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

Key Highlights

  • PAS in a feud with the media

  • Malacca's final stretch

  • Mahathir's heart attack



PAS in a feud with the media

PAS was engaged in a feud with the media after it lashed out at a reporter over a question about Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's decision to ban lottery shops.

Media groups criticised PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad's hostility but his aide accused the reporter of trying to "tarnish the image of PAS". Idris is the de facto religious affairs minister.

Bersatu leader Rais Hussin also criticised the incident as unbecoming and uncalled for.

Idris has insisted that he won't apologise. Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim, who was with Idris during the incident, said they only wanted the reporter to speak Malay.

Analysts suggest the ban was intended to shore up PAS' conservative support base amid the Malacca polls.

Meanwhile, Sanusi doubled down on the ban, insisting lottery operators should seek alternative income.



HIGHLIGHTS

DAP: Govt parties draw red line against PAS' 'extremism'?
He refers to the ban on lottery shops.
Najib never tried to disassociate from Jho Low: Witness
Ex-1MDB CEO testifies both were 'very close'.
Criminal court can't nullify Rosmah's graft trial: DPP
DPP contends court cannot issue such an order.

 



Malacca's final stretch

The Malacca state election enters the final week of campaigning. Early voting begins today while the rest of Malaccans will vote on Saturday (Nov 20).

BN entered the election in a dominant position but is finding its support base being chipped away by PN.

Harapan is painting the two coalitions BN and PN, which are part of the same federal government but are clashing in Malacca, as dysfunctional.

PN pledged to review the viability of BN's mega reclamation project if it wins while Harapan is eyeing the seat of BN's chief ministerial candidate Sulaiman Md Ali.

Meanwhile, DAP's Kesidang candidate Allex Seah Shoo Chin became embroiled in controversy for allegedly making a sexist comment.



HIGHLIGHTS

'EC must not disenfranchise S'wakians' - NGOs
'Postal ballot show be extended'.
Minister: Don't incite sentiments against Putrajaya
Maximus Ongkili says such words are unhelpful.
New law on online gambling needed - Zahidi
He says this will enable effective monitoring.




Mahathir's heart attack

Marina Mahathir in her latest book 'The Apple and the Tree', recounted the events when her father Dr Mahathir Mohamad suffered a heart attack in 1989.

She recounted that prior to a risky heart surgery Mahathir had to undergo following the heart attack, he had gathered the strength to scribble a letter which he asked her to deliver to Anwar Ibrahim if things did not go well.

At the time, Anwar was the education minister and his protégé.

However, the surgery went well and Marina never delivered the letter. Marina said the letter still remains in her possession, unopened.

"Maybe the day will come when I will get to read it," she said.



HIGHLIGHTS

Pak Lah is fine, rumours on his death are not true
His office refutes viral posts.
CPTPP will not affect bumi privileges - Azmin
'They will not be compromised.'
No new cholera cases detected in Selangor
One case was reported on Oct 21.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 5,143 new cases yesterday (Nov 15).

  • 53 new fatalities put the death toll at 29,729.

New cases by state

Selangor (1,144)
Kelantan (706)
Sabah (500)
Johor (444)
Kedah (398)
Sarawak (287)
Terengganu (282)
Pahang (267)
Negeri Sembilan (239)
Kuala Lumpur (222)
Penang (220)
Perak (202)
Malacca (160)
Putrajaya (52)
Labuan (12)
Perlis (8)


What else is happening?

  • Putrajaya failed to stay the decision of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur that granted equal citizenship rights to the overseas-born children of Malaysian women.

  • The government is considering legal changes that will reveal the "ultimate owners" of nominee shares. At present, some superwealthy conceal their ownership in companies through nominees.

  • Putrajaya has decided against allowing motorcycle e-hailing services to ferry passengers, citing the high rate of road fatalities.


HIGHLIGHTS

AG to brief rulers on overseas-born children law
The constitutional amendment needs a royal nod.
Nov 24 decision on N Korean's suit over extradition
N Korean businessman wrongfully extradited - lawyer.
Period spot checks done as a 'tradition' - minister
He claims they were done by senior students.

 


What are people saying?

Rise of a new generation - they deserve your support
By Steven Gan
PAS leaders bullying reporter
By Martin Vengadesan
It takes two hands to clap and two to tango
By Hafiz Hassan