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Sabtu, 09 Mei 2020

Mahathir and Anwar say setting aside differences in push to bring PH back to power - The Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's two veteran politicians Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday (May 9) that they have set aside their differences for a renewed push to regain power for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

They said in a joint statement that they rejected the two-month-old Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration that came to power unelected, and is led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin with the backing of Umno.

Tun Mahathir, 94, and Datuk Seri Anwar, 72, said many of the reforms they introduced when PH was in power for 22 months until end-February were being dismantled.

The joint statement was issued on Saturday, exacty two years after PH shocked many people by beating Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) in the May 9, 2018, general election.

BN had been in power since Malaysia gained independence 61 years ago, but many voters soured on the Umno-led coalition following the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal that tainted then-premier Najib Razak.

"We have long set aside differences, disputes, and disagreements for the people. We are old, and we do not have much time left," Dr Mahathir and Mr Anwar said.

"Yet our fighting spirit still burns bright in the souls of the youth who dream of reforms. It is time for us to rise again and return the people's mandate to the rightful owners."

Their statement came as fears of the coronavirus appeared to have receded as Malaysia entered its 53rd day of the movement control order on Saturday.

Malaysia on Saturday reported 54 new cases to bring the cumulative total to 6,589, with 108 total fatalities.

"Two years ago, people from all religions and races helped us through donations and contributions, their voices and suggestions, hope and spirit, to see change for the better in our beloved country.

"Two years ago, we did not give up in championing the people's voice and it remains the same today," they said in the joint statement.

When PH scored a stunning victory in the general election, Dr Mahathir became prime minister for the second time while Mr Anwar was given a royal pardon and released from prison.

Mr Anwar's supporters say that PH leaders had agreed for Dr Mahathir to pass the premiership to Mr Anwar within two years of winning power. But Dr Mahathir's camp said there was no date set for the handover.

The tensions between the two leaders over the handover destablised PH, as did the constant fight between Mr Anwar and his then deputy Azmin Ali over control of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Voters meanwhile, were unhappy as the government failed to rein in inflation, while Malay voters were concerned over the perception of eroding Malay and Muslim rights under PH.

Dr Mahathir shocked PH by unexpectedly stepping down as prime minister on Feb 24, while Datuk Seri Azmin and a group of MPs left PKR to join up with Mr Muhyiddin.

Though PN, or National Alliance in Malay, is today led by Mr Muhyiddin as prime minister and Mr Azmin as senior minister and the second most powerful official in the Cabinet, Umno has not been willing to formalise the PN pact.

Umno leaders have said they prefer to instead consolidate a separate pact between Umno and PAS called Muafakat Nasional (National Consensus in Malay).

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2020-05-09 10:17:22Z
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Malaysia's Kedah state expected to flip to PM Muhyiddin's alliance soon - The Straits Times

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The gloves are off for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and he is preparing to strike back following the hostile moves from the Tun Mahathir Mohamad camp the past week.

Kedah, which is still a Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government, is in Tan Sri Muhyiddin's crosshairs and it is learnt that Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir will be out as Kedah menteri besar by the middle of next week.

If all goes well, the new menteri besar is likely to be Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the Jeneri assemblyman from Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS).

Mr Sanusi, who cut his political teeth as the political secretary to the late Kedah PAS menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak, is expected to make the requisite courtesy call on the Sultan of Kedah in the next few days.

The incoming state goverment led by Mr Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance will comprise 15 assemblymen from PAS, four from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, two from Umno and another two lawmakers from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

With a total of 23 assemblymen, PN will have a solid 10-man majority in the 36-seat state assembly.

Mr Mukhriz's government would have collapsed much earlier had he not appealed to Senior Minister Azmin Ali for help to hold on to Kedah.

It was learnt that Datuk Seri Azmin then approached PAS and Umno to maintain the status quo and give Mr Mukhriz a chance.

PAS sources said Mr Mukhriz had even offered them state executive councillor posts but PAS president Hadi Awang said his party was not interested in work with Parti Amanah Negara, a breakaway party from PAS.

