My Twilight Zone return and quarantine experience
We were greeted by officers and staff who asked us to line up in a single file. The airport was very quiet and eerie, like it was in a Twilight Zone, and everyone had masks on. There was a health check point with health officers in pink and white hazmat suits where we had nose swabs done. We received daily calls from ministry staff checking on us, asking if we had any symptoms, and on the 11th day of our quarantine, we had to do a mouth swab for a second test. This really helped me when I had a couple of low moments; the Health Ministry staff were very comforting too.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 08:26 UTC
England's Plunkett open to idea of playing for U.S.
LONDON (Reuters) - Fast bowler Liam Plunkett, who has been left out of England's summer training squad, has said he is open to the idea of playing for the United States one day. The 35-year-old, whose wife is American, has not played for England since claiming three wickets in last year's World Cup final. He would need to serve a three-year residency period to be eligible to play for the United States, who gained one-day international status last year. "It would be nice be involved in some sort of cricket over there," Plunkett told BBC Radio 5 Live. Right-arm quick Plunkett, who did not make the cut, said he could see himself mentoring young American cricketers.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 04:41 UTC
DBKL freezes new liquor licence permits
KUALA LUMPUR City Hall (DBKL) has put a freeze on the granting of new liquor licence applications, effective immediately. In a circular sent to The Star by DBKL on Tuesday (June 2), it also added that enforcement will be carried out on premises that were selling liquor without a licence. The decision was made after several recent incidents of drunk drivers causing accidents including a case early Monday, where a motorcyclist was killed in an accident involving an allegedly drunk driver. The driver was charged in the KL Magistrate’s Court with drink driving later Monday. Car accessory shop assistant Khor Yong Zhang, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read out by a court interpreter before magistrate Puteri Nursheila Rahimi.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 03:56 UTC
TaxPlanning: Tax measures announced during the MCO
By companiesCompanies are required to pay 12 tax instalments based on a tax estimate (CP204). Estimate of tax for YA2021Companies are required to furnish an estimate of tax one month before the start of the basis period. The deadline for CP204 — which was to be due by March 31, or during the MCO period — has been extended to May 31. Early revision of tax estimateThe law provides for the revision of the tax estimate by a company in the sixth and/or ninth month. Example 2Encik Ahmad, a resident individual with business income, has paid six tax instalments (CP500) for 2019 amounting to RM9,000.
Source:The Edge Markets
June 02, 2020 03:33 UTC
High water bill due to adjustments, says SPAN
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said the water bill for May 2020 is higher than usual as it comprised March and April bill adjustments. "After the actual on-site meter reading by the water distribution operator in May, the calculation for May bill will be taking into account the March and April bill adjustments. "In addition, domestic consumers use more water than usual during the MCO as there are more daily activities at home. According to SPAN, a method of water bill calculation during the MCO period was issued for reference and compliance by the water distribution operators to ensure reasonable charges. "However, if users felt that the charges were unreasonable and needed of detailed clarifications, they are advised to contact their respective water operators or lodge complaints to aduan@span.gov.my,” the statement said.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 03:00 UTC
The learning curb: We need to collectively bridge the digital divide
The caption on the post explained that Grandma was looking to buy a smartphone for Grandson so he could participate in online lessons. Private sector companies have pledged to donate smartphones with data packages to underprivileged students or have teamed up with the NGO Teach For Malaysia to donate laptops to students in need. While these efforts demonstrate an encouraging push for equal access to education, I have to ask: “Is this enough?”. In Singapore, non-profit organisations like ReadAble and Engineering Good have been receiving donations of used laptops and refurbishing them for onward distribution to underprivileged students. Russell Westbrook of American basketball team Houston Rockets have harnessed the power of celebrity to donate some 650 computers to underprivileged students after schools were closed in Houston.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 02:15 UTC
Away from their families for months, caregivers show signs of strain
After almost three months of living at the nursing homes where they are employed, caregivers are at a tipping point, with many starting to find the isolation and separation from their own families unbearable. Amy, an Indonesian cook who works with Solace Care nursing home in Taman OUG in the Klang Valley, has not been back home for two years. "Maybe I can take it up to six months only, ” says Doreena Gandik, a paramedic at Solace Care. Doreena, like her peers, hopes that the pandemic would be contained enough for restrictions on nursing homes to be eased. Sunny Manocha, the founder of Solace Care, says that his staff received a pay rise in recognition of their service.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 02:02 UTC
US race riots: Trump threatens military force, as he hunkers in his bunker
"If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them," he said, denouncing "acts of domestic terror". "We have a great country," Trump declared as he stood before the church's boarded up windows, held up a Bible and posed for photographs. "What the president did today was he called out the American military against American citizens," New York governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter. "He used the military to push out a peaceful protest so he could have a photo op at a church. Trump spent most of the weekend inside the White House tweeting attacks on political rivals and the media.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 01:52 UTC
Caitlin grateful for generous Malaysians
An influx of orders followed.“One lady called me up that very night to place an order for 180 waffles. Of that sum, RM5,000 has already been donated.The numbers surprised Caitlin herself, as her initial aim was to raise only RM500.“I’m grateful for the coverage provided by various media outlets which helped the cause. Maybe someone could set up a virtual adopt a dog programme where the public can sponsor strays. This, at the same time, will help shelters feed them.”To order, visit Caitlin’s Waffles at https://caitlin.gotfood.co/.Prices start at RM3 per piece. Delivery is only available for Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong and Pulau Tikus.
