Deputy works minister resigns and 9 news from yesterday

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

1. Deputy Works Minister Shahruddin Salleh (above) has resigned from his post, but he kept mum when asked whether he plans to remain as a government backbencher or to defect.

2. Bersatu has terminated the memberships of its supreme council member Akhramsyah Sanusi, Penang Bersatu chief Marzuki Yahya and Kedah Bersatu deputy chief Anuar Abdul Hamid. No reason was given for the terminations.

3. Bersatu held a supreme council meeting last night where some dissatisfied members staged a walkout while others questioned its legality. The Registrar of Societies said it has no objection.

4. Bersatu Youth exco Muzammil Ismail revealed that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had offered its splinter party Bersatu the opportunity to rejoin Umno, but Muhyiddin rejected the offer.

5. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has met with several Pakatan Harapan and Warisan leaders, but PKR was notably absent from the meeting.

6. The government has released guidelines for Form Five and Form Six students to return to school, while other students will continue home-based learning. Teachers are instructed to return to their posts in preparation for the reopening of schools.

7. AirAsia may lay off over 300 employees and is considering options for fundraising and joint ventures to stay afloat amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

8. A group of activists pleaded not guilty to charges under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 after protesting against Edgenta UEMS’ alleged union-busting. Edgenta’s parent company issued a point-by-point rebuttal on the allegations against it.

9. Malaysia recorded a spike of 277 Covid-19 cases - the highest single-day increase on record - nearly all of which were detected in detainees at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Depot.

10. Relief organisation Mercy Malaysia is offering free Covid-19 tests for undocumented migrants, but said it cannot guarantee safe passage, although it pleaded with the immigration officials to be “understanding”.