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Author: Thamin Abdul

  • Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown shuts world’s top producer

    Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown shuts world’s top producer

    Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown shuts world’s top producer 1

    KUALA LUMPUR: A global shortage of condoms is looming, the world’s biggest producer said, after a coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut down production.

    Malaysia’s Karex Bhd makes one in every five condoms globally. It has not produced a single condom from its three Malaysian factories in the past 10 days due to a lockdown imposed by the government to halt the spread of the virus.

    That’s already a shortfall of 100 million condoms, normally marketed internationally by brands such as Durex, supplied to state healthcare systems such as Britain’s NHS or distributed by aid programmes such as the UN Population Fund.

    “We are going to see a global shortage of condoms everywhere, which is going to be scary,” Karex Chief Executive Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters this week.

    “My concern is that for a lot of humanitarian programmes deep down in Africa, the shortage will not just be two weeks or a month. That shortage can run into months.”

    Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s worst affected country, with 2,161 coronavirus infections and 26 deaths. The lockdown is due to remain in place at least until April 14.

    The other major condom-producing countries are China, where the coronavirus originated and led to widespread factory shutdowns, and India and Thailand, which are seeing infections spiking only now.

    Makers of other critical items like medical gloves have also faced hiccups in their operations in Malaysia.

    Goh said Karex was in the process of appealing to the government for an exemption to operate under specific conditions. Malaysia is approving other essential goods producers to operate with half of their workforce.

    “The good thing is that the demand for condoms is still very strong because like it or not, it’s still an essential to have,“ Goh said. “Given that at this point in time people are probably not planning to have children. It’s not the time, with so much uncertainty.” — Reuters

    Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown shuts world’s top producer
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/condom-shortage-looms-after-coronavirus-lockdown-shuts-world-s-top-producer-AG2190121

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  • MCO: Five jailed three months each after throwing drink cans at police

    MCO: Five jailed three months each after throwing drink cans at police

    MCO: Five jailed three months each after throwing drink cans at police 2

    KUALA LUMPUR: Five men were sentenced to three months’ jail each by the magistrates’ court here today for criminal violence against a policeman who was conducting his duty to prevent the spread of Covid-19, following the Movement Control Order (MCO), effective March 18.

    Magistrate M. Saravanan sentenced D. Candran, 38, K. Kandasamy, 50, D. Thavachilan, 34, D. Gunalan, 39, and D. Ravintran, 36, after they pleaded guilty to the charges which were read to them.

    The court ordered all the accused to serve their jail terms starting today.

    They had used criminal violence by throwing cans of liquor and arguing with Lance Corporal Mohd Adnin Che Ani, a police personnel in the course of performing his duties as a civil servant.

    They were all charged with the offense at the Food Truck Site, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, here, at 5pm, March 25, under Section 353 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or with fines or both, if found guilty.

    According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident the victim was with his partner patrolling the area and advised a group of men, who were drinking alcohol, to avoid gathering in the open.

    The victim ordered all of the accused to present their identity cards, however, two of the accused threw cans of liquor at him while another recorded the situation using his cellphone.

    Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Khaliq Nazeri called for an appropriate punishment in the form of a deterrent sentence for their offenses during the MCO and to show the public that the court would not compromise especially during the current state of affairs in the country.

    The five accused, represented by a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation Erni Ahmad, appealed for light sentences as they were each supporting a wife and family.

    Another man, B. Pavitrn, 23, was fined RM1,000 or two months in jail after pleading guilty to moving from a residential area in Danau Murni to a supermarket, a place in the area of infection without the intention of doing anything provided under Section 7(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, at 3.20 am today (March 27).

    The accused was charged under Section 7 (1) of the same regulation, which provides for a maximum fine of RM1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both, upon conviction. — Bernama

    MCO: Five jailed three months each after throwing drink cans at police
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/mco-five-jailed-three-months-each-after-throwing-drink-cans-at-police-YG2190100

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  • Sabah, Sarawak not excluded from Prihatin

    Sabah, Sarawak not excluded from Prihatin

    Sabah, Sarawak not excluded from Prihatin 3

    PUTRAJAYA: The Federal government will cooperate with state governments, specifically in Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure all assistance announced under the people-centric economic stimulus package (Prihatin) reaches them as quickly as possible.

    Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix) said he was aware that those living in longhouses in Sarawak, Orang Asal settlements and in remote areas in every part of the country might worry that aid would reach them late.

    “The Federal government will cooperate with state governments, specifically in Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure all assistance provided by the government will reach them fast,” he said in announcing the RM250 billion package on live television today.

    Muhyiddin said besides ensuring the country’s economic activity continued, the government will also pay attention to domestic investment activities that had high multiplier effects and maintained employment.

    For that purpose, the government has identified several small-scale projects such as improving road conditions, upgrading dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak, cleaning places of worships and police stations as well as enhancing tourism facilities that would benefit G1 to G4 Grade contractors.

    “For that, an allocation of RM2 billion has been set aside,” he said, adding that small-scale projects worth RM2 billion as announced in the previous package would be implemented this April.

    He said these included the RM600 million infrastructure projects in Felda and other areas, RM350 million upgrading of dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak and RM150 million upgrading of public housing for the hardcore poor. — Bernama

    Sabah, Sarawak not excluded from Prihatin
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/sabah-sarawak-not-excluded-from-prihatin-FG2190061

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  • Covid-19: Chow Kit market remains busy, but with close monitoring

    Covid-19: Chow Kit market remains busy, but with close monitoring

    Covid-19: Chow Kit market remains busy, but with close monitoring 4

    KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) has not stopped people from visiting Chow Kit Wholesaler Market here although the authority has limited the number of visitors who can enter the market at a time.

