Malaysia

KUCHING: A three-and-a-half-month resettlement program for illegal immigrants in Sarawak is projected to gradually alleviate the shortage of 5,000 workers in the construction industry. Several other industries, according to Sim Kiang Chiok, the Kuching chairman of the Sarawak housing and real estate development association, face the same issue. Many foreign workers who had left the country before the March 2017 …

PETALING JAYA: According to the DAP, police reports will be filed against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his Cabinet for refusing to allow Parliament to sit during the emergency despite the King’s order. Lim Guan Eng, the party’s secretary-general, said Muhyiddin and the Cabinet were “stubbornly refusing” to heed the King’s order to reconvene Parliament. Since the King has already …

PETALING JAYA: In step two and three of the national immunisation program, the government has decided to enlist the help of general practitioners (GPs) to administer Covid-19 vaccines.  “We have agreed to involve private GPs to maximise the administration of the vaccine to the people. At a joint press conference with science, technology, and innovation minister Khairy Jamaluddin, he said, …

A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer testified before the High Court in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s trial that the inquiry into the former deputy prime minister for alleged RM13.25 million in corruption had no element of bias. The MACC investigation into Zahid began in June 2018, according to investigating officer Mohd Zamri Abdul Rashid. “We went to the law firm of …

KANGAR: There is no need to be worried about the brands of Covid-19 vaccines used in the country’s immunization program because the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has approved each vaccine (NPRA). All vaccines used in the national Covid-19 immunization program have been tested and found to be safe and reliable, according to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. “They (vaccines) have all …

KUCHING: Sarawak PKR has agreed not to name a new chairman after two of its chairmen defected one after the other, leaving the state with just one MP. Instead, a Council of Elders will be established to lead the party through the next state election. Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, state PKR deputy chairman, said the party would not fill the …

PETALING JAYA: Business groups are hoping that Malaysia will follow Indonesia’s lead and encourage companies to buy Covid-19 vaccines for their workers in an effort to boost the economy. Indonesia, which intends to vaccinate 70% of its population (181.5 million) by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity, revealed last week a health ministerial rule allowing businesses to …

PUTRAJAYA: MCA filed a defamation suit against Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, claiming that the party never used its own funds to send allocations to Chinese schools and instead pocketed public funds. The Federal Court dismissed the claim today. Lim’s appeal was allowed, and the single question of law asked “is answered in the negative,” according to a seven-member bench …

KUALA LUMPUR: To help kickstart the international air travel industry, AirAsia has joined aviation and tourism experts in calling for a standardised approach to travel protocols. Bo Lingam, president of AirAsia Group (Airlines), said that for cross-border travel to resume effectively and safely, a mutually agreed global framework approach is needed. “Travel requirements in the region are currently complex and …

PETALING JAYA: According to de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan, the fine for violating Covid-19 laws is not set at RM10,000. Takiyuddin said the fines range from RM100 to RM10,000, depending on the severity of the crime, during a live-streamed press conference. “The authorities will use their discretion; there are guidelines,” he said, despite the fact that the Emergency Ordinance …