Those who cooperated with Mr Mukhriz think he has not appreciated what they did and that he took them for granted.

This will be the second time Mr Mukhriz has had to make a premature exit from the top job in the state.

He was menteri besar for barely three years from 2013 to 2016, before he was sacked by then Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Back then, Mr Mukhriz's troubles began because his father Dr Mahathir had fallen out with Najib.

It is ironic that the script and even some of the actors have not changed much from then to now - Dr Mahathir is now trying to topple Mr Muhyiddin, and Mr Mukhriz is once again the sacrificial lamb.

The move to give the top job to PAS will be good optics for PN and would send a signal that the coalition believes in power sharing.

PM Muhyiddin had adopted a hands-off policy on Kedah even though Mr Mukhriz's PH state government no longer commanded the majority.

Mr Muhyiddin, the Bersatu president, was then still hopeful for a reconciliation with his party chairman Dr Mahathir, and had left the Kedah government alone as a goodwill gesture.

But everything changed earlier this week after Dr Mahathir submitted a motion for a vote of no confidence against Mr Muhyiddin's premiership.

It was a declaration of war and it pushed Mr Muhyiddin to take the bull by the horns by moving against Mr Mukhriz.

It is unclear how the impending development will affect Mr Mukhriz's chances in his bid to challenge Mr Muhyiddin for the Bersatu presidency in the party polls later this year.

Mr Muhyiddin is not only going for Mr Mukhriz but he is also preparing to take Dr Mahathir head-on in Parliament on May 18 at the one-day sitting.

The Speaker has allowed the elder man's motion against Mr Muhyiddin, a move widely seen as a sign that Mr Muhyiddin is confident of his numbers.

PH has remained quite silent on whether they will rally behind Dr Mahathir.

It is a Catch-22 situation for PH. They will look bad if they do not vote for the motion but if they do, it would be seen as an indirect endorsement of Dr Mahathir's leadership.

PH has endorsed PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim as the Opposition leader in a letter to the Speaker on May 4.

It is unlikely that the coalition will want to give Dr Mahathir the impression that they want him back as their leader.

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2020-05-09 08:08:14Z
CAIiEMZOOUBbwfXW9vJeCSeEfr0qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow_7X3CjCh49YCMMa2pwU

COVID-19: Spain sex workers left to fend for themselves under lockdown - CNA

MADRID: With the coronavirus pandemic emptying the streets of Madrid, life has become even more precarious for sex workers Evelyn, Alenca and Beyonce under the lockdown.

Already extremely vulnerable and with an ambiguous legal status, many of Spain's sex workers have struggled to make ends meet during the state of emergency, with clubs closed, clients staying home and fines for staying in the street.

"The club owners in Spain, those who could, just threw all the girls into the streets," Evelyn Rochel, the only one who agreed to give her real name, remarks bitterly.

With all the clubs and bars shut down, some sex workers have taken their business online AFP/OSCAR DEL POZO

The 35-year-old Colombian lives in a room inside a Madrid hostess club and pays 2,100 euros (US$2,300) per month for "the right to work" as a prostitute.

"The management says we pay these 2,100 euros for the room, they say it's rent, but that's a lie, I'm paying for the right to work," she says.

There were 15 women at the club, most from Latin America, but almost all have left, according to Rochel.

She says she was allowed to stay but made to feel as if it was "a humanitarian gesture, and not the right of an employee who deserves somewhere to live".

Despite her situation, Rochel is a hardened activist who last year forced the courts to acknowledge there is an employment relationship between a woman working as a hostess and the owners of the club, in a case involving one of Madrid's best-known brothels.

NO LEGAL PROTECTION

She's also a member of OTRAS, the unofficial union of Spanish sex workers set up in 2018 in a country where prostitution is neither legal nor illegal, but is not recognised as employment.

The crisis has exposed what she says is a "shocking" paradox.

