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Tuesday, August 20, 2024

On high alert over mpox, Malaysia; Indonesia advises sick travellers to discontinue visit; China implements measures to prevent mpox at ports

 


Malaysian authorities are stepping up surveillance at international entry points. PHOTO: REUTERS



PETALING JAYA: Although no new mpox cases have been reported in Malaysia so far this year, the Health Ministry says it is ramping up surveillance and advocacy activities after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued its highest alert.

The ministry said Malaysian authorities are stepping up surveillance at international entry points and all travellers from countries that have reported mpox cases are required to monitor their health status, including symptoms for 21 days after their arrival in Malaysia.

It also advised people with a history of risky activities or who have symptoms such as rashes and blisters to seek treatment at the nearest health facility immediately and avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of the virus.

Healthcare personnel at public and private facilities are also required to notify suspected and confirmed cases to their nearest district health office to ensure that prevention and control measures can be implemented.

The ministry also assured the public that there are enough labs for testing and diagnostics.

There are 10 labs, including two private labs, with the capability to conduct PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests to confirm any diagnosis.

The ministry is also increasing awareness activities by distributing materials to high-risk groups and locations, such as spas and saunas.

It said premises offering services that involve skin-to-skin contact with customers such as the aforementioned must always ensure that hygiene is maintained and their employees as well as customers are not experiencing symptoms such as blisters or rashes.

“If an employee or customer experiences symptoms, they should immediately seek medical attention,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

It added that it will continue to work with other government agencies and non-government agencies including public hospitals and private hospitals to monitor, detect and treat mpox cases.

It will also continue to monitor the situation within and outside the country.

WHO had declared mpox, previously known as monkeypox, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time on Aug 14.

The first PHEIC was declared on July 23, 2022, and ended on May 11, 2023.

“The second declaration was made based on the advice of the IHR (International Health Regulations) Emergency Committee given the spread of the new mpox strain known as clade 1b, which is spreading fast in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring African countries,” it said.

“The increase in cases in Congo is quite significant with 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported in 2024, which is higher than the year prior.

“Apart from that, four countries in East Africa, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, reported mpox cases for the first time,” it added.

Malaysia has recorded nine mpox cases to date since the first case was detected on July 26, 2023, including a case recorded in November that year.

The Health Ministry said all the cases reported had a history of high-risk activities and had recovered with no deaths reported.

Commenting on the latest development, Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a health economics and public health specialist with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Medicine, said those who had sexual encounters with partners from countries where there are mpox cases, including places where the disease is endemic, should be monitored.

“It can also spread from infected pregnant women to their unborn children.

“Those travelling out to infected countries, especially the United States and African countries, need to be mindful of the risk of contact and infection during sexual activities,” she said.

A total of 99,176 mpox cases, including 208 deaths, were reported worldwide from Jan 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.- THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

China implements measures to prevent mpox at ports

China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) has issued a notice that it will tighten surveillance at ports of entry to prevent the spread of mpox in China, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday that the mpox outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

People coming from countries and regions affected by mpox outbreak, who have been exposed to mpox or have symptoms such as fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and rashes, should declare their conditions to customs upon entry. Customs officials will take medical measures and conduct sampling tests according to prescribed procedures, the GAC said.

Transport vehicles, containers, goods, and items from countries or regions affected by the outbreak and potentially contaminated should undergo sanitary treatment according to prescribed procedures, the GAC noted.

The measures took effect immediately upon announcement on Thursday, and will be valid for six months, according to the GAC.

According to the Africa centers for disease control and prevention data on August 9, 13 countries in Africa have reported 17,541 cases of mpox, with 517 deaths. 

China has effective capabilities to respond to the potential risks of the spread of mpox, Lu Hongzhou, head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, told the Global Times on Friday. 

To prevent the spread of mpox, Lu suggested that people should avoid sexual contact with individuals of unknown health status, and stay informed about mpox outbreaks in destination countries and regions when traveling. Lu added that people should avoid coming in contact with animals such as rodents and primates that may carry the virus

WHO calls for efforts to rein in mpox spread
Domestic vaccine undergoing clinical trials: experts
Monkeypox virus particles under a microscope made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  Photo: VCG

Monkeypox virus particles under a microscope Photo: VCG


Domestic mpox vaccines have not hit the market but research institutions in China have been carrying out clinical trials, Chinese experts said on Monday as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox surge a public health emergency of international concern - its highest alert level and urged manufacturers to ramp up vaccine production to rein in the spread of a more dangerous strain of the virus.

