Malaysia Morning News For March 24, 2020

Malaysia reports 212 new COVID-19 cases in biggest daily jump, death toll spikes to 14
Malaysia on Monday (Mar 23) reported 212 new coronavirus cases, bringing the national total to 1,518.
— CNA

Sarawak allocates RM1.15b to mitigate impact of Covid-19
Sarawak has allocated RM1.15 billion through a special aid package named ‘Pakej Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang’ to mitigate the economic slowdown and reduce the people’s hardship resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Sun Daily

Govt bans face mask exports to ensure supply for Malaysians
The government, through the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, has banned exports of face masks to ensure sufficient supply for Malaysians during the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Borneo Post

Sabah imposes travel restriction at Malaysia-Indonesia border, starting today
The Sabah state government has imposed travel restrictions at the Malaysia-Indonesia border, effective immediately.
— The Sun Daily

LRT, MRT, monorail to start 6am-10am, 5pm-10pm from Tuesday (March 24)
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) will be implementing limited services for its public transport services from Tuesday (March 24) until March 31, in line with the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— The Star Online

Restricting public transport hours counterproductive, says former transport minister
Former transport minister Anthony Loke has criticised the government’s move to restrict the daily operational hours for public transport due to an alleged drop in passenger numbers following the enforcement of the movement.
— Malay Mail

Give interest-free loans instead of taking from EPF nest egg, MTUC urges govt
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the government to use its reserve funds to provide interest-free loans, rather than permit workers to make withdrawals from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
— Malay Mail

During MCO, public transport hours are 6am to 10am, 5pm to 10pm, says senior minister
The government has restricted the daily operational hours for public transport to 6am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm due to the drop in passenger numbers following the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO).
— Malay Mail

MCO: Essential services operating beyond 7pm need to apply for permission from JPBN secretariat
Those in essential services that have to operate beyond the 7pm operating hours limit set by the state government during the Movement Control Oder (MCO) to combat the spread of Covid-19 need to apply for permission from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat.
— The Borneo Post

Socso reviews records of Covid-19 victims to check benefits eligibility
The Ministry of Human Resources, through its agency, Social Security Organisation (Socso) is reviewing the records of all Covid-19 victims to check their eligibility for Socso benefits.
— New Sarawak Tribune

National Security Council to decide on extension of MCO
The National Security Council (NSC) will be meeting before the end of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 31 to determine whether there is a need to extend it, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Ample stock of personal protective equipments for frontliners, explains Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has assured healthcare workers on the ground today that there are sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE).
— Malay Mail

Statistics Dept to conduct survey on effects of Covid-19 on economy, people
The Statistics Department is conducting a special online survey on the effects of Covid-19 on the Malaysian economy and people.
— Malay Mail

Popping up: Vietnam’s growing appetite for snacks presents opportunity for Nestle’s Air Popcorn
Nestle Vietnam has entered the popcorn category with its new Air Popcorn products targeted at the growing number of younger consumers who snack.
— Food navigator-asia

Ringgit ends lower against US dollar
The ringgit retreated from last week’s gain to close lower against the US dollar today, as investors turned to safe-haven assets, due to uncertainty in the global economic outlook, dealers said.As of 6pm, the local note was at 4.4400/4480 compared with last Friday’s close of 4.3947/4012.
— The Sun Daily

Penang govt tightens efforts to limit spread of Covid-19
The Penang government has further tightened measures in an effort to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
— The Sun Daily

MOH opens special Covid-19 account to raise funds to purchase medical equipment
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has opened a special bank account to enable members of the public to make donations to the ministry in its efforts to tackle Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Agencies, NGOs in commodity sector come to govt’s aid
Several government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country’s commodity sector have come forward to contribute essential medical and protective items for health professionals and workers responding to Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Senior minister says may make social distancing mandatory at wet markets, hypermarkets
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and other security enforcement officers will ensure social distancing is observed at wet markets and hypermarkets.
— Malay Mail

Fatimah’s ministry allocates over RM900,000 to provide assistance during MCO period
The state government, through the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Sarawak (KWKPK) has approved an allocation of RM944,360 to provide several assistance from March 24 to 31 during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysian Bar calls upon govt agencies to exercise wisdom, discretion during MCO
The Malaysian Bar is calling upon all government agencies including the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Royal Malaysian Customs Department and land offices, to be cognisant of the problems faced by lawyers during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Sun Daily

Missing the little things: What life is like under Malaysia’s movement control order
For the past few days, I have been bothered by this tiny prickling pain on my fingertips, most possibly from swiping the cracked screen of my handphone.
— CNA

Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Tested Negative for Coronavirus, Still Under Quarantine
The 94-year-old former Malaysian prime minister tested negative for the coronavirus but remains under home quarantine.
— Irrawaddy

