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Showing posts with label GE15. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GE15. Show all posts

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

PM: No salary for me at all, Cabinet ministers to take 20% pay cut


– BernamaAll eyes and ears: Anwar chairing the first special Cabinet meeting of the Unity Government at Perdana Putra.

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PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not receive any salary, both as Prime Minister and as Finance Minister, he has clarified.

Cabinet ministers have also agreed to a 20% pay cut until Malaysia reaches economic recovery, he said.

ALSO READ: Zahid and Fadillah have role in bridging economic gap

Rubbishing talk that he would be paid as Finance Minister although he had declined the salary for the top job, Anwar announced he would not be taking any form of government salary.

This was in line with his promise made during the election campaign, he said.

During the campaign, Anwar had said he would not take a salary if he was appointed as prime minister because the people themselves were struggling to cope with rising costs.

“Some people say I’m not taking the Prime Minister’s salary because I am the Finance Minister. That’s not true. There is only one salary,” he said, laughing off such claims during a press conference here yesterday.

ALSO READ:Budget to be enhanced with MOF, Cabinet views

The Members of Parliament Act (Act 347) only allows one salary for ministers, deputy ministers or political secretaries.

On the Cabinet ministers’ pay cut, he said this was their way of acknowledging the tough times faced by the people.

“The pay cut will be implemented as long as Malaysia continues to recover economically.

“It shows the ministers are also concerned about the livelihood of the public,” he said.

Asked if the pay cut would be carried out throughout the government’s five-year tenure, he simply said that it could range from three to five years, depending on the situation. 

Cabinet to take 20% pay cut

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanks his ministers “for their willingness to make some sacrifices” and said this was to show the government’s concern for Malaysians.

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 Don’t challenge me, PM tells Muhyiddin | Free Malaysia Today

 

 

 


 



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Sunday, 20 November 2022

Malaysia GE15 election results special, [LIVE HD]

Counting of votes is under way in Malaysia's 15th general election. Watch CNA's live coverage of the results. Latest updates at https://cna.asia/malaysiage15live 

No official decision from Malaysia's king on who will be next prime minister or interim PM. We continue to wait. My earlier tweet was not accurate. Apologies🇲🇾

 

 

Malaysia's hung parliament for first time in history 

CLICK TO ENLARGE 

 

*Hishammuddin Hussein Onn is the real traitor unknown to many!*

GE15: Hishammuddin sticks to 'No Anwar, No DAP' stance     

Barisan must not cooperate with Pakatan, says Hisham

How will BN's 30 seats sway?

PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are ready to give their numbers to Perikatan Nasional in the latter’s bid to form the new Federal Government, but there are doubts as to which way Barisan Nasional’s 30 seats will finally sway.

Analysts believe that although Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared that he has the majority to form the government and become the 10th prime minister, there were other possibilities on how alliances to forge a ruling coalition could pan out.

Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said although it seemed like a Perikatan-Barisan-GPS-GRS coalition was “almost a done deal”, Pakatan Harapan would also court Barisan for its numbers.

He felt a Barisan-Pakatan government could also work.

“Logically yes, because there is less competition over the (support) of the same (group) of conservative Malays between Barisan and Pakatan,” he said.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said it was very possible that Barisan would opt for a Perikatan-led government.

“Although there might still be resistance from the pro-Zahid group, I think eventually Umno will decide to bring Barisan to join this coalition.

“There is a growing discontent within the party and the calls for Barisan chairman (Datuk Seri Dr) Ahmad Zahid (Hamidi) to resign are getting louder,” he said.

CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGE

He said although a Perikatan-Barisan-GPS-GRS pact would have 131 seats, it would present a “cohesion test” for such a Perikatan-led government.

“It depends on leadership. Will Muhyiddin be able to impose discipline? Will GPS accommodate PAS’ views and vice-versa?” he said.

As for Pakatan, Tunku Mohar said the coalition’s chances to come to power was very slim.

“The only chance is if Barisan decides not to join Perikatan, GPS and GRS,” he added.

He said the possibility of Barisan and Pakatan joining forces would also depend on PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, and DAP and pro-Perikatan MPs being able to accept such a coalition.

It is understood that Umno leaders are also divided over supporting Perikatan or Pakatan.

