Third round opt-in for AstraZeneca jab closes booking within an hour after ‘unstable’ launch
The third round opt-in registration for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine closed today after all allocated slots were snapped up within an hour after the registration drive went live despite persisting technical glitches. Much to the frustration of eager applicants, the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) announced that the appointment booking for the second round of the AstraZeneca Voluntary Vaccine Initiative was now closed in a tweet posted at 1.27pm. Malaysians looking to register for the voluntary AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine were met with frustration and disappointment as they attempted to book their spot after missing out on the first round. Initially scheduled to go live at noon sharp, the bookings were only opened shortly after 12.20pm which was immediately marred by technical glitches which impeded successful registrations. Coordinating Minister for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin said last Friday that the second round opt-in will be open to those under age 60 if there were still slots available once registration for seniors closed on May 26. (Malay Mail)
Ismail Sabri: Surge in Covid-19 clusters due to interstate travel in April and May
Malaysia’s increased Covid-19 clusters in the last two months can be attributed to travellers crossing state borders, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said. He said the trend was based on government statistics gathered from April till May 20. “During this period alone, a total of 19 clusters were reported out of a total of 50 clusters recorded as a result of interstate travels involving 6,291 cases,” he said. Ismail said what is also worrying is the emergence of new and more aggressive variants of concern (VOC) of the virus. “The increase in daily cases is not only happening in Malaysia but some neighbouring countries such as Thailand, which was a role model to the World Health Organisation (WHO), has also recorded daily high cases of more than 9,000,” he said. Malaysia today recorded three record-breaking statistics — the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases at 7,478, the highest number of deaths from Covid-19, at 63; and the highest number of Covid-19 patients being treated in intensive care units (ICUs), at 756. (Malay Mail)
Finance Ministry terminates Tajuddin as Prasarana chairman
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has terminated Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as Prasarana Malaysia Berhad’s non-executive chairman with immediate effect. The letter was dated 26 May 2021 and signed by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. The letter comes on the heels of a public campaign calling for the sacking of Tajuddin from the government-linked company after his disastrous handling of a press conference yesterday to address the Monday two-train collision on the LRT Kelana Jaya line at KLCC that injured over 200 passengers. National news agency Bernama reported that three passengers from the collision suffered from brain haemorrhages and underwent surgery. They are currently warded at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s (HKL) Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) criticised Tajuddin’s conduct during the press conference, after visiting the site of the crash at the KLCC station.Besides his cavalier comments and attempt to joke about the crash, Tajuddin also mocked and berated a foreign journalist during the press conference. (Malay Mail)
UOA Development diversifying into caregiving services
UOA Development Bhd is diversifying into caregiving services involving patients and senior citizens under a proposed JV which will enable the property developer to venture into the new business. UOA Development has entered into an agreement with Care Concierge Care Centre Sdn Bhd to jointly set up the caregiving business at Komune Living and Wellness Centre, a commercial building owned by UOA Golden Pines Sdn Bhd. Komune Living and Wellness Centre is located in Cheras while UOA Golden Pines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UOA Development. UOA Development said Care Concierge provides “independent home living, managed home care services, caregiving services for people who require assistance in their daily lives such as but not limited to the elderly, disabled, post-hospitalisation patients and post-operative patients”. According to UOA Development, the JV plans to “carry out the care services activities and develop and manage care/health facilities which may comprise but not be limited to a nursing home, medical centre, pharmacy, dental clinics, food and beverage area, recreational area and independent living units”. (The Edge)
Malaysia’s Intellectual Property High Court declares the sale of illicit streaming devices as illegal
The sale, offer for sale, distribution and/or supply of television boxes or illicit streaming devices (ISDs) that can provide unauthorised access to copyrighted content has been declared as illegal by the Intellectual Property High Court in Kuala Lumpur. The Intellectual Property High Court ruled that the distribution of ISDs constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act 1987 and is punishable by law. Industry leaders in a joint statement hailed the judgment, which has been deemed as a landmark decision in the battle against digital piracy. The action in the Intellectual Property High Court was brought by Measat Broadcast Networks, the service provider for Astro, against a seller of ISDs preloaded with applications which act as gateways to websites or content servers streaming pirated content. Astro regulatory director Laila Saat said the declaration sets a precedent for future civil claims on copyright infringement against ISD sellers in the market, including those on e-commerce platforms. The estimated loss to the industry and Malaysian economy due to piracy is over RM3bil annually, with RM500mil in taxes and thousands of jobs at risk. (The Star)
