Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Aria72

Selling bumiputera assets only to bumiputera

Aria72 — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 15:38:21 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday criticised the proposal of an equity safety net for the bumiputera under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), alleging that the measure would not help the poor but instead benefit the cronies.

During the debate on the 12MP, which was tabled by the prime Minister on Monday, Muar Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman raised his doubts over the measure, asking how this would benefit those in need.

“How would such a policy help the needy in Malaysia? How would it help fishermen in Tanjung Piai? How would this help farmers in Alor Setar or Jerlun? How would it help small business owners in Muar?” he asked.

He said the policy is somewhat similar to the introduction of the “Malay version of Low Yat” in 2017, which was known as Digital MARA, adding that many businesses operating there had since closed down and that the move did not really benefit anyone.

“If this policy goes through, who would benefit from it? The cronies, their families or the people in need?” he asked.

Syed Saddiq also added that it is not fair for equities to be “taken” from non-bumiputera Malaysians and “be given” to the bumiputera, especially after the prime minister on Monday mentioned that non-Malaysians hold just 45.5% of corporate equities in the country.

“Where is the fairness? We are giving priority to foreigners rather than our very own Malaysians just because the non-bumiputera were not born as Muslim-Malays.

“The way forward is not easy. The best way forward is through capacity building, not through this policy,” he said.

Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also said that based on what had transpired in the past, this kind of measure would benefit only family-owned corporations and cronies.

Anwar, who is the opposition leader, added that such measures are dated and new solutions should be sought to address the issue.

He also highlighted that almost 12% of corporate equities are being held by nominees, pointing out that this is the avenue used by top political figures to hide their names by using nomnees.

Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said he consulted his friends in the Malay business community following the announcement by the prime minister on Monday, saying that the general perception is that this would not help but rather adversely affect bumiputera businesses.

“They told me via WhatsApp that this is the worst policy — it looks like a good idea, but it’s not. If the goal is to kill bumiputera businesses, then this is a sure-fire way,” he said.

During the tabling of the 12MP on Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the sale of bumiputera shares or companies will only be offered and sold to fellow bumiputera consortiums, firms and individuals under a soon-to-be-introduced government measure.

He said that this equity safety net framework is aimed at ensuring sustainable bumiputera equity ownership.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/oppo...benefit-cronies

Unvaccinated 11 times more likely to die

Aria72 — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 12:48:01 +0800

Research has found that the unvaccinated face 11 times higher likelihood of death from the Delta variant compared with those vaccinated against Covid-19.

Institute for Clinical Research director Dr Kalaiarasu Peariasamy quoted the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings while stressing the importance of vaccination to the public as the variant was still the predominant strain fuelling, not only infections, but also critical hospitalisations.

Dr Kalaiarasu cited The BMJ, a peer-reviewed medical journal which summarised the research that stated that the rate of deaths involving unvaccinated people in the US due to the coronavirus was 11 times the rate of those fully vaccinated since Delta became the country's dominant variant.

He said the situation was similar to Malaysia's battle with Delta, as the country's case fatality rate stood around 1.15 per cent while it recorded a peak of 0.4 to 0.5 per cent case fatality rate between September and December last year during the onset of the third wave of the pandemic.

"Our case fatality rates also increased gradually from January due to the spike in cases involving variants of concern, including the Beta and Delta strains. This is similar to surges faced by other Southeast Asian and Asian nations.

"But you can see a declining trend in Covid-19 deaths, which started in mid-September when 55 per cent of the population were fully vaccinated."

He said the downward trend in cases was recorded when the percentage of those vaccinated reached 40 per cent.

"We saw this at the end of August when 46 per cent of the population completed their vaccination. This is a good sign in terms of vaccine efficacy," he said during a briefing on the importance of vaccinating adolescents hosted by the Health Ministry yesterday.

Dr Kalaiarasu said the government hoped to see cases decline to 4,000 active infections or lower by year end with optimal coverage for all, including teenagers.

He said the risk of Intensive Care Unit admission was reduced by 83 per cent for a fully vaccinated individual who was infected, while a partially vaccinated individual was 38 per cent less likely to be admitted to ICU after contracting the virus.

"Complete vaccination also reduces the risk of fatality by 88 per cent while partial vaccination (with only one dose) cuts mortality risk by 49 per cent."

