Govt's hard stance on the 'sex' scene

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Key Highlights

• Govt takes a hard stance on the 'sex' scene
  
  

• KTM’s gravy train flagged by Audit Dept
  
  

• Rafizi’s challengers lining up

Gov't takes a hard stance on the 'sex' scene

A sexually suggestive scene meant for a Malay soap drama has left the government hot and bothered.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa announced that one of the actors in the scene, Zul Ariffin, is now being probed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Annuar also indicated that the scene will not see the light of day.

The scenes, from a teaser uploaded online, while sexually suggestive, don't actually show any sex or nudity.

Previously, de facto Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad chastised the scene for going "overboard".

Meanwhile, as Putrajaya seeks to shield the eyes of children and the public from implied erotica on public airwaves, the current administration has no plans to protect children from child marriage.

HIGHLIGHTS

	CIJ: Probe into 'sexually suggestive' scene infringes freedom of expression Investigation closes the door over the notion of artistic autonomy.
	'No plans to ban child marriage', PKR MPs take minister to task 'Minister fails past efforts.'
	Abim disappointed with govt treating women as second-class citizens 'Withdraw appeal on overseas-born children’s citizenship ruling.'

KTM’s gravy train flagged by Audit Dept

The Audit Department has flagged the leakage of RM2.81 million involving KTM’s upgrading works.

This is one of several cases of leakage or wastage of public funds that the Public Accounts Committee will look into.

One case of wastage involved RM16.77 million from the management of a programme under the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.

The PAC said out of the 682 auditing issues identified, five could be subjected to punitive action and the 677 involved corrective issues.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Audit report: Renewable energy programme needs attention Several weaknesses for Energy Ministry to address.
	AG's Report finds expatriate tax collection unsatisfactory, 15k have no files More than 7k expatriates have arrears totalling RM65.9m.
	MRT project: Engineering firm directors held for alleged bribery Ex-directors believed to have received RM27m.

Rafizi’s challengers lining up

Challengers are lining up to take on Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy president race.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is widely expected to field current party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasuiton Ismail to contest for the number two spot.

If confirmed it would be Saifuddin's second time contesting for the seat as well.

However, if the Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP skips the race, former Anwar aide Farhash Wafa Salvador has offered to take on Rafizi as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Sapura Energy 'bailout' is 'perverse Najibnomics’ - Rafizi Three of the company's subsidiaries have been served with winding-up petitions.
	Adam Adli: PKR is a natural choice for me Ex-student activist is speculated to be running for PKR Youth chief post.
	MTUC election deadlock - presidential candidate seeks ROS intervention Abdul Halim says MTUC is operating without a president, acting against its constitution.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 21,483 new cases yesterday (March 22) brings the cumulative infections to 4,032,435.
  
  

• 73 new fatalities put the death toll at 34,535.

New cases by states

Selangor (7,452)
Kuala Lumpur (3,433)
Sarawak (1,547)
Penang (1,295)
Kedah (1,219)
Perak (1,170)
Negeri Sembilan (1,061)
Pahang (959)
Johor (927)
Kelantan (609)
Terengganu (584)
Malacca (536)
Sabah (402)
Perlis (131)
Labuan (93)
Putrajaya (65)

What else is happening?

• The Health Ministry slapped DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang with an RM1,000 fine for hugging at the DAP convention on Sunday. It also revealed that Najib Abdul Razak has four pending fines that his aide had refused to accept.
  
  

• Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim heaped rare praise on Lim Kit Siang, saying the latter should be honoured for his contributions and long career in politics.
  
  

• Maternity leave for all working women is in limbo, after amendments that extended it to 98 days. A provision that ensured that leave is granted regardless of their salary scale was removed. The plan is reportedly to make the Employment Act applies to all salaried workers via a ministerial order.

HIGHLIGHTS

	MPs pressure govt to table anti-hopping law PARLIAMENT | Law can be tabled now, changes made at a later stage.
	NGOs stage protest, calling for anti-hopping law, IPCMC bill Bersih, Suaram handed memoranda to gov't and opposition MPs.
	Stepping out of the 'Lim dynasty' shadow Questions linger whether the Lims still wield influence over the DAP leadership.

What are people saying?

	Unbridled rape and pillage of EPF continues By P Gunasegaram
	Labour policy reforms needed along with new minimum wage By Ong Kian Ming
	Muslims are sexual beings too By Fa Abdul