Dr Noor Hisham: Booster shot not a silver bullet against Delta strain, vaccination for all is
A booster shot for those who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination will not curb the highly contagious Delta variant that has become the dominant strain in Malaysia, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said. He said the solution is to ramp up Covid-19 vaccination for those who have yet to receive a single shot. He reminded Malaysians that mass vaccination must be prioritised before consideration can be given for a booster shot and that no one will be safe until everyone is. 57.5% of the country’s population have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 42.4% have completed both doses as of yesterday. At least two states in the country are reportedly making preparations to provide booster shots to their inoculated residents. Nationally, the previous federal government under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said booster shots would be considered only next year as the priority was to vaccinate as many people in the country as quickly as possible for herd immunity. Countries that have started booster shots for their population include Israel while the US plans to begin next month. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on world governments to delay the booster doses so that countries with lower vaccination rates can get enough vaccine supplies and immunise their population. (Malay Mail)
Lagenda Properties partners with Solarvest to build largest residential PV systems in Perak
Lagenda Properties Bhd has appointed Solarvest Holdings Bhd as its solar photovoltaic (PV) systems partner to install 1,000 residential solar PV systems across three township projects developed by it in Perak. Lagenda Properties said the project would be Malaysia’s largest sustainable clean energy generation in affordable townships. Lagenda Properties said the project would be Malaysia’s largest sustainable clean energy generation in affordable townships. “With savings from utility bills over the long term, Lagenda Properties’ home buyers will ultimately enjoy a lower cost of living, adding to the attractiveness and affordability of our projects,” said managing director Datuk Jimmy Doh Jee Ming. Doh said the company aims to build at least one new sustainable township every year. (NST Online)
Govt, Opposition MPs back introduction of anti-party hopping law
Politicians from both sides of the aisle appear to back anti-party hopping laws being introduced, saying it would stabilise and improve the perception of local politics. Sinar Harian reported PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil and DAP’s Hannah Yeoh as backing the new law, with Fahmi saying the new regulations would avoid negative assumptions and perceptions from surfacing. He explained how the lack of trust towards the government could trigger an uprising, resulting in the people no longer being bothered about good governance. DAP’s Yeoh meanwhile stressed the importance of an anti-hopping law to instill confidence in voters to convince them to come out and cast their votes. The report also saw Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Razlan Rafii expressing his support for the drafting of such a law, with the existence of such a law ensuring sustained loyalty from politicians towards their parties, with the law applicable to both the lawmakers and political parties. Also on the same page was Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who said such a law would put an end to the unhealthy practice. (Malay Mail)
Time to cherry pick as property prices will soar post-Covid 19, say experts
The Covid-induced new normal will be a boon to mixed property development, especially projects that combine all three components of hotel, commercial and residential within a single address. DSGT Consultancy Sdn Bhd property investment principal Datuk Seri Gavin Tee said mixed development – once a neglected property segment – is trending and getting the attention it deserves as a good peg for property investment and a perfect fit is when the property is in a prime location and freehold. Post-Covid, he said, people are dying to travel and, because of border restrictions, domestic tourism will see a boom and there will be an uptake in demand for hotel rooms. Given these positive factors, he added, mixed developments with all three components will command a premium and it is wise to invest in such properties even now, in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Charles Tan, editor of online property portal kopiandproperty.com, said there are always opportunities to explore, adding that any investment in a mature and affluent neighbourhood in locations such as Bangsar will continue to be favoured even after Covid-19 is under control. (The Sun Daily)
India overtakes US to become 2nd most attractive manufacturing destination
India has overtaken the United States (US) to become the second-most sought-after manufacturing destination globally, driven mainly by cost competitiveness, according to real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield. China remains at the number one position, the consultant said in its 2021 Global Manufacturing Risk Index, which assessed the most advantageous locations for global manufacturing among 47 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC). The US is at third position, followed by Canada, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Lithuania, Thailand, Malaysia and Poland. “The growing focus on India can be attributed to India’s operating conditions and cost competitiveness. Also, the country’s proven success in meeting outsourcing requirements has led to the increase in the ranking year-on-year,” the statement said. The rankings in the report are determined based on four key parameters, including the country’s capability to restart manufacturing, business environment (availability of talent/labour, access to markets), operating costs, and the risks (political, economic and environmental). The baseline ranking for top manufacturing destinations is determined on the basis of a country’s operating conditions and cost-effectiveness. (CNBC)
