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

Key Highlights

  • Flood season polls

  • ‘Grade A’ seats

  • Anti-hopping loopholes




Flood season polls

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has given his assurance that GE15 is ”not too far away” amid continued pressure from BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to hold polls this year.

If Parliament is to be dissolved this year, it is likely that it will be after the government tables the 2023 Budget on Oct 7.

However, doing this will quite likely mean that the 15th general election will be held during the monsoon season.

Due to the effects of climate change, the monsoon is expected to have a heavier impact this year, with major floods expected in many areas of the country.

The seasonal weather event has not yet begun, but over the weekend, flash floods were reported in Malacca, Perak and Johor.

However, Zahid said that BN will wade through floods for the election.

The BN chief is in a race against time. If he is convicted of corruption before GE15 is held, he would be disqualified from contesting.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rafizi eyes 30pct Malay support for PKR, Harapan to defeat BN-PN combo
Seats MIC contested in GE14 will remain with party in GE15 - Zahid
Umno info chief: Hard to work with Hadi due to provocative remarks




’Grade A’ seats

Amanah Youth has expressed jealousy at the prospect Muda might get "Grade A" seats if the party joins Pakatan Harapan.

Grade A seats refer to winnable seats and Amanah Youth wants some for itself.

Amanah had previously given Muda one winnable seat - Puteri Wangsa - during the Johor state election, which is the only seat the youth party won.

Amanah Youth also said that the party needs a fresh face to attract youth votes - which appeared to irk some top leaders.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mat Sabu: I sympathise with Hadi, he's facing ‘internal problems’
The aunties and uncles watching over Muda
Afif: Anwar adopting 'Mao-style' demonising of dissidents




Anti-hopping loopholes

The Amanah AGM saw the party introduce a new rule, which is meant to plug loopholes in the anti-hopping law.

Under the new rule, any elected representative who rebels against the party, will automatically "give up" their membership.

Under the anti-hopping law, representatives who are sacked get to keep their seats, while those who resign will have to forfeit them.

DAP is planning to hold a special congress to make similar amendments to the party's constitution.

HIGHLIGHTS

Zaid Ibrahim rejoins Umno
Watchdog identifies 'kaki ponteng' MPs
Look beyond ‘regionalism’ politics, Rafizi urges East M’sians



Views that matter

Ask ourselves on Malaysia Day: Will we do better?
By Alena Nadia
Poor little rich man Najib’s medical melodramas
By Andrew Sia
Talk of 2018 replay may land Harapan in nightmare
By Wong Chin Huat



What else is happening?

  • The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) will now be placed under the Prime Minister’s Department.

    The government is also allocating RM2 million for financial aid to students from poor Indian families.

  • There are not enough child protection officers under the Social Welfare Department, with the ratio being one officer for every 50 to 100 children.

    The goal is to have enough officers to cover 30 to 35 children per officer.

  • Seputeh MP Teresa Kok filed a bankruptcy notice against Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos over his alleged failure to pay damages after losing a defamation suit.

    Jamal is in hospital after collapsing at a BN event on Saturday night.



HIGHLIGHTS

Improve education system so parents won't send kids to int'l schools - MP
Guan Eng urges structural economic reforms as 1MDB debt soars
GTA to go solo for GE15, Dr M says