"It can't be that the big club owners, as businessmen, can legally furlough the waitresses, the cleaners and everyone else with a contract but throw the prostitutes onto the street, those who can't get help because they're not recognised as employees," she said.

"That is just not right, we can't carry on like this."

With all the clubs and bars shut down, "those who can get work online are doing it on the sly", either hosting clients at home or at their house, despite the risks.

It's something she's considering.

"You've got to be able to feed your kids."

Evelyn Rochel lives in a room inside a Madrid hostess club and pays 2,100 euros per month for "the right to work" as a prostitute AFP/OSCAR DEL POZO

"I FEEL REALLY EXPOSED"

Alenca arrived in Madrid in October after fleeing violence against transgender people in her native Mexico.

When she couldn't pay her rent in April, the estate agency threatened to throw her out but she received legal help from OTRAS which also provides food packages.

Just before the epidemic took hold, she started receiving clients at home for "erotic massage" but has since stopped, shifting her business online.

Before switching on the webcam, she carefully makes herself up and puts on a wig.

"I don't like it, I feel really exposed," she says.

"There are people who can record these sessions and I don't want it getting out. I'm not ashamed of what I do but I don't like people filming me because one day I want to change my life."

For Beyonce, a 34-year-old trans woman from Ecuador, a normal work day means standing on a street in the Villaverde industrial zone, Madrid's red-light district, and getting into clients' cars.

But even before the state of emergency was declared on March 14, the work had all but dried up, with fear of the virus keeping both clients and sex workers away.

Beyonce, an Ecuadoran sex worker in Madrid, says the pandemic has brought business to halt and left her wondering how to pay the bills AFP/OSCAR DEL POZO

"HARDLY ANY CLIENTS"

"I stopped working the day before the lockdown, but by then it was only those of us who had to go out to buy food or pay bills," Beyonce told AFP.

"For several weeks, there were hardly any clients or working women."

What sex workers needed more than ever was recognition, says the Ecuadoran, an activist with the AFEMTRAS collective that has been lobbying for premises where women can shower and use the toilet.

"As sex workers, we're part of society and we need to work to look after our kids. But right now, we're only recognised as victims, not as workers nor even as prostitutes," she said, in a nod to the large numbers of foreigners caught up in sex-trafficking networks.

For now, with no money to pay the rent, she's just waiting for the day she can go back to work, even though it will be complicated with self-distancing rules.

"I hope I can get back on the street ... even if I don't know how I'm going to do it."

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-05-09 07:08:42Z
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US FDA commissioner in self-quarantine after exposure to person with COVID-19 - CNA

REUTERS: US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn is in self-quarantine for a couple of weeks after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, an FDA spokesman told Reuters late on Friday (May 8).

Hahn immediately took a diagnostic test and was tested negative himself for the novel coronavirus, FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum said in an emailed statement.

Politico reported earlier that it was Katie Miller, US Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary, whom Hahn had come into contact with.

Asked by Reuters to confirm the details in the report, the statement did not name the person who was tested positive for COVID-19 with whom the commissioner had met.

READ: White House defends coronavirus safety measures as Pence aide falls ill

Miller, also the wife of one of President Donald Trump's senior advisers, tested positive on Friday, raising alarm about the virus' potential spread within the White House's innermost circle.

The diagnosis of Miller, who is married to White House immigration adviser and speech writer Stephen Miller, was revealed by Trump in a meeting with Republican lawmakers on Friday.

"As Dr Hahn wrote in a note to staff today, he recently came into contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Per CDC guidelines, he is now in self-quarantine for the next two weeks", the FDA spokesman said.

About 3.90 million cases of the coronavirus have been recorded worldwide with nearly 1.27 million coming from the United States alone, according to a Reuters tally as of late Friday. The worldwide death toll stands at about 270,000 with the United States recording over 75,000 deaths.

