Day: July 28, 2021

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COVID-19: Home Quarantine Patients Need To Monitor For Happy Hypoxia

KUALA LUMPUR— Patients in Category One and Two of COVID-19 disease, who experiencing mild symptoms and undergoing home quarantine, should constantly monitor their blood oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter for early detection of a condition known as happy hypoxia.

A clinical microbiologist specialist from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Assoc Prof Dr Nurul Azmawati Mohamed said happy hypoxia is a condition when blood oxygen level dropped below 95 per cent but the patient was unaware of it because they can still breathe normally.

“For Category One and Two patients who are undergoing quarantine at home, they do not need special treatment but need to do self-monitoring for symptoms and if the symptoms are quite severe, they need to immediately contact the COVID-19 Assessment Centre.

“There are patients who do not realise they are experiencing a decrease in oxygen levels because they can still breathe normally and this condition is called happy hypoxia,” she said.

Dr Nurul Azmawati said this in the ‘Koresponden’ programme entitled ‘Pengambilan Vaksin Sebagai Perisai’ (Vaccination as a Shield) on Bernama TV today.

Dr Nurul Azmawati said blood oxygen levels should be monitored at least three times a day and patients must immediately go to the hospital if the oxygen levels are less than 95 per cent.

“Apart from monitoring the oxygen levels, those who undergo quarantine at home must also drink enough water and no medication is needed unless they have a fever, then they can take Panadol. They can recover on their own, it just takes time,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Nurul Azmawati said the public should really understand how vaccines work because many people think that they are immune to COVID-19 after getting the vaccination.

“Vaccines do not make us immune but prepare our bodies by stimulating the production of antibodies and memory cells so that when the actual infection occurs, they immediately fight the virus,” she said.

She said infection among those who had received vaccination did not indicate that it was ineffective, but it could reduce the risk of severe infections associated with the virus.

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Prosecution, Defence In Former PM Najib’s RM27 Million SRC Case Seek To Postpone Hearing

KUALA LUMPUR— The prosecution and the defense in Najib Razak’s money laundering case, involving RM27 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC) funds, are seeking to postpone hearing of the case pending the outcome of the former prime minister’s appeal on the RM42 million SRC case in the Court of Appeal.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul told reporters this after the case management, held in chambers before High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan Wednesday.

“The RM27 million SRC case has been set for hearing from Aug 2 to 9, but since the Court of Appeal has yet to decide on the appeal in the RM42 million SRC case, we have to apply for a postponement of the trial until the disposal of the appeal case,” he said, adding that it was necessary to postpone hearing of the RM27 million SRC case as the evidence is interrelated with the RM42 million SRC case and involves the same money trail.

He also said Judge Mohamed Zaini has instructed both parties to write a letter to the court today to apply for hearing of the case, which had been fixed for next Monday (Aug 2), to be postponed.

The prosecution will also send a letter seeking for the trial dates, which had been fixed in August this year and March and April 2022 to be vacated, he added.

Najib’s lawyer Rahmat Hazlan, when contacted by reporters, confirmed that both parties in the RM27 million SRC case were seeking to postpone the trial.

On Feb 3, 2019 Najib pleaded not guilty to the three charges of money laundering whereby he is believed to have received money totalling RM27 million, allegedly proceeds from unlawful activities, in three AmPrivate Banking accounts belonging to him.

Najib is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, Bangunan Ambank Group, No. 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million or jail not exceeding five years or both, if convicted.

He was earlier charged in the Sessions Court but the case was transferred to the High Court on March 13, 2019 following an application by the prosecution.

On July 28 last year, High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million after finding him guilty on seven charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), money laundering and abuse of position, involving RM42 million of SRC funds.

The case is at the appeal stage at the Court of Appeal.

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Track Two Diplomacy Can Aid In Resolving Conflict In Korean Peninsula

KUALA LUMPUR— Track two diplomacy can play a crucial role in helping to resolve the conflict between North and South Korea, and contribute towards a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, said experts.

Lauren Richardson, a lecturer at Australia National University’s Department of International Relations, said the challenges of peaceful reunification is immense and it cannot be dealt with exclusively at an official level.

She said track two can thus help to break through some of the constraints and barriers faced at the track one or formal diplomacy level, where policy of the governments involved have often been shaped by their domestic constituents and national interests.

“When the Korean Peninsula was divided, it was not just two governments that were divided, but a whole society as well. Therefore it is important that we approach the matter of reunification from both a government and non-government or non-official level with both Track One and Track Two.

“It is easier to avoid such pitfalls as the track two level participants do not have to adhere to any particular policy line and therefore can think more creatively and be more outspoken,” she said at the International Leadership Conference and Think Tank 2022 Global Forum on Wednesday.

The two-day virtual conference, titled ‘Towards Peaceful Reunification of Korean Peninsula: Best Practices in Track II Diplomacy’, was organised by Universal Peace Foundation (UPF) Asia Pacific.

It was attended by some 5,000 participants from over 40 countries.

Track one diplomacy is often referred to as formal diplomacy between two states while track two diplomacy or informal diplomacy — led by non-governmental organisations and civil society — provide unofficial spaces and flexible setting for dialogues between concerning parties.

Dr Robert Kittel, senior advisor and Education Director of UPF Asia Pacific, who also spoke at the conference, said as an international non-governmental organisation with footprints in some 150 countries worldwide and its ability of engaging in soft power diplomacy, the UPF can be an important player in this endeavour.

