al Jazeera:

Israel bombs Syria, attacks Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital again

By Alastair Mccready and Zaheena Rasheed

Published On 5 Nov 20245 Nov 2024

• Israeli forces have attacked Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza for a second day, wounding medical staff and patients, including newborn babies at the facility’s nursery, according to medical staff.
• Israel’s military attacked the Syrian capital, Damascus, claiming it targeted Hezbollah’s “intelligence headquarters” in the country, but Syrian media say “civilian areas” were struck.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was “no alternative” to UNRWA after Israel officially notified the global body of its decision to cut ties with the agency for Palestinian refugees.
• Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 43,374 Palestinians and wounded 102,261 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.
• In Lebanon, at least 3,002 people have been killed and 13,492 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.

Auto-updates

• 53s ago

   (00:30 GMT)

  

  Israeli military bombs tents in Deir el-Balah, killing 2

  At least two people are confirmed dead, including a child, following an Israeli military attack on tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in the city of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, our Al Jazeera Arabic colleagues report.

  We will bring you more information when we have it.
• 15m ago

   (00:15 GMT)

  Newborn babies wounded as Israel attacks Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital

  Eid Sabbah, the director of nursing at Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israel’s attack on the facility wounded newborn babies and forced the evacuation of its nursery.

  “The children’s ward with the incubators was hit by Israeli warplanes and quad-copter drones. The upper floors were damaged and some of the children and newborn babies were injured,” he told Al Jazeera by telephone.

  “Journalists, nurses and other medical staff were also injured,” he said.

  “The nurses took the children to the lower floors but those floors don’t have the equipment needed to cater to the newborns who need incubators and intensive care. Those children and newborns came under direct fire. One child was forced to have emergency surgery. The staff were shocked by this new attack because we had already come under fire just the day before.”

  As we’ve been reporting, Kamal Adwan is the last partially functioning hospital in besieged northern Gaza. The latest attacks come a week after Israeli forces raided the facility and detained dozens of people, including nearly all of its medical staff.

  The hospital – which continues to receive people wounded in Israel’s intensified attacks on northern Gaza – has called for urgent international intervention and the establishment of a humanitarian passage for the delivery of medical supplies.

  

  Palestinian casualties lie on beds and the floor at Kamal Adwan hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital in the northern Gaza Strip October 26, 2024 [Reuters]

Malaysia has proposed house arrest as an option — here is how our neighbours are implementing the measure

Malaysia has proposed house arrest as an option — here is how our neighbours are implementing the measure



A new Bill proposing house arrest as an option was announced during Budget 2025, though details on its terms remain limited. Malaysian law currently lacks specific provisions for house arrest as an independent punishment. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Tuesday, 05 Nov 2024 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — A new proposal for house arrest as an option was announced during Budget 2025, though details on its terms remain limited.


Here is what we know so far:

• Current law: House arrest is not a standalone punishment in Malaysia, but the Prisons Act 1995 allows the Home Minister to designate locations for detention.
• Conditions: House arrest typically involves wearing a monitoring device, restricted movement, and potential restrictions on alcohol and contact with others.
• Perceived privilege: House arrest is often seen as a more comfortable option, sometimes afforded to high-profile figures like business leaders or politicians.

Malaysian law currently lacks specific provisions for house arrest as an independent punishment. However, Section 3 of the Prisons Act 1995 gives the home minister the authority to designate any location as a prison for detention purposes.

Typically, individuals under house arrest must wear a monitoring device, often an ankle bracelet, which alerts authorities if they move beyond a permitted range. Sometimes, their movements can also be monitored through in-person checks.


House arrest often restricts individuals to designated locations, such as their own home, a relative’s home, a care facility or a dormitory, with exceptions for essential outings like court appearances or medical appointments. In some cases, they may be allowed to go to work or school.


House arrest can also require offenders to undergo random or regular drug tests, limit interaction with others and prohibit alcohol consumption.

However, a person under house arrest has a much higher level of privacy and comfort, being in their own space.

House arrest is often seen as a privilege for high-profile convicted individuals, such as business leaders or politicians.

In South-east Asia, governing authorities often use house arrest as a tactic to curb dissent and control opposition.

Although many countries in the region lack specific provisions for house arrest, courts sometimes consider it as a humanitarian option for certain ailing inmates.


How does house arrest compare according to regional neighbours?