Commenting on this, Tunku Mohar said it would be a tough call for Barisan.

“It is divided because a faction would not want to work with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while another would not want to work with Muhyiddin.

“It’s unclear if their division is over policy matters. It has to choose between being a weak coalition partner with Perikatan and a slightly stronger one with Pakatan. It’s a dilemma because it will also affect its survival,” he said.

Pakatan won 81 seats, while Perikatan took 73, GPS 22 and GRS six.

 

BN-PH pact: No DAP or Pakatan government, it's a unity government, says Anwar

I’m the sole PM candidate if Pakatan-Barisan pact works out, says Anwar


Barisan to collectively decide on post-electoral pact by Tuesday, says Dr Wee

Anwar’s PH might not secure enough seats to form majority, says analyst

 

Anwar Ibrahim says his Pakatan Harapan coalition has the numbers to be able to form a government but declines to say which other parties are supporting him. Perikatan Nasional (PN) leader and former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has left the door open for “like-minded” parties to form a ruling coalition, after results so far showed PN neck and neck with PH. Mr Muhyiddin has ruled out working with PH.

  Latest updates at https://cna.asia/malaysiage15live

 

COMMENTS: PH beat PN by 1.2 million popular votes. 

If PH can't form the government, then the rakyat's mandate is robbed again 🤷🏼‍♂ 

by Tommy 
Thomas the ex AG has stated that the correct procedure in a hung parliament situation is that the constitutional monarch should give the opportunity for the leader of the party with the most seats to form the government. And when parliament convenes in usually, a month, the appointed leader can demonstrate a vote of confidence then. If he cannot then and only then another party be given the chance to lead. 

If such is the case, I hope PH has the plan to mobilise a peaceful show of force at the palace. Must be mostly Melayus. Not like the Bersih rally mostly Chinese and Indians. This King has a unique way of appointing PMs and perhaps he should be guided when the results are there. Even if PH wins 90+ or better 100+, his duty and prerogative is only DSAI. *VERY URGENT, VERY IMPORTANT* . 

The true power of the government lie with the VOTERS, not the party, nor the winning candidates. 

Therefore it's the voters who should be given the mandate to form the government. 

So the analysis of the number of votes that each party has garnered should be considered by the Agong before he invites the party leaderships to form the government.

That indeed is the true strength of any party. 

In a negotiation to form a government all parties are to be recognised only on the aggregate number of votes won by the individual parties, not the number of seats won. That truly is democracy, (government by the majority). The formation of the government cannot be left entirely to 4 or 5 party leaders  or the 112 candidates who won their seats. 

This is a very valid and fairer representation of the 
''government by the people'' (one of the 3 principles of democracy) . 

Pakatan Harapan should present this to the Agong immediately. He should take his time to get the figures of each parties from the SPR. 

 _From Dato Dr Ridzuan 0173887585

Please viral quickly. *Please share this to all Sabahans, Sarawakians, all political parties and all Malaysians*

Please join me to push this

 Pakatan Harapan is to be  given the FIRST right to form the coalition of parties that will make up the simple majority to form Government. Hence, we need to convinve hard that GRS and GPS will join PH. If they don't want to join PH, then the right will be given to the next bloc to garner support from other parties to form the coalition that will make the simple majority.

If any NGO, Association, Councils, Unions, Bodies, Societies, chambers,  communities, please 📣📣📣 *VOICE OUT* the support for PH now before too late.

Actually, we can do something. We are in the marketplace. Share with your business people in Sabah and Sarawak that they should tell GRS and GPS to work with PH and not let the country be governed by an extremist party

*Please share this to all Sabahans, Sarawakians, all political parties and all Malaysians*

Hung parliament for Malaysia, with Pakatan Harapan slightly in front of Perikatan Nasional

Malaysia has a hung parliament, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) neck and neck in the race to form a government in the country's 222-seat parliament.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said early on Sunday (Nov 20) that his PH coalition has the numbers to form a government. He did not reveal which parties are supporting him, saying only that he will notify the palace accordingly. 

PN chairman and former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, on the other hand, said the coalition is ready to work with other parties to form a government, but ruled out joining hands with the PH.

The ruling Barisan Nasional, trailing in the polls, issued a statement saying it accepted the people's decision.

This election was touted as the most hotly contested in the country's history. 

