Cuepacs fully supports vaccine mandate for civil servants

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) fully supports the move by the Public Service Department (PSD) to make it mandatory for all public service officers at the federal level to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

Its president, Adnan Mat, said in a statement today that all civil servants must comply with the move aimed at reviving the country which has been impacted economically and socially by the pandemic.

He said civil servants who had yet to have Covid-19 vaccinations have been given up to Nov 1 2021, to complete their vaccination at the vaccination centres provided by the government.

“Cuepacs once again wishes to stress that the action taken by the government is not to punish because many avenues and opportunities have been given following the launching of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

“We are government personnel who receive the government’s directives and implement the policies of the government which manages all matters linked to the delivery of government services,” said the statement.

Adnan said all department heads must take cognisance of this latest directive and convey the information to the staff who have yet to be vaccinated.

He said they should remind all civil servants that they were subject to the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.

“As civil servants, we must abide by this directive as civil servants are the administrative machinery of the government which implements and uphold all government policies.

“Vaccinations among civil servants can give confidence and assurance and subsequently smoothen public service delivery to the people,” he said.

Earlier, PSD announced that all federal public service officers are required to take the Covid-19 vaccine jabs to give confidence and assurance to the public and to ensure smooth public delivery service to the people.

According to PSD, almost 98 percent of civil servants had been vaccinated against Covid-19 while the group who had yet to register to be vaccinated only comprised 1.6 percent or 16,902 people.

- Bernama

DBKL postpones ban of liquor sales by groceries, Chinese medicine shops

 

The ban on liquor sales by grocery and convenience shops as well as Chinese medicine halls around the capital scheduled to come into effect tomorrow has been postponed for a month, until Oct 31.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) announced in a statement today that the postponement of the ban’s enforcement was to allow a study related to the control of liquor sales in Kuala Lumpur to be completed.

“The availability and accessibility of liquor have been the subject of complaints and protests as it can be detrimental to public order,” the statement said.

The statement also said that currently retail liquor licence owners were still allowed to sell liquor in grocery shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls until Oct 30, 2021.

DBKL had previously issued liquor licence guidelines effective Nov 15, 2020, which states that sales of liquor at grocery stores, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls would not be allowed from Oct 1, 2021 (tomorrow).

- Bernama

Govt to table motion on raising statutory debt limit - Zafrul

The government will be tabling a motion on raising its statutory debt limit from 60 percent to 65 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) given the need for spending flexibility during this unprecedented pandemic crisis, the Finance Ministry (MOF) said.

In a statement issued today following the second Fiscal Policy Committee meeting, MOF said the government’s fiscal policy will continue to be centred on providing constant support in promoting a sustainable economic recovery and the smooth implementation of the recently announced 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), 2021-2025.

The ministry said the government remains committed to fiscal consolidation in the medium term as outlined in the 12MP, with a deficit target of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2025.

“To achieve this, the committee also deliberated on the application of a variety of fiscal tools to balance the government’s spending needs with fiscal sustainability.

“These measures include improving revenue collection, enhancing spending efficiency and managing debt more prudently and to achieve long-term macroeconomic and fiscal stability, the committee agreed that medium-term fiscal consolidation will have to be more robust than previously planned while keeping pace with expected economic recovery,” it said.

MOF said the government has raised the deficit target to range between 6.5 percent and 7 percent to GDP from the initial target of 5.4 percent, taking into account additional fiscal injections in four assistance packages announced this year, namely Permai, Pemerkasa, Pemerkasa Plus and Pemulih, totalling RM225 billion or 14.8 percent of GDP.

Premised on the principle of transparency and accountability, the government has also released its inaugural Pre-Budget Statement, as well as four public consultation papers on procurement, direct cash assistance, tax incentives, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act for public feedback.

So far, the government has received over 1,000 feedback and comments, which will be duly considered, MOF said.

“MOF is currently consulting with and gathering inputs from various stakeholders in preparation for Budget 2022, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 29, 2021.

“In the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia, the government is committed to assist all rakyat during the pandemic crisis, pursue a safe and systematic exit from the crisis as outlined in the National Recovery Plan, and foster a sustainable recovery under the upcoming Budget 2022.

“These efforts will also be aligned with the 12MP’s medium-term macroeconomic strategies, designed to catalyse an inclusive and sustainable growth for all Malaysians,” it said.

Chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Fiscal Policy Committee meeting that was held for the second time this year discussed Malaysia’s current economic conditions as well as the fiscal situation, medium-term fiscal projections, and debt position of the government.

The committee members include Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, Treasury secretary-general Asri Hamidon, Economic Planning Unit director-general Saiful Anuar Lebai Hussen, and Bank Negara Malaysia governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.

- Bernama

PAS MP: Give drug users second chance, not criminal record

 

PARLIAMENT | A PAS parliamentarian has called on the government not to treat drug users as criminals.

Instead, Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) said drug users should be given a second chance and the opportunity to re-enter the workforce.

"I support the government's move to amend laws so that drug addicts who are not involved in crime, are not listed in the criminal and undesirable person registry.

"Former drug addicts must be given a second chance to continue living after exiting rehab, with jobs that they are qualified for," he said while debating the 12th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The push to decriminalise drug use to focus on rehabilitation picked up momentum when Pakatan Harapan was in power.

The idea has not been abandoned, with Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin saying in February that a Drug and Substance Abuse Act will be introduced with the aim of rehabilitating drug users instead of jailing them.

Update rehab modules 

In his speech, Sabri said rehabilitation modules used by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and Addiction Treatment Centres (Puspen) must be updated to reflect current challenges.

He added that programmes that develop spirituality must be accompanied by skills programmes patients can use once they are released.

