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PM irks major trade partner
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Key Highlights
PM irks major trade partner
DAP Malays take on Hadi
Umno to join manifesto race?
PM irks major trade partner
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has irked Taipei after he espoused views that Taiwan is part of “one China” during an interview with Al-Jazeera.
Further, when asked whether China has a right to use force to take back Taiwan, Anwar replied by saying he would use force if there was secession in Malaysia - which is being viewed as an indication of support.
Taipei responded angrily, accusing Anwar of jeopardising peace in the region and undermining the confidence of Taiwanese businesses investing in Malaysia.
Taiwan was Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner last year, after mainland China, Singapore, and the US; trading primarily in electrical and electronic goods.
Figures from Malaysia’s Statistics Department showed Malaysia imported RM145 billion worth of goods from Taiwan and exported RM88 billion to the island, amounting to 7.61 percent of Malaysia’s external trade.
Anwar defended his views as being Malaysia’s position since 1974.
However, he appeared to walk back the remarks on using force, saying peace was the best path forward.
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DAP Malays take on Hadi
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s latest broadside against DAP in his “Minda Presiden” (president’s mind) column accused the party of spreading “deviant teachings” (ajaran sesat) about secularism in Malaysia.
This prompted a counterattack from DAP vice-chairperson and Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Senator Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali.
In a joint statement, the quartet said Hadi does not produce scholarly articles, but instead conjures “weapons” that exploit Islam for his political interests.
They also demanded an explanation from Hadi as to why the same position was never an obstacle when PAS and DAP worked together under Pakatan Rakyat, including contesting several elections together.
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Umno to join manifesto race?
Umno may start pushing to have its GE15 manifesto promises fulfilled soon, after Pakatan Harapan started to get the ball rolling.
Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said the coalition government should focus on using its remaining time to fulfil its respective promises.
Both BN and Pakatan Harapan pledged in their GE15 manifestos to strengthen parliamentary oversight of key appointments, especially MACC chiefs.
Forgot what each coalition promised in the last election? Check out Malaysiakini’s guide.
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Views that matter
 | By Tian Chua |
 | By Zaharom Nain, et al |
 | By Associated Pan Malaysia Cement |
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