Month: August 2021

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16  — A stable government that will function for a reasonable period of time must be formed immediately to focus on efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and issues concerning the people’s well-being.

 

UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said towards this purpose, an effective Cabinet akin to the functions of a ‘War Cabinet’ must be established to enable the country’s recovery process to take place while facing the pandemic.

 

He said once Malaysia achieves herd immunity that could possibly allow the 15th General Election to be held, that particular government then must return the mandate to the rakyat.

 

 

“To ensure stability and political cooperation are achieved, oppressive acts against parties and the opposition leadership must be stopped. Using government agencies to weaken opponents in maintaining power will not give any benefit to the people,” he said in a statement tonight to propose ways for the ongoing political crisis from worsening.

 

Ahmad Zahid said UMNO also thanked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who announced his resignation as Prime Minister today, for his services throughout his tenure.

 

He said what had happened must serve as a lesson and called on all parties to look ahead by fully focusing on one goal to jointly safeguard the well-being of the people and to rebuild the country.

 

 

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he felt hurt by accusations and slanderous statements thrown against him throughout the ongoing political crisis.

 

He said the people should know that despite heading the largest political (Malay-based) party, he never had thoughts of nominating himself as a candidate for Prime Minister.

 

“Therefore, UMNO, as a party with extensive experience in governing the country, will consider several candidates (for PM) and in this regard, I expect the cooperation and support of all Members of Parliament,” he said.

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — All public recreational parks in the states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) will be allowed to reopen for leisure activities to ensure the well-being of the people and reduce mental health stress, effective tomorrow (Aug 16).

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, however, only individual activities would be allowed such as jogging, cycling and exercising, in line with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sports and leisure in Phase One of the PPN.

“The public is only allowed to visit public recreational parks in the neighbourhood. Do not travel interstate or interdistricts to go to other recreational parks.

“This relaxation is very important for the people to have more time in the open and have a better ventilation system than being just confined at home. So, I really hope that this incentive will not be abused,” he said in a statement today.

At the same time, he also reminded the local authorities (PBT) and related agencies to be responsible for monitoring the compliance of SOPs in the public recreational parks involved to ensure that they are implemented in accordance with the rules set to avoid any harm.

Meanwhile, for the tourism sector, the Prime Minister said the government was studying the views and feedback from stakeholders on the proposal to make Langkawi Island a pilot project for a travel bubble destination.

He said any findings from the pilot project would be used as a benchmark before it would be expanded to other tourist destinations, especially those that have good methods of controlling the movement of tourists, especially other resort islands throughout the country.

Muhyiddin said the plan was important to revive the tourism industry after more than a year of being hit by the pandemic.

“The Ministry of Health (MOH) and health experts proposed that the government implement this plan only when the vaccination rate in Langkawi reaches at least 80 per cent of its total population.

“The people allowed to travel to Langkawi Island will be limited to fully vaccinated individuals and this proposal is being studied by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. The decision will be finalised through a series of discussions after this,” he said.

Following the relaxations announced today, the Prime Minister hoped that it would not only provide some relief to the people in terms of emotional and mental health but also help to gradually restore the situation, especially the economic sector.

He said the government would not hesitate to withdraw the relaxations in the event of non-compliance with the guidelines and SOPs that had been set.

“If there is an infection in the premises that receive these incentives, the MOH will immediately take appropriate measures, including re-evaluating the risk and not ruling out the possibility of immediate closure of the premises or areas involved, in addition to issuing compounds.

“Once again, I would like to remind everyone, the relaxations provided do not mean that the people have gained absolute freedom. Every SOP, guideline and procedure must be adhered to diligently,” he said.

Apart from the social and tourism sectors, Muhyiddin today also announced incentives for 11 economic activities in the trade and distribution sector for states under Phase One and 11 additional economic sectors for states under Phase Two of the PPN, starting tomorrow.

In addition, all non-essential activities in the manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying sectors in the states under Phase One (Kedah, Selangor, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Federal Territory of Putrajaya), Phase Two (Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah) and Phase Three (Perlis, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan) of PPN are allowed to resume operation on the same day.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — All non-essential activities in the manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying sectors are allowed to resume operations in Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 National Recovery Plan (NRP) states starting Aug 16, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

However, he said, the operational capacity depended on the completed vaccination rate of employees.