The PAS lawmaker also said that drug awareness programmes must be intensified and introduced to Malaysians from as early as kindergarten and continued until they join the workforce.

Yesterday, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) called on the government to conduct and present a science and data-driven study on the benefits and downsides of medical marijuana.

Chiming in today, Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang) said that medical marijuana could be a new cash crop for the country.

"I propose to the government if there is an objection in the peninsula (to growing medical marijuana), why not give it (the right) to Sabah," he added. - Mkini

Husband, immediate family member can accompany expecting mums from Oct 4

 

The husband or an immediate family member of an expecting woman will be allowed to accompany them while in labour beginning Oct 4, according to Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Noor Hisham in a statement said all Health Ministry hospitals are classified as baby-friendly hospitals but the permission to accompany a woman in labour was revoked as part of efforts to reduce Covid-19 transmissions.

“Following positive signs shown in the country’s pandemic situation and the increase in vaccination rates, we are pleased to announce that effective Oct 4, the Health Ministry has granted permission to a husband or close family member to accompany a woman in labour, subject to strict criteria,” he said.

Noor Hisham said the ministry is aware of the physical and emotional support needed by a woman in labour and so the presence of a husband or immediate family are encouraged.

With the permission granted, conditions include for the accompanying individual to be fully vaccinated, which is 14 days after their second dose or 28 days for single-dose vaccines.

The individual must also perform an RTK-PCR or RTK-Ag test 72 hours prior to the expected delivery or they can purchase an approved self-test kit to be taken to the hospital.

The Covid-19 self-test will be performed at a set place in the hospital under supervision by a healthcare worker on duty.

“Aside from that, husbands and immediate family members accompanying expecting mothers are also reminded to observe standard operating procedures at all times, as the group is considered among those in high-risk.” - Mkini

Border reopening to be decided in Covid-19 endemic phase, says Hamzah

 

The opening of the country’s borders to foreign tourists will only be determined after Malaysia moves into the Covid-19 endemic phase.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the country is still in the pandemic phase and its readiness to transition to the endemic phase would be determined by the Health Ministry.

“Once we are ready, the Health Ministry will announce it. Actually, the Immigration Department (the enforcement agency that controls the country's entry and exit points) is ready, the General Operations Force (GOF) is also ready (and) we too are ready to re-open our borders,” he added.

Hamzah (above) told reporters this after the handover ceremony of the Malaysian Border Control Agency (Aksem) to the police in Bukit Kayu Hitam today.

He also said that permission to cross the country’s borders by Malaysians or foreigners would also be subject to the standard operating procedures (SOP) that would be decided later.

Data leak

Commenting on alleged information leakage from the MyIdentiti personal database, Hamzah stressed that only government agencies were allowed to use the information.

“I have been informed that we only give access to government agencies, we do not give access to the private sector. So, that (allegations that information is being channelled to the private sector) is merely an assumption,” he said.

Aksem dissolution 

On the dissolution of Aksem and the handing over of its functions to the GOF, which is under the police, Hamzah said it would make relaying the ‘command and control’ from the top brass relating to operations and control at the country’s borders simpler and more structured.

“We will ensure that our tasks are focused on the problems faced at the borders. We will combine all the assignments so that tasks which were previously under Aksem would be given priority by the GOF,” he added.

He also said that all Aksem assets would be taken over and managed by the GOF, while all 909 Aksem officers and personnel would be returned to their respective agencies.

On March 12, the cabinet had agreed with the proposed rationalisation of Aksem through a restructuring exercise for it to be placed under the police and the Aksem Act 2017 (Act 799) will be repealed after the restructuring process is implemented.

Aksem, which was established on Dec 29, 2017, involves five agencies, namely the police, Immigration Department, Customs Department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and National Kenaf and Tobacco Board.

- Bernama 

Zaid Ibrahim, law firm settle suit over use of his name

Zaid Ibrahim and the law firm he founded have settled a legal action over the latter’s use of the former de facto law minister’s name.

In a joint media statement issued today, Zaid and law firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co announced the resolution of the matter.

“In the matter of the legal proceedings between Mohd Zaid Ibrahim and Zaid Ibrahim & Co and others, we wish to announce that the parties have resolved all matters to their mutual satisfaction.

“The solicitors have been instructed to withdraw all legal proceedings.

“We are pleased to put this behind us and wish each other the best in moving forward,” parties declared in the press statement.

The bottom of the statement listed not only the name of Zaid and Zaid Ibrahim & Co, but also the firm’s chairperson and senior partner Nik Norzrul Thani as well as related group ZICO Holdings Incorporated’s managing director Chew Seng Kok.

On Nov 18 last year at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Zaid filed the suit against the law firm that he founded in 1987, in order to stop it from using his name.

Notice of termination

On Oct 28 last year, it was reported that Zaid would be returning to the legal firm he founded 34 years ago, where he was then to assume the post of chairperson, effective Nov 1.

After having been with the firm for 21 years, the plaintiff left in March 2008 to assume the post of minister of legal affairs and judicial reform. He held the ministership until September the same year.

Zaid claimed that after taking up the legal firm’s chairperson post on Nov 1 last year, the firm suddenly, on Nov 9, served on him a notice of termination from all posts in the firm with immediate effect.

The plaintiff claimed that the defendant’s use of his personal name as the name of the law firm would amount to misrepresentation.

Zaid alleged that the firm utilising his personal name would lead the public to believe the services provided by the firm were actually services provided by him and/or the defendant was economically related to the plaintiff.

The plaintiff also claimed that the firm is wrongfully utilising his name in its name as it would amount to a breach of Bar Council Ruling No 2.01.

Zaid had sought, among others, for an injunction to restrain the defendant, its servants or agents or otherwise howsoever, from the use of his name in any form and style as the firm’s name. - Mkini