The WHO urged pharmaceutical firms to ramp up vaccine production on August 16 local time after it warned of the rapid spread of the new Clade 1b variant, a more deadly mpox strain, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to other African countries. 

Meanwhile, the Stockholm-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Friday raised its risk level for mpox to "moderate" from "low," a day after global health officials confirmed the first infection caused by a new strain of the virus outside Africa, in Sweden, which was followed by more sporadic cases appearing in the EU, with the overall risk to the population having gone up from "very low" to "low," Reuters reported on Friday. 

WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris urged manufacturers to scale up mpox production, according to a report from Agence France-Presse (AFP) on August 17. The WHO also asked countries with mpox vaccine stockpiles to donate them to countries with ongoing outbreaks, according to the AFP. 

According to Lu Hongzhou, head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, there is currently no domestic mpox vaccine available in the Chinese mainland, whereas research and preparations are underway, and relevant clinical trials have been promptly carried out. 

In July of 2023, the replication-deficient mpox vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Sinopharm) and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention passed the clinical trial application phase with the National Medical Products Administration, making it the earliest domestically developed mpox vaccine to enter the clinical research stage in China. 

However, due to the small number of mpox cases across the country and a dispersed population, it is difficult to conduct large-scale clinical studies on the vaccine's efficacy. Additionally, the risks and challenges of such studies are significant, making the development of an mpox vaccine face numerous challenges, Su Jinfeng, a senior biomedical engineer, said in an interview with the Global Times previously. 

During the last mpox epidemic on the Chinese mainland, the first imported mpox case was discovered in September 2022 and the first local infection was reported in June 2023. In the following three months between June and August, over 1,000 local confirmed cases were reported across more than 20 provinces across the country, which was triggered by local secondary outbreaks and covert transmission, according to The Beijing News. 

On September 20, 2023, mpox was classified as a Category B infectious disease under China's infectious disease control law while China's National Health Commission stated that the mpox epidemic would continue to exist within the country for a certain period of time. 

Since the beginning of this year, a total of 357 cases of mpox were reported nationwide as of this June, with no related deaths reported, according to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration.

Lu said that based on the current prevention and control measures and the domestic epidemic monitoring situation, there is a relatively low possibility of a surge in mpox infections in the Chinese mainland. 

China's General Administration of Customs announced on Friday that it would begin screening people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months. People arriving from countries where outbreaks have occurred, who have been in contact with mpox cases, or display symptoms should declare this information to customs authorities when entering the country, adding that vehicles, containers, and items from areas with mpox cases should be sanitized. 

According to Lu, the mpox virus strain currently circulating on the Chinese mainland belongs to the lineage C.1.1 under the Clade IIb strain, which caused the global outbreak of mpox between 2022 and 2023. Considering peak travel season and the frequent international exchanges, the risk of cross-border transmission of the mpox virus may increase. 

However, the mpox virus is primarily transmitted through prolonged close contact, such as sexual activities, skin-to-skin contact, and close-distance breathing or conversations between people, Lu told the Global Times on Monday, noting that its ability to spread between people is relatively weak. 

Meanwhile, many people aged 40 and above in the Chinese mainland have already been inoculated with smallpox vaccines, the administration of which, Lu said, has an efficacy of 85 percent in preventing mpox. 

Given China's current strict border control and epidemic prevention measures, it is difficult for new cases to spread to the country from overseas. Therefore, the likelihood of a rapid increase in infections in the Chinese mainland like that back in 2023 is relatively low based on the current prevention and control measures and domestic epidemic monitoring, Lu said. 

