Good morning. Here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

  • Political momentum for EPF withdrawals

  • BN feels the heat in Felda

  • Zahid quashes rumours Hasni will be axed




Political momentum for EPF withdrawals

There is growing political momentum in calls for the government to allow EPF contributors to withdraw from their savings for the fourth time.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is the latest to change position and support the populist move, citing pleas from the public.

Earlier on Sunday, the DAP had also shifted its stance and backed EPF withdrawals after reportedly getting feedback from the people in Johor.

Umno has been the main political proponent for EPF withdrawals.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and the EPF itself are against another round of withdrawals, saying there was a need to safeguard the future of contributors.

Even before the pandemic and three rounds of emergency withdrawals, the EPF expressed concern that many contributors were running out of money within three to five years of retirement.

HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar: If PM confident in Johor polls, open borders earlier

Guan Eng vows to sue paper and MCA veep for defamation

Bersatu's Chong sorry for defecting, but believes he did what's right



BN feels the heat in Felda

Felda seats have long been a stronghold for BN.

But persistent attacks by Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional over the mismanagement of Felda under BN - especially during Najib Abdul Razak's time in power - have put the ruling coalition on the edge.

During Najib’s era from 2009 to 2018, the management of Felda was tainted by a string of abuses.

Najib went on the defensive, saying he had worked hard to preserve the legacy of his father Abdul Razak Hussein, who founded Felda.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, meanwhile, claimed certain quarters were trying to poison the minds of Felda voters with falsehoods.

For the Felda voters Malaysiakini met with, most were more concerned about making ends meet, more than combatting corruption.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Everyone supports Bossku' - another MCA candidate recruits Najib

Speaker apologises after giving Najib another week to explain 1MDB debts

'Disgraceful' - Patriot opens fire on commandos behind 'convict' Najib



Zahid quashes rumours Hasni will be axed

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi moved to quash rumours peddled by Bersatu that incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohamad will be axed in favour of a pro-Najib candidate.

Zahid said Hasni has proven his capabilities as the menteri besar.

He dismissed speculation that Puad Zarkashi would replace Hasni as Bersatu propaganda.

The rumours play on a divide within Umno, between Zahid’s faction and those who feel that the “court cluster” is a liability to the party and should be got rid of in the party polls at the end of this year.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ex-Umno members wanting to rejoin party must be vetted - Zahid

Paloh: Between 'bro' bearing chickens and Cambridge-trained aide

Amid uncertainties, PAS eyes an opening against Amanah in Johor


What else is happening?

  • The latest tit for tat between MCA and DAP is over the mastery of Bahasa Malaysia, with a debate on the matter between the candidates of Johor Jaya set for tonight.

  • Lawyers for single mother Loh Siew Hong have cautioned the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Etiquette Council against assuming that her children had been legally converted to Islam.

  • Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim dismissed accusations that the flash flood that hit Kuala Lumpur on Monday was caused by a clogged drainage system and malfunctioning flood retention ponds.

  • The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized four shipments of palm oil from Malaysia worth RM10.33 million, believing that it was a product of forced labour.


HIGHLIGHTS

Time for wait-and-see is over, KJ tells vax-hesitant parents

Health Ministry releases Covid-19 protocols on new site

KJ: Nightclubs still too risky to reopen in transitionary phase



What are people saying?

Govt must take immediate steps to decriminalise suicide
By Kelvin Yii

Behind the 'madness' of Harapan's Johor moves
By Charles CJ Chow

Everyone must make way for the ambulance
By Malaysiakini readers