Klang Valley, Melaka enter Phase 4 of NRP
The Klang Valley and Melaka will enter Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) effective today. Kelantan, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Kedah, meanwhile, will move from Phase 2 to Phase 3. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision to transition the states was made based on the dip in fresh Covid-19 infections, decline in overall infectivity rate, or R-naught, and the high adult vaccination rate. Ismail Sabri said the phase transition follows the guidelines set by the National Recovery Plan (NRP) and the percentage of fully-vaccinated adult population. Rest and recreational (R&R) areas along all highways nationwide will be allowed to operate round-the-clock, and e-hailing vehicles are allowed to pick up passengers based on vehicle seat capacity for all phases under the NRP. (NST Online)
Anti-vaxxers to face ‘pain’
The government will dish out doses of discomfort to those who do not have valid reasons to refuse Covid-19 vaccination, says Khairy Jamaluddin. “Sorry to say, we will make life very difficult for you if you’re not vaccinated by choice. If you cannot be vaccinated, that’s fine. We give MySejahtera digital exemption,” he said. The painful points, he said, would go beyond just being unable to dine in at restaurants or enter shopping centres. Some of the painful points under the National Testing Strategy will be unveiled next week. There are also plans to mandate those who are unvaccinated by choice to undergo regular Covid-19 testing. Although Malaysia is unlikely to mandate vaccination at the national level, it is seriously looking at sectoral mandates. Meanwhile, those who need a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine in order to perform the umrah can apply to the Health Ministry. (The Star)
School from Nov 1 for Phase Four states
More students and pupils in the Klang Valley and Melaka will be going back to school from Nov 1, now that their states have moved to Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). The Education Ministry said the change in the operation dates was in line with the transition from Phase Three to Phase Four of the NPR for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Selangor and Melaka, as well as from Phase Two to Phase Three of the NRP for Kelantan, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Kedah. “States that move to Phase Four of the PPM will involve the admission of Level 1 (Year 1, 2 and 3) primary school students, as well as Form 3 and Form 4 students in secondary schools on Nov 1. Attendance for Level 2 (Year 4, 5 and 6) primary school students, as well as those in remove classes, Form 1 and Form 2 for secondary school students will begin on Nov 8,” it said. (The Star)
Pandora Papers: Govt will not interfere, says PM
Enforcement authorities are free to take action against individuals implicated in the Pandora Papers leak, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The prime minister said the government will not interfere or stop the authorities from pursuing any case based on information made in the papers if there is enough evidence. “The authorities have access to read what has been revealed (in the Pandora Papers). The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) knows what has been reported. However, there needs to be proof (of wrongdoing) before taking action,” said Ismail Sabri. Thousands of influential people around the world, including several prominent Malaysians, have been named and linked to secret offshore accounts in the data leak. (The Star)
Kelantan to develop Malaysia’s first IBS industrial park
Kelantan will be the first state in Malaysia to develop an Industrial Building System (IBS) industrial park, which will serve as a one-stop reference centre to increase the capacity and capabilities of industrial building, especially in the East Coast. Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the project is being developed under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) with an allocation of over RM70 million and will be completed in 24 months. “The IBS industrial park is an initiative under the IBS excellence programme in Kelantan and will be developed on a 200-acre plot in Sungai Bagan, Machang that has been donated by the Kelantan government,” he said. The use of IBS technology, he said, would benefit industry players and strengthen the local construction industry. (The Edge)
Touch ‘n Go eWallet launches DuitNow transfer
Touch ‘n Go eWallet has launched the DuitNow Transfer function, allowing its users to move their money from any internet banking account directly to the eWallet in real time. In addition to providing users with greater function and flexibility, this supports Touch ‘n Go eWallet’s expansion into the digital financial services space. With the DuitNow Transfer function, Touch ‘n Go eWallet is now interoperable and part of a larger payments ecosystem alongside banks. Group CEO of Touch ‘n Go Group, Effendy Shahul Hamid said “this marks our deepened penetration into the financial services ecosystem. DuitNow Transfer allows us to inter-work better with our users ‘source of funds’, as we aim to deliver superior value-added services to them across a range of use-cases”. DuitNow Transfer is the second service from PayNet that has been accepted by Touch ‘n Go eWallet, the first being the DuitNow QR. (The Star)
