Good morning. Here's what you should know today.
Key Highlights
IGP must act for peace’s sake
Oil price shoots up, austerity measures kick in
‘Corporate mafia’ probe order
IGP must act for peace’s sake
Lawmakers are pushing for the authorities to take action against an “activist” over the desecration of a Hindu symbol, with DAP politicians at the forefront in pressuring for action to prevent threats to social harmony and the nation’s stability, as racial tensions flare.
DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo urged the IGP to take immediate action against Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, accused of desecrating a Hindu symbol at the Langkawi Shree Muniswarar Alayam temple.
Tamim had claimed he believed the object he was filmed stepping on was merely “a rusty piece of metal in an unoccupied land clearing”, insisting it was “not a place of worship.”
Gobind, who is the digital minister, said the authorities needed to take swift action against those who disrespect the soolam as police did in a recent case involving the prosecution of an individual accused of stepping on the Quran.
DAP’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer also called on the home minister and the IGP to explain the apparent inaction on the soolam case, while Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, in stressing that action must be taken to prevent tensions from escalating into physical conflict, warned people to “think twice” before insulting any religion.
Meanwhile, former DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago has called on ministers, whose concerns over issues involving Hindu temples appear to have gone unheeded, to seriously consider quitting the cabinet.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Oil price shoots up, austerity measures kick in
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced austerity measures for the government amid skyrocketing oil prices due to the intensifying conflict in West Asia.
While assuring that Putrajaya will maintain the Budi95 fuel subsidy for Malaysians, Anwar said overseas trips for government officials, including ministers, will be limited, with only those already scheduled and compulsory allowed.
He also said all government agencies, GLCs, and GLICs will not organise Aidilfitri open house celebrations this year.
In light of the conflict and its consequences, economists have pointed to the importance of expediting the country’s timeline in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
While the experts say Malaysia can mitigate the risk of soaring oil prices, the Iran war highlights Malaysia’s vulnerability due to its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
‘Corporate mafia’ probe order
Following calls from politicians on both sides of the political divide for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on claims of a “corporate mafia”, the cabinet has ordered law enforcement agencies, including the police, Inland Revenue Board, the MACC and Securities Commission, to investigate the allegations.
The "corporate mafia" refers to allegations that the MACC had colluded with private individuals to shake down business rivals.
“Investigations are looking into whether there exist loopholes in the law that make it possible for corporate manipulation to occur,” government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said.
However, the move has courted criticism from PKR MPs Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang) and Wong Chen (Subang), as well as PAS lawmaker Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas), who pointed out that the MACC investigating itself was a clear conflict of interest, and Hassan particularly called it a “funny” legal procedure.
They opined that the multi-agency probe is insufficient and should instead be part of an investigation led by an RCI to ensure integrity.
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng also called the MACC's involvement in the probe “inappropriate” and is confident his party’s top leaders will continue to push for an RCI.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Views that matter
 | By Eric Paulsen |
 | By R Nadeswaran |
 | By Malaysiakini readers |
In case you missed it
 | |
 | |
 | |
 |