He said full operational capacity is allowed if the employees’ completed vaccination rate is between 80 per cent and 100 per cent, 80 per cent operating capacity if vaccination rate is between 60 per cent to 79 per cent and 60 per cent operating capacity if the vaccination rate is between 40 per cent to 59 per cent.

Muhyiddin said the government is aware that the decision would provoke various reactions from the public who are concerned about the risk of contagion but every ruling was made with caution.

“After more than a year of the country in a pandemic situation, many employers began to reduce the workforce, causing many to lose their jobs.

“In this difficult situation, the government can’t allow this situation to drag on,” he said in a statement today.

The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that the facilities announced could revitalise their businesses.

He reminded all employers to comply with and fulfil the conditions that have been set before resuming operations to ensure the safety of employees and the workplace.

At the same time, he said employers are urged to take full advantage of the government-provided wage subsidy initiatives to ensure that every employee receives their wage payment.

To employees, Muhyiddin said an immediate report should be made to the Ministry of Health (MoH) at cprc@moh.gov.my or the Ministry of Home Affairs at aduan.sop@moha@gov.my or the Ministry of Human Resources through the Working For Workers (WFW) application if the employer does not comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) specified.

“The power is in your hands as an employee because an employer who does not comply with SOPs and violates the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) can be compounded and brought to court.

“Under this act as well, MoH has full authority to give notice of order to close the premises,” he said.

He said from July 26 to Aug 10, more than 900 premises have been ordered to close due to their failure to comply with SOPs.

He added that this also proved that the government is very strict against any party who violated the rules.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — The High Commission of India in Malaysia celebrated India’s 75th Independence Day here Sunday with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour.

The High Commission in a statement to Bernama said that the celebrations at India House, commenced with the unfurling of India’s national flag by the Charge d’Affaires Dr Varun Jeph, followed by the singing of India’s national anthem.

At the ceremony the Charge d’Affaires read out excerpts from the President of India’s address to the nation on the eve of the 75th Independence Day.

In his address, Dr Varun greeted the Indian community in Malaysia on this momentous occasion and wished them the best of health.

To mark the occasion, a brief cultural programme was organised virtually. A Carnatic vocal teacher from the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre (NSCBICC) rendered the mesmerising ‘Bharat Mata’ song.

The virtual performance also included a musical patriotic video presentation by the vocal teacher, a Kathak dance teacher and students of NSCBICC, followed by a Odissi dance performance by senior students of the cultural centre.

This year’s event was celebrated in compliance with the Movement Control Order and prescribed Standard Operating Procedures due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Malaysia. The ceremony was attended by officials of the High Commission, while observing the physical distancing norms.

The Indian Community and friends of India in Malaysia joined the event virtually through the High Commission’s website and social media platforms in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proceedings of the celebrations and cultural programmes are available on the official website of the mission (www.hcikl.gov.in) and social media platforms of the High Commission.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to make a special announcement tomorrow, according to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

“InsyaAllah there will be an announcement (by Muhyiddin) … whatever it is just wait for tomorrow,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Function) when met by reporters after attending a special Bersatu meeting here today.

The meeting, chaired by Bersatu president Muhyiddin, was also attended by several other senior leaders of the party.

Among those seen turning up for the two-hour meeting, which began at 9 am, were deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and supreme council members Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar, Datuk Mansor Othman and Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

Apart from Bersatu leaders, Kuala Langat Member of Parliament (Independent) Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar was also seen entering the meeting venue.

However, efforts to get comments from the prime minister were not successful as it was learnt that he had left via a different route. Other supreme council members also refused to comment on the meeting.

On Friday, Muhyiddin, in a special address, offered the opposition a framework on cross-party cooperation with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government but it was rejected by a majority of the opposition parties.

Mohd Redzuan, the MP for Alor Gajah in Melaka, said the meeting discussed the direction for the party if Muhyiddin resigns as the prime minister.

“The prime minister has explored every option solely in the interests of the people in this time of crisis. However, we will abide by the Constitution.

“It is left to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ensure that the country continues to be led by a leadership that is sensitive to the people’s concerns,” he said.

The meeting attracted the attention of the media, with journalists gathering at the meeting location from 8 am.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency