CMCO has successfully kept Covid-19 in check in Malaysia, says Dr Noor Hisham
The conditional movement control order (CMCO) has successfully curbed the spread of Covid-19 in the country, says Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. He said without the implementation of CMCO, about four million Malaysians were expected to have been infected with the virus. “Today, we see only about 106,000 cases reported so far,” he said. Dr Noor Hisham said the implementation of the first movement control order (MCO) was very successful in terms of reducing the infection rate, however, it had a very huge impact on the economy. He also reminded the people to continue to comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure the infection rate is kept under check. He expressed confidence that if the people remained compliant to the SOP, the number of daily positive cases in the country could be reduced within the next three weeks. (Malay Mail)
Police to increase checks, monitoring of public areas as COVID-19 cases rise
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will step up checks and closely monitor compliance of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in public areas following a rise in COVID-19 cases. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the police found that some Malaysians were complacent and not bothered about adhering to the SOP to curb the spread of COVID-19. He said that stern action will be taken against individuals found flouting the guidelines. Abdul Hamid said it was undeniable that the year-end holidays and festivities would create a situation where crowds will gather in large numbers. He reminded Malaysians to practise new norms and to avoid the 3C’s (crowds, confined spaces and close conversations) in their daily activities to curb the spread of the virus. (Bernama)
PR1MA launches first Penang housing project using new business model
Residensi Bukit Gelugor in George Town, Penang is the first Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) housing project in the state to be planned using the agency’s new business model. Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said PR1MA’s business model for the project witnessed a collaboration between the federal government (through PR1MA), developer (Ideal Property Group), and the Penang government to meet demands for affordable housing for the people. “Through the new business model, (the project) does not need high investments from the government. PR1MA provides land to the developer to develop affordable housing for the people, including the B40 group,” she said. Residensi Bukit Gelugor will begin construction early next year and is expected to be completed within three years. According to Zuraida, the Residensi Bukit Gelugor project will provide 2,850 units of affordable housing, priced below RM300,000, with condominium-like features. There are currently four PR1MA projects in planning and early construction stages in Penang. (NST Online)
MCMC targets fibre connectivity for 1.2mil premises, homes by 2021 under Jendela
The Malaysians Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) targets 1.2 million premises and homes with fibre connectivity by 2021 under the national digital infrastructure plan Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela). Its chairman Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek said the agency would aggressively work on the target to drive Malaysia towards better digital connectivity. In August, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, announced that the Jendela action plan, which is part of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), would lay the foundation for comprehensive and high-quality broadband coverage as well as prepare the country for the transition to 5G technology. There are also plans to list Internet services as the third public utility after water and electricity, with Penang being the first state to make it a policy. Fadhlullah said land issues would usually delay plans, as every state had its own land laws and MCMC also had to deal with the rules set by the local authorities. (The Sun Daily)
Melaka will introduce seaplanes next year to further boost tourism
Seaplanes will be a new icon for Melaka’s tourism sector from next year with the investment on these planes to be worth about RM500 million. State Tourism, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman, Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis said the seaplanes which could land on or take off from water, were manufactured by a company in Penang and expected to be based at the Sungai Rambai Aerodrome, Jasin. He said many more tourism products would be introduced next year to further attract domestic and foreign tourists, hence increasing the length of stay in Melaka. Meanwhile, he said, tourist arrivals in the state continued to rise in the last two weeks. (Malay Mail)
