Category Archives: Tech ARP Events + Contests!

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Malaysia Reopens International Borders On 1 April 2022!

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The government of Malaysia just announced the reopening of international borders on 1 April 2022!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia Reopens International Borders On 1 April 2022!

On 3 March 2022, the Minister of Defence announced that the 13th Quartet Meeting has agreed in principle to reopen all national borders, based on three basic objectives:

  • to ensure smooth journeys for travellers,
  • based on science and the latest facts on COVID-19, and
  • comparing border reopening requirements with other countries.

This decision was made after the Ministry of Health had a meeting with other ministries and agencies on reopening the borders on Saturday, 26 February 2022.

On 8 March 2022, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Ismail Sabri Yaacob, announced that Malaysia will reopen all international borders on 1 April 2022.

Based on that decision in principle, the Ministry of Health and all relevant ministries and agencies will finalise the protocols for pre-departure and arrival in Malaysia.

But here is what the Prime Minister announced so far :

  1. All Malaysian citizens can travel freely internationally, as long as they have valid travel documents.
  2. All foreigners with valid travel documents can freely travel in and out of Malaysia, without apply for MyTravelPass, which will be abolished.
  3. All travellers have to activate MySejahtera, and fill in the Pre-Departure Form using the Traveller option in MySejahtera.
  4. All travellers who are fully-vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine do not need to undergo any quarantine.
  5. However, travellers must show a negative RT-PCR test taken within 2 days before departure.
  6. In addition, travellers must undergo a professionally-administered RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia, and report the results in MySejahtera.

Read more : Malaysia To Reopen + Move Towards COVID-19 Endemicity!

 

More Malaysia VTL Options In Addition To Reopening Borders

In addition, the Prime Minister announced that they are looking at expanding the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme that allows for quarantine-free travel.

Currently, the VTL scheme is limited to Singapore, but the Prime Minister has announced that two more VTL schemes will soon be implemented :

  • Malaysia-Thailand VTL,
  • Malaysia-Brunei VTL, and
  • Malaysia-Indonesia.

The government is also looking at other countries to add to the VTL scheme.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia To Reopen + Move Towards COVID-19 Endemicity!

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Malaysia is set to reopen nationwide, as it moves towards COVID-19 endemicity!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Malaysia To Reopen + Move Towards COVID-19 Endemicity!

On 8 March 2022, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Ismail Sabri Yaacob, announced that Malaysia will reopen and move towards COVID-19 endemicity.

Here are the new changes that will come into effect on Friday, 1 April 2022 :

  1. It is still mandatory to wear face masks in public.
  2. Restrictions on business operating hours are eliminated. Businesses can operate as long as they wish, or are licensed for. 24 hours eateries, for example, can now open 24 hours.
  3. Logging in using MySejahtera is still mandatory, except for open spaces that are not crowded or do not have gatherings.
  4. Using MySJ Trace is mandatory for indoor areas that are filled with people.
  5. The Federal Government will allow people to undertake religious activities without physical distancing. Each state will determine if they will adopt this recommendation, or still insist on physical distancing.
  6. Employee / staff attendance based on vaccination rate is abolished.
  7. All individuals are allowed to travel interstate, irrespective of vaccination status.
  8. All employees / staff will be allowed to work, irrespective of vaccination status.
  9. The 50% limit on venue capacity for group activities / gatherings (for example, wedding dinners) is abolished. However, there should be reasonable physical distancing.
  10. International borders is reopened completely. All Malaysian citizens can travel freely internationally, as long as they have valid travel documents.
  11. All foreigners with valid travel documents can freely travel in and out of Malaysia, without apply for MyTravelPass, which will be abolished. They just have to activate MySejahtera, and fill in the Pre-Departure Form using the Traveller option in MySejahtera.
  12. Travellers who are fully-vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine do not need to undergo any quarantine, but only need to have a negative RT-PCR test within 2 days before departure, and a professionally-administered RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia.

Read more : Malaysia Reopens International Borders On 1 April 2022!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

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Latest Singapore-Malaysia VTL Air Travel Guide!

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The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Malaysia allows for quarantine-free air travel!

Here is our latest guide on the Singapore to Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane!

 

Singapore-Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) Announced!

After almost 2 years of border closures, Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to launch a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) on 8 November 2021.

From 29 November 2021 onwards, fully-vaccinated individuals will be allowed to travel between Changi Airport and KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport).

From 16 March 2021 onwards, fully-vaccinated individuals will be allowed to travel between Changi Airport and PIA (Penang International Airport).

Travellers using this Vaccinated Travel Lane will NOT be required to serve any quarantine or Stay-Home-Notice. They will only be required to take COVID-19 tests!

However, I should point out that this VTL scheme will NOT be cheap, as you will need to undergo several COVID-19 tests.

Read more : Singapore-Malaysia VTL Land (Causeway) Travel Guide!

https://youtu.be/p4D-uTOeZVI

 

VTL Air Travel Guide : Singapore To Malaysia

On 19 November 2021, the Immigration Department of Malaysia released details of the Vaccinated Travel Lane rules for people travelling from Singapore to Malaysia.

On 2 March 2022, the Malaysia Ministry of Health announced that VTL travellers are no longer required to undergo daily COVID-19 tests.

On 4 March 2022, the governments of Singapore and Malaysia announced that the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme would expand to include Penang.

Pre-Departure

  • Travellers must remain in Singapore and/or Malaysia in the last 14 consecutive days.
  • Travellers must be fully-vaccinated with the full regimen of COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM), at least two weeks before arrival in Malaysia.
  • Travellers must book a designated Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight into Malaysia.
  • Travellers must register and pay for the on-arrival COVID-19 RT-PCR test at https://www.airport.doctor2u.my
  • Travellers must take a separate COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 2 days before departure.
  • Travellers must download and register the MySejahtera app.
  • MyTravelPass is not required.
  • Short-term visitors, including business and official travellers, must :
    a) apply for visa (if required),
    b) purchase a return ticket, and
    c) purchase COVID-19 travel insurance (minimum RM 100,000 coverage)

Check-In

  • Travellers will need to present these documents at check-in :
    a) Travel document (passport / electronic visit pass)
    b) Valid vaccination certificate (physical or electronic)
    c) Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate
    d) MySejahtera app with registered profile
  • Short-term visitors, including business and official travellers, only will also require to present these at check in :
    a) visa (if required)
    b) return ticket
    c) proof of purchase of COVID-19 travel insurance (physical or electronic)

On Arrival

  • Take the on-arrival COVID-19 RT-PCR test, and wait 1-3 hours at the designated area in the airport for the test results.
  • After obtaining a negative RT-PCR test result, proceed to the arrival immigration and present the following :
    a) Travel document (passport / electronic visit pass)
    b) Boarding Pass
    c) Visa (if required)
    d) Return / onward ticket and proof of accommodation (applicable to all, except Permanent Residents of Malaysia and holders of Long-Term Passes).

Stay In Malaysia

  • Travellers must adhere to the current public health measures
  • Travellers must activate MySejahtera app at all times.

 

VTL Air Travel Guide : Malaysia To Singapore

The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) released details of the Vaccinated Travel Lane rules for travel to and from Malaysia :

  • The joint VTL between Singapore and Malaysia is limited to travel between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) starting on 29 November 2021, and Penang International Airport (PIA) starting 16 March 2022.
  • Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) applications for Short-Term Visitors and Singapore Permanent Residents will commence on 22 November 2021 – returning Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are fully-vaccinated will not need to apply.

The Singapore Minister of Transportation also announced that :

  • Applications for VTL will open on 22 November 2021.
  • Travellers to Singapore will be required to present a negative PCR test, or a professionally-administer ART (Antigen Rapid Test) taken 48 hours prior to departure.
  • Travellers to Singapore will be subjected to a PCR test on arrival.

Pre-Departure

  • Travellers must be fully-vaccinated with a WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) vaccine, at least two weeks before arrival in Singapore.
  • Unvaccinated travellers who are 12 years and below in the calendar year can travel to Singapore via the VTL if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated VTL traveller.
  • Travellers must be able to provide the Digital Certificate for COVID-19 Vaccination, either downloaded or shown on the MySejahtera app.
  • Travellers must have only travelled to, or transited through any VTL countries (like Malaysia) or Category I countries (like Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan) in the last 14 consecutive days before departure to Singapore.
  • Travellers must travel to Singapore on a designated VTL flight from Malaysia.
  • Foreign short-term visitors must purchase a suitable travel insurance with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 against COVID-19 related medical charges from a Singapore or overseas-based insurer.
  • Foreign short-term visitors that require a visa to enter Singapore, must apply fro a visa.
  • Travellers, except those aged 2 and below in the calendar year, must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test / Antigen Rapid Test within 2 days before departure to Singapore.
  • Travellers under the VTL do not need a return flight ticket to enter Singapore.

Applying To Travel Under VTL

  • Singapore citizens and permanent residents do not need to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass, but must comply with the VTL requirements.
  • Unvaccinated children of Singapore citizens and permanent residents, aged 12 and below, do not need to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass either.
  • Foreign visitors, including Short-Term Visitors and Long-Term Pass Holders, must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass from 22 November 2021 (10 AM SGT) onwards.
  • Children aged 12 and below accompanying foreign visitors do not need to apply.
  • All applications must be submitted between 7 and 60 days before the intended date of entry into Singapore.
  • Every Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) is valid for 6 calendar days from the traveller’s chose date of entry.

