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


Key Highlights

  • Deportation

  • Interdistrict fine

  • Move to oust Zahid



Deportation

The Malaysian Immigration Department, in cooperation with the Myanmar military, deported 1,086 Myanmar nationals in defiance of a court order.

Human rights groups had secured a court order to stop the deportation for 24 hours so that a judge can decide on the matter today.

The hearing today is now academic but the Immigration Department will have explaining to do.

Critics say the Immigration Department could be in contempt of court for handing the deportees over to the Myanmar navy.

They are worried that some of those deported could face persecution or death after the Myanmar military took over in a coup.



HIGHLIGHTS

Najib's lawyer questions 1MDB whistleblower's datukship
Nor Salwani saved the 1MDB report from being destroyed.
RM2.4bil tax bill for Jho Low's alleged associate
Jasmine Loo among three facing tax bill.
Sugarbook's founder to be charged today
This is for statements conducive to public mischief.

 



Interdistrict fine

A woman was fined by the police for allegedly travelling across districts, even though she never did.

Reason: District borders demarcated by states are different from police district borders that determine cops’ jurisdiction.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri said the matter was due to confusion and police was informed to follow state district borders.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry resumed testing asymptomatic close contacts of Covid-19 patients as testing capacities are no longer overloaded.

On the immunisation front, the government is trying to give teachers with co-morbidities early access to Covid-19 vaccines before schools reopen.



HIGHLIGHTS

Immunisation shows PN cares - Azmin
He says it will help economic recovery.
Another 182k doses of vaccines arriving today
The first batch of 312k arrived on Feb 21.
Common side effects of Covid-19 vaccines
This is specific to Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna vaccines.




Move to oust Zahid

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s inner circle said a campaign is afoot to force him out with the publication of a booklet titled “30 Dalil Mengapa Ahmad Zahid Perlu Letak Jawatan”.

It was a similar modus operandi that preceded then Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim's ouster in 1998, which also saw the publication of “50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Ibrahim Tidak Boleh Menjadi Perdana Menteri”.

Umno is divided over whether to contest under PN or go against the coalition under BN in the next general election.

A similar dilemma also manifested in PAS with speculations of efforts to oust party president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is pro-PN.

PAS denied claims of conspiracy.


HIGHLIGHTS

Umno to hold AGM on March 27-28
It will be partially virtual.
Umno man challenges PM to debate
Topic is on alleged double standards.
Najib on Malay-Islam unity
He says East M'sians may not like it.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 2,468 new cases and 14 deaths yesterday (Feb 23).

  • Selangor, Johor and Perak recorded more than 300 new cases.

  • Active cases declined for 13 consecutive days from 52,186 to 30,475, providing much relief to strained hospitals.

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


What else is happening?

  • Malaysiakini settled the RM500,000 contempt of court fine, thanks to overwhelming backing from supporters.

  • The Conference of Rulers meeting today was postponed to June due to the movement control order (MCO).

  • Pakatan Harapan representatives on the panel advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the emergency pushed for fellow members to support the reconvening of Parliament.

  • Sabah declared an African swine fever outbreak in Pitas and ordered the culling of pigs.

  • Police are investigating DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng over Pakatan Harapan's statement on the emergency.


HIGHLIGHTS

Vaccination registration on MySejahtera
Public can start registering interest.
Penang bridge safe despite fire - Plus
Repairs to power cables underway.
Man to face 67 charges for raping daughter
he also allegedly raped her friend.

 


What are people saying?

English snobbery?
By Nathaniel Tan
On the eve of vaccine rollout
By PH Covid-19 & Vaccination Task Force
Farewell to a true defender of workers
By Rani Rasiah

 


CARTOON KINI