Good morning, here's a quick rundown on what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • Harapan's big tent

  • Covid-19 inflection

  • Police interference



Harapan’s big tent

Pakatan Harapan finally sought to provide more clarity on their future direction by announcing a "big tent" approach.

The coalition will seek to unite all, including other opposition parties, except “kleptocrats” - an apparent reference to Umno leaders facing graft charges.

In exchange, Harapan renewed their commitment for PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to be their prime ministerial candidate.

This was amid purported negotiations between Anwar and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing graft charges, blowing up.

Harapan has been in an impasse over the opposition’s direction since it lost federal power in a coup last year.

DAP and Amanah wanted a broad opposition coalition and even toyed with the idea of Warisan president Shafie Apdal as prime minister while PKR was averse to the proposal and instead flirted with Umno - which has leaders facing graft cases.



HIGHLIGHTS

'Zahid-Anwar' audio proves our suspicion - Mukhriz
He calls it disappointing.
Leaked audio: Azmin confident it's authentic
He says it's Anwar's 'biggest betrayal'.
Ibrahim Ali mulls contesting in Azmin's seat
He is considering to contest in Gombak.

 



Covid-19 inflection

There are signs that we’re starting to lose ground in the battle against Covid-19 after good gains since mid-March. There are multiple indicators.

Active cases breached 15,000 for the first time in 24 days.

Last Friday’s new cases were the highest in 35 days. Weekend figures moderated but remained elevated.

The national infectivity rate remained above 1.0 for four consecutive days. A sustained value above 1.0 will lead to exponential growth in cases.


Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah posted a chart on Facebook showing real cases tracing upward forecast due to SOP non-compliance. It predicted a return to 2,000 daily cases by next month.

He offered few words apart from this: “The basic data and facts speak for themselves”.


HIGHLIGHTS

Deputy minister falls asleep onstage
His party says he was unwell.
Umno: Can PAS accept its MPs being stolen?
This is after PAS insisted Umno works with Bersatu.
Zahid: PAS-Bersatu talks have no Muafakat blessing
He refers to the shaky Umno-PAS pact.

 



Police interference

Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin reportedly blocked the transfer of police officers, which is within the powers of Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador.

The matter would have remained a rumour if it wasn’t for Hamid confirming Hamzah's action - an unusual move as past top cops tend to avoid ruffling the government’s feathers.

The revelation prompted a chorus of criticism against Hamzah for purportedly interfering in police affairs and violating the Police Act.

Police transfers are routine and usually announced after they are enforced. Details of the current transfers have not been revealed.

The top cop’s previous revelation of a "cartel" within the police force also did not impress the government.

Hamid’s contract as the inspector-general of police expires on May 3.



HIGHLIGHTS

Cops to wrap up assault probe on Foodpanda rider
A restaurant owner allegedly slapped him.
Anwar explains why PKR didn't join PN
The PKR president cited political ethics.
Vaccinated travellers positive with Covid-19
Putrajaya is rethinking its quarantine policy.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 1,739 new cases yesterday (April 11), the second-highest in more than a month.

  • Selangor's 535 new cases were the highest in 11 days while Sarawak's 443 new infections were the second-highest on record.

  • Active cases at 15,574, the highest since March 14.

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


What else is happening?

  • Amazon joined Facebook, Google and Microsoft in a renewed appeal to the prime minister to drop the cabotage policy on foreign internet cable repair ships despite Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong's insistence that the policy isn't hurting investments.

  • Nurulhidayah, the daughter of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, resigned as a board member of SME Corporation Malaysia and goaded other Umno political appointees to do the same.

  • Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a reform of the Welfare Department amid cases of poverty going viral on social media.

  • Kelantan decided to ban Ramadan bazaars amid Covid-19 concerns, even though it had been greenlit by Putrajaya. Kuala Lumpur, however, will proceed with 65 bazaar locations.

  • A cooperative cited "miscommunication" after announcing that it was acquiring a 51 percent Finance Ministry-owned stake in the Exchange 106 tower, one of the country's tallest buildings.


HIGHLIGHTS

Activist researcher who brings people together
Latest Malaysianskini features Nicole Fong.
Segambut MP promotes vaccine drive with curry
She cooks for senior citizens.
Cabotage: Guan Eng calls Wee 'stubborn'
He says M'sia may lose billions in investments.



What are people saying?

Undi18: We're not criminals
By Elisa Shafiqah Shahrilnizam
Pouring cold water on free enterprise
By R Nadeswaran
Volunteer power - a collective effort
By William Tham Wai Liang

 


CARTOON KINI