Doctors vs MACC

  • Muda hit by beer 'smear'



MACC's 'tell-all' presser

The MACC finally addressed claims against its chief Azam Baki over his alleged ownership of millions of shares in two public-listed firms in a special press conference.

More specifically, the MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, which is supposed to be an oversight panel, did the explaining.

Its chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang said the shares were purchased in Azam's name by his younger brother and declared the top MACC man had done nothing wrong.

Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa previously pointed out that civil servants cannot own more than RM100,000 in shares in any company.

Azam also addressed the press, stating that he had remained silent publicly as he did not think he had done anything wrong and is instead answerable to the MACC oversight committees.

The shares have since been transferred to his younger brother.

The opposition, however, is not satisfied and is pushing for Azam to be cleared by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for Agencies.



HIGHLIGHTS

MACC probing flood retention pond case
Various aspects being looked into.
'Don't blame child beggars when we failed to protect them'
Azalina responds to xenophobic reactions.
PAS leader wants Umno courtship to continue
This is to avoid three-cornered fights, says Nik Abduh.




Doctors vs MACC

Amid the MACC's internal controversy, the graft buster rubbed medical professionals the wrong way after it produced a reenactment video of a corrupt doctor on social media.

The video highlights how the purchase of a medical certificate can be considered corruption but the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) did not appreciate doctors being put in a bad light.

Noting the reaction on social media, MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said the MACC has "issues in its own reputation to address".

He added that doctors have sacrificed much during the Covid-19 pandemic and the MACC should be looking at its own backyard.



HIGHLIGHTS

Ex-1MDB CFO doesn’t know why he was not charged
Azmi Tahir was 1MDB's CFO between 2012 and 2017.
Petition for logging moratorium garners 200k backers
Spotlight on deforestation.
'Law firm, partner's allegations divert from sexual harassment issue'
Plaintiff says claims intended to question her credibility.




Muda hit by beer 'smear'

Images of individuals with Muda T-shirt and with beer was used to accuse the party of misappropriating flood relief donation for liquor.

Refuting the allegation, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that all donations have been channelled to flood victims and stressed the party has been transparent with them.

With regard to the liquor, Syed Saddiq maintained that Muda is a multi-racial party and no laws had been broken.

He called the attack an "outdated tactic" of the party opponents.



HIGHLIGHTS

Bangi MP pans Najib, Zahid over their EPF stance
'They're more concerned with saving themselves.'
Dr M dodges GE candidacy poser
He also says his party is still keen on him being PM.
OUG hawkers puzzled over DBKL licence changes
They're prevented from acquiring multiple plots.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,270 new cases yesterday (Jan 5).

  • Another 18 fatalities put the death toll at 31,609.

New cases by states

Selangor (908)
Johor (344)
Kelantan (327)
Sabah (280)
Kuala Lumpur (245)
Penang (222)
Negeri Sembilan (181)
Kedah (174)
Pahang (153)
Terengganu (128)
Perak (122)
Malacca (74)
Sarawak (47)
Perlis (25)
Putrajaya (25)
Labuan (15)


What else is happening?

  • Stations along the Kajang MRT line saw large crowds yesterday after it faced technical issues, forcing commuters to be diverted to buses for part of the line. The frustration was further fuelled as the breakdown came just four days after the price of the unlimited travel pass was hiked from RM30 to RM50.

  • Former diving world champion Cheong Jun Hoong announced her retirement after some 144 athletes under the National Sports Council (NSC) were terminated due to steep budget cuts.

  • Umno joined the opposition in calling for a special Parliament sitting over the recent floods that have devastated parts of the country. To date, the floods have claimed 54 lives while two are still missing.


HIGHLIGHTS

Johor slashes physical distancing by half for group prayers
Requirement cut from one to half-metre distance.
MCA wants cap on recruitment fees for domestic workers
'Price should not exceed RM15,000 to RM20,000'.
Over 1,000 Orang Asli stranded by floods
Jakoa says land routes to 5 villages were cut off.

 


What are people saying?

Harapan has more than a communication problem
By James Chai
No family ties
P Ramasamy
Unanswered questions in deputy speaker’s Euro trip
By Malaysiakini readers