Dear Diary,
Happy Mothers Day and blessed Nuzul Al-Quran.
Is everyone having a good time? I am, as the home minister concocted a lovely brunch with puff pastry, prawns, hard-boiled egg and a cheesy baked potato filled with homemade luncheon meat, baked beans and cherry tomatoes.
We will have roast chicken and spaghetti for dinner. I’m attempting to make pineapple ice cream. Will share the pictures (and recipe) tomorrow – if it works!
Anyway, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced we shall have another 30 days of Movement Control Order (MCO) – the conditional version, although if we don’t behave, there might be tighter rules and guidelines.
This is the first time there is a four-week extension – previously each phase of MCO was for only two weeks – although we moved into Conditional MCO a week into the fourth phase.
The latest extension was made on the advice of the Health Ministry and the National Security Council.
Hopefully, by the time it ends, the number of new Covid-19 cases would be down to single-digit or non-existent (fingers crossed).
Sadly, earlier today, Petaling Jaya Old Town market in Jalan Othman and the surrounding areas were placed under Enhanced MCO (EMCO) after tests found 26 positive Covid-19 cases. So folks, please stay vigilant. As the prime minister said, we are fighting an invisible enemy.
Also, the main picture, taken by Twentytwo13 creative designer Amar Qastellani, shows how physical distancing is almost non existent at Medan Selera D’Rejang in Sri Rampai at 6.10pm today.
Anyway, Muhyiddin also announced:
- Interstate travel is banned but Hari Raya, Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai visits of up to 20 people are allowed – within the same state. I wonder how this will work in Sarawak as the state is so huge.
- Husbands and wives who live in different states can travel to meet their families provided they apply for a permit via the GerakMalaysia app. So far, traffic on the PLUS highways has been well managed.
- SOPs for jemaah prayers in mosques as well as other places of worship will be announced soon.
- The Finance Ministry will extend Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) applications to May 31. Previously, there was no avenue for appeal.
This comes after complaints from applicants who failed to receive BPN or didn’t get the amount promised by the government. As at today, the number of BPN recipients totals 10.6 million people, involving RM11bil.
Overnight, there was some sad news as the larger-than-life Little Richard died of bone cancer. He was 87. He is acknowledged as a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll and The Beatles, Elton John and Elvis Presley all cited him as an influence.
On another note, veteran radio personality and actor Patrick Teoh was arrested for allegedly insulting the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim.
Based on media reports, TMJ did not lodge any reports – not even when he was rudely told to stay out of politics by former Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
Nazri later apologised for his remark.
Teoh had on May 7 re-posted an old video from Tunku Ismail which showed the prince and a few others dressed in military garb handling firearms. Teoh described his “incredulous feeling” upon watching it (in colourful language).
After being taken to Johor for more questioning, it was revealed this afternoon he will be remanded for three days.
Honestly, I found Nazri to be more insulting than Teoh. I saw the post before it was removed and felt Teoh wasn’t insulting the prince.
Meanwhile, 67 new cases were recorded today, bringing the total to 6,656 cases while 96 recoveries mean 5,025 patients have been cured. For the third time in four days, there are zero deaths. Fatalities remain at 108.
I was listening to The Beatles’ Revolution but since the group has made two appearances in my daily jottings already, here’s Little Richard and Tutti Frutti.
