HOT AND BREAKING NEWS! China coronavirus: Total cases so far (updated daily)

PETALING JAYA: The World Health Organization (WHO) was first alerted on Dec 31, 2019, to the presence of several pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China, which did not match any other known virus.

A week later, Chinese authorities confirmed that they had identified a new virus.

The new virus was temporarily named “2019-nCoV.”

"The new virus is a coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that include the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS," the WHO said on its website.

Since then, the virus has spread to more than 10 countries.

The following maps show the countries where the virus has spread, based on information from WHO and an online dashboard created by the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering which tracks the worldwide spread of the outbreak. The Star will constantly update this information, so bookmark this page.

Tap on each affected country for more info about the cases there:

A Flourish data visualisation

A Flourish data visualisation

A Flourish data visualisation

The following visualisation shows the spread of the virus and lists the number of cases reported so far:

A Flourish data visualisation

The following is a video by the WHO which explains what the virus and how we can protect ourselves:

source : thestar

HOT! Tension rises as rivals in PKR face off

Tension rises as rivals in PKR face off

Crowd control: Police personnel checking on the situation at the PKR headquarters in Merchant Square, Petaling Jaya.

PUTRAJAYA: Rival groups embroiled over the show-cause letter issued to PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin continue to face off over the issue, reflective of the bitter rivalry between the party president and his deputy

At the PKR headquarters yesterday morning, tension again surfaced as both groups turned up, one in support of Zuraida, the other calling for her to be sacked.

Both groups were there as it was D-Day to submit her reply to PKR over a show-cause letter issued by the disciplinary committee for criticising party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a dinner function on Dec 8

The groups braved the pouring rain while holding up banners and shouting slogans.

The situation was tense as Zuraida’s political secretary Hizwan Ahmad entered the headquarters to hand over her reply to the show-cause letter on her behalf.

The Housing and Local Government Minister was at a Cabinet meeting.

“Jan 29 was the last day to reply and Zuraida answered the three issues addressed to her in the show-cause letter as well as the sub-questions.

“Her defence was the truth and as the chosen vice-president, she decided to reply the letter. The truth hurts.

“The disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Kassim was not present and I handed it to three other staff members.

“We have answered all allegations and I pointed out that the show-cause letter was “cacat” (not proper), ” said Hizwan.

Police kept watch over both groups until the crowd dispersed peacefully around 1.45pm.

On Jan 18, Zuraida was issued with a show-cause letter and was given 14 days to respond.

The two rival groups had also confronted each other on that day when both turned up at the party headquarters as the central leadership council (MPP) was meeting.

The two groups traded barbs and things got tensed when a minor scuffle happened.

In the show-cause letter, Zuraida was asked to respond to a list of issues including the content of a speech at a PKR gathering at Renaissance Hotel on Dec 8.

In her speech at the “Shared Prosperity Vision” dinner, Zuraida claimed that Anwar had tried to convince her that it was deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in the sex video that went viral in June 2019.

The dinner was organised by Azmin shortly after those aligned to his faction boycotted the final day of the party’s national congress in Melaka.

The party has in recent months been split into two factions, one supporting Anwar and the other supporting Azmin.

Zuraida has openly sided with Azmin.

Anwar, in a press statement yesterday, told pro- and anti-Zuraida groups to disperse or face disciplinary action.

Anwar said the actions of either group at any location would not influence the disciplinary board which should come up with their decision independently.

“The board will be asked to monitor the actions of party members who go against orders, ” Anwar said in his statement.

source : thestar

kzso - pkr cracking and splitting due to someone who is obsessed for power and post!

SRC trial: Najib says Apandi did nothing wrong in absolving him of 1MDB, SRC wrongdoings

SRC trial: Najib says Apandi 

did nothing wrong in absolving 

him of 1MDB, SRC wrongdoings

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is pictured at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on January 23, 2020. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak today said former attorney general (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali did nothing wrong in absolving him of all wrongdoings related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its former subsidiary unit SRC International Sdn Bhd back in January 2016.

The former prime minister is charged with siphoning RM42 million from SRC International and was testifying in his own defence under cross-examination from ad hoc prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram at the High Court today.

At a press conference in January 2016, Mohamed Apandi had said the RM2.6 billion ($681 million) Arab donations and RM42 million transferred into Najib’s personal bank accounts was a gift from the Saudi royal family and there were no criminal offences or corruption involved.

Mohamed Apandi also said no charges will be brought against Najib based on the investigations carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) then.

Sithambaram: I am putting it to you that you have, despite the statement by then AG, you have abused your position as prime minister, finance minister by taking part in the decision of the government to provide the two government guarantees to SRC International in the Cabinet decision.

