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

Key Highlights

• Timber tsunami
  
  

• Cabinet reshuffle?
  
  

• MACC officer faces charges
  
  

Timber tsunami

Many parts of the country have been hit by flash floods in recent weeks but Pahang gained extra attention as floodwaters brought with them a large number of logs, putting a spotlight on logging activities in the state.

Images have emerged showing logs clogging a river in Bentong, prompting Pahang PKR to call on the state government to initiate a probe.

A video has also been circulated on social media showing a "Datin" in a verbal confrontation with a businessman in Pahang over the flood of timber.

In the video, the "Datin" chastised the businessman for destroying the environment but he rebutted her by claiming that he was part of the Pahang royalty and will take the matter to "Tuanku".

Responding to the incident, Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad said he was confident that the Yang the Pertuan Agong, who is also the Pahang sultan, is not involved in such activities and urged him to take action against those who misuse his name for logging activities.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'Poultry producers suffering losses due to price cap' Group disappointed over the extension of price scheme.
	PM: 28,287 flood victims have received cash aid Those who haven't should contact district officers.
	Illegal sand mining persists in Manjung This is despite a stop-work order.

Cabinet reshuffle?

Speculations have been building up over a possible cabinet reshuffle.

Among those whose name has been floated around as potential candidates to be dropped include Bersatu's Abd Latiff Ahmad.

He is the special functions minister in charge of the National Disaster Management Agency that has been heavily criticised for its poor response during the flash floods.

Others who may be dropped are Bersatu's Rina Harun and Umno's Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

However, sources close to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said there is no plan to follow through with a cabinet reshuffle for now and that such talks are meant to serve as a warning to the ministers.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Penang CM eager to see Kedah govt in court This is over the Sungai Muda water feud.
	Bersatu rep sues lawyer of alleged rape victim Hilman Idham claims the lawyer defamed him.
	Putrajaya to summon Massimo over bread price hike It wants the breadmaker to offer an alternative.

MACC officer faces charges

An MACC officer is set to be charged in court today, three months after it was revealed that RM25 million, which the MACC had seized in a criminal breach of trust case, had been stolen.

The allegation first emerged in an anonymous whistleblower site, Edisi Siasat, and the MACC subsequently arrested three of its officers in relation to the alleged theft.

However, the MACC's handling of the raised issues due to its reluctance to allow the police to investigate. The police eventually stepped in.

The pending charges came amid a separate controversy involving MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who is being accused of conflict of interest over his ownership of two million shares in a public-listed firm.

The MACC is expected to address the allegation on Wednesday, after sustained criticism over its silence on the matter.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Azeez’s family sends representation letter This is over their forfeiture suit.
	Kit Siang: Azam should volunteer for PSC probe or resign The MACC chief should set good example.
	Peter Anthony seeks to appoint new lawyer His court case is postponed.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 2,690 new cases yesterday (Jan 3), the lowest in two weeks.
  
  
• Another 28 fatalities put the death toll at 31,560.
  
  

New cases by states

Selangor (673)
Johor (329)
Kelantan (272)
Kedah (254)
Terengganu (173)
Kuala Lumpur (167)
Sabah (161)
Penang (160)
Pahang (158)
Malacca (121)
Perak (112)
Negeri Sembilan (71)
Putrajaya (13)
Perlis (12)
Sarawak (12)
Labuan (2)

What else is happening?

• Former minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, who has on occasions rebelled against the government, was appointed as the non-executive chairperson of the government-linked Boustead Holdings Bhd.
  
  
• Tan Cheng Hoe resigned as the head coach of the Harimau Malaya national football team after it failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2020.
  
  
• The Federal Court will on March 29 hear Malaysiakini's bid to review the court's decision that found the news portal guilty of contempt of court over readers' comments.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Report: Malaysia to host Southern Thai peace talks It is expected to take place this month.
	Abim co-hosts interfaith talk on climate change The Dalai Lama is expected to speak.
	Foreign-source income tax exemption to reduce earnings risk Analyst firm says exemption good for multinationals.

What are people saying?

	Dr M is right: M'sia is on track to becoming a failed nation By S Thayaparan
	Abandoned school, a 'pontianak' and accountability By Fa Abdul
	Three wise monkeys - the 2020s version By Rafidah Aziz