Good morning, here’s a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • Minister fines minister

  • PAS’ disciplining wives

  • Muda launched


Minister fines minister

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin instructed his ministry to issue compounds against his cabinet colleague Hishammuddin Hussein and several top government leaders for allegedly violating Covid-19 stand operating procedures (SOP). 

This was after the defence minister as well as top leaders including Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad and MIC president S Vigneswaran appeared at a crowded pre-election MIC event in Johor with people standing shoulder to shoulder.

Hishammuddin said he was only a guest but agreed that there was no justifying a wrong and will accept the action.

Last month, the Health Ministry also fined the organiser of a government event attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob after they failed to ensure SOP compliance.

However, the compound remains at RM1,000 for individuals. 

The Health Ministry had pushed to increase the compound to RM10,000 in the last Parliament sitting but it was postponed after objections from both sides of the political divide.


HIGHLIGHTS

Reopening borders: Experts caution against 'European way'

Less than 50pct of Malays have taken booster

Cabinet yet to discuss proposal to reopen int'l borders - PM




PAS' disciplining wives

Deputy Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff raised eyebrows after giving tips for married couples.

This includes husbands using "gentle" physical touch to discipline their wives and for women not to talk back when their husband is angry.

Several women opposition MPs including Yeo Bee Yin and Nurul Izzah Anwar criticised Siti Zailah, saying that she was unfit for her job.

This is not the first time SIti Zailah has come under criticism for marriage advice that is perceived as asking women to be submissive.


HIGHLIGHTS

Khairuddin dropped as PAS syura council secretary – Hadi

Country will be politically stable without Umno - PAS election director

Kedah Umno slams PAS MB for undermining Muafakat partnership





Muda launched

Muda, a youth-led political party, officially launched last weekend, three months after it was registered following a long court battle against the Home Ministry.

At the launch, the party touted its diversity but it faces an uphill battle in an entrenched political system dominated by race and religion.

However, Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said the party is ready to dig in for the long fight.

He cautioned members that they face a difficult road ahead and were investing in the future and not the next general election.


HIGHLIGHTS

Dian welcomes scrutiny over role in Muda

Youth voters in Johor attracted to Umno, not PN - analysts

Uncertainty for Muda as PKR set to announce all 20 Johor candidates




A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 21,072 new cases yesterday (Feb 13). The cumulative cases crossed the three million mark last weekend.

  • The infectivity rate stands at 1.49, still above the 1.0 threshold that indicates an exponential spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

  • The declining trend of daily deaths appears to have reversed with the seven-day average fatalities now exceeding the 30-day average.



What else is happening?

  • The Sarawak government is planning an amendment to the state constitution that will change its head of government from chief minister to premier.

  • 1MDB and ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak have mutually agreed to put an US$8 billion suit the company is bringing against him until the resolution of his criminal case, also related to the 1MDB scandal.

  • MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said he will willing to testify before Parliament over his share ownership controversy but said it must go through a proper procedure.



HIGHLIGHTS

Muhyiddin: Najib's CSR - Crook's Self en-Richment

Kit Siang: NFA on whistleblower a 'slap in the face' for Azam

Anti-defection law to lock down MPs but not parties?





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