Malaysia’s National Security Council, led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, announced earlier today (28 May) that Malaysia will be entering full lockdown for 2 weeks, commencing on 1 June.
During the full lockdown, only essential services will be allowed to operate.
The upcoming lockdown will run until 14 June.
PM Muhyiddin said the rising number of deaths and presence of more transmissible variants were the primary driving forces behind the decision for the lockdown.
The announcement comes in the wake of Malaysia’s daily number of cases crossing the 8,000 mark earlier today.
Sulaiman Abdul Majid Maricar, 34-years-old, pleaded guilty earlier today (28 May) to one charge of using criminal force on a public servant.
He was in police lock-up when he pangsai inside a paper cup (given to him for lunch) and threw it at an AETOS officer.
He is also facing five other charges, including theft, housebreaking to commit theft, as well as other charges that will be taken into consideration during sentencing.
Sulaiman had reportedly committed a series of theft last October, among which he stole phones from a lorry, a motorcycle and cash from a hawker stall.
On 6 October, Sulaiman was walking around carparks at Sembawang with the intention of stealing when he saw a lorry and managed to open the door due to a spoilt lock.
He took three phones, a power bank, three face masks and a cash card from the lorry.
Sulaiman was arrested but later released pending investigations.
On 13 October, Sulaiman was arrested again for stealing from vehicle and was subsequently locked up at Woodlands Police Divisional Headquarters.
Inside (the next day), he was given lunch, including a paper cup with a beverage inside.
He then took a sh*t inside the cup and kept it, biding his time.
A 24-year-old AETOS officer on duty made his rounds later that evening to colelct food packets and paper cups, and Sulaiman passed him his food packet, before throwing the “sh*t cup” at the officer.
The sh*t landed on the officer’s uniform, torso, pants and boots.
The officer then asked Sulaiman for an explanation but was ignored.
The sentencing has been adjourned to June with the judge calling for a preventive detention suitability report.
On Friday (May 18), Malaysia reported 8,290 new Covid-19 cases, its 4th straight day of infections.
The total number of covid-19 infections in Malaysia since the start of the pandemic reaches 549,514.
Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham, Malaysia’s country’s health chief, posted photographs of exhausted healthcare workers in hospitals that are in the frontline combating the situation.
“These pictures paint a thousand words,” Dr Noor Hisham said.
The number of cases in Selangor state remains the highest, with 2052 cases recorded, followed by Kelantan with 851 new cases reported.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia reports 830 new cases, while Sarawak reporting 698 cases and Johor having 698 cases recorded.
2.7 million doses of vaccines have been dispensed by Malaysia so far, with around 5.3 of Malaysia’s population receiving at least 1 dose. Around 100,000 doses of vaccination were administered by Malaysia on Wednesday, the highest number so far.
On Friday(May 28), the Ministry of Finance(MOF) said that lower- to middle-income workers that are financially affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions may receive a one-time payout of up to $700. This grant also applies to self-employed workers.
Eligible Employees placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least a month from May 16 to June 30, or who had an income loss of at least 50 per cent, can apply for the new Covid-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary)(CRG-T).
Applications will be opened from June 3 to July 2
MOF said that this grant is part of an $800m support package that is being carried out to help individuals and businesses.
CRG-T acts as a supplement to the current Covid-19 Recovery Grant that was launched on Jan 18 to support lower- to middle-income workers and self-employed people affected by Covid-19 Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said.
“There are certain conditions and criteria attached to the CRG. We are not changing that. But we are, in a way, piggybacking on the existing scheme with a temporary scheme with different conditions specific to the current heightened alert situation, where activities have been scaled back and there are these additional restrictions.”
“So this is temporary, it’s meant for this particular period. After that we will continue with the regular CRG scheme,” Mr Wong added
To help businesses and workers cope with the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions, an $800 million support package will be rolled out under the Jobs Support Scheme(JSS).
Affected gyms, fitness studios and performing arts and arts education centres will get 50 per cent of salary support for local employees under the JSS, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Friday(May 28).
30 per cent of JSS subsidies will be given to sectors that do not have to suspend operations but are significantly affected.
These measures will help retailers, personal care service providers, museums, art galleries, historical sites, cinemas, indoor playgrounds and other family entertainment centres.
Businesses such as supermarkets, convenience stores and online retailers will not eligible for the support package.
Payouts based on salaries paid between April to June will be disbursed in September said the Ministry of Finance. Employers who retrench or place employees on no pay leave will not be eligible for these payouts for those employees the ministry added.
Businesses that wish to appeal for enhanced JSS support can do so at the IRAS website.
On Friday(May 28) Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said that the current measures to control the spread of Covid-19 cases have been working so far as the number of new community cases has stabilised.
“Therefore, we do not think there is a need for further tightening in our overall posture,” he said, further adding that Singaporeans need to continue to play a part by minimising their activities and movement outside of their homes.
Mr Wong, co-chair of the task force also noted that the number of community cases has “even declined slightly”
“So we thank everyone for doing that – for being vigilant, for scaling back activities, staying home wherever they can and going out only for essential activities,” Mr Wong said
“I think if we continue to do that… then we have a very good chance of continuing to bring down the cases and keep the infections in check,” Mr Wong added.
On Thursday (May 28), the Ministry of Health confirmed that there are 15 local Covid-19 cases with all placed under quarantine. 3 of the cases are currently unlinked.
The first unlinked case is a 43-year-old female Singaporean who works at GovTech. The last day she reported work was on 7 May. She developed Covid-19 symptoms on 24 May and went to seek medical treatment. She was confirmed positive on 26 May.
The second unlinked case is a 67-year-old male Singaporean who is a retiree. He developed symptoms on 25 May and went to seek medical treatment. He was confirmed positive on 26 May.
The third unlinked case is a 42-year-old male Bangladesh national residing in a dormitory at Woodlands Lodge 2. He was confirmed positive on 26 May.
Source: Ministry of HealthSource: Ministry of HealthSource: Ministry of Health
A video emerged online showing a girl filming herself illegally vaping for a TikTok video.
She could be seen calling out those who don’t tarik when they smoke, calling them “sociopaths”.
Under section 16(2A) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA), it is illegal to possess, purchase and use vaporisers in Singapore as of 1 February 2018.
Persons found guilty of this offence can be fined up to $2,000.
A video emerged online showing a group of YPs gathering in a group of 5, going against the maximum group size allowed (2 persons) for Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
They were seen hiding out at a playground and smoking, presumably underaged smoking as well.
