Umno-linked Malay daily Berita Harian has accused PAS of abandoning its founding principles by electing a new line-up that is seen to be more progressive.

The abandonment of leaders with a religious background, the daily said in its editorial, shows that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (an ulama himself) is too eager to please Pakatan Rakyat partners, even at the expense of party principles.

All the same, Berita Harian opined that this was possibly also due to the “confusing fatwa” on the issue of the sex video purportedly depicting PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim - which he has denied.

“(PAS members) see the ‘fatwa’ (by PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Nik Mat defending Anwar) to be illogical and emotional,” it said.

Other headlines for the day follow.

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times headlined that consumer associations want a full recall of Taiwan food products after carcinogens were detected in drinks imported from the republic.  

Star focused on news that the government is expected to undertake a large-scale legalisation and amnesty exercise next month for an estimated two million illegal immigrants.

Malay newspapers

Berita Harian shone its spotlight on news that Malacca has gazetted five no-smoking zones totalling 338 ha, with enforcement to begin from June 15.

Also on its front page is a report that Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh has left the country to seek treatment after sustaining injuries in an attack on his residence.

Utusan Malaysia led with PAS president reiterating that the sex video allegedly featuring Anwar cannot replace the requirement of at least four witnesses for a conviction to stand in the Syariah Court.

Sinar Harian front-paged that reports of game fixing in the Malaysia League has reignited debate over the ‘virus’ which plagued domestic football in the 1990s.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News led with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s walkabout in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, during which allocation worth RM1.41 million were given out.

Nanyang Siang Pau focused on the white spot infectious disease which has destroyed areas under dragon fruit farming over the last five years in Malaysia.

China Press front-paged the alleged rape of eight-year-old in Sekincan, while she was attending a wedding dinner yesterday.

Sin Chew Daily led with the National Consumer Complaints Centre’s advice that consumers should read the fine print before signing up for beauty-treatement packages.
 
Editorial

New Straits Times called for early detection and response systems and improved coordination between agencies to limit the dangers of imported food, as per the case with carcinogenic Taiwanese food.  

Berita Harian said the victory of those dubbed the ‘Ergogans’ in the PAS polls will only benefit PAS and PKR, as it means that the ulama, who have been central to the party’s leadership have been ousted.

Utusan Malaysia said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s call to ignore those who play up religious and racial issues for political mileage should be heeded.

Sin Chew Daily commented that the PAS elections - in which the ulama faction faced a major defeat - shows that the party is dedicated to transformation.

China Press urged government to ensure that congestion at the Johore Bharu-Singapore immigration checkpoint never again gets as bad as it did on Saturday, when people had to wait up to six hours for clearance.

Nanyang Siang Pau urged PAS to take the middle path now that its elections are over.