He also believed that with personal relations of the UPF founders – Dr Sun Myung Moon and Dr Hak Ja Han – with key stakeholders in both North and South Korea, the organisation will be able to help create the atmosphere for talks between both parties to move forward.

“Reunification of the Korean Peninsula could be the linchpin for global peace. The Korean Peninsula is a micro-model of all the tensions we see in the world today.

“Therefore, if the problems on the peninsula could be solved, then that opens up prospects to solve similar problems anywhere in the world,” he said.

Following the Korean War (1950-1953) no peace treaty was ever signed and the two Koreas are technically still at war.

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

 

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Malaysia’s Economic Fundamentals Still Strong, Supported By Stable Capital Market, Liquidity

KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia’s economic fundamentals are still strong and its growth prospect for the medium term is still bright, supported by a stable capital market, while the financial sector has ample liquidity and capital buffer, said Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said among the issues raised by the Members of Parliament during the Special Parliament Meeting were whether the investors’ confidence was affected following the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

“A brief answer, no. Foreign investor confidence (is) still intact on Malaysia’s economic recovery prospects. Last month, international rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service gave ratings of A- and A3 respectively to Malaysia,” he said in the 63rd Implementation and Coordination Unit Between National Agencies (LAKSANA) report today.

Last week, Fitch Ratings also maintained Malaysia’s rating at BBB+.

“Such ratings are not given simply, especially not for a country that is considered a ‘failed’ state. Historically, the level of foreign direct investment (FDI) and business environment in the country remains stable amid the current political landscape.

“For instance, the government transition was done peacefully and orderly in 2018, while despite the political polemics in 2020, Budget 2021 was approved by the Parliament,” he said.

Besides that, he said foreign investors also have the confidence and belief in the strength of the country’s institutions, wherein the FDIs have shown an increasing trend.

For the first quarter of 2021 (Q1), the country recorded foreign investment inflows of RM9.1 billion, an increase of 33.8 per cent year-on-year (Q1 2020: RM6.8 billion).

Malaysia also continues to receive various foreign investments totalling almost RM60 billion recently, from renowned international companies including investment from Microsoft amounting to US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion), Risen Energy Co Ltd (RM42.2 billion) and an investment of RM750 million by GIC Pte Ltd in Sunway Healthcare Holdings.

At the same time, Malaysia’s trade breached RM1 trillion over a six-month period, the shortest period it recorded to achieve this benchmark.

For the first-half of 2021, the total trade was worth RM1.056 trillion, an expansion of 26 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Exports rose 30.2 per cent to RM585.56 billion and imports increased 21.1 per cent to RM470.53 billion.

“This is the highest half-year value recorded for trade, exports and imports. Trade surplus also jumped 87.7 per cent to RM115.04 billion,” said Tengku Zafrul.

 

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Vietnam – Severe weather (NCHMF, ADINet) (ECHO Daily Flash of 28 July 2021)

• Since 23 July, heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds in several provinces of Vietnam have caused floods, triggered landslides. The most affected areas are Thanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Gia Lai, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Vinh Long and Can Tho City.
• According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADInet), 1,400 people have been evacuated, more than 2,200 affected and 137 houses damaged.
• Moderate rain and thunderstorms are expected over northern and southern Vietnam over the next 24 hours.

Source: Singapore Police Force

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Flash Update: No. 01 – Monsoonal Flooding, Myanmar – 28 July 2021

  • OVERVIEW: Data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) showed noticeable high 7-day average (21 – 26 Jul) rainfall across Rakhine, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Kayin, Mon and Tanitharyi with maximum rainfall per day around 50mm.
  • CHRONOLOGY:
  1. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) Myanmar, as of 27 July 2021 at 1730 HRS M.S.T, mentioned that the low pressure area over the North Bay of Bengal still persists. Monsoon is strong to vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
  2. The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) of Myanmar, as of 27 July 2021 has released a flood warning for Salween and Thaung River in Kayin State (Hpa, Bilin, and Myawaddy) and Sittaung River in Bago (Madawk).
  3. According to trusted news media sources, prolonged heavy rain has caused flooding in Karen State, Mon State, and Tanintharyi Region since 22 July.
  • IMPACTS: A total of 48,472 persons have been evacuated/affected in the states of Kayin, Mon, and Rakhine as reported by the DDM. Details:
  1. Kayin State – 681 households or 3,016 persons (1,429 males and 1,587 females) evacuated/affected and 2,104 households or 11,903 persons (5,735 males and 6,1168 females) preemptively evacuated into 16 evacuation centres 2. Mon State – 4,462 households or 19,840 persons (304 males and 349 females identified) evacuated/affected, and 3,335 households or 10,770 persons (4,885 males and 5,885 females) preemptively evacuated into 8 evacuation centres.
  2. Rakhine State – 1,712 households or 25,799 persons (1,733 males and 1,936 females) evacuated/affected
  • FORECAST: Over the next 24 hours, the monsoon is seen to be strong to vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Over the next 48 hours, the strong monsoon is seen to persist (DMH).
  • RESPONSE: Urgent needs and gaps are still under data collection. Evacuation efforts for the affected areas have been conducted.
  • The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.

 

 

Source: ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance