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


Key Highlights

• Mamee Monster and Zahid
  
  

• Johor ruler blocks 18-year-old candidates
  
  

• MRT2 and free rides

Mamee Monster and Zahid

"Monster" was among the codenames used to refer to Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by a firm channelling money to the former deputy prime minister.

A former administrative manager of Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB), who wrote the codename in a ledger, said it was inspired by the Mamee Monster snack he was eating when he did the document.

Zahid is accused of receiving SG$13.56 million in bribes from UKSB in exchange for a visa-related contract.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Witness: Bag with RM3m cash delivered to Zahid 'I left the money in Zahid's living room.'
	Zahid pleads not guilty to another amended charge This is over 15,000 Swiss francs from UKSB.
	Chicken prices may soar once floated Finance Ministry plans to provide assistance.

Johor ruler blocks 18-year-old candidates

Selangor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar blocked an enactment that would have lowered the minimum age for election candidates from 21 to 18.

This means Johor assemblypersons must still be at least 21 under state law but the minimum age for MPs is 18 under federal law.

Under federal law, most legislation can be passed automatically, even without royal assent. Johor does not have such a provision, therefore its ruler retains veto power.

Sultan Ibrahim, in his speech to the Johor State Legislative Assembly, also hit out at the federal government, accusing it of stifling Johor's development.

In a separate development, Sultan Ibrahim announced that he was going on leave and appointed his son Tunku Ismail as the regent.

HIGHLIGHTS

	Ain Husniza gets the last laugh She proves her critics wrong with her results.
	PKR polls: Anwar wants the forensic audit to be expedited This is so the party can prepare for GE15.
	Court grants leave for judicial review in Beng Hock’s death His parents are seeking completion of the death probe.

MRT2 and free rides

The first phase of the MRT2, also known as the Putrajaya Line, was finally launched yesterday.

It will run from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu while the rest of the line to Putrajaya will commence next year.

In conjunction with the launch, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all RapidKL services, including MRT, LRT, BRT, monorail and buses, will be free for 30 days.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has been convicted of corruption, was given a preview ride a day before it was launched.

Following criticisms, MRT Corp CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim said the invitation was extended after Najib expressed interest.



HIGHLIGHTS

	Dr M: A convict should not be invited to the palace He says it could be seen as royal support.
	LRT escalator fixed day after questions on 'clothing' contractor raised The escalator was allegedly faulty for five years.
	Najib’s account received nearly US$670m - bank officer The officer cites a 'Saudi prince'.

What are people saying?

	Najib's ride puts MRT Corp's integrity on the line By R Nadeswaran
	Adam Adli gets the problem, will he be part of the solution? By S Thayaparan
	AirAsia and Mavcom's misleading stand on refunds By Lee Tick Seng

What else is happening?

• Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Abdullah said the timber, minerals and archaeological artefacts in the area that will be flooded by the planned Nenggiri dam in Gua Musang will first be extracted.
  
  

• Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is confident that Bersatu won't topple him amid the party seeking out allies to take on BN in the next general election.
  
  

• The Malaysian Bar will march today to protest against alleged attempts to undermine the judiciary.
  
  

HIGHLIGHTS

	Expert: Satellite images show mining Environmental researcher disputes Perak govt.
	Chemical waste turns Selangor river pinkish-purple Fisherfolk are unable to sleep due to the smell.
	Pilot turned farmer finds 'corny' niche Ramana Naidu turned things around more than once.

.