Nostalgia over Jiang Zemin's legacy a 'barbed critic' of China under Xi Jinping: Observers - CNA

Jiang, who died at the age of 96 on Nov 30, came to power in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square incident and led the world's most populous nation into the new millennium, towards its emergence as a global powerhouse.

ENDURING LEGACY

The former Chinese leader is “ironically” remembered “by contrast with the recent period” under President Xi, said Dr John Delury, professor of Chinese Studies at the Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies.

“It actually seemed like a much looser, less restrictive and a much more open China in the Jiang period,” said Dr Delury, referring to the period from the 1990s to the early 2000s.

He called the period “a peak of contemporary China really embracing the world”, with its joining of the World Trade Organisation, and winning the hosting rights to global sporting events like the Olympics.

“I think there's a broader sort of cultural moment,” said Dr Delury. “It's a period of Chinese history where maybe, under the party leadership, there's the most momentum in terms of China joining the world.”

Jiang had also continued his predecessor Deng Xiaoping’s plan of opening China up to the world, bringing in unprecedented levels of foreign direct investment, said Associate Professor John Donaldson from the Singapore Management University’s School of Social Sciences.

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2022-12-06 11:41:00Z
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Don't challenge me: Malaysia PM Anwar tells Muhyiddin over alleged government contract breaches - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned his predecessor, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin, against challenging him to reveal alleged procedural breaches in the awarding of government contracts while the latter was in office.

He was responding to remarks by Mr Muhyiddin, who stated on Monday (Dec 5) that he was not afraid to be investigated after police reports were lodged against him for allegedly embezzling government funds of RM600 billion (USD137 billion) meant for managing the COVID-19 pandemic during his tenure as prime minister. 

Mr Anwar was quoted by Malay Mail as saying on Tuesday: “I want to remind Muhyiddin not to challenge (me) because it is evident there are processes and procedures that were not followed.”

He stated that there were “tens of billions” of ringgit allocated by Mr Muhyiddin’s government that had violated existing rules and procedures. There were even companies with vested interests involving familial links, the new prime minister added. 

Mr Anwar, however, did not elaborate on the companies and the nature of the business they were involved in. 

He was quoted as saying by the Star: "They are not (clean), as it was found that there were approvals done without following the regulations.

"This includes approvals made during the movement control order." 

The movement control order (MCO) was implemented under Mr Muhyiddin’s administration to manage the spread of COVID-19. It included lockdowns and restrictions on social gatherings, among others. 

On Monday, Mr Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said he was informed by his ministry that there had been several procedural breaches during the PN administration, according to Malay Mail. 

This came after the allegations of misappropriation of RM600 billion in funds by Mr Muhyiddin’s administration for COVID-19 funds.

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2022-12-06 09:43:00Z
1678853293

All factors considered before appointing Zahid as DPM, says Anwar - The Star Online

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1. All factors considered before appointing Zahid as DPM, says Anwar  The Star Online
2. Quit whining and be an effective opposition: Zahid tells Muhyiddin  The Straits Times
3. COMMENT | Anwar's cabinet of necessity  Malaysiakini
4. COMMENT | Anwar's cabinet starting on the wrong foot?  Malaysiakini
5. Anwar chairs special Cabinet meeting  The Star Online
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-12-05 11:22:00Z
1672887882

Ministers all set for PM's new rules - New Straits Times

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Ministers all set for PM's new rules  New Straits Times
2. Quit whining and be an effective opposition: Zahid tells Muhyiddin  The Straits Times
3. Malaysia to review plans for 5G network - PM Anwar  Reuters
4. COMMENT | Anwar's cabinet of necessity  Malaysiakini
5. COMMENT | Anwar's cabinet starting on the wrong foot?  Malaysiakini
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-12-04 23:01:04Z
1672887882

Chinese cities ease curbs but full zero-COVID exit seen some way off - CNA

BEIJING: More Chinese cities including Urumqi in the far west announced easing of coronavirus curbs on Sunday (Dec 4), as China tries to make its zero-COVID policy more targeted and less onerous after unprecedented protests against restrictions last weekend.

Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region and where the protests first erupted, will reopen malls, markets, restaurants and other venues from Monday, authorities said, ending strict lockdowns after months.

There was no sign of any significant unrest this weekend, although police were out in force in the Liangmaqiao area of Beijing and in Shanghai around Wulumuqi Road, which is named after Urumqi. Both sites saw protests a week ago.

A deadly fire last month in Urumqi sparked dozens of protests against COVID-19 curbs in over 20 cities after some social media users said victims had been unable to escape the blaze because their apartment building was locked down. Authorities denied that.

The protests were an unprecedented show of civil disobedience in mainland China since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012.

In the days since, numerous cities have announced the easing of lockdowns, testing requirements, and quarantine rules.

Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who oversees COVID-19 efforts, said last week the ability of the virus to cause disease was weakening - a change in messaging that aligns with what many health authorities around the world have said for more than a year.

China is set to further announce a nationwide easing of testing requirements as well as allowing positive cases and close contacts to isolate at home under certain conditions, people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.

RULES LIFTED

For the time being, steps to ease restrictions have varied across the country.

From Monday, people in Shanghai will no longer have to show a negative COVID-19 test to take public transport and visit parks, authorities announced on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, the city of Nanning, capital of the southern region of Guangxi, cancelled a requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to take the subway.

On Saturday in Beijing, authorities said the purchase of fever, cough and sore throat medicines no longer required registration. The restriction had been imposed because authorities believed people were using the medication to hide COVID-19 infections.

Authorities in various districts in the capital have in recent days announced that people who test positive for the virus can quarantine at home.

Some inconsistencies as the restrictions are eased have angered people, including a requirement in some places for a negative COVID-19 test even though mass testing centres were closing.

In Beijing and Wuhan city, where the virus first emerged in late 2019, that caused lengthy queues at the few remaining testing booths.

"Are they stupid or just plain mean?" one social media user asked. "We shouldn't shut down COVID-19 testing stations until we get rid of the COVID-19 test pass."

New daily case numbers dropped nationwide to 31,824, authorities said on Sunday, which may be due in part to fewer people being tested. Authorities also reported two new COVID-19 deaths.

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2022-12-04 08:09:28Z
1679366256

Indonesia raises volcano warning to highest after Semeru erupts, evacuates 90 people - CNA

The plume from the volcano reached a height of 15km, said Japan's Meteorology Agency.

The weather agency had earlier warned that a tsunami was possible in the southern islands of Miyako and Yaeyama in Okinawa prefecture.

But according to public broadcaster NHK, the agency had updated and said there was no tsunami impact from the eruption of Semeru volcano.

ONE YEAR AFTER LAST ERUPTION

Around the same time last year, the eruption of Semeru, Java's tallest mountain, killed more than 50 people and left several missing, while thousands were displaced.

Some residents nearby have evacuated independently to safer buildings like mosques and schools, according to a statement from the regional government of Lumajang, where Semeru is located.

"Most of the roads have been closed since this morning. Now its raining volcanic ash and it has covered the view of the mountain," Bayu Deny Alfianto, a local volunteer told Reuters by phone.

Small eruptions were continuing and it was raining in the area, he said.

The volcano began erupting at 2.46am local time, BNPB, said in a statement.

With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the largest population globally living in close range to a volcano, including 8.6 million within 10km.

The deadly late-November quake that hit West Java's Cianjur was a shallow temblor of 5.6 magnitude. A much deeper quake on Saturday in Gurat of 6.1 magnitude sent people running from buildings but did not cause major damage. 

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2022-12-04 09:02:58Z
1684294385

Chinese cities announce further easing of COVID-19 curbs - CNA

BEIJING: More Chinese cities including Urumqi in the far west announced easing of coronavirus curbs on Sunday (Dec 4), as China tries to make its zero-COVID policy more targeted and less onerous after unprecedented protests against restrictions last weekend.

Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region and where the protests first erupted, will reopen malls, markets, restaurants and other venues from Monday, authorities said, ending strict lockdowns after months.

There was no sign of any significant unrest this weekend, although police were out in force in the Liangmaqiao area of Beijing and in Shanghai around Wulumuqi Road, which is named after Urumqi. Both sites saw protests a week ago.

A deadly fire last month in Urumqi sparked dozens of protests against COVID-19 curbs in over 20 cities after some social media users said victims had been unable to escape the blaze because their apartment building was locked down. Authorities denied that.

The protests were an unprecedented show of civil disobedience in mainland China since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012.

In the days since, numerous cities have announced the easing of lockdowns, testing requirements, and quarantine rules.

Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who oversees COVID-19 efforts, said last week the ability of the virus to cause disease was weakening - a change in messaging that aligns with what many health authorities around the world have said for more than a year.

China is set to further announce a nationwide easing of testing requirements as well as allowing positive cases and close contacts to isolate at home under certain conditions, people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.

RULES LIFTED

For the time being, steps to ease restrictions have varied across the country.

From Monday, people in Shanghai will no longer have to show a negative COVID-19 test to take public transport and visit parks, authorities announced on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, the city of Nanning, capital of the southern region of Guangxi, cancelled a requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to take the subway.

On Saturday in Beijing, authorities said the purchase of fever, cough and sore throat medicines no longer required registration. The restriction had been imposed because authorities believed people were using the medication to hide COVID-19 infections.

Authorities in various districts in the capital have in recent days announced that people who test positive for the virus can quarantine at home.

Some inconsistencies as the restrictions are eased have angered people, including a requirement in some places for a negative COVID-19 test even though mass testing centres were closing.

In Beijing and Wuhan city, where the virus first emerged in late 2019, that caused lengthy queues at the few remaining testing booths.

"Are they stupid or just plain mean?" one social media user asked. "We shouldn't shut down COVID-19 testing stations until we get rid of the COVID-19 test pass."

New daily case numbers dropped nationwide to 31,824, authorities said on Sunday, which may be due in part to fewer people being tested. Authorities also reported two new COVID-19 deaths.

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2022-12-04 06:54:02Z
CBMiXGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9jaGluYS1jaXRpZXMtdXJ1bXFpLWJlaWppbmctY292aWQtMTktY3VyYnMtZWFzZS0zMTIwOTkx0gEA