Aside from vaccination, treatments of mpox mainly consist of supportive care and the treatment of complications. Currently, antiviral drugs used in the treatment of mpox include cidofovir, brincidofovir, and tecovirimat. Additionally, ongoing clinical trials of a series of small molecule drugs for mpox have also found that some medicines at lower doses can specifically inhibit the replication of the mpox virus. - By GT staff reporters

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Monday, August 19, 2024

Civil servants must improve efficiency with new salary system following pay hike


Civil servants have been told to increase their productivity following the salary review of civil servants. In his speech during the 19th Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam in Putrajaya today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the increase in salary would not be useful or benefit the country if civil servants were stuck in old habits.

One for the album: Anwar posing with civil servants at the 19th Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (Mappa) at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. — Bernama
One for the album: Anwar posing with civil servants at the 19th Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (Mappa) at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. — Bernama


PM wants to see a new spirit in civil servants following pay hike, Have a spring in your step


PUTRAJAYA: Starting next Monday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants to see civil servants coming to work with a new spirit and work culture.

Following the increase in wages for government servants, the Prime Minister said he did not want to hear the public asking why they had to wait two hours to get a licence and up to two weeks for other matters.

Anwar also said department heads who failed to report misconduct by their subordinates would face disciplinary action.

“For example, there are headmistresses who wanted to protect the school’s image and didn’t even report cases of students being tortured.

“There are also department heads who did not report their subordinates with extraordinary wealth.

“Therefore, if it is proven, these department heads will not be promoted,” he said during the 19th Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (Mappa) yesterday.

Anwar earlier announced a 15% pay raise for officers under the implementing, management and professional groups and a 7% hike for officers in top management and professional roles.

He also instructed department heads to constantly implement job rotations to prevent incidents of misconduct among public officials.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said civil servants must ensure services to the public are aligned with their core responsibilities to avoid a waste of expertise.

“I want this issue to be reviewed by the relevant ministries to ensure that our resources are realigned to where they are needed,” he added.

He also warned businesses not to take advantage of the recent salary hike to raise the prices of goods.

“I also hope the private sector, especially companies that record high profits, will follow the government’s move to raise salaries to appreciate the services and sacrifices of their employees,” he added.

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Saturday, August 17, 2024

Charged with crypto ransom, The dark allure of crypto-currency


 Six accused of abducting Chinese national with four others at large

SEPANG: A married couple and four others have been charged with kidnapping a Chinese national last month and demanding a ransom of USDT1mil (RM4.44mil) in cryptocurrency.

Chen Jun Hiong, 28; Law Han Wei, 28; Dhinnesh Tan Kin Yuan, 29; Jong Li Jiat, 25; and husband and wife Loh Wei Jian and Wong Xiao Yen, both 29; pleaded not guilty to the charges before Sessions Court judge Amir Affendy Hamzah here yesterday.

According to the charge sheet, the six, along with four other individuals still at large, are accused of wrongfully detaining the Chinese man for a ransom amounting to USDT1,007,696.

USDT is the symbol for Tether, a cryptocurrency that is pegged to the US dollar.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Cyberjaya exit of the Maju Expressway (MEX) on July 11 at about 11am.

The charges under Section 3 (1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provide for a minimum prison sentence of 30 years or a maximum of 40 years and caning, if convicted.

The prosecution was handled by deputy public prosecutor Mohamed Wafi Husain while the accused were represented by counsels G. Freda Sabapathy (Chen), Mohd Zali Shaari (Law), Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor (Tan), P. Haresh (Jong) and Bernard Francis (Loh and Wong), Bernama reported.During the proceedings, Mohamed Wafi did not propose any bail as the offence is non- bailable.

However, each defence counsel requested bail for their client, which the court rejected.

“After considering all arguments and the nature of the charges, the court has decided that bail will not be granted,” the judge said, setting Oct 8 for the submission of documents.

Earlier this week, it was reported that police are still tracking down four more suspects believed to have been involved in the kidnapping near the MEX toll plaza, Cyberjaya, on July 11.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that the four suspects – three men and a woman – were part of an 18-member gang responsible for planning and executing the kidnapping.

They are believed to still be in the country.

On Aug 3, police shot and killed four suspects in a shootout in Skudai, Johor. The suspects were also believed to be involved in the kidnapping case.

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The dark allure of crypto-currency 


PETALING JAYA: Anonymity, speed and global accessibility are some of the reasons why cybercriminals prefer to demand ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency, say criminologists.

