Good morning.
Wishing our Muslim readers a blessed Awal Muharram.
Here's what you should know today.
Key Highlights
Sanusi charged
More trouble for Sanusi
Rahmah aid for hardcore poor
Sanusi charged
Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was slapped with two charges of sedition yesterday.
The first charge was for claiming that only the Kedah sultanate had an uninterrupted lineage, and also that the Kedah ruler would not have chosen PKR’s Amirudin Shari as a menteri besar.
These were the remarks which were said to have insulted the Selangor ruler.
Meanwhile, Sanusi was also charged for allegedly questioning if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had indeed decreed for the formation of a unity government last November.
The use of the Sedition Act against the PN leader courted brickbats across the aisle.
There was also criticism - including from within Harapan - over the police’s move to arrest Sanusi at 3am prior to his court appearance.
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More trouble for Sanusi
Meanwhile, the caretaker Kedah menteri besar is also being investigated by the MACC over alleged wrongdoing in regard to rare earth mining in the state.
The investigation is reportedly focused on alleged abuse of power and misappropriation.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has also implied that the Kedah state government had engaged with improperly documented China nationals in the rare earth project.
Saifuddin had threatened to reveal the China nationals’ identities on Monday.
However, he appeared to have held off on this after news broke on Monday evening that Sanusi would be getting charged.
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Rahmah aid for hardcore poor
Starting Monday, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients who are hardcore poor are also eligible for additional aid.
This aid comes in the form of RM100 in basic necessities a month, for the next six months.
These necessities can be procured from some 600 grocers nationwide, and aid recipients need only show their MyKad to get the goods of their choosing.
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Views that matter
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Other news that matter
The Kuala Terengganu by-election will be held concurrently with the six state elections.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his claim that his cabinet was graft-free was based on authorities monitoring the current conduct of ministers.
The MACC said Bersatu activist Chegubard had not actually lodged a report against Anwar.
PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari has been endorsed by Anwar for a second term as Selangor menteri besar.
Muda unveiled six more candidates for the state elections, including one candidate each in Penang and Terengganu.
PN is fielding former domestic trade and consumer affairs secretary-general Jamil Salleh as its candidate for Dengkil.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke indicated that Putrajaya is on the cusp of green-lighting an LRT project that would connect Penang island to the mainland.
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman lodged a police report against an individual scamming others by pretending to be her representative.
She also lodged a report against an influencer who allegedly sexually harassed her.
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