Ex-Malacca CM seeks to join Bersatu; PAS MPs' meet with Dr M fuels talk
KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.
Ex-Malacca CM seeks to join Bersatu
Controversial former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik is the latest leader to quit Umno and apply to join Bersatu.
Addressing Rahim's "bad history" with other Pakatan Harapan leaders, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said that the political context was now different but stressed that he would have to go through a vetting process if he is to be accepted into Bersatu.
DAP's Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong urged Bersatu to reject Rahim's application, pointing out that he was previously involved in the screening of a sex video which the latter claimed featured PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar claimed there were efforts to use the exodus of Umno MPs as a means of straining his relationship with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, amid speculation that Harapan component parties were competing for support.
PAS MPs meet with Dr M fuels speculation
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party will identify the two MPs from his party who had allegedly met with Mahathir, claiming that it was a potential breach of party discipline.
Takiyuddin also said the exodus of MPs from Umno showed the party was no longer able to represent Malay-Muslim interests.
MACC confirmed receiving reports about alleged corruption against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the party’s election in June.
Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin said an extraordinary general meeting can be called in order to determine Zahid's position as Umno president.
Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos also turned on Zahid, stating that his division has lost trust in the Umno president.
Amanah seeks to differentiate from PAS
Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa said party delegates should no longer compare Amanah to PAS, as the splinter party is now on its own path.
Amanah communications director Khalid Abdul Samad defended the party leadership, stating that it does criticise Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on issues that the party does not agree with.
Khalid also revealed plans by the party to launch a weekly newspaper.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said many Umno members have expressed interest in joining his party, but stressed that they would be properly vetted.
Other Kinibites
Fire and Rescue Department personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim who was injured during the Seafield temple riots is critically ill.
MCA president Wee Ka Siong questioned why Pakatan Harapan component parties were silent on Mahathir's political secretary who was implicated in the Felda scandal.
Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL), the group advocating against Lynas' rare earth processing plant in Kuantan, Pahang, wants MACC to look into the facility's approvals.
DAP deputy chairperson Gobind Singh Deo stressed that the DAP will not cooperate with Umno.
Relief centres were closed in Terengganu as the flood situation improved.
Looking ahead
The Dewan Negara resumes sitting.
Selangor Umno will hold a press conference on the party's recent defections.
Mahathir will be attending a dialogue organised by the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (Might).
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