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


Key Highlights

  • Ex-1MDB chair and Najib's reputation

  • 'Monthly payment for Zahid'

  • Another data leak





Ex-1MDB chair and Najib's reputation

Former 1MDB chairperson Mohd Bakke Salleh testified ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak instructed him to attend a briefing two weeks ahead of appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which was probing the state-owned fund.

The briefing in 2016, intended to provide him with "guidelines"  on how to testify, also included then PAC chairperson Hasan Arifin. 

Bakke said they did not want Najib's or businessperson Low Taek Jho's name to be mentioned during the PAC hearing. 

Bakke, testifying in Najib's 1MDB corruption trial, said he was asked to "support" Najib's reputation.

Bakke also claimed he was shadowed by 1MDB personnel. Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, however, accused Bakke of sulking.

Bakke was among the senior 1MDB officials who resigned in the early days of the state-owned fund after becoming concerned that US$700 million was diverted to PetroSaudi International and failed to be repatriated.



HIGHLIGHTS

Tajuddin's appointment agreed by Indonesia – PM
'He is a seasoned politician.'
'His excellency' Tajuddin makes Ambiga tear
Teresa Kok recalls him insulting her surname.
MP tells govt to justify Tajuddin's appointment
Kasthuri describes Tajuddin as 'brash, uncouth’.





'Monthly payment for Zahid'

The Shah Alam High Court heard that a businessperson paid ex-deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi S$200,000 to S$520,000 in cash a month.

Harry Lee Vui Khan said the payments made between 2014 to 2018 were in relation to the Foreign Visa System contract.

Lee said his firm also sponsored Zahid's overseas trips as well as his wife's birthday and Hari Raya celebration.

Zahid is facing 40 charges of bribery involving more than RM43 million for the Foreign Visa System.



HIGHLIGHTS

Shop fined for placing alcoholic and soft drinks together
MP has advised the shop owner not to pay. 
Altantuya implicated Razak Baginda - witness
She lodged a police report the same day she went missing. 
Report on money politics in PKR polls lodged
Report will also be lodged with PKR's central election committee.






Another data leak

Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin's personal data was used as sample by an anonymous user seeking to sell data purportedly stolen from the National Registration Department (NRD).

The NRD falls under the purview of Hamzah's ministry.

The database, containing millions of records, is being sold for US$10,000.



HIGHLIGHTS

Major investment by Amazon expected - Azmin
This is for data centres.
AELB denies Lynas seeking to retain leaching facility in Kuantan
The miner's operating licence will expire in March 2023.
Look East Policy can help M'sia's post-pandemic: Dr M
He says good policies should be emulated.







What else is happening?

  • A survey commissioned by US-based International Republican Institute found that a majority of Malaysians polled have at least somewhat favourable opinions of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The survey also found a majority of Malaysians want to see new political parties.

  • Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said all states have agreed to implement a pollution charge on plastic bags, following in the footsteps of Penang, Selangor and Johor.

  • Muda president urged Putrajaya to put an end to the death sentence for people using medical marijuana.







HIGHLIGHTS

Nagaenthran's lawyer criticises meeting with S'pore minister
Nagaenthran was executed in S’pore.
MCA Youth: PKR MP's claims on MRT3 absurd
MP had expressed doubts over govt's financial model.
HFMD: 12 child centres closed, 1,378 cases in Malacca
Eight cases required admission.





What are people saying?


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By Malaysiakini readers
Bullying enquiry must tread with caution
By G Selva
MySejahtera data confirmed to have zero value
By FLK