He said the AstraZeneca vaccine was the most effective vaccine, with 96 per cent efficacy in reducing ICU admission risks as well as deaths due to Covid-19.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, meanwhile, had 92 per cent efficacy to lower the risks of ICU admission and 93 per cent efficacy to lower chances of death due to the virus.

He said the Sinovac vaccine was 77 per cent effective in preventing ICU admissions among Covid-19 patients, but had 84 per cent efficacy in curbing deaths due to the coronavirus.

The US CDC's data, compiled over the summer, also found that vaccinated people were 10 times less likely to be admitted to hospital and five times less likely to be infected than those unvaccinated.

"Levels of protection were lower than what were conferred by vaccines at the end of spring, the study found. Vaccine efficacy has declined since the Delta variant became dominant around June 20. The decline in efficacy against hospital admission or death was small, but the protection offered against infection has slipped more significantly.

"From April 4 to June 20, unvaccinated people died from Covid-19 at 16.6 times more than those fully vaccinated. Between June 20 and July 17, that rate fell to 11.3. Before June 20, admissions of unvaccinated people with Covid-19 to hospitals were running at 13.3 times the rate among those vaccinated, but this had fallen to 10.4 after that date," the article in The BMJ said.

The Delta variant now accounts for more than 99 per cent of new infections in the US. Just over half of the total population is fully vaccinated, with 63 per cent having received at least one shot.

The CDC study tracked 569,142 Covid-19 cases, 34,972 hospital admissions, and 6,132 deaths. Of the vaccinated people, 92 per cent had received mRNA vaccines and the remainder, the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/09/...more-likely-die

They Are Dying: Hospitals Are Filling Up With

Aria72 — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:41:14 +0800

Ministry of Health confirms that almost 80% of those hospitalised are unvaccinated.

The Emergency and Trauma Department head at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang suspects that the increased number of Covid-19 hospitalisation among young people is caused by vaccination-hesitancy.

Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Mohamad Nor said in a report, that the number of younger people hospitalised for Covid-19 has outnumbered the elderly since the fourth wave of the pandemic that began in late June.

Two-thirds of the Covid 19 patients there are under 60 years old and have not been vaccinated.

He began to suspect that vaccination-hesitancy was the cause when more and more vaccination facilities, such as walk-ins, were made available. But, the patients that kept coming in were still unvaccinated.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) corroborated Dr Ahmad Tajuddin’s conclusion stating that almost 80% of those hospitalised in Malaysia are unvaccinated.

He believes that some young people still believe they have enough protection against Covid-19 without the vaccination

HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi confirmed the trend, estimating 70% of admissions were unvaccinated. He said that about 80% of deaths occurred among the unvaccinated.

But It Gets Worse

Dr Zulkarnain also said that the younger patients at HTAR tend to have comorbidities, obesity and because they never went for a checkup, undetected diabetes before hospitalisation.

According to MOH data, all registered adults in Malaysia have received at least one dose and are waiting for their second dose.

About 6% of residents in Malaysia or 1.46 million have not registered for vaccination. These include the diehard vaccine sceptics or people who were not able to overcome barriers to access, be it technical or geographical.

The percentage of anti-vaxxers is small, the number of deaths and hospitalisations has not stopped them from discouraging people from getting their shots.

At the same time, they want all the perks of being fully vaccinated and have resorted to fake digital vaccination certificates and endangering people at restaurants, cinemas and across interstate lines.

https://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2021/09/...d-anti-vaxxers/

PAS calls for more LGBT rehabilitation programmes

Aria72 — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:21:28 +0800

PAS’ Nik Abduh calls for more LGBT Mukhayyam rehabilitation programmes

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — The government should bolster further rehabilitation courses and Mukhayyam programmes by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) to rehabilitate the LGBT community, said PAS’ Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.

The Bachok MP, when debating the royal address in Parliament today, said efforts by certain quarters, including those by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) looking at the feasibility of legislative and policy amendments to approve and affirm the LGBT community, was something worrying for Malaysia.

“As such, I am of the view that programmes under Jakim like the Mukhayyam and religious studies need to be bolstered further to guide them back onto the correct path, and not in the opposite direction which is to condone this community.

“It is sensible for such programmes to be given more attention by the government,” he said.

