Day One of MCO: Confusion and pig-headedness
Yesterday was the first day of what will likely prove to be 14 extremely long ones. And many of us failed miserably to follow the orders to no go gallivanting, so much so that our exalted leader had to plead with everyone to just stay home.
Meanwhile, it was another day of a triple-digit increase in Covid-19 infections in Malaysia, and as in previous days, many of the new patients were linked to the religious gathering in Sri Petaling. Did we mention that it will be a long, long 14 days for all of us?
Covid-19 takes a fatal turn in Malaysia
Two people diagnosed with Covid-19 died yesterday, the first deaths in the country since the virus was detected on our shores. Meanwhile, 120 more cases were detected, most of which were linked to the Sri Petaling mosque cluster.
A few things were clarified about the movement control order issued by the government, with the National Security Council also putting out a FAQ to help those still dazed and confused about things.
But most irritating is that even with a fatal pandemic sweeping through the globe, our politicians can’t seem to stop their stupid, petty politicking. Read on to find out what we’re talking about.
Malaysia in crisis mode
In a bid to get a handle on the Covid-19 crisis, Malaysia is restricting movement of its citizens and ordering a shutdown of non-essential businesses for the next two weeks from March 18 to 31. But will these measures really help?
Also, a bunch of you have written in to thank us for our ongoing coverage of Covid-19. We appreciate the appreciation. 🙂 Please do continue forwarding our emails to your contacts via the buttons below as keeping informed is critical at times like these.
Covid infection rates are through the roof
If you thought Covid-19 was scary earlier, the weekend would’ve definitely given you the heebie-jeebies. A spate of new infections were confirmed, nearly doubling the total number of people struck down in the country.
Elsewhere, catfights over the new government continue and a news reporter comes under a disgusting attack thanks to a social media post by one of our new ministers.
Prayer in the time of Covid
It’s Friday the 13th and there’s a global pandemic going round. Are we the only ones that feel like this is an apocalypse movie script? 😳
While the minister in charge of Islamic affairs doesn’t see the need to cancel Friday prayers, the Catholic church in Peninsular Malaysia has decided to err on the side of caution by canceling all church functions, including Sunday and daily mass. This, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia hit 158, with health authorities gearing up to deal with more patients.
In other news, Maddey Mohamad whinges even more and makes liberalism, when it comes to PM-forever-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim, sound like a four-letter word; and, there seems to be a whole bunch of unhappiness from Umno members, despite the party being back in the corridors of power (or so it seems).
Time to stop religious gatherings in Malaysia?
The search is on for 5,000 Malaysians who participated in a recent religious gathering attended by a Bruneian with Covid-19, which has now been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
Meanwhile, PM8 Muhyiddin Yassin and his some of his ministers announced a number of decisions made during the first Cabinet meeting of the Perikatan gomen; ex-PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is blaming everyone but himself for the fall of the Pakatan gomen; and, the SRC International graft trial of another former PM, Najib Razak, has ended with the defence resting its case.
What happens to the child marriage ban now?
The appointment of a PAS MP as Deputy Women and Family Development Minister has raised concerns that the government will not pursue efforts to end child marriages in Malaysia, especially considering the MP in question has battled such efforts before.
In other news, former DPM Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says it’s very likely dearest and most glorious husband Anwar Ibrahim will be leading the Pakatan line-up soon, leaving grand ol’ master Maddey Mohamad by the wayside; and, Covid-19 cases in Mesia are now up to 129.
What you need to know about PM Muhyiddin’s Cabinet
PM Muhyiddin Yassin has finally announced his Cabinet line-up and while certain scandal-tainted leaders are, thankfully, missing, the new team does definitely looks more Bumi-Malaysia than Malaysian-Malaysia.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, the Perak state government finally falls, and the number of Covid-19 cases in the country spikes to 117.
PM Muhyiddin will unveil his Cabinet today… but who’ll be in it?
After weeks of backstabbing, betrayals and backdoor shenanigans – Malaysian politics in other words – it looks like the Muhyiddin Yassin administration will finally start taking shape, with the PM announcing his Cabinet lineup today.
In other news, with Parliament only meeting in two months and all legal avenues apparently shut (for now), Pakatan Harapan seems to be moving to exert pressure on Muhyiddin’s government via diplomatic channels and the foreign media.
Also, Covid-19 cases in the country have spiked again, and Malaysia celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday with not much of a celebration.
Another resignation for Muhyiddin to deal with?
After the AG quit, it was only a matter of time before the other major Maddey Mohamad appointee, MACC head Latheefa Koya, would resign too. And so she did, according to various news organisations yesterday. It’s yet another consequence of the political turmoil we’ve been experiencing recently.
In other news, a former minister claims RM2 million is chump change for him; seven new provinces have been added to a travel ban and five new cases of Covid-19 have been detected; and, Latheefa is again in the news, this time testifying in court at Najib Razak’s trial.