Health DG: 30% of 230 COVID-19 clusters detected in workplaces
As many as 30% or 62 of the 230 COVID-19 clusters reported in Malaysia since the beginning of the pandemic are linked to workplaces, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. He said 70% was due to active detection and contact tracing carried out among the communities in the administratively enforced Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) areas. He said until today, there were 37 workplace-related clusters that were still active. Dr Noor Hisham expressed his appreciation to employers and private companies in helping to curb the spread of COVID-19 among employees. “The proactive measures taken by employers who also conducted Covid-19 screening for their staff enabled the detection of asymptomatic cases and assisted the Health Ministry (MOH) in carrying out public health activities promptly,” he said. (Bernama)
Penang asam laksa is 7th in CNN’s World’s Best 50 Foods list
A Malaysian local favourite, the Penang asam laksa, has put the country on the world culinary map by being listed among the top 10 best foods in the world. In the list of the World’s 50 Best Foods drawn up by US TV network, CNN, the popular noodle ranked seventh place, beating Thailand’s tom yum goong, and ice cream. Ranking first is Massaman curry. It may not be one of the country’s best-known culinary specialties, but the Thai dish has topped the list. Interestingly, France – a country famed for its cuisine – has no entry in the top 10. The country makes its first appearance in the list at number 21, with its traditional croissant. The classic pastry is outstripped by the hamburger, the American donut, the Portuguese pastel de nata and the shish kebab. (The Star Online)
- Massaman curry, Thailand
- Neapolitan pizza, Italy
- Chocolate, Mexico
- Sushi, Japan
- Peking duck, China
- Hamburger, Germany
- Penang assam laksa, Malaysia
- Tom yum goong, Thailand
- Ice cream, global
- Chicken muamba, Gabon
MBSA denies recognising ‘Selangor Golden Triangle’ as Malaysia’s ‘Silicon Valley’
KUALA LUMPUR: The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has refuted claims that it had recognised the Selangor Golden Triangle (SGT) as a global centre of technological innovation similar to Silicon Valley. It said neither it nor the Selangor government had ever issued any statement on the matter. MBSA clarified that it only listed the i-City development as one of six key cities, as stated in the MBSA Local Plan Draft 2035 and Selangor State Plan 2035 (RSN 2035), which would be the catalysts to the economy and development within the MBSA jurisdiction. MBSA has taken note, the statement said, of an application for the use of the names “Selangor Golden Triangle” and “Silicon Valley” submitted by i-City on Oct 9 to the state government after a written warning was issued to the company by MBSA on Sept 23. (NST Online)
Newly built commercial areas could stay empty for a year, say experts
Investors who recently bought completed commercial properties may have to wait up to a year to find tenants, according to property experts. They said the Covid-19 pandemic had made businessmen reluctant to expand to newly developed areas. Michael Kong, president of the Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia, said new properties in the outskirts of the Klang Valley would have a particularly tough time as supply had increased rapidly while demand had been sapped by the pandemic. Kong said it would “easily take six months to a year” for the situation to improve. Tang Chee Meng, chief operating officer of asset consultancy Henry Butcher, said the pandemic had exacerbated the problems already faced by those who invested in new commercial hubs. (Free Malaysia Today)
MCMC imposes two-year freeze on issuance of new courier service licences
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has decided to impose a two-year moratorium on the issuance of new courier service licences, effective Sept 14 this year until Sept 15, 2022. As such, MCMC will not accept any new licence application for all categories of courier services during the moratorium period. However, MCMC said new licence applications and renewals received before the moratorium date took effect would be processed as usual for approval. As of October, 2020, there are 109 courier service licence holders in various categories operating in Malaysia. The statement also said that the process of drafting a new action plan will be implemented through the National Postal and Courier Industry Laboratory (NPCIL) which will take place for three weeks, from Nov 2 to 22, subject to the implementation of CMCO. (Bernama)