Financial forensics expert Raymon Ram said unlike traditional financial systems, cryptocurrency transactions can occur without intermediaries.

“The irreversible nature of these transactions ensures that once the ransom is paid, victims cannot recover the funds, offering criminals a level of security,” he added.

Raymon also said that by using digital currency, criminals such as kidnappers could easily launder the ransom money by leveraging on the pseudo-anonymity and decentralised nature of cryptocurrency systems.

“After receiving the ransom, typically in popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or stablecoins like USDT, criminals often employ tactics such as mixing services and chain-hopping.

“Mixing services obscure the transaction trail by blending the ransom with other funds, while chain-hopping involves converting the cryptocurrency across different platforms and coins, making it harder to trace.”

Raymon said enforcing strict identity verification and transaction monitoring can make it harder for criminals to launder their illicit gains.

Criminologist Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar agreed, saying that using cryptocurrency as ransom has been some criminals’ modus operandi as it would be harder for authorities to trace them.

Akhbar, who is also Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners president, said that the recently gazetted Cyber Security Act 2024 would also help in enhancing resilience against emerging threats involving cryptocurrency.ttps://dai.ly/x942lqg


Friday, August 16, 2024

US tech export controls backfire, drive companies into ‘death spiral’

 

The restrictions on US technology exports to China are encountering mounting opposition due to the growing financial losses of American companies and the burgeoning independent innovation capabilities of Chinese companies, ultimately ruling out the possibility of the US being able to force allies into alignment on further export controls over China.

California Democrats are calling on the Biden administration to freeze reported plans to impose fresh restrictions on US technology exports to China, arguing that a further round of controls "could send longstanding US companies into a death spiral," Reuters reported on Wednesday.

To be clear, the US politicians' use of the term "death spiral" does not necessarily mean that they are opposed to the tech suppression of China, but rather highlights their deep concern about the potential harm that measures targeting China could inflict on US companies. 

Such concerns are not groundless. For example, a recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York pointed out that US export control measures targeting China have had a negative impact on American companies, as they have caused supply chain disruptions, raised operating costs and reduced US companies' competitiveness. 

The total market value of all US companies affected by export controls on China has been reduced by an estimated $130 billion, the report noted.

There is a growing awareness within US political and business circles that Washington's technology export controls on China are encountering resistance and becoming increasingly ineffective. 

In a recent article published by The National Interest magazine, Brian J. Cavanaugh, who once served on the White House National Security Council, wrote that addressing China's rise as a global leader in electronics manufacturing requires a comprehensive strategy that encompasses economic policy, technological innovation and national security measures. He acknowledged that the US will not defeat China on its own, pointing out that "Washington must reconsider its approach to trade with Beijing, particularly in the electronics sector. Working with allies and partners to develop a coordinated response to China's market practices can help mitigate the risks."

However, regardless of the methods the US may choose to employ in order to enforce its unilateral strategy of stifling China's technology industry, it will be difficult to achieve its goals. This can be attributed to two primary factors. 

First, if US companies are unable to capitalize on the vast Chinese market, businesses in allied nations of the US will become less willing to cooperate with US companies. This is largely due to the fact that China boasts a massive market with a high demand for intermediate products and chips, making it a market that profit-driven companies simply cannot afford to overlook.

Second, the independent innovation of Chinese companies has posed a challenge to the unilateral technological blockade of the US. Washington's technology "iron curtain" has not stopped Chinese companies from developing. On the contrary, US export controls actually have promoted independent innovation in China, helping Chinese companies reduce their dependence on US technology products and enhancing their competitiveness in the global market. For instance, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Huawei Technologies is close to introducing a new chip for artificial intelligence use. Continuous technological breakthroughs are the best response to US technology restrictions.

This is one of the consequences that US politicians should have anticipated. The reason they turn a blind eye to such possibilities and continue to push for technological "decoupling" from China is because they are reluctant to admit that their technological hegemony will eventually fail. Countries that get used to abusing their power often overestimate their own strength.

Washington also overestimates its influence on allies, as it seems to aim to defeat China through alliances. California Democrats wrote a letter urging the use of "all forms of leverage available to the US government to bring our allies along in aligning their export controls with ours." But this approach is unlikely to succeed. 

