Dr M says Dewan Rakyat to break the impasse, and 9 news from yesterday

KINI ROUNDUP | Here are key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.

1. Interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decided that the proper venue to resolve the current political crisis is a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday next week, since no party has a clear majority in the House.

2. Mahathir also announced an RM20 billion stimulus package to kickstart the economy in face of the Covid-19 outbreak, particularly in the tourism sector. One new case of the disease has been found in the country.

3. Mahathir revealed that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is a possible candidate for the post of prime minister and that he will meet Bersatu MPs on the matter today. This could limit Pakatan Harapan’s options to respond.

4. Pakatan Harapan’s presidential council accuses Mahathir of pre-empting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by announcing the special Dewan Rakyat sitting, noting that the king is still to meet the Conference of Rulers today on the crisis. Some lawmakers also questioned Mahathir’s authority and motive for making the announcement.

5. Sources told Malaysiakini that the number of MPs supporting each candidate for the post of prime minister may differ from their party’s public pronouncements, as individual MPs may have confided differently to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

6. Electoral reforms, targeted fuel subsidies, and various laws are among the reforms put on hold while the ‘Sheraton Move’ and the ensuing political crisis drags on.

7. The Johor palace has declared a new coalition to be the ruling government in the state, but Bersih said the announcement is premature, while the Johor Harapan chapter made a show of force to prove it controls exactly half of the 56-member state assembly.

8. Amnesty International and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia have joined the chorus of opposition against Selangor’s plan to degazette the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve.

9. MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya would be summoned as a witness in a criminal trial against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak on Monday next week.

10. Lynas Corporation said it has been given a three-year extension of its licence to operate its rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Pahang, but it would need to satisfy four conditions.