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Key Highlights

  • SC on Azam: No conclusive wrongdoing

  • Worst Penang landfill fire

  • Omicron gaining dominance



SC on Azam: No conclusive wrongdoing

The Securities Commission has wrapped up its investigation into MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, announcing that it is not able to conclusively establish that there had been a breach under the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991.

Azam lauded the decision, stating that he was thankful the SC did not find any wrongdoing.

The SC got involved after Azam claimed the shares he owned in 2015, which peaked at a value of around RM700,000, were purchased in his name by his brother, raising questions if there had been a misuse of the trading account.

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng criticised the SC for its lack of details in its findings.

Questions raised on whether the purchase of the shares commensurated with his income, conflict of interest and if he had declared the assets remain unanswered.

A meeting by the Agencies Committee to look into these questions have been aborted at Azam's objections, to the chagrin of opposition MPs.

Meanwhile, Amanah has thrown its support behind the #TangkapAzamBaki protest expected to take place this Saturday. This, however, prompted police to summon them for questioning.



HIGHLIGHTS

Analyst: Umno's call for Johor polls due to rivals' weakness
It will set the stage for the Umno-PAS-Bersatu ties.
'Why silent on Zeti, ex-minister?' - Bose hits at ex-AG
'Thomas failed to address the elephant in the room.'
Gobind: Muhyiddin must report judicial interference attempts
MP wants to know if ex-PM reported it to the police, MACC.

 



Worst Penang landfill fire

A week after a fire broke out at the Pulau Burung landfill in Penang, firefighters are still struggling to contain the fumes and smoke blanketing parts of Nibong Tebal due to low water pressure.

On Jan 16, some 400 nearby residents were advised to evacuate and yesterday (Jan 18), 10 nearby schools were ordered to close.

The fire at the landfill managed by Syarikat PLB Terang Sdn Bhd started on Jan 11. A number of fires have occurred at the site in the past months but the current one has been described as the worst.

The Environment and Water Ministry said it expects another week is needed to put out the fire. Sahabat Alam Malaysia has expressed concern that the landfill fire covering an area of around 6.5 hectares is giving off toxic fumes.

Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of the fire but Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has said that mandatory scheduled work was not carried out. He said terminating the concessionaire is an option.

Landfill fires can happen as the decomposition of waste can emit combustible fumes. This is addressed by regularly covering the waste with compressed soil.

A landfill fire can be difficult to put out as the burning can take place beneath the surface.



HIGHLIGHTS

'Unclaimed timber' notice part of procedure - director
They were carried by the recent floods.
Ex-national football coach Dollah Salleh in accident
All 8 individuals survived.
Pengkalan Chepa detainee died due to fluid in lungs
This is according to the police.

 



Omicron gaining dominance

The Health Ministry's weekly genomic sequencing exercise of Covid-19 found the Omicron variant is becoming increasingly dominant.

Of the 186 samples sequenced between Jan 14 and Jan 18, all of them were from the Omicron variant. Previously, the majority of samples were from the Delta variant.

Preliminary indications are that the Omicron variant is less severe than Delta but is significantly more infectious.

While this may be a silver lining at an individual level, the rapid exponential growth of fresh infections can still threaten to overwhelm the healthcare system and cause preventable deaths.

Meanwhile, the police are finding more instances of doctors issuing fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

In the latest incident, police arrested the doctor of a private clinic in Kelantan for issuing fake vaccination certificates over a period of four months.



HIGHLIGHTS

Symptoms, vaccines and what's new with Omicron
A guide to the developing pandemic.
Health Department probing Covid-19 infections in school
Director also dispels rumours that this cluster originated from parents.
Jais issues new rules for Friday prayers
Permitted mosques can now fully use main prayer areas.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,245 new cases yesterday (Jan 18).

  • The infectivity rate dipped back under 1.0, standing at 0.98. The value must not exceed 1.0 to prevent exponential growth in fresh infections.

  • Based on the Health Ministry's latest weekly genomic sequencing, the highest number of Omicron cases are found in Selangor, followed by Sarawak and Johor.



What else is happening?

  • Bersatu's Sedili assemblyperson Rasman Ithnain, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment, cried political conspiracy.

  • The implementation of RFID for toll payment along the North-South Expressway has been less than seamless with complaints of traffic congestion. The Works Ministry ordered Plus Malaysia Bhd to seek a solution. The firm promised to increase the number of personnel to assist motorists.

  • PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz nudged his party to explain the decision to remove Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali from the leadership. Both are known to be pro-Umno and are at odds with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's pro-Bersatu position.


HIGHLIGHTS

Canada ends contract with Supermax over labour allegations
Canada paused imports of Supermax gloves in November.
Santhara’s DAP defections claim 'fictitious' - Johor DAP man
DAP claims it's an attention-seeking attempt.
Former Penang exco Danny Law quits DAP
The reason for his departure was not disclosed.

 


What are people saying?

Let there be more compassion for undocumented children
By Mohd Arshad Raji
Media manipulation diverts discussions from important issues
By Miaoling Ng
No need for Johor snap polls
By Norman Fernandez