Essential Documents

  • Travellers must carry along an electronic / physical copy of these documents to present to the airline staff and immigration officers.
Documents Singapore Citizens &
Permanent Residents
 Long-Term
Pass Holders
 Short-Term
Visitors
Accepted Proof of Vaccination
 ✓ ✓ ✓
Negative Pre-Departure
COVID-19 Test		 ✓ ✓ ✓
Valid Vaccinated Travel Pass
(VTP)		 X ✓ ✓
COVID-19 Insurance Policy X X ✓
Valid Visa (If Required) X X ✓

On-Arrival ART Test

  • Travellers, except children aged 2 and below in the calendar year and travellers who are certified positive for COVID-19 between 7-90 days before departure, are required to undergo a supervised self-administered ART test at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC) within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore.
  • Except for attending the supervised ART, travellers are required to self-isolate in their declared accommodation until they are notified that they have tested negative. Travellers may only take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car between the QTC/CTC and their accommodation. Public transportation is not allowed.
  • Travellers should not wait for their test results at the test centre due to space constraints. They may leave the test centre once they have completed their self-administered ART and await notification of their test results via SMS or email.

 

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Malaysia Approves Pfizer PAXLOVID Antivirals For COVID-19!

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Malaysia just approved the Pfizer PAXLOVID antiviral treatment for COVID-19!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia Approves Pfizer PAXLOVID Antivirals For COVID-19!

On 3 March 2022, the Malaysia Health Ministry (KKM) announced that the 370th Drug Control Authority meeting has agreed to give conditional approval to:

PAXLOVID (PF-07321332 150mg Film-Coated Tablets and Ritonavir 100mg Film-Coated Tablets)

Registrant : Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Manufacturer : Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Germany and Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Ireland
Indication : COVID-19 treatment for adults age 18 years and above who do not require oxygen therapy, and are high-risk for severe COVID-19.

The Health Ministry warns that PAXLOVID is not meant to replace COVID-19 vaccination and public health measures.

 

Pfizer PAXLOVID : What Is It?

Pfizer PAXLOVID is an antiviral treatment that consists of two protease inhibitors :

  • two 150 mg tablets of Nirmatrelvir (the new protease inhibitor developed by Pfizer)
  • one 100 mg tablet of Ritonavir (an old antiviral approved in 1996)

Protease inhibitors work by binding to proteolytic enzymes used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to replicate. This prevents the virus from replicating in the infected cells, stopping the infection and preventing transmission.

Drug combinations like this offer a synergistic effect, above and beyond their individual abilities. In this combination, ritonavir helps to slow down the breakdown of nirmatrelvir, allowing it to remain in the body for a longer period at higher concentrations.

Read more : Did Cornell Name Ivermectin Most Effective Drug vs. Omicron?

PAXLOVID was first given an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) by the US FDA on 22 December 2021, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and children 12 years and older.

It is meant to be taken by those who are at high-risk of developing severe COVID-19, and must be taken within 5 days of symptom onset. In addition, PAXLOVID must not be taken for more than 5 consecutive days.

The EPIC-HR trial showed that PAXLOVID is able to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19 b y 88%, compared to placebo.

Individuals who took PAXLOVID have reported side effects like impaired sense of taste, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and muscle aches.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia Approves Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine For 5-11 Yo Kids

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Malaysia just approved the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for 5-11 year-old kids!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia Approves Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine For 5-11 Yo Kids!

On 3 March 2022, the Malaysia Health Ministry (KKM) announced that the 370th Drug Control Authority meeting has agreed to give conditional approval to the Sinovac CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine for use in 5-11 year-old children.

The conditional approval is for CoronaVac Suspension for Injection COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell) manufactured by both Sinovac Life Sciences Co. Ltd. in China, as well as Pharmaniaga Lifescience Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia.

This makes the Sinovac CoronaVac the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Malaysia for children 5 to 11 years in age, after the Pfizer COMIRNATY vaccine on 6 January 2022.

 

Should You Get Sinovac Vaccine For 5-11 Yo Kids?

This conditional approval will be a relief for many parents who have been holding out for an alternative to the Pfizer COMIRNATY vaccine, and spur vaccination rates.

Back in October 2021, the KKM ran a Phase 3 clinical trial to determine the efficacy of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for children 3-11 years in age.

However, the Malaysia Ministry of Health did not reveal what was the efficacy of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for the 5-11 year old age group, or how it performed against the Omicron variant.

We do know that the adult dose was only 50.4% efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, and that it has zero efficacy against the Omicron variant (see link and table below).

Read more : What HKU Study Revealed About Pfizer / Sinovac vs. Omicron

COVID-19
Variant		 Seropositive Rate MN Titer (GMT)
Pfizer Sinovac Pfizer Sinovac
HKU691 Omicron 20% 0% 5.43 Min.
HKU344-R346K
Omicron
 24% 0% 6.42 Min.
Delta 100% 68% 124.7 10.3
Beta 100% 0% 25.7 Min.
Alpha 100% 100% 229.4 21.7

It seems unlikely that the same vaccine would impart better efficacy in children, more so against the Delta or Omicron variants.

Until there are good peer-reviewed Phase 3 results of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for 5-11 year-old children, I believe it is far more prudent to vaccinate our children with the Pfizer COMIRNATY paediatric vaccine.

At least the Pfizer paediatric COVID-19 vaccine has been proven in a Phase 3 trial to be 90.7% efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections.

I believe KKM will continue to use the superior Pfizer vaccine in the PICKids vaccination program, while allowing hesitant parents to get the Sinovac vaccine for their children through private clinics and hospitals.

This may be the best way forward for everyone.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Casual Contact Risk Status In MySejahtera Removed!

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The Casual Contact risk status in MySejahtera has been removed!

Here is what you need to know about this new development!

 

Casual Contact Risk Status : What Is It?

In the past, individuals identified as Casual Contacts of COVID-19 positive persons will get a yellow risk status warning in MySejahtera.

They are also required to undergo daily health assessments using the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) in MySejahtera for 10 days.

While this yellow Casual Contact warning does not prevent them from going into public places, it is certainly alarming to those who receive one.

These Casual Contact risk status became very common recently, partly because of the Omicron surge, and partly because MySJ Trace allows for faster and more accurate contact tracing.

 

Casual Contact Risk Status In MySejahtera Removed!

On 1 March 2021, the Malaysia Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the Casual Contact risk status would be removed with immediate effect.

Instead of the yellow Casual Contact risk status warning in MySejahtera, you will receive this notification instead.

MySejahtera automated contact tracing system has identified you as a Casual Contact. If you develop symptoms, please do a self test. You are not subjected to any restrictions but please adhere to SOPs at all times. Stay safe.

Sistem pengesanan kontak automatik MySejahtera telah mengel pasti anda sebagai kontak kassal. Sekiranya anda mengalami gejala, sila lakukan ujian kendiri. Tiada sebarang sekatan dikenakan ke atas anda, tetapi sila sentidas patuhi SOP. Kekal selamat.

You are only required to isolate and get tested if you are symptomatic. Otherwise, there is no need to isolate, or get tested.

Your MySejahtera status will remain as Low Risk No Symptoms in blue. There is also NO LONGER a requirement to perform daily health assessments using the Health Assessment Tool (HAT).

But please note that if your casual contact happened before today, 1 March 2022, you will still get the Yellow risk status warning.

Only those who were identified as a casual contact from 1 March 2022 onwards, will receive the blue Low Risk No Symptoms status.

Please alert your family and friends, so they are aware of these changes!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Anonymous Cyberwar Against Russia : 28 February 2022

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Here are the latest cyberattacks by the hacktivist group, Anonymous, in their cyberwar against Russia!

 

Anonymous Launches Cyberwar Against Russia!

On 22 February 2022, Anonymous lobbed a warning shot at both Russia and China, hacking an official Chinese website and a Russian Modbus device.

After the Russian invasion started on 24 February, Anonymous announced that they would also begin “gearing up for action” :

#Anonymous has always been against war, and against colonialism. We’ve seen how unfettered power decimates the weak, only having its own self interests in mind. We stand with the people, not the governments of the world.
Anonymous condemns the attacks on the Ukrainian people.

There are many #Anonymous accounts gearing up for action against the imperialist state of Russia, and we will be retweeting their endeavors.

The next day, Anonymous announced that they have started attacking the Russian government.

#Anonymous is currently involved in operations against the Russian Federation. Our operations are targeting the Russian government. There is an inevitability that the private sector will most likely be affected too. While this account cannot claim to speak for the whole (con)

Read more : Anonymous fires Warning Shot at China, Russia over Ukraine!

 

Anonymous Cyberwar Successes Against Russia!

Here is the latest list of cyberattacks that Anonymous successfully conducted in their cyberwar against Russian.

