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

Key Highlights

  • Anwar hints at stability for PM

  • Deputy speaker vacancy

  • PAS and the Taliban



Anwar hints at stability for PM

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that he won't rock the boat after a meeting with newly-minted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

If Ismail's policies are pro-rakyat, Anwar said Harapan won't complicate matters during a vote of confidence.

It's not an indication of a unity government - which Ismail has rejected - but a sign that unless threatened from within, there may be political stability, at least in the near future.

The prime minister even signed a rare joint statement with opposition leaders pledging to strengthen Parliament and uphold an independent judiciary.

Ismail previously invited the opposition to join a National Recovery Council, but Pakatan Harapan has not yet made a decision on this.

HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar to woo top opposition leaders
He will also discuss Parliament strategies
PM to meet king over cabinet soon
PMO expects it to take place this week.
'Azmin as DPM would be political suicide'
Puad says Gombak MP's image is tarnished.

 



Deputy speaker vacancy

Bipartisan cooperation could also trickle down to the Dewan Rakyat in the selection of a new deputy speaker.

Umno's Arau MP Shahidan Kassim said the government could consider an opposition candidate to fill the vacancy - in line with Ismail's "Malaysian Family" approach.

The post fell vacant after Azalina Othman Said resigned in hopes to "reset" Parliament.

She had previously expressed frustration that Parliament was being hamstrung by the executive.

HIGHLIGHTS

Yeoh wants Azalina for home minister
'Azalina right person for the job.'
'Muhyiddin is the worst PM'
Syed Husin says ex-PM was burdened by lack of a majority.
'Muhyiddin among best-ever PM'
Ali Biju defends ex-PM.

 



PAS and the Taliban

PAS is convinced that the Taliban has truly reformed into a more moderate group as the latter is trying to portray itself.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang admitted the Taliban's past wasn't a pleasant one, but said the "Western media" are too hung up on this and not paying attention to how the group are now.

He said the Taliban's peaceful capture of Kabul, and pardoning former president Hamid Karzai was proof that the group had changed. Hadi's son Muhammad Khalil previously congratulated the Taliban for retaking Afghanistan.

Many Afghans, however, are not so convinced by the Taliban's posturing, with one refugee Malaysiakini spoke to related how his sisters in Afghanistan were contemplating suicide, in fear of being harmed by the Taliban.

HIGHLIGHTS

Biden sticks to Aug 31 Afghan exit
The threat of attacks is on the rise.
Covid-19 vaccinations drop after Taliban takeover
Unicef says this is expected.
'Crazy people have higher Covid-19 immunity'
K'tan health exco says living in squalor builds immunity.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 22,642 new cases yesterday (Aug 25)

  • Kedah, Johor, Perak and Kelantan reported record highs.

  • Sabah reported more than 3,000 cases for the second day in a row.

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


What else is happening?

  • Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been hospitalised for a slipped disc. His doctor estimates he could be in court by Sept 6.

  • Observers say former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin's statement rejecting the attempts of kleptocrats to influence the judiciary have cast aspersions on judicial independence.

  • A hawker who changed his claims about being extorted by police, twice, will be charged in court today for allegedly making a false police report.

HIGHLIGHTS

K'tan to compensate Orang Asli for Nenggiri Dam
Exco says Orang Asli will also get jobs.
M'sian wins a prominent prize for cancer research
Her work is being used to treat the disease.
Malay woman wows with fluent Tamil, Cantonese
She learned the languages from her friends.

 


What are people saying?

How Azalina understands power
By James Chai
Why can't we visit our parents?
By Fa Abdul
Authorities must respect freedom of assembly
By Syahredzan Johan