Muhyiddin the man for Perikatan
While Pakatan Harapan Plus remains a house divided (three ways, no less), Perikatan Nasional is showing the country that their yet-to-even-be-formalised coalition is as united as conjoined twins.
In other reports, a news portal has failed in its bid to have contempt proceedings against it thrown out; and, the number of active Covid-19 cases has dropped to just double digits for the first time in what seems like forever.
Dates set for schools to fully reopen
Schools in Malaysia will be fully reopened by July 22, the government announced yesterday. But anyone worried about how social distancing will be applied can rest assured as schools will be given the choice of three different models to follow, depending on availability of space to allow for SOPs to be followed.
Meanwhile, the country reached a new milestone in its Covid-19 management; and, Perikatan Nasional is strengthening power even as Pakatan Harapan seems to be imploding.
Surprise name in the hat for Speaker’s post
PM Muhyiddin Yassin is said to prefer an outsider to be the next Dewan Rakyat Speaker, with one surprising name in particular believed to be the top choice for the position.
In other news, we’re still no closer to finding out just which of three old men – a sexagenarian, a septuagenarian and a nonagenarian – will be Pakatan Harapan Plus’s choice as PM candidate; the nation’s unemployment rate has gone up like some people’s blood pressure; and, the snail’s pace of a certain former PM’s trial could see it drag on for another year.
A thousand-odd Covidiots fail to get retested
The Health Ministry’s pissed at a whole bunch of people under home quarantine who’ve yet to get retested. But even a blind man could’ve seen this problem coming from a mile away.
In other news, Shafie Apdal isn’t sure he wants to be PM; floods wreak havoc in Sabah; early voters head to the polls in Chini, and yet another person’s been arrested over the murder of a “Datuk Seri”.
Is Shafie Apdal an option for PM?
A third name’s been put forth as a potential Opposition PM candidate. But is Shafie Apdal truly a contender? Or is his entry into the race just another attempt by Dr Mahathir Mohamad to screw frenemy Anwar Ibrahim over?
In other news, two motions, one of which is aimed at testing PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s support in the Dewan Rakyat, get submitted to Parliament; the Education Ministry fixes new dates for the SPM and STPM exams, and a GE13 candidate is arrested over the kidnapping and murder of a “Datuk Seri” businessman.
Greater financial woes to come
We know the pandemic has ravaged our economy. But yesterday, we received further confirmation that things will continue to be bad for a while yet.
In other news, our Covid-19 numbers remain low with recoveries ever increasing, and, a certain political party is being rather pushy in calling for snap polls.
Will more debt also mean higher taxes?
The country could possibly hit its debt ceiling by the end of the year, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions, and it’s not good news for us. Just how will we be affected?
Meanwhile, schools reopened for upper secondary students yesterday, with the Health Ministry saying it will work with the Education Ministry to decide if students at other levels can return, and when; and, PKR prefers to have snap elections called rather than support a certain former PM’s motion of no confidence against the current PM.
The gloves come off in Pakatan
That almighty heavyweight punchup between a two-time ex-PM and an ex-PM-in-waiting has escalated. The latter has ‘offered’ a reduced position on the Cabinet to the former should Pakatan Harapan regain power. The response? Basically, to take a long walk off a short cliff.
Meanwhile, the same ex-PM may have finally bitten off more than he can chew, attacking another former PM as well as the current PM; the Education Ministry has extended the school academic calendar to Dec 17; and, our Covid-19 numbers are back in the single-digit realm.
Malaysia’s slow return to normalcy continues
July 1. That’s the day you’ll be allowed to take in a film and/or enjoy a cool dip in the pool. But what else can we expect from Malaysia’s soft reopening?
Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, more cases of Covid-19 infections are recorded in Pedas, PKR orders its reps to keep their views to themselves, and the thorny issue of a 27-year-old constitutional amendment is dredged up.
PKR stands its ground
According to PKR, it’s still committed to Pakatan Harapan. But is its decision to reject Mahathir Mohamad as the pact’s Prime Minister candidate just delaying the inevitable?
In other news, discounts on electricity bills are announced, Malaysia opens its borders a wee bit, and a three-way contest with only one possible victor looms in Chini.