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

Key Highlights

  • PAS woos Umno again

  • Gambling funds and polls campaigns

  • Inflation continues downtrend

PAS woos Umno again

PAS is once again wooing Umno, saying that they should work together again to unite the ummah.

However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said they won't work with pro-DAP leaders.

The move comes amid internal dissent within Umno that led to the party suffering heavy losses in the six state elections.

PAS and Umno previously formed Muafakat Nasional in 2019, and their combined strength dealt heavy blows to the then Pakatan Harapan government, which eventually led to the 2020 change in government.

However, the two parties drifted apart after PAS chose to join Perikatan Nasional with Bersatu - which Umno was a rival with.

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Gambling fund and polls campaigns

The MACC has allegedly found evidence suggesting that gambling funds were used to pay for political campaigns during the last two general elections and the recent six state polls.

Thus far the graft busters have arrested 14 people, including a "Tan Sri" and a "Datuk Seri".

Besides funding campaigns, the gambling companies were also allegedly coerced into paying for high-profile individuals to play golf.

RGB International Bhd, a company allegedly implicated in the probe, has denied giving out political kickbacks.

It is unclear if the probe is related to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's allegations last year that part of PN's GE15 campaign was funded by gambling proceeds.

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Inflation continues downtrend

Inflation continued to decline in July, hitting two percent compared to 2.4 percent in June.

Inflation on food and non-alcoholic beverages was also lower at 4.4 percent.

Comparatively, in July last year, inflation was at 4.4 percent while inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages was at 6.9 percent.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government is moving to limit Approved Permits and Import Permits in an effort to further drive down the cost of goods and increase the public's spending power.

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Other news that matter

  • Suhakam chairperson Rahmat Mohamad has voluntarily resigned from the post, effective August 31.

  • Attorney-General Idrus Harun has reportedly gone on leave pending his retirement on Sept 6.

  • Penang will give allocations to all assemblypersons, albeit at a lower rate for the opposition.

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