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Key Highlights

  • Bersatu gets short end of stick

  • Storm over PM proselytising

  • Royal call for end to politicking

Bersatu gets short end of stick

Bersatu appears to have gotten the short end of the stick when it came to state executive councillor appointments in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Despite winning more seats in each state this time, Bersatu was only given one exco post each in Terengganu and Kelantan.

Likewise in Kedah, the number of exco seats for Bersatu decreased from five to three.

The Kedah situation had allegedly caused dissatisfaction in the state Bersatu.

One possible reason for the party being allocated so few state cabinet spots is that in all three states, PAS won enough seats to form government on its own, with a two-thirds majority in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Meanwhile, PKR is facing internal backlash over exco appointments due to a lack of racial diversity.

HIGHLIGHTS

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Storm over PM proselytising

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim presiding over a conversion to Islam has stirred controversy.

Critics have questioned whether it is appropriate for the prime minister of a multiracial and multireligious country, to publicly preside over the conversion of an ethnic and religious minority to Islam.

One critic who asked such questions on social media, is currently being investigated by police.

Those who defended the premier, meanwhile, argue that he had only done so on an invitation, and that the conversion was not forced.

Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, however, conceded that conversions should be presided over only by religious authorities to avoid controversy.

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Khairy supports PM for presiding over religious conversion
I requested PM to assist with religious conversion - Klang Perkim chief
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Royal call for end to politicking

Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah instructed the state’s assemblypersons to focus on serving the people instead of politicking.

The ruler said the people were tired of politicking, and that he himself was tired of hearing about it.

His Majesty also urged all Selangor state assembly members to realise that the state has started to fall behind in economic performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

S'gor sultan ticks off 'popular' politicians who go overboard
Selangor used its own Merdeka logo last year
It was piece of paper, not wood - Sanusi defends 'playful swat'

Views that matter

Six quick steps to beat corruption
By P Gunasegaram
PAS solely defines Malaysia's Islamic narrative
By S Thayaparan
Selangor - opportunities and challenges
By Michelle Ng

Other news that matter

  • In an effort to conserve energy, the government will be raising temperatures at its offices to 24-25 °C, while allowing civil servants to wear batik instead of suits - in line with the Malaysian weather.

  • Sisters in Islam obtained leave from the Federal Court to proceed with an appeal against a Selangor fatwa that labelled the women empowerment group as deviant.

  • Dr Mahathir Mohamad said testimony by former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz in the 1MDB trial justified his move to sack Mohamed Apandi Ali as attorney-general.

  • Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it is inaccurate to say that Toko Buku Rakyat was raided, as the ministry’s enforcers only took two books from the independent bookshop.

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Najib - one year in prison
Home minister defends Swatch raids, citing public complaints
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