25 February 2022

26 February 2022

  • Anonymous took down several Russian government websites, including the Kremlin, State Duma, and Ministry of Defense.
  • Anonymous “retrieved” and leaked 200 GB of emails from Tetraedr – a Belarusian arms manufacturer, including blueprints of the SAMs (Surface-to-Air Missiles) they manufacture.

27 February 2022

  • Anonymous took down the Chechen Republic government website : chechnya.gov.ru
    Note : This came after multiple reports of Chechen soldiers being deployed to Ukraine.
  • Anonymous shut down gas supply provided by Tvingo Telecom in Russia. Tvingo Telecom is owned by Rostelecom, a Russian state owned telecommunications company.

28 February 2022

  • Anonymous took down several official Belarus government websites :
    – Belarus Ministry of Communications and Information : mpt.gov.by
    – Belarus State Authority for Military Industry : vpk.gov.by
    – Belarus Military : mil.by
  • Anonymous took down several more Russian state and state-linked websites :
    – Pension Fund of the Russian Federation : pfr.gov.ru
    – Russian Public Services portal : gosuslugi.ru
    – Kremlin website (again) : Kremlin.ru
    – Russian Federal Customs Service : customs.gov.ru
    – Russian government website : government.ru
    – Moscow city + mayor website : mos.ru
    – Tass news agency website : Tass.ru
  • The hacking group GNG – an Anonymous affiliate – hacked and leaked a Sberbank database
  • Anonymous Network Battalion 65′ (nB65) hacked and released 40,000 files from the Russian Nuclear Safety Institute.

I will keep updating this article, as and when Anonymous announces their successes against Russia.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia COVID-19 Test + Isolation Rules : 25 Feb 2022

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The Malaysia Ministry of Health just updated its COVID-19 test and isolation rules to combat the Omicron variant surge!

 

New COVID-19 Testing Rules To Fight Omicron Surge In Malaysia!

On 7 February 2022, Malaysia Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced new test rules to combat the Omicron variant surge.

  1. Those who are symptomatic should immediately take a COVID-19 test, whether PCR or RAT.
  2. The test result, whether positive or negative, should be reported in MySejahtera.
  3. If you get a positive result on your rapid antigen test (RAT), there is no need to confirm the diagnosis using PCR. The positive RAT test result is good enough.

On 17 February 2022, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) clarified the testing rules for close contacts :

  • If you test negative for COVID-19, you must finish the full quarantine period.
  • If you test positive, you must follow the COVID-19 positive protocol.

On 25 February 2022, KKM updated testing requirements for individuals with Cat 1 and Cat 2A COVID-19.

 

New Isolation + Hospitalisation Rules To Fight Omicron Surge In Malaysia!

Here are also the new rules on home isolation and hospitalisation for people who test positive for COVID-19, as of 25 February 2022.

First, let me clarify some of the terms for COVID-19 positive individuals :

  • Category 1 : patients who are asymptomatic (have no symptoms)
  • Category 2A : patients who have mild symptoms
  • Category 2B : patients who have moderate symptoms
  • Low Risk : patients who are less than 60 years old, and do not have co-morbidities
  • High Risk : patients who are 60 years and above, or have co-morbidities
Category 2A
(Mild Symptoms)
 Category 2B
(Moderate Symptoms)
Sore throat or flu symptoms,
without fever or breathing difficulties		 Prolonged fever for 2 days or more,
or developing a new fever
Cough without fever or
breathing difficulties		 Breathing difficulty during physical activity
(Exertional dyspnoea)
Loss of taste, but with good appetite Chest pain
Loss of smell Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea 1-2 times in 24 hours Feeling tired during daily activities,
or on waking up from sleep
Vomitting or feeling nauseous Need help to walk
Tired, but can perform daily activities Worsening symptoms (cough, nausea,
vomiting, or persistent diarrhoea)
Muscle ache, but can perform daily tasks Declining mental acuity
Reduced urine output in the last 24 hours

COVID-19 Positive (Cat 1, Cat 2A, Low Risk)

  1. You should NOT go to the CAC (COVID-19 Assessment Centre), unless specifically requested through MySejahtera, SMS or a phone call.
  2. You must isolate at home for 7 days if you do not have symptoms (Cat 1), and are fully-vaccinated.
  3. You must isolate at home for 10 days, if you are symptomatic, or are unvaccinated / not fully-vaccinated.
  4. You must perform self-assessment using the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app TWICE a day. Updated!
    a) before 12 PM
    b) before 6 PM
  5. You will receive an SMS or a robocall (Automated Voice Recording) in case you forget to perform the self-assessment.

COVID-19 Positive (Cat 2B and above)

  1. You must go to the CAC (COVID-19 Assessment Centre) for assessment, to determine if you need to go to the nearest hospital. Updated!
  2. Those who are not sent to the hospital must isolate at home for 10 days, and perform self-assessment using the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app. Updated!

Read more : New Quarantine Rules For Close Contact / COVID-19 Positive!

Effective
17 February		 Fully Vaccinated
with / without
Booster Dose		 Unvaccinated or
Partially Vaccinated
Isolation Period 7 Days 10 Days

COVID-19 Positive High-Risk Group (Cat 1 + Cat 2)

On 17 February 2022, KKM announced that the following patients are considered high-risk, and will be hospitalised even if they are Category 1 or Category 2.

  • Have medical co-morbidities – diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension
  • Diagnosed with other non-contagious disease that are uncontrolled / untreated
  • Caretaker of paediatric or geriatric patient
  • Obstetric cases that require monitoring
  • Admissions through the emergency ward
  • Live in homes that are not conducive for self-quarantine
  • Immunocompromised patients (HIV, undergoing chemotherapy)
  • Children who have :
    a) dehydration
    b) prolonged fever and fatigue
    c) chronic disease
    d) no guardian

Close Contact

  1. If you do not have symptoms, there is no need to go to the CAC, or take a COVID-19 test. You will be given a digital HSO (Home Surveillance Order) to isolate at home.
  2. Adults 18 Years & Above
    a) No quarantine for fully-vaccinated individuals with booster dose, without symptoms on Day 1. But must conduct RTK self-test on Day 1 and Day 3, and if positive – report results in MySejahtera, and follow COVID-19 positive protocol
    b) No quarantine for people who were fully-vaccinated, or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 60 days.
    c) 5 days for fully-vaccinated individuals with booster dose, but symptomatic on Day 1.
    d) 5 days for fully-vaccinated individuals without booster dose
    e) 7 days for unvaccinated / not fully-vaccinated individuals
  3. If you have symptoms, you must immediately self test for COVID-19.
    a) the test result must be reported in the MySejahtera app.
    b) you must conduct daily self-assessment using the Health Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app.
    c) if test is positive, you must follow COVID-19 positive protocol. See above.
    d) if test is negative, you must finish the full quarantine period

Read more : New Quarantine Rules For Close Contact / COVID-19 Positive!

Effective
1 March 2022		 On Day 1 Quarantine
Period
 Testing
Fully-Vaccinated
+ Booster Dose		 No symptoms None RTK-Ag self-test
on Day 1 + 3
Symptomatic 5 Days RTK-Ag self-test
if symptomatic
Recovered in last 60 days None
Fully Vaccinated Asymptomatic / Symptomatic 5 Days *
Recovered in last 60 days None
Incomplete or
No
Vaccination 		Asymptomatic / Symptomatic 7 Days *

* No test is required to be released from quarantine, if not symptomatic. However, you must complete the full quarantine period.

 

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CODEX Cracking Group Officially Shuts Down!

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The games cracking group – CODEX – has called it quits, officially shutting down for good. This is truly the end of an era.

 

CODEX Cracking Group Officially Shuts Down!

The CODEX cracking group announced their retirement in the release notes of “The Sims 4 My Wedding Stories”.

It was not due to legal troubles (arrests) or internal conflict, but the team felt they had already achieved their goal.

A CODEX short story

CODEX was founded with one and only one goal in mind: “to give the dominating PC games group at the time, RELOADED, some serious competition.”

A highly motivated and hard-working group of veterans and rookies alike banded together and created a new name to achieve that goal. It was a fun and sometimes dirty ride with lots of give and take on both sides. Bud sadly, it did not last very long and RLD started to crumble and slowly fell apart, making the scene less interesting.

What was left when they finally surrendered and the dust settled?

The blade has been dull for a long time. Quality, tradition and pride was slowly fading to darkness.

Of course, there is a particular group that uses an old name without permission. From the first day they started releasing in the PC section, they have worked hard to shamelessly destroy the reputation of a once iconic group tag when they really should have closed down years ago after all the spectacular fuckups they are responsible for.

Since then there have only been people resurrecting and adopting old names from previously busted groups instead of creating something new and unique on their own. Starting from nothing to slowly build up a reputation for themselves through hard work was obvious too much of a hassle and recycling old identities to get a head start was their way to go.

Still, even with that, this did not lead to any serious competition with two traits we pride ourselves on– a strong continued effort and a good amount of quality output on more than just DRM-free games or simple Steam protections.

CODEX cracked a large variety of protections like Steam (Stub+API+CEG), Arxan, XboxLive, UWP, Denuvo, Origin, Play, Bethesda.net, Battle.net and custom protections on games like Grim Dawn, Street Fighter V, WWE2k20, Croteam games, BigAnt games, Minecraft Dungeons, and many more.

