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

Key Highlights

• Harapan's logo problem
  
  

• Johor MB candidate
  
  

• Timber trouble
  
  

Harapan's logo problem

PKR is set to contest in the Johor polls using its own logo while Amanah and DAP will stick with the Pakatan Harapan logo.

PKR said its grassroots do not favour the Harapan logo because it is associated with the Harapan administration from 2018 to 2020, which it said had its achievements but also "many shortcomings".

The impasse won't bode well as it will likely be seen as a sign of disunity. It also highlights the tensions within Harapan.

DAP and Amanah could have also used their own logos as a face-saving measure for the coalition but their decision to maintain the Harapan logo puts PKR on the defensive, as it will be the outlier.

The incumbent parties also have their own problems, with PAS lamenting that Umno has forgotten its contribution and is now bent on gaining dominance without its old allies.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hassan maintained that a majority of Johor Umno grassroots leaders prefer BN to contest in the Johor polls on its own.

Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed was less diplomatic, accusing PAS of trying to ride on Umno's coattail for a "backdoor" access to governing Johor.

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	I didn't meet Jho Low off the road - ex-1MDB CFO He maintains that Jho Low is Najib's rep.
	Azam-gate will worsen corruption perception - Kit Siang Malaysia's ranking has been on the decline.

Johor MB candidate

The passive-aggressive relationship among the Harapan parties is not limited to disagreements over their common logo.

PKR is mulling to field its Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik as a candidate in the Johor polls and his name is also being floated as a possible menteri besar candidate.

The proposal makes strategic sense but PKR's Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Najwan Halimi is also pushing their Harapan partners to back Maszlee, turning the tables on DAP and Amanah for what they did in the Malacca polls.

DAP and Amanah had pressured PKR to announce Amanah's Adly Zahari as the chief ministerial candidate during the Malacca polls.

Context: With DAP lacking a suitable Malay candidate, the position of menteri besar or chief minister is usually a toss-up between PKR and Amanah.

In the case of Malacca, Adly was the chief minister when Harapan was in power but the top job in Johor during Harapan's time was held by Bersatu, which is no longer part of the coalition.

Lobbying this early could have a bearing on whether PKR and Amanah will get the top job - if they can win in the Johor polls.

HIGHLIGHTS

	'Is Bersatu in the opposition?' Anwar asks A Bersatu leader had proposed reuniting with Harapan.
	Marzuki: Pejuang the only 'true opposition' in Johor Pejuang considers Harapan to be part of the gov't.
	Youth group launches #JohorNgundi They want to encourage young voters.

Timber trouble

Graphic artist Fahmi Reza is again under police investigation, this time for editing the Pahang coat of arms with the words "House of Balak" (House of Timber).

This was amid the deluge of timber carried by the recent flash floods in Bentong, Pahang.

Fahmi is known for his satirical work and is not shy at calling out those in the corridors of power.

Kelantan's logging activities have also been under the spotlight after a senior state official recently declared that deforestation was "good for the tiger population".

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Abdullah, however, maintained that illegal logging in the state was "not serious".

HIGHLIGHTS

	Mais fails legal bid to reinstate children's Islamic conversion Federal Court unanimously dismissed the application.
	Feb 22 decision for legal challenge against ‘Gay is OK’ book ban Author and publisher contend the ban is irrational.
	Nagaenthran’s death sentence appeal postponed Focus on Malaysian’s mild intellectual disability.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 4,744 new cases yesterday (Jan 26), the highest in 47 days.
  
  
• 12 new fatalities put the death toll at 31,930.
  
  

New cases by state

Selangor (1,318)
Johor (700)
Kedah (455)
Kuala Lumpur (390)
Kelantan (357)
Sabah (335)
Negeri Sembilan (311)
Pahang (256)
Penang (183)
Malacca (153)
Perak (148)
Terengganu (69)
Putrajaya (38)
Perlis (17)
Sarawak (13)
Labuan (1)

What else is happening?

• Police said they have concluded the investigation against Bersatu's Sedili assemblyperson Rasman Ithnain over a sexual harassment claim. The next step is to submit the case to the public prosecutor, who will decide if charges are to be filed.
  
  
• Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was moved from the coronary care unit to a normal ward at the National Heart Institute after his condition continued to improve.
  
  
• The government will resume umrah pilgrimage trips from Feb 8 onwards after new standard operating procedures are introduced. It was suspended on Jan 8 after many returnees were infected with the Covid-19 variant Omicron.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Five vehicles damaged after drain collapses It happened in Sri Kembangan, Selangor.
	Ex-judges haul govt to court over failure to increase pension Letter of demand was sent to the govt last year.
	MACC finds new leads in LCS procurement case Two CEOs have been detained.

What are people saying?

	When greed takes over By Fa Abdul
	Pristine forests most ideal habitats for tigers By WWF-Malaysia
	Impact of young voters on our political landscape By K Veeriah