Good morning, here's what you need to know today.


Key Highlights

  • Absolute power over coffers

  • PAS and Bersatu union

  • Sarawak's demands



Absolute power over coffers

The PN government invoked emergency powers to approve its own budget without Parliament’s scrutiny.

It did this by suspending provisions in the Government Funding Act 1983 and Treasury Bill (Local) Act 1946 that gave the Dewan Rakyat oversight.

Critics pointed out that if it was not for Parliament’s oversight, the RM85.5 million budget for Putrajaya’s propaganda arm would have been approved last year.

They renewed calls for Parliament's suspension to be lifted.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said the government giving itself extraordinary powers over money deviated from its own reason for the emergency, which is the Covid-19 pandemic.



HIGHLIGHTS

'Unsold commercial properties worrisome'
This is according to Bank Negara.
'Kedah MB's river plan could lead to crop destruction'
Environmental group warns of salination.
Hisham to make an official visit to China
His two-day trip begins today.

 



PAS and Bersatu union

Umno’s hope for PAS to come around and join forces is fast evaporating after the Islamist party signalled its strongest commitment yet to Bersatu.

PAS and Bersatu promised to strengthen cooperation and rebuked attempts to destabilise the PN government. Read: Umno’s threat to quit.

Some Umno leaders believe PAS’ latest statement shows that it has turned its back on cooperation with Umno.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he has secured an agreement from Umno ministers not to quit the cabinet.

Although, it is not yet an issue because Umno tentatively plans to pull out in August, the same time fresh polls are expected.

The Umno ministers will only be on collision course with their party leadership if Muhyiddin tries to extend his government beyond August.



HIGHLIGHTS

Shahidan: Fate of PN govt lies with MPs
'It does not lie with the Umno supreme council.'
Umno ministers to stay put - Adham
'To fight Covid-19 and revive the economy.
No intention to quit Johor govt - PM
This comes amid Umno's threat to quit the federal govt.

 



Sarawak’s demands

Muhyiddin is seeking out allies amid Umno’s tantrums and a key coalition that has stood by him is Sarawak-based GPS.

PRS, a component of GPS, said Muhyiddin’s party Bersatu has promised to stay out of Sarawak in GE15.

Leveraging on Sarawak’s increasing importance, its Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg (above) said the state is also seeking amendments to the Federal Constitution on the state’s autonomy.

GPS is the reincarnation of Sarawak BN, which took an independent route after GE14. It has not joined PN but remains an ally. They provide 18 MPs to Muhyiddin.



HIGHLIGHTS

Don’t postpone Umno polls - Shahidan
'Better to proceed as planned.'
Woman sues PKR man over sexual harassment claim
The suit is for defamation.
'Harapan shouldn't give weakened Umno a lifeline'
Amanah man wants to strengthen Harapan.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,482 new cases yesterday (March 31), the highest in 11 days. Seven new fatalities put the death toll at 1,272.

  • The rise was due to a spike in Selangor (661 new cases) which spawned two new clusters involving three educational institutions.

  • Active cases of 14,604 were the highest in a week and the infectivity rate stands at 0.97.

  • For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.


What else is happening?

  • The first shipment of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in June. At present, Malaysia is using vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac.

  • Ex-Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and three MPs will be the latest to be questioned by police over last weekend's Undi18 protest.

  • Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who had insisted he commanded a majority in the Dewan Rakyat, said the focus now is on "moving forward" for GE15.

  • Ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor will be allowed to inspect 11,991 pieces of jewellery seized from condominiums linked to them.

  • Selangor remains firm that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) should use the southern alignment as set out by the previous Harapan government and said it will not approve a reversion to the BN era alignment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Man gets one year in jail for fifth molest offence
CCTV recorded the incident.
Ex-bank president nabbed over alleged bribes
This was for approving an RM400 million loan.
Private Adam dies of lung infection
He was known for running amok in 1987.

 


What are people saying?

A marriage on the rocks
By Thor Kah Hoong
Please review and revise double standard SOPs
By Fa Abdul
Umno's BN decisions are unilateral
By Terence Netto

 


CARTOON KINI