Two employees at CIMB Seremban branch contract Covid-19
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s Seremban branch, located at Jalan Datuk Bandar Tunggal, will be temporarily closed after two of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Maybank pledges RM4m support for Mercy’s Covid-19 response plan
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) today announced an immediate cash contribution of RM4 million to be channeled through Mercy Malaysia’s Covid-19 Pandemic Fund, in support of its Covid-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: GLCs donate RM60m to Health Ministry, tax deduction approved for contributions, says Zafrul
Government-linked companies (GLCs) have to-date donated about RM60 million in the form of medicine, medical equipment and personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Health (MOH).
— Malay Mail

EPF withdrawal through i-Lestari Account 2 from April 1, says EPF chief
Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can apply for the RM500 monthly withdrawal during the Covid-19 pandemic through the i-Lestari Account 2 Withdrawal Scheme beginning April 1, says the fund’s chief executive officer Alizakri Alias.
— The Star Online

Covid-19: Police tracking down 3,800 tabligh members, says Ismail Sabri
The police are tracking down about 3,800 Tabligh members around the country who have yet to come forward to be screened for possible Covid-19 infection, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix) said today.
— The Sun Daily

GrabFood gives you cashless ‘Tapau’ option with minimal contact
Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and the movement control order, businesses are trying to adapt to the new rules that have been established.
— Malay Mail

Sec-gens, employers must issue travel permits for workers
All secretaries-general of ministries providing essential services must issue travel authorisation letters to staff working during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— New Sarawak Tribune

King expresses sadness, concern about healthcare workers infected with Covid-19
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed his sadness and concern over the news that several healthcare workers from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and private healthcare facilities have been infected with Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: 62% of cases linked to Sri Petaling mosque event, says Health DG
About 62% of Covid-19 positive cases were linked to the cluster from the tabligh event at the Sri Petaling mosque, says Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
— The Star Online

Dr M: With Covid-19, Malaysia faces ‘terrible catastrophe’, Malaysians may need govt’s financial support
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today gave a grim assessment of Malaysia’s situation amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, calling it a “terrible catastrophe.
— Malay Mail

Government agrees to lower price of face masks
The government has agreed to lower the price of face masks, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Health D-G clarifies Covid-19 tests for foreigners at govt outlets free, despite PM’s remark otherwise
Foreign nationals who exhibits Covid-19 infection symptoms need not to pay outpatient treatment fee at government hospital or clinics, health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has clarified today.
— Malay Mail

SLS to arrange implementation of virtual hearing in Sabah courts
The Sabah Law Society (SLS) is making arrangements with the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and other court officers for the issuance of a Practice Direction for the conduct of virtual and video conferencing hearings in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— New Sarawak Tribune

No smuggling, encroachment in Malaysian waters: GOF
There has been no smuggling and encroachment activities along Sungai Golok on the Malaysia-Thailand border so far during the two-week movement control order (MCO) period.
— The Sun Daily

Health Ministry to screen every tabligh event attendees for Covid-19, regardless of symptoms
Each and every attendee of a the tabligh gathering that took place early this month will be screened for Covid-19 whether or not they exhibit symptoms, the Health Ministry said today.
— Malay Mail

Insurance companies, Takaful operators review operating hours during MCO
Insurance companies and Takaful operators have reviewed the opening hours of their branch offices nationwide in support of the government’s effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 during the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 18-31, 2020.
— The Sun Daily

Penang PKR vice-chairman thinks PAS should help track down tabligh participants
PAS should help the health authorities track down attendees of the tabligh convention at Seri Petaling, who have yet to come forward for their Covid-19 screening.
— The Sun Daily

Federal officers serving in Sarawak to receive RM500 incentive in May, says State Secretary
A total 126,000 federal officers serving in Sarawak will each receive a RM500 incentive from the state government in May, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion said today.
— Malay Mail

Registration for i-Lestari withdrawal by email, post starts April 1
Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors can register via email or regular mail starting April 1 for the i-Lestari withdrawal facility announced today by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
— The Sun Daily

Health D-G stresses masks in public not obligatory for most, amid conflicting directives from authorities
Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has again clarified today that one should only wear a face mask if they show symptoms or deals with patients in the healthcare sector, and not obligatory in public for the.
— Malay Mail

MCO compliance rate stands at 92 pct
The deployment of the Malaysian armed forces (MAF) to assist the police in enforcing the Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning yesterday saw the public’s compliance rate rose to 92 per cent today.
— The Borneo Post

MCO: Sec-gens, employers must issue travel permits for workers
All secretaries-general of ministries providing essential services must issue travel authorisation letters to staff working during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Borneo Post

Bursa Malaysia ends in red, mid and small-cap under pressure
Bursa Malaysia ended the day sharply lower following the continuous decline in global oil prices, amid spiralling concern over rising fatalities associated with Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19 claims third member of family as death toll rises to 5 in Sarawak
Sarawak has recorded another two deaths and six new positive cases from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), said State Disaster Management Committee.
— The Borneo Post

Johor cops probe employers allegedly flouting govt’s movement control order
Johor police are investigating two reports of factories in the state, not under the essential services category, that have purportedly remained open and forced their employees to work in contravention of the government’s.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Bernama

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in Asean.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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