Mohamad Abduh said boosting such initiatives would only spur unity within society.

He then touched on a study initiated by Suhakam in June this year, entitled “Research on Feasibility of Having Legislation on The Recognition of a Third Gender in Malaysia”, saying it was unbecoming of a body that champions human rights to initiate such studies here.

“Is sexual orientation and gender identity, which are the main topics of interest surrounding the LGBT community, subjected to what is deemed as basic human rights?” he questioned.

Mohamad Abduh then asserted the UN Commission on Human Rights that was established in 1946, which Malaysia is part of, does not have any binding effect on the country and its legislation.

“Since when does our country need to submit completely to the UN Charter and its provisions under the 1946 agreement; and since when is this Charter binding on the practices and legislation of the country so that it follows all the requirements of the international community without considering the religions and cultures practised by Asia and our country?

“This is what we are worried about, about the future generations of the country.

“Little by little, normalisation takes place within society although the law does not allow it, where those from the Mak Nyah community begin to surface and are active on social media without feeling guilty when they dress as a woman,” he said using the local community community’s preferred term for the transgender community.

“Are the country’s laws too lenient to curb such activities these days?” he questioned.

Suhakam in June this year had sourced for researchers for their study on recognising the third gender, which was unsurprisingly condemned by PAS, Jakim and the Malaysian Alliance of Civil Society Organisations.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...grammes/2007307

POS Laju tracking

Aria72 — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:50:32 +0800

Why pos laju tracker show my item out for delivery & item delivered to mdrop at the same time?

Until now I have not received anything in my mailbox?

Are they trying to be funny or what?

No ulterior motive in state of emergency, says PM

Aria72 — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:57:36 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has once again reiterated that there is no ulterior motive in declaring a State of Emergency in the country, apart from helping to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking at a dialogue with representatives from the private sector, the Prime Minister said the sole rationale behind the declaration was to fast track the necessary legislative measures that were related to the management of the pandemic.

"This covers matters related to the use of private hospital assets, temporary land ownership, buildings or private hospital moveable properties, and to allow the use of private hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients.

"So please be assured that there is no sinister motive behind this declaration of Emergency," he said.

Muhyiddin also said the Emergency would not be used to violate human rights, private property and other legal rights.

"Malaysia is a firm believer of the rule of law and hence, we will not behave in a manner that is derogatory to the legal principles that we hold dear.

"And it is imperative that the business community, both domestic and international, understand this."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/...ergency-says-pm

Putrajaya opposing US president Biden’s

Aria72 — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:05:25 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 — Putrajaya yesterday said it is opposing a call by newly-minted US President Joe Biden’s for the superpower’s agencies to protect the rights of sexual and gender minorities globally.

Malay daily Berita Harian reported religious affairs minister Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad as saying that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is “violating the norms” of human behaviour.

“This is because it is against Islamic law and we do not support any campaign that is labelled as LGBTIQ in this country,” he was quoted saying referring to the federal government, using the initials that also included intersex and queer persons.

“This matter has been accepted and acknowledged by all the cultures of Malaysian communities, overall in Malaysia.”

Zulkifli however said that he is reserving his opposition for intersex persons, which he said is recognised by the Muslim faith, and therefore should not be lumped together in the LGBTIQ category.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...tiative/1947918

Sony Store got wuhaned

Aria72 — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:25:01 +0800

Sony Malaysia confirms that an employee who works as a staff in the Sony Store, The Curve in Petaling Jaya is infected with COVID-19. The employee was tested on January 11th, 2021 and the company was informed on January 13th, 2021 that he had tested positive. The company is currently providing the infected employee and his family support and guidance during this difficult time.

As a precautionary measure, Sony Store, The Curve was immediately closed on January 12th, 2021 for thorough cleaning and disinfection, and it remains closed until further notice. All employees at the store have gone for covid screening and are under self-quarantine while waiting for the results.
The infected employee was last at work on 7th January 2021. Prior to that, he did not display any symptoms while working in the store and had also passed our twice-daily temperature checks.

