Beware of polymer waste due to pandemic
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January 25, 2021 @ 4:37pm
SURGING Covid-19 cases worldwide has recorded up to 2 million fatalities to date (that is about 10 per cent of the total death during WW1), witnessed an overwhelming demand for medical attention in hospitals, necessitating medical institutions to have sufficient supplies of personal protection equipment (PPE).
The demand for polymer-based PPE is also observed among enforcement personnel and civilians. PPE such as gloves, face masks, face shields, and coveralls are not just used in the medical sector but also heavily used as a part of household products and among service industries including cashiers, petrol pump and flight attendants, customer service staffs, and security guards to limit and eventually inhibit the Covid-19 infection.
Many food handlers and eateries used more plastic than usual to protect their edibles from being medium of infection. The continuous demand for polymer-based PPE is alarmingly jeopardising the environment.
The disposal of used PPE in the medical sector is regulated by the local authorities, which are normally classified as biohazards. A more dire situation of polymer waste handling is focused on single used PPE among civilians.
Recently, we were alarmed with the news of plastic waste found in marine life carcasses and an unborn baby's placenta, which an indication of our negligence and improper plastic waste handling.
Used face masks and gloves were also seen being thrown away in the landfill and public areas. The pandemic emphasised the essential role of polymer in our daily life and at the same time, creating a distressing issue of waste accumulation.
Talian Kasih Mercy helps Malaysian students cope with mental health issues
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LONDON: Malaysian students in the United Kingdom can now turn to Mercy Care Helpline to deal with issues that affect their mental health in the time of Covid-19.
Mercy Care Helpline or Talian Kasih Mercy is a confidential helpline from Mercy Malaysia UK (MMUK) in collaboration with the Malaysian High Commission, Education Malaysia Global Services, Public Service Department, Majlis Amanah Rakyat, Health & Wellbeing IKRAM UKE and the United Kingdom & Eire Council for Malaysian Students.
"There are many challenges in what we do. But for students in particular, away from friends and family in Malaysia, things can be much more difficult," said Zahid Rastam, the charge d'affaires ad-interim at the Malaysian High Commission in the UK, who launched the helpline virtually on Saturday.
Zahid described the initiative as timely and necessary, considering the current situation.
"This helpline is for Malaysian students to talk, to share whatever they feel (so that) early intervention can be provided to those who need help or have mental health issues," said Zahid.
He added that students faced academic pressures and expectations apart from financial problems and issues with accomodation and rent.
Covid-19 also created a lot of uncertainties and restrictions on people's movements and travel, forcing them into isolation.
Zahid said students were also concerned about whether they could see their families and friends in Malaysia again soon.
Read more: Talian Kasih Mercy helps Malaysian students cope with mental health issues
MyCC not the right body to act against us when there's Mavcom, says MAS
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January 18, 2021
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 12): Malaysia Airline System Bhd (MAS) today questioned whether the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) was the rightful body to take action against MAS and AirAsia Bhd in relation to a collaboration agreement entered into in 2011 by the two airlines as well as AirAsia X Sdn Bhd.
Submitting in the Court of Appeal, MAS’ counsel Logan Sabapathy said the matter was within the purview of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) since its formation in 2016 as a specialised body to look into the aviation industry.
The High Court had in December 2018 allowed MyCC’s judicial review application and quashed the decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). It reinstated the March 2014 decision of MyCC, which imposed a fine of RM10 million each on MAS and AirAsia.
Noting that the aviation industry and CAT had accepted that MyCC should not have imposed the fine, Logan questioned why MyCC had proceeded to appeal against the decision made by its own appeal tribunal.
Logan said Mavcom had been set up specifically to regulate the aviation industry and should be the body to oversee the airline industry.
Read more: MyCC not the right body to act against us when there's Mavcom, says MAS
Insurance companies seeking ways to ease patients’ expenses
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January 17, 2021 11:24 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Insurance and takaful companies said today they are working with the health ministry and Bank Negara Malaysia to explore ways to ease some of the expenses of Covid-19 patients who are treated in private hospitals.
