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


Key Highlights

  • Azam was in control of the share account

  • Rules for CNY unveiled

  • Baling MP's brother acquitted



Azam was in control of the share account

The Securities Commission (SC) issued another clarification after it came under fire for its initial vague statement announcing it could not find conclusive evidence that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki violated the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (Sicda).

In the latest statement, the SC clearly stated that it did not find evidence of proxy trading because Azam was in "control" of his share trading account.

While this cleared Azam of running afoul of the Sicda, it raises questions about his previous explanation over why he owned shares valued at a peak of around RM700,000 in 2015.

Azam had claimed that the shares were bought by his brother in his name.

Meanwhile, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman questioned the circumstances leading to the SC clearing Azam.

Syed Saddiq pointed out that shortly after the SC announced an investigation into Azam, an obscure NGO lodged a MACC report against senior SC leaders, leading to a case of the MACC and SC investigating each other.

Meanwhile, the government said it had discussed Azam's case in the cabinet and will proceed based on the SC's statement.



HIGHLIGHTS

Meet the faces behind Muda
The party is much more than just Syed Saddiq's vehicle.
Only imbeciles think SC fully cleared MACC chief - Kit Siang
'How cabinet reacts next will show its quality.'
SC's finding shows why Azam should be placed on leave - Gomez
He calls the commission's finding 'shocking'.

 




Rules for CNY unveiled

The government has announced the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19 prevention during the Chinese New Year.

With a majority of the population vaccinated, the rules this year are more relaxed with family reunion dinners and house-to-house visits allowed.

Open house events, however, are still not allowed. Feb 1 and 2 are public holidays for the Chinese New Year.

The government also did not forget about Bai Tian Gong, which is celebrated by the Hokkien community and falls on the ninth day of Chinese New Year.

Last year, the government bungled the Chinese New Year SOP, forgetting reunion dinners take place on Chinese New Year eve and also prayers held by the Hokkien community on the night of the eighth day of Chinese New Year that extends past midnight.



HIGHLIGHTS

Perlis mufti: Don't be in denial about AEFI cases
Asri calls for complaints on serious effects to be addressed.
Hefty fines encourage abuse and corruption - business groups
They are concerned over the absence of consultation.
Children aged 5 to 11 will start Covid vaccination in Feb
Children with comorbidities will be prioritised.




Baling MP's brother acquitted

Abdul Latif Abdul Rahim, the brother of Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, has been acquitted of abetment in a graft case.

Abdul Latif was in February last year granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal for allegedly abetting his brother in obtaining an RM4 million bribe to secure road projects. He then applied for a revision to seek a full acquittal.

However, Abdul Azeez's case is still moving ahead.

Abdul Azeez has been charged with three counts of accepting bribes totalling RM5.2 million in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah, as well as 10 counts of money laundering.


HIGHLIGHTS

Johor opposition offers 'commitment of stability'
They rejected snap polls for the state.
'Umno optimistic it can kill off Bersatu if Johor polls held now'
Bersatu says it is ready for any eventuality.
Bersih: New voters face discrimination
This is if new electoral seats are not created.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,229 new cases yesterday (Jan 19).

  • The infectivity rate inched back up to 0.99. The value must not exceed 1.0 to prevent exponential growth in fresh infections.

  • There is a surge of new Covid-19 clusters. 20 new clusters were recorded yesterday and 17 were found the day prior.


What else is happening?

  • Top national shuttler Lee Zii Jia, who won the All England Open men's singles last year, has resigned from the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

  • Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the management of Lembaga Tabung Haji.

  • The lawyer of DAP's Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson Terence Naidu claimed a second drug test at a private lab has turned up negative. This was after a police test found he was positive for drugs.

  • Bersatu's Sedili's assemblyperson Rasman Ithnain, who was accused of sexual harassment, lodged a counter police report against his complainant. Johor police say they are finalising the investigation.

  • Some elected representatives are questioning Touch 'n Go's decision to charge RM35 for its RFID stickers when its cost can be as low as under RM1.


HIGHLIGHTS

Kemaman markets told to close during Friday prayers
Failure to comply is an actionable offence.
Police question Kit Siang over alleged SOP breach
MP says they took masks off to take a photo.
SK Assumption closure: Parents rue Penang school's end
School to close on Feb 28 - after 89 years of operating.



What are people saying?

EPF withdrawals a time bomb
By Christine YP
Muslims and the trumpet of faith
By Fa Abdul
Allow investigations of alleged sexual harassment
By Ashgar Ali Ali Mohamed



CARTOON KINI