Good morning. Here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

  • Agong weighs in on pardon

  • Loke vs KJ showdown?

  • Muda wants to join Harapan



Agong weighs in on pardon

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong says the power to punish and pardon should not be used arbitrarily.

He said this is as there are consenquences in the afterlife if the justice system is not implemented fairly and victimises the disadvantaged.

While the king's remarks were non-specific, it comes amid calls for former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to be granted a royal pardon.

The pardon has already been filed - meaning Najib will remain as Pekan MP for now.

Najib has also filed for a judicial review of his SRC International conviction at the Federal Court.

HIGHLIGHTS

Najib will rise above challenges as Mandela did, says son
Thomas: Why SRC was picked as first 1MDB-related court case
Did the courts bend over backwards for Najib?




Loke vs KJ showdown?

A showdown between DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Umno's Khairy Jamaluddin is being hyped for GE15.

This is after Seremban Umno Youth called for Khairy to move there since Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan will be taking over Rembau.

MCA - which traditionally contests in Seremban - said they would leave the decision up to the BN leadership.

Meanwhile, Johor BN chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed is needling MIC to give up their Tapah seat and contest in Pulai - an offer the latter refused.

HIGHLIGHTS

KJ not perfect, but a loss if he sits out GE15 - Reezal
Those with ongoing trials not barred from running in GE - minister
Dr M: Najib's imprisonment won't cleanse Umno




Muda wants to join Harapan

Youth-party Muda wants to join Pakatan Harapan, citing similar principles.

Muda had previously had an electoral pact with DAP and Amanah.

However, it butted heads with PKR and clashed with them in one seat in Johor - which neither won.

HIGHLIGHTS

PSM wishes Muda 'better luck' in joining Harapan
GTA submits registration papers to ROS, defends Malay agenda
Zuraida fails to quash PKR’s suit for breaching party bond



Views that matter

An insult and affront to the man who fought apartheid
By R Nadeswaran
GE15: Battle between extremism and flawed democracy
By S Thayaparan 
A sharp satire on old Malacca and present-day Malaysia
By P Gunasegaram



What else is happening?

  • Former chief justice Md Raus Sharif has been selected as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission for a period of two years.

    Also appointed was constitutional expert Shamrahayu Ab Aziz.

    She is the second co-author of the paper which advised the Conference of Rulers to oppose the Rome Statute that has been appointed to a commission by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

  • The Court of Appeal nullified four out of 10 money laundering charges against Baling MP Azeez Abdul Rahim which were found to be defective as the particulars of where the offences took place were vague.

  • The Health Ministry has been urged to urgently resume the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for 13-year-olds in schools.

    The programme was halted during the pandemic, causing more than 560,000 girls missed their shots.

  • The National Security Council wants UNHCR - which it described as disrepectful to Malaysia - to shut down its local offices so that the government can take over refugee management.

  • The Home Ministry has been urged to clarify the process behind the naturalisation of UK-born footballer Lee Tuck as a Malaysian citizen, and why others born in Malaysia are not given similar treatment.



HIGHLIGHTS

Najib in hospital due to stomach-related illness, says daughter
1MDB trial: Najib never disputed credit card spending - banker
Sabah teacher sued for 'ponteng' also leaked exam papers - witnesses