So now, years after reaching our initial goal, we feel that it is time to move on. We thank everyone who accompanied and supported us on our journey.

Have a good time… Bye from CODEX!

 

CODEX Ends 8-Year Run At The Top

Since they burst into the scene in 2014, CODEX has been at the forefront of cracking and removing game copy protections.

They were able to consistently crack even the strongest copy protections like Denuvo, and release major game titles soon after their launch.

That made them the bane of game developers and publishers, potentially costing them millions of dollars in revenue.

On the other hand, CODEX gave less fortunate people access to games they perhaps would not be able to afford, and a DRM-free copy to gamers who already paid for a particular game.

More than a few hardware reviewers also relied on the latest CODEX-cracked games to run benchmarks.

Perhaps their greatest effect was to convince at least some game developers to eschew paying for “strong” copy protections, and offer DRM-free games through platforms like GOG.

Warhorse Studios, for example, released Kingdom Come: Deliverance on Steam, only to have CODEX release a cracked copy within hours. But Warhorse quickly offered a DRM-free version on GOG.

In the end, Warhorse sold half a million copies of Kingdom Come: Deliverance within two days, and a million copies by the end of the week. By its first anniversary, two million copies were sold, even though a CODEX cracked copy existed on launch day.

Warhorse Studios director and co-founder, Daniel Vávra, even printed and put up a poster of the CODEX NFO of their cracked game.

Now that the CODEX crew has officially retired, new PC games cracking groups will inevitably come to the fore, possibly “taking over” their famous name.

But they will likely not be able to come close to their quality or prolificacy – CODEX released some 7,000 game titles in the past 8 years.

This is truly the end of an era in the scene.

 

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PICKids COVID-19 Vaccination Open For Walk-In / Booking!

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COVID-19 vaccination for kids under the PICKids programme will now be easier, with walk-in and booking options!

 

PICKids COVID-19 Vaccination Open For Walk-In / Booking!

As of 23 February 2022, only about 18.6% of eligible children 5 to 11 years in age have received their COVID-19 vaccination.

The states with the highest child vaccination rates are Sarawak (34.7%), Melaka (31.6%), Penang (25.7%) and Perak (24.4%).

The states with the lowest child vaccination rates are Kelantan (6.1%), Terengganu (7.5%) and Sabah (8.9%).

To make it easier for parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) announced two measures :

Walk-In Vaccination @ Selected PICKids PPVs

From 1 March 2022 onwards, parents will be able to bring their children for COVID-19 vaccination at selected PICKids PPVs.

This will allow parents to vaccinate their children at their own convenience during the school holidays.

The list of PICKids PPVs that will allow walk-in vaccination will be determined and announced by each state’s health department.

Appointment Booking Via MySejahtera

Parents in the Klang Valley had earlier been able to book PICKids vaccination appointments through MySejahtera.

That PICKids appointment booking system in MySejahtera has now been activated nationwide, for vaccination appointments starting 7 March 2022.

Here is the official PICKids video guide by the Malaysia Ministry of Health. Click here for our step-by-step guide.

Read more : How To Select PICKids PPV To Vaccinate Your Children!

 

Can You Trust PICKids Vaccination For Kids?

You may be wondering whether you should actually sign up your kids for the PICKids COVID-19 vaccination programme. After all, social media is rife with scary stories about vaccine side effects.

The truth is – all approved COVID-19 vaccines have not only been proven to be safe and effective in massive clinical trials, they have also been proven to be safe and effective after BILLIONS of doses were administered.

And why not? Vaccines are nothing more than self-defence classes for our immune system.

All they do is teach your children’s own immune system to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and learn how to make antibodies against it so that they have a better chance of defending themselves against a real COVID-19 infection.

Over 8 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids have also been successfully and safely administered in the United States. So yes, it is SAFE and EFFECTIVE.

Read more : Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids : What You Need To Know!

People may tell you that kids do not get COVID-19, or they suffer only mild symptoms. That’s not really true.

In Malaysia, 579,624 children (less than 18 years old) were infected with COVID-19 in the last two years!

  • 269,773 (46.5%) of them were children 5 to 11 years in age.
  • 144 children (less than 18 years old) died from COVID-19.
  • 31 children 5 to 11 years in age died from COVID-19.

On top of that, children infected with COVID-19 are at risk of developing serious complications like Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) or long COVID.

So don’t believe naysayers when they tell you that your child will be safe from COVID-19. Not only have children died from COVID-19, others had to be hospitalised, and/or suffer from long COVID symptoms long after they recover.

Please remember – it’s YOUR CHILD, not theirs, that they are putting at risk with such misinformation.

Protect your children. Vaccinate them against COVID-19 through the PICKids programme!

 

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Malaysia Approves COVAXIN Inactivated Virus Vaccine!

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Malaysia just approved the COVAXIN inactivated virus vaccine for use against COVID-19!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia Approves COVAXIN Inactivated Virus Vaccine!

On 10 February 2022, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) announced that the Drug Control Authority (DCA) has agreed to conditionally approve the COVAXIN vaccine for use against COVID-19!

COVAXIN® (Whole Virion, Inactivated Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccine) Suspension for Intramuscular Injection

  • Registrant : Averroes Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd.
  • Manufacturer : Bharat Biotech International Limited, India

The COVAXIN vaccine is now allowed to be given to individuals 18 years and older in Malaysia.

 

COVAXIN Vaccine : A Quick Primer

Codenamed BBV152, the Bharat COVAXIN vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine, similar to the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine.

It is manufactured from actual COVID-19 viruses that were grown in Vero cells, and inactivated using beta-propiolactone. It uses an aluminium-based adjuvant called Alhydroxiquim-II to stimulate the immune response.

COVAXIN is a 2-dose vaccine, with each 5 ml dose given intramuscularly. The second dose is given after an interval of 4 weeks.

Its Phase 3 trial showed that it was 78% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, and 93% effective in preventing severe disease. It was also shown to be 65% effective against the Delta variant.

 

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Samsung Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra Pre-Order Deals!

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Check out these great pre-order deals for the Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphones in Malaysia!

 

Samsung Galaxy S22 Series : Pre-Order Deals For Malaysia!

From 10 February until 3 March 2022, Samsung Malaysia is offering these pre-order deals for the new Galaxy S22 series!

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Pre-Order Model : 12 GB + 256 GB

Pre-Order Price : RM 5,499

Pre-Order Free Gifts

  • Samsung eVoucher worth RM800
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra Silicone Cover with Strap worth RM 169
  • Galaxy Lucky Box (with wide strap) worth RM 79
  • Galaxy X LAMY Safari Twin Pen worth RM 269

Available Colours : Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Green, Burgundy

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

Pre-Order Model : 8 GB + 256 GB

Pre-Order Price : RM 4,299

Pre-Order Free Gifts

  • Samsung eVoucher worth RM800
  • Galaxy S22 Plus Silicone Cover with Strap worth RM 169
  • Galaxy Lucky Box (with wide strap) worth RM 79
  • Camera Filter Mount worth RM 169

Available Colours : Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Green, Pink Gold

Samsung Galaxy S22

Pre-Order Model : 8 GB + 256 GB

Pre-Order Price : RM 3,699

Pre-Order Free Gifts

  • Samsung eVoucher worth RM800
  • Galaxy S22 Silicone Cover with Strap worth RM 169
  • Galaxy Lucky Box (with wide strap) worth RM 79
  • Camera Filter Mount worth RM 169

Available Colours : Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Green, Pink Gold

 

Samsung Galaxy S22 Series : Where To Get Pre-Order Deals?

Here are some online pre-order options in Malaysia :

 

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Malaysia Eliminates Temperature Check + Manual Logbook!

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Malaysia is eliminating the mandatory temperature check, as well as the manual logbook!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia Eliminates Temperature Check + Manual Logbook!

Since 2020, it has been mandatory for people to undergo a body temperature check and sign in using a manual logbook or the MySejahtera app in Malaysia.

On 9 February 2022, Senior Minister (Defence) Hishammuddin Hussein announced that it is no longer mandatory for premises to conduct body temperature checks, or provide the manual logbook.

Starting Friday, 11 February 2022, a body temperature check will only be optional before entering any public premise.

The government will also abolish the use of manual logbooks, and rely on the MySejahtera app. It is still mandatory to check in at public premises using MySejahtera.

The temperature check at public premises may have had some use early in the pandemic, but it has long been acknowledged as pointless. After all, any person with a fever can simply bypass the check by taking paracetamol…

Abolishing the manual logbook is a good idea in theory – contact tracing through MySejahtera and MySJ Trace is faster, more accurate, and automatic. However, it may prove to be problematic for people without smartphones, or areas without good Internet coverage.

 

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Malaysia May Not Reopen International Borders So Soon…

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Malaysia will reopen borders for quarantine-free travel in March 2022… or maybe not?

Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia To Reopen Borders For Quarantine-Free Travel?

On 8 February 2021, the Malaysia National Recovery Council (NRC) agreed to reopen borders as early as 1 March 2022, for quarantine-free travel!

Yes, there will no longer be any mandatory quarantine for travellers flying into Malaysia!