Source:The Star
June 02, 2020 00:00 UTC
Opt for less plastic as new norm
As an ardent patron of the many grocery and food delivery services, I can avoid the long queues at my favourite eateries. And I realise there are always the additional plastic bags which we don’t actually need since the drinks are properly sealed. We have heard about plastic bags which were burned or illegally dumped in many parts of the country including Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Sarawak. By July 2021, it would be a no-go for single-use plastic in Penang. The move is in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to encourage eco-friendly products to substitute single-use plastic under the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030.
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 23:48 UTC
6R recovery plan raises hope
THE clear announcement on Friday by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz of the 6R economic recovery plan is most welcome in these anxious times. These aspirations raise our expectations for better economic growth, fairer income distribution and better welfare for all Malaysians, regardless of race. Hence the Finance Minister’s 6R recovery plan is very welcome indeed. However, the 6R plan, together with the 2021 Budget and the now postponed 12th Malaysia Plan cannot and should not be a repeat of “old normal” policies. > The basic needs of the rakyat have to be more adequately met in the recovery plan and especially in the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 23:26 UTC
In a democracy, there will be protests
In a democracy, it is your right to support whom you want to support. We too live in a democracy and, hopefully, we should support people who also want democracy. What about the American Civil War and the civil rights protests of African-Americans led by Martin Luther King Jr? And we had our own protests in 1968 and 2008 and the protests by Bersih. There are protests almost daily in India because they believe strongly in democracy.
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 23:26 UTC
Do’s and don’ts for those from overseas
ii) Get a travel notice from the Malaysian mission (Perwakilan Malaysia yang ditauliahkan). iii) Display the travel notice from the Malaysian mission to the airline company, other public transportation companies as well as the Immigration Department. Q: How can I get my travel notice from the Malaysian mission? The travel notice must be submitted during the registration process of checking in for the flight or the use of other public transportation. For non-Malaysians, the failure to submit the travel notice can cause the individual to be disallowed to board the flight or other public transportation.
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 22:52 UTC
Unnerving time for M’sians in the US
PETALING JAYA: It has been quite an unnerving time for Malaysians in the United States where violence has spilled over during mass protests against police brutality. Yeow said she did not personally witness any rioting but only saw peaceful protests. “As I was approaching City Hall, I saw this massive plume of black smoke, reporters everywhere, cops everywhere. “I’m 17 minutes walk to City Hall. Article type: metered User Type: anonymous web User Status: Campaign ID: 18 Cxense type: free User access status: 3
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 22:18 UTC
Long lines, confusion as Venezuela sells Iranian fuel under new price system
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela on Monday launched a fuel pricing system that largely rolls back decades of heavy subsidies, creating long lines and leaving drivers confused as the government seeks to end chronic shortages with gasoline imports from Iran. Defying U.S. threats, Iran sent a flotilla of five tankers of fuel to Venezuela, which arrived last week, and Tehran said on Monday it would send more if requested by Caracas. In many places, including the western cities of Barquisimeto and Maracaibo, stations quickly ran out of the subsidized gasoline. Lines snaked around blocks at many stations in Caracas, even at those offering more expensive gasoline in dollars. Chavez said on Monday the new system would help combat "contraband" of fuel.
Source:The Star
June 01, 2020 19:07 UTC