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

Key Highlights

  • Wallet-friendly Budget 2025?

  • Bersatu veep race

  • Utar tax drama

Wallet-friendly Budget 2025?

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has laid expectations that Budget 2025 will be good for the pockets of everyday Malaysians.

The budget, he said, would address both inflation and wage stagnation.

The wages part will likely expand on the progressive wage programme which is currently in the pilot phase.

Budget 2025 will be tabled on Oct 18, and Malaysiakini will be reporting live.

HIGHLIGHTS

Return your loot to the country, PM tells former leaders
PM chides 'elite groups' for undermining national language
Anwar: Middle East like 'morgue', no immediate political solution in sight

Bersatu veep race

The Bersatu vice-presidential race will be the one to watch when the party holds internal elections next month.

Muhyiddin Yassin has been retained as party president, while Hamzah Zainudin is the new deputy president - a post he won uncontested after nominations closed.

The vice-president race, meanwhile, will have six contenders - namely Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Ronald Kiandee, Mohd Radzi Jidin, Razali Idris, Mohd Rafiq Abdullah, and A'ziss Zainal Abidin.

Meanwhile, Rina Harun pulled out of the women’s chief race, meaning Mas Ermieyati Samsudin won uncontested.

HIGHLIGHTS

Factionalism is like 'cancer' to Bersatu's unity, says Azmin ally
PAS won't force non-Muslims to change lifestyle if PN rules S'gor, says leader
Being uncouth is not PAS' culture: Fadhli on Akmal-Teresa spat

Utar tax drama

The Inland Revenue Board is seeking RM83 million in unpaid taxes from MCA-linked Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

Initial reports alleged that tax action was taken against the Utar Education Foundation (Utaref) - and that its tax-exempt status was revoked.

However, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying denied this was the case.

Instead, she indicated that the issue is over Utar - which is not tax-exempt - claiming income similar to Utaref.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong is appealing to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim - who is also the finance minister - to withdraw the IRB penalty.

HIGHLIGHTS

Teo new Johor DAP chief, Wong becomes her deputy
DAP not seeking unity govt in Johor, won't beg for posts - Loke
Take action against 'parasite' Nur Jazlan, PKR activist urges Umno

Views that matter

Keep NEP but change its focus
By P Gunasegaram
Auditors and the bottomless money pit called taxpayer
By Mariam Mokhtar
The ringgit has risen - so?
By Zan Azlee

Other news that matter

'Get facts right' - health minister denies slow action in doc's death probe
Selangor ruler meets TMJ: Advises royals to avoid social media disputes
'Victim of circumstance' seeks to restore Christian identity

More news that matter

Palestinian woman in Wisma Transit disturbance apologises
Cops nab 3 men over controversial running event in Johor
Johor fun run strictly for charity, clothing controversy an oversight: Organiser