One of the biggest electoral casualties of the night was former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who failed to defend his Langkawi seat. It is his first defeat in 53 years.

BN's Khairy Jamaluddin, the health minister who helped to steer Malaysia through the COVID-19 pandemic, also lost his seat, as with finance minister Tengku Zafrul.

Highlights from the results of Malaysia's 15th General Election

Umno swept aside by 'green tsunami'

THE next government is still a work in progress while Malaysians are trying to wrap their heads around the stunning outcome of the 15th General Election (GE15).

As at press time, Barisan Nasional was on the way to a defeat more crushing than in 2018.

There are already calls for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is Barisan chairman and Umno president, to take responsibility and resign.

The shocker of the night was the dark horse Perikatan Nasional giving Barisan Nasional the fight of its life.

The Malay wave that rumbled towards Perikatan has enabled it to wrest Perlis and and roll over the other Malay states.

Some viewed it as the “green tsunami,” a reference to PAS which is the dominant partner in Perikatan.

The two coalitions were neck-and-neck in many seats and a video from Kepala Batas of Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican conceding defeat to Perikatan a little after 10pm, said it all because an Umno stronghold that was once held by a former prime minister had fallen.

Perikatan, with PAS providing a strong Islamic voice, had sucked away Malay votes that would have otherwise gone to Umno and it included the civil service, Malay professionals and Malay first-time voters.

There is a very powerful subtext to this. It signals that Malays who rejected a Malay party they regarded as tainted had also spurned the multiracial Pakatan Harapan.

They preferred to turn to an alternative that was very much centred around race and religion.

The fact that Perikatan managed to win the prestigious Putrajaya seat was another clear sign that the country’s top civil servants had rejected Barisan.

They felt that Umno had not learnt from the fall of 2018 and had failed to change according to the times.

The economy had affected ordinary people where it hurt most, but corruption and integrity were important issues among the professional class.

There is still no sign of what kind of government will be formed out of this confusing state of affairs.

However, Pakatan captain Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is nearing his dream to be the next prime minister with the credible win by his coalition.

Will he be able to cobble together a coalition government in the coming hours?

Winning so well was tough but the harder part lies ahead.

The new Tambun MP had run a great campaign, igniting excitement in Perak and beyond.

He managed to capture the national mood and public imagination as he zipped from east to west and north to south over the last fortnight.

There was criticism about him jetting about in a private helicopter but it was a necessary mode of transport in order to reach out as extensively as possible.

It also gave him the air of a man on a mission, who was willing to go the distance to achieve his goal.

Many Pakatan supporters who had written him off rallied behind Pakatan as he stirred interest and, more importantly, revived belief in him.

The Chinese especially are still thirsting for a truly Malaysian leader and he seemed to quench their thirst with his multiracial narrative, his energy and his personal charm.

The last general election was shaped by people gravitating towards Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This election found Malays swaying to Perikatan, a pattern evident in Malay seats all over the country.

The Malay voters had decided to try out a new dish on the political menu.

The atmosphere at the Umno headquarters was not as dazed and shocked as in 2018, but none of them thought that lightning would strike twice.

A voice recording from Melaka Umno chief Datuk Seri Abdul Rauf Yusoh, at about 1pm, instructing the Umno machinery to get their “white voters” out to vote was the first indication of trouble for Barisan.

Barisan had become too complacent after the fantastic wins in Johor and Melaka.

The coalition had called the election confident of being the next government but it seemed out of sorts throughout the campaign.

The campaign lacked oomph! and did not seem coordinated. Barisan failed to show that it was in charge even though Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the caretaker prime minister.

Ismail Sabri did not travel the country to rally the troops, selecting only certain areas to go to. He did not have a strong narrative and he was eclipsed by Anwar’s star power.

Umno’s Mr Nice Guy was somehow not the average Malaysian’s notion of a prime minister.

Barisan election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who did such a great job in the Johor and Melaka elections, could have been more hands on. Instead of moving around to help campaign elsewhere, he kept to Rembau.

But Barisan’s problem was Ahmad Zahid who was like the proverbial sitting duck.

He was the prime target of attacks that highlighted his corruption court case as well as an intense psywar that he would be the prime minister if Barisan wins.

However, he was too powerful in Umno and no one dared to bell the cat.