Najib: I disagree, totally.

Sithambaram: I am also putting it to you that from the bank statements and all the evidence, there is clear evidence RM42 million from SRC International had gone into your accounts with your knowledge.

Najib: I disagree.

Sithambaram: I am putting it to you that evidence shown in this trial so far shows the decision of the then AG is clearly wrong.

Najib: I disagree.

The RM42 million SRC International fund transfers into Najib’s bank accounts were first disclosed by the US daily Wall Street Journal and whistleblower website Sarawak Report in July 2015 based on leaked documents from Malaysian investigators.

Almost a month later, Mohamed Apandi’s predecessor Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail who had been heading a multi-agency special task force investigating the 1MDB scandal, was removed abruptly on health reasons.

Najib also sacked his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and another Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal from the Cabinet for the duo’s public criticism over the 1MDB scandal.

When asked by Sithambaram whether Najib planned to call up Mohamed Apandi as a defence witness to corroborate the latter’s statement which had been tendered as evidence, Najib said the matter was still being considered.

Najib has been called to enter his defence to answer seven charges related to SRC International.

Three are for criminal breach of trust over a total RM42 million of SRC International funds while entrusted with its control as the prime minister and finance minister then, three more are for laundering the RM42 million, and the last is for abusing the same positions for self-gratification of the same sum.

source : themalaymail

Zuraida: I stand by what I said

click here : vc

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/20/zuraida-i-stand-by-what-i-said

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin is adamant about sticking to what she said at last month’s gathering in Renaissance Hotel here despite the show-cause letter issued to her by the party, saying that it is the “truth”.

Confirming that she has received a show-cause letter dated Jan 15, the Ampang MP, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister, believes the party disciplinary board will make a fair judgement without undue influence from the leadership.

“I stick by what I said at the Renaissance Hotel (last month) because that is the truth, ” she said without divulging the content of the show-cause letter.

“InsyaAllah, I will provide the answers, ” she said, adding that she was given 14 days to respond to the show-cause letter.

On calls made by 10 state PKR chiefs demanding her sacking, Zuraida insinuated that they were not in a position to make such a call.

“They are not my standard, ” she said after distributing mandarin oranges at two markets in Ampang in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebration.

On Dec 8, speaking at the “Shared Prosperity Vision” dinner, Zuraida claimed PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tried to convince her that it was his deputy Datuk Seri Azmin Ali in the sex video that had gone viral in June.

Though she declined to disclose the letter’s content, Zuraida, a staunch supporter of Azmin, did say her speech at the event was mentioned in the letter, when contacted for her comment on Saturday.

The dinner was organised by Azmin after those aligned to his faction did not turn up on the final day of the party’s national congress in Melaka.

Yesterday, at another function, PKR advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she would leave it to the party’s disciplinary committee to act on Zuraida’s case.

“We will leave it to the disciplinary committee to scrutinise and take the necessary action. I am leaving it to them because they have to be independent, ” she said after distributing mandarin oranges in Pandan Jaya here.

source : thestar

Zuraida: I stick with what I said

KUALA LUMPUR: Embattled PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic) hopes the party disciplinary board would make a just decision without undue influence from the leadership.

Confirming she had received a show-cause letter dated Jan 15, Zuraida believed the board would make a fair judgement without external influence.

"I stick by what I said at the Renaissance Hotel (last month) because that is the truth," she said without divulging the content of the show-cause letter.

She was responding to PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's announcement on Saturday (Jan 17) that they have issued a show-cause letter to Zuraida.

"InsyaAllah, I will provide the answers," she said, adding she was given 14 days to respond.

The letter, she added, had a list of issues she was asked to answer to.

She said while the content of a speech during a PKR gathering at the Renaissance Hotel on Dec 8 was mentioned in the letter, her attendance at the party central leadership council meetings was not among the three issues.

“Whatever I said during the PKR gathering at the Renaissance Hotel was nothing but the truth. I have also said it internally to (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), ” said Zuraida.

Anwar is the party president.

She had claimed during her speech at the “Shared Prosperity Vision” dinner on Dec 8 that Anwar tried to convince her that it was PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in the sex video that went viral in June.

The dinner was organised by Azmin shortly after those aligned to Azmin's faction boycotted the final day of the party's national congress in Melaka.

Anwar and Azmin were at that time openly locked in conflict, with Zuraida aligned to Azmin's faction.

On calls made by ten state PKR chiefs demanding her sacking, Zuraida insinuated that they were not in a position to make such a call.

