Christmas greetings brouhaha
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Key Highlights
Christmas greetings brouhaha
Anwar dismisses Malay PM amendment
Cop suspect in fatal hit and run
Christmas greetings brouhaha
The annual brouhaha over Muslims and Christmas greetings manifested with a twist this year.
Bakery chain Berry’s Cake House issued a notice that its workers were not allowed to write "Merry Christmas" on cakes, even by customer request.
It claimed this was to avoid losing its halal certification.
De facto Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) denied there was such a requirement for halal certificate holders.
However, Jakim said non-Muslim religious festive greetings were not allowed on food items that were to be put on display or for products that had a halal logo on them.
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Anwar dismisses Malay PM amendment
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has shot down a proposal by a PN lawmaker to amend the Federal Constitution to ensure that only Malays are prime ministers.
He said Malays have and will continue to hold the post, making such an amendment a non-issue.
Anwar also accused the opposition of using the non-Malay premier issue to pit the rakyat against each other.
Such attacks, however, are likely to continue especially after DAP revived a call for local council elections in Kuala Lumpur.
Critics have accused DAP in the past of trying to use local council elections to take control of the capital away from Malays.
Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said it would be tough for a non-Malay to become prime minister because the Malay population increase was higher than that of non-Malays.
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Cop suspect in fatal hit and run
A senior police officer will be charged for murder today (Monday) over a fatal hit-and-run in Ipoh last Friday.
In the incident, the cop - who is attached to the Kedah state headquarters - is accused of ramming into a teen motorcyclist.
The teen, 17-year-old Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Mohd Zamrie, died on the scene from his injuries.
The cop then reportedly fled from the scene before being arrested later.
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Views that matter
 | By Mariam Mokhtar |
 | By Andrew Sia |
 | By Francis Paul Siah |
Other news that matter
The government will subsidise economy class flight tickets exceeding RM599 - excluding tax and fees - for a one-way trip from the Peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan for three days before Christmas.
The subsidy will continue next year for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Gawai, and Christmas.
Hasbie Muda was re-elected as Amanah Youth Chief in the party's internal polls.
Former Abim president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz was elected Bersih's new chairperson.
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