However, Malaysia will still require pre-departure testing and upon arrival, as recommended by the Ministry of Health.

The reopening of Malaysia’s borders will be managed according to the current risk assessment, and the SOP will be announced later by the Ministry of Health.

It was recommended by the NRC that the country’s borders be fully opened in due time to support the nation’s recovery.

In connection to this, the council agrees that the nation’s borders are to fully open as early as March 1 without the need for mandatory quarantine.

The opening of the nation’s borders needs to be done accordingly and based on current risk assessment.

The reopening of Malaysia’s borders will revive the economy, and especially the international tourism industry which has been moribund for the past 2 years.

 

Malaysia May Not Reopen International Borders So Soon…

Just hours after the decision to reopen Malaysia’s international borders was announced, it was walked back by the Senior Minister (Defence) Hishamuddin Hussein.

I understand that National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had made an announcement Tuesday (Feb 8) morning on this matter and at the quartet level, we have already instructed the Immigration Department, Health Ministry and Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to study the matter.

Once they have discussed the matter at length, they will bring it back to the quartet. We want people to come into our country but other countries have not made the same decision (to reopen their borders).

It is a big decision which can only be discussed at Cabinet level or the Covid-19 pandemic management special committee level.

Although he did not outright say it, it appears that Malaysia will not reopen international borders by 1 March 2022.

 

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COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Mandatory In Austria!

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Austria is now the first country in Europe to make it mandatory to receive a COVID-19 vaccine!

Here is what you need to know…

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Mandatory In Austria!

On Friday, 4 February 2022, President Alexander Van der Bellen signed into law a national COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults in Austria.

The new law makes it mandatory for all adults in Austria to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, or get fined up to 3,600 euros (US$4,120).

This makes Austria the first country in Europe to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory, but not the first in the world.

Ecuador was the first country to make it compulsory for all individuals 5 years and above to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate In Austria : The Details

Huge Monetary Fines

Unvaccinated people in Austria are currently banned from restaurants, sports and cultural venues, but they are now liable to be fined from 600 to 3,600 euros (US$687 to US$4,120).

Unvaccinated adults in Austria will be given time until 14 March to comply with the vaccine mandate, with compliance checks beginning on 15 March 2022.

This new law will last until 31 January 2024, and unvaccinated people can receive the maximum fine of €3,600 (US$4,000) up to four times a year. These fines can be waived if the individuals get vaccinated within 2 weeks.

Exemptions To Vaccine Mandate

The new law allows for certain individuals to receive an exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine :

  • Pregnant mothers,
  • Individuals who cannot be vaccinated without endangering their health,
  • Individuals who recently recovered from COVID – this is a temporary exemption that only lasts 180 days from the date they received their first positive PCR test result.

A police officer checks the vaccination status of a visitor during a patrol in a shopping mall in Vienna, Austria, in this file photo from January 12, 2022. © Lisa Leutner, AP

Implemented In 3 Stages

The Austrian vaccine mandate will be implemented in three stages :

  • All households will be informed of the new law by 15 March through an official letter delivered by post.
  • Austrian police will start spot-checking people’s vaccination status, and issuing fines of €600, which can increase to €3,600 for non-compliance.
  • Those who refuse to show proof of vaccination by a certain undetermined deadline will be automatically fined.

This vaccine mandate in Austria is on the other end of the spectrum from Denmark’s decision to remove all COVID-19 restrictions.

81% of Danes 5 years and older have been fully-vaccinated, but Austria has a pretty high vaccination too – about 75% of the eligible population has been fully-vaccinated.

However, the government argues that mandatory vaccination is the only way to further increase vaccination rates, especially in certain regions like Upper Austria where fewer than 60% of residents are fully-vaccinated.

Other countries will be closely watching to see which of these EU countries made the right decision…

Read more : Why Denmark Is First EU Country To Lift All COVID-19 Laws!

 

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MEPS Fee For ATM Cash Withdrawal Now In Effect!

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Please take note – all banks in Malaysia have reinstated the MEPS fee for ATM cash withdrawals!

Here is what you need to know!

 

MEPS Fee For ATM Cash Withdrawal Waived To Reduce Infection Risk

Bank Negera earlier announced that the MEPS fee for cash withdrawal across the country would be waived from 6 April 2020 until the end of the Movement Control Order (MCO / PKP).

This waiver was designed to reduce people’s movement, allowing them to withdraw cash from the nearest bank, rather than travelling to a specific bank.

It would also allow people to switch to ATMs from a different bank, if there is a queue at their bank; thus reducing the risk of infection.

 

MEPS Fee For ATM Cash Withdrawal Reinstated!

On 15 December 2021, banks in Malaysia announced that the MEPS fee of RM1 for each interbank cash withdrawal at the ATM will be reinstated, effective 1 February 2022.

The policy applies to all banks in Malaysia, which means you will no longer be able to withdraw cash from a different bank’s ATM for free.

Starting today – 1 February 2022, each interbank cash withdrawal will incur a MEPS fee of RM1.

Please note that the MEPS fee is only for INTERBANK cash withdrawal. It does NOT apply if you are withdrawing from the ATM’s bank itself.

For example, if you are using a Maybank ATM to withdraw cash from your UOB bank account, you will be charged that MEPS fee of RM1 per transaction. You will not be charged the fee, if you are using that Maybank ATM to withdraw cash from your Maybank account.

Below are three examples of the announcements.

Maybank

Kindly be informed that effective 1 February 2022, the ATM interbank cash withdrawal fee of RM1.00 will be reinstated by banks.

Maybank customers can continue to perform cash withdrawal transactions at Maybank’s ATM for free*

* Customers who opt for non-annual fee will be entitled to eight free cash withdrawal transactions per month for Basic Accounts and four free cash withdrawal transactions per month for Non-basic Accounts.

CIMB

Dear valued customers,

Effective 1 February 2022, a transaction fee of RM1.00 will be charged for interbank cash withdrawal transactions performed other than at CIMB Bank/CIMB Islamic ATMs/self-service terminals.

You can continue to perform cash withdrawal transactions at our ATMs/self-service terminals  without fee.

RHB

Dear Valued Customers,

Kindly be informed that effective 1 February 2022, RM1 fee will be charged to RHB Debit Cardholders for each interbank cash withdrawal at ATM of another bank. Customers may continue to perform cash withdrawal with no additional fee at any RHB Bank ATMs.

Thank you.

 

Reinstatement Of MEPS Fee At ATM : Bad Idea For Now…

It is unfortunate that the MEPS fee for interbank cash withdrawal has been reinstated so soon. The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, with Malaysia still recording four to five thousand new cases every day.

This move will likely lead to overcrowding and long queues at certain banks, especially at the end of every month.

If you have more than one bank account, you can transfer your money from one bank to another bank for free online. This will allow you to select the bank with the most convenient ATM to withdraw from, for free.

But if you only have one bank account, you should protect yourself by making sure you are fully-vaccinated (with the booster dose as well), and strictly follow COVID-19 precautions while queuing up.

 

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How To Get RM200 Off Samsung Galaxy S22 Pre-Order!

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Samsung Malaysia is giving out a RM200 e-voucher, which you can use when you pre-order the Galaxy S22!

Here is what you need to do, to get that RM200 Samsung e-voucher!

 

Samsung Galaxy S22 : Launch + Pre-Order Coming Soon!

Samsung is about to launch the Galaxy S22, which they promise will “break the rules“, with some “Note-worthy” innovations.

Hint hint, wink wink – this will be the year when Samsung merges their Galaxy S and Galaxy Note families into one!

So, be sure to check out the 2022 Galaxy Unpacked event, which will kick off at 11 PM (Malaysia Time) on 9 February 2022!

 

How To Get RM200 Off Samsung Galaxy S22 Pre-Order!

To give Samsung fans the opportunity to own the upcoming Galaxy S22 at a great price, Samsung is giving everyone an exclusive RM200 e-voucher!

To get this exclusive RM200 Samsung e-voucher, all you have to do is register your interest to reserve the Galaxy S22!

That’s it! Not only will you be the first to learn about the next Galaxy smartphone, you will be entitled to the RM200 e-voucher when you pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S22!

Just make sure you register by 9 February 2022, and catch the Galaxy Unpacked 2022 event!

 

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Walk-In Booster Dose Available At All PPVs Across Malaysia!

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You can now walk-in for your COVID-19 booster dose at all PPVs across Malaysia!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Walk-In Booster Dose Available At All PPVs Across Malaysia!

As the Omicron surge takes hold, the Malaysian government is trying to improve booster dose vaccination rates to reduce its impact.

As of 27 January 2022, only 49.9% of adults in Malaysia (those age 18 years and above) have received their vaccine booster dose. So more people need to get their booster shot before the Omicron variant hits us hard.

When + Where?

From 27 January 2022 onwards, four PPVs (COVID-19 vaccination centres) in the Klang Valley will allow all individuals aged 18 years and above to walk-in for their booster dose vaccinations!

Mega PPV Location Walk-In Time
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur
(WTCKL)
 9 AM until 8 PM
Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil
Ideal Convention Centre, Shah Alam
Soka Gakkai, Klang 9 AM until 4 PM

From 29 January 2022 onwards, all PPVs across Malaysia will accept any individual age 18 years and above who want to walk-in for the booster dose.

