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Key Highlights

  • Zuraida to move on from Bersatu?

  • Floods: Lapses and aftermath

  • Umno in Malacca reclamation



Zuraida to move on from Bersatu?

Speculations that Zuraida Kamaruddin may leave Bersatu for the newly set up Parti Bangsa Malaysia continued to swirl as some 53,000 members of Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN), an NGO linked to her, joined the party.


Their entry to the party was announced by Zuraida's political lieutenant and PKN chairperson Nor Hizwan Ahmad.

Nor Hizwan, who had followed his boss when Zuraida defected from PKR to Bersatu, revealed that he had quit the party a few weeks ago.

Previously, Zuraida raised eyebrows when the Bersatu supreme council leader said she was prepared to consider joining PBM if an offer was made.



HIGHLIGHTS

Call for reset as 'extreme weather' becomes more frequent
'We're not moving fast enough.'
Don't politicise flood disaster, says Dr M
'Give aid irrespective of backgrounds'.
After breakthrough, PSB positions itself as govt-in-waiting
PSB is now the biggest opposition party in S'wak.

 



Floods: Lapses and aftermath

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob admitted weaknesses in the rescue response, particularly in Selangor during the recent flash floods brought about by a tropical depression.

However, he said the responsibility lies in both the federal and state governments.

In a related development, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari was reinstated as the state National Security Council (NSC) chairperson following a federal-level NSC meeting.

The position was previously handed over to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Noh Omar, who is also the Selangor Umno chief.

Volunteer rescuers had described the rescue efforts as chaotic. Floodwaters were also slow to drain due to damage to a sluice gate controlling water outflow into the Klang River.

The damage was extensive, including an apartment in Shah Alam which had become structurally unsafe to occupy. The floods have claimed at least 17 lives in Selangor.



HIGHLIGHTS

Mydin boss forgives looters in flood-hit Sri Muda
He says flood victims were desperate for supplies.
Sri Muda residents question 'selective rescue'
Residents claim political considerations in play.
Bentong chalet tragedy: Woman's body found
Two more people are still missing.




Umno in Malacca reclamation

Scrutiny of the Malacca Waterfront Economic Zone (M-WEZ), a reclamation project covering 33km of the state's coastline, revealed the involvement of key state Umno leaders.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Klebang portion of the reclamation revealed that Malacca Umno veterans Mohamad Ali Mohamad and Ghazale Muhamad were involved.

Their companies own the concession for the portion of the reclamation area.

Mohamad is the deputy Malacca Umno chief and Dewan Negara deputy president, while Ghazale was a former state deputy speaker who previously also served as an exco and deputy exco.

Ghazale maintained there was no conflict of interest because when his firm received the concession, he was the deputy exco in charge of tourism and not land matters.



HIGHLIGHTS

My speeches don’t belittle non-Islamic religions: Zakir Naik
He claims he spreads the message of peace.
Single mother fined RM10k for insulting Agong, ex-PM
The offensive comments were made on her blog.
Kit Siang: DAP-PSB could have won more seats as allies
Their combined votes exceeded GPS in some seats.

 


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,140 new cases yesterday (Dec 21).

  • The R-naught value continues to improve, declining to 0.91 as of Dec 20. The value must be kept under 1.0 to prevent an exponential growth of new cases.

  • The national hospital bed utilisation continues to decline, standing at 64 percent.



What else is happening?

  • Plans to put former deputy minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi in a medically-induced coma was cancelled after his health began to improve. He is suffering from Covid-19.

  • The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) said insurers are prepared to expedite claim settlements for people impacted by the recent floods.

  • It's time to decide this year's Top News and Newsmaker of the Year. Malaysiakini readers can vote on their preferences here.


HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar wants RCI after lapses in disaster preparedness
He also calls for a parliamentary committee.
Dr M to be discharged from the hospital within days
He was admitted for a full medical check-up.
US Customs bans fifth Malaysian glove maker
This is also over alleged forced labour.

 


What are people saying?

2021: Disappointments but nothing wrong to keep hope
By Sharifah Munirah Alatas
Govt is obligated to raise the minimum marriage age
By Zaid Malek
We asked for boats, instead we got showboats
By James Chai