Washington's attempt to maintain technological hegemony at the expense of global efficiency and the profits of high-tech multinationals has already caused widespread dissatisfaction, because it not only affects China but also the interests of the global economy and world trade. More importantly, today's China has strong technological capabilities and can make independent breakthroughs. Therefore, the containment strategy of the US, left over from the Cold War era, is bound to fail.

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Thursday, August 15, 2024

Fighting misconduct, corruption in spirit of Merdeka



PUTRAJAYA: While the fluttering of the Jalur Gemilang and shouts of independence (Merdeka) grow louder as National Day approaches, this patriotic spirit would be more meaningful if it were translated into action by citizens joining the government to free the nation of corruption and abuse of power.

In the past, the people were willing to risk their lives to fight the colonisers to free the homeland. Today, citizens must be brave in taking action against those who give and receive bribes for the honour of the nation towards ensuring the country continues to progress and gain respect globally.

Indeed, fighting this "enemy within" is not easy, but it can be achieved through integrity and public participation, supporting the government's committed efforts to combat corruption and abuse of power.

Moreover, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly emphasised the need to fight those who steal or rob the nation's wealth, regardless of rank or age.

Therefore, Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Ismail Bakar urges all Malaysians, whether in the public or private sector, to embody the spirit of independence in conjunction with the 67th National Day by courageously opposing misconduct and corruption to uphold the dignity of the nation.

He said the government's aspiration is for civil servants to have high integrity, ensuring that there is no more leakages in the management of government finances, thus improving the delivery system of services to the people.

"There should be no more injustice in public service delivery, no more favouritism. This is the spirit of independence from the perspective of integrity. It means that if we have a free spirit, we are free to receive government services fairly and equitably without the need to participate in government project tenders that require middlemen," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

Ismail said that if the public service delivery system is transparent, the government's allocations will be fully utilised for projects without any leakage, thus ensuring that the people fully benefit from the allocations.

"Government projects are funded by the people; if there is leakage, the people have to pay back, the lifespan of the project becomes shorter, and the quality declines. Eventually, the project requires additional maintenance costs. There is no funding due to leakage, so the government has to borrow and raise taxes. Therefore, corruption and integrity issues need to be viewed from a broader perspective," he said.

He added that significant losses of national revenue can occur due to negligence in government agencies, such as at ports and entry points, and the presence of elements providing protection to illegal activities and the underground economy.

"In line with the National Day theme, 'Malaysia Madani - Jiwa Merdeka,' EAIC appeals to all government agencies with power to engage in self-reflection.

"We need to reflect on whether what we have been doing is right, especially for agencies with the power to act but instead protect activities that harm society and the nation by losing opportunities to generate revenue by protecting illegal activities. I believe this is a serious betrayal of the King," he said.

He said that every civil servant is appointed by the King through the Constitution, and if they lack integrity by protecting illegal activities such as gambling, prostitution, and drugs, they are betraying their appointment and the current government.

"If there are those involved, whether department heads or others, please embrace the principles of the National Day spirit towards a clean and progressive Malaysia. Reflect and ask yourself if you are satisfied with the issues of leakage, corruption, and integrity," he said.

He stressed that fighting corruption and misconduct is everyone's responsibility, whether department heads, politicians, or all branches of government, including the executive, legislative, and judiciary, in upholding the spirit of integrity and refraining from corruption.

Ismail underscored that efforts to enhance the level of integrity among civil servants begin with the appointment process and that if the appointment to a position is done correctly and in accordance with the law, it ensures that integrity is better instilled at the public service level.

He also said that the role of schools in providing knowledge and exposure on integrity needs to be strengthened, and parents should educate their children about not taking what doesn't belong to them, mutual respect, and not encouraging the culture of paying bribes to get tasks done.

Ismail emphasised that achieving a respected nation requires more than economic progress and development as it is also essential for civil servants to be respected for their high level of integrity, setting an example for other countries.

"Foreigners look at Malaysia based on the strength of its civil servants. Good civil servants reflect the country's development. I'm sure that if the civil servants are not up to the mark, the country will not progress.

"I want to see Malaysian civil servants known worldwide as individuals with integrity who can contribute to the nation's development," he said. -- BERNAMA


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