The most tragic news of the night was Dr Mahathir losing his deposit in Langkawi. It was the ultimate rejection for this once great man who changed the fortunes of this island in the sun.

Turbulent days lie ahead for Malaysia but the voters have decided.



Pakatan wins big in Penang | The Star

 All smiles: Supporters celebrating at the Seberang Prai Vocational College counting centre in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

 

GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Harapan has lived up to its tag as the favourite, winning 10 of the 13 seats here.

But it was not without a heavy price. PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar lost in her father’s home seat of Permatang Pauh.

The seat had been with her family since 1982, having been won by her father, her mother and herself.

Also falling by the wayside was Barisan Nasional’s incumbent Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Earlier, Barisan also lost its stronghold in Tasek Gelugor to Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

DAP, however, had a good outing, making a clean sweep of the seven seats it contested. Leading the way was Penang Pakatan chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who emerged victorious in the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat with ease.

“The election is not about Chow Kon Yeow or Batu Kawan, but it is a call for Malaysia to be saved,” he said afterwards.

Chow, who is in his final term as MP, had moved away from his comfort zone in Tanjong on the island to contest the Batu Kawan seat on the mainland.

His six other party comrades also did equally well.

Shocking defeat: Nurul Izzah reacting to the news of her loss in Permatang Pauh. — Bernama 

Shocking defeat: Nurul Izzah reacting to the news of her loss in Permatang Pauh. — Bernama

They were DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng (Bagan), legal bureau chief Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor), organising secretary Steven Sim Chee Keong (Bukit Mertajam), central executive committee members RSN Rayer (Jelutong), and Lim Hui Ying (Tanjong) and Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Bukit Bendera).

As for PKR, it successfully secured the three seats of Balik Pulau, Bayan Baru and Nibong Tebal, despite Nurul Izzah’s defeat.

Wanita PKR chief Fadhlina Sidek was the surprise package, stealing the limelight in Nibong Tebal by gunning down two-term MP Datuk Mansor Othman of Perikatan to cap a memorable political debut.

Mansor had won the seat earlier on a Pakatan ticket before defecting.

The other two PKR seats – Bayan Baru and Balik Pulau – saw incumbents Sim Tze Tzin and Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik emerging victorious in keenly fought contests.

There are 13 parliamentary seats in Penang – six on the island and seven on the mainland.

In the last elections, Pakatan won 11, with DAP getting seven and PKR four while Barisan had two.

Two MPs – one each from Pakatan and Barisan – quit to join Bersatu.

Besides Mansor, the other who defected was Datuk Shahabudin Yahya, who did not contest in Tasek Gelugor this time.

GE15: PH wins big in Penang - New Straits Times

GE15: Penang Pakatan disappointed for not achieving target ...

Malaysia the winner 

 Forming a stable government that lasts

 

Green tsunami that rocked GE15 | The Star


 
PAS sedia pertimbang benarkan pengundi BN masuk syurga.
 

Image

 

Malaysia holding 15th general election

 

 

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This is the strongest criticism yet, written by a Malay about the contemptible Malay power elites. Apa Malu! Malays-and-muslim-two-of-a-k.

Monday, 7 November 2022

Multi-coalition govt may make a return, paving the way for unity government?

 

No single party has the strength to secure a strong majority in GE15, says observers

 KUALA LUMPUR: With many political observers predicting that no single party or coalition has the strength to secure a strong majority in the 15th General Election (GE15), the return of a government formed by two or more coalitions and parties is on the cards.

The three main coalitions – Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan – are each facing a tough battle ahead to wrest control of at least 112 seats in Parliament, the simple majority needed to form a government.

Malaysia’s political landscape has changed tremendously since Barisan’s defeat in GE14 after ruling the country for 60 years.

The subsequent political instability saw three prime ministers being sworn into office over a period of four years or so.

Barisan, however, is confident of a victory in the coming polls based on its achievements in the by-elections in the parliamentary constituencies of Cameron Highlands, Tanjung Piai and Kimanis, and the state seats of Slim and Rantau, as well as recent state polls in Melaka and Johor.

According to political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Barisan’s recent performance is not an indicator that it will win GE15 with a comfortable margin similar to that before GE14.

“No single party (or coalition) will emerge as the dominant winner (in GE15)... This is what many political observers are predicting now.

