Good morning.

To our Hindu readers, we hope you had a blessed Thaipusam on Sunday.

Here's what you should know today.

Key Highlights

  • Say no to nepotism, starting now

  • MPs hit by whopping budget cut

  • Emergencies and fashion police


Say no to nepotism, starting now

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli says the government should avoid appointing family members to positions, in the future.

He said in the case of Nurul Izzah Anwar, and Mohammed Iqbal Johari, their appointments have already been made - albeit without involving public funds.

He said the duo must now prove that they are bringing added value despite the brickbats.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Appointment would not be nepotism as my son is well-qualified'
Kelantan MB, deputy’s children’s hiring is ‘above board’ – agency
PM had check-up at IJN, given all clear

MPs hit by whopping budget cut

Government MPs have had their annual constituency allocation slashed from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.

The bulk of the cut came from MPs being cut off from development funds - which they were each entitled to claim up to RM2 million for previously.

Their budget for grants to their constituents has also been cut by RM500,000 to RM1 million.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the cuts were made to better manage the country's finances.

Meanwhile, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said if the opposition wants equal funding, then they have to work for it.

HIGHLIGHTS

Muhyiddin's ex-aide: MACC should probe Anwar's GE15 heli rides too
Ex-DAP MP: PN's shadow cabinet dominated by one race, lacks inclusivity
Speaker: MPs uttering racist, sexist remarks in House face RM1k fine

Emergencies and fashion police

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has classified an incident where a woman was barred from a police station for wearing shorts, as a "misunderstanding".

He said the fashion policing was in line with directives from the government on wearing "appropriate attire" when visiting public offices.

However, he said rules can be relaxed in "life and death" situations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Tell cops to accept reports regardless of attire, MCA urges Saifuddin
Ex-IGP: No laws prohibiting public from recording raids
Finally a citizen after 39 years, Hashimah is in awe

Views that matter

How to sanitise nepotism
By Mariam Mokhtar
No prizes for Ahmad discovering open tender benefits
By R Nadeswaran
House rules and dress codes
By Fa Abdul

Other news that matter

  • Kavadis returned to Batu Caves on Sunday after two years of muted Thaipusam celebrations due to Covid-19 restrictions.

  • A fatwa in Johor prohibiting Muslims from attending and participating in religious rituals of other faiths - and that festivities must be free of rituals - has become a source of confusion.

    Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said it was just a guideline and that Muslims can still attend festive celebrations.

    Meanwhile, the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) welcomed the fatwa.

  • Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari confirmed that the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) had performed land clearing reported inside the Selangor State Park without approval.

  • The Health Ministry denied going on a “witch hunt” for healthcare workers who participated in a survey conducted by the health news website Codeblue.

  • A standard five student with a fractured knee was allegedly forced to perform ketuk ketampi (squats) as punishment for missing school because of his injuries, which were worsened by the punishment.

  • A man suffering from autism spectrum disorder failed in his lawsuit against the school and government for not getting an education suited to his condition when he was younger.

  • Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be getting back his passport from the courts, but only temporarily in order to apply for a diplomatic passport.

  • Two Johor Umno leaders, Khaled Nordin and Hasni Mohammad, will be competing for the three Umno vice-president spots.

  • Local actor Aeril Zafrel has threatened to sue six individuals who claimed that he and his wife, Wawa Zainal, were paid by PN to promote the coalition in the lead-up to GE15.

  • A rival 'heir' of the Sulu sultanate is trying to delegitimise the group that is trying to sue Malaysia for billions via international courts.

  • The US no longer classifies Sime Darby Plantation products as being made with forced labour.

  • Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) condemned the raid at the migrant settlement in Nilai Spring, Negeri Sembilan, that occurred in the early hours of Feb 1 where 67 undocumented migrants were detained.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hikayat Khairy: 23 years in politics revisted
Khairy's sacking 'wrong signal' to send youths - Ismail Sabri
Zahidi says he's no threat to Harapan, unlike KJ