6 theSun | THURSDAY JULY 2 2009

news without borders

Record 38 new cases Puspakom

briefs
Health advisory ahead
of Haj season
DUBAI: The elderly, the infirm, preg-
nant women and children should skip
the haj and umrah this year amid the
mounting number of influenza A
(H1N1) cases globally.
This was among the recommenda-
tions of a workshop on precautionary
health measures during the haj and
umrah that took place in the Saudi
Arabian city of Jeddah yesterday.
Arab News quoted Saudi Health
Minister Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah
as saying that participating World
Health Organisation experts were
satisfied with precautionary meas-
ures taken by the country to keep the
spread of the virus among pilgrims in
check. – Bernama
Two more deaths in
Thailand
BANGKOK: Thailand has confirmed
two more deaths from influenza
A (H1N1) virus, bringing the total
number of fatalities to five.
A 47-year-old man died yester-
day due to heart and kidney failure
suit set for
mention
in one day
H1N1 statistics
(as of 8am, July 1)
» New cases: 38 on July 17
(Malaysians 30, Indonesia 5, KUALA LUMPUR: The High
Swede 1, Palestinian 1, Court here has set July 17
Argentinean 1) for mention of a defama-
by Karen Arukesamy » Imported cases: 33 tion suit filed by Puspakom
newsdesk@thesundaily.com against the Pan Malaysian
» Local transmissions: 5 Lorry Operators Associa-
PUTRAJAYA: Thirty-eight new cases of tion and its president Er Sui
influenza A(H1N1), comprising 33 imported » Total no. of cases:196 See.
and five local transmissions, were detected (110 recovered, 86 being quarantine) Deputy registrar Anisah
yesterday, the highest number recorded in a Normah Muhammad Nor
single day. » Total local transmissions: fixed the date after meeting
Warning that the disease is “something
serious”, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong
30 Puspakom’s counsel Chen
Hong Lynn and Er’s lawyer
Lai told a press conference that the outbreak Andrew Suresh in chambers
should not be downplayed. infected cases. We have already traced the here yesterday.
To date, there are 196 confirmed cases contacts of the 38 newly infected cases,” he Andrew, who spoke to
with 86 patients being quarantined while 110 said. the press after the meeting,
have recovered and have been discharged. Globally, the number of infections has said that both parties would
“We cannot take the outbreak very lightly. mounted to 71,480 cases from 116 coun- be filing applications to the
in a hospital in the capital. There is no reason to panic but a great need to tries. court at the July 17 mention
The second victim was a ensure that people understand the situation,” Countries with the highest number of date.
female patient in
Buri province who
C h o n the minister said.
He warned that when people start to take
increase in cases are China (109), Singapore
(72), Japan (72) and New Zealand (66).
“On my part, I am filing
an application to have the
died yesterday af- the disease Liow also announced that five private portion that refers to Er Sui
ternoon, Health lightly, the hospitals in the Klang Valley as well as 29 See in his personal capacity
Ministry offi- INFLUENZA A(H1N1) HOTLINE number of government health clinics were now equipped removed, so he is only sued
cials said. The transmis- with facilities to conduct throat swab sample in his capacity as the presi-
ministry said a » 03-88810200/300 sions will tests to check for H1N1. dent of the Pan Malaysia
total of 1,473 i n c r e a s e, The five private hospitals are Sunway Medi- Lorry Owners’ Association,”
cases were
» 03-88834414/415 and the cal Centre, Pantai Hospital, KL, Sime Darby he said.
detected in the chances Medical Centre, Prince Court Medical Centre Puspakom had origi-
country, with 22 of fatalities and Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre. nally filed a suit against Er
patients still remaining in hospitals occurring will go up. So far, there have been no Liow said throat swabs are only for those in both his professional and
since the virus first hit the country, deaths from influenza A(H1N1) in Malaysia. who show symptoms. Foreigners who are personal capacity on Oct 10
seven weeks ago. – Bernama “It’s not that I want to cause a panic but I infected will be quarantined in hospital and last year, claiming that Er’s
cannot accept it when some people come up treated. letter in an English daily had
Visitors to Indonesia with statements that (the pandemic) is not Malaysians returning from infected coun- seriously injured its charac-
something serious since the fatality level is tries and showing symptoms will be tested ter, credit and reputation.
have to wear masks still low,” he said. and given treatment before being sent home In an earlier statement
JAKARTA: Indonesia has made it The minister was referring to recent for quarantine. of defence, Er stated that he
compulsory for all visitors from criticism of the ministry’s response to the pan- “However, if laboratory tests are positive, had acted in his capacity as
countries affected by the Influenza demic, in light of the low fatality rate – about then the individuals will be brought to hospital the association president
A(H1N1) to wear face masks when 0.44% – of the H1N1 infections. to be treated,” he said. and not in his personal
they arrive at the country’s airports Of the latest cases, Liow said 30 involved Liow clarified that visitors entering the capacity, and the statement
or other entry points. Malaysians, five Indonesians and the other country would be quarantined or hospitalised was a fair comment in the
All passengers would also be three were a Swede, a Palestinian and an only if they had symptoms of being infected public interest.
scanned for body temperature, the Argentinean. The local cases involved three by H1N1. The vehicle inspec-
health ministry said, adding it would also students of Sekolah Menengah Tsun Jin, Jalan “Statements that visitors coming to tion body is claiming an
stock all entry points with the masks, Loke Yew, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, while the Malaysia will be quarantined is untrue. Their injunction to restrain the
which will be given for free. other two were contacts to the 143rd and contacts in the flight will not be quarantined defendant from further
Passengers will also have to fill 147th case, respectively. unless those visiting are confirmed positive publishing similar defama-
health declaration cards which will Urging everyone to work hard in containing and only those seated three seats nearest tory statements, damages
be monitored throughout the virus’ the disease, Liow said that the situation in the them will be quarantined,” he said. for defamation, an order
seven-day incubation period or during country is still under control. He urged all public and private institutions that the defendant issue a
the visitors’ stay in the country. “We are in control of the situation because to have pre-emptive plans so that they will not retraction of the letter and
– Bernama we are able to trace the contacts of the be badly affected by the pandemic. costs.

