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

Key Highlights

  • Sabah aftershocks felt in Putrajaya

  • AG's push for Constitution in BM

  • End nears for Serba Dinamik




Sabah aftershocks felt in Putrajaya

The political tremors that rocked Sabah appear to be dying down with Chief Minister Hajiji Noor firmly in power.

Hajiji's key rivals, Warisan president Shafie Apdal and Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin have backed calls by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to also have a unity government.

However, sources told Malaysiakini that Hajiji is reluctant to reconcile with Bung Moktar.

A new state cabinet will be sworn in today and if the Sabah BN chief is left out, it may be another blow against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's gambit to retain the Umno presidency.

This may in turn hurt Anwar, as Zahid was instrumental in getting Umno and BN to join the unity government.

However, the prime minister may have a new ally should Zahid be ousted in the Umno election.

HIGHLIGHTS

Khairy: I will back Anwar if elected as Umno president
Tian Chua says sacking expected but queries harsh enforcement of rules
Appeal for reinstatement of suit over Anwar’s royal pardon dismissed




AG's push for Constitution in BM

Attorney-General Idrus Harun wants the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Federal Constitution to be the authoritative text in legal matters.

The constitutional provisions for this are already in place, but the move requires the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to assent to the switch.

However, there are concerns about how the Bahasa Malaysia wording is at odds with the English text at times, such as on the matter of unilateral conversion.

The English version of Article on converting minors to Islam uses the term “parent or guardian”, while the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the provision reads as “ibu atau bapa” (mother or father) - with the latter allowing for unilateral conversion.

HIGHLIGHTS

AG's 'BM constitution authoritative' push raises alarm, Indira Gandhi case cited
CJ speaks out against attempts to intimidate judiciary
'Not your job to police booze' - DAP rep's sober reminder to PAS MP




End nears for Serba Dinamik

The end for Serba Dinamik is nigh.

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has greenlit a petition by six financial institutions to wind up Serba Dinamik and its three related firms in an effort to recover RM5 billion in debts.

Since last year, Serba Dinamik came to the limelight over its financial troubles and several court cases, including a criminal one - for allegedly falsifying the oil and gas firm's financial statement - that was dropped by Attorney-General Idrus Harun.

The decision to drop the criminal case, in lieu of an RM3 million fine, is speculated to have prompted a series of resignations at the Securities Commission.

HIGHLIGHTS

Redzuan resigns as chairperson of Boustead Holdings
Why look at eggs in India? Come to Ayer Hitam, Wee tells Mat Sabu
High-profile figures show up for Anwar's last Jakarta appearance



Views that matter

Anwar plays an American right-wing politician on TV
By S Thayaparan
This government should walk the talk
By R Nadeswaran
M'sia can be paradise for all races if we reset moral compass
By Steve Oh



Other news that matter

  • The Health Ministry has partly blamed the December holiday season for delays in the country approving - and hence receiving - Pfizer's updated bivalent vaccines.

    Delivery is still on track for end of January.

  • The government has agreed to reintroduce the labour recalibration programme and create a more relaxed plan to employ foreign workers

  • Climate change and drought in early 2020 have impacted farmers in Perak's Kinta Valley to this day, as they squabble over water for their crops.



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