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Key Highlights
Backpedal on fruit tax begins
MACC to charge Sabah reps, whistleblower
SIS beats deviant fatwa
Backpedal on fruit tax begins
Backlash against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's claim that the sales and service tax (SST) on imported fruits would only impact avocado-eaters and their like is having an impact.
Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi signalled that the SST expansion - due to be implemented in two weeks - may be revised.
Zahid indicated a reversal may apply to fruits like apples and oranges - staples for low-income households that would be subjected to a five percent tax under the current plan.
Anwar wants the government to only serve local fruits - which are tax-free but with inconsistent supply - for events and receptions.
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MACC to charge Sabah reps, whistleblower
Two Sabah assemblypersons are set to be charged for taking bribes linked to the mineral mining licence corruption case.
This comes almost eight months after damning videos of the scandal first emerged.
However, the bribe-giver-turned-whistleblower who exposed the graft is also on the hook and will be charged alongside the assemblypersons.
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SIS beats deviant fatwa, sort of
Sisters in Islam (SIS) have finally beaten a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) declaring them deviant.
The Federal Court ruled that Islamic authorities only have power over Muslim individuals, and not companies or organisations.
However, the court upheld that Jais did have the authority to declare individuals who embraced "liberalism" and religious pluralism as deviant.
The court also said that individuals running companies or organisations will have to bear the responsibility of any actions that violate fatwas.
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Views that matter
 | By R Paneir Selvam |
 | By R Nadeswaran |
 | By Mahathir Mohd Rais |
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