Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Concerns over Indonesia’s apparent lack of coordination in releasing information on first COVID-19 death
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JAKARTA: The circumstances surrounding the confirmation of Indonesia’s first death linked to COVID-19 on Wednesday (Mar 11) has revealed what may be a lack of coordination among various agencies handling the outbreak. When the death of a 53-year-old COVID-19 patient was announced by the central government in a press conference, it was only told to the reporters that
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Malaysia ex-PM Najib’s trial halted over COVID-19 scare
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KUALA LUMPUR: Disgraced Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak’s corruption trial was halted Thursday (Mar 12) after his defence team were reportedly ordered to self-quarantine over fears about the coronavirus. Najib and his cronies are accused of looting billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)and using it to finance a global spending spree. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Three teenagers arrested in relation to shopping mall spitting video
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SINGAPORE: Three teenagers were arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of public nuisance, the police said on Thursday (Mar 12). The two males and one female, aged 17 to 19, were wanted in relation to an online video of spitting at a shopping mall after the footage “caused alarm and annoyance”. Advertisement Advertisement The police
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
17 years after SARS, this quarantine order agent is back on the frontline
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SINGAPORE: When he was deployed by Certis during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, Sergeant (Auxiliary Police Force) Gogulakanan Govindasamy was a 26-year-old bachelor who wanted to make a difference. Seventeen years later, he is a married man with three children, but his desire to help out in a crisis has not waned. Advertisement Advertisement “Now
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
COVID-19: Malaysian religious affairs minister says no need to suspend Friday prayers
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PUTRAJAYA: The COVID-19 situation in Malaysia is under control and there is no requirement for Friday prayers to be suspended, said religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri on Thursday (Mar 12). He said that Friday prayers, which are obligatory for all Muslim males, should proceed with some adjustments, such as shortening the sermon. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Latin America steps up measures against coronavirus spread
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URUGUAY: Latin American countries stepped up measures to slow the advance of COVID-19 on Wednesday (Mar 11), announcing a slew of restrictions on travelers from the worst-affected countries and shutting down major sports events. Argentina, Colombia and Peru announced that travelers from China, Italy, Spain and France would be isolated on arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Argentina was the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
MOH identifying 95 Singaporeans at mass religious event in Malaysia after COVID-19 cases confirmed: Masagos
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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s health ministry is working to identify 95 Singaporeans who attended a three-day religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur last month, after Brunei reported that its first case of COVID-19 had attended the same event. The Jhor Qudamak Malaysia 2020 event took place between Feb 28 and Mar 1 at the Seri
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Olympics: Tokyo 2020 announces opening event despite mounting COVID-19 concerns
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TOKYO: Tokyo 2020 organisers said on Thursday (Mar 12) that Japan’s softball game against Australia on Jul 22 would be the first event on the schedule, the announcement coming as concerns mount about the potential impact on the Games from the COVID-19 outbreak. The game will begin at 9am local time at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium with
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Philippines’ President Duterte to undergo ‘precautionary’ COVID-19 test
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MANILA: Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte will be tested for COVID-19, his spokesman said Thursday (Mar 12), as two key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare. The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
China’s Hubei to lift production curbs, ease travel restrictions for some regions
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BEIJING: China’s Hubei province, epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak that emerged in its capital late last year, will allow industrial production to resume in some parts of the province and ease travel restrictions in those regions accordingly. Hubei’s health commission said in a statement on Thursday (Mar 12) that the new measures will apply to the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
More than 7,000 Stay-Home Notices issued for COVID-19; checks done through GPS, photos: ICA
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SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued more than 7,000 Stay-Home Notices (SHN) as of 8am on Monday (Mar 9), with individuals required to prove their whereabouts through photos or via their phone GPS location function. “Text messages are sent at various times a day to persons issued with the SHN,” the authority told
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Labour market holds up in 2019, although unemployment rates edge higher: MOM report
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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s labour market held steady in 2019, although unemployment rates edged up, according to a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) report released on Thursday (Mar 12). Total employment growth in 2019, excluding foreign domestic workers, was the highest in five years, reflecting growth in both foreign and local employment. Advertisement Advertisement But annual average unemployment
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Thailand reports 11 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 70
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BANGKOK: Thailand reported 11 new coronavirus cases on Thursday (Mar 12), bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 70, health officials said. All of the new patients had socialised and shared drinks, health officials said, adding that a tourist from Hong Kong had been the source of the infection. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 12, 2020
Students responsible for bullying incident at Mee Toh School disciplined accordingly: Principal
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SINGAPORE: The Primary 5 pupils behind a recent bullying incident at Mee Toh School have been counselled and disciplined accordingly, the school’s principal Mrs Wang-Tan Sun Sun said on Wednesday (Mar 11). “The students responsible for the unkind acts, except for one who was on sick leave, have been counselled and disciplined accordingly,” she said. “They regret
