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Key Highlights
Najib's daughter and 'PowerPoint' girl
No more quarantine for some
Johor candidates unveiled
Najib's daughter and 'PowerPoint' girl
Nooryana Najwa Najib, the daughter of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, confirmed that she had sought a job at Goldman Sachs but was informed of a possible conflict of interest. The bank acted for 1MDB.
Disgraced ex-Goldman Sachs bank partner Tim Leissner (photo, below) later got her an internship at another organisation which Nooryana described as being a “PowerPoint” and photocopying girl.
This followed Leissner's revelation that a meeting between Goldman Sachs and then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in 2009 was, among others, intended to get jobs for his children at the bank.
Leissner's testimony in the 1MDB bribery and money laundering case of fellow ex-banker Roger Ng in a US court also forced Bank Negara to respond after he claimed a bribe was paid to get the central bank's approval.
Bank Negara maintained that its approval of a US$1 billion transfer from 1MDB to PetroSaudi International, which was subsequently misappropriated, had complied with the procedures.
Tawfiq Ayman, the husband of then Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, who was accused of receiving the bribe, denied the claim.
During the trial, Leissner revealed that businessperson Low Taek Jho also chased him for an RM1.2 million donation to a charity belonging to Rosmah Mansor, Najib's wife.
Low, better known as Jho Low, had also tried to book ex-US president Bill Clinton for Rosmah's event.
These revelations, however, will come to a temporary halt after Ng's US trial was paused due to late disclosure of evidence by the prosecution to the defence.
HIGHLIGHTS
1MDB is not 'old story' as perpetrators still free - MP
SRC’s US$1.18b suit vs Najib: Trial set for Feb-March 2023
Lawyer down with Covid, Bung Moktar trial postponed
No more quarantine for some
The government has decided to do away with quarantine measures for some close contacts of Covid-19 patients.
This is specific for close contacts who have received their Covid-19 vaccine booster shot and do not show any symptoms of infections.
However, they must undergo a self-test on the first and third day of the last exposure to ensure that they are negative. This takes effect on March 1.
Amid a surge of the Omicron variant, the old quarantine measures have been disruptive, landing a large number of close contacts in isolation every time there is a Covid-19 case.
Meanwhile, the country is set to reopen its international borders. The Health Ministry said a date has been decided but it will be left to the prime minister to announce.
Covid-19 deaths have begun climbing following the latest round of Covid-19 cases although not as severe as the Delta wave last year as the country is better prepared with a majority of the population vaccinated.
HIGHLIGHTS
An interview with Premesh Chandran
Minister: Most serious infections among the unvaccinated
‘Get boosted or lose fully vax status’ on March 31
Johor candidates unveiled
The majority of parties participating in the Johor state assembly election have finally unveiled their candidates.
On BN's front, Umno backtracked on its plan to contest significantly more seats, allowing its partners MCA and MIC to retain the same number of seats so as not to rock the boat.
Meanwhile, PN is set to field senator Isa Ab Hamid against BN's menteri besar candidate Hasni Mohammad. It is also fielding former PKR member Chong Fat Full, who defected to Bersatu.
On Harapan's end, the coalition completed its candidates' list after DAP announced their last two candidates - Marina Ibrahim and Liew Chin Tong.
However, friction reignited between Muda and PKR after both parties are set to contest in Larkin.
PKR urged Muda to reconsider and is mulling to retaliate in other Muda-allocated seats if it did not reverse course. A PKR grassroots leader also demanded Harapan cuts ties with Muda.
Smaller parties also unveiled their candidates yesterday with PBM announcing four candidates, including Tebrau MP Steven Choong who defected from PKR.
Pejuang announced 42 candidates that included former DAP man Mahdzir Ibrahim and Nornekman Osman, the son of former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian.
Warisan is expected to announce its candidates today. The official nomination is tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 26).
HIGHLIGHTS
PAS ceasefire call: Umno says 'wait and see'
Kelab Shah Alam bans sale, consumption of alcohol
10 ex-Mara Corp senior execs file unfair dismissal case
What else is happening?
Malaysia is evacuating 11 citizens from Ukraine after Russia launched an attack on the country. They will need to make a 782km journey by road to Poland.
Former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador criticised the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) after it concluded there was no evidence of a cartel in the police force as claimed.
A 15-year-old Kemaman girl is challenging a court order denying her bail in a murder case involving her newborn baby. The case is complicated as she is a statutory rape victim while at the same time she is accused of murdering the newborn.
HIGHLIGHTS
Refugees may be allowed to formally work soon with new policy
Migrant activist questions DG’s authority to abolish 'Aku Janji'
May 25 appeal verdict to overturn ban on Superman Hew’s book
What are people saying?
Common traits of a crooked banker and some YBs
By R Nadeswaran
Has Gerak Independent lost the plot?
By P Gunasegaram
EAIC 'nothing to see here' conclusion fools nobody
By S Thayaparan