"They are not my standard," she said after distributing mandarin oranges at two markets in Ampang in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

She said this in response to calls made by several "appointed" state chiefs that Zuraida should be booted out of the party for allegedly tarnishing the party's image.

source : thestar

Factional rivalry flares up as Haniza hits back at state PKR chiefs

Haniza Talha.

KUALA LUMPUR: Factional rivalry within PKR following the show-cause letter issued to vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin continues to tear at party unity.

Wanita PKR chief Haniza Talha (pic) hit out at state chiefs who demanded the sacking of Zuraida, who was democratically elected by securing the second-highest number of votes in the race for the three vice-president posts.

Haniza had said those making the loudest noise were among the biggest losers in the party election last year.

She pointed out that Datuk Johari Abdul had lost in a three-cornered fight in the battle for the Sungai Petani division chief post, but was appointed the Kedah PKR chief.

"Johari also lost in the vice-presidential race, securing only 9.9% of 500,000 votes," she said.

"Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador failed to secure a central leadership council (MPP) post, falling badly to the 69th position," said Haniza, adding that he only won the Kuala Kangsar division post by 266 votes.

Others she mentioned were Fuziah Salleh, who was appointed the Pahang chief despite not contesting any division post and losing the race for the Wanita chief post; as well as Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who lost the division election and failed to secure an MPP post but was appointed as Johor chief.

"Zuraida won the vice-presidential election with strong support from the grassroots, securing the second-highest number of votes," she said.

Johari had called for Zuraida to be sacked at the PKR central leadership council meeting, saying that there were too many voices from the grassroots calling for her dismissal over her criticism of party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"The PKR divisions and branches also asked that Zuraida be sacked. We ask the disciplinary committee to consider sacking her based on the demands by the grassroots," he had said along with nine other PKR state chiefs.

Zuraida landed in hot water after making a speech during a PKR gathering at the Renaissance Hotel on Dec 8.

During the dinner themed "Shared Prosperity Vision", Zuraida had alleged that Anwar tried to convince her that it was PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in the sex video that went viral in June.

The dinner was organised by Azmin shortly after those aligned to Azmin's faction boycotted the final day of the party's national congress in Melaka.

Anwar and Azmin were at that time openly locked in conflict, with Zuraida and Haniza aligned to Azmin's faction.

source : thestar

AGC closes sexual harassment complaint against Anwar over lack of evidence

AGC closes sexual harassment complaint against 

Anwar over lack of evidence

BY KENNETH TEE

Anwar has always denied the allegations, pointing out that he had been campaigning for the Port Dickson by-election at the time of the alleged incident. — Picture by Hari Anggara

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) announced today that it will not pursue charges over Muhammed Yusoff Rawther’s claim that PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim harassed him.

Solicitor General Datuk Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had conducted a thorough investigation to ascertain whether there was any offence under the Penal Code after it received two rival reports by Muhammed Yusoff and Anwar’s aide.

“Upon careful evaluation of all the evidence gathered in the Investigation Papers (IP) submitted by the PDRM, we found contradictions of material facts which could not support the prosecution of any person under Section 354 of the Penal Code, or for that matter under any other section of the Code.

“We also found there is insufficient evidence to prosecute on the reports lodged based on the evidence available in the investigation papers.

“In the circumstances, we agree with the recommendation of the PDRM that the case be closed. Consistent with the standard practice, investigations may be reopened if and when new evidence becomes available,” Engku Nor Faizah said in a statement here.

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther arrives at Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur December 17, 2019. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

The SG’s statement did not specifically name either Muhammed Yusoff or Anwar.

Engku Nor Faizah also explained that Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas had recused himself from all deliberations regarding this case due to the latter’s association with Anwar since the mid-1990s.

“This is consistent with the statement in the joint press release dated August 2, 2018 by me and the then solicitor general II in relation to the role of the attorney general on matters in which he may be previously involved.

“Thus, a team of deputy public prosecutors under my supervision were entrusted to evaluate the evidence and to make any decision thereon,” he said.

Muhammed Yusoff, who was previously linked to PKR, made a statutory declaration last year accusing Anwar of making unsolicited sexual advances at his residence in Segambut last year.

Anwar denied this and pointed out that he had been campaigning for the Port Dickson by-election at the time of the alleged incident.

source : malaymail

AG can proceed committal proceedings against Lokman Adam

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam (pic) on Tuesday (Jan 14) failed in his bid to set aside the leave obtained by Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas to initiate committal proceedings against him for allegedly intimidating a witness in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case.

The witness is Najib’s former special officer, Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, who is one of the key witnesses in the case.

High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed Lokman's application to set aside the leave after the court was satisfied that the fact and the nature of the alleged contempt were sufficiently brought to the attention of the respondent (Lokman).

"In fact, the act was consistence with the video interview and the lodging of the police report against the eighth prosecution witness (Amhari),” he said.

