Highly-infectious Covid-19 super-strain detected
A mutated strain of coronavirus has been detected in Malaysia, and it’s 10 times more infectious than the version that originally hit us. Worse, the Covid-19 infection rate’s steadily rising.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, Bersatu joins Muafakat Nasional, a three-way contest looms in Slim, and a dude who was filmed trying to offer favours in exchange for votes gets elected Bersatu youth chief.
Sivagangga cluster super-spreader jailed!
The man behind the Sivagangga Covid-19 cluster has been fined a whole lot of moolah and will spend five months in jail for violating his home quarantine orders. Well deserved, indeed, though maybe he should have been given a harsher sentence, seeing as how he is single-handedly responsible for infecting at least 44 others to date.
Meanwhile, a prominent former female minister has praised Kamala Harris, United States presidential candidate Joe Biden’s choice for running mate; Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remark about “Malays in a neighbouring country” has touched a raw nerve with a politician in Singapore; an Umno MP admits the Sedition Act has been abused in the past but doesn’t want it repealed; and, M. Indira Gandhi doesn’t give a damn about the cops trying to negotiate with her ex-hubby to get him to return with their daughter.
Where in the world is Riduan Abdullah?
Just how does a man with an expired passport, on the run with a child without any documentation, manage to run to another country despite there being a warrant out for his arrest? That’s what M. Indira Gandhi is asking. Remember her?
In other news, we’ve finally found out the intended name of a former PM-twice-over’s new party; we find out the names of two of the candidates for the upcoming Slim by-election; and, a certain CM-turned-interim CM is doing what can only be deemed downright unethical in his bid to keep power. Plus other news, of course.
Yes, we’re still talking about Guan Eng and co!
Yesterday’s charges against Saudara Lim Guan Eng, as well as that against his wife and a certain businesswoman, has nothing to do with the infamous bungalow purchase. Or does it?
Meanwhile, at least four enforcement officers have been arrested in connection with an illegal gambling protection racket, with others being investigated; the furore over political appointments in GLCs continues; two Covidiots have been arrested after they were seen with pink wristbands on; and, the Sabah interim CM takes a dump on his opponents.
So, what happened to Guan Eng in court yesterday?
DAP’s Lim Guan Eng got slapped with another corruption accusation on Monday. But unlike the first case, this time around, there’s a figure – RM3.3 million – attached to the charge.
In other news, ex-attorney general Tommy Thomas is once more blamed for letting Riza Aziz off the hook, Covid-19 cases increase thanks to festive visiting, a Bersatu leader gets slammed for soliciting votes, and a former minister tells his former chief minister half-bro that it’s time for the latter to bid adieu.
Mahathir has a new party
He may be down, but Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s launch of a new political party for his rebel Bersatu-ians suggests he’s definitely not out. Not by a long shot.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter we take a look at Lim Guan Eng’s day in court on Friday, uneven enforcement of the mandatory mask rule, Malaysia’s plan to eradicate poverty by 2030, and the apology of a minister that doesn’t say very much.
Lim Guan Eng arrested!
Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng was arrested by our graft busters last night over investigations into the Penang Undersea Tunnel project which he initiated during his tenure as CM of the northern state. Also, LGE could be in trouble (again) for that bungalow he purchased in Penang a few years ago.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, we talk about money matters in terms of our national debt and what’s needed to help us survive the Covid-19 pandemic; how local government elections won’t be seen anytime soon, despite one minister still advocating for them; the shenanigans in Parliament over 1MDB; and, lots of other things, including a suit against the Sabah governor by a certain Mighty Moses.
All about corruption
From Najib Razak to Rosmah Mansor, Lim Guan Eng to MARA, it seemed our news feeds were inundated with news about corruption (allegedly, allegedly) yesterday.
In other news, the government has finally made clear just where we are required to wear face masks; our Covid-19 numbers are back up to double digits; the man who toppled a state government may not get to see a return to power; and, a media outlet has pooh-poohed our top cop’s statement regarding the raid on its KL office.
Najib spins a sad tale
Disgraced former big kahuna Najib Razak is at it again. That he’s claiming innocence in his many court cases is no shocker, but he’s now saying he is being punished for being a man of charity. There’s a problem with this though – read on to find out what.
In other news, our coppers are recommending a new inquest into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death, as though one wasn’t enough; the authorities have raided the offices of Al Jazeera as well as local entities Astro and Unifi TV; there’s more about political kataks; and, we’ve recorded only one daily Covid-19 case for only the second time since July 1.
Dr M wants Sabah’s political frogs fried
Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he’s heading to Sabah to campaign for his friends, and make sure the frogs who hopped on over to support Musa Aman get punished by the electorate. What’s funny though, is that history contains many examples where the former PM appeared to be in favour of defections.
Also in the news, Tommy Thomas hits back at claims that criminal proceedings against Goldman Sachs wouldn’t have ensured a better compensation package; the government looks to make the MySejahtera app compulsory for contact tracing, and Azmin Ali and Lim Guan Eng square off in Parliament over Malaysia’s stand on a trade partnership.