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Author: Thamin Abdul

Covid-19: Singapore to help retrenched Malaysian workers find jobs

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government is assisting retrenched workers including Malaysians whose employers’ businesses have been badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Minister Josephine Teo said the ministry is able to help link the affected workers up with prospective employers who are looking to fill vacancies and have shortages.

Speaking at a press conference by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on Covid-19, Teo said arrangements have been made should these workers prefer to stay on in Singapore and are looking for a change of employer.

Updating on workers affected by Malaysia’s extended Movement Control Order (MCO), Teo said some have decided to leave Singapore.

The ministry had said previously that the MCO has impacted not only Malaysian work pass holders but also Singapore’s own citizens as well as permanent residents who commute daily from Malaysia.

“By now some of these workers miss home or they have other reasons to have to rejoin their family back in Malaysia,” said the minister.

Teo noted that some of them intend to come back to Singapore to work in the future.

“For these types of workers we have worked out with the employers to make available unpaid leave. This arrangement has been ongoing.

“If there is still a requirement for the Stay Home Notice (SHN), then they have to serve that too,” she said.

SHN requires a person to remain in their place of residence at all times during the 14-day period.

Malaysia had on March 25 extended the MCO period to April 14 from the initial March 31 to curb the spread of Covid-19. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-singapore-to-help-retrenched-malaysian-workers-find-jobs-IA2200587

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March 31, 2020
Felda defers deduction on settlers’ income until June

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is deferring deduction of its settlers’ income for repayment of crop and socio-economic loans for the month of April to June to help them cope with the situation brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.

Its general manager, Datuk Dr Othman Omar, said it would involve their harvest for the month of March to May, but would not involve deduction for Kedai D’Mart and the agency’s development and security department (JKKR).

“All setters automatically get it. There is no need for them to apply to the Felda management. The deferred deduction will be rescheduled after the postponement period is over. This initiative will benefit more than 92,000 settlers,” he said in a statement today.

Apart from that, Felda has taken proactive steps by setting up the community food centre to assist settlers having financial problems during these trying times.

The centre was set up following an initiative by the Settlers Consultancy Committee (JKPP) and the Settlers and Community Development Department, he added.

Any inquiry on the deferment of the deduction or other matters can be e-mailed to jkk@felda.net.my or Felda Facebook.

Othman said Felda is also offering the use of its hostels and other facilities as quarantine centres to help the government, especially the Ministry of Health (MOH), with its preparation in anticipating the increase in Covid-19 patients next month.

Besides the three hostels in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuantan in Pahang, Felda also has three training centres (in Kuala Lumpur, Kerteh in Terengganu and Chini in Pahang) and four Felda Residence, at Tanjung Leman in Johor, Sugai Tekam in Pahang, Trolak in Perak and an Felda Sahabat in Sabah.

All these facilities are suitable for use as quarantine centres and can accommodate more than 1,500 people, he said, adding that Felda Sahabat has been activated as a quarantine centre that accommodates 52 patients. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/felda-defers-deduction-on-settlers-income-until-june-BA2200542

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March 31, 2020
Menara City One cases linked to Sri Petaling tabligh cluster

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) has found that the Covid-19 cases detected at the Menara City One condominium tower in Kuala Lumpur are linked to the Sri Petaling mosque tabligh cluster.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the index case at the building had attended the tabligh gathering at the Sri Petaling mosque.

“The index case then went on to infect 12 members of his family in the building.

“The number of cases rose drastically after that, up to 17 cases, which led to the building being subjected to the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO),” Dr Noor Hisham said at the Covid-19 daily media briefing at the ministry, here today.

The government enforced the EMCO on Menara City One, located in Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur effective today until April 13.

Dr Noor Hisham added that the MOH has been screening every unit at the condominium tower since yesterday. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/menara-city-one-cases-linked-to-sri-petaling-tabligh-cluster-KA2200518

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March 31, 2020
Better air quality since first phase of MCO: Tuan Ibrahim

PUTRAJAYA: The enforcement of the first phase of Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 until yesterday has not only helped to break the chain of Covid-19, it has in fact reduced environmental pollution as well, according to Environment Minister Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

“This followed a reduction of activities such as vehicle exhaust emission, industrial stack emission and open burning,” he said.

