Good morning and happy new year!

Here's what you should know for the first day of 2024.

Key Highlights

  • The 'Dubai Move'

  • Syariah committee hubbub

  • Floods receding

The 'Dubai Move'

The Community Communications Department (J-Kom) claimed there is a new plot to topple the government.

J-Kom deputy director-general Ismail Yusop claimed that the so-called 'Dubai Move' was hatched when PN leaders and government MPs met at the United Arab Emirates capital on holiday.

The plan is reportedly to get more government backbenchers to defect and oust Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

However, PN lawmakers have denied the existence of such a plot, calling it a diversion tactic by the government.

Works deputy minister Ahmad Maslan also doubted that BN lawmakers would defect, citing the hefty RM100 million fine for breach of contract.

Further, he alleged that even if BN and its 30 MPs moved en-bloc, Anwar Ibrahim would still have enough MPs to form government.

Anwar previously said that Sabah and Sarawak government MPs have also given assurance that they would not take part in any change of government.

HIGHLIGHTS

Bersatu lawyer: MPs withdrawing support a constitutional right, not treason
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Syariah committee hubbub

DAP's Beruas MP Ngeh Khoo Ham caused a stir when he called for non-Muslim experts to be included in a committee reviewing the syariah legal system.

As expected, this was met with a rebuke from Muslim politicians, but also from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke who said that Ngeh had 'misunderstood' the committee's source of power.

The National Islamic Affairs Council formed the committee, chaired by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The sultan had in turn said that non-Muslims should not interfere in Muslim affairs.

Ngeh has apologised and retracted his proposal.

The government has assured that the committee - which will look into the jurisdiction of the Syariah court as per the Federal Constitution - would not impact non-Muslims.

HIGHLIGHTS

Anwar backs royal reminder not to meddle in Islamic affairs
Despite apology, PAS wants probe on Ngeh over syariah committee proposal
PKR leader: Interfaith harmony committee needs to be more active

Floods receding

The latest wave of flooding in Peninsular Malaysia is receding as we enter the new year.

Terengganu closed its last evacuation centre yesterday.

Meanwhile, the number of people displaced in Kelantan was below 1,400 as of last night.

HIGHLIGHTS

No Dec 31 govt gala, solidarity with Palestine, flood victims
PAS appeals against RM656k award to Harakah printer
Mitra defends giving refurbished laptops to Tamil schools

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