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Authorities Began To Investigate AirAsia Flight Delays

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An interesting post on Penang.

Several government agencies have launched an investigation regarding delays that were experienced by AirAsia passengers as of late. Among them is the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, as revealed by its minister, Alexander Nanti Linggi through his social media channels yesterday.

The revelation was accompanied by screenshots of complaints from several customers including former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Wilfred Madius Tangau. Interesting enough, one of the screenshots also includes a post by Twitter user folkloreswifty who observed the airline’s usage of the word “rescheduled” as opposed to “delayed”:

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It is not known how true is the claim but surely, the tweet has garnered massive attention as it has since been retweeted by almost 5,000 other Twitter users at the time this article goes live. Meanwhile, Alexander has also revealed that his ministry is working together with the Ministry of Transportation to look into the matter.

He also noted that the authorities have noticed the complaints from AirAsia customers since late last month. While he said both ministries will work together to sort out the issue, Alexander also said that consumers should submit an official complaint to the airline first before contacting the Malaysia Aviation Commission (MAVCOM).

Even though he is not wrong at all as it is indeed part of MAVCOM’s complaint SOP, the irony is still not lost on us because it is quite clear from those screenshots that passengers were quite appalled by all the delays that they have experienced. If we have to guess, they most likely want MAVCOM to just come in and put its authority into action.

MAVCOM FlySmart
MAVCOM has established a dedicated platform called FlySmart, complete with its own mobile app, to handle complaints related to the aviation industry.

As the statement didn’t include any reference to penalties or legal actions that AirAsia may face from the investigation, we do wonder if the latest move by KPDNHEP and MOT has an actual “bite” to it. Furthermore, AirAsia has yet to respond to the statement made by the minister even though it has been more than 18 hours since it was published, although we still like to believe that the statement didn’t simply fly over the airline.

(Source: Alexander Nanta Linggi – Facebook / Twitter.)

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Penang Housing Board to ramp up affordable housing projects this year

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A great post on Penang Malaysia.

Penang Housing Board to ramp up affordable housing projects this year

jagdeep-announced-affordable-teluk-kumbar

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo emphasised the importance of delivering affordable housing schemes to the community when he announced a new housing scheme in Lot 244, Mukim 9 Teluk Kumbar, Bayan Lepas on Saturday.

He said the state has managed to reach 130,087 of various types of housing units as of now, which is near to 60% of its 220,000 target units of affordable homes by 2030.

“We need to continue with the momentum to ramp up the affordable units for the sake of Penangites.

“We are now doing well in our effort to meet the targeted units as the state Housing Board is set to kick-start its own affordable housing projects this year.

“We hope that the positive results can be seen,” he told reporters in Bayan Lepas today.

The scheme, which will be developed on a 4.2-acre plot, will see 800 units of mixed development with the construction works expected to be carried out at the end of this year.

Meantime, Jagdeep expressed his hopes that the Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican could assist the state in building the People’s Housing Project (PPR).

Jagdeep reiterated that the state had identified five plots of land, measuring 72.3 acres for PPR development in each of the five districts in Penang.

“We are now awaiting directive from the Federal Government as we have done our part in identifying the land.

“The Federal Government had already stated that two PPR projects will take place in Penang, one on the island and one on the mainland,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

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The Check-Out Feature On MySejahtera: Here Is What You Need To Know

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A really good article on Penang.

MySejahtera has received a major update today that carries several interesting changes to the national COVID-19 app. One of them is the new interface for the app’s Check-in section which not only shown the visibility of users’ risk status but it also now displays their vaccination status as well.

Aside from that, the update v1.0.45 also marked the debut of the check-out feature on MySejahtera. According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who announced the update through a tweet yesterday, the new feature is meant to help improve the contact tracing process.

After using the newly updated app for iOS earlier today, we decided to craft this brief guide to share our experience. So, let’s dig in.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE CHECK-OUT FEATURE

Android

If you using Apple and Huawei devices, then the MySejahtera update v1.0.45 is already available for you.

For Apple users, just go to the App Store on your device, search for the MySejahtera listing, and press update. Similarly, Huawei users can obtain the update from AppGallery.

App Store
[L] MySejahtera’s iOS version history alongside the latest version release on Huawei AppGallery (top right) and Google Play (bottom right).

