Good morning and Happy Merdeka Day!

Remember, while Peninsular Malaysia has been independent for 65 years, Malaysia will only turn 59 on its birthday this Sept 16.

Meanwhile, here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

  • PM to be Budget 2023 poster boy?

  • Zahid trial pressure

  • Najib lawyers v Bar president




PM to be Budget 2023 poster boy?

With his spot as BN's election poster boy on the rocks, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob appears to want to associate his image with another major pre-GE15 event - Budget 2023.

Ismail Sabri has expressed a desire to table the budget in Parliament but is waiting to clear some legal redtape.

A prime minister tabling the budget is not unusual.

However, those premiers who have tabled the budget also held the finance portfolio - which currently is in the hands of Ismail Sabri's BN colleague Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Ismail Sabri has already made one budget announcement ahead of schedule, giving salary increments, cash aid, and other benefits to civil servants.

HIGHLIGHTS

Tok Mat: It is clear, GE15 will be this year
Rafizi: Harapan officially rejects PN cooperation, not just my opinion
Ku Li predicts GE15 will be toughest election for all parties




Zahid trial pressure

Prosecutors attempted to get the judge presiding over both the 1MDB case and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's Yayasan Akalbudi trial to prioritise the case against the Umno president.

The letter requesting this was leaked, prompting questions from Umno on why the Attorney-General's Chambers wanted Zahid's case to be disposed of quickly.

The prosecution has since withdrawn its request.

HIGHLIGHTS

I did not use Akalbudi funds for personal interest - Zahid
Zahid: I would've rejected contributions from illegal means
Cops confirm sedition probe against Zahid over Umno speech




Najib lawyers v Bar president

Lawyers acting for Najib Abdul Razak are mulling legal action against Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah.

Cheah had criticised their conduct during the SRC International final appeal, saying it amounted to an abuse of the country’s judicial process and had brought the system into disrepute.

This is after the legal team tried to delay the appeal hearing, including an attempt by Hisyam Teh Poh Teik to recuse himself - claiming to be unprepared for the case.

Najib's lawyers claim the Bar president's remarks were defamatory.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ex- Bar presidents back incumbent for defending judiciary’s independence
Court dismisses Rosmah’s second bid to recuse Sri Ram
Rosmah’s trial: Police record statements over alleged leaked judgment



Views that matter

Bersih, we're fighting for the same thing
By Azalina Othman Said
10 reasons why Najib must not, and cannot, be pardoned
By P Gunasegaram
Poverty, corruption still major issues after 65 years of Merdeka
By Maria Chin Abdullah



What else is happening?

  • The government's special task force probing claims of judicial abuses alleged in former attorney-general Tommy Thomas' book has completed its report.

  • Gardenia will be raising its prices starting tomorrow, citing costs increase after the minimum wage hike, last year's Shah Alam floods, and global supply chain disruptions.

  • A 2002 Merdeka baby born in Malaysia to a Malaysian father - is stateless, after the NRD revoked his citizenship when he turned 12 due to questions over his mother's nationality.



HIGHLIGHTS

Kini News Lab: When the water rises: A Malaysian climate change story
Najib spends time in prison writing his views, to share through visitors
LCS audit reports show 'unusual' deal before govt contract awarded