Good morning. Here's our news and views that matter for today.
Key Highlights
No mucking around with pig farming stand
LCS missile plans go off course
Door opens for Johor non-elected reps
No mucking around with pig farming stand
Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has put a full stop to the pig farming issue after it resurfaced recently, reiterating his unwavering decree first made in February that there will be no such activity in the state.
In putting his foot down, Sultan Sharafuddin called on all parties to stop discussing the continuation of Selangor pig farming.
This comes after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in an audience with the sultan on May 6, conveyed the Madani government's stance that pig farming should be allowed under certain conditions, including that it only be implemented in new locations far from residential areas, or critical sources such as water supply and use the latest technology to manage waste and pollution.
The ruler cited environmental and financial concerns as reasons for his opposition to the activity.
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LCS missile plans go off course
Looks like the arrival of the littoral combat ships (LCS) is still far from the horizon after the long-delayed project hit another snag that could leave it without an anti-surface missile armament.
The Defence Ministry is facing choppy waters following reports that Norway had banned exports of the Naval Strike Missile to Malaysia, following a change of policy in Oslo, which will only deliver advanced weapons to Nato countries and close allies.
Each of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s five Maharaja Lela-class LCS is meant to be armed with eight such missiles.
Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said Putrajaya is determined to navigate the latest setback through diplomatic channels to safeguard the country’s interests.
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Door opens for Johor non-elected reps
Johor is one step closer to appointing five non-elected assemblypersons after the state assembly passed a constitutional amendment bill.
Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, when tabling the bill, said the proposed appointments were intended to broaden participation in the state assembly by bringing in individuals with expertise and experience to improve policymaking.
The BN-led state administration had earlier come under fire over the proposal, with opponents warning that it could weaken democratic representation in the state.
Tindak director Danesh Prakash Chacko said the move would artificially inflate the government’s majority and create a “self-serving” system, as appointments would be controlled by the ruling coalition and lack accountability to voters.
Civil society groups have also called for priority to be given to women appointments if female representation among elected representatives falls below 30 percent.
Onn has also said the state assembly will not be dissolved for now, amid speculation of an early state election.
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Views that matter
 | By Andrew Sia |
 | By Hanipa Maidin |
 | Yoursay |
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