Mandatory death penalty
Good morning, here’s a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.
Key Highlights
Mandatory death penalty
Ulama pushback
RM30mil lamp posts
Mandatory death penalty
The government announced that it has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty.
Keyword: mandatory. This means there will still be the death penalty but the hands of judges won't be tied and they can impose alternative punishments depending on the severity of the case.
Pakatan Harapan previously mooted a total abolition but decided to give judges discretion after public pushback. It was never implemented after its government collapsed.
While the Perikatan Nasional government decided to continue the effort, it remains just an announcement as no deadline for the implementation was set.
With changes to the laws yet to be made, the High Court in Kota Bharu sentenced another three people to death for drug offences yesterday.
The Malaysian Bar suggested that those who have been sentenced to death prior to the reform being implemented should have their sentences commuted.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | 'Total abolition unfair to victims.’ |
 | The NGO says Malaysians abroad are also on death row. |
 | They zoom in on syabu and ecstasy. |
Ulama pushback
Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah may have taken de facto Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad to task for suggesting Muslims should not attend the Japanese Bon Odori festival but religious groups are pushing back.
PAS' Ulama wing doubled down, maintaining that Muslims should not attend the festival as it contained elements of "Buddhist rituals” and backed Idris for his stand.
The Selangor ruler had said the festival was more cultural than religious.
Following the comment, Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin suggested that Bon Odori should be renamed as the "Japanese cultural festival".
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Group slams those who promote intolerance. |
 | This follows criticism from MPs. |
 | ‘We must defend values that bring prosperity.’ |
RM30mil lamp posts
Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd's announcement to Bursa Malaysia that it received an RM30.75 million contract from Ennova Sdn Bhd to replace 200 lamp posts for the Kuala Lumpur City Hall with "integrated smart lamp poles" raised eyebrows.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng demanded the government explain why 200 lamp posts can cost RM30.75 million.
DBKL said the lamp posts are integrated with telecommunication facilities for the rollout of the 5G network.
DBKL added that it had a panel of companies tasked with the replacement and had never approved the contract to be given to third parties.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | The group is clear on its stance. |
 | This is amid rising global oil prices. |
 | He is doubtful GST can be implemented this year. |
What are people saying?
 | By Mariam Mokhtar |
 | By James Chai |
 | By Zan Azlee |
What else is happening?
Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin said she wants to stay on as a minister despite defecting from Bersatu to PBM.
Satellite images apparently showed a rare earth mine being built in Perak even before receiving approval. The Perak government said the construction work was to ”locate rare earth” but not mine them.
Malaysia banned a Hong Kong film on the city’s 2019 protests for allegedly" glorifying violent protests" - as well as over concerns that it could impact Malaysia-China ties.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | The photojournalist is at the heart of the scene to tell real stories. |
 | Lawyer tried to save many M'sians from gallows. |
 | They say the refugees are registered with the UNCHR. |
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