It’s a nationwide Covid affair
Though the number of new Covid-19 cases dropped back down to double digits yesterday, there were cases in nearly all the states and federal territories in the country.
Meanwhile, analysts say constant political uncertainty could stunt our economic growth for the next decade; our could-soon-be PM’s called for the government to implement a more targeted loan moratorium; and, some in the hallowed halls of Putrajaya think creating an “elite” kindergarten for people with more money than others is actually a good idea.
Hajiji putting out fires from the get-go
If Bersatu’s Hajiji Mohd Noor thought troubles were behind him after finally securing the Sabah top post, he was sorely mistaken. Still, a bust-up of sorts with his biggest rival Bung Moktar Radin was narrowly avoided with a swapping of ministerial portfolios.
In other news, our Covid-19 numbers continued to hit triple digits, majority of which were from Sabah as well as linked to those who’d travelled there; and, Pakatan Harapan may be backing perennial PM wannabe Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to overthrow the government, but DAP still wants proof to his claims of power.
It’s Hajiji for CM!
The stage is set for a new Sabah head honcho. But even as Bersatu’s Hajiji Mohd Noor gets ready to be sworn in as chief minister, there’s a feeling discontent within Umno or elsewhere could soon result in some fellas pushing back. Hard.
In other news, Malaysia’s active Covid-19 cases surge past the 1,000 mark for the first time since mid-June; there’s much ado about a lorong in Kuala Lumpur; and Najib Razak gets a suit against his former bank thrown out.
… and GRS takes Sabah!
With 38 seats in the bag, the Muhyiddin Yassin-endorsed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah looks to have effectively claimed the Land Below the Wind from Shafie Apdal and his allies.
But even as the official seat tally from Saturday’s nail-biting polls tells one story, there might still be a couple more twists and turns before things are finally settled. For one, we still don’t know who’s gonna be named big boss, a.k.a chief minister. Also, there’s talk about deals being struck the dark. And as if all that drama wasn’t enough, Sabah and the rest of the country’s Covid-19 numbers appear to be going up and up and up.
The ball is in the Agong’s court
Twenty-four hours or so after that Anwar Ibrahim announcement, the debate still continues as to whether he actually has majority support and, if so, whether the Agong will declare him our next prime minister or send us to the polls.
Meanwhile, regardless of what’s happening in Putrajaya, politicians are back to hitting the campaign trail for tomorrow’s Sabah elections. All this comes as our Covid-19 numbers are still climbing at an alarming rate, so much so that the frustrated Health DG has actually pleaded with the people to follow those damned SOPs.
Oh Anwar, what did you do?
In a move that echoes his failed 2008 bid, perennial PM wannabe Anwar Ibrahim has made a fresh grab for Putrajaya. He’s announced he has majority support of the Dewan Rakyat, causing our newsfeeds to be bombarded with related news and the stock market to tumble. Are Anwar’s claims true this time? Time will tell.
Keeping his cool, current (and possibly outgoing?) PM Muhyiddin Yassin has meanwhile announced more financial aid. And in other news, yet another Umno leader has been infected with Covid-19 while campaigning in Sabah while several candidates have been quarantined; and, our infection numbers have hit the triple-digit realm once again with the vast majority happening in, you guessed it, Sabah.
Too late to apologise
Warisan leader Shafie Apdal has apologised to Malaysians for his man’s foot-in-mouth moment in saying the whole bloody Lahad Datu intrusion had been orchestrated by the former BN government. But with early voting involving security forces having taken place yesterday, was it too little, too late?
In other news, a seventh cluster has been found in Sabah while Covid-19 patients in hospitals won’t be allowed to vote in the coming polls; and, US banks have flagged Malaysia for suspicious activity which may point to us being a money-laundering haven.
Oh no he didnt! Why an MP’s gaffe could cost Warisan the polls
A Warisan MP foolishly accuses Putrajaya of staging the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion and as expected, gets roundly whacked by the party’s rivals. The big question is whether the gaffe will prove costly to Warisan’s Sabah polls ambitions?
In other news, coronavirus cases keep going up in Sabah as an Umno supreme council member tests positive for Covid-19, a court is all set to hear a challenge to Anwar Ibrahim’s 2018 royal pardon, and the family of a dearly departed Malaysian military hero receives a message of condolence from Queen Elizabeth II.
Internet connectivity – we ain’t all got it
While our urban centres generally enjoy great internet connectivity, in rural Malaysia, it’s a luxury. Sometimes modems have to be hoisted up flagpoles, we kid you not.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, PM Muhyiddin Yassin says snap polls may be at hand, another senior politician thinks the Muda party won’t go anywhere, and sadly, after a fortnight without any Covid-19 fatalities, we get two in the span of three days.
Another day, another cluster
Our Covid-19 numbers continue to climb and yet another cluster’s been detected in Sabah. But with just a week left to the polls, those aren’t stopping politicians from hitting the campaign trail hard.
In other news, at least three of Rosmah Mansor’s alleged cybertroopers (the ones paid to write sweet nothings about our former “first lady”) have been named; Top Glove may be top dog in terms of profits but its share prices have taken a dive; and two Malaysians are facing extradition to the United States in connection with an international hacking scandal.