“Although Barisan won several by-elections and two state elections (after GE14), there was no political stability. So, it’s not impossible for a multi-coalition or multi-party government to be formed once again,” he said.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan also expects the formation of a multi-coalition or multi-party government after GE15, pointing out that the prevailing political situation might see three- to five-cornered fights in many seats.

“Although it is being said that Barisan may win the most seats, the number may not be enough to form a government.

“Post-GE15, I expect Barisan to be the dominant coalition (in the government), together with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

“This is why (prime minister and Umno vice-president) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has put forward the idea of creating two deputy prime minister posts – one each for Sabah and Sarawak... This could possibly be Barisan’s new alignment with GPS and GRS,” the geostrategist commented.

Following GE14 on May 9, 2018, Pakatan – then comprising PKR, DAP, Bersatu and Amanah – had formed the federal government with the support of Warisan after winning a simple majority.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was subsequently appointed the seventh prime minister of Malaysia.

But 22 months later, on Feb 24, 2020, the Pakatan government collapsed after Dr Mahathir resigned as prime minister and Bersatu left the coalition.

On March 1, the nation’s first multi-coalition and multi-party government was formed, comprising Bersatu, PAS, Barisan, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and the Sabah-based Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah STAR).

Five months later, Perikatan was formed, consisting of Bersatu, PAS and Sabah STAR, with the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Gerakan joining the alliance later.

The Perikatan-led administration survived for only 17 months, following which a multi-coalition and multi-party government comprising Barisan, Perikatan, GPS and PBS came into being on Aug 30, 2021.

Besides Barisan, Pakatan and Perikatan, GE15 will also see the participation of a newly-formed unofficial alliance, Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), which is led by Dr Mahathir’s Pejuang and which is expected to field candidates in 121 constituencies.

On the anti-hopping law that came into effect on Oct 5, Azmi said its effectiveness in bringing about political stability would only be known after GE15.

“With this law in place now, it will not be possible for one or two MPs to bring down the government. In the event of a defection, the whole party will have to exit the government,” he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer in political science Dr Jamaie Hamil agreed, saying that laws prohibiting an MP or individual from doing something that could undermine the stability of a government were not new in this country.

According to him, the Internal Security Act (ISA) was enforced during the Barisan era to prevent people or politicians from saying or doing things that could disrupt public order and harmony.

“It may look different, but it is the same as the anti-hopping law that’s aimed at ensuring a government’s stability,” he said.

The provisions for the anti-hopping law are enshrined in the Constitutional (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 2022, under which any MP who leaves a political party to join another will lose his or her seat.

Jamaie has a few recommendations just in case GE15 leads to the formation of a multi-coalition or multi-party government.

Among them is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ruling government and the Opposition, similar to what was carried out during Ismail Sabri’s administration. This would ward off conflicts that could threaten the nation’s stability.

He also suggested that the prime minister’s post be rotated among the parties in the multi-coalition or multi-party government.

He said to ensure the long-term stability of such a government, there must be strong political will and understanding among the partners so that decisions are made and implemented by consensus.

Jamaie also said that having a strong and stable multi-coalition government was crucial, considering the possibility of a global recession next year.

He added that the newly-elected leaders should also revive the racial tolerance the country used to enjoy under the leadership of the first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Azmi hopes the appointments of the new Cabinet ministers will be made in accordance with their expertise and not merely on the basis of fulfilling party quotas. — Bernama 

Source link

 

Related

 

Every vote counts | The Star

 

Bee in their bonnets | The Star

 

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  Malaysians now looking for a new narrative of diversity and inclusiveness, not just Malay unity

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A plague on both your coalitions!

 

 

PAS’ politics of desperation, lies and deception

 

 

 

POOR POLITICAL LITERACY AMONG YOUTHS

Sunday, 6 November 2022

Mask up with new Covid-19 wave sweeping nation

PETALING JAYA: People should keep their face masks on in crowded and enclosed areas as the new Covid-19 wave sweeps the nation, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said the public should remain vigilant and adhere to the TRIIS method – Test, Report, Isolate, Inform and Seek – should they be infected.

He also said the drug Paxlovid would be given to high-risk patients.

“Covid-19 cases have reached nearly 4,000 today (Thursday), with about 96% belonging to Category 1 and 2.