Our top priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and customers. The company is working closely with the Ministry of Health to assist with contact tracing of employees, customers and other parties who may have come into direct contact with the infected employee.
Sony Malaysia will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure that the well-being of our employees and customers is safeguarded.

https://www.facebook.com/SonyMalaysia/posts...165003007425601

Pollution behind latest water cut traced to

Aria72 — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:07:25 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The source of the latest case of pollution to Air Selangor’s water treatment plants is alleged to have originated from an Indah Water treatment plant in Rawang, Selangor executive councillor (exco) Hee Loy Sian revealed this afternoon.

The Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman, when answering Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, who questioned the status of the latest contamination, said preliminary investigations by authorities suggest the latest incident could have happened between 7am and 10am this morning.

“We found the location that polluted Sungai Selangor was from an Indah Water plant located in Taman Velox.

“It occurred in Rawang after the Sungai Gong reservoir,” he said referring to the contamination, adding that the disposed contaminant resembled traits of solvent.

Hee told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly this initial conclusion was made after Air Selangor’s readings of the four treatment plants showed neutral results as of 7am this morning, hours before the contamination was detected.

Hee said authorities have not ruled out possible sabotage, with the incident happening barely 24-hours after amendments were made to the Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) Enactment 1999 for heavier penalties to be given to polluters.

“We suspect there is a sabotage that could have happened; we will make a police report to find out who is the culprit,” he added.

source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...ang-say/1921252

Selangor Government Offers RM20,000 Reward

Aria72 — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:26:25 +0800

The Selangor Government has agreed to reward up to RM20,000 to anyone who has information related to the pollution of Sungai Selangor.

In an interview by Bernama, Selangor State Environment Committee Chairman Hee Loy Sian said that identities of the whistleblowers will be kept secret.

Hee added that apart from the reward, punishment for river pollution offences will also be proposed in the State Legislative Assembly next month.

"Now the fine imposed is RM100,000 or imprisonment, we want the existing fine to be increased to RM200,000 to a maximum of RM1 million and also jail of not more than a year on offenders."

High-tech drones will also be deployed next month to monitor the rivers in Selangor.

Hee said the state government has also allocated RM2 million for the drones which will be used by the Selangor Water Management Authority.

The drones will be used to monitor the Klang River Basin, Selangor River, and Sungai Langat.

"They will also be able to take water samples, including in remote areas more accurately," Hee said.

The drones are military-grade and capable of night surveillance.

https://says.com/my/news/selangor-governmen...angor-pollution

My employer did not pay my salary

Aria72 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 14:34:30 +0800

Now is the 7th of April & my employer still didn't pay my salary. I tried calling them & sending them SMS but no reply. It's like they are ignoring me on purpose.

Shall I report this to labour office?

UK paper accuses Agong of ‘royal coup’

Aria72 — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:23:54 +0800

Britain’s The Guardian says the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government last week, which saw the return of Umno under a new coalition led by Muhyiddin Yassin, was due to a “royal coup”.

“A king has overturned a democratic election result that challenged a corrupt old order. This is wrong and the world ought to call it out,” the daily said in an editorial.

It said it was unfortunate that Umno, which is among the parties backing Muhyiddin’s bloc in a new coalition called Perikatan Nasional, would return to office “thanks to a royal coup enabled by hubris and infighting”.

The paper said the circumstances leading to the collapse of the 21-month-old government showed that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad “had badly miscalculated in believing only he could hold the government together and would thereby be reappointed by the king”.

“In the event, the monarch passed over Dr Mahathir and decided to appoint the newly independent Mr Muhyiddin as prime minister, citing his ability to command a parliamentary majority,” it added.

Mahathir’s resignation on Feb 24 was followed by his party’s exit from PH, leaving a power vacuum in Putrajaya. A scramble soon ensued among various political blocs for the numbers needed to convince the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that they have the majority support to form the next government.

On Saturday, the Agong exercised his constitutional powers by naming Muhyiddin as the eighth prime minister, after the PPBM president broke ranks with Mahathir.

The Guardian meanwhile warned that Najib Razak could “pull the strings” despite facing corruption charges, adding that “his aim will be to get off the hook”.

The paper said Muhyiddin should prove his claim of getting the majority support of MPs, but disagreed with calls to dissolve Parliament to make way for fresh polls.

“This would be a mistake, creating a vacuum for nationalist or religious demagogues to fill,” it added.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...topple-ph-govt/

Istana Negara officers, staff undergo Covid19 test

Aria72 — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:52:07 +0800

PETALING JAYA: All Istana Negara officers and staff members were tested for Covid-19 on Monday (March 2).

