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

Key Highlights

• Snap polls in Malacca
  
  

• The man behind Malacca CM
  
  

• Rosmah goes after ex-aide
  
  

Snap polls in Malacca

Malacca is set for state polls after the political crisis there went the way of Sabah.

In a repeat of the Sabah crisis last year, Malacca Governor Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam dissolved the State Legislative Assembly even before the opposition had a chance to meet him.

The dissolution was at the request of Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali in a bid to stave off an internal revolt by former chief minister and Sungai Udang assemblyperson Idris Haron, who sought to topple his government.

Idris, with the support of three other assemblypersons, had wanted to form a new government with Pakatan Harapan's 11 assemblypersons. They would have a simple majority in the 28-member State Assembly.

Pakatan Harapan leaders condemned the decision to go for snap polls amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave his assurance that the Election Commission will ensure strict standard operating procedures (SOP) if an election was held. He also acknowledged the people's worry about Covid-19.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi raised the possibility of a localised emergency in Malacca, similar to Sarawak, to postpone elections that must otherwise be held within 60 days of the dissolution.

If an emergency is declared, Sulaiman will be able to continue with his government under a caretaker capacity. The opposition, however, is challenging his legitimacy.

HIGHLIGHTS

	AirAsia Group gets RM500m govt-guaranteed loan The loan is for working capital purposes.
	Zafrul skirts question on offshore funds retrieval He instead explains the accounts process.
	Pandora Papers: Rich and powerful deny wrongdoing This was after a leak on offshore finance.

The man behind Malacca CM

While the Malacca political crisis has put extra attention on Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali, the man behind him - Malacca Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh - has also stepped into the spotlight.

Ab Rauf has not been shy to take charge from the onset of the political crisis and was instrumental in out-manoeuvring Idris Haron.

When Idris and his allies withdrew support for the Umno-Bersatu state government, it was Ab Rauf who organised a press conference to respond. Sulaiman was present but Ab Rauf was running the show.

Likewise, it was Ab Rauf, not Sulaiman, who announced the dissolution of the Malacca State Assembly even though, procedurally, Sulaiman had to write to the governor.

Even though Ab Rauf was only the state assembly speaker, he was able to get the state secretary and the state Election Commission (EC) director to be present in the same room for the announcement.

As soon as he finished announcing the dissolution of the State Assembly, he immediately conveyed the matter to the EC official in the room, swiftly putting an end to Idris' coup attempt.

Idris had initially alluded to Ab Rauf's influence without naming him, likening the situation to "two lions being on the same mountain" and alleged interference in the state government.

However, Idris was more direct yesterday, complaining that Sulaiman was too reliant on Ab Rauf, whom he claimed was meddling in the state government's affairs.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Umno No 2: Politicians turning themselves into 'commodities' 'This was the cause of political crises.'
	Speaker volunteers to follow up on Wee-Lim debate challenge Guan Eng complained there's no development.
	Speaker approves opposition's motion on fire safety This was after another fire at a govt health facility.

Rosmah goes after ex-aide

The defence stage of Rosmah Mansor's graft trial started with a bang as her lawyers went after her former aide Rizal Mansor.

Once a loyalist, Rizal had turned into a prosecution witness against Rosmah. In exchange, he was granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal.

Ironically, Rosmah argued that she should be the one called as the prosecution's witness against Rizal.

During the early stages of the trial, the prosecution had portrayed Rizal as a runner for Rosmah to collect kickbacks from government projects.

The defence's argument: Rizal is the mastermind and Rosmah is the scapegoat.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Najib insists he's faultless in the 1MDB scandal He argued top firms didn't raise red flags.
	Property tycoon found dead in Penang - report He was supposed to be a witness in Lim Guan Eng's case.
	'We'll talk later' - Wee tells Tajuddin over lack of bumi involvement in ECRL 'There isn't any. Please look into it,' Pasir Salak MP says.

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 8,817 new cases yesterday (Oct 5), the third consecutive day where fresh infections were below 10,000.
  
  
• Penang, Perak and Terengganu continue to see progress as they recorded the lowest cases in two months, although still significant.
  
  
• Active Covid-19 clusters continued to decline after dipping under 1,000. There are now 956 active Covid-19 clusters, down from 1,151 a week ago.
  
  

What else is happening?

• Malaysia summoned China's ambassador over Beijing's repeated encroachment into the country's exclusive economic zone.
  
  
• Several religious groups of various faiths called for action against preacher Syakir Nasoha for suggesting that non-Muslims could attack Muslims in the country. Syakir claimed his sermon was taken out of context.
  
  
• International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali called for a review on the status of medical marijuana. Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said possible legalisation was being looked into.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	MP worried about students self-learning at home  Teo Nie Ching says many can't cope.
	No issue for Azalina to chair Dewan Rakyat - speaker This is despite she being the PM's special adviser.
	Covid-19 at Langkawi hotel won't affect tourism bubble - MB Appropriate steps taken for protection.

What are people saying?

	The incomparable Fahmi Reza By James Chai
	Cute words minus social protection won’t address people's needs By Charles Santiago
	Serious consequences needed for those hurling racist slurs By Malaysiakini readers