Schools to reopen in phases from June 24, starting with SPM, STPM classes
The Education Ministry today announced the reopening of public schools to examinations students from June 24. Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said students taking the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) as well as their international equivalents can resume classes from that date. Classes for non-examination students will be announced in due time. Outdoor activities in schools such as co-curricular activities requiring face-to-face or body contact and sport activities, are on hold for the time being, as well as school assemblies. The minister also said hostels will only accept examination students for now as social distancing is also to be followed in the dormitories. Break time for students will also be on a rotation basis and that social distancing is to be practised in canteens too. Meanwhile, the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) Peninsular Malaysia has recommended that the earliest for primary schools to reopen nationwide, is in late September or October. (Malay Mail)
Malaysia records two new cases, lowest since MCO enforced
Malaysia recorded the lowest number of new COVID-19 positive cases today since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) with only two, neither being local transmissions. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the two new cases took the cumulative number of infections in the country to 8,338, with 1,206 active cases being treated in isolation. Another death was recorded, bringing the total to 118, or 1.42% of the total number of cases. Dr Noor Hisham also touched on the increasing number of road crashes during the implementation of the CMCO as compared to the MCO period. He said accidents had serious consequences such as loss of life, lifelong disability or loss of limbs, besides negatively impacting hospital services, and therefore advised people to be careful on the road and avoid driving if they were tired or feeling drowsy. (Bernama)
Japan’s Mitsui Fudosan in JV to buy RM242mil serviced residence block in BBCC
Japan’s Mitsui Fudosan and BBCC Development Sdn Bhd are buying a block of serviced apartments at the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) development for RM242 million. Mitsui Fudosan’s unit Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MFAM) and BBCC Development formed a JV company to buy the block. MFAM will hold 51% and BBCC Development 49% in the JV company, called MFBBCC Serviced Suites Sdn Bhd. The latter will manage and operate the property including granting of tenancies of units within the property. The serviced residence block is a 44-storey building which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and will have a total of 269 units of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with built-ups from 532 sq ft to 1,188 sq ft. BBCC will have a total gross build-up area of 6.7 million sq ft with a GDV of RM8.7 billion. (NST Online)
Bukit Aman says crime index down 46.7% during MCO, CMCO
The crime rate in the country decreased by 46.7% during the 84 days of the MCO and the CMCO, says Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed. He said from March 18 till yesterday, 10,134 criminal cases had been reported, compared to 19,014 cases recorded in the 84 days prior to the enforcement of the MCO. The criminal cases reported are divided into two types, namely violent crimes such as murder, rape and robbery, and property crimes involving vehicle theft and burglary. Meanwhile, Huzir warned the owners of nightclubs, pubs and entertainment centres to remain closed as per the directive under the restricted movement control order (RMCO) currently being enforced. Under the RMCO, there were some activities or sectors still prohibited from operating, including pubs, night clubs, entertainment centres, reflexology centres, and karaoke centres. (Malay Mail)
Government has not revoked petrol, diesel price control order – Nanta
The government has not revoked the order on ceiling retail prices of petrol and diesel as reported, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi. As such, he hoped the public would not make misleading statements about the matter as this could give rise to misunderstandings. It was earlier reported by the media that the federal government has revoked the price control order that set a price ceiling for petrol and diesel through a Government Gazette dated June 3. Meanwhile, Nanta in a press statement said the retail pricing of petroleum products using the Automated Price Mechanism (APM) formula was influenced by refined products’ prices in line with global crude oil prices. “The gazetting was to enforce control on retail prices of petrol and diesel by oil companies and petrol station operators so that they do not exceed the prices set by the Ministry of Finance,” he said. (Bernama)
