Good morning, here’s what you need to know today.
Key Highlights
Judge targeted
Mask mandate
Refugee policy
Judge targeted
Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who sentenced ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to 12 years in prison for corruption, money laundering and abuse of power, faced fresh attempts to discredit him.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin alleged the judge had unexplained wealth, prompting Nazlan to lodge a police report.
Previously, an allegation was circulated claiming that Nazlan was a relative of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mahathir's daughter Marina said the family would be flattered if a learned judge was their relative but said Nazlan was not.
Najib's legal team have also tried to discredit Nazlan by claiming that he had a conflict of interest in the 1MDB case.
In a separate development, the Federal Court chief registrar's office denied the judiciary was colluding with politicians to expedite criminal cases against Najib and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | However, audit firm did not do so. |
 | Partner got this impression during meetings with the 1MDB board. |
 | Umno president's lawyer lodges police report. |
Mask mandate
If you've seen a circular on social media that fines will no longer be issued for not wearing a face mask in public, you may want to hold your horses.
While the directive is genuine, the police have withdrawn the circular.
The National Security Council (NSC) will reportedly relax Covid-19 prevention measures but they are not expected to be announced until next month.
In a related development, the government is now only "encouraging" symptomatic Covid-19 close contacts to undergo quarantine instead of making it mandatory.
Previously, symptomatic close contacts must undergo quarantine while asymptomatic close contacts do not need to do so.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | This is on the anti-party hopping measures. |
 | Forests for sale on Mudah and iProperty, RDP says. |
 | Too many reps entered the compound. |
Refugee policy
The escape of 528 detainees from the Sungai Bakap Temporary immigration detention depot in mainland Penang put a spotlight on the country's policy on refugees.
Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin confirmed the detainees were Rohingya refugees who have been detained for around two years but added that Malaysia does not recognise refugees.
The detainees had bent through metal barriers with their bare hands to escape. Police said they have identified the main person for "inciting a riot" at the facility.
The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) questioned the extended detention of the refugees with no proper plans to deport them.
Amnesty International also urged the government to review its policy of detaining asylum seekers indefinitely.
The government said it is exploring the possibility of allowing refugees to work in the country.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Over 100 local companies will be affected if project cancelled. |
 | This comes after a bi-partisan caucus meets with Ismail Sabri. |
 | One company will provide infrastructure while telcos provide the service. |
A daily glance at Covid-19
5,899 new cases yesterday (April 21) bring the cumulative infections to 4,415,101.
Five new fatalities put the death toll at 35,470.
New cases by states
Selangor (3,579)
Kuala Lumpur (649)
Perak (301)
Negeri Sembilan (249)
Johor (214)
Penang (193)
Sarawak (151)
Kedah (126)
Malacca (112)
Sabah (85)
Pahang (61)
Terengganu (60)
Putrajaya (60)
Kelantan (25)
Perlis (20)
Labuan (14)
What else is happening?
Amid public attention on the Johor bicycle tragedy, Malaysiakini summarises the written judgment of the case in our latest edition of Kiniguide.
Umno's Mohd Puad Zarkashi was sworn in as the new Johor speaker.
Pontian MCA chief Tee Siew Kiong lashed out at MCA president Wee Ka Siong after he was summoned by the party for a disciplinary hearing over his public airing of unhappiness when he was not fielded as a candidate in the Johor polls.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Federal Court ruled Rafizi made 'fair comment'. |
 | They benefit both the young and the elderly. |
 | Ali started his career in 1981. |
What are people saying?
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By Francis Paul Siah |
 | By Dinesh Chandren |
