Good morning, here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

• National Operations Council
  
  

• Another SD campaign
  
  

• Cause of LRT collision
  
  
  

Erratum: Yesterday's newsletter erroneously stated that the Permatang Pasir assemblyperson pleaded guilty in a court case. It should read pleaded not guilty. We apologise for the error.

National Operations Council

Umno and DAP expressed bewilderment after Perikatan Nasional accused the opposition of trying to replace the current government with a National Operations Council (NOC).

The NOC was a 10-member council that governed the country after the 1969 riots.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later revealed that he made the NOC proposal after meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He also offered to serve on the council.

PKR operatives have been aware of the NOC proposal before it blew up. Mahathir confirmed he had spoken to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim but did not reveal if the NOC was discussed.

However, he retained his penchant for roasting Anwar, claiming the PKR president couldn’t offer any solutions to the current political impasse.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Muhyiddin's fate and a National Operations Council A NOC could threaten the PM's position.
	Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine: Old but still gold? A KiniGuide to Sinovac.
	'Help rakyat first before meting out punishment' Minister Mohd Redzuan continues criticism of the govt.

Another SD campaign

The NOC was not the only drama that cropped up amid the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s meetings with the country’s top political leaders this week.

PKR issued a vague statement last night claiming certain political leaders were approaching MPs for endorsement in the form of statutory declarations.

The target: Hishammuddin Hussein. The purported claim: Hishammuddin to take over as prime minister and Azmin Ali as deputy prime minister.

Hishammuddin later publicly dismissed the speculation as “rumours”.

He was previously speculated to be the ring leader for a second wave of defections from Umno to Bersatu, but it did not materialise. The first wave was led by Hamzah Zainudin.

Hishammuddin is opposed to the faction of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been cosying up to Anwar.

Zahid is expected to meet the Agong today. The ruler met with Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah on Wednesday and PAS, MCA, Pejuang and Warisan yesterday.

The ruler is setting the groundwork for when the emergency expires in August, after which the PN government’s stability will again come into question due to its fragile majority.

HIGHLIGHTS

	60k fewer tests last week despite Covid-19 outbreak There was a high positivity rate.
	SPM 2020 best national grade average in years Minister said results improved despite lockdown.
	K'tan moots allowing vaccinated persons into mosques Matter proposed to state religious council.

Cause of LRT collision

The Transport Ministry announced the outcome of the probe into May 24 LRT collision in Kuala Lumpur that left scores injured. It identified two causes:

1) The driver of Train 40 and the Operation Control Centre neglected critical procedures, resulting in the out-of-service train being piloted in the wrong direction towards the KLCC station, instead of the  Dang Wangi station.

2) The system that was supposed to hold Train 81 with 213 passengers while the situation with Train 40 was being dealt with prematurely allowed Train 81 to depart from KLCC station, resulting in the collision.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Ex-MOT officer: Make full LRT accident report public 'Transparency is needed.'
	New deputy IGP to be announced Minister says it'll be done in a day or two.
	EMCO in several localities in five states These will take effect from June 12 until June 25.

 

A daily glance at Covid-19

• 5,671 new cases yesterday (June 10).
  
  
• Active cases dipped under 80,000 for the first time since June 1.
  
  
• The infectivity rate sustained under 1.00, declining from 0.99 on June 6 to 0.91 on June 10. If the trend can be maintained, the pandemic situation should improve soon.
  
  
• For trends on daily cases, tests, hospital beds capacity, vaccination progress and more, follow our Covid-19 tracker.
  
  

What else is happening?

• The Department of Environment maintained that the water quality at Tasik Chini is "clean" amid concerns about mining activities in the area and pollution.
  
  
• Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong questioned why the government was commencing Covid-19 vaccination of the economic sector when only 38 percent of senior citizens have received their first shot.
  
  
• The Federal Court "strongly advised" the attorney-general to exercise its prosecution powers carefully following the case of former Asian International Arbitration Centre director N Sundra Rajoo, who was charged with a criminal act despite his immunity.
  
  
• Police are probing a reality TV show after its celebrity judges failed to wear face masks. Among them was the son of Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
  
  
• Philip Among, a politician with Star, which is part of the Sabah ruling coalition, claimed trial to five charges of molestation.
  
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Festival clusters worrying, warns Health DG They contributed to 20 deaths.
	Health DG: 23 more variants of concern cases They comprised 19 Beta variant four Delta variant.
	SME Association warns of job losses It says a blanket loan moratorium needed.

What are people saying?

	Revoke mining concession for Tasik Chini area By D Sevan
	Political realignment - the Big Sandiwara continues By S Thayaparan
	What is the role of NPRA in vaccine registration? By Dr Lee Boon Chye

CARTOON KINI