Good morning. Here's what you should know today.

Key Highlights

  • 40 Hadith row

  • Johor by-elections

  • BN under pressure

40 Hadith row

The government is facing yet another round of backlash from non-Muslims.

This time, it’s over plans to introduce a new module to teach 40 hadith - or saying of the Prophet Muhammad - in schools.

Non-Muslim groups had expressed concern that their children will be made to learn this module.

However, the government has since clarified that it will only be taught to Muslims.

Further, the module will only be taught at Islamic secondary schools, for now.

HIGHLIGHTS

Let concerns on '40 Hadith' module be heard, MCA tells Umno Youth
Education Ministry ready to meet any party over hadith module issue
'DAP never told PAS to abandon Islam'

Johor by-elections

The by-elections for the Pulai parliament seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat in Johor are underway.

It is a three-corner fight in both seats, with independents squaring off against Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.

The elections will serve to gauge further whether PN is gaining more ground among Malay voters.

Both seats were previously held by the late Salahuddin Ayub, who passed away last month.

HIGHLIGHTS

PN candidate vows to break down DAP's 'wall of racial animosity'
One seat's enough: Harapan engineer to stop PAS 'flood' in Johor - Zahid
PAS members joined Amanah out of fear of losing election, Hadi claims

BN under pressure

Besides being a gauge of support for PN, the Johor by-elections will also test whether BN - Umno in particular - is still bleeding support.

BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the coalition is taking steps to ensure its members come out and vote for Harapan - their foe-turned-ally.

The coalition's support will especially be vital for Harapan to win in Simpang Jeram, which is within striking distance from PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin's home base in Pagoh.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ilham: BN supporters deserting, but Zahid's ouster won't help
Hamzah: BN can remain in denial over rising support for PN
Zahid vows to act against Rembia rep

Views that matter

Lip service paid to 'don't be afraid to criticise' credo
By R Nadeswaran
Is Saifuddin the ‘reformasi’ home minister we need?
By Martin Vengadesan
Penang DCM II post was created for Indians
By M Kula Segaran

Other news that matter

  • The Court of Appeal denied former premier Najib Abdul Razak's bid to stay his 1MDB trial pending his appeal to recuse judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah from presiding over the trial.

  • The Shah Alam High Court allowed tycoon Vincent Tan’s bid for an interim injunction against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

  • Muhyiddin Yassin's son-in-law and a lawyer have been placed on Interpol's red notice list.

  • A Bersatu leader wants the Selangor government and its ‘Program Insan’ insurance scheme to be investigated for violations under the Financial Services Act 2013.

  • Malaysiakini has an exchange of words with national Scrabble champion Vannitha Balasingam on her passion for the game, and her journey to be one of the best at it.

HIGHLIGHTS

Give Anwar more time to improve economy, says Johor sultan
'Love and lust'- Anwar's aide vs Hadi's aide
Mkini introduces Sokong app to help NGOs raise funds