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News Wrap-up: Judge in Najib case urged to withdraw, Government agencies to get daycare centres

Jul 06, 2018

Judge in Najib case urged with withdraw

The Malaysian Bar has called for the High Court judge presiding over Datuk Seri Najib Razak's case to withdraw himself. 

This comes after the media reported that judge, Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, is the younger brother of an Umno man who is currently a Pahang exco member. 

Image Source: Kehakiman.gov.my

The Malaysian Bar says there is a risk of bias since Najib was until recently Umno president.

Earlier, the Attorney General, who's leading the prosecution, reportedly said he was hearing the news for the first time.

Meanwhile, the 'Free Najib Fund', set up to help the former PM with his legal fees has collected 11,000 ringgit since it was launched yesterday afternoon. 

Image Source: The Star

The founder of the fund is hoping to have enough donations to help Najib pay the remainder of his bail - which is 500,000 ringgit - by Monday. 

Daycare centres for all government agencies

There will be daycare facilities at all government agencies by 1st January next year, even at the district level. 

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said the ministry will audit all agencies soon, especially those with shift work. 

Image Source: The Star

Hannah said a circular was issued in 1989 calling on all govt agencies to provide daycare facilities - and 29 years later, it's time to finally do something. 

Hannah also called on Malaysians to stop blaming Baby Adam's mother for the tragedy, as some netizens called the mother irresponsible for leaving the baby with a nanny at night. 

5-month-old Adam as found dead in his nanny's fridge in Selangor a few days ago.

Image Source: Bernama

Hannah explained the mother is a night-shift nurse and daycare centres don't operate at night.

Finally...

The Health Ministry is considering shifting to generic drugs, as a pharmaceutical company plans to increase the prices of over 100 drugs manufactured in the US. 

The company's branch in Malaysia has ensured prices here won't be affected, but the government is being proactive. 

On another issue, Deputy Health Minister Doctor Lee Boon Chye said they will review Dengvaxia.

The world's first dengue vaccine is not available in Malaysia yet, but has been blamed for deaths and worsening the disease in the Philippines.