Muhyiddin's condition for new PM

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

Key Highlights

• Muhyiddin's condition for new PM
  
  

• Jostling for the DPM post
  
  

• Dine-in allowed in Klang Valley
  
  

Muhyiddin's condition for new PM

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the frontrunner to become the next prime minister, must not appoint leaders facing criminal charges as ministers if he comes to power.

This is a condition imposed by outgoing prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin in exchange for Perikatan Nasional's support.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong concluded his verification exercise by interviewing all 114 MPs supporting Ismail.

He wanted to ensure their support was not under duress. A total of 111 MPs are needed for a simple majority.

If there are no doubts, the next step would be to swear in Ismail as the new prime minister but the ruler has indicated that it won't be as straightforward, unlike when he decided on the prime minister following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020.

Among others, the palace wants the prime ministerial candidate to undergo a vote of confidence in Parliament and reconcile with opponents.

More clarity is expected today after the Agong consults his fellow monarchs during a Conference of Rulers meeting, which His Majesty is convening to deal with the political crisis.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

	PN’s conditional support for Ismail does not count - Ambiga Support for any PM candidate must be unconditional.
	Hanipa pans Muhyiddin's anti-kleptocrat stance He claims the ex-PM's position is inconsistent.
	Opposition not invited to Istana Negara Only MPs in the majority were summoned.

Jostling for the DPM post

With the post of the next prime minister set to go to Umno, Bersatu is expected to be compensated with the deputy prime minister position, leading to internal jostling among the party factions.

The two frontrunners are Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali and Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin.

A third name has emerged - Bersatu supreme council member Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof. His inner circle has been actively promoting his candidacy.

While Azmin and Hamzah are more influential, they are not seen as being part of the "original" Bersatu.

Hamzah defected from Umno and Azmin defected from PKR after the 14th general election, while Redzuan has been with Bersatu since its founding.

However, it will be an uphill battle for Redzuan, who was sidelined during the previous Perikatan Nasional government.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'Even if PN returns to power, Bersatu faces bleak GE15' Bersatu is far smaller and younger than Umno.
	Kit Siang proposes Ismail-Anwar combo Bersatu's Rais Hussin makes a similar proposal.
	Suhakam wants institutional reforms Protect human rights, it tells the incoming govt.

Dine-in allowed in Klang Valley

Muhyiddin Yassin spent his remaining days as the caretaker prime minister rolling out further relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals.

Beginning today, eateries in states still under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan will be allowed to offer dine-in services for fully vaccinated individuals.

Other perks include more recreational and sporting activities including fishing, hiking, camping, cycling, golf and singles badminton or tennis matches.

The Phase 1 states are Kedah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Putrajaya.

In justifying the relaxation, Muhyiddin touted that the rising vaccination rate is ensuring less severe Covid-19 infections.

However, Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said the relaxation was ultimately an economic, rather than a health consideration.

Noor Hisham cautioned the people that it was not safe yet and that they should remain at home, even if they are allowed to go to more places.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Malaysia vaccination records not recognised in HK 'High risk' travellers must show proof.
	Netizens slam maskless Annuar Musa visiting food stall He had since deleted his Twitter post.
	Selvax lending 500k vaccine doses for other states The Covid-19 battle is shifting outside the Klang Valley.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 22,948 new cases yesterday (Aug 19).
  
  
• Covid-19 cases in the Klang Valley are finally showing signs of stabilising, with the infectivity rate in Selangor falling to 1.0 while Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are under 1.0 - which is seen as an indication that new cases are declining.
  
  
• However, the situation is deteriorating in other states, with Sabah, Kedah, Penang and Johor surpassing Kuala Lumpur, the previous epicentre of the pandemic.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• Local residents in Yan, Kedah, described being hit by a "mini tsunami" after a torrent of water came gushing down from Mount Jerai, blanketing villages in mud and causing deaths. Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor denied the flooding was due to logging.
  
  
• The #Lawan movement demanding Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as the prime minister called off its second demonstration as he would soon be no longer in power.
  
  
• Police arrested 31 people who attended a candlelight vigil for the more than 13,000 people who have died from Covid-19.
  
  
• The government is planning to close down a number of mega Covid-19 vaccination centres in the Klang Valley as more than 70 percent of its adult population have been fully vaccinated and the vaccine demand is expected to slow down.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Judge displeased with 'no-show' Najib at 1MDB trial 'He should have the courtesy to come to court earlier.'
	Govt fails to stay suit seeking auto citizenship for overseas-born kids The suit will proceed as fixed on Aug 24.
	MoU did not state tunnel project awarded via open tender - witness Ex-Penang state exco testifies in court.

What are people saying?

	Nature’s wrath: The tragic floods in Yan By Mohideen Abdul Kader & Meenakshi Raman
	We need a pandemic cabinet, here's how to do it By Dr Khor Swee Kheng
	Not the time for Anwar to take over Putrajaya By S Thayaparan

KINI LENS