15 NEWS SUMMARY (ASSIGNMENT 4)

BY FARHIRA FARUDIN

1. Penjana to revive economy by focusing on three components (5 June)

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a new economic plan called The Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) that will focus on three main components which to empower the people, propel businesses and to stimulate the economy. The theme of the economic plan is “Building the economy together” with RM35 billion is allocated to Penjana where RM10 billion will be in the form of direct fiscal injection from the government.

2. COVID-19: 517 more cases in Singapore, tally at 36,922 (4 June)

Singapore has reached a total of 36,922 COVID-19 cases, with 517 new cases recorded on June 4. The Ministry of Health of Singapore said most of the cases involved migrant workers residing in dormitories. As of June 3, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country are classified 1,696 as community cases, 580 as imported cases and 34,129 as foreign workers residing in dorms. 23,582 patients or 65 percent of the cases have fully recovered.

3. Mass George Floyd protests rock US for eighth day (3 June)

Americans continued to protest against police brutality and racial injustice for the eighth day, even after state government has announced curfews from 7pm until 6am. All 50 states are reported to organize mass protests that first begun with the death of George Floyd on May 25. Thousands of people joined the protests, chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice, No Peace.” In an update following Floyd’s death, the office who murdered him Derek Chauvin had been arrested and charged for third-degree murder while three other officers were fired and arrested too. 

4. Rohingya man who fled quarantine centre rearrested (2 June)

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his press conference today said a Rohingya man who escaped quarantine centre had been rearrested. The man who was identified as Rohim Mohd Zokoria was found missing by an officer at 11 am on Sunday. He was initially arrested during a roadblock in Muallim, Perak.

5. #DrunkDriversKill: Netizens pour out anger, sadness and disappointment (1 June)

Malaysians on social media have been expressing their anger and sadness towards drunk drivers, where accidents involving drivers drinking under the influence of alcohol have spiked up. The hashtag #PemanduMabukMembunuh (#DrunkDriversKill) has been trending for several days, with people demanding justice for the victims and for the government to amend stricter punishments to the drivers.

6. Ops Mabuk: 979 individuals arrested last year - KL Police chief (31 May)

Operation against driving under influence called ‘Ops Mabuk’ has successfully arrested a total of 979 individuals in 2019, said Kuala Lumpur police Chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim. He also said some of them had been charged in court while the remaining individuals are still under investigation. Between January until May this year, 455 people had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Mazlan also said that the trend of drunk driving would usually occur after midnight.

7. 2,861 Indonesian PATI will be sent home from June 6 - Ismail Sabri (30 May)

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob together with the Indonesian Embassy with the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and the Foreign Ministry made the decision to send 2,861 Indonesian PATIs beginning June 6. Ismail Sabri also said all of them will undergo the COVID-19 Antigen RTK screening which will be supervised by representatives of the Indonesian Embassy. The first batch includes 450 PATIs will be deported on June 6 to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya. The last batch will be deported on June 22.

8. Dr Mahathir, four others not sacked, but had membership nullified - Bersatu Sec-Gen (29 May)

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin addressed in a statement said Tun Dr Mahathir and other four members of Bersatu were not sacked from the party, but only had their membership nullified. Dr Mahathir along with Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, supreme council member Dr Maszlee Malik, Armada (Youth) chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah had their membership automatically ceased after they sat at the opposition bloc on the Parliamentary sitting on May 18.

9. Let others drive the hearse, says father of drowning victims (28 May)

Mohd Ismail, 64, said he would not drive the hearse for his three sons who drowned in Sungai Terengganu. The three brothers were drowned when they went for swimming during the Raya week. Ismail said he had never expected to face such a big loss but he is grateful to Allah for easing the rescue operation. Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department director Md Hilman Abd Rashid said the incident is Terengganu’s 13^th of this year, and most cases happened due to the victims not being familiar with the local environment.

 10. Global coronavirus death toll exceeds 350,000 mark (27 May)

The global death toll caused by COVID-19 has passed the 350,000 mark. A data compiled by John Hopkins University recorded that there are over 350,423 deaths worldwide while 2.28 million people have recovered. There has been 5.58 million confirmed cases recorded globally, with 1.68 million cases from US alone. This makes US as the country with the most infections. The virus has now spread to 188 countries and regions.

11. Alleged drunken driver who caused man's death remanded for four days (26 May)

Police has remanded an alleged motorcyclist who went against the traffic flow and caused the death of Irwan Herman Kamarudin, 41 in Kuantan. Irwan suffered chest and head injuries and died at the scene. The suspect will be investigated under investigation under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and fine of up to RM20,000, upon conviction. The remand was issued by Magistrate Najwa Hashim.

12. Malaysian mission in S'pore ready to assist woman bus driver return home (25 May)

Malaysian woman bus driver who went viral recently after a clip of her grieving her husband’s death while she was working in Singapore will be assisted by The Malaysian High Commission. Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Radzi Jamaluddin said they are ready to assist any Malaysian in Singapore who have to return home due to emergencies. Those who would like to return to Malaysia by land are required to obtain an entry permit from the High Commission of Malaysia at least two days before their departure date. This has been issued since April 27.

13. Covid-19 lockdowns stifle Eid celebrations worldwide (24 May)

Muslims worldwide had to face the reality of celebrating a sombre Eid this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Many countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Syria, have banned mass gatherings including Eid prayers to prevent the virus from getting worse. The authorities at the Holy Mecca said the Eid prayers will be conducted at Mecca and Madinah without the worshippers. The festive would usually be celebrated massively, with Muslims all over the world taking the opportunity to spend time with families and friends.

14. Postman pays price for making illegal online collections (23 May)

The 22-year-old postman, who went viral after he was found crying after finding out there will be no bonus given by Poslaju this year, was arrested after authorities find out he had been making illegal online collections. After the post on Facebook went viral, he had received over RM5000 in donations by the public and he had used some of the money for personal reasons. Police has arrested two other complicit in the case.

15. Tragic end to woman bullied online for ‘dating’ foreigner (22 May)

A 20-year-old woman in Penang committed suicide after being a victim of cyberbullying on Facebook. Thivyaanayagi Rajendran in a suicide note said that the reason of it was due to the harassment she received online for being in a relationship with her Bangladeshi co-worker at 7-Eleven. The victim’s family said they have reported to the police to take down the bullies’ post and comments about her but it was too late. The post received over 300 comments, with the bully even requesting the victim to record an apology video. The victim is said to be having her wedding with her boyfriend this December.