Good morning, here's a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • VIPs in disaster zones

  • Another apartment evacuated

  • Omicron rising



VIPs in disaster zones

The conduct of VIPs, zipping in flood-hit areas with large convoys and blaring sirens, have gained significant attention on social media.

One video that went viral on social media was of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun firing a stream of water jet on a cement floor while surrounded by photographers.

Netizens had questioned why she was washing a "clean" floor when there were homes inundated with mud from the receding flood.

Another video that gained attention showed an ambulance having to stop for a VIP convoy in Hulu Langat, Selangor.

DAP's Dusun Tua assemblyperson Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof said it was Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's convoy.

The anger at politicians saw a resident even blaming Ismail Sabri's visit when her vehicle was mysteriously towed away.

However, Edry Faizal clarified that damaged vehicles were already being towed before the prime minister's visit in order to clear the roads for cleaning machinery to pass.

He avoided a political bashing of the prime minister even though the DAP assemblyperson was barred by police from Ismail Sabri's gotong-royong event held in his constituency. Dusun Tua is a state constituency in the parliamentary seat of Hulu Langat.

During the prime minister's visit to flood-hit areas, he announced the formation of a special task force for the post-flood effort, which will include representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), Armed Forces and police and a one-off electricity bill rebate.

He also revealed that several ministers have returned from abroad to help with the post-flood operations and will hit the ground once they complete their Covid-19 quarantine.

As of yesterday, there were 47 flood-related deaths and five persons are still missing.

The Yang di-Petuan Agong has also been visiting various flood-hit areas and he called on the government to conduct a post-mortem.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim noted that in some areas, there was evidence that the floods were aggravated by logging activities and he wants the timber firms responsible to be held accountable.



HIGHLIGHTS

Some Mentakab areas are still without clean water, power
This is after a week since the floods.
Orang Asli turn to NGO, Jakoa after Welfare Dept snub
This is because they refused to move to a PPS.
Villagers pull through floods by self-organising
Volunteers evacuate villagers on a boat.




Another apartment evacuated

High-rise living is a norm in the Klang Valley but the recent floods have put a spotlight on the safety of high-rise buildings, especially on hillslopes.

This followed the evacuation of another apartment after a landslide occurred near the base of the Sri Duta Apartment blocks in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim revealed that the Bangsar Indah condominium was also affected by a nearby landslide but the rock pile-up has since been cleared.

On Dec 21, residents of the Indahria Apartment in Shah Alam were also evacuated after the building became structurally unsafe from partial submersion in floodwaters.

The flash floods which started on the evening of Dec 17 and lasted for days left a trail of destruction in low-lying areas and also caused landslides at various locations.



HIGHLIGHTS

Geologist links timber and other debris to flood disaster
Landslides also contributed to the disaster.
Minister says people don’t heed weather warnings
But records show little warning was given.
'Stupid of ministers to blame people for flood disaster'
Ministers sleeping on the job, says DAP veteran.




Omicron rising

The government announced that it will be shortening the interval period for Covid-19 vaccines booster shots amid a growing number of cases involving the Omicron strain. Details are expected this week.

At present, the booster interval for Sinovac vaccine recipients is three months while Pfizer and AstraZeneca are six months.

There have been a growing number of cases involving the Omicron variant, particularly among travellers returning from Saudi Arabia. There are also possible local transmissions in Sarawak.

Early indications are that the Omicron variant causes less severe symptoms compared to the Delta variant but the Omicron virus is significantly more contagious.

While the less severe symptom may be a silver lining at an individual level, rapid multiplication of new infections in the society could still potentially overwhelm hospitals, prompting the Health Ministry to take precautions until there is more clarity.


HIGHLIGHTS

Minister assures only 'anonymised' data shared
This is through the MySJ Trace.
Sinovac booster weaker against Omicron - HK study
Analysis reveals Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more effective.
KJ: Ministers returning from overseas still have to quarantine
Procedure applies despite being summoned home.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 2,778 new cases yesterday (Dec 26).

  • 19 new fatalities put the death toll at 31,334.

New cases by states

Selangor (676)
Johor (342)
Kelantan (311)
Penang (247)
Kedah (169)
Terengganu (164)
Pahang (162)
Perak (161)
Kuala Lumpur (135)
Malacca (130)
Negeri Sembilan (114)
Sabah (108)
Sarawak (24)
Putrajaya (18)
Perlis (11)
Labuan (6)


What else is happening?

  • The prosecution in Rosmah Mansor's graft case continued to grill her about her influence, including her use of the "First Lady of Malaysia" title. She also maintained that if she wanted bribes, she didn't need others because she has her husband who was then the prime minister.

  • The reopening of the school session for this year's third semester has been postponed to Jan 9 and 10.

  • Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and his family, including a mother who only just delivered a baby, have been diagnosed with Covid-19.

  • Umno postponed its 2021 annual general assembly to next year to deal with the aftermath of the flash floods that have devastated parts of the country.

  • Razarudin Husain officially took over as the deputy inspector-general of police while outgoing Johor police chief Ayob Khan is appointed as the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director. 



HIGHLIGHTS

Harapan risks becoming 'third force'
Analysts say Harapan needs to change its approach.
Busker Meor dies after battle with Covid-19
He passed away at the age of 54.
How engineer Dody Ismoyo became a leading Wikipedian
This Indonesian founded the Wikipedia community group in M'sia.



What are people saying?

The VIP culture is ruining this country
By Dr Raudah Mohd Yunus
Glossary of incompetence, ineffectiveness and indifference
By R Nadeswaran
Years of flood history and we haven't learned a thing?
By Zan Azlee

 


CARTOON KINI