SNAPSHOT | No reps breached eligibility conditions: S'gor speaker; Bukit Aman to meet detained pilot

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

Latest:

AirAsia suffers RM527.16m net loss in Q2; Warisan MP denies resigning as federal deputy minister

6pm

Selangor assembly

• Selangor legislative assembly speaker Lau Weng San confirmed that no state assemblypersons have breached eligibility conditions to hold their positions, thereby ruling out the possibility of a by-election anytime soon.

  According to Berita Harian, Lau (above) told a press conference today that thorough checks involving various angles were conducted with all parties and involved every state assemblyperson.

  It was previously reported that a by-election could be held after an unnamed assemblyperson was allegedly declared bankrupt.

Drug trafficking

• Indonesian authorities have granted Bukit Aman officers access to a Malaysian pilot detained on suspicion of drug trafficking, the New Straits Times reported.

  

  Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that a team from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department were permitted to interview the 39-year-old suspect, who was found carrying 15 large packages of ecstasy and methamphetamine pills in his luggage.

READ MORE: Surabaya cops to review drug probe against M'sian suspect next week

Gambling

• DAP’s Kampar MP Chong Zhemin pressed BN components MIC and MCA to state whether they support PAS’ bid to gain federal power as a means to end gambling.

  Asserting that the only “realistic way” for PAS to assume control of Putrajaya would be through a BN-Perikatan Nasional electoral pact, Chong said that while PAS is entitled to advocate its religious position, its recent declaration raises questions on whether the Islamist party intends to impose its position on non-Muslim citizens.

  

  “Will MCA and MIC oppose PAS’s proposal? Will they make the continued legality of regulated gambling for non-Muslims a condition of joining any BN-PN government?

  “Or will they accept PAS’s agenda in exchange for cabinet positions?” he pressed in a statement today.

  He noted that while Muslims are prohibited by their religion from gambling, the federal government must also protect the constitutional position, freedoms, and lawful way of life of non-Muslim Malaysians.

READ MORE: Federal Court upholds ruling quashing Kedah gambling outlet ban

PAS-Umno ties

• Pahang PAS commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar said PAS and Umno could negotiate over the menteri besar position if the two parties cooperate in GE16, stressing that PAS was prepared to be flexible for the sake of the state.

  

  “Even though our strength is balanced, the selection for the menteri besar position can be discussed.

  “PAS does not want to be a party that is rigid and is prepared to discuss matters for the sake of Pahang,” Free Malaysia Today quoted him as saying.

  Rosli said the near-equal strength of PAS and Umno in the state should not become an obstacle to cooperation as long as both sides respected each other.

  In GE15, Umno won 16 of BN’s 17 Pahang state seats, while PAS secured 15 under Perikatan Nasional. BN later formed the state government with Pakatan Harapan, which held eight seats.

Previously at 2pm | MACC mulls foreign help with Tabung Haji probe; police nab 3 including cop over drugs

9am | Anwar back home after surgery; works minister to retire from Parliament

Civil society groups, individuals call for Parliament to serve full term, pursue reforms

After court defeat, PAS asks Muslim voters to put party in federal govt to end gambling

COMMENT | Border integrity crisis: Why does KLIA keep falling short?

SNAPSHOT | Tiong: Is MAS trying to downplay pilot's drug case?; PAS Youth to hold Selangor Malay Congress

MAG orders mandatory pilot drug screening after Jakarta case