Good morning. Hope you had a nice long weekend.

Here's what you should know today.

Key Highlights

  • Anwar and Indians

  • US Embassy 'blockade’

  • East coast floods worsen

Anwar and Indians

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has again found himself in hot water with the Indian community.

Last Thursday, Anwar had, at a programme with varsity students, used the K-word while speaking about Hang Tuah's oratory skills, a clip of which caused an uproar on social media.

He later apologised, explaining that he had used the word in the historical context of Kalinga, but realised that the word is a sensitive one these days and does not use it.

Meanwhile, Indian politicians are taking issue with Anwar transferring the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) out from the Prime Minister's Department and back to the National Unity Ministry.

HIGHLIGHTS

MIC accepts PM's apology, but says let this be a lesson
Saravanan, Sarawasthy at each other's throats over temple demolition
Screen 'Pendatang' in schools to dismantle prejudice - Finas boss

US Embassy 'blockade'

Over 100 demonstrators marched on the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur last night, in protest of the US' penchant for vetoing UN resolutions that censure Israel or call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The protestors were a coalition of CSOs, activists, and politicians from both sides of the divide.

The group had originally planned to camp right outside the embassy until New Year’s Eve.

However, they were forced to relocate some 200m away after police barred them from camping outside the embassy.

HIGHLIGHTS

Attempts to report agent lands migrant workers in immigration custody
Migrant workers’ arrest: HR minister to summon agent involved
Rafizi: 'Anti-Ali Baba' law can deter rent-seeking business owners

East coast floods worsen

The flood situation in Kelantan and Terengganu is worsening.

As of midnight (Wednesday), there were over 17,000 flood victims in Kelantan, while over 10,000 others were displaced in Terengganu.

There have been at least three deaths caused directly by floods thus far, all in Kelantan.

Another four deaths due to drowning, reportedly unrelated to the floods, and sudden death were also reported in Kelantan.

Flooding is also reported in Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Sabah albeit on a far smaller scale.

HIGHLIGHTS

As T'ganu floods worsen, exco member yearns to play in water
PAS wishes Merry Christmas to Christian Malaysians
PM: Christmas Day can be catalyst for love, compassion among all

Views that matter

Malays and the 'C' word
By Mariam Mokhtar
'K-word' episode a learning opportunity
By Ong Kian Ming
Merry Christmas to all Malaysians
By S Thayaparan

Other news that matter

  • Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing reprimanded his colleague, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, for causing public alarm over the Covid-19 situation in the country.

    This is after the Health Ministry confirmed that Covid-19 cases in the country were on the rise.

    Dzulkefly, however, later said that the number of cases is expected to drop in January.

  • Mohamad Sabu was retained as Amanah president, with Mujahid Yusof as his new deputy.

  • Police arrested three of its personnel over an alleged theft of RM85,000 from a business in Kuala Lumpur last week during a massive operation to detain undocumented migrants.

HIGHLIGHTS

PM's aide moots executive powers for DBKL advisers as alternative to polls
Mat Sabu: There must be win-win for all races in local govt polls
KINIGUIDE | Local governments and elections