• Singapore: Home Detention Order (HDO) allows non-violent offenders with family support to serve sentences at home under strict rules. Violations can result in prison recall.
• Myanmar: Notably used for political figures, such as Aung San Suu Kyi, with military powers permitting detention without trial on grounds of national security.
• Indonesia: House arrest used during investigations and trials, credited toward sentences, though not for serving jail terms.
• Philippines: House arrest allowed under certain conditions, often for those awaiting trial with weak evidence.
• Thailand: Court-approved house arrest, used for political figures and activists under exceptional circumstances, seen as a form of movement control.

Singapore’s house arrest is called a Home Detention Order (HDO), where an offender is confined to their home under strict curfews, as stipulated in the Prisons Act 1933, Part 6. — Unsplash pic



Singapore

Singapore’s house arrest is called a Home Detention Order (HDO), where an offender is confined to their home under strict curfews, as stipulated in the Prisons Act 1933, Part 6.

A person is eligible for home detention for up to 12 months with terms including non-involvement in serious or repeat crimes, and having already served at least 14 days of their sentence as a Singapore resident.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs may grant an HDO if the offender has shown significant progress and rehabilitation in prison, has family support and poses a low risk of reoffending.

They are also not allowed to consume alcohol during this period.

Prison authorities are assisted by an independent advisory committee comprising members of the Board of Visiting Justices, community leaders and private sector professionals who help with the placement of inmates on home detention.

If conditions are breached, offenders may be recalled to prison for the remainder of their sentence or while investigations into the breach are ongoing.

One of the most high-profile house arrest cases involved former civil defence chief Peter Lim Sin Pang, who was sentenced to six months in prison for corruption and served roughly half of it under house arrest.



A Myanmar protester residing in Japan uses a flag with an image of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally to mark the second anniversary of Myanmar's 2021 military coup, outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Tokyo February 1, 2023. — Reuters pic



Myanmar

Likely the longest and most famous house arrest case is that of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent some 15 years from 1989 to 2010 confined to her home while promoting democratic reforms in military-ruled Myanmar.

She was confined to her home in mostly solitary confinement, although she could occasionally meet other NLD officials and selected diplomats. She was not allowed to see her two sons or her husband, who were foreign citizens.

According to reports, Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution, revised by the military, does not explicitly mention house arrest but grants powers to the military to maintain public order, which is seen as arbitrary.

The military regime used Article 144 of Myanmar’s Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows curfews and movement restrictions without formal charges if national security is considered at risk.

In 2021, she was charged and sentenced to 33 years in prison but was eventually moved to house arrest, reportedly for health and weather conditions.



Indonesia does not allow serving a jail term under house arrest, but house arrest can be used during investigations or trials under Article 22 of the Criminal Procedure Code. — AFP pic



Indonesia

Indonesia does not allow serving a jail term under house arrest, but house arrest can be used during investigations or trials under Article 22 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Individuals may be confined to their home or another residence to avoid interference in the investigation, prosecution, or court proceedings.

The detention zone can be expanded to cover a suspect’s or defendant’s home city or residence, with reporting at specified times.

The time spent in custody or house arrest is credited toward the overall sentence.

In the past, the government has considered house arrest instead of prison, as in the case of elderly Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who helped facilitate the Bali bombers.

Former president Sukarno was famously put under house arrest without trial in 1967 after losing power, isolating him from supporters and interfering with new leadership. He was denied access to healthcare and eventually died in 1970 while still in isolation.



Soldiers hoist the national flag of the Philippines during a rehearsal for the Philippines’ Independence Day at Rizal Park (Luneta) in Metro Manila June 11, 2014. Former President Joseph Estrada was placed under house arrest for six years during his trial for plunder, while former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was granted hospital arrest during her criminal trial. — Reuters pic



Philippines

Like Indonesia, the Philippines’ Section 26 of the Republic Act 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007, provides for house arrest where evidence of guilt is weak.

With bail, a person may be placed under house arrest or restricted to their city while awaiting trial.

“While under house arrest, he or she may not use telephones, cellphones, emails, computers, the internet or other means of communications with people outside the residence until otherwise ordered by the court,” according to the law.

Former President Joseph Estrada was placed under house arrest for six years during his trial for plunder, while former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was granted hospital arrest during her criminal trial.



House arrest laws in Thailand are also unclear, but reports suggest house arrest requires court approval. — Reuters pic



Thailand

House arrest laws in Thailand are also unclear, but reports suggest house arrest requires court approval.

Section 24 of Thailand’s Criminal Procedure Code grants the court authority to confine an offender to their home or another location if confinement in a specific area could endanger the individual or impose excessive hardship, or if other exceptional circumstances apply.

The court can specify conditions, such as movement restrictions or communication bans, and appoint a government official to oversee confinement.

