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Anwar's 'fiery' start at MOF
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Key Highlights
Anwar's 'fiery' start at MOF
Zahid warms up to DAP
T'ganu out-of-wedlock pregnancy law
Anwar's 'fiery' start at MOF
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim got off to a fiery start on his first day back at helming the Finance Ministry after being sacked in 1998.
He claimed that there are files on RM600 billion allegedly abused by PN. The MACC is also investigating the matter.
He also pulled the plug on flood mitigation projects worth RM7 billion which had been approved under a PAS-led ministry through direct tender.
Coincidentally, a fire broke out at the Finance Ministry's refuse room hours after Anwar's press conference.
The day before, Anwar insinuated that PN's campaign funds were partly sourced from gambling companies.
He also announced a 20 percent paycut for cabinet members until the economy recovers, shook down tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary to share Bernas' wealth with poor farmers, and said the nation's 5G rollout project would be reviewed.
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Zahid warms up to DAP
Three weeks ago, the idea that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be defending DAP would have been unimaginable to most.
However, Zahid has now publicly accepted that DAP is not a threat to Malays or Islam and their position in the Federal Constitution.
On Sunday, Zahid chided Perikatan Nasional for being "power crazy" and said they should emulate DAP in putting the nation's interest above their own.
DAP, however, has not reciprocated Zahid's newfound affection for them as of yet.
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T'ganu out-of-wedlock pregnancy law
Terengganu's new syariah law amendments which would punish both women and men for out-of-wedlock pregnancies continue to court brickbats.
The Malaysian Paediatric Association warns it may cause more cases of baby dumping, while the Galen Centre lamented that it undermines the protections and rights of women and girls to healthcare.
The Malaysian Medical Association also said global data and research have shown that punitive measures and restrictive laws are ineffective in reducing such pregnancies.
The law is not yet in force, pending royal assent.
The cabinet plans to send de facto Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to meet Terengganu's Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin on the matter.
Besides criminalising pre-marital pregnancies, the new syariah amendments also punish women who act like men, black magic and "preparation" for sodomy.
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Views that matter
 | By RK Anand |
 | By Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi |
 | By Syerleena Abdul Rashid |
Other news that matter
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denied instructing police to go after his critics.
He said criticising the prime minister and government is allowed under democratic principles.
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli clarified that he did not threaten to go after MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki when campaigning in the 15th general election.
Former Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul is in the running to be the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
PN has also nominated a candidate for the post.
Parties in the government are expected to sign a coalition agreement next week to ensure stability.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail vowed to prioritise the issue of citizenship involving children born overseas to Malaysian mothers.
Malaysia will import chicken eggs as a short-term measure to resolve the supply shortage in the country, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.
International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz clarified that he missed Monday's cabinet meeting because he was in the United Arab Emirates, not Qatar as some claimed.
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