Govt bill defeated, MOU on the rocks

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Key Highlights

• Govt bill defeated, MOU on the rocks
  
  

• Census hints at tough future for M'sians
  
  

• Rafizi sets sights on Najib

Govt bill defeated, MOU on the rocks

The opposition defeated a government bill after successfully disqualifying tardy government MPs from a bloc vote.

The bill, which sought to extend the 28-day detention without trial clause for the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), was defeated by a two-vote margin.

Detention without trial under Sosma must be renewed every five years. The clause is set to expire on July 31, although the government can retable the bill when it's confident it has the numbers.

Defeating the bill appears to have had larger ramifications though.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa, who was among the late government MPs who were disqualified from voting, claimed that Pakatan Harapan violated its deal with Putrajaya by shooting down the Sosma bill.

This he said, was a greenlight for Umno to dissolve Parliament even earlier than July.

However, Harapan argued that the MOU allows the opposition to continue functioning as a check and balance and that it needed only to support or abstain from budget bills and confidence motions.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Home minister admits Sosma should be reviewed, open to discussion Hamzah Zainudin admits some of opposition's arguments 'made sense'.
	Cops to use CPC after expiry of key Sosma provision IGP says police are committed to efficient investigations using existing laws.
	Anti-hopping bill to be tabled during Ramadan sitting However, there is no notice for the MPs yet on this matter.

Census hints at tough future for M'sians

The Kini News Lab broke down key findings from the 2020 census exercise and as many expect, Malaysia is heading towards an ageing nationhood.

The number of citizens aged 65 and above spiked to 6.8 percent, while the number of young citizens aged 15 and below dropped to 24 percent. A country is defined as having an ageing society if those aged 65 and above are between seven and 14 percent of the entire population.

The population growth rate has also declined further to 1.7 percent, indicating that there will be fewer young people to look after the elderly in the future.

While not stated by the census, an ageing population without enough youths to care for the old may spell future trouble for those who have been draining their retirement funds through EPF withdrawals during the pandemic.

Another notable observation from the 2020 census is that not every heterosexual male in Malaysia may find a partner.

The ratio of males to females in the country has increased to 110:100, compared to 106:100 in 2010.

The percentage of Malaysians above 15 who are unmarried as of 2020 is 34 percent.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Govt assures Employment Act update will cover all workers, regardless of salary Ministry says any other provisions on salary limits should be repealed.
	WAO: Amended Employment Act still allows workplace discrimination 'It does not prohibit discrimination from occurring.'
	June 22 verdict on govt appeal against citizenship for overseas-born kids The judges need more time as it could affect the Federal Constitution.

Rafizi sets sights on Najib

PKR's Rafizi Ramli has set his sights on his old foe, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, he said Najib had become the "de facto opposition" and taken over Pakatan Harapan's previous job in voicing out for the public.

But the PKR deputy president hopeful said he will step up to the plate and pick up where he left off before the 2018 general election to rebuild Harapan's connection with voters.

In return, Najib said Rafizi can have the job, adding that he did not wish to be the 'Raja Formula Songsang' (king of twisted formulas), in a jab at proposals by the former Pandan MP that failed to materialise.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Pua explains Najib's 'afterthought' to speaker over 1MDB repayment claim MP says Najib intended to confuse the House and the public.
	Najib to be keynote speaker at another business networking event He will also be the guest of honour at an invite-only gala dinner.
	1MDB management conned Najib over investment agreement - witness Former official Ismee Ismail says Najib was misled about the deal.

What else is happening?

• DAP's new secretary-general Anthony Loke called Damansara MP Tony Pua a ’very important asset’ to the party. Pua failed to get voted into the party's central leadership and has refused to take an appointed post.
  
  

• The parents of Teoh Beng Hock filed legal action over the alleged failure of the police force to complete their investigation into the political aide’s death nearly 13 years ago.
  
  

• The government revealed it intentionally delayed reopening international borders to April 1 due to concerns that the Johor state election would trigger an upsurge in Covid-19 cases.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Zaid: Kit Siang deserves recognition, but Umno hawks will sharpen talons Najib might have the courage to honour DAP supremo, adds the former minister.
	Sabah Harapan backs CM over two-term limit move Ex-CM Musa Aman scoffed at the notion back in 2011.
	Increasing S'gor constituencies exposes ‘shaky’ govt - opposition After the recent state elections, people support BN again - Rizam.

What are people saying?

	Covid-19 vaccines safe, work for children By Musa Mohd Nordin et al
	Harapan needs to expunge the 'ghost' of Mahathir By P Ramasamy.
	DAP leaders with court cases should step down By Dr Boo Cheng Hau