While this sounds rather odd, the update is somehow not yet available for Android. At the time this article goes live, the Android version of MySejahtera is currently two updates behind as the version listed on Google Play is still v1.0.42 which was released into the marketplace on 2 August 2021.

This means Android devices have not yet even received the new QR code format for the digital vaccination certificate which was implemented as part of the update v1.0.43 that was released on 20 August. The new format was designed to work with another app called Vaccine Certificate Verifier that we have discussed in detail through this report.

Apple
[L – R]: The digital vaccine certificate on MySejahtera v1.0.43/v1.0.45 and v1.0.42.

On a related note, it seems that MySejahtera’s development team decided to jump from v1.0.43 straight to v1.0.45. The reason is not known but it is not exactly a unique decision though as the team has also skipped v1.0.41, v1.0.36, v1.0.32, and much more previously.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK

Google

In its essence, the update v1.0.45 for MySejahtera did not bring any changes to the existing check-in process. Even though the home page of the app’s Check-in section looks slightly different now, the process is still the same: click the Check-in button on the splash page, scan the QR code, and the check-in success page would then appear.

However, pay closer attention to the check-in success page and you should notice the check-out button at the bottom of the page. Once you press that button, the check-out success page would then appear:

Health Minister

As you can see, the check-out success page has the same design as its check-in counterpart except for the “Out” label on the top part of the box. Alternatively, you can also check-out using the Last Check-in box on MySejahtera’s Check-in section which is also one of the new additions to the app that was delivered via update v1.0.45.

Huawei

What if you have to perform check-in to multiple locations back-to-back? For example, at a shopping mall, whereby you have to check-in at each shop that you visited individually. Certain malls like Mid Valley Megamall have even put up MySejahtera’s check-in QR code for different floors.

In other words, how can you perform check-out from a previous location? So, what you need to do here is go to the home page of MySejahtera’s Check-in section and click on History that is located within the Last Check-in box.

Khairy Jamaluddin

After that, click on the location that you want to check-out and its check-in success page would appear again. From there, just press the check-out button as per what we have mentioned before and you are done.

With update 1.0.45, the History log will also keep track of your check-out activities. Unfortunately, there is no bulk check-out option though as you have to perform it on each location individually.

Minister

For many of us, we don’t really think too much of MySejahtera once we have performed the required check-in process. Hence, it may take quite some time for many to get used to the idea of checking out from their location even though the intention behind the implementation sounds rather vital.

Meanwhile, do expect additional changes to be implemented on MySejahtera in the coming weeks and months as Minister Khairy has hinted in his tweet yesterday that there are still more things to come as far as the app is concerned. On that note, we do hope that the development team can at least update the Android version of the app first before going any further or may risk losing vital statistics as the majority of the population is using Android devices.

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MySejahtera To Receive A New Check-In Page That Displays Vaccination Status

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A great article about Penang Malaysia.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has revealed that a new check-in page is coming to the national COVID-19 app, MySejahtera. It will be implemented through a new update that will be deployed by the team behind the app tonight.

What makes the new check-in page different from the existing implementation is that it will show the users’ vaccination status. This way, they don’t have to go deep into the app’s profile section to directly show their digital vaccination certificate.

Communications & Networking (NEC)

At the same time, the risk status on the new check-in page will also be much larger and colour-coded. Not only that, there is also a new section on the page that displays users’ last check-in location alongside the new check-out option which is designed to improve contact tracing according to Minister Khairy.

The check-in success page has also been updated to show vaccination status. Minister Khairy has also noted that the app will receive additional improvement and update in the coming weeks.

Health Minister
The existing check-in page on MySejahtera v1.0.43 for iOS.

However, the update has yet to make its way to iOS App Store, Huawei App Gallery, and Google Play at the time this article is published. We will keep you posted once it goes live on these app marketplaces, so stay tuned.

(Source: Khairy Jamaluddin / Twitter.)

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Health Minister: Expect COVID-19 To Become Endemic In Malaysia By End Of October

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A great article about Malaysia.

The newly appointed Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today said that COVID-19 will become endemic in Malaysia soon. This is even though the country may be able to eventually control the rate of infection, hospitalization, and death caused by the disease.

