Good morning. Here's our news and views that matter for today.
Key Highlights
Anwar parries blows with royal shield
Feeding war machine, brokering peace
PM turns off police sirens for Zahid
Anwar parries blows with royal shield
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed allegations of hypocrisy and selective prosecution with regard to the Sedition Act being used against Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.
He argued that the Pahang palace filed the police report against his predecessor, whereas it was the Selangor palace’s complaint against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, which landed the latter in a similar legal predicament.
“You break the law, you crossed the line, so you have to deal with it,” he said.
Anwar had come under fire due to his vocal opposition to the Sedition Act in the past, which he and his coalition Pakatan Harapan had condemned as draconian and oppressive.
Among the critics was Bersatu assemblyperson Hilman Idham, who recalled the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh’s conviction under the Sedition Act for questioning the Perak sultan’s removal of Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar of Perak in 2009.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Feeding war machine, brokering peace
In an interview with Malaysiakini, US ambassador Edgard D Kagan stressed that while Washington is committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East, it would not renege on its commitment to Israel’s security.
He was quizzed on the “contradiction” of calling for a ceasefire and de-escalation but at the same time shipping weapons to support Israel.
Kagan also believes that its relationship and the strength of its commitment to Israel lends the US credibility to broker peace in the region.
“No one is turning to countries that have a terrible relationship with Israel with an expectation that they would somehow help to reach a ceasefire,” he said.
Kagan also argued that it is unfair for Israel’s critics to be silent on Hamas’ attack on Oct 7, which claimed more than 1,000 lives.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
PM turns off police sirens for Zahid
In order to “safeguard the feelings” of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob revealed how he had ordered the police to turn off their sirens and even opted not to use the party headquarters’ main entrance.
The former Umno vice-president shared these details during the Keluar Sekejap podcast.
“If I wanted to meet him (Zahid), as prime minister, I could ask him to come to my office but I didn’t.
“I went to the Yayasan Akal Budi (office) in Country Heights and, when entering, all the police lights would be turned off.
“The police would be far from the fence and only my car would enter because I wanted to ‘jaga hati presiden’ (take care of the president’s feelings),” he said.
Ismail also claimed that former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak did not ask for his help with regard to his court case apart from being assured a fair hearing.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Views that matter
 | By Phlip Rodrigues |
 | By Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj |
 | By Raziz Rashid |
Other news that matter
Former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mashitah Ibrahim has lodged a police report in response to allegations connecting her to a human trafficking ring in Myanmar.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall has cancelled its 2024 Merdeka Eve celebration which was scheduled to take place at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 30.
Maybank has denied allegations of “unfair practices” put forward by the National Union of Bank Employees.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |