Probe instigators in 'socks' issue, says LFL - New Straits Times

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1. Probe instigators in 'socks' issue, says LFL  New Straits Times
2. Designer says Allah artwork was used on socks without permission  Malaysiakini
3. Malaysia's Sock Scandal: The Sound of Silence | FULCRUM  fulcrum.sg
4. 5 to be charged on March 26 over 'disharmony' caused by KK Mart socks issue in Malaysia  The Straits Times
5. Umno's Akmal has lost the argument against academic, says Zaid  Free Malaysia Today

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2024-03-28 02:32:56Z
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2 men die of suspected food poisoning in Taipei after eating char kway teow - The Straits Times

All outlets of restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam in Taipei have been ordered to close. PHOTO: POLAM KOPITIAM

Two men died of suspected food poisoning after reportedly dining at a Malaysian vegetarian restaurant in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

All outlets of restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam were ordered to close during investigations into the deaths and hospitalisation of customers who had eaten at one of the outlets in the city, local media reported Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an as saying on March 27.

According to the Taipei Department of Health, eight people who dined at the restaurant in the Far Eastern Department Store in Xinyi District on March 19, 21 and 22 later fell sick with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, and sought medical help.

Among them, a 39-year-old man who ate at the restaurant on March 22 died two days later, while a 66-year-old man who ate there on March 19 died on March 27.

At least one of the eight is reported to be in the intensive care unit.

They are believed to have eaten char kway teow – a stir-fried noodle dish – among other dishes at the restaurant.

Local media reported that Taipei health officials were alerted on March 24 that it could be a case of food poisoning after one of the diners who fell ill was treated at a hospital.

Food samples were then collected from the restaurant for testing, and it was ordered to improve operations.

On March 26, the Taipei City government ordered the closure of the restaurant’s Xinyi District branch, and has since extended the order to the chain’s other outlets – which are all in the city.

According to Polam Kopitiam’s website, the Xinyi outlet’s lease is to expire on March 31, while preparations are under way for the opening of a new branch in Taipei’s East District. The restaurant chain also has outlets in the city’s Raohe Night Market and at Taipei Main Station.

Mr Chiang said that the Taipei health authorities carried out food sample testing at the restaurant, but have not found any bacteria commonly associated with food poisoning.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) director-general Wu Shou-mei said that Taipei city and TFDA officials had taken samples of food products – including cabbage, rice noodles and soya sauce – that usually have high risk of contamination on March 26, with the results expected in two weeks.

Although the restaurant passed a food safety inspection in 2022, Taipei health inspectors who visited the eatery after the suspected poisonings found several problems such as cockroach droppings on the premises, knives stored on the counter next to the sink, and a failure to provide employee health records, local media reported Ms Wu as saying.

The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office also said it seized surveillance footage and collected evidence at the restaurant’s premises on March 27 together with the police and the health authorities, and has assigned a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation, according to local media.

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• Food hygiene/safety
• Food and drink
• Taiwan

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2024-03-27 11:20:00Z
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As its 'last samurai' chief battles poor health, frontmen from factions in Malaysia's Islamist party PAS are touted as successor - CNA

KUALA TERENGGANU: Reports of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) president Abdul Hadi Awang’s continuing ill health have triggered speculation over a potential successor for the top position of Malaysia’s Islamist party. 

Two political rising stars from different factions of the party have emerged as main contenders to succeed the 76-year-old: one a religious legacy candidate, the other a progressive professional. 

The differences between Mr Abdul Hadi's son Dr Muhammad Khalil, and Dr Ahmad Samsuri, as well as their contrasting ideologies representative of the respective camps, have caught the attention of observers and raised questions over the future direction of the party, and whether any potential infighting could disrupt a smooth transition. 

Political analysts CNA spoke to believe that it could soon be time for PAS to consider succession. And as the party enjoys its strongest position yet, following a stellar performance in 2023 state elections and looks to attract new voter demographics, the stakes are high for whoever might step up to take the helm.

Associate Professor Yusri Ibrahim, chief researcher at think-tank Ilham Centre told CNA: “In the context of PAS with the concerns over health of the party president, it is perhaps time for the party to commence a leadership transition. 

“The snag is that in PAS currently it is unclear who has the most calibre to take over the leadership mantle,” he added. 

A CRITICAL POINT FOR SUCCESSION PLANNING

PAS is at a crucial juncture in its history. 

The party is arguably at the strongest point since it was founded in the 1950s. It currently holds the most seats in the federal legislature after a strong showing in the 2022 general election, more than Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as well as the country's historically dominant party the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). 

However, PAS and its ally party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition did not garner enough seats and support to form the government and are now in the opposition.

Researchers have predicted that PAS’ influence is expected to grow with the party strengthening its base in areas where Malay Muslims are the majority, while making inroads in urban areas, as seen during the 2023 state elections when it won 105 out of 127 seats it contested. 

Speculation over who might lead the party through this era of potential growth has been further fuelled by recent reports of the current chief’s continuing ill health. 

Two years ago, Mr Abdul Hadi was hospitalised at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for shortness of breath. 

More recently in July 2023, he was again warded in his home state Terengganu for an unspecified illness. At the time, his condition was of sufficient concern that Dr Muhammad Khalil released a statement asking for well-wishers to make prayers for his father's health.

Mr Hadi Awang was again hospitalised on New Year's Day for an unspecified illness at the National Heart Institute. He was reportedly discharged in February.  

When the newly installed Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar delivered his maiden speech in the lower house at the end of February, the PAS president’s seat at the front of the opposition bench was conspicuously empty. 

During the PN's elected lawmakers convention in Kuala Lumpur in early March, the current PAS chief was spotted in a wheelchair. Local media reported that the Marang Member of Parliament (MP) needed help to stand for certain segments of the programme, including a photo shoot.

POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR FROM PROFESSIONAL OR ULAMA FACTION? 

Mr Abdul Hadi's eldest son, Dr Muhammad Khalil, is a member of the party’s central committee, a former youth chief, and a potential successor to his father's position. 

Analysts noted that there is interest surrounding the 47-year-old given that he has been put forth by the party recently for important roles. 

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2024-03-27 22:00:00Z
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Malaysia Edition: Anwar pays the price for poaching rivals | Religion and red tape stymie entertainment tourism - The Straits Times

Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition helps you connect the dots on the biggest stories playing out in Malaysia every week. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox.

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In a bid to shore up support, Malaysia’s government this week watered down a controversial constitutional amendment that critics - including ruling lawmakers - had earlier warned would render thousands of abandoned children stateless. 

Just as it works to resolve this delicate issue, the temperature over socks printed with the word “Allah” has only risen.

Despite a slew of enforcement actions taken by authorities, including bringing legal charges against directors of both the convenience store chain and the socks supplier, as well as raids on several related shops (which found no offending socks), tensions have continued to simmer.

How these issues play out politically could be tested soon enough with the opposition Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s attempt to amend its constitution in hopes of triggering a by-election for the seats of defectors who pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

But whether these votes happen or not, analysts believe that the move to welcome these turncoats will now backfire on the premier and his government.

Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.

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Govt backs down after MPs and civil society condemn planned citizenship law changes

Critics said the original Bill would make stateless thousands of children born in Malaysia without clear citizenship.

READ MORE HERE

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Boycott calls and apologies amid uproar over socks with the word ‘Allah’

Apologies have been issued by KK Mart and the local vendor who supplied the socks.

READ MORE HERE

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PM Anwar wooed turncoats from rival party Bersatu – now he’s paying the price

The Malaysian PM’s government faces three possible outcomes, none likely to leave it politically unscathed.

READ MORE HERE

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Why Johor can be the Shenzhen of South-east Asia

The planned Johor-S’pore Special Economic Zone is promising, as long as policy changes are made, says the writer.

READ MORE HERE

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Malaysia school canteens usually shut for Ramadan, but Anwar’s govt pushes back against conservatives

Mr Anwar says Malaysians can do better than bickering over shutting canteens and bak kut teh as national dish.

READ MORE HERE

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Red tape and religion: Malaysia missing out on hundreds of millions from entertainment tourism

Over $285 million in potential revenue was lost from scrapped concerts in 2023, experts estimated.

READ MORE HERE

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2024-03-27 04:37:46Z
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Ostrich captured after escaping Korean zoo, dodging traffic for an hour - CNA

SEOUL: An ostrich that escaped from a zoo in the South Korean town of Seongnam has been captured, local authorities said on Tuesday (Mar 26), after it spent an hour dodging vehicles in heavy traffic, surprising many drivers.

Witnesses posted pictures and video of the male ostrich named Tadori on social media, after he broke free from a zoo named Bug City and found himself trotting speedily past and across traffic, a local policeman said.

Police and a local fire department captured the bird using a net at a car park about 2.6km from the zoo, located about half an hour south of Seoul.

The four-year-old ostrich was safe and returned to the zoo in stable condition, zoo owner Choi Yun-joo told Reuters.

"His only friend, a female ostrich Tasooni, passed away about a month ago. Guess that has been tough on Tadori," Choi said.

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2024-03-27 02:10:00Z
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CNA Correspondent Podcast: Megaproject in Thailand - A bridge too far? - CNA

A 90km route that cuts across the narrowest part of Thailand in the south could turn the country into a maritime transit hub. At least that’s the hope of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. But locals are worried about the environmental and security risks the megaproject could pose.

CNA’s Teresa Tang and Jack Board discuss what’s at stake. 

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2024-03-26 23:35:24Z
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Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision - CNA

It was not immediately clear if the Baltimore port operations were impacted due to the bridge collapse.

The port's private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any US port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.

The 2.6km-long, four-lane bridge spans the Patapsco River southwest of municipal Baltimore.

It opened in 1977 and carries more than 11 million vehicles a year, or about 31,000 a day.

It is a major part of the road network around Baltimore, an industrial city on the US East Coast next to the capital Washington.

The Maryland Transportation Authority told drivers to avoid the bridge, part of the I-695 interstate highway, which it called an "active scene".

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr both said they were aware of the incident and that rescue efforts were underway.

"Please pray for those impacted," Olszewski posted on X.

US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on social media that he was in contact with the mayor of Baltimore and the governor of Maryland, and had offered federal help.

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2024-03-26 08:10:00Z
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