Good morning. Here's what you need to know today.


Key Highlights

  • Sedition probe

  • Radioactive waste

  • Vaccine misinformation



Sedition probe

Fresh from a contempt of court case, Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan is now facing police investigation for sedition.

An obscure NGO in Kedah lodged a police report against Gan for saying the Federal Court’s decision to fine Malaysiakini RM500,000 appeared to be an attempt to shut down the news portal.

Malaysiakini chief executive officer Premesh Chandran will pay the fine today, after an overwhelming response from supporters who helped crowdfund the sum.

Almost 7,000 people donated with each contributing an average of RM107.51.



HIGHLIGHTS

Criticising court decision not sedition - Guan Eng
Difference of opinions should not be stifled.
Aziz Bari probed over comment on king
This was on a discussion about the emergency.
Federal Court to decide on unnatural sex challenge
It is a challenge related to Syariah law.

  



Radioactive waste

On the same day Malaysiakini highlighted the Pahang royalty’s links to Lynas’ radioactive waste dump site in Kuantan, Pahang regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah relinquished his shares in the firm behind the project.

Now, the Department of Environment also extended the public feedback period on the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) from Feb 28 to March 19.

NGOs have raised various concerns including the absence of an EIA for the larger Multi-Category Industrial Scheduled Waste Disposal Site which Lynas’ facility will sit within.

If you missed our special report series, you can read them here.



HIGHLIGHTS

Leadership gulf in Umno as RM600m at stake
Umno is split over PN.
Stop policy of 'sudden announcements' - Harapan
It criticised the abrupt decision to reopen schools.
Azmin confident of winning over millennials
This follows Gerakan's entry into PN.

 



Vaccine misinformation

Worried about becoming guinea pigs for Covid-19 vaccines? Fact: Malaysia got its vaccines relatively late.

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia pointed out some 30 million people across the globe have already received the vaccines, either from Pfizer-Biontech, AstraZeneca or Moderna.

However, such concerns persist among some in the Orang Asli community who said they don’t want to be “lab rats”.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah assured they won’t be in the first phase of immunisation and promised to counter misinformation.

An important point to note is that vaccines are not a magic cure. Some who are vaccinated will still get Covid-19. But they’re much less likely to suffer severe symptoms or die, as overseas studies have shown.



HIGHLIGHTS

Cleaners, security guards - the forgotten frontliners
'They should be prioritised for vaccination'
S'gor aims to half workplace-linked clusters
A focus on the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Najib questions Kit Siang's 'birthday' do
He cites SOPs on celebrations.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 2,192 new cases and 6 deaths yesterday (Feb 22).

  • The number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) dipped under 200 for the first time since Jan 14.

  • Active cases declined for 12 consecutive days from 52,186 to 32,076, providing much relief to strained hospitals.

  • Malaysiakini also compiles daily locations affected by Covid-19 so you can take precaution.


What else is happening?

  • Human rights groups initiated a last-ditch effort in the courts to stop the deportation of refugees to Myanmar, which experienced a military coup.

  • The Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Hindraf to challenge the Registrar of Societies' decision to deregister the group.

  • Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a scathing criticism of the government, declared democracy to be dead.

  • A major Umno meeting to decide the future of the party was hit by Covid-19.

  • Former Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu is tipped to become the next Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) chairperson.


HIGHLIGHTS

Prosecution questions if Zahid violated MCO
His lawyer claims Zahid given exemption until August.
Judge wants Zahid to steer clear of meetings
Zahid's court case postponed again.
S'pore probe M'sian truck driver who went to casino
Truck drivers are only allowed to do deliveries.

 


What are people saying?

You have our respect, Justice Nallini
By Malaysiakini executive editor RK Anand
Listen to healthcare workers during this pandemic
By Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching
Who did the real damage to the country?
By Steven Oh

 

CARTOON KINI