Political figures, activists, and former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra were reportedly confined during military actions in Thailand, often viewed as methods of movement control.

Show proof RM9.4m found in DAP MP’s home: Rayer to PAS lawmaker

Show proof RM9.4m found in DAP MP’s home: Rayer to PAS lawmaker


Published: Nov 4, 2024 10:02 PM


PARLIAMENT | RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) has given 24 hours to Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) to submit evidence on the latter’s allegation that RM9.4 million in cash was found in a DAP MP’s residence.

Calling it an irresponsible statement, Rayer (above) chided the PAS lawmaker for misusing parliamentary immunity - granted to MPs during debates in the Dewan Rakyat - to make wild allegations.

“I challenge Pendang to provide evidence over his allegations and lodge a report with the MACC. He should also name the DAP MP involved,” Rayer said in a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The DAP central executive committee member added that he would not hesitate to submit a motion in the Dewan Rakyat to refer Awang to the Rights and Privileges Committee for further action.

Earlier, when debating Budget 2025, Awang alleged that RM9.4 million in cash was found at a residence belonging to a former minister from DAP.

“This is also about the RM9.4 million, where a DAP minister was said to be involved. Until today, we don’t know the progress of the investigation,” he said.

Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang)

Livid over the remarks, Rayer interrupted Awang’s speech and called for action against the former deputy minister for making baseless claims against DAP.

“This is unbecoming and irresponsible of an MP to misuse parliamentary immunity to make wild allegations.”

Undeterred by Rayer’s remarks, Awang said: “The moment we mention DAP, he gets angry.

“Perhaps, he thinks DAP is as pure as an angel.”

Unimpressed, Rayer challenged Awang to repeat the remarks outside of the Dewan Rakyat.

Joining the fray, Chong Zhemin (Harapan-Kampar) said he could not find any proof of Awang’s allegations.

Chong Zhemin (Harapan-Kampar)

“When I searched online, all I found was MACC issuing a statement about finding RM5 million at a home belonging to a Perikatan Nasional leader.

“So, I’m not sure about a DAP leader having RM9.4 million in his house,” Chong added.

MACC denies allegation

Last year, then-human resources minister V Sivakumar denied that MACC raided his house and office in relation to a probe on migrant worker approvals.

“No, no no,” he retorted when asked about a news report on the alleged raid.

However, an MACC source told Malaysiakini that a team had gone to Sivakumar’s residence and office but it was not a raid.

Meanwhile, in a statement this evening, the MACC denied making any statement about Awang’s allegations.

“While the MACC respects the right of MPs to express their views freely, it is crucial that their statements are based on accurate facts to avoid confusion.

“The MACC reiterates once again that neither the commission nor the chief commissioner has made any statement regarding the discovery of the said amount at the residence of the former minister.”

British King ‘making millions’ from secret property empire – The Times

 

Murray Hunter

British King ‘making millions’ from secret property empire – The Times The royal family earned nearly $65 million last year alone, including rent received from the army, NHS and schools, a media investigation has found Nov 4 Prince of Wales, Prince William and Britain's King, Charles III. ©  Anwar Hussein/WireImage Share Comment: This news raises the question of the relevance of the monarchy in modern nations today. Certainly, as we appear to be coming to the end of King Charles III reign, the debate on monarchy in Australia will ignite once more. King Charles III and his son Prince William have contracts with UK taxpayer-funded public services, charities, government departments and even a prison, which help them earn millions every year, the Sunday Times has claimed. That’s in addition to the so-called sovereign grant the royals get from the government.  In 2023 alone, Charles and William’s “private fiefdoms,” the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall - raised £27.4 million (over $35 million) and £23.6 million ($30 million) respectively for the British royal family, the newspaper found as part of a joint investigation with Channel 4’s Dispatches program. The paper said Saturday that they used the royal addresses to uncover their business contracts and discovered how the duchies are making money “via a series of commercial rents and feudal levies on land largely seized by medieval monarchs.” Dubbed “Duchy Files,” the investigation claims to have found that King Charles and Prince William “charge for the right to cross rivers, offload cargo onto the shore, run cables under their beaches, operate schools and charities, and even dig graves.”  “They earn revenue from toll bridges, ferries, sewage pipes, churches, village halls, pubs, distilleries, gas pipelines, boat moorings, opencast and underground mines, car parks, rental homes and wind turbines,” The Times claims. Some 5,410 landholdings and properties are held by the royal duchies, the investigation claims. For instance, a deal with an NHS foundation trust will reportedly pay the King’s Duchy of Lancaster £11 million ($14 million) over 15 years to rent a warehouse for ambulances. Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall receives £1.5 million ($1.9 million) a year from the Ministry of Justice for using Dartmoor Prison, The Times claims. The duchy of the King’s eldest son, the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, also charges the military “for the right to train” on its 67,500 acres of land in Dartmoor. The sum it gets has not been revealed.  The estates also rent out over 900 residential homes and farms to tenants, according to the report. The duchies, both established in the 14th century, are operating as commercial landlords, but are exempt from paying tax on their corporate profits, the paper notes. The King and Prince pay income tax voluntarily at the highest rate, 45%. In 2022, the last time King Charles published his tax filings, he paid 25% of the £23 million ($30 million) in duchy profit “because he deducted expenses he considered related to his official duties,” The Times pointed out. The “Duchy Files” investigation marks the first time that the complete list of property holdings for the two royal estates has been made public, the paper says, adding that even the British parliament was denied access to it. “The ancient property empires that fund the King and the Prince of Wales have remained a closely guarded secret within the royal family and its small circle of advisers for centuries,” it claimed. The two duchies are separate from the Crown Estate, a vast property business owned by the British monarch but run independently. Because of its soaring profits, the taxpayer-funded sovereign grant that pays for official royal duties will rise from £86.3 million ($111 million) in 2024-25 to £132 million ($170 million) in 2025-26.

