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News Wrap-up: Jho Low's superyacht arrives, SOSMA is still relevant

Aug 07, 2018

Jho Low's superyacht, Equanimity docks at Port Klang

Image source: World of Buzz

Jho Low's billion-dollar yacht, the Equanimity has reached Port Klang.

The boat, which was seized in Indonesia recently, had travelled from Batam Island.

The Equanimity is also at the centre of a US investigation into 1MDB, as it's believed the yacht was bought using money stolen from the fund. 

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he doesn't know anything about the yacht.

Najib says his administration did not pursue claims that 1MDB funds were abused to acquire the yacht, because they were busy pursuing the full settlement with Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company.

Earlier, the Finance Minister said the government plans to take inventory of what's on the yacht and open the vessel for public viewing.

After that, it will be sold to the highest bidder.

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SOSMA still deemed necessary

Image source: Bernama

The controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or SOSMA, may not be repealed after all.  

Deputy Home Minister, Azis Jamman says SOSMA is a necessary act took to tackle organised crimes and terrorism.

However, the law will be reviewed, to make sure that it is not used for political purposes. 

Several former top police officials had urged the government to keep SOSMA, to help it fight crime. 

This, a month after Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that draconian laws like SOSMA would be repealed.

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Ronald Kiandee chosen to helm Public Accounts Committee

Image source: Berita Harian

Former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee has been appointed chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee.

The UMNO Beluran MP is the first Opposition lawmaker to assume the responsibility of the powerful committee.

Initially, the role was offered to opposition leader, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, but he rejected it. 

In its election manifesto, Pakatan pledged to appoint an Opposition MP to head the PAC, as part of efforts to strengthen the parliamentary institution.

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Sabah to focus on eradicating HFMD on all children, not just students

Sabah's Health Department says its anti-Hand Foot and Mouth Disease efforts will not only focus on school children. 

It's because there are likely many non-schooling kids who are at risk of contracting the disease.

For example, they could get HFMD from their school-going siblings, or at public areas.

Meanwhile, some 2,600 HFMD cases have been reported in Sabah so far, with 24 schools or classes still closed.

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Batu MP Prabakaran denies he was bribed to make way for Anwar

PKR's Batu MP, P. Prabakaran has denied that he was offered RM25 million to vacate his seat for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The youngest MP adds that the allegations were made based on rumours.

Yesterday, the Selayang MP denied rumours that he had been asked to give up his seat, but said he would gladly do so if asked.