'Formidable' govt blunder revisited
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Key Highlights
'Formidable' govt blunder revisited
#JusticeforBella's royal backing
Medical marijuana fatwa sought
'Formidable' govt blunder revisited
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says his infamous claim that he had a "strong, formidable, and convincing" majority to form government in 2020 was true.
He said it was based on letters from party leaders, but that the arrangement fell through after he refused to meddle with the judiciary.
One of Anwar's would-be corroborators is alleged to be Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a claim that rebel Umno MPs have corroborated.
Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed that he was overthrown for refusing to help Zahid with the latter's corruption trial as well.
However, Anwar's alleged alliance with Zahid did not end there.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and former DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng appeared to imply that Pakatan Harapan's much-criticised failure to vote down Budget 2020 was in part due to Anwar still counting on Zahid for support.
Anwar made another gambit to become prime minister in August 2021, but only managed to secure the backing of 105 MPs, and lost the race to Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Alor Setar MP says they should be brave and lead the line. |
 | 'PM surviving because he's palatable to many, not because he's good.' |
 | Voon was allegedly 'interviewed' by the police for the fourth time on April 7. |
#JusticeforBella's royal backing
Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and his wife Che Puan Khaleeda Bustamam have thrown their full support behind 13-year-old Down Syndrome teenager and abuse victim, Bella.
The royal couple has pledged legal aid for Bella, who is the subject of an abuse case in court.
They also granted an audience to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun - who is under fire for alleged inaction in the teenager's case.
Rumah Bonda welfare home founder Siti Bainun Abd Razali is on trial for allegedly abusing Bella - whose plight went viral last year.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | She says family knew her in the past but no ongoing relationship. |
 | He and his family are now discussing with doctors possible treatments. |
 | The app is available for free. |
Medical marijuana fatwa sought
Pahang exco member Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin wants the National Fatwa Council to deliberate and issue an edict on medical marijuana.
Sharkar said a fatwa could help educate society about the medical benefits of marijuana because the concept can be shocking to many.
Previously, Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor had said that medical marijuana could be permissible if it was not harmful.
A parliamentary caucus had met with the prime minister regarding medical marijuana and reportedly received a positive response.
Marijuana is currently a Schedule 1 drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act - and trafficking can be punishable by death.
However, the Health Ministry has said that medical marijuana could be sold in Malaysia if it gets registered and approved by the Drug Control Authority.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Only 28 percent of the 100,000 hectares forest has been replanted. |
 | Anthony Loke says a holistic approach should be expedited. |
 | The animals have destroyed 30 kelulut beehives. |
A daily glance at Covid-19
6,069 new cases yesterday (April 19) bring the cumulative infections to 4,402,234.
12 new fatalities put the death toll at 35,449.
New cases by states
Selangor (3,180)
Kuala Lumpur (830)
Negeri Sembilan (470)
Perak (265)
Penang (237)
Malacca (225)
Johor (179)
Sarawak (160)
Kedah (124)
Terengganu (124)
Pahang (90)
Sabah (79)
Kelantan (49)
Putrajaya (47)
Perlis (6
Labuan (4)
What else is happening?
Medics were left scrambling in the dark after a power outage struck Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Engineer Leong Wai Yie became the first Malaysian to receive an award from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | He admits that it is difficult to please all parties. |
 | Largely relying on the migrant workforce was keeping minimum wages low. |
 | 'We have access to medical centres because we accredit them.' |
What are people saying?
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By Steve Oh |
 | By Malaysiakini readers |
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