Good morning and Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha. Here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

• Empty vaccine syringes
  
  

• Some lockdown easing
  
  

• Civil society coalition
  
  

Empty vaccine syringes

The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) is looking into a number of complaints claiming empty syringes were used on recipients who were supposed to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

At least one incident was caught on video showing a health worker injecting a recipient without plunging its contents.

Such incidents are rarely caught on video as most Covid-19 vaccination centres do not allow videos although there is no official rule from the government.

The CITF advised the public to look at the syringe before and after the injection to ensure they receive the dose they should, a rule introduced after previous complaints of underdosing.

It is still unclear if the latest incidents were due to negligence or syndicate activities to sell unused vaccines.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Severe Covid-19 cases involving seniors nearly halved This followed the vaccination rollout for seniors.
	MMA: Don't leave out migrants in vaccination ramp-up 'They can spread Covid-19 if neglected'.
	CITF disputes claims of cover-up This was over an outbreak at a vaccination centre.

Some lockdown easing

The government announced a slight easing of the Covid-19 lockdown.

They include an extension of two hours for market operations, an increase of public service presence at offices from 20 to 40 percent capacity, as well as allowing cycling and other individual exercise activities in one's local neighbourhood.

Business hours under Phase 2 was also extended by four hours.

This was despite active Covid-19 cases and deaths hitting record highs.

The government's narrative in justifying the decision, however, is based on the fact that the vaccination rate has increased markedly.

An average of 410,968 vaccine doses a day was administered last week compared to 339,060 a day in the preceding week.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'Covid-19 severity data can be misleading without better context' Experts caution it may cause people to let their guard down.
	PM appeals for people to stay home this Aidiladha He says it is like a jihad to save lives.
	Selangor sultan concerned over attempts to 'balik kampung' The ruler advises Muslims to celebrate Aidiladha at home.

Civil society coalition

A group of civil society organisations and experts in their fields are coming together to try and influence the Perikatan Nasional government's policy direction in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

They argued that Putrajaya was not taking the magnitude of the Covid-19 pandemic seriously enough.

The move is similar to the formation of Bersih 2.0 in 2010 aimed at pushing for electoral reform.

The new coalition, called Tindak!, took the first step with the Health Emergency Action Plan drafted by four prominent doctors, which was endorsed by 20 medical associations including the Academy of Medicine Malaysia.

However, the coalition said it won't resort to mass gatherings, considering the Covid-19 pandemic.

HIGHLIGHTS

	1MDB lawsuit: MP says GLCs should terminate KPMG Tony Pua says KPMG should be excluded from tenders.
	Syed Saddiq presents fundraising report, engages EY for audit Muar MP says he wants to promote transparency.
	NGOs want to delay TH's designation as Islamic financial institution They say the public should have been consulted.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 10,972 new cases yesterday (July 19).
  
  
• Active cases continued to climb to another record high of 128,997.
  
  
• 72 out of the 129 deaths were in the Klang Valley. Deaths in Kedah (14), Negeri Sembilan (10) and Malacca (10), where healthcare services are less extensive than the Klang Valley, are also rising.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• Kini News Lab looked at how over 100 government websites are not secured and how the data you input in these portals are at risk. Check out the special report.
  
  
• The prosecution will appeal against Umno's Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor acquittal by the Court of Appeal in his graft case.
  
  
• The whistleblower who outed Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for going on a test drive during the Covid-19 lockdown said she felt vindicated after he was fined RM1,500. She had suffered abuse from political operatives.
  
  
• The government will announce relaxed restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals after the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations.
  
  
• Four senators were sworn in at the Dewan Negara, including an extension for Mohd Radzi Md Jidin which will allow him to continue on as the education minister.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	'You want to kena whack?' - Man probed for mask rage He was unhappy at being reprimanded.
	Personnel accused of making lewd 'cucuk' gesture A police report has been lodged.
	Salahuddin seeks clarity for unvaccinated students This is ahead of schools reopening in Sept.

What are people saying?

	Covid-19 now pandemic of the unimmunised By Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
	Urgent need to re-strategise approaches to combat Covid-19 By Rafidah Aziz
	A cabinet that is beholden to Muhyiddin By Malaysiakini readers

CARTOON KINI