Fadillah: Only ‘family heads’ allowed to leave the house to shop
Only the head of a family is allowed to leave the house to purchase daily necessities and medication during the movement control order period (MCO), says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The Works Minister said that under the MCO, only one person, which is the head of the family, is allowed to leave the house to get basic necessities or medication. If there was more than one person, they would need to explain themselves to the police. He said the police would then use their discretion. Fadillah said this was to ensure that families’ and the general public’s safety is protected from the spread of Covid-19. (The Star Online)
Police, soldiers to patrol supermarkets, markets
Police and the Armed Forces will help patrol supermarkets and markets to ensure the public adheres to the social distancing rules during the movement control order (MCO) period, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He advised the public to maintain a distance of at least 1m between one another, especially in supermarkets and markets when purchasing their daily essentials. According to Ismail, some 50,000 personnel have been deployed to help enforce the MCO. He said they comprised personnel from the Armed Forces, the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, as well as officers from local authorities. (The Star Online)
4 locations in KL identified as Covid-19 red zones
Four locations in the federal capital considered as “Covid-19 red zones” have been placed under “intensive” monitoring by the authorities during their Movement Control Order (MCO) enforcement activity. Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said these areas are the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, Titiwangsa, Kepong and Cheras. “These areas are considered as Covid-19 red zones. Intensive monitoring will take place at these areas especially locations with records of positive Covid-19 cases,” he said. He said the Health Ministry had gazetted 11 locations including in Labuan under the purview of his ministry as quarantine stations to house Covid-19 patients. The quarantine stations will start operations today. (NST Online)
REHDA: This is probably the worst down cycle
Rehda president Datuk Soam Heng Choon said the current COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainties will affect all sectors in Malaysia, including the property development sector. Nevertheless, the property sector will have a slight buffer compared with other industries, such as oil and gas, trading businesses and the tourism industry, as property developers have un-realised sales (or unbilled sales) which could cushion the near term impact of the disease, he said. However, if the situation persists then property development companies would also be affected. “I have been through so many down cycles over the years and this is probably the worst. Malaysians are facing the fear of disease spreading, global economic slowdown and political uncertainties, all these are affecting people’s confidence,” said the industry veteran. He said consumers including interested property buyers are taking a wait-and-see approach due to their lack of confidence and uncertainty about the future. (The Edge)
Jho Low’s LA property sold for RM81.3mil, US media reports
A Los Angeles property reportedly owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has been sold for US$18.5 million, US media reports say. According to Variety and the Los Angeles Times, Low had bought the Sunset Strip property for US$39 million in November 2012. “For many years, that transaction held the record for the priciest Hollywood Hills home sale ever – until it was finally eclipsed earlier this year,” Variety said. “For unknown reasons, Low proceeded to tear the entire property up – the landscaping and interiors have all been gutted and ripped out, and the house has been vacant for at least the last three years, the report said. The property was one of the assets seized by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to recoup almost US$1 billion allegedly looted from Malaysia’s 1MDB state fund. Low, whose whereabouts are unknown but who is widely believed to be in China, has denied any involvement in the 1MDB scandal. (The Star Online)