    A check by Bernama found that customers start queueing up patiently lining-up in very early in the morning while monitored by the police.

    Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan Abdullah said as of 10am today, about 700 visitors had already lined up to enter the market, which was allowed to operate from 6am until 1pm.

    The police divided them accordingly into groups of between 30 and 40 and gave them 20 minutes to enter the market to buy essential goods.

    “Customers need to register their names and undergo body temperature screening before they can enter the market. This is to ensure that they complied with the MCO,” he told reporters after monitoring the MCO implementation at the market today.

    He said the police also set-up a special lane for the elderlies.

    However, he regretted that some visitors did not practice one-meter social distancing or were not wearing face masks.

    Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan also reminded the people not to visit Chow Kit Market after 1pm.

    “Action will be taken to those who refuse to comply,” he said.

    To date, no arrests have been made by the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters in relation to MCO implementation.

    Meanwhile, several customers at the market described the entry limit as a good measure to break the Covid-19 infection chain.

    A homemaker Aminah Abdullah, 44, said the 20-minute limit to buy necessities would be sufficient if the customers made initial preparations by listing the items to be purchased.

    “I’m a regular customer in this market … so when I came to the market, I already know my way to the items I need,” she said.

    A civil servant, known as Amir, said he visited the market to buy necessities for his family.

    “I came to buy goods in large quantities for my family because I need to go to Johor afterwards. My wife and children stay in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

    A worker in a private sector, Abdullah Sidek, 44, said as the head of his family he is taking over the task of buying groceries from his wife during the MCO period.

    “I didn’t encounter problems because my wife had prepared a good list of items she needed, everything is in this market,” he said. — Bernama

    Covid-19: Chow Kit market remains busy, but with close monitoring
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-chow-kit-market-remains-busy-but-with-close-monitoring-EG2190035

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  • TNB pledges RM150m to support tiered electricity rebate

    TNB pledges RM150m to support tiered electricity rebate

    TNB pledges RM150m to support tiered electricity rebate 5

    KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has pledged RM150 million to support the government’s announcement of a tiered electricity rebate to assist affected Malaysians following the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period until April 14.

    TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the reduced electricity bills would be jointly subsidised by the government, TNB as well as funds from the Kumpulan Wang Industri Elektrik (KWIE).

    “TNB is fully supportive of the government’s effort to provide some relief to the affected households as well as committed to channel funds towards initiatives that can directly assist the Malaysians,” he said.

    He said TNB has also recently pledged RM10 million to the Ministry of Health to help replenish diminishing medical supplies at the front lines of the nation’s medical and healthcare institutions in the fight against Covid-19.

    On Friday, the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a tiered rebate for electricity bills of between 15% and 50% for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia, with almost 90% of residential consumers in Peninsular Malaysia would automatically receive the rebate effective on April 1 until Sept 30.

    It said under the tiered rebate, three million domestic consumers with monthly consumption below 200 kilowatt hour (kWh) would receive 50% rebate, 1.5 million consumers with monthly consumption between 201kWh and 300kWh would receive 25% rebate and 2.2 million consumers with monthly consumption between 301kWh and 600kWh would be receiving 15% rebate.

    Those among the B40 group would be benefiting from the highest rebate rate of 50% that would be reflected in electricity bills beginning May. — Bernama

    TNB pledges RM150m to support tiered electricity rebate
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/tnb-pledges-rm150m-to-support-tiered-electricity-rebate-DG2190014

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  • Should you consider municipal bond funds?

    Should you consider municipal bond funds?

    See why these funds may be an attractive long-term option.
    Should you consider municipal bond funds?
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    https://investornews.vanguard/should-you-consider-municipal-bond-funds/

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  • Your Investing Life™: Step 5—Investing in a stock, bond, ETF, or mutual fund

    Your Investing Life™: Step 5—Investing in a stock, bond, ETF, or mutual fund

    Before you can choose an individual investment, you have to know what you’re looking for—stocks, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds.
    Your Investing Life™: Step 5—Investing in a stock, bond, ETF, or mutual fund
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    https://investornews.vanguard/your-investing-life-step-5-investing-in-a-stock-bond-etf-or-mutual-fund/

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  • Your Investing Life™: Step 6—Rebalancing

    Your Investing Life™: Step 6—Rebalancing

    You’re investing—way to go! Now it’s time to make rebalancing your portfolio a regular part of your investing life.
    Your Investing Life™: Step 6—Rebalancing
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    https://investornews.vanguard/your-investing-life-step-6-rebalancing/

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  • Are you investing tax efficiently?

    Are you investing tax efficiently?

    In this episode, Joel and Maria answer listener questions about tax-efficient investing, and offer practical tips on how to structure your portfolio with tax-efficiency in mind.
    Are you investing tax efficiently?
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    https://investornews.vanguard/are-you-investing-tax-efficiently/

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  • Learn how new U.S. tax law can affect deductions

    Learn how new U.S. tax law can affect deductions

    In this 14-minute podcast, Vanguard Senior Tax and Wealth Planning Specialist Jackie Youssef tells advisors how the new tax law affects clients’ tax planning.
    Learn how new U.S. tax law can affect deductions
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    https://investornews.vanguard/learn-how-new-u-s-tax-law-can-affect-deductions/

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