According to the minister, the transition to the endemic stage will allow various sectors in the country to be operational once again while people can resume their daily life as per usual albeit in a new norm. He has also revealed that the government will be taking several steps to simplify existing SOPs which will lead to a clearer and easier to understand SOP list although face masks will continue to be mandatory.

As for the point of transition, it could take place by the end of October which is at the same time that 80% of the country’s population are expected to be fully vaccinated as well.

Meanwhile, Minister Khairy also pointed out that one needs to be tested regularly once the country has entered the endemic stage. This is regardless of whether the individual has been vaccinated or otherwise.

Alex Koch

For this very reason, the government intends to make testing more affordable and accessible according to the minister. He also revealed that a new ceiling price for COVID-19 rapid test kits has been set by the Cabinet and will be announced by the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Alexander Nanta Linggi very soon.

MoH is currently working on a national testing policy that will also be taking into account those who refused to be vaccinated without a valid reason. This group of non-vaccinated individuals will have to adhere to certain testing schedules and regimes.

disease

“I have not come to the stage where I will recommend (vaccination) to the Cabinet a federal mandate but I’m not far from it either,“ said the minister. On another hand, an upcoming update to MySejatera will include an identification feature to cater for individuals that are not able to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons.

(Source: MoH / Facebook – timestamp [28:33], [53:42], [54:19], [58:56]. Image: Alex Koch / Pexels.)

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Khairy: PICK To Begin Vaccinations For Adolescents Aged 12 to 17 Years Old

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A great article on Malaysia.

The National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) will begin its plan to vaccinate adolescent Malaysians aged 12 to 17-years old soon, according to its coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin via Twitter. The implementation will be based on a priority order that has been recommended by Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah to the Special Committee on COVID-19 Vaccine Access Supply (JKJAV).

Khairy explained that PICK will prioritise on vaccinating 12 to 17-year-olds with underlying medical conditions. This is then followed by adolescents of the same age group with no medical issues based on age de-escalation.

Prior to the announcement, a circular published by Noor Hisham yesterday noted that Malaysia is expected to begin vaccinating teenagers from mid-September 2021. The process will involve those aged 12 to 15 who have comorbidities and those aged 16 to 17 with or without health conditions, he added.

On that note, Khairy confirmed in the same thread on Twitter that vaccinations for adolescents will be implemented as per the DG’s circular, as well as following the latest updated clinical guidelines. He also revealed that JKJAV will announce further details regarding the vaccination sometime next week.

(Source: Khairy Jamaluddin [Twitter] / NST)

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PM: Updated SOPs For Fully-Vaccinated Individuals To Be Announced Within Next Few Days

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An interesting article about Penang Malaysia.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin revealed during a special interview with the media yesterday that an updated list of SOPs for fully-vaccinated individuals will be announced in the next few days. This is following his previous announcement on 17 July, where he confirmed that the National Recovery Council will decide on the aforementioned easing of restrictions within this week.

Muhyiddin said the relaxation of the SOPs will include travel to Malaysia, inter-state movement for spouses who are working separately, social and sporting activities, as well as dine-ins at restaurants. “We will finalise (the details) and I will announce it as a total package,” he said during the interview. “I do hope that this (relaxation) will give room or space, breathing space, for the people to live a slightly better life,” he said.

The prime minister noted that the decision would be in line with the transitioning of Malaysian states into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) and the reopening of more economic sectors, especially in the Klang Valley. Further discussions on the progress of the PPN will be tabled by Muhyiddin during the Special Meeting of the Third Session of the 14th Parliament tomorrow on 25 July 2021.

covid vaccination card and certificate

By right, we should also be expecting details on how authorities will be able to officially identify fully-vaccinated individuals in order for them to enjoy the relaxed restrictions. While the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme’s (PICK) coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin previously announced that a digital certificate will be issued to those who have received both doses of their respective vaccines via the MySejahtera app, its actual date of implementation has yet to be confirmed. In addition, it has yet to be revealed if completed vaccination cards could also be served as an alternative way to identify these individuals.

(Source: Bernama)

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Khairy: Sinovac Vaccine To Be Removed From National Immunisation Rollout

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A really good post about Penang.