  • Offsite PPV : Walk in during operation hours
  • GP (General Practitioner) PPV : Please call the private clinic to find out when is a suitable time, or to arrange for an appointment.

To locate the closest offsite or GP PPV to you, you can use this ProtectHealth search feature.

What Vaccine Is Offered?

The four mega PPVs in the Klang Valley will offer the AstraZeneca vaccine booster dose to all those who walk-in, with the Pfizer vaccine booster dose available for these individuals :

  • Pregnant mothers who have an existing appointment
  • Individuals who have contraindication for the AstraZeneca vaccine

As for Offsite PPVs and GP PPVs across Malaysia, the type of vaccine will depend on their individual supply for the day.

 

Walk-In Booster Dose In Any PPV In Malaysia : What To Prepare?

All individuals who walk-in for the booster dose must ensure that they have a proper digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate in MySejahtera before going to the PPV.

Those who do not have a digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate because they do not have a smartphone, can bring their physical vaccination card to the PPV.

Here is the official checklist of what you need to do BEFORE going to get your COVID-19 booster dose at the PPV :

  1. Get enough sleep
  2. Eat breakfast or lunch before going to the PPV
  3. Be in good health, with no symptoms
  4. Wear suitable and comfortable clothes
  5. Wear a face mask
  6. Bring your identity card / document (e.g. passport)
  7. Bring your vaccination card as proof of completed primary vaccination, if you don’t have MySejahtera
  8. Make sure you are not required to be under quarantine!

Read more : What Should You Do Before / During / After Booster Dose?

 

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CNY 2022 : Heavy Vehicles + Speed Limit Reduced!

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Malaysia has limited or banned heavy vehicles, and reduced the speed limit for the CNY 2022 holiday rush!

Here is what you need to know!

 

CNY 2022 : Heavy Vehicles Banned / Limited!

The roads and highways will be jammed packed during the coming Chinese New Year 2022 holidays.

To mitigate the problem, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued a directive banning or limiting heavy vehicles during Chinese New Year 2022.

This directive will be enforced on four days (not including the two CNY public holidays) :

  • Before CNY : 30 and 31 January 2022
  • After CNY : 3 and 4 February 2022

Category 1 : Total Ban

  1. Car carrier, tipper, dumper and tipping trucks whose fully-loaded weight exceeds 7,500 kg, low loader, pole trailer, bulk cement tanker, platform trailer, lumber lorry, heavy wheeled machinery and tractor.
  2. Lorry carrying cement, steel, stone, sand, earth and other construction material, tin tailing, tin ore, coal and other mining ores.

Category 2 : Banned From 12 AM to 8 AM

  1. Container lorry, except for container lorry carrying goods from ports or airport to and from industrial area within the same state.
  2. Lorry carrying electronic and electrical / industrial goods to and from the port or airport to the industrial area.
  3. Lorry carrying oil palm and rubber goods from the plantation to the industrial area.
  4. Empty cargo lorry travelling home.

Category 3 : Banned From 6 PM to 6 AM, Within 25 KM Of Construction Site

  1. Moving crane and cement mixer lorry

Exceptions

  1. Heavy wheeled machinery and moving cranes are given exceptions for emergency work.
  2. Any vehicle carrying goods not mentioned in this directive are allowed to travel during this period.

 

CNY 2022 : Speed Limit Reduced!

As part of Ops Bersepadu, the Works Ministry (KKR) will reduce the speed limit for federal and state roads by 10 km/h.

From 25 January until 8 February, these will be the new speed limits :

  • Federal roads : 80 km/h
  • State roads : 70 km/h

 

CNY 2022 : Speed Limit Enforced Using In-Car Radar + iCOPS!

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will also use In-Car Radar and the iCOPS vehicle plate scanner to enforce the speed limit.

From 28 January until 6 February 2022, PDRM will carry out the 17th Ops Selamat, using Expressway Mobile Patrol Vehicles (EMPV) equipped with both systems.

The In-Car Radar system will be used to make sure all road users abide by the speed limit, while the iCOPS system will be used to check if a driver has any outstanding summonses or traffic arrest arrests, or whether the vehicle was used in any crime.

 

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Malaysia Receives First Batch Of Pfizer Vaccine For Kids!

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Malaysia just received the first batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses for kids 5-11 years in age!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Malaysia Receives First Batch Of Pfizer Vaccine For Kids!

On 28 January 2022, Malaysia received the first batch of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 years in age – 624,000 vaccine doses.

The Pfizer vaccine doses were flown from Puurs, Belgium, transited at the Leipzig Halle Airport in Germany and Singapore, before finally arriving in Malaysia at 7:15 AM this morning.

Today, 72 of those vaccine Softboxes were despatched to 52 ULTF (Ultra Low Temperature Freezer) storage facilities in 12 states :

  • Pahang,
  • Melaka,
  • Johor,
  • Negeri Sembilan,
  • Sabah,
  • Sarawak
  • Kuala Lumpur,
  • Putrajaya,
  • Selangor,
  • Kelantan, and
  • Terengganu.

The rest of the vaccines will be flown to the Penang International Airport to supply the northern states of Kedah, Perlis and Perak.

Read more : COVID-19 Vaccine Programme For Kids : Details Announced!

 

Malaysia’s Vaccine Programme For Kids : A Quick Primer!

The COVID-19 vaccination programme for kids 5-11 years in age will kick off on 3 February 2022 in the Klang Valley at:

  • Hospitals for those with medical conditions,
  • COVID-19 vaccination centres (PPV) for those without medical conditions

Parents in the Klang Valley will be able to book their child’s vaccination appointments through MySejahtera, with the option to select the most convenient place and time. This feature will be expanded to other states shortly.

Currently, only a special Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for kids 5 to 11 years in age.

This is a special paediatric dose that is smaller at only 0.2 ml, and contains only 10 micrograms (mcg) of the vaccine – 1/3 of the dose used in adults.

To avoid confusion, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids comes with an orange cap, and boxes and labels with orange borders.

Read more : Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids : What You Need To Know!

This paediatric Pfizer vaccine was shown to be 90.7% efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection, with fewer side effects.

More than 8.7 million doses of the paediatric vaccine have been administered in the United States, with the number of AEFI incidents far lower than that of teenagers 12-17 years old who were vaccinated with the full adult dose.

So please take this opportunity to protect your children against COVID-19!

 

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Malaysia’s Plan To Fight Omicron Surge Revealed!

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The Malaysia Ministry of Health just unveiled their plans to combat the Omicron surge!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Why Malaysia Will Get Hit By An Omicron Surge

The Omicron variant is so highly transmissible that it has out-competed and replaced the Delta variant in many countries.

As of 14 January 2022, Malaysia has confirmed 253 cases of the Omicron variant, with 17 local cases and 236 imported cases.

While it is still under control here in Malaysia, it seems inevitable that we will get hit by an Omicron surge as well.

According to the Malaysia National Institutes of Health (NIH), the SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed) model showed that :

  • If R0 reaches 1.2, Malaysia can expect 10,000 new cases per day
  • If R0 reaches 1.6, Malaysia can expect 30,000 new cases per day

As of 26 January 2022, Malaysia has an R0 of 1.09, and that is expected to increase.

While the Omicron variant is less life-threatening than the Delta variant, such large numbers of cases can overwhelm the healthcare system in Malaysia.

 

Malaysia’s Plan To Fight Omicron Surge Revealed!

On 26 January 2022, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) unveiled their plans to combat the expected Omicron surge.

  1. Use district hospitals as hybrid hospitals to treat Category 1 and Category 2 patients that require hospitalisation.
  2. Only Category 4 and Category 5 patients will be referred to specialist hospitals and state hospitals.
  3. COVID-19 patients who are stable and can be monitored at home are advised to remain at home, and be assessed by the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) until the end of their isolation period.
  4. Recommend the use of antivirals at the CAC and PKRC (COVID-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres).
  5. Encourage Malaysian residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, and continue complying with the SOP and the new normal.
  6. All states are encouraged to discuss and obtain assistance from their respective State Disaster Committee for logistics and other issues.

These measures should reduce the impact of an Omicron surge, and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

 

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Why You Can No Longer Buy Large Fries At McDonald’s!

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You can no longer order Large fries at McDonald’s in Malaysia!

Find out what’s going on, and why you will have to sacri-fries during the McDonald’s supply crisis!

 

Everyone Must Sacri-Fries During McDonald’s Supply Crisis!

On 24 January 2022, McDonald’s announced that they have stopped offering Large fries due to a supply shortage.

We are facing a fry-tening supply crunch on French Fries. But fret not.

While you can’t Go Large for the time being, you can still enjoy your favourite meals and fries in Medium size.

Time fries… It’ll be back before you know it.

You can still get your Large drinks, but French fries will only be available in Small and Medium sizes, until further notice.

It is unknown how well this measure will work, since it does not prevent fans from ordering two Medium portions, instead of their usual Large portion.

https://youtu.be/KPBEyY4B-wc

 

What’s Behind The MacDonald’s French Fries Supply Crisis?