The judge also held the Notice to Show Cause pertaining to committal proceedings may be issued by other parties to the person for alleged contempt, other than the court.

"Therefore, the court dismisses the respondent's application to set aside the leave,” he said.

During previous proceedings, Lokman's counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah submitted that the Notice to Show Cause was issued by Legal and Prosecution Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters to his client.

However, he said the body has no power nor jurisdiction to do so and only the court has the power and jurisdiction to issue the notice and to call for the respondent to provide an explanation on the alleged contemptuous action.

Justice Sequerah set March 13 to hear the committal proceedings and Feb 21 has been fixed for case management.

The judge also dismissed Muhammad Shafee's request to stay the proceedings pending an appeal against the decision to the Court of Appeal.

Muhammad Shafee told the court that he would file a certificate of urgency for the Court of Appeal to hear the appeal expeditiously.

On Oct 22, last year, Justice Sequerah granted leave for the AG to initiate committal proceedings against Lokman for contempt of court acts perpetrated on two occasions on Sept 25, last year.

In the application, the AG sought an order for Lokman to be committed to prison or be fined for his actions.

The AG said that on that date (Sept 25) the respondent (Lokman) in a video interview uttered words constituting an express or implied threat against Amhari, who was the special officer to Najib, for having given evidence against the accused in the criminal trial of public prosecutor against the former prime minister at the High Court.

The AG said he would play the said video recording at the hearing of the application for leave and at the hearing of the substantive motion in the event leave is granted.

He said on the same day, Lokman lodged the police report against Amhari in respect of the evidence given by him at Najib’s ongoing criminal trial.

The object or purpose of the respondent's said actions was to harass and intimidate Amhari, other witnesses and any potential witnesses who may come forward to give evidence against the accused in the trial, said the AG.- Bernama

source : thestar

Dr M: If PH presidential council wants me to go, I'll go now

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is ready to give up his post as head of government at any moment the Pakatan Harapan presidential council demands it.

"I think this will be decided by all four parties together, whether they want me to go or not to go.

"As far as I'm concerned, if they want me to go, I'll go now," Dr Mahathir told reporters after speaking at Bank Rakyat's Integrity Forum 2020 here on Tuesday (Jan 14).

Dr Mahathir said this in response to several PKR MPs proposing that he hand over the prime minister post to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in May this year.

Previously, Dr Mahathir had said that he will pass the baton to Anwar, but not before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) which Malaysia will host in November this year.

The succession plan was agreed to by Pakatan before the 14th General Election in May 2018, which saw Pakatan becoming the governing coalition in Malaysia.

On whether he has decided on the new Education Minister or on the reshuffling of the Cabinet, Dr Mahathir said that a decision has yet to be made on both matters.

"I have not decided yet; I just became the acting minister of education for a short while.

"Reshuffling is not an easy task, because it's not only has to be accepted by me, but also the four parties in the coalition," he said.

source : thestar

Dr Mahathir sedia lepas jawatan PM serta-merta

NURHIDAYAH HAIROM 

Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ketika sesi dialog semasa hadir pada Forum Integriti Bank Rakyat 2020 hari ini. -fotoBERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR - Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menyatakan kesediaan untuk melepaskan jawatannya serta-merta jika diminta berbuat demikian oleh Majlis Presiden Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Beliau berkata, perkara itu perlu diputuskan secara bersama dengan kesemua parti dalam PH.

"Saya fikir ini akan diputuskan oleh empat parti (PH) bersama. Sama ada mereka mahu saya pergi atau tidak pergi.

"Jika mereka mahu saya berundur sekarang, saya akan berundur," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas melancarkan Forum Integriti Bank Rakyat 2020 di sini hari ini.

Dr Mahathir berkata demikian sebagai mengulas desakan beberapa Ahli Parlimen Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) yang mahu beliau menyerahkan jawatan perdana menteri kepada Presiden PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada Mei tahun ini.

Tempoh serahan itu dicadangkan bagi membolehkan Anwar mendapat tempoh yang cukup untuk melaksanakan sebarang perubahan setelah menjadi perdana menteri.

Perkara itu dibangkitkan melalui satu forum bertajuk "Haruskah Malaysia tunggu sehingga November untuk peralihan kuasa?" di Bangsar semalam.

Sebelum ini, Dr Mahathir berkata, beliau akan menghormati janjinya untuk menyerahkan jawatan kepada Anwar selepas Malaysia menjadi tuan rumah Sidang Kemuncak Kerjasama Ekonomi Asia-Pasifik (APEC) yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada November ini.

source: sinarharian

Habis Lokman Adam dilondehkan Raggie