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

Key Highlights

• Fate of Negeri Sembilan govt
  
  

• CSA deal in jeopardy
  
  

• Tech giants look to Ismail Sabri
  
  

Fate of Negeri Sembilan govt

The public declaration by a group of PKR grassroots leaders that they have lost confidence in Aminuddin Harun as the Negeri Sembilan PKR chief has raised questions about the future of the Pakatan Harapan-led state government.

This is because Aminuddin is also the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and the group of PKR leaders included four assemblypersons.

Negeri Sembilan DAP chief Anthony Loke acknowledged that the move has led to questions about the state government's stability.

Trying to make a point that it was more of an issue about Aminuddin's party position rather than as the menteri besar, Loke asked the Negeri Sembilan State Assembly speaker to clarify if any assemblypersons had formally withdrawn support for Amnuddin. There were none.

In apparent damage control, the four assemblypersons stressed that it was an internal party issue and they want PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to resolve it.

It appeared that the group had wanted a reshuffle of the state PKR leadership but did not consider the impact it would have on the state government by going public.

Harapan has 20 assemblypersons in the 36-member Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly. Just 19 assemblypersons are needed for a simple majority.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Shahril takes aim at Harapan over disputes in S'gor, N Sembilan The coalition is seeing internal issues.
	S'gor agro board plans to sue over forest encroachment claims PKPS says it wants to protect its reputation.
	Lorry driver who rammed 5 vehicles tested positive for drugs The crash is being probed under Road Transport Act.

CSA deal in jeopardy

The opposition cautioned that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's refusal to seek a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat could jeopardise any potential confidence and supply deal.

Ismail Sabri has not publicly stated his position but Attorney-General Idrus Harun, who insisted there was no need for a confidence test, gave an indication of the government's position.

The attorney-general is also the legal adviser to the government.

DAP had initially been the most receptive to a potential deal in exchange for reforms but party veteran Lim Kit Siang noted that Ismail Sabri had made a "litany of mistakes" after two weeks in power.

However, the DAP is also engaging with Umno's Azalina Othman Said and has indicated readiness to push her as a replacement for current Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

The DAP criticised Azhar's "subservience" to the executive and may back Azalina to push for further reforms.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Umno leader: Muhyiddin's 'failure' will haunt new PM Puad Zarkashi questions Muhyiddin's powers.
	MACC cleared ex-Tabung Haji chairperson, court hears Azeez appealing to quash 13 charges.
	Baling MP’s older brother seeks full acquittal This is over a corruption case.

Tech giants look to Ismail Sabri

The four major tech giants - Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook - are hoping that the new Ismail Sabri Yaakob government will be able to do what his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin failed to do.

They repeated their appeal to the new government to reinstate the Pakatan Harapan era cabotage exemption on foreign undersea cable repair ships.

The cabotage exemption was revoked by Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong last year.

The move prompted tech giants to warn of a monopoly and delays in internet repairs but was hailed by the Malaysia Shipowners' Association, which said the move would provide opportunities to local firms.

Wee had defended the revocation and insisted that it had not impacted tech investments in the country but repeated appeals by the tech giants prompted then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to order a multi-ministry review.

However, it turned out to be nothing more than an announcement as a decision was never made, even after the deadline.

The tech giants are now hoping for a different outcome, even though Wee has been retained as the transport minister in the new cabinet.

HIGHLIGHTS

	PM: More aid to be channelled to people next month This is in addition to the Special Covid-19 Aid.
	MPs want CLP exam uncertainty addressed Law students are in the dark.
	Govt to work on reducing off-radar Covid-19 deaths Such deaths form a big part of BID cases.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 17,352 new cases yesterday (Sept 6).
  
  
• Sarawak topped the list, surpassing Selangor for the first time during the Covid-19 pandemic. It recorded 3,714 new cases, the second consecutive day of more than 3,000 fresh infections.
  
  
• The proportion of new Covid-19 cases outside the Klang Valley made up 85.32 percent. The last time it came close to this level was in November last year when Sabah was the Covid-19 epicentre after the state polls.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital bed capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• MCA is the latest to push for recall elections to deter party-hopping, promising to draft a Bill for this purpose.  It joins Bersih and former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said, who have also made the call.
  
  
• The Klang Valley is still seeing a high number of Covid-19 deaths even though cases have fallen in tandem with a higher vaccination rate. The government explained this was because of a huge backlog - deaths from several days ago but have yet to be registered in statistics.
  
  
• Former Malacca chief minister Adly Zahari was appointed as an Amanah vice-president, replacing Husam Musa who had quit.
  
  
• De facto Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad denied allegations that he was sporting a luxury Rolex watch, explaining that it was a Buruj watch that helps to tell prayer times.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Zahid immune from prosecution, court told His lawyer says the charges were framed on thin ice.
	Ismail Sabri, ex-Bersatu women chief settle defamation suit The judgment was recorded during online proceedings.
	Activist challenges law criminalising 'offensive' online comments Heidy Quah was faced with a similar charge.

What are people saying?

	Why only blame Anwar for Harapan's setbacks? By S Thayaparan
	Focus on what matters in Covid-19 fight By PS Yoong
	Parliamentary reforms vital for checks and balances By G25 Malaysia

CARTOON KINI