Malaysia – The state executive councilor said that following the Covid-19 outbreak, Selangor reported an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, or 165,000 jobless people, as of June this year. Mohd Khairuddin Othman, chairman of the state government’s Youth Generation Development, Sports, and Human Capital Development Committee, said the state government has taken the issue on a serious note and is …

Malaysia – Malaysia reported 7,373 new Covid-19 cases today, just hours before the prime minister was due to make a special statement, perhaps regarding the easing of interstate travel restrictions. The new cases reflect a decrease of almost 1,300 from 8,743 cases. Additionally, it implies that the number of new cases in Malaysia has stayed below 10,000 for eight consecutive …

Malaysia – People are advised not to loosen their guard and to continue following the standard operating procedures (SOP) even if interstate travel is permitted beginning tomorrow. According to Senior Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s twitter post, the first line of defense starts with us. Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) urged the …

Philippines – The Food and Drug Administration said molnupiravir, an enemy of viral medication created by Merck and Co and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, can apply for humane exceptional grant in the nation even without an application for crisis use approval (EUA) In view of this, Dr. Joel Santiaguel, a clinical examiner from the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, told CNN Philippines the …

Malaysia – Datuk Lokman Noor Adam, a former UMNO Supreme Council member, has been recently accused in the Sessions Court for disseminating Covid-19 false news through audio visual recordings in April and May of this year. Lokman, 48, however, pleaded not guilty when Judge MM Edwin Paramjothy read the two counts to him. On May 3 at 10.55 p.m. and …

Datuk Rosol Wahid, the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs stated that the government is contemplating imposing new regulated pricing on the Covid-19 self-test kits sooner than the previously scheduled date of December. He said that talks on the subject were now taking place with a number of different parties. In addition, Rosol said that the gradual re-opening …

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Selangor, shall review the names of instructors of Al-Quran and Fardu Ain classes (Kafa), mosque committee members, and marriage solemnisers who refuse to get vaccinated to decide the appropriate course of action. Sultan Sharafuddin has expressed his disappointment and sadness that only 203 out of 873 religious teachers, mosque and marriage officials in the …

Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin said that he had ceased using the phrase “herd immunity” in reference to Malaysia’s Covid-19 immunization goal. He noted that the phrase is no longer relevant due to the fast spread of the Delta strain but stressed that the government remains committed to increasing vaccine coverage for public safety. During his ministerial winding-up in the …

In view of the Covid-19 crisis, the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) would prioritize people’s welfare, social protection, and people-centred initiatives, stated Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy). Its expenditure pattern has changed to concentrate on post-pandemic developments over the next five years, he added. According to him, the 12MP will also highlight their commitments under …

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said more field hospitals are needed in Penang to handle the state’s growing number of Covid-19 patients. According to the Bagan MP, the Penang’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed utilization rate is now 96.6 percent, ranking the state second in the country. Lim suggested that Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin investigate the possibility of establishing more …