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

Key Highlights

  • Praying the rape, incest away

  • Azam 'clears' Hajiji

  • By-election 'goodies'

Praying the rape, incest away

The number of rape and incest cases in Kelantan rose by 22.3 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year.

This includes a case where an 11-year-old boy had impregnated his 15-year-old cousin.

The Kelantan government has taken a defensive stance in response to the statistics, saying it had done many Islamic-based education programmes to deter such crimes.

However, Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud said such programmes are for naught if parents fail to monitor their kids.

Likewise, Kelantan deputy mufti Nik Abdul Kadir Nik Mohamad said parents who prioritise Islam will raise children who follow religious principles.

Some politicians are calling for sexual education to be introduced in schools in an effort to curb the problem.

The government does plan to introduce a reproductive health module in schools in 2027, aimed at deterring teenage pregnancies.

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Azam 'clears' Hajiji

MACC chief Azam Baki appears confident that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is not involved in the corruption scandal plaguing his state.

Hajiji has been questioned twice by graftbusters.

Hajiji's predecessor Shafie Apdal, however, says that the MACC must keep investigating and find the "head" to the "tail" of those involved.

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Read Constitution properly, Armizan tells critics over his business, govt jobs

By-election 'goodies'

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has been accused of abusing government resources for the Ayer Kuning by-election.

This is after he announced RM6.13 million for 33 projects in Tapah such as the upgrading of public toilets, food courts, roads, and public halls, as well as the installation of LED lights in several locations.

Ayer Kuning is part of the Tapah parliamentary constituency.

HIGHLIGHTS

Perak deputy speaker defends Nga over 'abuse of power' claims
Saravanan begs Hindus to ignore 'more Malay than Malays' preachers
Three-way fight in Ayer Kuning

Views that matter

Calling detractors 'bebal' unhelpful, alienates genuine critics
By Mariam Mokhtar
Azam's blotted past does not warrant an extension
By R Nadeswaran
Preventing RM113b abandoned housing projects
By P Gunasegaram

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