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

Key Highlights

  • Palestine Solidarity Week begins

  • Johor sultan the next Agong

  • Govt moves to save Kelantan's forests

Palestine Solidarity Week begins

Palestine Solidarity Week in schools kicks off today.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assured that schools will not be forced to participate, but that it was encouraged.

However, there are concerns about the show of solidarity ending up promoting extremism, after images of schoolchildren carrying toy guns went viral.

The Education Ministry said it would investigate the incident, while DAP called for strict action against any displays that encourage violence.

Twelve PKR MPs also called for the government to review the programme, citing concerns that it would promote hate.

PAS, however, told the PKR 12 to be careful with their words.

HIGHLIGHTS

Toy guns in school: PM urges 'control' on Palestine solidarity week
Tian Chua: Palestine Solidarity Week discourse reflects communal divisions
Boycott Apec? Too early for govt to decide - Anwar

Johor sultan the next Agong

Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has been elected as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers.

He will be succeeding Pahang's Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah - whose reign as ling ends on Jan 30 next year.

Perak's Sultan Nazri Shah has been re-elected as the deputy king.

HIGHLIGHTS

'Unexpected approval' for Hindu temple upsets Taman Medan folk
Najib's son: Unfair to blame Zahid for dad's continued incarceration
Malaysia shot itself in foot over Rome Statute, rue ex-DAP reps

Govt moves to save Kelantan's forests

The federal government has moved to stop the Kelantan state government from removing protections for a large portion of its forest reserve.

The state government - on Oct 21, 2020 - decided that permanent forest reserve areas that are not water sources or water catchment places will no longer be considered "environmentally sensitive areas" (ESA), thereby opening the areas up for exploitation.

Climate watchdog Rimbawatch estimated that if the plan is approved 88 percent of permanent forest reserve areas in Kelantan would no longer fall under the ESA classification.

The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry intends to cease the payment of Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) to Kelantan if the state continues with the plan.

The plan is currently undergoing the public feedback phase - which will end on Nov 11.

HIGHLIGHTS

Jeyakumar challenges Perak govt over farmers' eviction explanation
N Sembilan forest authority to address 'non-adherence' following complaints
NSK apologises for displaying frog meat in supermarket

Views that matter

How ‘saviour’ Anwar abandons farmers
By Mariam Mokhtar
Is food security a joke in Perak?
By Andrew Sia
Violence always begets violence, but why still so blind?
By Zan Azlee

Other news that matter

  • Perlis PAS - which governs the state - is reportedly in the midst of infighting, according to Bersatu, who wants the PAS' top leadership to intervene.

  • Selangor Harapan and BN will file an election petition to annul the results of the Gombak Setia seat - which it lost to PN by just 58 votes.

    Planned petitions for Dengkil, Sungai Kandis, and Taman Medan have been abandoned.

  • The police force is expected to fully utilise body cameras, beginning in 2025.

HIGHLIGHTS

Langkawi MP defends 'wearing nothing' invite, claims 'provocation'
Sabah DAP reps apologise to party over 'Datuk' titles
Bersatu issues show cause letter to Kuala Kangsar MP for supporting PM