'Please protect yourself': China wrestles with COVID-19 surge - CNA

In recent weeks, local cases have been trending lower since a late November peak of 40,052, official figures show, however. Sunday's tally of 8,626 was down from 10,597 new cases the previous day.

But the figures reflect the dropping of testing requirements, say analysts, while Chinese health expects have warned of an imminent surge.

In comments on Monday in the state-backed newspaper Shanghai Securities News, Zhang Wenhong, head of a team of experts in the commercial hub, said the current outbreak could peak in a month, though the end of the pandemic might take three to six months.

Signs that the virus was rampaging through communities were widespread in cities such as Beijing and Wuhan.

"Please protect yourself," the management of a condominium in the capital's Dongcheng district urged residents on Sunday, adding that almost all its staff had been infected.

"Try as much as you can not to go out ..." it said on messaging app WeChat. "Be the first person to take responsibility for your own health, let’s face this together."

The spread of such fears has prompted some people to avoid crowded places or indoor dining.

That is why few analysts expect a quick, broad rebound in spending in the world's second largest economy, as the glee that greeted the abrupt relaxations was tempered with uncertainty for consumers and businesses.

Yet China is pushing ahead with efforts to free up nationwide travel, even if foreign trips may still be a while off.

A state-mandated mobile app identifying travellers to COVID-stricken areas will shut down at midnight on Monday, according to a notice on its official WeChat account.

The number of domestic flights available across China exceeded 7,400, nearly double from a week ago, flight tracker app VariFlight showed.

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2022-12-12 06:49:10Z
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I never promised to free anyone from court cases: Malaysia PM Anwar - CNA

Mr Anwar also expressed his confidence that he can free the country of corruption. He warned his Cabinet ministers that anyone involved in bribery or misuse of power will be booted out immediately. 

“I have informed the Cabinet ministers whom I have chosen, that first and foremost, there should be no corruption.

“I have also informed all component party leaders that if any minister is involved in corruption, I will seek their mandate to sack them immediately,” he said, adding that the reminder was not a political gimmick but rather his confidence in freeing the country of corruption.

Mr Anwar said that he would not compromise on such culture in the unity government that he leads. He did not name anyone during his speech.

Previously, local media reported that Mr Anwar was faced with criticism after appointing United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the deputy prime minister due to his ongoing court cases. 

Ahmad Zahid is on trial over 47 charges of abuse, corruption and money laundering. A verdict will likely be reached in the next few months.

Separately, Mr Anwar said he will review approved projects to ensure there are no leakages as the national debt has exceeded RM1 trillion (USD226 billion).

“I’ve worked hard to scrutinise the files and we will delay several projects to be re-examined or cancelled. 

“If we want to spend, we must be thorough. This is a matter of governance,” the Tambun MP said. 

As such, he said that the management of the country must be done by following the right order and rules.

“Look at the spontaneous approval of flood mitigation projects. There are some unanswered questions and I ask that they be postponed and re-examined,” he said, according to Bernama. 

Last Tuesday, Mr Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, had ordered a review of RM7 billion worth of approvals under the RM15 billion flood mitigation project that were conducted through direct negotiation instead of a tender process.

Mr Anwar previously announced that approval for government procurement can no longer be given without a tender process to prevent financial leakages and corruption.

In his speech on Sunday, Mr Anwar also stated that although a motion of confidence is not legally required, it will allow him to lead the country with a clear mandate based on the majority support of MPs. 

“I would like to lead the country with a clear mandate, with the support of the majority of MPs. I am confident of obtaining it. If I can’t, then I will accept the will of the people,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama. 

The vote of confidence will be held during the next parliament session next Monday to end the question of the legitimacy of the unity government led by Mr Anwar.

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2022-12-12 06:36:43Z
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PM Lee to officiate launch of RSN submarines in Germany, attend ASEAN-EU summit in Brussels - CNA

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make an official visit to Germany this week, as well as attend the ASEAN-European Union (EU) commemorative summit in Brussels.

He will visit Kiel on Monday (Dec 12) and Tuesday, where he will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Mr Lee will also officiate the launch of two Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) submarines – Illustrious and Impeccable – with Mr Scholz in attendance.

The submarines will be launched by Mr Lee’s wife as the lady sponsor, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Mrs Lee, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will accompany him on the visit. Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the RSN will also be in attendance.

Dr Ng will call on Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht in Berlin. 

"Dr Ng’s working visit underscores the warm and growing defence relations between Singapore and Germany," said MINDEF.