This comes after several MPs had come in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 patient.

Istana Negara ceremonial officer Sophian Ab Rahman posted this on Twitter on Monday (March 2).

"Following news that there is a possibility that there were MPs who had been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient, all officers and staff members of Istana Negara were made to undergo compulsory tests.

"May Allah protect our King and all of us from this disease outbreak," he wrote.

He also uploaded a photo of himself undergoing Covid-19 test at an undisclosed health facility.

MPs had been going in and out of Istana Negara from Feb 23 until Sunday (March 1) during the political upheaval that unseated the Pakatan Harapan government.

A new alliance, Perikatan Nasional, came to power under the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was sworn in as the eighth Prime Minister on Sunday.

Reports later surfaced that former entrepreneur development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof, his deputy Datuk Dr Hatta Ramli and a few senior ministry officers had been in close contact with a Khazanah Nasional Bhd employee who had tested positive for Covid-19.

According to reports, the close contact allegedly took place on Feb 27 during an appreciation event.

The former minister and former deputy minister were also seen mingling with other MPs during a series of political meetings that took place over the past week following the collapse of Pakatan.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020...-covid-19-tests

Now we know who the traitors are

Aria72 — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 15:18:05 +0800

Malaysians have learnt a lot this past week, myself included.

Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as the eighth prime minister of Malaysia today.

I would like to congratulate him the way I would congratulate one who has just won a race on equal footing. Unfortunately, his success was not based on a level playing field.

It was a result of the treachery and betrayal of certain members of parliament who unashamedly deserted the very platform they campaigned on just less than two years ago to win the votes of the people.

I know some of them personally. The next time we meet would be an embarrassing affair as I do not know where they will hide in shame.

But then again, these guys had the audacity to do what they did. I’m sure they will find a way to put up a “righteous” stance. True politicians, I suppose.

But Malaysia does not need true politicians today. Malaysians need honest, principled servants to heal the nation of the unimaginable damage inflicted on it by the Barisan Nasional.

Can we count on the 20-odd MPs involved in that infamous “Sheraton move” to deliver such reforms?

Obviously not. They have brought back the very people voted out by the rakyat two years ago. Unforgivable.

But I believe there is a blessing in disguise from this episode.

It is that we now know who the traitors are. We now know for certain who was willing to stoop so low to allow the corrupt back and reject the will of the people.

I also believe that Pakatan Harapan will be back.

And I’m so grateful to know now who must not be in it then.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...e-traitors-are/

Focus Point Optical

Aria72 — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 18:30:16 +0800

I brought my glasses to Focus Point IPC store to check the power & when I brought it back there is a deep scratch on the right lens. The lens wasn't scratched before I went to there.

Their incompetant staff scratched my new lens that is only about a week old & blame it on me. They keep telling me it's not their fault & I have to pay to replace the lens.

I already paid RM400+ for this new pair of glasses & those fuckers want me to pay more for something that is not my fault. I am sorry if everyone here already know about this conman shop. It's my first time buying there & it will also be my last because I am never going back to that conman shop again.

Beware of Johor Baru High Court SCAM

Aria72 — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:45:28 +0800

If you ever receive a call from an administrator from the high court, be careful because it's a scam!

Today I got a call from 07-2212022 & some malay guy who claimed to be an admin from the Johor Baru high court & asking me why I didn't show up in court. I have never been to JB before & told him he got the wrong number. Then he quoted my name & IC number. After that I became suspicious & switched off the phone & blocked the number.

I googled for this scam & found out an article that confirmed my suspicions. You can read it here: http://www.worldofbuzz.com/netizen-shares-...hor-high-court/

I don't know this scammer got my phone & IC number but I am glad I didn't fall for the scam.

Netflix stopped working on my PS4

Aria72 — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 10:46:10 +0800

I cannot connect to Netflix on my PS4 since Monday after the app updated to the latest version. I have been getting error NW-3-6 everytime when I use the app.

My PS4 is connected to the internet. It is not an internet problem. Netflix works fine on my laptop & phone. Just not the PS4!!!!

Does anyone here have the same problem and if you did can you tell me how to solve it?