Four areas in Kedah on ‘lockdown’
Twenty cases of Covid-19 infection have been linked to a home quarantine breaker in Kubang Pasu. And now, targeted movement curbs are being enforced in four Kedah localities.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, Sabah Umno and its allies quarrel over seat allocations for the upcoming state polls, Umno refuses to be a part of formalised Perikatan Nasional, and Lim Guan Eng asks more legit questions about that Goldman deal.
No money, mo’ problems
It was a tough choice for our top story today, but in the end we decided to go with the thing that makes the world go round. Yup folks, it’s got to do with money, moolah, cash, the dough.
Coming in a close second was the fact that while a certain East Malaysian state is mandated to hold its state elections by next year, the other may just have to go through it all again, sooner than expected. In other news, we take a look at the latest regarding the SRC International case against Najib Razak and some Covid-19 updates.
It’s a public holiday tomorrow, and there won’t be a BTL newsletter (don’t miss us too much, now!). To our Muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha, maaf zahir dan batin. Enjoy yourselves, but stay safe always.
Guilty as charged!
Yesterday was a historic day as, for the first time in our relatively short history as a nation, a former prime minister was convicted of criminal offences. As such, almost the entirety of today’s newsletter is devoted to one Najib Razak, his SRC International trial and reactions to it.
By the way, if you want some comprehensive (if we do say so ourselves) background and context to the trial – and in case you missed it – you can read our newsletter yesterday, here, before heading into what happened.
It’s D-day for Najib Razak
It’s decision day for Najib Razak in the first of many 1Malaysia Development Berhad-related cases, and guilty or innocent, the verdict today is guaranteed to have massive impact.
Also in the news, Anwar Ibrahim is confident of Pakatan Harapan winning the next election, the government’s approved interstate travel for Hari Raya Haji, and in the midst of a whole lotta fighting, two important laws get discussed in Parliament.
What’s the deal with the Goldman deal?
After almost two years of parleying, we’ve finally got a commitment from Goldman Sachs to shell out as much as US$3.9 billion over its role in the 1MDB fiasco. But as massive as that amount may seem, the big question is – are we getting shortchanged?
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, the cops get ready to move in on Covidiots, our Comms Minister issues another statement on filming licences, and Anwar Ibrahim still isn’t done talking about frenemy Mahathir Mohamad.
Saifuddin slammed!
Comms Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has become an instant sensation for saying that even social media users are subject to film licensing laws under the National Film Development Corporation.
In other news, face masks are, from next month, gonna be the next trendy fashion accessory; and, allegations of attempts to turn Sabah government reps from princes into frogs are gaining ground.
Tajuddin scolded over ‘Tanah Melayu’ claim
A statement from a Perikatan MP that Malaysia was “Tanah Melayu” has, predictably, rankled people from East Malaysia, with Sabah’s No. 2 man saying yesterday that the statement was dangerous and, also, just incorrect.
In other news, a DAP MP has proven government MPs wrong by providing proof that his illustrious father has once played an audio recording in the Dewan Rakyat; the war of insults between two former PMs continues; and, two new clusters have been identified as the number of active Covid-19 cases continue to climb.
‘Improving’ Sedition Act and SOSMA
Our beloved government wants to “improve” two controversial acts, but we don’t really know what these improvements could be or whether they are even improvements to begin with.
In other news, the PM must have been left red-faced after his office admitted supplying him with the wrong figures for a televised Covid-19 address; home quarantine will no more be allowed for those returning to Malaysia; our Covid-19 numbers keep climbing; a former PM makes a silly claim which is the complete opposite of what he usually says; and, apparently, having more baby hatches will lead to more baby dumping.
Is a second Covid-19 wave coming?
Malaysia’s Covid-19 numbers are getting worrying again, and PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s government is now mulling making it compulsory for masks to be worn in public.
In other news, recognition of the United Examination Certificate’s become an issue again, certain GLC heads claim they ain’t making as much dough as rumoured, and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Art Harun’s actions get scrutinised again.
Active Covid-19 cases breach 100 mark again
Even though Malaysia’s done really well in battling Covid-19, the past couple of days have seen the number of active cases here go up. Not just that, we’ve recorded a new death and more infection clusters.
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, trouble appears to be brewing between Azmin Ali and his new BFFs; the cops aren’t too sure where a certain editor is; another MP gets kicked out of Bersatu, and Parti Warisan Sabah considers letting Dr Mahathir Mohamad join as a member!