Good morning.
Hope you had a wonderful break last week.
Here's what you should know today.
Key Highlights
Shortlived Akmal-DAP truce
Another item causes upset
Bracing for impact from Middle East tensions
Shortlived Akmal-DAP truce
It's no secret that Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh isn't fond of DAP.
Tensions between them were exacerbated by the KK Mart socks controversy.
However, last Tuesday the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summoned representatives from Umno - including Akmal - and DAP, telling them to focus on unity instead of division.
While Akmal glossed over DAP's presence in a post about the meeting, he pledged to heed the King's decree to safeguard harmony so that past polemics can be put to a rest.
And so there was peace, for about two days.
Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had lamented how boycotts hurt the economy, after reading an article about local workers impacted by boycotts.
Akmal, however, shot back that the economy was weak because of "stupid" ministers like Nga.
Nga did not hit back, only saying that he would focus on facts - like the fact that the king lauded his ministry’s performance.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
Another item causes upset
Another item has sparked a religious outcry after a shopper found what was believed to be floor mats bearing the image of the Kaaba for people to wipe their feet on.
The complaint led to the Johor Islamic Religious Department seizing the mats.
Aeon Big later clarified that the mats were mini sejadahs (prayer mats) produced by a company specialising in Muslim clothes and household items.
The supermarket, however, admitted to mislabeling the mats in its internal system.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
Bracing for impact from Middle East tensions
The government is taking steps to ensure that the economy can withstand shocks due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also expressed concern on the possible economic fallout on Malaysians.
The rising tensions followed an airborne attack on Israel by Iran.
This was in retaliation for an attack on Iran's consulate in Syria.
While the attack has done little damage with no reported casualties, Iran has warned it would hit harder if Israel were to retaliate.
The attack led to temporary airspace closures in Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan which had a major impact on flights.
While Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan are not major trading partners with Malaysia, any prolonged disruptions to international flights from a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East could have a major impact on the economy.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 | |
|
Views that matter
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman |
 | By R Nadeswaran |
 | By Andrew Sia |
Other news that matter
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
