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


Key Highlights

  • Finding a new PM

  • Muhyiddin's parting shot

  • Breaking the deadlock



Finding a new PM

The search is on for a new prime minister after Muhyiddin Yassin formally tendered his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The ruler rejected the holding of a general election during the Covid-19 pandemic and asked Muhyiddin to temporarily stay on as the caretaker prime minister, pending the search for a replacement.

Meanwhile, the heads of all major political parties were summoned to Istana Negara for a meeting.

Previously, after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government, the Agong had met with MPs separately, and later with party heads, to determine their allegiances.

The party heads are expected to meet the ruler at 2pm today but this time, the Dewan Rakyat speaker and Dewan Negara president will be included.

It is not clear if the ruler will personally determine the prime ministerial candidate with the majority, like before, or make them go through Parliament.

When the Agong personally interviewed MPs previously, he was faced with the headache of them changing allegiances, days later.



HIGHLIGHTS

Azmin apologises for shortcomings
He says many suffered during the pandemic.
Bersih: New PM must commit to multi-partisan governance
Winner-takes-all system will result in further instability.
'No more gaji' Annuar signs up as volunteer
Annuar out of a job after PN govt's collapse.




Muhyiddin's parting shot

Muhyiddin, in his departure speech, took aim at the group of 15 Umno MPs responsible for his downfall, a number of whom are facing graft charges.

The Pagoh MP said he could have sustained his position as prime minister if he had cooperated with "kleptocrats" but chose not to sacrifice his principles.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is part of the 15 Umno MPs, said he was hurt by the accusations against him and claimed he was not trying to take over as the prime minister.

However, Zahid, who has the formal weight of his party, flexed his authority in a bid to check his rival Ismail Sabri Yaakob's attempt to position himself as Muhyiddin's successor.

He also launched a rant against the previous Perikatan Nasional government, putting a damper on Ismail's attempt to retain the administration.



HIGHLIGHTS

Mat Sabu: Muhyiddin punished for his betrayal
His power-grab resulted in an unstable government.
Umno state chiefs urge MPs to defend party decisions
Umno is split, with some still backing Muhyiddin.
MIC wants Zahid to back Ismail as next PM
Its chief says other candidates won't have support.

 



Breaking the deadlock

Muhyiddin may have lost his majority but there is still no clear candidate who can secure the numbers to be the next prime minister.

Several ideas are now being floated to break the deadlock.

Umno supreme council member Johari Abdul Ghani acknowledged that no coalition can muster a strong majority and proposed a unity government.

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki echoed the proposal and wants a "non-controversial" figure to lead the unity government.

Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu proposed those who defected return to Pakatan Harapan's fold to restore the government that was elected after the 2018 general election.

Any of the options will require bitter rivals - who are also unpopular with the grassroots - to reconcile.


HIGHLIGHTS

Economist urges govt to focus on economy, Covid-19
It should learn from China, S Korea, says Jomo.
MMA tells new govt not to take healthcare for granted
Issues still plaguing the healthcare system.
32pct of the population is fully vaccinated
27,810,855 vaccine doses administered.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 19,740 new cases yesterday (Aug 16).

  • A total of eight states and a federal territory recorded new cases in the four digits - the highest ever.

  • Daily deaths exceeded 200 for the 10th consecutive day, the longest streak where more than 200 people die in a day. Yesterday, 274 people died. The national death toll is now at 12,874.

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


What else is happening?

  • Chief Secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali gave his assurance that the civil service will continue to function in the absence of a government.

  • Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani urged calm following the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional government, stating that the police will continue to ensure national security.

  • A cleaners' union is seeking compensation from the government hospital in Klang and the relevant authorities for failing to ensure a new cleaner who started work at a Covid-19 hospital was vaccinated. She died from Covid-19.


HIGHLIGHTS

MySejahtera data shows more check-ins during lockdown than MCO 3.0
This was despite tighter SOPs.
No semen traces found in exhibits from Tronoh rep's rape case
Science officer tested clothes and part of a mattress.
Guan Eng didn't declare prior talk over tunnel project - Witness
An ex-councillor was called as a witness.

 


What are people saying?

The mirage of economic recovery
By Paolo Casadio & Geoffrey Williams
Tony Pua and Ong Kian Ming were right but wrong
By Ryan P
A thousand times over
By Nur Ayuni Zainal Abidin 

 


CARTOON KINI