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

Key Highlights

  • Najib's Parliament Time

  • GE15 guessing game

  • The CSR job




Najib's Parliament Time

Najib Abdul Razak is planning to spend more time outside prison, beyond his usual court dates.

His destination? Parliament.

Unfortunately, the Prisons Department won't allow him to, prompting him to consider legal action.

His lawyer argued that Najib - who is still Pekan MP due to legal provisions - could not serve his constituents from behind bars.

HIGHLIGHTS

Najib can attend Parliament if Prison Dept allows him to - speaker
‘Najib’s sentence loses deterrent value if allowed intermittent freedom’
Alleged Arab royal promised US$1.17b donation to Najib, claim letters




GE15 guessing game

GE15 can be held ”anytime now” - or at least that's what Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told Umno division chiefs.

There is intense speculation that Ismail will go against popular expectations and get Parliament dissolved before Budget 2023 is tabled this Friday afternoon.

Many see the budget as an opportunity for BN to dangle carrots and act as an election manifesto of sorts.

Meanwhile, PN has instructed its cabinet members to object to the dissolution of Parliament.

However, a long-time minister said that prime ministers in the past have never consulted the cabinet on election dates.

HIGHLIGHTS

Zahid: I wanted PM to have audience with king yesterday
'No one can influence PM to advise Agong on Parliament dissolution'
As GE15 looms, climate expert warns monsoon floods may be worse than 2021




The CSR game

The MySejahtera app everyone was forced to use during the pandemic was at first offered to the government for free as a "CSR" project.

However, the Public Accounts Committee found that along the way, the company that developed the app somehow managed to turn their ‘charity’ work into an RM196 million government contract.

Even more surprisingly, the PAC report indicates that no one in the government knows exactly how the transition happened.

HIGHLIGHTS

Govt 'stuck' due to 'CSR' over MySejahtera, PAC told
MySejahtera to be used as digital platform for public health - Khairy
Rafizi dredges claims of RM854m defence contract via direct tender



Views that matter

Ketuanan state is persecuting Tommy Thomas
By S Thayaparan
Najib makes a mockery of our prison system
By R Nadeswaran
Marching on in the next decade
Lutfi Hakim Ariff



Other news that matter

  • The anti-hopping law takes effect today. Two MPs who jumped to PBM on Saturday will likely be spared from the consequences if the law is not backdated.

  • The Dewan Rakyat has passed amendments that criminalise stalking and allows victims to get restraining orders.

  • The price of cooking palm oil will be lower, starting Saturday, with 5kg bottles costing RM2 less.

  • Political greenhorn Maszlee Malik reflects on becoming the top-voted PKR central committee member - just six months after joining the party - in an interview with Malaysiakini.



HIGHLIGHTS

Kedah bans concerts that can lead to ‘immoral behaviour’ effective immediately
Another ex-Malacca CM aims to wrest Hang Tuah Jaya from PKR
'Nak gantung, bagi mati' - Tajuddin not hung up on Umno suspension