Twentytwo13

Pakatan Harapan badly needs ‘political rejuvenation’ after Melaka drubbing

Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) heavy defeat in the Melaka elections on Saturday is not just about Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but the whole coalition.

Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said the same faces had been fronting PH for far too long, and that the leadership should listen to calls to field fresh new faces to play a more prominent role.

“Anwar isn’t the only politician in PH… let’s not forget, there’s Lim Kit Siang (DAP) and Mohamad Sabu (Parti Amanah Negara),” said Azeem, who is director of the Centre for Policy Research and International Studies in Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Barisan Nasional secured a landslide victory on Saturday, winning 21 out of 28 seats. PH garnered five seats, while Perikatan Nasional saw its ego badly bruised after winning only two seats.

“There needs to be some kind of political rejuvenation in PH. They need to be clear with that.”

Azeem acknowledged that the rejuvenation process meant injecting new blood, but was quick to add “who will that be?”

“Who is the most suitable candidate to be the face of the opposition? Right now, it seems there are no second echelon leaders who are being promoted.

“This has to be done in order for Malaysian politics to evolve … to be more vibrant and mature.”

Azeem highlighted the likes of DAP’s Anthony Loke, Ong Kian Ming, Gobind Singh Deo and PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar as among those “who may not be high in party rank, but are credible enough and could bring out changes in the political scene”.

“The old guards need to go. There’s a need for new ideas and fresh approaches,” he added.

Here are Twentytwo13’s news highlights today.

DON’T GET COMPLACENT, WARNS UMNO INFO CHIEF

Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said it was important for parties within the coalition to view Barisan Nasional’s convincing win in the Melaka state elections in the proper context.

The worst thing it could do was to buy into the suggestion that BN had managed to bounce back and could dominate in the upcoming general election.

“Right after the official announcement was made, there were many theories as to what this win means to the political scenario in Malaysia and to the voters, in general,” said Shahril.

“In this early stage, I would like to remind myself and my colleagues that we must be careful.”

This morning, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali started his official duties as Melaka’s newest chief minister.

The 55-year-old was greeted by state secretary Datuk Kamel Mohamad and other staff from the state administrative office.

PROBE INTO MITRA FUNDS ONGOING, SAYS MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still investigating those allegedly involved in embezzling funds from the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the anti-graft body was still investigating if those who had received the grants had actually used the money as intended.

The commission would also set up a joint task force with the National Unity and Integration Department to verify the authenticity of the remaining reports.

Led by the National Unity Ministry, Mitra was set up to look at the socio-economic development of the Indian community, specifically the B40 group, in Malaysia.

PM: ASEAN, CHINA MUST JOIN FORCES IN ADVOCATING MULTILATERALISM

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China should work together to boost multilateralism, especially in reforming the United Nations, to ensure the world body remains relevant.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said a world order based on multilateralism was vital.

“Such an order will enable sustainable and peaceful co-existence of civilisations that is rules-based, open, inclusive and transparent,” Ismail Sabri said in his intervention note at the Asean-China Special Summit.

The summit was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Asean-China dialogue relations. It was chaired by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and attended by China President Xi Jinping.

“China-United States bilateral relations are among the most consequential in the world. While differences remain, Malaysia welcomes recognition of the collective responsibilities that both nations have towards maintaining peace, development, and social progress,” Ismail Sabri added.

NUBE CALLS FOR GOVT TO REPLENISH EPF WITHDRAWN DURING PANDEMIC

The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) said the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) original goals have shifted due to the Covid-19 pandemic as RM101 billion in savings meant for retirement had been withdrawn.

The government had, via the introduction of i-Lestari, i-Sinar and i-Citra, allowed contributors to withdraw their savings.

“Since the government caused a huge decline in the B40 and M40 workers’ retirement savings, it is only proper that the government replenishes money withdrawn by these workers,” the union said in a statement.

“The government needs to find a mechanism to replenish the funds for the protection of contributors for when they retire.”

As a result of the withdrawals, some 6.1 million EPF contributors are left with savings of less than RM10,000.