The virus, first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, has also driven millions into unemployment as a result of lockdown measures put in place to curb a rise in infections.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-05-09 04:57:45Z
52780773373856

Jumat, 08 Mei 2020

Top Pence aide, married to key Trump adviser, diagnosed with coronavirus - The Straits Times

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US Vice-President Mike Pence's press secretary, the wife of one of President Donald Trump's senior advisers, has tested positive for the coronavirus, raising alarm about the virus' potential spread within the White House's innermost circle.

The diagnosis of Ms Katie Miller, who is married to White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller, was revealed by Mr Trump in a meeting with Republican lawmakers on Friday (May 8), a day after news that Mr Trump's personal valet had tested positive for the virus.

“Katie, she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of a sudden today she tested positive,” Mr Trump said, noting he himself had not been in contact with her but that she had spent time with the vice-president.

“I understand Mike has been tested... and he tested negative.”

Despite Mr Trump’s comments, the two cases in quick succession heightened fears of contagion for the president and vice-president, who are leading the US response to the pandemic, and who have both resumed robust travel and business schedules even as the US death toll from the virus has topped 75,000.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday sought to defend administration efforts to protect Mr Trump and Mr Pence, pointing to new measures taken by the White House, including contact tracing and enacting all guidelines recommended for essential workers.

"We've taken every single precaution to protect the president," Ms McEnany insisted to reporters at a White House news briefing.

She also noted regular cleanings and adherence to distancing guidelines of six feet (1.8m) between individuals that are not always followed at crowded White House events.

"We've done every single thing that Dr (Deborah) Birx and Dr (Anthony) Fauci have asked us to do," she added, referring to highly respected physicians on the White House coronavirus task force.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Trump was asked in a Fox News interview whether those who serve him food would now cover their faces.

"They've already started," he said on the network's Fox And Friends morning programme.

The White House has also instituted daily, as opposed to weekly, coronavirus tests of Mr Trump and Mr Pence. Both men tested negative for the virus and were feeling well after the valet, a military service member who works as a White House assistant, came down with the virus.

Mr Trump told Fox News he has not yet been tested for antibodies to the coronavirus but probably would be soon. Such a test could confirm previous exposure to the virus.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence maintain busy public schedules. The vice-president, who has led the coronavirus task force, flew to Iowa on Friday to meet with faith leaders about holding "responsible" gatherings and to discuss the food supply at Midwestern grocery chain Hy-Vee's headquarters.

According to a senior administration official cited in the media pool report, news of the positive test for Mr Pence's aide prompted staff to deplane Air Force 2 on Friday morning and briefly delayed the takeoff.

"Out of abundance of caution, we went back and looked into all the person's contacts most recently," the official said, adding that six individuals who may have been in contact with the infected aide were removed from the flight before it departed.

Two of the individuals were members of Mr Pence's press office, according to a pool report.

Mr Trump on Friday attended a public event at the World War II memorial with elderly veterans where neither Mr Trump, first lady Melania Trump, the veterans nor military officials seen at the ceremony wore masks.

Mr Trump later met face-to-face with Republican members of Congress at the White House where no face masks appeared to be worn.

DICTATORS, KINGS, AND QUEENS

Protective facial coverings have been a hard sell for Mr Trump and Mr Pence despite a recommendation from the Centres for Disease Control that people wear masks or alternatives.

Both Mr Trump and Mr Pence have drawn fire for not donning masks, with critics arguing they are setting a bad example for Americans.

Mr Trump himself has said he would not wear a mask and has not publicly worn one to any of his events amid the pandemic, but told reporters this week he tried some on behind the scenes during his visit to a Honeywell face mask factory in Arizona.

The virus, which first surfaced in Wuhan, China, late last year, has infected more than a million Americans and driven millions into unemployment due to lockdown measures to curb a rise in infections.

Malaysia's Mahathir files motion of no-confidence against PM Muhyiddin - CNA

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Malaysia's Mahathir files motion of no-confidence against PM Muhyiddin CNA
Malaysia's Parliament allows vote on PM's leadership, SE Asia News & Top Stories The Straits Times
Grappling with coronavirus, Malaysia's premier to face confidence vote Yahoo Singapore News
The knives are out in Bersatu The Star Online
Malaysian speaker of parliament accepts Mahathir's motion for no-confidence vote against PM Muhyiddin CNA
View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-05-08 12:47:04Z
52780772226215

White House defends coronavirus safety measures as Pence aide falls ill - CNA

WASHINGTON: US Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary, the wife of one of President Donald Trump's senior advisors, has tested positive for the coronavirus, raising alarm about the virus' potential spread within the White House's inner most circle.

The diagnosis of Katie Miller, who is married to White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller, was revealed by Trump in a meeting with Republican lawmakers on Friday (May 8), a day after news that Trump's personal valet had tested positive for the virus.

"Katie, she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of a sudden today she tested positive," Trump said, noting he himself had not been in contact with her but that she had spent time with the vice president. "I understand Mike has been tested ... and he tested negative."

Despite Trump's comments, the two cases in quick succession heightened fears of contagion for the president and vice president, who are leading the US response to the pandemic, and who have both resumed robust travel and business schedules even as the US death toll from the virus has topped 75,000.

Katie Miller, press secretary for US ‪Vice President Mike Pence‬, helps prepare for the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, US, on Mar 10, 2020.. (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday sought to defend administration efforts to protect Trump and Pence, pointing to new measures taken by the White House including contact tracing and putting in place all guidelines recommended for essential workers.

"We've taken every single precaution to protect the president," McEnany insisted to reporters at a White House news briefing. She also noted regular cleanings and adherence to distancing guidelines of six feet between individuals that are not always followed at crowded White House events.

"We've done every single thing that Dr (Deborah) Birx and Dr (Anthony) Fauci have asked us to do," she added, referring to highly respected physicians on the White House coronavirus task force.

READ: COVID-19: Trump, Pence test negative after White House staff infected

Earlier on Friday, Trump was asked in a Fox News interview whether those who serve him food would now cover their faces. "They've already started," he said on the network's "Fox and Friends" morning program.

The White House has also instituted daily, as opposed to weekly, coronavirus tests of Trump and Pence. Both men tested negative for the virus and were feeling well after the valet, a military service member who works as a White House assistant - came down with the virus.

Trump told Fox News he has not yet been tested for antibodies to the coronavirus but probably would be soon. Such a test could confirm previous exposure to the virus.

Trump and Pence maintain busy public schedules. The vice president, who has led the coronavirus task force, flew to Iowa on Friday to meet with faith leaders about holding "responsible" gatherings and to discuss the food supply at Midwestern grocery chain Hy-Vee Inc's headquarters.

According to a senior administration official cited in the media pool report, news of the positive test for Pence's aide prompted staff to deplane Air Force 2 on Friday morning and briefly delayed the takeoff.

"Out of abundance of caution we went back and looked into all the person's contacts most recently," the official said, adding that six individuals who may have been in contact with the infected aide were removed from the flight and later tested negative. Two of the individuals were members of Pence's press office, according to a pool report.

Trump on Friday attended a public event at the World War Two memorial with elderly veterans where neither Trump, first lady Melania Trump, the veterans nor military officials seen at the ceremony wore masks.

Trump later met face-to-face with Republican members of Congress at the White House where no face masks appeared to be worn.

DICTATORS, KINGS, AND QUEENS

Protective facial coverings have been a hard sell for Trump and Pence despite a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control that people wear masks or alternatives.

Both Trump and Pence have drawn fire for not donning masks, with critics arguing they are setting a bad example for Americans.

Trump himself has said he would not wear a mask and has not publicly worn one to any of his events amid the pandemic, but told reporters this week he tried some on behind the scenes during his visit to a Honeywell face mask factory in Arizona.

The virus, which first surfaced in Wuhan, China late last year, has infected more than a million Americans and driven millions into unemployment due to lockdown measures to curb a rise in infections.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-05-08 15:01:33Z
52780773373856

Sabtu, 09 Mei 2020

Jumat, 08 Mei 2020

DICTATORS, KINGS, AND QUEENS

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