SNAPSHOT | Bersatu won't last long, says Umno chief; PM unveils RM31m allocation for Pulau Banggi

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

6pm

Umno politics 

• Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has taken a swipe at Bersatu, after the latter expelled at least two state assemblypersons and suspended six others for two years.

  Berita Harian reported Zahid as asserting that the Umno splinter party, formed in 2017, would not last long.

  

  “I wish all the best to Bersatu and its leaders. I have no intention to meddle in the affairs of this Umno splinter party.

  “Since the very beginning, I have stated that the party’s lifespan will not be long.

  “We shall soon see the fate that befalls them,” he told a press conference in Bagan Datuk, Perak, after launching a Mara programme. 

• Zahid today reiterated that Umno, through his “Rumah Bangsa” vision, is open to accepting all former party members who left to join Bersatu but have since wished to return.

  He said each application received will be reviewed, in line with a previous statement by Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

  

  “We are taking a magnanimous and open-minded approach in accepting anyone among the Malays and Muslims who wish to join this party.

  “In fact, we have already begun receiving an extraordinary response from those who are interested,” he said, according to Berita Harian. 

Economy 

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today announced a special allocation of more than RM31 million to drive development on Malaysia’s largest island - Pulau Banggi, Kudat, Sabah.

  He said the allocation through the federal government and the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department includes the development of roads, bridges, as well as health, education, security, and jetty facilities.

  

  Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the projects included upgrading roads and bridges in Kampung Limbuak Laut, Kapitangan, Damaran, and Bayangan Laut, as well as upgrading the Pulau Banggi police station and Karakit Health Clinic.

  Also listed were projects to upgrade school dormitories on Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, the implementation of projects related to national security and defence by the Defence Ministry, and the upgrading of the Karakit public jetty at the ferry terminal.

• Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said the wing will table 25 resolutions at the upcoming Umno supreme council meeting, including a proposal to exclude the T20 income group from receiving fuel subsidies.

  Akmal said, as reported by Free Malaysia Today, that targeted subsidies are important to ensure government funds can be channelled to aid those who genuinely need them.

  

  Akmal, who spoke to reporters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today, said high-income earners would not be significantly affected by the removal of fuel subsidies.

  This is because they are financially capable of absorbing the higher costs, he adds. 

• Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has reiterated his call for the government to reintroduce the goods and services tax (GST) to strengthen national finances.

  Khairy made the call at Umno Youth’s roundtable event today, as reported by Free Malaysia Today, where he said the sales and services tax (SST) is not broad enough to generate sufficient revenue for the government.

  

  This is especially given the ongoing economic uncertainty and increasing subsidy commitments.

  The former Umno Youth chief said he had shared his view with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim around a year after the unity government was formed.

  He added that a narrow tax collection could undermine the country’s readiness to face future crises, such as geopolitical tensions or pandemics.

Previously at 2pm | SNAPSHOT | Umno/BN can work with all govt parties: Zahid; Khlir says he's still Ketereh MP

SNAPSHOT | Umno/BN can work with all govt parties: Zahid; Khlir says he's still Ketereh MP

Umno to fairly assess role of returning leaders - Zahid

COMMENT | Can a movie superstar save Malaysia?

Sedimentation in Pahang rivers serious safety risk: Tuan Ibrahim

SNAPSHOT | Quranic Madani takes over Bukit Bintang; sacked Bersatu rep laments no call-up to face board

MB office denies speculation on Amirudin's shift to Selayang despite strong indications