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

Key Highlights

  • Najib-shaped elephant in the room

  • Royal support against graft

  • Greenlight for Ed Sheeran

Najib-shaped elephant in the room

The Pardons Board still hasn't issued a statement on its decision regarding Najib Abdul Razak.

Singapore's Channel News Asia cited government sources as saying Najib's 12-year prison sentence for the SRC International case had been reduced by half.

The government has not denied it. However, cabinet ministers said it was not for them to confirm it either.

Instead, the government appears to expect Malaysians to pretend the CNA article does not exist and continue waiting for the Pardons Board to issue a statement.

De facto Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa - who is a board member - assured that a statement would be issued this week, but didn't specify whether it would be today (Friday) or tomorrow.

It is believed that the statement has not been released as of yet so as not to overshadow the transition from Pahang's Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah to Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

HIGHLIGHTS

Najib pardon or not will hurt Anwar, one way or another - analysts
PM 'hypocritical' on anti-corruption, says Pejuang amid Najib uncertainty
Group wants transparency from Pardons Board on Najib's bid

Royal support against graft

While Pakatan Harapan supporters question their choices going forward, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received royal backing from the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

After his first audience with Sultan Ibrahim as king, Anwar said the monarch had expressed support for the government’s efforts to eradicate corruption.

Sultan Ibrahim had said in an interview before assuming the federal throne that he wanted to 'hunt' down corrupt politicians, preferably with the MACC reporting to him.

HIGHLIGHTS

Govt car fleet probe: MACC freezes tycoon's bank accounts
Ex-MACC officer: Place agency under Parliament to avoid bias
Anwar govt 'indifferent' to handling economy, says Muhyiddin

Greenlight for Ed Sheeran

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil assured that the concert by British pop star Ed Sheeran will go on as scheduled.

Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor urged the government to cancel the concert, citing Sheeran's support for LGBTQ+ community.

However, Fahmi said the concert application had been thoroughly vetted, including by Jakim.

The concert is scheduled to be held on Feb 24 at the Bukit Jalil stadium.

HIGHLIGHTS

Police: Increased sexual offences in Kelantan in 2023
UM activist defends protesting gym 'segregation', speaking Mandarin
Minister: Govt will study freezing spa licence applications in KL

Views that matter

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By P Gunasegaram
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By R Nadeswaran

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