In a joint statement, the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, General Insurance Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Takaful Association said pandemic-related risks are generally not covered under any insurance and takaful plans worldwide.
“The exclusion stems from the difficulty in pricing for coverage relating to an event like a pandemic that may occur once in a lifetime, having an incalculable impact and cost. Covid-19 is a pandemic; hence it is not insured or covered under medical and health insurance or takaful benefits,” they said.
However, most life insurers and takaful operators in Malaysia had provided supplementary benefits such as daily hospital income to be paid to the affected policy holders, the associations said.
They said they had put in place various relief measures to help policy holders cope with the financial impact of the pandemic.
Read more: Insurance companies seeking ways to ease patients’ expenses
Fomca calls for minimum wage, loan moratorium during MCO
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January 15, 2021 2:13 PM
PETAING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has urged the government to offer workers a minimum wage and extend the loan moratorium in the wake of the second movement control order (MCO).
Its president, Marimuthu Nadason, said the government must seriously consider the impact the reimposed MCO will have on workers and businesses.
“They will need financial support. Fomca urges that all affected businesses and workers will be supported at least with a minimum wage to help them through the crisis. Abandoning the workers without any support is just plain cruel.
“Next, Fomca calls on Bank Negara to extend the loan moratorium until at least August. Bank Negara’s silence and indifference to the plight of the rakyat is deafening. There should be an immediate moratorium on all loans to assist those impacted by the MCO,” he said in a statement.
He also suggested that insurance companies be prevented from increasing premiums during the period.
While movement restrictions were necessary, Marimuthu said, it was important to ensure vulnerable communities were not left behind.
“Let us not forget or neglect the low income and the vulnerable who are suffering and will be impacted even worse by these new measures. A responsible government should take concrete and firm measures to support them,” he said.
According to the Malaysian Employers Federation, the economic fallout of the various movement restrictions caused 30,000 businesses to cease operations, resulting in 100,000 job losses, last year.
LETTER | Digital inequality in PJ - seniors disadvantaged
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15 Jan 2021
LETTER | It has indeed been a harsh new reality for consumers living under the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
In its obsession to “go digital”, MBPJ is demanding that assessment billing can only be made through digital means, without an alternative, and further warning that the council will not entertain exceptions for late payments. Harsh action that reflects how the local government has not considered the plight of the digitally disadvantaged.
They seem to deny that there is gross digital inequality between the rich and the poor; the rural and the urban and the able and senior citizens. There are indeed many poor and vulnerable groups in MBPJ's jurisdiction who due to poverty, lack of confidence or digital skills are unable to navigate the digital world confidently. They also deserve fairness and justice.
Even private utility companies provide online as well as physical bills and incentivise consumers through discounts to shift towards online billing platforms. The authorities should indeed be more sensitive towards the suffering of the vulnerable rakyat.
No effort has been made to identify and empower vulnerable consumers to help them through the process.
What is extremely disappointing are the so-called counsellors and local politicians who we had hoped would act to protect consumers and enhance their well-being. They have chosen to remain silent instead.
It is indeed laudable for the local government to go digital. It reduces paper wastage as well as brings savings to the agency. But please think of the welfare of all the rakyat, not just the technically savvy.
Read more: LETTER | Digital inequality in PJ - seniors disadvantaged
FOMCA mohon moratorium dilanjutkan susulan darurat, PKP
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Januari 13, 2021 @ 11:21am
KUALA LUMPUR: Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) mencadangkan supaya moratorium dilanjutkan bagi membantu golongan terkesan, susulan pengisytiharan darurat dan pelaksanaan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP).
Timbalan Presidennya, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, berkata dalam situasi semasa, ada rakyat yang belum mendapat pekerjaan selepas diberhentikan, berdepan pemotongan gaji, selain tidak jelas mengenai masa depan mereka.
Selain itu, ada golongan yang bekerja sendiri seperti peniaga kecil yang turut mengalami kesukaran, dengan sesetengah daripada mereka mungkin terpaksa menutup perniagaan.
