Penang registered 108 new Covid-19 cases today – less than 1.9 per cent of the total number of cases (5,841) recorded today.
As such, the Penang government has urged the National Security Council to reconsider the operating hours for food stall businesses in the state, adding that the number of confirmed cases varied from state to state.
Food stalls are allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm during the on-going nationwide total lockdown.
State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he had received complaints from food stall hawkers, especially those at markets, asking for them to be allowed to operate from 6am.
“We need to strike a balance between health safety, and economic security. There is a big difference (between the number of cases in Penang and Selangor), but the standard operating procedures are the same,” said Jagdeep.
“This needs to be reviewed.”
He added it was illogical that food hawkers and market traders operated at the same location, but food hawkers could only open for business two hours later. Markets open at 6am.
“Customers will usually buy food while shopping for their daily necessities in the market. If food hawkers open later, then, there will be no sales,” he said.
Jagdeep said his committee had written to the National Security Council (NSC) on May 31 to ask for a review of the operating hours. The Council replied, in a letter on June 3, that the opening hours would remain at 8am.
He said the local councils in the state had sent another letter to the NSC to appeal against the decision. Jagdeep added that he would reach out to the relevant minister to discuss this matter.
These are Twentytwo13’s news highlights.
THREE NABBED FOR SELLING COVID-19 VACCINES
Police picked up three individuals in Putrajaya and Brickfields yesterday for their alleged involvement in selling Covid-19 vaccines.
Two women and a man, aged between 23 and 50, were detained after a report was lodged by a Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force research officer. They have been remanded for three days, beginning today.
The three worked as marketing officers in a private firm and had offered, and sold the vaccines by making random calls to the public.
They charged each customer RM420 and payment was made upon completion of the two doses.
Police also raided their homes and seized six mobile phones and documents related to the sales.
POLICE REPORT LODGED OVER ‘HISHAM NEXT PM’ LETTER
Hafiz Ariffin, the press secretary to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, lodged a police report regarding a letter claiming that the Umno leader had Barisan Nasional’s support to be the new prime minister.
The report was lodged at the Dang Wangi police headquarters today.
Hafiz said he believed the letter, which even bore the BN letterhead, was fake and was being circulated with the aim of tarnishing his boss’ reputation.
Hishammuddin, had in a Facebook posting, said he would let the authorities investigate and take action against those behind the fake letter. He added that political slander and hate should not be practised in Malaysia.
MAN HELD FOR BREAKING INTO CASH DEPOSIT MACHINE, CITES FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
A 38-year-old man was arrested after he tried to break into a cash deposit machine at a bank in Lintang Bukit Penara in Balik Pulau, Penang, last night.
Police rushed to the scene at 10pm after being alerted by the bank’s assistant manager when the alarm went off at 9.40pm.
The suspect had damaged the machine by using a car shock absorber to retrieve money from the withdrawal slot.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had four previous records, including for drug offences. He told investigators that he was facing financial difficulties.
NETFLIX ON ASTRO SOON
Astro and Netflix today announced a partnership that will bring Netflix’s streaming service to Astro’s platform.
Astro customers will soon be able to enjoy seamless access to Netflix on their connected Ultra Boxes, first at launch, and on connected Ulti Boxes in the coming months, thanks to the new features that integrate the global streaming service onto Astro’s platform.
Astro, however, did not provide a specific timeline as to when subscribers could enjoy the new service.
MESUMA SPORTS’ GEORGE HENG PASSES AWAY
Founder of Mesuma Sports Sdn Bhd, George Heng, passed away last night. He was 72.
Heng had been ill for quite some time. According to his daughter, Maya, he passed away peacefully at 7.39pm, surrounded by family members.