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

Key Highlights

  • ‘Datuk Botak’ conspiracy

  • BN enlists former general

  • Dr M used DAP

‘Datuk Botak’ conspiracy

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal claimed that there are two individuals responsible for wooing its lawmakers to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

One of them, he claimed, was Anwar’s former aide Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

The other, was an individual dubbed ‘Datuk Botak’.

He based his claims on videos circulation on social media making the allegations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Farhash: I've quit politics, Wan Fayhsal's 'malicious slander' off the mark
Labuan MP: I did not abandon ship, it abandoned me
Loke: Muhyiddin cited Umno sacking when objecting anti-hopping clause

BN enlists former general

BN has enlisted former chief of defence forces Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor as its candidate for Kemaman.

Raja Mohamed Affandi had served in the armed forces for almost 40 years.

Kemaman had long been a BN stronghold until PAS captured it in 2018 - and later made huge gains in the seat in the 2022 general election.

HIGHLIGHTS

New seating place for three out of four Bersatu 'defectors'
Move ‘frogs’ outside Parliament - Umno Youth to speaker
Zuraida apologises to Saifuddin, settles defamation suit

Dr M used DAP

Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had merely used DAP to win votes when the two were partners.

He claimed that DAP had used him for the same purpose as well.

He used the argument ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ to justify this, citing their shared goal to oust Najib Abdul Razak in the 14th general election.

HIGHLIGHTS

DAP worked with Mahathir hoping he had changed - Loke
Anwar became worse than those he wanted to reform - Dr M
Dr M responds to KJ's 'why don't you like me' poser

Views that matter

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By S Thayaparan
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By Nurul Izzah Anwar & Yolanda Augustine

Other news that matter

  • A case in which an activist was charged with disobeying a police order to stop live recording a raid is back on trial after initially being discharged after prosecution witnesses all failed to turn up in court.

  • Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has indicated that the state might head to the polls earlier than the late 2025 deadline.

  • Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali wants secretaries-general and directors-general in the government to terminate non-performing contractors.

HIGHLIGHTS

DAP family conspiracy: Mastura submits 'reference material' to cops
Slim hope to bring back Sirul from Australia
After Sirul's freedom, Azilah continues to wait for pardon in prison