"Walaupun kedai makan dan gerai penjaja di negeri yang dikenakan PKP dibenarkan beroperasi, namun jumlah pelanggan mereka berkurangan kerana ramai yang tidak keluar rumah.
"Selain itu, rentas negeri dan daerah juga tidak dibenarkan, yang menyebabkan sesetengah perniagaan kecil yang menjadi tumpuan pelancong turut terjejas," katanya kepada BH, hari ini.
Kelmarin, Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan pelaksanaan PKP di enam negeri selama 14 hari bermula tengah tadi membabitkan Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya dan Labuan), Melaka, Johor dan Sabah, susulan peningkatan besar jumlah kes COVID-19 di negara ini.
Read more: FOMCA mohon moratorium dilanjutkan susulan darurat, PKP
Student loses RM84,600 in digital currency scam
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Tuesday, 12 Jan 2021 | 12:35 PM MYT
A female student lost RM84,600 after being deceived by a digital currency investment scam advertised on Facebook.
Melaka Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt E. Sundra Rajan said in the incident on Jan 5, the 25-year-old victim was by the suspect via WhatsApp and briefed about investing in bitcoin.
He said the victim, who studies at a private higher learning institution, was promised a lucrative return within 72 hours, and was instructed to register on a website between Jan 5 and Jan 8.
"The victim made several payments to five different accounts in stages to buy bitcoin totaling RM84,600.
"The suspect continued to direct the victim to make payments until she ran out of money, which led the victim to inform her family members," he said in a statement, Tuesday.
Sundra said the victim then lodged a police report on Jan 8 at the Tengkera Police Station and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud.
In the meantime, he advised the public not to be fooled by advertisements and offers to participate in investments that promise lucrative returns in a short time, as well as to obtain investment-related information through official sources such as Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission. – Bernama
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'State of emergency won't void general insurance claims'
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13 Jan 2021, 8:22 am
The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) has given its assurance that the proclamation of emergency, which began on Jan 11 and will last until August, won't void general insurance claims.
"PIAM wishes to assure all general insurance policyholders that claims incurred during the Emergency Proclamation period will be paid according to their policy terms and conditions.
"All policyholders, both businesses and individuals, are advised to obtain more
information from their respective insurance companies," it said in a statement.
Yesterday, Istana Negara confirmed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to a national state of emergency at the government's request.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the emergency is to combat the spread of Covid-19 and assured that elections will be restored once the pandemic is under control.
In his speech on the proclamation of emergency, Muhyiddin also noted efforts to pressure him into holding snap polls during the pandemic, something which the prime minister said he is unwilling to do.
Umno has accused Muhyiddin of using the emergency to get around the fact that he now runs a minority government.
Three Umno MPs have renounced Muhyiddin to date, leaving him in control of 109 out of 220 MPs. Two more seats are vacant.
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LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
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5 Jan 2021 | Tuesday
LETTER | The year 2020 was supposed to be the year we became a “developed” nation. Instead, it was a year of great suffering for many workers and consumers. It was a year of a health crisis as well as an economic crisis.
As a health crisis, many lost their loved ones or were infected by the dreaded disease. Apart from a strictly physical health crisis, it affected others more deeply.
Mental health issues have increased. Suicides have increased. Beyond that, there were reports of increasing domestic violence.
As an economic crisis, many lost their jobs or had their incomes reduced. Many were stuck with debts or commitments they could not fulfil. Basic needs were affected. Children’s education was affected.
None of this is new. But how do we move forward from here into 2021? There was indeed much suffering, but there are also some lessons to be learnt.
One simple message going viral that “2020 was not a year to expect and plan for what we do not have but appreciate what we do have” can be a start. Let me add some other thoughts.
We need to invest in our health. We do not know when this pandemic will end or the next begin. The next pandemic is not an 'if' but a 'when'. We need to take care of our health and strengthen our immune systems. The suggestions are nothing new: healthier food, exercise, and adequate sleep.
Furthermore, we need to invest in supplements and regular check-ups. Will these protect us? If not completely, certainly they can contribute, to some extent, to reducing the risks and mitigating the negative impacts.
Read more: LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
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