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

Key Highlights

  • Bersatu-PAS faces Malaccan test

  • PAS, alcohol and gambling

  • Sajat seeks refuge in Australia



Bersatu-PAS face Malaccan test

The Malacca polls will be a litmus test of the Bersatu-PAS alliance under Perikatan Nasional that could also define the political relationships going into the 15th general election.

The parties will need to battle the odds as preliminary analysis showed they could potentially be wiped out in the face of a more formidable Umno.

PAS has been lobbying for an alliance but Umno, which has the upper hand, sees it as an opportunity to eliminate its splinter party Bersatu that has been a thorn at its side.

The Election Commission set Nov 20 for Malaccans to go to the polls at a gaffe-filled press conference yesterday.

Election Commission chief Abdul Ghani Salleh had initially announced the wrong polling date - Nov 28 - on live television but corrected the error after journalists sought clarification.

He also initially claimed there would be a vaccination condition for voters but later denied the statement.

Malacca Pakatan Harapan, however, plans to mount a legal challenge to block the snap polls.



HIGHLIGHTS

Don't rush S'wak polls to deny Undi18 - PSB
Undi18 will take effect by end of the year.
Warisan rep rubbishes quit rumours
Norazlinah Arif says she won't be a traitor.
'Don't prevent others from moving up the ladder'
Umno veep advises his party.

 



PAS, alcohol and gambling

The issue of liquor continues to be a lightning rod that detracts from sound policy discussion into one of race and religion.

Opponents unhappy with locally produced whiskey framed the producer Timah as trying to insult Islam, picking on its name and linking it with Prophet's Muhammad's daughter and taking issue with a bearded man on the bottle who is actually a British colonial-era officer.

PAS Ulama Council called on the government to shut down Timah's whiskey production factory, except that it is part of that very government.

PAS, which has over the years positioned itself as a champion of conservative causes against gambling and alcohol, found itself in an awkward position as it comes to terms with the reality of governing a plural society.

The party has also taken issue with the government allowing more special draws for punters but to no avail.

A cash-strapped Putrajaya has been seeking ways to increase revenue including through taxes on the special draws.



HIGHLIGHTS

MMA: Anti-vaccine folks change after loved ones die
The doctors' group relates their experience.
Govt urged to set clear rollout strategy for booster shots
'Don't leave GPs out till last minute again'.
41 KL premises shut for violating SOPs
DBKL conducts surprise checks.

 



Sajat seeks refuge in Australia

Cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat who has had multiple run-ins with Malaysian authorities for her gender identity has decided to settle in Australia.

Sajat, a transperson, had absconded her Syariah court case where she is being tried for dressing as a woman at a religious event.

She had initially fled to Thailand and almost faced extradition after Malaysian authorities, in an apparent attempt to get a hold of her, voided her passport then notified Thai authorities of her supposed invalid passport.

This led to her arrest in Thailand. However, Thailand ultimately did extradite her and Sajat, with the help of Australian diplomats, made it to Down Under where she issued a statement on arrival.

Sajat said she did not feel safe in Malaysia and was prepared to leave behind her business to rebuild because "money can be made but happiness can't be bought".



HIGHLIGHTS

Sorry, call me evil but I have to be firm - KJ
He explains his position on anti-vaxxers.
Health Ministry plans to meet with anti-vaccine groups
Deputy minister warns them not to spread fake news.
Indonesia lifts Thomas Cup again after almost 2 decades
Indonesia beat China 3-0.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 5,434 new cases yesterday (Oct 18), the first time fresh infections had dipped under 6,000 since June 28.

  • A total of 72 new reported fatalities put the death toll just seven shy of 28,000.

New cases by states:

Selangor (800)
Johor (698)
Sarawak (694)
Kelantan (643)
Sabah (497)
Perak (363)
Kedah (324)
Terengganu (311)
Pahang (253)
Penang (232)
Kuala Lumpur (223)
Malacca (211)
Negeri Sembilan (151)
Perlis (18)
Putrajaya (14)
Labuan (2)


What else is happening?

  • Forests twice the size of Putrajaya have been logged in Pahang even though the Tekai hydroelectric project has been cancelled.

  • The government decided to end the contract of Inland Revenue Board (IRB) chief executive officer (CEO) Sabin Samitah. His tenure saw IRB's dogged pursuit of ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's family.

  • Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said he is prepared to debate with Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on the cabotage policy on Nov 2.

  • Malaysian Cheng Jin Xiang was part of the team which bagged US$5.2 million (RM21.7 million) after they came in second place in The International 10, a tournament featuring the five-versus-five computer game Dota 2.

  • The Court of Appeal agreed to temporarily release ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's passport so that he can travel to Singapore to be with his daughter.


HIGHLIGHTS

Zahid knew about misuse of funds- prosecution
'This was since 2014'.
Rajiv: Take over low-cost housing maintenance
'Do not wait till their living conditions deteriorate'.
Govt studying laws related to anti-hopping
Models abroad being considered.

 


What are people saying?

It is not too late to rebuild Malaysia
By Mariam Mokhtar
Don't waste 2 years in Human Rights Council
By KT Maran
Sarawak polls only after the emergency?
By Francis Paul Siah