“We are experiencing a wave of infections. Whether the wave is big or small depends on our actions,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

Prior to this, Khairy had said the nation was experiencing a small wave of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron XBB subvariant.

On Monday (Oct 31) , he said that Covid-19 infections due to the XBB subvariant were expected to go up in the next few weeks – to between 3,000 and 5,000 daily cases – with the crest of the wave coinciding with the 15th General Election.

He reminded the public to be careful, especially with the country entering the campaign period for GE15.

Khairy also encouraged frontline staff, including Election Commission employees who will be on duty during GE15, to get a second booster vaccine dose. 

Source link

Related

Malaysians told to mask up as new Covid-19 wave hits the nation
ahead of GE2022
  

 

 

The latest global numbers on the Coronavirus outbreak
 
 
 MALAYSIA
 

 
 
 SINGAPORE
 
 

 
 

 Republic of Korea = SOUTH KOREA



USA






CHINA

World faces risk of combined epidemic of influenza and COVID-19 in the coming winter: top Chinese epidemiologists.

Zhong Nanshan Photo: VCG

The world still faces the risk of a combined pandemic of COVID-19 and influenza, especially this winter, Zhong Nanshan, top Chinese respiratory diseases expert, said on Tuesday in The World Flu Day 2022 Symposium that more efforts are needed to tackle the scientific problems of influenza prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Both COVID-19 and influenza viruses are respiratory viruses, and respiratory virus infections tend to have a short incubation period, rapid and wide spread, strong transmission, high incidence, and are difficult to control," Zhong pointed out. Once the epidemic caused by respiratory viruses breaks out, it often leads to serious public health crisis, and then becomes the focus of the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the world.

At the conference, Dong Chen, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also said that the world still faces a high risk of overlapping epidemics of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID-19, and the prevention of that still has a long way to go.

"Since June, there has been a new outbreak of avian influenza in Europe and an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 infection in birds in the US, with a very high risk of spillover into humans. So the combination of influenza and COVID-19 is a very big challenge for us this winter and next spring," Gao Fu, former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, also warned that the current level of COVID-19 vaccination is gradually increasing, but the flu vaccination rate is generally low.

Due to COVID-19 prevention and control measures, data over the past two years have shown that influenza prevalence level has remained low. But things are gradually changing.

As COVID-19 flares up in several places across China with total daily cases nearing 3,000, many localities, including Central China's Henan and South China's Guangdong, are stepping up efforts to contain the virus and resume work and life as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, 465 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide. As Tuesday, 31 Chinese provinces, regions and municipalities have reported 4,854 confirmed cases.

Zhang Wenqing, Director of WHO Global Influenza Programme, said in the conference that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza situation was very weak around the world, but the change occurred in the second half of 2021. The data showed an increase in influenza virus activity in many countries, both in the northern and southern hemispheres.

"In some countries in the southern hemisphere, influenza virus is more active than it was before the COVID-19 outbreak," Zhang said. This points to the important question of whether the northern hemisphere will see the same seasonal flu spike as the southern hemisphere.

Talking about the reasons for this change, Gao said one possible reason is that in the past three years, public health measures have been implemented globally, which has caused the overall population to have a weak immunity to influenza viruses. Some countries have relaxed their public health policies recently, making it more likely that new strains will emerge, Gao warned. At the same time, the low rate of influenza vaccination also causes the situation that the influenza virus is easy to spread.

As for how to effectively deal with this crisis, scholars from different regions and countries, such as Russia and the UK, agreed that the experience of COVID-19 prevention and control is worth learning, for example, the development of rapid and accessible diagnostic methods may play a crucial role in the prevention and control of influenza epidemic.

Zhong believes that basic research and clinical research have important scientific and practical significance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of respiratory viruses. The COVID-19 epidemic has promoted basic research on pathogenesis and accelerated the development of rapid clinical diagnostic methods, and provided an important basis for the clinical practice of epidemic prevention and control and the judgment of disease prognosis.

In recent years, China has made a series of landmark achievements in respiratory virus research, Dong added.

Basic research has made progress in respiratory viruses, etiology, structural biology, immunology, and cross-species and so on, and formed a good technical reserve, which can provide guidance for the prevention and control strategy of influenza, Dong said.

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