The McDonald’s French fries supply crisis has been brewing for some time now. It comes on the back of a global supply chain disruption of everything from computer chips to yes, potatoes.

It is partly due to a drastic logistics crunch globally, and partly due to a sudden short supply of potatoes due to bad weather.

In December 2021, McDonald’s in Japan had already stopped offering French fries in Large and Medium sizes. Only small sizes were available.

Initially, the Japanese French fries crisis was supposed to last only a week. However, it was later extended for at least a month longer, even after several planes were used to fly extra potatoes into Japan.

Kenya was also affected, with KFC there forced to completely stop selling French fries (known there as chips) on 3 January 2022.

The supply shortage has affected even smaller F&B operations, like J.G. Melon in New York City, which had to stop serving their signature cottage fries.

The rumors are true. Due to a supply-chain issue, we are temporarily not serving our legendary cottage fries.

Ironically, US farmers had to destroy millions of potatoes last year, after a steep decline in demand due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

It is unknown how long Malaysians will need to sacri-fries, or whether this supply shortage will spread to other countries.

Until this supply crisis is over, make sure you take the time to savour each bite of your French fries!

 

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Updated 2022 Chinese New Year SOP For Malaysia!

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The government just updated the official SOP for 2022 Chinese New Year celebrations in Malaysia!

Here is what you need to know!

 

2022 Chinese New Year SOP For Malaysia!

On 19 January 2022, the Ministry of National Unity released the official SOP for 2022 Chinese New Year celebrations in Malaysia!

They also issued two other SOP documents + two infographics with additional SOP, so I compiled all their rules here for your convenience. I will keep updating this article, as and when they issue new “clarifications”.

Here is a video that summarises the key points of the 2022 Chinese New Year SOP for Malaysia.

 

2022 Chinese New Year SOP For Malaysia : 23 January Edition

  1. The Family Reunion Dinner is allowed on Monday, 31 January 2022.
  2. Prayers are allowed in non-Muslim houses of worship on 1 and 2 February 2022 (Tuesday and Wednesday), according to the existing SOP under PPN Phase 4.
  3. The special Hokkien clan prayers (Bai Tian Gong) are allowed on 8 and 9 February 2022 (Tuesday and Wednesday).
    a) Prayers are allowed in non-Muslim houses of worship, according to the existing SOP under PPN Phase 4.
    b) Prayers are allowed at individual house compounds at night, according to the Hokkien clan tradition.
  4. Chap Goh Meh prayers are allowed at non-Muslim houses of worship on Tuesday, 15 February 2022, according to the existing SOP under PPN Phase 4.
  5. You are allowed to visit family and friends from 31 January until 15 February 2022.
  6. Chinese New Year Receptions are allowed from 31 January until 15 February 2022
    a) only those who were explicitly invited are allowed to enter
    b) NOT ALLOWED to members of the public who were not invited
    c) continuous receptions like open houses are NOT ALLOWED
    d) allowed at up to 50% venue capacity, with physical distancing
  7. Chinese New Year receptions by companies or associations are allowed, subject to these restrictions :
    a) held in a hall or restaurant,
    b) limited invitations,
    c) not held in public places, and
    d) cannot be continuous, like an open house
  8. Lion / dragon / tiger dance are allowed from 31 January until 15 February 2022, subject to the Creative Industry (Live Performance) SOP.

The Ministry of National Unity calls on the public to always obey the SOP, and take COVID-19 precautions like wear a face mask, maintain good hygiene and ensure physical distancing.

 

2022 Chinese New Year SOP For Prayers In Malaysia!

Here is the additional SOP for prayer activities at non-Muslim houses of worship during Chinese New Year 2022 :

Non-Muslim Houses of Worship must :

  • Open a health screening counter at the entrance, conduct a body temperature scan and look for symptoms like fever, cough, breathing difficulties and flu.
  • Ensure that only fully-vaccinated people are allowed to enter, by checking their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
  • Make sure everyone is recorded using the MySejahtera application, or registers manually using the logbook.
  • Provide hand sanitiser at the registration counter.
  • Ensure that face masks are worn.

Worshippers attending prayers must :

  • Scan the MySejahtera QR code, or register manually using the provided logbook.
  • Scan their body temperature
  • Use the provided hand sanitiser.
  • Only fully-vaccinated people are allowed to enter.
  • Maintain a physical distance of 1 metre.
  • Must wear a face mask.

The government of Malaysia will take action against those who flout these SOP requirements.

Fully Vaccinated Definition

Under this SOP, you are only considered fully-vaccinated if you meet these requirements :

  • For vaccines that require two doses (like the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines), the individual must exceed 14 days after receiving the second dose.
  • For vaccines that require only one dose (like the Johnson & Johnson and CanSino vaccines), the individual must exceed 28 days after receiving the second dose.

For individuals who cannot be vaccinated on medical reasons, they must produce a medical report that has been verified by a registered medical practitioner.

 

Latest 2022 Chinese New Year SOP Slides : 20 January Edition

Here are the latest 2022 Chinese New Year SOP slide, as of 20 January 2022.

1 / 8

 

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Get McDonald’s Vouchers With These Car Plate Numbers!

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During Chinese New Year 2022, you will be able to get awesome vouchers at all McDonald’s Malaysia Drive-Thru outlets… if your car has these plate numbers!

Updated @ 2022-01-29 : Added details of free vouchers, and how it really works!

Originally posted @ 2022-01-27

 

Get Vouchers At McDonald’s With These Car Plate Numbers!

McDonald’s Malaysia is giving away some awesome vouchers for just FIVE (5) days during Chinese New Year 2022!

Here are the vouchers McDonald’s Malaysia are giving away from 29 January until 2 February 2022:

  • 29 Jan : McChicken burger
  • 30 Jan : 12 oz Iced Latte
  • 31 Jan : Iced Chocolate drink
  • 1 Feb : Chocolate / Strawberry Sundae
  • 2 Feb : Apple Pie

So now we know you won’t be getting a stack of 5 vouchers, but one voucher per day.

There is a limit of 100 free vouchers per day for each McD restaurant, so you need to be early.

https://youtu.be/fBhi0TnPPyw

 

How To Get Vouchers At McDonald’s With These Car Plate Numbers!

To get the free voucher, all you need to do is drive a car that has the plate number ending with the two digits of the Tiger Year :

  • 2022
  • 2010
  • 1998
  • 1986
  • 1974
  • 1962
  • 1950
  • 1938

To be clear, you will qualify for the vouches if your car number plate ends with these two digits – 10, 22, 38, 50, 62, 74, 86, 98.

Drive your car to the McD Drive-Thru and ROAR like a tiger when you make the order.

You will get a voucher, which you can redeem on the spot.

 

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COVID-19 Vaccine Programme For Kids : Details Announced!

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The Malaysia Ministry of Health just announced details of the COVID-19 vaccine programme for kids 5 to 11 years in age.

Here is what you need to know!

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Programme For Kids : Details Announced!

On 20 January 2022, the Malaysia Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, announced details of PICKids – the COVID-19 vaccine programme for kids 5 to 11 years in age.

Special Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids To Be Used

A special Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids will be used to vaccinate children 5 to 11 years in age.

This paediatric dose comes in a new 10-dose vial with an orange cap, which will be diluted with 1.3 ml of water.

Each dose is smaller at only 0.2 ml, and contains only 10 micrograms (mcg) of the vaccine – 1/3 of the dose used in adults.

Read more : Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids : What You Need To Know!

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Arrives End Of January 2022

According to the Health Minister, the first batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses for kids will arrive in Malaysia on 31 January 2022.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Programme Starts In February 2022

The COVID-19 vaccine for kids programme (PICKids) will officially kick off on 3 February 2022 at the Tunku Azizah Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

However, it will only start in earnest from 22 February 2022 onwards.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Not Mandatory

The COVID-19 vaccine for kids is not mandatory, just like how the vaccination programme for adults and adolescents are also not mandatory.

Parents Can Start Registering Their Kids

Parents can start registering their kids for the COVID-19 vaccine programme using the MySejahtera app.

Parents will be allowed to book appointments for their kids’ vaccinations starting 31 January 2022, with priority given to families living in the Klang Valley.

Read more : How To Register Children For Vaccine In MySejahtera!

90% Efficacious

Even though the paediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is only ⅓ that of the adult dose, it was shown to be 90.7% efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection.

Fewer Side Effects

The lower paediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine naturally produced fewer side effects, with no severe side effects noted.

After almost 8.7 million doses of the paediatric vaccine were administered in the United States, the number of AEFI incidents were far lower than that of teenagers 12-17 years of age who were vaccinated with the full adult dose.

Longer Dose Interval

The Malaysia Ministry of Health will use a longer 8-week dose interval for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids.

This will increase the immune response and has the potential to increase the longevity of the vaccine’s protection, as well reduce the risk of vaccine myocarditis.

Read more : Vaccine Myocarditis Risk Less Than 1 In Million!

 

You Should Sign Your Kids Up For COVID-19 Vaccine?

You may be wondering whether you should actually sign up your kids for the COVID-19 vaccine. After all, social media is rife with scary stories about vaccine side effects.

