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

Key Highlights

  • GLC reboot in the works

  • Batang Kali SAR ends

  • PBM imploding again




GLC reboot in the works

The government is embarking on an excerise to streamline government agencies and GLCs - as well as who is in charge of them - in an effort to cut down on overlap.

While political appointees at GLCs have been sacked, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did not rule out that politicians will be put in leadership roles - based on their merit.

For now, at least one GLC appointment had been prematurely announced - Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob as Felcra chief - but put on hold pending the streamlining exercise - which will take a month or two.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ramesh Rao now Zahid's Indian affairs special officer
Ramasamy calls out Zahid over ‘NGO leader’ in charge of Indian affairs
24 years after sacking Anwar, Dr M still has no confidence in new PM




Batang Kali SAR ends

Rescuers found the last fatality of the Batang Kali landslide on Saturday - a 11-year-old boy found still in his sleeping bag.

The final death toll is 31 - making it the third deadliest disaster on record.

The worst disaster was the Highland Towers collapse in 1993 which killed 48, followed by the Pos Dipang mudslide in 1996 which killed at least 44 Orang Asli.

HIGHLIGHTS

Landslide SAR operation deeply affected rescue personnel
High tide destroys another 38 stilt houses in Sandakan, total now 108
Fire Dept airlifts 21 tonnes of food to stranded Gua Musang Orang Asli




PBM implodes again

The PBM power tussle is back on again after being put on pause for GE15.

Party president Larry Sng had given his would-be successor Zuraida Kamaruddin and her allies up until yesterday to respond to a show-cause letter.

Failure to respond is expected to result in expulsions.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Arrogant and immature', Zuraida claps back at PBM chief
As axing looms, Sng presents Zuraida rebels a second choice - quit politics
Decision soon on 'no-contest' proposal for top 2 Umno posts - Ahmad Maslan



Views that matter

Have the LCS, MACC chief's shares scandals been forgotten?
By R Nadeswaran
The secular boogeyman
By Syerleena Abdul Rashid
Saint Nick, give us better rural internet connectivity for Christmas
By Alena Nadia



Other news that matter

  • Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli called for a collective effort to battle inflation.

    However, he denied his advice was as simplistic as urging people to stop buying chicken.

  • Deputy law minister Ramkarpal Singh has convinced Home Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to engage stakeholders in an effort to address criticised provisions under Sosma.

  • A PAS Pahang state representative raised questions over the state religious authority's move to ban him from preaching at a mosque in Jengka, where he had actively given lectures for the past three years.

  • Academic Mohammad Agus Yusoff turned down an offer from the prime minister to work for the government, as he is content with his teaching job in Indonesia.

  • Former religious minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, as well as DAP and PKR, criticised a move by the Taliban to suspend access to universities for female students in Afghanistan.

  • Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali denied rumours that he would be stepping down soon.

  • Khairy Jamaluddin is now a Sungai Buloh Umno member, saying he did not want to leave things unresolved after his unsuccessful move to the seat in GE15.

  • An NGO has accused a Hindu temple in Petaling Jaya of discriminating against disabled peoples after a wheelchair user was denied access to the prayer area.

  • Malaysiakini speaks to two sign language interpreters who helped translate speeches for the hearing impaired by Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh during the GE15 campaign for our latest MalaysiansKini.



HIGHLIGHTS

Govt leaders call for unity, rejection of extremism in Christmas wishes
T'ganu MB apologises over absence during critical phases of floods
Kelantan MB's daughter cries slander over mum's alleged 'luxury bag'