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


Key Highlights

  • Judge cries conspiracy

  • Azam sues whistleblower

  • Students at risk



Judge cries conspiracy

Syariah Chief Judge of Malaysia Mohd Na'im Mokhtar is alleging conspiracy within the Syariah Judiciary Department to topple him after he is accused of laying naked on the bed in a married woman's home.

This is detailed in Mohd Na'im's counter-police report lodged yesterday, in which he strongly denied the allegation.

The counter-police report was made after the allegation, contained in a police report made by the woman in December last year, was highlighted by Umno leader Lokman Noor Adam.

Na'im's lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader said his client is suing Lokman for defamation.

The woman claimed the sexual harassment incident took place in 2020.



HIGHLIGHTS

PM urged to reverse funding cuts for athletes
Over 100 national athletes dropped.
Penang govt rules out snap polls
CM says no need to rush.
Police intensify operation against fake vaccination cert
IGP says such syndicates might exist in all states.

 



Azam sues whistleblower

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who previously demanded an apology and RM10 million from a whistleblower, has moved forward with the legal action.

Azam filed a defamation suit against K Lalitha, who had highlighted his shareholding in two public-listed firms in 2015 and 2016.

At the peak, Azam owned around RM700,000 worth of shares in Gets Global Berhad in 2015, raising questions if it commensurated with his income and whether there was a conflict of interest.

Azam has denied wrongdoing and yesterday again refused to step aside, stating that only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can terminate his service.



HIGHLIGHTS

Harapan chiefs want Azam Baki, Abu Zahar suspended
This is pending investigations against them.
PSC to discuss Azam Baki's share ownership next week
All 8 PSC members have been invited.
Rosmah to file fresh bid to disqualify Sri Ram
She also files a new application to recuse the judge.

 



Students at risk

Authorities responding to netizens expressing concerns about students in Sandakan using a dilapidated 300-metre bridge have confirmed their fears - the bridge is unsafe.

Officers from the Public Works Department and engineers from the Sandakan City Council (MPS) inspected the bridge after the public attention and concluded it is not safe for use.

The bridge is now closed for repairs.

Students from Kampung Nelayan, Sandakan, are now asked to use an alternative tarred road, located 4km away, to get to school.



HIGHLIGHTS

Cops probe alleged SOP violation at political party event
Probe spurred by a viral post on Twitter.
MP claims 'unseen hands' tampered with Covid-19 data
Tiong continues attack on Health Ministry.
Much delayed Umno assembly to be held on March 16
The assembly was initially planned for last year.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,198 new cases yesterday (Jan 12).

  • The infectivity rate stood at 1.0, the highest since late November last year. If the value rises further, it could lead to exponential growth in fresh infections.

  • Data has allayed concerns that the flash floods last month could have led to a serious spike in Covid-19 cases. To date, only 470 Covid-19 cases have been detected among flood victims. Most flood relief centres have closed with only 27 more still operational.


What else is happening?

  • Police are investigating Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching over a Facebook post in 2017 on political satire. She is being probed under the Penal Code for intentional insult, with the intent to provoke a breach of peace.

  • The Kelantan government insisted that logging was not the cause of a recent tiger attack after the Orang Asli community claimed the beasts were being driven closer to their settlement due to the loss of habitat from deforestation.

  • Former two-term MIC central working committee member S Sunther has joined Warisan. He is the son of former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam.


HIGHLIGHTS

PBM: New members did not defect from Bersatu
Party claims their Bersatu membership not processed.
Shebby Singh dies aged 61
He collapsed while cycling in Johor yesterday.
No kavadi for Thaipusam this year
This is to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 


What are people saying?

Bombshell revelations by Najib apologist
By Tommy Thomas
I hate waiting for the elevator!
By Fa Abdul
Azam Baki taking a leaf from Najib’s playbook?
By James Chai