Good morning. Here's our news and views that matter for today.

Key Highlights

  • PM musical chairs redux

  • Akmal’s two-thirds dream

  • Police roadblock for Mkini

PM musical chair redux

For five days after the 2022 general election, which resulted in a political deadlock, Malaysians waited for the announcement of the next prime minister with bated breath.

On Nov 24, Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th prime minister, and the fourth since 2018, after cobbling together a coalition government.

Almost two years later, the issue has resurfaced and politicians from both sides are squabbling again.

On Wednesday, Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin submitted 115 statutory declarations (SDs) to the police, who are probing him for allegedly insulting the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah when he touched on the issue during a recent speech.

He also submitted a letter from the private secretary to the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong affirming that he had received the declarations on Nov 21, 2022.

The SDs were from lawmakers representing different parties expressing their support for Muhyiddin to become the prime minister.

Since then, various politicians including Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said, Bersatu information chief Razali Idrus and even Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have weighed in with explanations, challenges, and barbs.

HIGHLIGHTS

Zakir Naik extradition: Let the matter rest for awhile, Anwar says
Muhyiddin divorced but can't move on - Zahid’s matrimonial jab
Ex-Muhyiddin aide dismisses claim that SDs must be 'en bloc'

Akmal’s two-thirds dream

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has a dream. He wants Umno, which witnessed its worst-ever performance in the last general election, to become a political powerhouse again.

Cautioning against complacency, the firebrand politician said efforts must be made to return to the era when Umno and BN commanded a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Umno must become the dominant party, and the 26 (parliamentary seats it holds) must increase to two-thirds in the Dewan Rakyat. That is Umno’s level,” he told the wing’s annual general meeting.

Akmal is also confident that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be able to turn his dream into reality.

“Umno Youth is committed and confident that the president will raise the number of seats to a two-thirds majority.

“Umno is not just a component (of the government) and we will work hard to reach Umno’s level to become dominant. This is Umno Youth’s promise,” he said.

HIGHLIGHTS

Moving solo in GE16 an option if it benefits Umno - Akmal
Najib-Jho Low 'mirror image' theory is malefic: Lawyer
Analysts expect little political fallout from Muhyiddin's speech controversy

Police roadblock for Mkini

Malaysiakini was barred from covering a police event in Kuala Lumpur that was supposed to feature top cop Razarudin Husain.

The “PDRM Special Dialogue II” began with closed-door discussion sessions between the Bukit Aman Narcotics Department and stakeholders, including other law enforcement agencies under the Home Ministry and Finance Ministry.

The media was supposed to cover the launch by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail scheduled at 12.30pm.

At around 11am, a press officer for Bukit Aman informed Malaysiakini journalists that they were not allowed to enter.

This was despite Malaysiakini having received an invitation for the event via email from Bukit Aman, to which the portal replied within the same day with details of two reporters who were assigned to cover the event.

HIGHLIGHTS

Groups, MPs chide cops for barring Mkini from event
Group slams critics opposing decision to fly in injured Palestinians
Umno Youth not PN agent: Akmal

Views that matter

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By Doctors Without Borders

Other news that matter

  • The government has promised to hand over a classified report on Pastor Raymond Koh’s enforced disappearance to his family by Sept 13.

  • Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh said Rembia assemblyperson Muhammad Jailani Khamis has yet to show proof that he joined PAS since June 10 last year.

  • Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s office has denied Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s allegation that the former premier wanted to ban the party that he led for more than two decades.

HIGHLIGHTS

Son seeks court order to exhume dad, rebury as Hindu
PKR MP and LFL condemn use of Sedition Act against PN chief
Sexual assault on teen: Ex-political aide who is also PTA president charged