Good morning. Wishing our readers a blessed Aidiladha and a happy long weekend.
We’re taking a short break too, and will be back on Tuesday.
Here's what you need to know today.
Key Highlights
Baling's durian problem
Tasik Chini damaged
Sultans in a business conundrum
Baling's durian problem
Survivors of the Baling floods believe there is one clear cause of the disaster that befell them - deforestation in the Gunung Inas Forest Reserve to make way for a durian plantation.
Activists have, for years, warned the authorities about the dangers posed by the forest clearing, but this was ignored.
Federal and state governments, however, insist that the durian plantation was not the cause of the floods.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Tasik Chini damaged
Mining activities near Tasik Chini may have stopped in December, but the damage is already done.
Orang Asli villagers who live near the lake and depend on it, now fear using its formerly pristine waters to even clean themselves.
Fish, once abundant, are now scarce and even taste different. The lake’s famed massive lotus blooms are also becoming rare.
Villagers Malaysiakini spoke to believe that it may be 100 years before the lake fully heals itself.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Sultans in a business conundrum
It is no secret that members of Malaysia's royalty are involved in businesses.
For example, Johor'S Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar owns the Maharani Energy Gateway development and a company that may be used to supply sand that is needed to fill 120,192 Olympic swimming pools for the project.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has argued that since the Federal Constitution bans the Agong from getting involved in business, this should also apply at the state level to all sultans.
MAHARANI ENERGY RECAP
 | |
 | |
 |
What are people saying?
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By S Thayaparan |
 | By Fa Abdul |
What else is happening?
The government is testing mechanisms for a targeted fuel subsidy system.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Office revealed to Malaysiakini that if there are no massive floods on the peninsula's East Coast in November, GE15 will be held then.
Bersatu claims that Annuar Musa witnessed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob signing a deal with PN to appoint a DPM.
Malaysiakini explores the playpals, youths who give technical and emotional support to online gamers.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