Verdict today on decision to

transfer Anwar’s sodomy trial
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal will deliver its
verdict today on an appeal against a decision to
transfer Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial
from the sessions court to the High Court.
Justice Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong, who
sat with justices Datuk Abu Samah Nordin and
Datuk Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha, said he would give
the oral decision on the case today after hearing
submissions from both parties.
Anwar’s lawyer, Sulaiman Abdullah, in his
submissions, said the High Court’s decision to
transfer the case from the sessions court should
be set aside because the transfer certificate was
signed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail,
who should have been disqualified from the
case. This is based on the issue of legitimate
expectation, as the then prime minister Tun Ab-
dullah Ahmad Badawi had given the assurance
that the A-G would not take any part in the case
against Anwar.
He said this gave rise to a legitimate expecta-
tion not only on the part of Anwar but also on the
part of the Malaysian public.
He said the sessions judge (S. M. Komathy)
correctly held that, on the facts of the case,
Anwar had a legitimate expectation that the A-G
will not in any way be involved in the case.
Sulaiman also submitted that Komathy was
right in holding that the doctrine of necessity
– whether the only route the prosecution may
transfer the case to the High Court is by issuance
(certificate of transfer) under section 418 A of the
Criminal Procedure Code – is inapplicable on the
question of transfer.
“It is not a mandatory provision, it does
not say the A-G must transfer. It is an optional
provision,” said Sulaiman on the section 418A,
whereby the transfer was made. He said the
AG should have not exercised his optional
powers.
Sulaiman also submitted that the A-G should
be automatically disqualified on the grounds of
conflict of interest. He said a “perception” of
conflict is sufficient to disqualify the A-G.
Anwar was charged with sodomising Mohd
Saiful Bukhari Azlan, his former personal aide, at
Desa Damansara Condominium, Jalan Setiakasih,
Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm
on June 26, last year.
He is appealing against a decision by High
Court Judge Datuk Mohammad Zabidin Diah
on March 5, who ruled that the sodomy case,
which originated in the sessions court, can be
transferred to the High Court. He reversed the
sessions judge’s ruling on Nov 7, which rejected
prosecution’s application for transfer.
Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal
Abiden said the then prime minister cannot make
a promise to the public or individuals and expect
the A-G to disregard his functions as provided
by the law.
“In the discharge of his function, he (A-G)
must obey the Federal Law and the Constitu-
tion,” said Mohd Yusof.