On Wednesday, Mr Lee will attend the ASEAN-EU commemorative summit in Brussels. 

This will be the first ASEAN-EU summit involving the leaders of the member states of both blocs.

“The commemorative summit marks 45 years of ASEAN-EU dialogue relations and is an opportunity for both sides to discuss ways to further deepen ASEAN-EU relations,” the PMO said.

In Brussels, Mr Lee will be accompanied by Mrs Lee and Dr Balakrishnan, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be acting Prime Minister during Mr Lee's absence from Dec 12 to 16.

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2022-12-11 07:23:25Z
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Malaysia deputy ministers sworn in, completing PM Anwar Ibrahim's unity government Cabinet - CNA

Prime minister: Anwar Ibrahim
Deputy prime ministers: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Fadillah Yusof

Prime Minister’s Department
Law and Institutional Reform
Minister:  Azalina Othman Said
Deputy minister: Ramkarpal Singh

Religious Affairs
Minister: Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar

Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions
Minister: Armizan Mohd Ali
Deputy minister: Wilson Ugak Kumbong

Ministry of Finance
Minister: Anwar Ibrahim
Deputy ministers: Ahmad Maslan, Steven Sim Chee Keong

Ministry of Rural and Regional Development
Minister: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy minister: Rubiah Wang

Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister: Fadillah Yusof
Deputy minister:  Siti Aminah Aching

Ministry of Transport
Minister: Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Deputy minister:  Hasbi Habibollah

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Minister: Mohamad Sabu
Deputy minister: Chan Foong Hin

Ministry of Economy
Minister: Mohd Rafizi Ramli
Deputy minister: Hanifah Hajar Taib

Ministry of Local Government Development
Minister: Nga Kor Ming
Deputy minister: Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir

Ministry of Defence
Minister:  Mohamad Hasan
Deputy minister: Adly Zahari

Ministry of Health
Minister: Dr Zaliha Mustafa
Deputy minister: Lukanisman Awang Sauni

Ministry of Works
Minister:  Alexander Nanta Linggi
Deputy minister:  Abdul Rahman Mohamad

Ministry of Home Affairs
Minister:  Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
Deputy minister:  Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah

Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Minister: Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz
Deputy minister: Liew Chin Tong

Ministry of Higher Education
Minister: Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Deputy minister: Mohammad Yusof Apdal

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister: Chang Lih Kang
Deputy minister:  Arthur Joseph Kurup

Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
Minister: Nancy Shukri
Deputy minister: Aiman Athirah Sabu
 
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living
Minister: Salahuddin Ayub
Deputy minister: Fuziah Salleh

Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change
Minister: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
Deputy minister:  Huang Tiong Sii

Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives
Minister: Ewon Benedick
Deputy minister: K Saraswathy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister: Dr Zambry Abd Kadir
Deputy minister: Mohamad Alamin

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Minister: Tiong King Sing
Deputy minister: Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan

Ministry of Communications and Digital
Minister: Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil
Deputy minister: Teo Nie Ching

Ministry of Education
Minister: Fadhlina Sidek
Deputy minister: Lim Hui Ying

Ministry of National Unity
Minister: Aaron Ago Anak Dagang

Ministry of Youth and Sports
Minister: Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan
Deputy minister: Adam Adli Abd Halim

Ministry of Human Resources
Minister: VN Sivakumar
Deputy minister: Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud
 

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2022-12-10 11:17:00Z
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Malaysia's multi-billion warship project to proceed but subject to review: Defence minister - CNA

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's warship project will be continued but subject to a review, the country's Defence Minister said on Saturday (Dec 10). 

Mohamad Hasan said he needed to be briefed soon to get a clearer picture of the multi-billion ringgit Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project which had been hit by delays.

"I will get a briefing from the relevant parties so that I have a deeper understanding of the background and issues involved.

"We will ensure that the ships are built; no point talking about history. That is important because (the LCS project) is a strategic asset of the Malaysian Armed Forces," he said.

Mohamad Hasan added that he will work together with the ministry leadership to ensure the frigates were built and delivered.

"I will ask the government to study it properly and we will ensure these ships are built and completed in the best way possible."

RM9 BILLION CONTRACT

In August this year, the Malaysian parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled a report on the procurement of littoral combatant ships, two years after starting a probe into the RM9.13 billion (US$2.05 billion) contract.

The committee said the project to construct six ships was awarded by the Ministry of Defence to Boustead Naval Shipyard through direct negotiation, and the government has paid RM6.08 billion or 66.65 per cent of the cost so far.