Khairy Jamaluddin, the man overseeing Malaysia’s COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force, recently said that the Chinese Sinovac vaccine will no longer be used in the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. The Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister confirmed the news in a recent interview with The Vibes.

Khairy’s decision reportedly comes just after Adham Baba, the Health Minister, told the press that the remaining Sinovac doses would be reserved for those that still needed to complete their second dose. More importantly, Baba said that the decision to remove the Chinese vaccine from its national list was due to the country already having imported 44 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. In contrast, the national stockpile of Sinovac vaccine stands at 16 million doses.

Adham Baba

In light of this, Baba says that more of the Pfizer vaccine will soon see distribution across all states. On a related note, the state of Kelantan also recently announced that it was ditching the Sinovac vaccine in favour of Pfizer, starting 18 July. That said, private entities that are currently distributing Sinovac may continue to do so, at least until the national stock is used up.

Interestingly, neither minister have provided an explanation for the decision to drop Sinovac, though it is very likely due to the allegedly lower effectiveness rating of the China-made vaccine against the deadlier Delta variant of COVID-19.

AstraZeneca

Up north in neighbouring Thailand, the local government has already begun testing out heterologous vaccination, where citizens and frontline workers have been given Sinovac as their first shot. Will receive either AstraZeneca (AZ) or Pfizer as their second shot, while frontline workers who have already received two Sinovac doses will get either AZ or Pfizer as a booster. By mixing up vaccines, scientists are convinced that the act could provide better protection against COVID-19 and all of its known variants.

In any case, Khairy is expected to address the matter later today, so we’ll just need to wait to get a clearer picture.

(Source: The Vibes, FMT, SCMP, ABCNews)

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Car wash centres and hair salons added to OK list in Phase Two of NRP

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A great article about Penang Malaysia.

Car wash centres will be allowed to operate again once the National Recovery Plan (NRP) moves into its second phase. Malaysia is still currently at Phase One which began on June 15th.

Car wash centres
Watch how Nissan test their paint durability

In a statement issued on Sunday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has added a few more economic sectors that will be allowed to operate in the plan’s subsequent phases. He also added that eateries are now allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. starting today, June 28th.

The ministry has added automotive (vehicle/component), ceramic, furniture, iron and steel and cement manufacturing sectors for the go-ahead to operate from Phase Two. There is no fixed date for the transition from Phase One to Phase Two, as the parameters are daily cases under 4,000 and 10% of the population has been vaccinated.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Currently, daily cases still soar above 5,000 however based on data from the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), vaccination for the first dose is 15.9%, while the second dose is 6.2% of the population.

“Computer and telecommunications, electrical appliances retailers and stationery plus book shops will also be in the positive list,” he said, but hair salons were only allowed to offer basic haircuts. These sectors can operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Malaysia
Infographic credit: The Malay Mail

The ministry also elaborated on the opening of morning and farmers market, where operation hours are only limited between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. with only six main items be on sale- vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, meat and seafood.

‘Pasar malam’ or night market, weekend markets and “tamu” will remain closed.

Social activities are still strictly disallowed during Phase Two, with interstate and inter-district travel remain off-limits except for students facing examinations and teachers.

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Government Backtracks On Allowing Malaysians To Choose Their Own COVID-19 Vaccine

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A great post on Penang.

Just mere three days after the plan was revealed to the public, the authorities have now decided not to implement the ability for people to choose their preferred brand of COVID-19 vaccine. This decision was revealed by the chairman of COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in a media briefing earlier today.

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He who is also the coordinator of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) said that this decision was done in the interest of accelerating Malaysia’s vaccination rate. Originally, this option will be made available through MySejahtera which would roll out via an upcoming update.

chairman

Minister Khairy have pointed out that this option may slow things down as some would hold on from getting vaccinated as they wait for their preferred vaccine to be available. “We thought about that initially, but now the concern is to increase and ramp up the numbers, so we just give whatever we have,” says the CITF’s chairman.

Malaysia has ordered COVID-19 vaccines from five manufacturers to be used for PICK so far although only three of them are currently in distribution at the moment including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac. According to Our World in Data, only 5.8% of the population have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far although the government has assured that the vaccination rate will be ramped up from June onwards as more vaccine supplies will arrive into the country.

(Source: MOSTI / Facebook. Additional image: JKJAV / Facebook.)

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