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Key Highlights

  • Anwar enters Sanusi’s den

  • Penang DAP rattled

  • President snubbed, deputy upset

Anwar enters Sanusi’s den

Caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is now the most popular politician in the Perikatan Nasional stable, outshining the coalition’s chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Charged with making seditious remarks against the Selangor ruler and accused of collaborating with Chinese nationals wanted in connection with the theft of rare earth elements in his state, the PAS leader continues to hog the headlines.

Claiming that his opponents are attempting to “kill” his political career, Sanusi has reminded them that he has “nine lives”.

So it comes as no surprise that Sanusi’s Jeneri seat will be Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s first stop on his campaign trail in Kedah, which is regarded as a swing state.

Anwar will also be focusing on Felda voters. He is scheduled to attend a carnival at Felda Teloi Timur in the evening.

In last November’s general election, 58 percent of Felda Teloi Timur voters cast their ballots for PN, which won 13 of the 14 federal seats in the state.

It remains to be seen if the “Green Wave” - which even drowned the state’s most famous son Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his son Mukhriz - will lift PN to victory on Aug 12.

HIGHLIGHTS

Selangor Umno chief jibes PAS giving up Malay seat to Gerakan
Take it to court if you have proof, Sanusi tells Saifuddin
Fact-check: '98 photo of black-eyed Anwar with hand raised is real

Penang DAP rattled

The prospect of losing 20 percent of Chinese votes has rattled Penang DAP, which has called on its leaders and candidates not to rest on their laurels.

Citing unspecified surveys, Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying claimed that a significant number of Chinese voters could back PN, not turn up on polling day, or cast spoilt votes.

The DAP-helmed Penang state government has been in the clutches of Pakatan Harapan since the coalition dethroned Gerakan in the 2008 general election.

Penang DAP is also facing an internal crisis and possible backlash after several incumbents were dropped from the list of candidates.

There are also claims that the faction aligned with DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng is attempting to seize the chief minister post from the incumbent, Chow Kon Yeow.

Chow, who is also the Penang DAP chief, said the survey findings serve as a wake-up call to “work hard for every vote”.

HIGHLIGHTS

Prove Anwar brought tycoon to Kedah, Sanusi dared
DAP ex-MP questions PAS sincerity on non-Muslim rights
Peja denies sexual harassment claim, cries slander

President snubbed, deputy upset

Gerakan president Dominic Lau has tried his best to downplay the discourteous treatment he received at the hands of a Penang PAS leader, claiming he left a Perikatan Nasional ceramah of his own volition and not booted out.

However, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong is upset and demands an explanation from PAS.

"The organiser was rude and disrespectful towards the leader of a component party in PN," he said.

On Tuesday, Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim barred Lau from joining PN leaders on stage, saying the latter was not invited. He also told the Gerakan president to "go away".

However, Lau later said he left on his own accord after failing to meet PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang due to time constraints.

Refusing to dwell on the matter, the Gerakan chief said the focus should be on the state election.

HIGHLIGHTS

'If I vote for you, can't I wear shorts?' - poser for PN candidate  
Shoving video: PN’s Lunas candidate to sue media, others for defamation
Sosma detainees, families end hunger strike - Ramkarpal

Views that matter

It would be easier if PAS/PN banned non-Muslims from voting
By S Thayaparan
Politics - addiction or responsibility?

By Rina Harun

Umno could help MIC, MCA recover if it does well in state polls
By V Thomas

Other news that matter

  • Graft watchdog Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) called for the immediate replacement of MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki after he dismissed allegations of election bribery against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

  • The Attorney-General’s Chambers contented that the civil court has no jurisdiction to hear a legal action over internal matters of political party, MyPPP.

  • The Election Commission has fixed Sept 9 as the polling day for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats.

HIGHLIGHTS

MIC pledges to campaign for Harapan
Mosque speech: Futile for Fahmi to cry slander, says preacher
DAP blamed for inaudible azan at Kajang prison, Syahredzan fumes