"However, not even one of the LCS ships has been delivered. According to our timeline, five LCS ships should have been completed and handed over to us by August 2022,” said PAC chairman and Ipoh Timor MP Wong Kah Woh.

The issue first drew public attention in August 2020 during the tabling of the 2019 auditor-general’s report in parliament. Altogether, the PAC held nine rounds of proceedings from November 2020 to March 2022.

Among those called up to the proceedings were former Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, then-Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein who also held the position from May 2013 to May 2018, former navy head Admiral Abdul Aziz Jaafar and officials from Boustead subsidiaries.

Former prime minister Najib Razak, who was Ahmad Zahid’s predecessor at the defence portfolio, has also been linked to the scandal. 

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2022-12-10 08:13:00Z
CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9tYWxheXNpYS13YXJzaGlwLXByb2plY3QtcHJvY2VlZC1jb250aW51ZS1sY3Mtc3ViamVjdC1yZXZpZXctMzEzNTk3NtIBAA

Sabah's Bersatu members quit Muhyiddin's party en-masse - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - Members of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in Sabah have quit the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led party en masse, said Bersatu Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor, who is also the chief minister of the East Malaysian state, The Star reported.

In a statement on Saturday, Datuk Seri Hajiji said his party members have made the “unanimous decision” to leave Bersatu after “having considered Malaysia’s current political landscape, particularly that of Sabah”.

It wasn’t immediately clear if their decision to quit Bersatu, and form a new party, would trigger Malaysia’s anti-hopping law (AHL) and thus trigger by-elections for their Sabah constituencies.

The AHL, which took effect on Oct 5 this year was meant to prevent Members of Parliament from switching parties, a major feature of politicking that saw a change of three prime ministers after the 2018 general election.

The AHL says a lawmaker who quit, or is sacked, by his party would trigger a by-election for the seat. But the law isn’t clear on what would happen if the lawmaker had contested under the banner of a political coalition, as happened in this instance where some of them won under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.

In his statement Mr Hajiji said: “We thank the President of Bersatu and Chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for his leadership during our tenure as Bersatu members.”

But he added that the status quo is “no longer tenable”.

“This is because at the federal level, Bersatu is in the opposition whilst GRS has pledged support to the unity government led by Anwar (Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim),” said Mr Hajiji, who is also the chairman of GRS.

Bersatu Sabah was a component party under GRS. The coalition won six out of the 13 parliamentary seats they contested in the recent election.

Following the Nov 19 polls which threw up a hung Parliament, GRS initially rooted for PN to form the government, with Mr Muhyiddin as the prime minister. But the coalition later pledged their full support for the unity government led by Mr Anwar instead, after the Sabah state government took into account the Malaysian King’s advice to prioritise political stability and economic recovery.

Mr Hajiji said: “We are confident that this decision will be good for political unity and stability in Sabah.”

Moving forward, Mr Hajiji said his members will form a new local party. For now, they are still members of GRS, and will use GRS to voice Sabah’s interests and that of the Bornean states in Malaysia, he said.

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2022-12-10 04:29:14Z
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Saudi Arabia gathers China's Xi with Arab leaders in 'new era' of ties - CNA

In a nod to Gulf security concerns over Iran, another oil supplier to China and with whom Beijing has good ties, they agreed the need to "strengthen joint cooperation to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme" and for Tehran to respect "principles of good-neighbourliness".

Riyadh voiced support for Beijing's "One China" policy on the issue of Taiwan. Xi invited King Salman to visit China, Saudi state television reported.

MILESTONES

The Chinese leader said his visit, during which he will meet other Gulf oil producers and attend a wider summit with Arab League countries on Friday, heralded a "new era" in relations.

"China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia and Arab states to turn the two summits into milestone events in the history of China-Arab relations and China-GCC relations, and bring these relations to new heights," the foreign ministry cited Xi as saying.

Qatar's emir, Kuwait's crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia and Mauritania are among rulers attending alongside leaders and prime ministers of Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan and Lebanon.

Ahead of the summits, Xi held bilateral talks with Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Sabah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani, Sudanese leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Diplomats said the Chinese delegation would sign agreements and memoranda of understanding with several states in addition to Saudi Arabia, which inked an MOU with Huawei on cloud computing and building high-tech complexes in Saudi cities.

The Chinese tech giant has participated in building 5G networks in most Gulf states despite U.S. concerns over a possible security risk in using its technology.

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2022-12-09 09:41:00Z
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