Former Perak MB Peja and Radzi Jidin win Bersatu vice-presidency amid talks of disquiet

Former Perak MB Peja and Radzi Jidin win Bersatu vice-presidency amid talks of disquiet



Chairman of the Bersatu Election Committee Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi (middle) poses for a group photo with the Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council for the year 2024-2027 at Bersatu Headquarters in Petaling Jaya November 4, 2024. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Monday, 04 Nov 2024 4:03 PM MYT


PETALING JAYA, Nov 4 — Former Parti Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, or popularly known as Peja, was voted as one of the party’s three vice-presidents at the internal elections that concluded yesterday.

The two other new vice-presidents are Putrajaya MP and former education minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Jidin and Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee in a result that was widely expected amid speculation that the outcome was “predetermined” to avert internal division.


Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will stay as Bersatu president for the new term together with Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin who remains as deputy president after both posts were not contested.

Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, once touted as the contender for the number two post, sat out from all top posts competitions that was rumoured to be a compromise he made to keep the party united.


Azmin’s faction, however, was said to be unhappy, which has fuelled rumours that many of them could walk out of Bersatu. Azmin retained his post as Gombak Bersatu chief.


Some of the major leaders who are said to be in his faction did win supreme council memberships, the most notable being Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah and Dr Afif Bahardin.

Malaysia complains to Vietnam over South China Sea reef expansion

FMT:

 

Malaysia complains to

Vietnam over South China

Sea reef expansion

Reuters

-04 Nov 2024, 05:30 PM

The move brings to light another of the multiple disputes in the strategic waterway mostly claimed by Beijing.

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The tiny Spratly islands have seen significant construction in recent years. (Maxar Technologies/AFP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Malaysia has sent a letter of complaint to Vietnam over its alleged expansion of a South China Sea reef that both countries claim as their own, two officials told Reuters, in a rare bilateral escalation not involving China.

The move brings to light another of the multiple disputes in the strategic waterway, most of which China claims sovereignty over, with Beijing involved in frequent altercations with the Philippines and sporadic rows with Vietnam.

The most contested features are around the Spratly archipelago, where China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines all have various claims and degrees of occupation.

Malaysia’s letter was sent to Vietnam’s foreign ministry in early October but has so far received no reply, the two officials said, declining to be identified more precisely because the matter was sensitive.

The complaint was over Vietnam’s alleged artificial expansion of the Barque Canada Reef, an islet in the Spratlys where Vietnam has built numerous infrastructure projects, according to satellite images analysed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, which were released last month.

In late October, Radio Free Asia reported that Vietnam was also building an airstrip on the reef.

Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not reply to a request for comment.

Malaysia’s foreign ministry did not comment.

The letter preceded those publications and only criticised the enlargement of the islet, not the building of infrastructure, one of the officials said.

The tiny Spratly islands have seen significant construction in recent years as countries seek to bolster their territorial claims and prove they can sustain human habitation on dozens of islets and features.

China’s activities have attracted the most attention, with seven islands built on submerged reefs, some equipped with runways, docks, control towers and missile batteries.

Though complaints between Malaysia and Vietnam over territory are rare, Malaysia has taken issue regularly over what it says is encroachment by Vietnamese fishermen into its exclusive economic zone, leading to the arrest of some crew.

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