Good morning, here's a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • Another state polls soon?

  • Drug claim against DAP rep

  • PAS rebel ousted again



Another state polls soon?

There is growing speculation that the Umno leadership will soon order Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad to seek a dissolution of the state assembly to pave the way for fresh polls.

The dominant faction in Umno led by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is looking to capitalise on the momentum from BN's strong performance in last November's Malacca state assembly election.

Zahid's faction has also pressured Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call for early polls at the federal level but the Umno vice-president, who is from an opposing faction, has resisted such calls.

Political operatives within Johor Umno, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that preparations were being made. Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin has also been very public about the preparations.

The state opposition said that they too have caught wind of the plan and expect snap polls could happen as soon as February, after Chinese New Year.

If the snap polls in Johor proceed as planned and Umno emerges on top, it will put further pressure on Ismail Sabri to call for an early federal election, even though it is not due until the middle of 2023.

Ismail Sabri is mindful that in the event of a federal election, Zahid, by virtue of his seniority, holds all the cards - including deciding Umno's election candidates and its future MPs whose support determines who becomes prime minister.

Following the passing of Kempas assemblyperson Osman Sapian last month, the BN-PN coalition in Johor is governing with 28 seats to the opposition's 27 - a one-seat majority. BN is hoping to win enough seats to govern alone.



HIGHLIGHTS

Judicial interference claim: Nobody approached us, says CJ
'Judges base their decisions on evidence.'
AG must explain dropping of public interest cases - Bar
Bar president says transparency is vital.
Muhyiddin must explain 'judicial interference' claim - Anwar
This follows the chief justice's denial.

 



Drug claim against DAP rep

DAP's Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson Terence Naidu was arrested after allegedly testing positive for illegal substances during a police raid on a nightclub in Penang.

Perak DAP said it took the issue of character and integrity of its elected representatives seriously and asked Terence to explain his conduct.

Terence denied consuming any illegal substances. He claimed that someone had "topped up" his drinking glass.

Police said it will conduct a thorough investigation, including Terence's claim.

The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to two years imprisonment.


HIGHLIGHTS

MACC panel wants to know if Azam declared his shares
Rais Yatim says an investigation is required.
MACC told to store high-value evidence at Bank Negara
This follows the RM25mil theft.
Rais tells MACC to address double standards
This is over how an accused is dressed when brought to court.

 



PAS rebel ousted again

PAS has removed Khairuddin Aman Razali as a central committee member, less than two months after he was appointed to the position.

Khairuddin was last November ousted in the party polls but was brought back into the central leadership in an attempt to show unity - but it was short-lived.

PAS did not disclose the reason for his removal but Khairuddin is known to be a strong proponent of PAS-Umno unity, which goes against the position of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang,  who has steered PAS towards Bersatu, Umno's splinter party.

After his removal, a defiant Khairuddin stressed that PAS-Umno unity was "obligatory" and not optional.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan stressed that Khairuddin's removal was not due to his pro-Umno position and challenged him to state otherwise. He, however, did not disclose the reason.



HIGHLIGHTS

Muhyiddin: Emergency needed as Covid-19 worse than war
'I took an unprecedented action by imposing a national lockdown.'
Lawyer threatens to sue clinic after child vaccinated
Dad consented but mother didn't.
Shebby's death due to heart attack not booster jab, says son
Anti-vax groups circulated the claim.


A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,010 new cases yesterday (Jan 16).

  • The infectivity rate dipped back under 1.0 to 0.99. A value of more than 1.0 will lead to exponential growth in new cases.

  • Except for one flood relief centre, all the others have been closed. To date, only 471 Covid-19 cases have been detected among flood victims, putting to rest concerns that the disaster could potentially spark a new wave of infections.


What else is happening?

  • Police arrested two of their own personnel over a custodial death incident at the Taiping district police headquarters.

  • Incumbent Sarawak DAP deputy chairperson David Wong Kee Woan was ousted in the state party polls. Its chairperson Chong Chieng Jen, however, was retained.

  • Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun dismissed calls for a parliamentary select committee's questioning of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to be held publicly, stating that the Standing Orders do not allow for open proceedings.

  • The government reduced the quarantine period for people who tested positive for Covid-19 to seven days if they are fully vaccinated.

  • De facto Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad expressed disapproval of people bathing a 19-year-old man like a corpse after he allegedly tried to steal from a mosque. The accused has gained public sympathy, with offers to pay for his fine. The accused is seeking a review of his 10-day jail sentence and RM4,000 fine after pleading guilty.


HIGHLIGHTS

Three months after knee surgery, squash player gets the boot
Low Wee Wern smashes NSC for not respecting national athletes.
Fighting Orang Asli stereotypes one snapshot at a time
Ronnie Bahari aims to capture all 18 tribes.
Man stopped at roadblock 'unfairly charged' - MP
'Cops should be trained with principles of natural justice.'

 


What are people saying?

Does religion teach us to be cruel?
By Zan Azlee
Barbarians at the gate
By Pravin Pillai
Set up PSC to investigate root cause of floods
By Mohideen Abdul Kader