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Key Highlights

  • MACC chief objects to PSC hearing

  • Double custodial deaths

  • Stateless children



MACC chief objects to PSC hearing

The highly anticipated Special Select Committee on Agencies under the Prime Minister's Department hearing into MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's share ownership was postponed.

PAS' Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Rahman, who is the committee's head, made the decision after Azam allegedly objected to the hearing.

Azam had given various reasons, including that he had filed a defamation suit on the matter and the hearing could touch matters that will be considered by the courts.

All four opposition members in the committee baulked at Abdul Latiff's decision to give in to Azam's objections.

The committee had subpoenaed Azam to explain his shareholding controversy and failure to appear could lead to his arrest. The hearing was supposed to have taken place tomorrow.

PKR's Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir said the Agencies Committee should still meet to deliberate Azam's objections instead of aborting its meeting completely.

Azam's shareholding had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant, whether there was a conflict of interest and whether he declared them. He denied wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, parallel efforts are underway to demand accountability from Azam, including an emergency motion during the special Parliament sitting this Thursday (Jan 20) and a planned protest.



HIGHLIGHTS

Where is Malaysia in the looming Omicron wave?
A guide to Putrajaya's response.
'We would've done better without emergency'
Lim Kit Siang refutes Muhyiddin Yassin.
Briefing to decide transition to endemic phase
Minister promises it won't be done hastily.

 



Double custodial deaths

Human rights groups have expressed concern over a deadly start to 2022 with two custodial deaths in just four days.

The latest incident involved the death of a 37-yer-old man at the Pengkalan Chepa police lock-up on Jan 16.

On Jan 13, it was also reported that a 63-year-old man had died at the Taiping district police headquarters lock-up. Two cops have been arrested over the incident.

Last month, the police formed the Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody in a bid to address decades-long complaints of persistent custodial death cases.

However, there has been scepticism about police conducting investigations on themselves.



HIGHLIGHTS

June hearing for deaths of Orang Asli children
They went missing from their boarding school in 2015.
Court strikes out suit seeking arrest of preacher Zamri
The two Hindu groups have no cause of action.
Perlis chief syariah judge mulls legal action against Akberdin
Akberdin claims Ibrahim and his client have a history.

 



Stateless children

The citizenship plight of 22-year-old Rohana Abdullah who was abandoned as a two-month-old baby and adopted by a Chinese Malaysian mother received much media attention after Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said he was "touched" by the interfaith adoption and promised to help her.

However, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching reminded the government that Rohana's plight is one of many and urged the government to show its commitment to resolve the issue faced by all stateless children.

This includes the National Registration Department's refusal to accept DNA evidence as "incontrovertible proof" that a person is the child of a Malaysian father.

Hamzah acknowledged many such cases in East Malaysia and said the government's goal is to reduce such cases this year.



HIGHLIGHTS

Search still on for missing Orang Asli girl in Perak.
Ayeng disappeared last Thursday (Jan 13).
Authorities play catch-up as more Sabah students risk lives
Pupils cramped in boat without life jackets.
'Main belakang': Feb 7 verdict on KJ’s appeal against Anwar’s suit
Court of Appeal to hear the case.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 2,342 new cases yesterday (Jan 17).

  • 16 new fatalities put the death toll at 31,808.


New cases by state

Selangor (524)
Johor (351)
Kedah (268)
Malacca (201)
Kelantan (172)
Kuala Lumpur (168)
Sabah (163)
Pahang (127)
Perak (103)
Penang (84)
Negeri Sembilan (83)
Terengganu (64)
Putrajaya (14)
Sarawak (9)
Perlis (8)
Labuan (3)


What else is happening?

  • The Shah Alam High Court substituted the jail sentence against a 19-year-old man, who was subjected to a "corpse bathing" ritual for stealing from a mosque, with community service.

  • Johor DAP accused Umno of trying to push snap polls in the state as a launchpad to pressure Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob into early polls at the federal level.

  • Labour Law Reform Coalition urged Putrajaya to implement a minimum wage of RM1,500, pointing out that the current government comprised BN and former Harapan leaders, both of whom have promised to raise the minimum wage to RM1,500.


HIGHLIGHTS

MOH investigating AEFI case involving Perlis mufti's father
Asri's father was hospitalised after receiving his booster dose.
No problem for TH hotel staff to wear kopiah, songkok - minister
The hotel requested staff not to wear them outside of prayers.
K'tan maintains it's still not paid oil royalty from Putrajaya
They are still negotiating with the federal government.




What are people saying?

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