Dear Diary,
Happy Wesak Day to those celebrating.
Hopefully, the day will shed some enlightenment on our politicians who are busy politicking and jostling for power – a disease that won’t go away.
According to a news report, Umno has apparently rejected a proposal the party officially enter the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition but will support those in power (for now).
Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, however, questioned how long Bersatu will be part of the alliance since that party’s youth wing issued a statement it wants to return to Pakatan Harapan only for several youth leaders to say they are against the move.
Kedah PAS chief Ahmad Yahaya says Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir of Bersatu, who favours a return to Pakatan Harapan, will soon be replaced.
Separately, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof has dismissed Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s notice for a motion to show Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the support of a majority of MPs. Mohamad Ariff said it was unconstitutional as it questioned the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in appointing the prime minister.
Oh, and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he has the mandate to be the opposition leader. Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said in a statement that Dr Mahathir and Shafie are aware of this.
Politics is indeed a dirty game and I desperately need a shower just by recording this.
Sigh, here’s how Day 51 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) unfolded.
2.03am: FAMILY FUN – Best investment this MCO. Got this at Toys R Us yesterday. Loads of fun but didn’t like losing … so I called it a day!
7.22am: DOWN MCO LANE – So much has happened since the Movement Control Order was imposed over 50 days ago on March 18. Twentytwo13 gives you some of the headlines to jog your memory.
9.31am: FOOTBALL RESUMES – Bundesliga plans May 15 restart after government gives the green light.
9.50am: BALTIC BUBBLE – Baltic countries Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each other’s citizens from May 15.
10.30am: 1MDB FUNDS RECOVERY – The United States’ Department of Justice says it has reached a settlement to recover more than US$49 million (RM211.9 million) involving 1MDB funds acquired by Khadem al-Qubaisi, the former managing director of Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Company. With this and prior related forfeiture cases, the United States will have recovered or assisted in the recovery of nearly US$1.1 billion (RM4.76 billion) in assets associated with 1MDB.
11am: FENCING – This sport should be given the green light to start.
12.54pm: WHAT IS A MORATORIUM? – Read this for an explanation.
1.20pm: LESS CRIME – Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Huzir Mohamed says crime index down almost 50 per cent during MCO.
2.25pm: IN AIRWOLF’S CLOTHING – My friend Peter Cheong has too much time on his hands.
3.45pm: COUNTRY ROADS, STAY AT HOME? – Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong says it is too early to judge if interstate travel would be allowed for Hari Raya.
This comes less than two hours after Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reiterating Malaysians are not allowed to visit each other during Hari Raya, even within state borders.
A week ago, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also ruled out interstate travel for Hari Raya.
So, how now?
3.59pm: HOLYFIELD HEARS YOU – Boxer Evander Hollyfield, 57, to return to the ring for charity #Unite4OurFight campaign which aims to fill the void the pandemic has created on access to resources youth need for emotional development and education.
4.45pm: ZERO DEATHS – Fatalities remain at 107 as there are no new deaths today. There are 39 new cases which bring total to 6,467. Meanwhile, 74 patients are discharged, meaning 4,776 people have been cured.
5pm: BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD – Let’s forget about politicians as brighter days are ahead, so says Van Morrison.
