Is it time for a full shutdown?
A leaked circular warning of total economic shutdown if we fail to reduce our Covid-19 caseload may’ve been an overexaggeration, but with no let-up in our daily infection numbers, would a stricter lockdown really surprise anyone?
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, Anwar Ibrahim’s still going on about having the numbers, and the judge who convicted Bossku gets transferred to the civil court.
Talk is cheap, my friend
Our beloved PM calls on Asean countries to take a tougher stance on hate speech, including those targetting gender and sexual orientation. Nothing wrong with that, right? Well, he’s being slagged for it. Don’t worry, we’ll fill you in.
In other news, Suhakam reveals some astonishing – but sadly, not so astonishing – things; and, the MCO for all states will now end on the same day. If it’s not extended again, that is.
Anwar has strong majority again… but not for what you may think
The opposition and friends have made good on promises to write the King to withdraw the emergency declaration. Still, head honcho Anwar Ibrahim probably isn’t gonna put all his eggs in one basket, so expect a legal suit soon.
In other news, students facing higher secondary exams have returned to school but are under tremendous pressure, which is not being helped by the pandemic; and, we talk some money, honey.
Oh, and of course, the biggest story in the world today is the US of A has a new president. The orange man has moved out of the White House, folks. About. Bloody. Time.
Misery gets company
Good on you, Sarawak! Come Friday, Malaysia’s largest state will be the only one not under MCO 2.0. Well, except those in Sibu.
Also, we’ve been warned! At current rates, we’ll be seeing our daily infection numbers more than double in March if we don’t flatten that curve soon.
Elsewhere in our newsletter, D̶u̶m̶n̶o̶ Umno and DAP agree on the need for a special sitting of Parliament. Wonders never cease.
Let’s just throw some money at it, shall we?
PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s announced a somewhat modest stimulus package to add to the host of other stimulus packages meant to take on Covid-19, boost a battered economy and help an emergency-wary populace. But with great spending comes great criticism.
In other news, the emergency’s sent Dr M and co. running to the courts; and more Covid-related SOPs are released even as peeps urge the powers that be to reconsider some old ones.
Oh boy, it’s official now!
The Emergency Ordinance is officially gazetted three days after the nationwide emergency was declared to ‘contain Covid-19′ quote-unquote. But if you think this settles critics’ concerns, hah!
In other news, the government’s still flip-flopping all over the place in terms of MCO dos and don’t-you-dares; our Covid numbers hit a new, frightening high; and heads must roll after a child is raped in police lockup.
Did the MCO come too late?
Authorities are making concessions and cutting down testing on close contacts of Covid-19 patients to save a collapsing health system.
Meanwhile, an Umno minister defends the emergency even as our opposition leader wants it rescinded; the courts were plenty busy yesterday; and the appointment of a sex-offence-tainted (allegedly! allegedly!) leader to a parliamentary committee on women’s affairs sets tongues wagging.
Emergency order: Can it be abused?
It’s day #3 of the emergency, and everyone’s still debating if we need it. Certain quarters are even warning over possible abuse by the state. So how deep in it are we?
In other news, we’ve a better sense as to how long the MCO could last and for us to flatten that Covid-19 curve. Still, there’s pressure on the gomen to finally develop a long-term plan to battle the pandemic. Also, the MCMC’s snafu over old tweets is cause for concern.
Hunker down folks, there’s a long Emergency ahead
It seems movement control orders were not enough. The King’s now declared a state of emergency across the country, thanks to Covid-19. Thing is, despite PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s best attempts to allay fears, many are questioning the motives behind the declaration.
Meanwhile, Malaysia continues to break more unwanted Covid records, and we present more of the do’s and don’t-even-think-about-its as MCO 2.0 takes effect today.
MCO 2.0: All you need to know about the latest lockdown
It’s back to full lockdown for most of us. Needless to day, PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s address on tougher Covid-19 curbs came with little surprises. Still, you’d think the clowns in gomen would have a proper handle on things by now.
In other news, the virus strain that’s wreaked havoc in Britain makes its way here while another minister tests positive. Also, rumours swirl of a possible DPM appointment; and Dr Mahathir Mohamad hits back at being labelled a “dangerous extremist”.