Good morning, here's a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.


Key Highlights

  • Keluarga Malaysia fiasco

  • Subdued Harapan?

  • Future of PKR defectors



Keluarga Malaysia fiasco

Putrajaya's eagerness for a display of support in conjunction with its 100-day report card turned into a fiasco as crowds thronged its four-day Keluarga Malaysia carnival in Kuala Lumpur amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Social distancing went out of the window on the first day of the event which was attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, prompting Health Ministery Khairy Jamaluddin to announce an RM1,000 fine.

Critics compared it to the tens of thousands of ringgit in fines issued against ordinary individuals in the past.

However, it should be noted that the five-digit fines in the past were made possible through ordinances that were repealed after the emergency was lifted in August. Without an emergency, the maximum fine is RM1,000.

One of the ways the government had tried to maximise turnout was by offering an 80 percent discount on traffic summonses during the four-day event.

Following the fiasco, Khairy ordered all summonses payment counters at the event to shut down, directing them to the offices of the Road Transport Department and police headquarters and extending the discount period until Dec 31.

Prior to the event, the government had sent tone-deaf text messages urging crowds to turn up for the event and only followed up with new text messages urging compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against Covid-19 after it became a controversy.

The government said more than 103,000 people turned up for the event, exceeding its target of 20,000.

At the event, the prime minister gave his government a score of 90 out of 100 for its 100-day report card.

The "achievements" was overshadowed by accusations that the government endangered public health for politics.

It also courted internal dissent, with Human Resources Minister M Saravanan questioning the double standards in disallowing Thaipusam procession next month due to Covid-19 but allowing large crowds to throng the Keluarga Malaysia event.

Following the criticism, the National Unity Ministry said it is looking at developing an SOP to allow Thaipusam processions.


HIGHLIGHTS

Mulia: Convict no longer involved in M'sia's third-tallest building
It says Djoko Tjandra's legal issues are personal.
Dr M uses chopstick example to lament assimilation
He says non-Malays still retain their cultural identity.
HSR revival proposal still in early discussions
Minister says issue of cost does not arise.




Subdued Harapan?

In preparation for a national expansion, the Sabah-based Warisan has been painting Pakatan Harapan as incapable of keeping the government accountable after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Putrajaya.

Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking highlighted a number of recent racially and religiously charged incidents, which he claimed the government was emboldened to play up due to Harapan being "subdued".

He also hinted at Warisan's national ambitions, stating that such issues can be resolved if the national leadership is led by Sabahans, citing the state's diversity and tolerance.

DAP's Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin defended the MOU, stating that it was necessary to prevent the collapse of the government amid the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the return of corrupt leaders from the "court cluster".

He stressed that Harapan has never compromised on issues of discrimination.

Warisan will unveil its national expansion on Dec 17 and is expected to rope in Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman's Muda.

It has already offered Muda the use of the Warisan banner to contest in the next general election.



HIGHLIGHTS

MIC wants to rope in opposition to help Indians
MIC president wants bipartisanship.
Annuar walks back deputy's claim of unilateral decision
His deputy claimed MOF made a unilateral decision on DNB.
Juwairiya apologises over PKR signboard in Bengali
Party members unhappy over the signboard.

 



Future of PKR defectors

Talks of disagreements within the group of PKR defectors in Bersatu have been heard in the political grapevine, although nobody has publicly confirmed the speculation.

But Bersatu supreme council member Zuraida Kamaruddin raised eyebrows yesterday when the ex-PKR leader said she was prepared to consider joining newly formed Parti Bangsa Malaysia if an offer was made.

Among the issues are the bleak political future of their non-Malay and Sarawakian allies who defected from PKR to Bersatu.

For the non-Malay MPs who defected from PKR to Bersatu, it is difficult for them to build their support base as non-Malay members have no voting rights in Bersatu.

Meanwhile, the Sarawakian leaders have no platform to stand on as Bersatu won't contest in Sarawak out of respect for GPS.

This caused Krian assemblyperson and Saratok MP Ali Biju, who defected from PKR to Bersatu, to go rogue and stand as an independent in the Sarawak polls before backtracking following intervention from the Bersatu leadership.

The issues prompted talks on whether the PKR defectors should resume with their original plan to set up a new party or remain in Bersatu.



HIGHLIGHTS

IGP unsure why Jho Low still not on Interpol list
Acry Sani says protocol caused delay.
Cops detain MACC officer to assist probe into gang robbery
MACC says it has given full cooperation.
Police detain six 13-year-olds over Perak MRSM bullying case
Suspects were seen punching and kicking in a viral video.



A daily glance at Covid-19

  • 3,490 new cases yesterday (Dec 12), the first time fresh infections dipped under 4,000 since May.

  • 17 new fatalities put the death toll at 30,879.


New cases by states

Selangor (954)
Kelantan (329)
Johor (322)
Pahang (301)
Penang (243)
Perak (241)
Sabah (197)
Kuala Lumpur (194)
Kedah (169)
Malacca (150)
Negeri Sembilan (149)
Terengganu (144)
Sarawak (54)
Labuan (21)
Putrajaya (15)
Perlis (7)


What else is happening?

  • Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak defended his golfing session in Singapore after critics lambasted him as his court permission to leave the country was to see his new grandchild.

  • Law experts say Najib is ineligible to contest in elections even after the Court of Appeal stayed his conviction in the SRC International case. His only hope is if the Federal Court acquits him before the next general election.

  • Check out Kini New Lab's latest project on custodial deaths, featuring a virtual graveyard of those who have died while in the custody of the authorities.


HIGHLIGHTS

Pua: Mahathir didn't trust team elected by the people
MP expresses disappointment.
Dr M: Pua proves claims true with three responses
He saysthe  DAP MP need not have wasted time otherwise.
PM: Allocation for MIC-founded university increased
This will enable more Indians to further their studies.

 


What are people saying?

The 'misfits, loony tunes and squalid criminals' in M'sia
By Sharifah Munirah Alatas
What Undi18 means for political parties
By Syahredzan Johan
The 'invisible' South Indians
By Ranjit Singh Malhi