He said a detailed analysis by the Department of Environment (DOE) on several main parameters namely nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particles of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) found their levels have fallen significantly.

Tuan Ibrahim said the monitoring was conducted at the air quality monitoring stations in Batu Muda and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur as well as Putrajaya.

“All three areas recorded marked drop of between 55 to 68% for NO2; 17 to 34% for SO2; six to 15% for CO; and six to 14% for PM2.5,” he said in a statement, here today.

Tuan Ibrahim said apart from that, DOE also expanded the analysis to air quality monitoring stations at several major cities such as Shah Alam, Ipoh, Penang, Kuantan, Seremban, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu for the same period.

“The findings also showed significant fall in each parameter with NO2 reduced between 11 to 62%, SO2 between five to 22%, CO between two to 25% and PM2.5 between two to 23%,” he said.

The latest hourly Air Pollutant Index (API) is available on DOE website at http://apims.doe.gov.my/v2/ or by downloading the official smart phone application, MyIPU via Android Google Play and at Apple App Store.

Tuan Ibrahim also advised the people not to carry out opening burning to reduce the risk of fires in the hot and dry weather now.

Members of the public can report cases of open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or DOE’s toll free line at 1-800-88-2727. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/better-air-quality-since-first-phase-of-mco-tuan-ibrahim-EA2200431

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March 31, 2020
CIMB closes Menara UAB branch for Covid-19 sanitisation

KUALA LUMPUR: The CIMB branch at Menara UAB on Jalan Tun Perak here has been closed to undergo thorough sanitisation and deep cleaning after one of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd said it has business continuity plans in place for both head office and branches to ensure continuity of essential services.

“The group had earlier implemented several precautionary measures to ensure the well-being of customers and staff, which include a mandatory travel declaration policy, hygiene and social distancing measures at both head office and branches,” it said.

The banking group said affected staff are currently being treated at a government hospital and contact tracing is being conducted.

All those in direct contact with the affected employee will be placed under home quarantine until given the appropriate medical clearance, it added. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/cimb-closes-menara-uab-branch-for-covid-19-sanitisation-YA2200405

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March 31, 2020
Attempts to smuggle drugs, ketum leaves worth RM6.19m foiled

PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) foiled two attempts to smuggle ketamine and ketum leaves, worth RM6.19 million, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Free Trade Zone on March 15 and 16.

Central Zone Customs assistant director-general Datuk Zulkurnain Mohamed Yusuf said the first case on March 15 involved 54.36 kg of ketamine valued at RM2.45 million, while in the second case on March 16, 747.73kg of ketum leaves worth RM3.74 million were discovered.

He said on March 15, at 3 am, KLIA Central Zone Enforcement Unit III officers carried out inspection on 28 polystyrene boxes, declared as frozen seafood bound for Hong Kong.

Upon inspection, 190 lumps wrapped with black plastic, which contained white powder, were found hidden in catfish (patin) belly.

“The substance, believed to be ketamine, were hidden in such a way to deceive the authority, with Hong Kong International Airport as their final destination,” he said in a statement here, today.

Zulkurnain said a 60-year old local man was detained and the case is investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Meanwhile on March 16, at 2.35pm, the team went through 39 boxes, declared as ‘Mitragyna Speciose Leaf Powder’ from Indonesia, where they found transparent packets filled with green leaves believed to be ketum.

Following the discovery, a local was arrested and the case was investigated under Section 135 (1) (a) of the Customs Act 1967. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/attempts-to-smuggle-drugs-ketum-leaves-worth-rm619m-foiled-IA2200291

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March 31, 2020
Anyone concealing family members exposed to Covid-19 will face action: Home Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry warned today that those who conceal family members who have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus clusters from the authorities will face stern action.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said this latest action is to send out a clear and stern message to those who continue harbouring high-risk individuals who have been exposed.

“We are into the second week of the movement control order (MCO) and this is our first warning,” he said at a press conference after a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador and other police top brass at Bukit Aman this evening.

“Those who know of family members who were exposed to the clusters, such as the Tabligh event, and have not disclosed this to us will face severe action. They should come forward and get themselves tested for the virus. We are not going to arrest them, we just want them to get tested.”

When asked on action to be taken, Hamzah declined to elaborate but said: “When we do, the media can come and see for itself what action we take.”

He said although the police have identified about 10,000 people who attended the tabligh even at a mosque in Sri Petaling, there are still an undetermined number of those who are yet to come forward.

Hamzah said the authorities are focusing on the tabligh event cluster as those infected there make up more than 50% of the current recorded cases of the disease.

The minister also warned those who stoke disarray among the races by associating the disease with any particular race.

“The Covid-19 does not target a particular race, religion, position or social status. It can infect anyone. We also wish to warn those who post hurtful or sensitive comments that can cause chaos and disunity among the multi-races that we will take action on them as well. We as Malaysian must stand by each other regardless of race. We want to build and develop this nation together,“ he said.

Hamzah said he also discussed with police ways to enhance enforcement of the MCO as there are still many who are defying the order.

He said among the plans was to increase the number of roadblocks nationwide, adding that 3,125 people have been arrested for defying the MCO, of which 246 have been charged in court.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/anyone-concealing-family-members-exposed-to-covid-19-will-face-action-home-ministry-EA2200237

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March 31, 2020
3 reasons not to move your portfolio to cash

Thinking of moving from stocks to cash? Here are 3 reasons to reconsider.

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https://investornews.vanguard/3-reasons-not-to-move-your-portfolio-to-cash/

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March 31, 2020
“You are all idiots”, woman shouts at Ops Covid roadblock personnel

PETALING JAYA: For calling a group of police personnel and soldiers manning a roadblock in Kota Damansara “idiots”, a 44-year-woman landed herself in hot soup with the authorities Tuesday morning.

The sales manager’s temper apparently flared after she was caught in heavy traffic for more than an hour due to the Ops Covid roadblock to enforce the movement control order (MCO) at Persiaran Surian.

It is learnt that the single woman was on her way back home to her apartment which is situated opposite the roadblock site.

At about 9.40am, when she finally made it out of the traffic congestion, she wound down her car window and allegedly shouted at police, “You are all idiots”.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal, who was also present at the roadblock at the time, said the woman was arrested for provocation and taken to the Damansara police station for investigations.

He said apart from uttering harsh words at the police, the woman also questioned the need for a roadblock in the area.

“We may be idiots but we are idiots who have your very safety in our minds and hearts. We are sorry for causing you such inconvenience but we have a job to do, which is keeping you safe. That is all we want to do. I am sorry,” said Nik Ezanee, who appeared disappointed with the indifferent attitude of certain members of the public towards the seriousness of police in containing movement in the district.

The district of Petaling is listed as the top red zone for the Covid-19 contamination, with over 220 cases of infected persons being the highest recorded in the country.

As such, Petaling Jaya police are taking a stern and uncompromising stance in controlling the spread of the virus.

A week after the MCO was initially enforced on March 18, Petaling Jaya police dropped its soft approach on those who flouted the order and began making arrests.

Since March 25, more than 83 people have been arrested in the district and several have been charged in court.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/you-are-all-idiots-woman-shouts-at-ops-covid-roadblock-personnel-JA2200209

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March 31, 2020
Covid-19: Marang Prison takes precautionary measures

KUALA TERENGGANU: Although a prison is relatively safe from Covid-19 as its inmates lack interaction with the outside world, the Marang Prison has taken precautions to reduce the risk of infection.

Marang Prison director Assistant Commissioner Wan Sani Abd Latiff said screening of all personnel and visitors has been conducted and those with body temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius are not allowed in.

“All staff and visitors are also required to use hand sanitisers and face masks. The management has also prepared a rest house for officers who have completed their guard duty at hospital wards to clean themselves up before heading home,“ he told Bernama when contacted, here today.

No Covid-19 cases have been reported at the Marang Prison, which has 2,910 inmates and 398 staff, he added.

He said about 25 personnel from the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) unit and Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department carried out cleaning and disinfection exercises at the prison this morning.

“As an additional precautionary measure, new prisoners will be screened outside the main entrance and those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms will undergo medical examination and be quarantined in separate rooms.

“The prison personnel are also practising social distancing at work as advised by the Health Ministry,“ he said, adding that officers have been briefed by the prison’s health personnel on the threat posed by the virus. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-marang-prison-takes-precautionary-measures-LA2200184

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March 31, 2020