The retail prices of diesel, RON95 and RON97 petrol will remain unchanged for the week from Sept 1 to 7.
The Finance Ministry in a statement today said to protect consumers from global oil price hikes, RON95, RON97 and diesel will remain at RM2.05 per litre, RM4.30 per litre and RM2.15 per litre respectively although the real market prices of the two products have increased beyond the current ceiling prices.
It said the prices were set based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) formula.
“The government will continue to monitor the trends of global crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people continue to be protected,” it added.
The Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan government is unlikely to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly before March next year even though the date of the 15th general election (GE15) is still uncertain.
Negeri Sembilan Harapan chairperson Aminuddin Harun said this is because there are still many areas concerning the interests of the people that need attention and help, including restoring the economy.
"Since the date of the GE15 is still in limbo, I suggest that the state election be held next year, but it is up to the Harapan presidential council to decide.
"The people are struggling and need attention and help from the government. Having GE15 at this time will cost billions of ringgit," the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar told reporters after attending the state-level celebrations for the 65th National Day today.
Yesterday, media reports quoted PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan as saying that the three states led by the party, namely Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, would not dissolve state assemblies earlier than March next year.
Aminuddin who is also PKR vice-president feels that other states should also consider a similar stand.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has recommended that the government review current regulations on the use of face masks in enclosed spaces, supporting a rising trend among countries including neighbouring Singapore.
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai in a statement said the number of Covid-19 cases in the country appears to have reached a plateau.
"It is time that we seriously consider doing away with wearing face masks in enclosed spaces.
"The only caveat being certain public transport which involves the cramming of people for a long duration of time, nursing homes, eldercare centres and healthcare facilities," he added.
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai
Koh noted that while hospitalisations due to Covid-19 are still happening, the numbers are not high and the overall situation in the country is still manageable.
National Recovery Council chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday said a decision on whether to abolish the use of face masks in enclosed spaces will be looked into and decided by the Health Ministry.
He said the question on indoor masking was raised during the council meeting to Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali who indicated the ministry's move to study the matter.
According to government statistics, 445 people have died of Covid-19 in Malaysia between July and August (7.3 deaths per day) following a resurgence in the spread of Covid-19.
It was reported that people in Singapore will no longer be required to wear face masks indoors or outdoors except on public transport and in healthcare facilities. - Mkini
Police will summon PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli over a report lodged against his allegedly defamatory statements linked to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
Sentul police chief Beh Eng Lai confirmed receiving the report lodged last night by Latiff’s aide who cited Rafizi's blog postings that were also shared on the latter’s Facebook and Twitter.
"This case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 2008.
"Rafizi will be called soon to record his statement and assist the investigations," Beh said in a statement today.
Rafizi, under probe for criminal defamation and abuse of network facilities, in a series of exposes accused Latiff and his family members of allegedly benefiting from the RM9 billion littoral combat ship (LCS) project and other defence contracts during his tenure as deputy defence minister.
The former Pandan MP also insisted that Latiff has a wife named Zainab Mohd Salleh, who in turn has been implicated in misappropriating funds from the LCS project.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Abdul Latiff Ahmad
In the police report sighted by Malaysiakini, Latiff’s special officer Sayed Ahmad Mu’izzuddin Al-Sayed Mohamad said Rafizi has persisted in his claims despite the minister’s explanation.
Among others, Sayed reiterated the minister’s claim that Rafizi is misleading the public by citing a draft forensic audit report to back his claims.
He said this disregarded a disclaimer contained in the report stating that the auditors were unable to assess the veracity of claims made by people involved in the project.
On Aug 26, Latiff said he had no role in the LCS project, and his family did not have any defence contracts during his time as deputy defence minister from 2009 to 2013.
He also denies having a wife or ex-wife named Zainab Mohd Salleh, and any action of such person has nothing to do with him. - Mkini
Veteran MP Lim Kit Siang today challenged Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to name one Commonwealth nation that believed Najib Abdul Razak didn't receive a fair trial.
This followed Zahid's claim during a special briefing for Umno leaders last Saturday that Najib's trial will become an example of an unjust trial for Commonwealth countries.
"Can Zahid give a single instance that Najib's SRC International case is cited in the Commonwealth nations as an unfair trial as it is more than one week since Najib was sent to jail to begin his 12-year jail sentence," asked Lim in a statement today.
Among others, Zahid claimed that the trial against Najib was unfair because former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz was not named as a witness and that Najib was not allowed to adduce additional evidence at his final appeal.
Additionally, Lim also challenged Zahid to state why he wasn't a witness in Najib's trial despite having once claimed that he had met the wealthy Arab family who donated money to Najib.
In 2015, Zahidpublicly claimedhe met a chief investment officer and wealth trustee of the "Arab family" which "donated" RM2.6 billion to Najib.
Zahid publicly said the "Arab family" made the donation to help Umno and BN continue ruling Malaysia and that he had cited documents proving that the "donation" was legitimate.
The "donation" angle was dismissed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in convicting Najib for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in funds from state-owned SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Lim said while Najib's jailing has been reported worldwide, none of the reports suggested that it was unfair.
"The Economist described Najib's trial as not just about the fate of one man but also about the kind of country Malaysia wants to be," said Lim. - Mkini
