Good morning and Happy International Women's Day! Here's what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • MCA and karate

  • Pro-PN forces revolt

  • Enticements



MCA and karate

The MCA held its annual general assembly over the weekend as they set the tone for the next general election.

But Wanita MCA chief Heng Seai Kie stole the limelight after she mooted online karate lessons for women to deal with domestic abuse.

Women groups say the proposal was "misplaced" and ignored the realities of domestic abuse.

On a serious note, MCA made a commitment to stick with BN amid Umno's attempt to steer the coalition to a collision course with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election.

Previously, PN tried to court BN components to join its coalition, including MIC which later backtracked.



HIGHLIGHTS

Wanita MCA wants ban on child marriage
It also repeats call to stop unilateral child conversion.
MCA tells Chinese not to put all eggs in one basket
MCA wants Chinese voters to give it a chance.
MCA deputy mocks DAP for cosying up to Umno
Mah says DAP wants to replace MCA.

 



Pro-PN forces revolt 

Pro-PN forces in Umno and BN began to make their move to counter Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is bent on seeing BN clash with PN in GE15.

Perlis and Sabah Umno revolted, maintaining that they will work with Bersatu in GE15 despite a decision to cut ties with PN by the central body.

Meanwhile, BN said Zahid’s strongly-worded statement against the government for its refusal to convene Parliament was a “mistake”.

Amid the contradictions, Zahid warned that enemies were trying to take over Umno after failing to destroy it.


HIGHLIGHTS

PAS tell parties in gov't to align on Parliament
PN's position is no Parliament sitting.
PM hopes ruling coalition parties stick together
But he says up to party leaders if they want to leave.
J-Kom's first project on the disabled, not propaganda
Minister says it's not political.

 



Enticements

Pakatan Harapan alleged the government was threatening enforcement action against opposition representatives to force them to defect.

This prompted immediate denials from the MACC and Inland Revenue Board that they were being used as political weapons.

The MACC also urged MPs who have allegedly been enticed to defect to make a report with them.

Subsequently, PKR’s Sekijang MP Natrah Ismail lodged a MACC report alleging offers for her to defect in favour of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

This followed the defections of Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong from PKR. Both denied being enticed with offers.


HIGHLIGHTS

Musa Hitam: M'sian politics now a joke
'No longer about ideologies'.
Amanah take over Harapan Youth
This has upset PKR.
New ways to register for Covid-19 vaccination
Website and toll-free line options available.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,683 new cases and 3 deaths yesterday (March 7).

  • Active cases of 20,333 are at the lowest level since Dec 23 last year.

  • 24 new cases in Perlis is the highest ever for the state during the third wave of the pandemic due to a detention centre outbreak.

  • Selangor managed to remain under 1,000 new cases for 15 consecutive days.

  • For trends on daily cases, individuals tested, hospital bed capacity and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.


What else is happening?

  • Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram wants PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang cited for contempt of court over unflattering comments made about the Federal Court's decision to declare a syariah provision invalid.

  • PAS will postpone its party polls until after the next general election.

  • Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is in Saudi Arabia for an official visit.

  • A court hearing for Parti Pejuang Tanahair to be registered as a political party was set for April 1 next year.

  • The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is now 21 percent completed.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mahathir, wife receive Covid-19 vaccine
Ex-PM urges public to register.
Minister defends govt-led 5G rollout
He says it's cheaper and provides wider coverage.
Using ancient works to explore history, identity
Malaysianskini follows Kian Tan's works.

 


What are people saying?

Women are solution for a more democratic world
By Kashturi Patto
A pandemic with a woman's face
By UN sec-gen Antonio Geterres
KJ's decision to skip Pfizer is commendable
By Malaysiakini readers

 


CARTOON KINI