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

Key Highlights

  • 114 MPs backing Ismail Sabri?

  • Bersatu to get minister mentor, DPM 

  • Is it game over for Anwar?



114 MPs backing Ismail Sabri?

Victory appears to be in sight for Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob to take up the helm of prime minister.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will meet 114 MPs from BN, Bersatu, PAS, GPS, as well as independents aligned to Perikatan Nasional starting 10am today - a strong indicator that Ismail has secured majority support.

Only one BN lawmaker is missing from the list - Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who had also sought to become prime minister.

There was some doubt earlier as to whether GPS would follow through with supporting Ismail after the party chose not to reveal who its MPs nominated as prime minister.

The palace has ordered that whoever becomes prime minister must convene Parliament as soon as possible to confirm their majority via a vote of confidence.

HIGHLIGHTS

Zahid withdrew from the PM race
Umno sec-gen says Ismail was picked through elimination.
King turns kingmaker
Zaid Ibrahim says letting the Agong decide is wise.
'CSA better than unity govt'
Analyst says unity govt option is inferior.




Bersatu to get minister mentor, DPM

If Ismail succeeds in becoming prime minister, Bersatu is expected to be rewarded with the deputy prime minister's post.

Bersatu supreme council member Eddin Syazlee Shith said that party secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin may be a candidate to become Ismail's deputy.

Interestingly, Eddin also claimed that talks between Umno and Bersatu discussed the possibility of creating a minister mentor post for former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Ismail was previously Muhyiddin's deputy prime minister - a post that has bolstered his bid to take over the top spot.

HIGHLIGHTS

Puad balks at minister mentor post
'New govt shouldn't be a proxy.'
'PN govt structure can't be maintained'
Umno Youth chief reminds Ismail of the royal advice.
Malacca Bersatu still backs state govt
Now not time to jostle for power, says Mohd Rafiq.

 



Is it game over for Anwar?

Over on the opposition side, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim appears to have united the various parties to secure the support of 105 MPs.

This includes Warisan president Shafie Apdal dropping his bid to become prime minister to throw his party behind Anwar.

However, that may be too little too late for the opposition leader.

Previously, Muhyiddin Yassin had reached out to the opposition, offering them reforms in exchange for support in a vote of confidence.

While some urged the opposition to consider this in order to prevent Umno from returning to power, the offer was overwhelmingly rejected.

It is unclear whether the reforms will still be on the table if Ismail becomes prime minister.

Nevertheless, the Agong has urged the next prime minister to reach across the floor and forge unity to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

HIGHLIGHTS

Shafie laments GPS withholding support
He is hopeful for a PM from Borneo in the next election.
Malay rulers set to meet on Friday
They will discuss the prime minister candidates.
Yusoff Rawther's suit against Anwar resurfaces
Former research assistant claims he was sexually assaulted. 


A daily glance at Covid-19


  • 22,242 new cases yesterday (Aug 18), a new record high.

  • Sabah and Penang reported record highs as well. 

  • Overall, nine states/territories reported four-digit cases.

  • The death toll has reached 13,302.

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


What else is happening?


  • Several villages and residential areas around Gunung Jerai in Yan, Kedah were hit by floods, with water levels rising 1.5 metres.

  • Out of almost 13,000 Covid-19 deaths, as of Aug 17, the Health Ministry found that only four fatalities were fully vaccinated while another 80 had received a single dose of the vaccine.

  • PAS International Affairs and External Relations Committee chairperson Mohd Khalil Abdul Hadi congratulated the Taliban on its success in taking over Afghanistan.

  • The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) is filing new legal action challenging the government's decision to deny its appeal to get registered.


What are people saying?

We look on helplessly because we let politics be a spectator sport
By Martin Vengadesan
Whoever is in govt - M'sia needs bold policy changes
By Paolo Casadia et al
A slap on the wrist is not enough for errant cops
By R Nadeswaran