The truth is – all approved COVID-19 vaccines have not only been proven to be safe and effective in massive clinical trials, they have also been proven to be safe and effective after BILLIONS of doses were administered.

And why not? Vaccines are nothing more than self-defence classes for our immune system.

All they do is teach your children’s own immune system to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and learn how to make antibodies against it so that they have a better chance of defending themselves against a real COVID-19 infection.

Over 8 million doses of the new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids have also been successfully and safely administered in the United States. So yes, it is SAFE and EFFECTIVE.

People may tell you that kids do not get COVID-19, or they suffer only mild symptoms. That’s not really true.

In Malaysia, 579,624 children (less than 18 years old) were infected with COVID-19 in the last two years!

  • 269,773 (46.5%) of them were children 5 to 11 years in age.
  • 144 children (less than 18 years old) died from COVID-19.
  • 31 children 5 to 11 years in age died from COVID-19.

On top of that, children infected with COVID-19 are at risk of developing serious complications like Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) or long COVID.

So don’t believe naysayers when they tell you that your child will be safe from COVID-19. Not only have children died from COVID-19, others had to be hospitalised, and/or suffer from long COVID symptoms long after they recover.

Please remember – it’s YOUR CHILD, not theirs, that they are putting at risk with such misinformation.

Protect your children. Vaccinate them against COVID-19.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Penang Smart Parking : RM4.40 Glitch Fixed!

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The Penang Smart Parking glitch that reduced everyone’s account balance to just RM4.40 has been FIXED!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Penang Smart Parking Glitch Reduced Balance To RM4.40!

On 19 January 2022, drivers in Penang received a surprise when their Penang Smart Parking app showed a balance of just RM 4.40.

Many took to social media to ask if their accounts were hacked, or claim that the Penang Smart Parking app was hacked.

Currently, it does NOT appear to be a hack, as everyone reported the same RM4.40 balance in their account.

 

Penang Smart Parking Glitch Fixed, Balances Synced By Tomorrow!

When the problem first cropped up, the Penang Smart Parking team asked the public not to worry if their account balance shows RM4.40, as their eWallet balances remain secure and intact.

At 5:51 PM, the PSP team announced that they successfully fixed the problem, and restored the correct eWallet record.

All transactions will be synchronised after operating hours today at 6:00 PM, and is expected to be completed by 6 AM on 20 January 2022.

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Walk-In Vaccine Booster Dose Details For Senior Citizens!

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Senior citizens in Malaysia will soon be able to walk-in for their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose!

Here is what you need to know!

 

Walk-In Vaccine Booster Dose Details For Senior Citizens!

On 17 January 2022, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) announced that they will soon allow senior citizens to walk-in for their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose at vaccination centres (PPVs).

Who Qualifies To Walk-In?

Senior citizens who are 60 years or older, who have completed the primary series COVID-19 vaccinations at least 3 months ago, qualify for the booster dose.

They will be allowed to walk-in for their COVID-19 booster dose vaccination at selected PPVs, if they have not received their appointments, or have already missed them.

Mega PPVs : From 19 January 2022 Onwards

On 15 January 2022, KKM started four mega PPVs to speed up booster dose vaccinations in the Klang Valley :

At that time, they stated that these four mega PPVs would strictly vaccinate only people with MySejahtera appointments, and would not allow walk-ins.

That changes on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 when they start allowing senior citizens to walk-in for their booster dose vaccination.

Mega PPV Location Walk-In Time
(Every Day Except Public Holidays)
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur
(WTCKL)
 2 PM until 8 PM
Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil
Ideal Convention Centre, Shah Alam
Soka Gakkai, Klang 12 PM until 4 PM

Offsite PPVs : From 24 January 2022 Onwards

From Monday, 24 January 2022 onwards, offsite PPVs in these states will start offering walk-in booster dose vaccination for senior citizens :

  • Klang Valley – Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya,
  • Negeri Sembilan,
  • Melaka
  • Penang
  • Sarawak

Unfortunately, KKM did not provide a list of participating offsite PPVs. This will be announced later by the ProtectHealth Corporation.

 

Walk-In Booster Dose For Senior Citizens : What To Prepare?

Here is the official checklist of what you need to do BEFORE going to get your COVID-19 booster dose at a mega PPV or offsite PPV :

  1. Get enough sleep
  2. Eat breakfast or lunch before going to the PPV
  3. Be in good health, with no symptoms
  4. Wear suitable and comfortable clothes
  5. Wear a face mask
  6. Bring your identity card / document (e.g. passport)
  7. Bring your vaccination card as proof of completed primary vaccination, if you don’t have MySejahtera
  8. Make sure you are not required to be under quarantine!

Read more : What Should You Do Before / During / After Booster Dose?

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Maybank Online + Banking Services Up + Running!

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Maybank online and banking services were temporarily down, and are now up and running!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Maybank Online + Banking Services Temporarily Down!

At 3:55 PM on 17 January 2022, Maybank sent out an alert that these online and banking services were temporarily down :

  • Maybank2U web and mobile banking services
  • ATMs and self-service terminals (SSTs)
  • branch banking
  • debit card usage

Maybank credit card were unaffected by this downtime.

Just over an hour later at 4:58 PM, Maybank announced that they restored services!

Maybank did not reveal the reasons why those online and banking services went down. However, the downtime does not appear to apply to everyone using the Maybank2U online portal.

When I checked at 4:10 PM, I managed to log into two Maybank personal accounts and a company account. I was also able to transfer money from a Maybank account to another bank.

Fortunately, they were able to restore services very quickly – in just over an hour.

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia To Start Vaccinating 5-11 Yo Kids By End Of Month!

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Malaysia will be able to start vaccinating 5-11 year-old kids by the end of January 2022!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Malaysia To Start Vaccinating 5-11 Yo Kids By End Of Month!

On 16 January 2022, the Malaysia Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin, said that the COVID-19 vaccination programme for children 5 to 11 years of age will begin at the end of the month.

This comes after Malaysia conditionally approved the new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children on 6 January 2022.

It cannot come sooner as the new 2022 academic year is slated to begin in March 2022.

Read more : Updated Malaysia School Term Schedule + Holidays For 2022

 

Pfizer Vaccine For 5-11 Yo Kids In Malaysia : Should You Take It?

The Pfizer paediatric vaccine for 5-11 year old children uses a much lower dose of the vaccine – just 10 micrograms – ⅓ of the dose used for adults and adolescents, but continues to use the same 21-day dose interval.

It was shown in a Pfizer study involving over 2,200 children, to be both very safe and 90.7% efficacious in preventing COVID-19 infections.

So yes, I definitely advise you to vaccinate your children against COVID-19, preferably before they start the new academic year.

Read more : Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids : What You Need To Know!

 

Can You Start Registering 5-11 Yo Kids For COVID-19 Vaccine?

Unfortunately, MySejahtera still does not allow you to register your 5-11 year-old children for COVID-19 vaccination.

While there is a way to bypass the MySejahtera check, and register your children anyway, their registration might be invalidated later.

Read more : Can 5-11 Yo Kids Start Registering For COVID-19 Vaccine?

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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UOB Buys Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand + Vietnam!

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UOB just announced that they will take over Citibank consumer business in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam!

Here is what you need to know…

 

UOB Buys Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand + Vietnam!

On 14 January 2022, UOB announced that they won the bid to take over Citibank consumer business in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The acquisition of Citibank in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will cost UOB about S$5 billion (about RM15.5 billion or USD 3.72 billion).

When completed around early 2024, the acquisition of Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will expand UOB’s retail customer base to approximately 10 billion in the region (including Singapore).

The sale comes more than 8 months after Citi announced in April 2021 that it would be exiting the consumer banking market in 13 markets. Citi, however, will continue to retain its Singapore assets.

The acquisition will affect some 5,000 Citi employees in those four countries, about 36% of whom have worked at Citi for more than a decade.

 

Official Statement By Citibank Malaysia On UOB Purchase

On 14 January 2022, Citibank Malaysia issued this advisory on the acquisition of Citi’s Consumer Banking business in Malaysia :

Dear Valued Customer,

I am writing to let you know that Citi in Malaysia has reached an agreement with UOB Group for the acquisition of Citi’s Consumer Banking business in Malaysia.

This is a positive outcome for Citi, our people, and our customers.

UOB Group will acquire Citi’s consumer business which includes credit cards, personal loans, retail banking, mortgages and wealth management solutions for high net-worth individuals.

We are delighted to find a strong partner in UOB Group, a leading Pan-Asian institution committed to providing great products, services and customer experiences. They have established a strong presence in Southeast Asia backed by a global network of 500 offices and have a reputation for building lasting relationships with customers.

Rest assured, there will be no immediate impact to your credit card accounts, loan accounts, deposits, investments, or any other product you may hold with us. This announcement is the start of a process that we expect will take time, with closing of the transaction subject to regulatory approvals.

Until such time, all our Consumer Banking business operations, Citibank service teams including our Relationship Managers, branches, call centers, Citibank Online and mobile banking services, will continue to serve you as usual.

Citi remains committed to serving you with excellence. Together with UOB Group, we will be sharing further updates with you in the future.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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