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

Key Highlights

• Tigers and propaganda
  
  

• Bersatu man wants Harapan back
  
  

• Corruption perception worsens
  
  

Tigers and propaganda

Proponents of the Kelantan government have come to the defence of state Forestry Department director Abdul Khalim Abu Samah after he courted scorn for suggesting that deforestation was "good for tigers".

They cited a 2009 research paper on the importance of selectively logged forests for tiger conservation.

However, the lead author of the research paper, Mark Rayan Darmaraj, has come out to say that his paper has often been misinterpreted and cherry-picked.

His message was straightforward: "Clear felling is not good for any wildlife, including tigers. Period."

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) also said that while clearing a dense forest can theoretically make room for new vegetation and wildlife, there are many other factors to consider and these are already taught in schools.

Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng sarcastically suggested that the Kelantan Forestry Department director was referring to his house cat.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Ismail Sabri speaks to Cambodia PM after he hit out at Saifuddin He conveyed Malaysia's position.
	BAM president gives Lee Zii Jia 'blessing' to turn pro Lee urges the public to support BAM.
	Umno-linked celebrity receives funding from MOF Inc SUKE TV will further develop its presence.

Bersatu man wants Harapan back

After ditching Pakatan Harapan and causing the collapse of the Harapan government, Johor Bahru Bersatu deputy chief Razrul Anwar Rusli is now suggesting that they get back together again.

This was in the face of a resurgent Umno, which after riding on Bersatu's coattails to regain power, is now out to finish off the party in the Johor polls.

Umno and BN are determined to gain full dominance in Johor and Umno is even refusing to make meaningful concessions to PAS, which has tried to remain friendly.

PAS is dissatisfied that Umno is only willing to offer the Islamist party a meagre four out of 56 seats in Johor if they were to form an alliance.

Johor PAS is still hopeful to strike a deal with Umno, but Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad does not appear to have the time to entertain them.

With Bersatu on the back foot, its president Muhyiddin Yassin said he may not defend his state seat of Gambir. He cited the need to give opportunities to other candidates.

On the opposition side, Harapan and Muda are in negotiations to form a united front against Umno's BN and Bersatu's PN.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Actor Afdlin ready to contest in Johor polls This is if PKR fields him.
	Ramasamy reminds Warisan of ties This is after it recruited ex-DAP leaders.
	Mais appeals to reinstate children's Islamic conversion Conversion was previously declared invalid.

Corruption perception worsens

Malaysia's ranking in the annual Corruption Perception Index continued to decline in the second year in a row.

After achieving the best score in 2019 under the then Harapan-Warisan government, Malaysia's ranking declined from 51 to 57 in 2020 and now ranks 62 under the BN-PN-GPS-PBS government.

MACC, which has been plagued by its own controversy involving its chief commissioner Azam Baki and is accused of going after his critics, vowed to pay "serious attention" to the poor ranking.

Malaysia's corruption perception index score is at the worst level since the height of the 1MDB scandal in 2017 and 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Whistleblower to fight Azam’s defamation suit  Case management is on Feb 15.
	Najib's lawyer explains why QC from UK needed for SRC case Ex-PM is appealing to quash his conviction.
	Govt, NFC to reach settlement on RM253.6m suit The trial will resume if it is not honoured.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 4,066 new cases yesterday (Jan 25).
  
  
• The infectivity rate continued to climb to 1.09, another new high since August last year.
  
  
• The number of active clusters surged from 188 to 244 within a week, many of which are related to education institutions.

What else is happening?

• Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the government won't impose restrictions on children who are unvaccinated against Covid-19, unlike adults who are penalised for refusing vaccination.
  
  
• Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's health condition has improved further and he is able to speak with family members, according to his daughter Marina Mahathir.
  
  
• Police said they have resubmitted their investigation papers on Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson Terence Naidu's drug test to the state prosecution director, who will decide if charges are to be filed.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Malacca education Covid-19 clusters spike worrying Four clusters involve 261 students.
	Extend bank loan moratorium another 6 months - DAP Lim Guan Eng says banks can afford it.
	'Absurd for opposition longhouse chiefs to get salary' He reminds that the money comes from the government.

What are people saying?

	Deconstructing 5G rollout in Malaysia By Rais Hussin, Margarita Peredaryenko, Ameen Kamal
	Put recycle guide label on packaging By Sharan Raj
	Teachers should stick to teaching By Dr Peter Joseph Pereira