Gobind: Why no charges on people menacing temples; Guan Eng prods Penang CM
Malaysiakini Team
Published: Mar 9, 2026 9:03 AM
Updated: Mar 10, 2026 12:18 PM
Houses of worship
DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo has urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to provide an “immediate and clear” explanation on the lack of prosecution against those who have threatened to unilaterally demolish places of worship.
Gobind, who is also the digital minister, claimed that despite the lodging of numerous police reports, there appears to be a “total lack of follow-up action” from authorities.
A Hindu temple demolished by activists in Rawang
“I have raised this matter in the cabinet on numerous occasions. However, the final authority to prosecute rests with the attorney-general.
“He must explain why there has been such a slow response thus far and what he intends to do to change the growing perception of inaction,” the Damansara MP said in a statement today.
READ MORE: COMMENT | Why is govt silent on threats against temples?
State policy
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng urged the Penang state government to abandon its quit rent calculation system, claiming that the blueprint developed over the past two years has failed and created unfair burdens for landowners.
In a statement on Facebook, the ex-Penang chief minister argued that the existing formula does not adequately consider factors such as income levels, land development status, or whether the land serves public or private purposes.
Lim cited several examples to illustrate the problem, including a 10-year-old low-cost flat where charges rose from RM3,676 to RM22,120, and school land where quit rent allegedly jumped from RM2 to RM8,074.
“He must explain why there has been such a slow response thus far and what he intends to do to change the growing perception of inaction,” the Damansara MP said in a statement today.
READ MORE: COMMENT | Why is govt silent on threats against temples?
State policy
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng urged the Penang state government to abandon its quit rent calculation system, claiming that the blueprint developed over the past two years has failed and created unfair burdens for landowners.
In a statement on Facebook, the ex-Penang chief minister argued that the existing formula does not adequately consider factors such as income levels, land development status, or whether the land serves public or private purposes.
Lim cited several examples to illustrate the problem, including a 10-year-old low-cost flat where charges rose from RM3,676 to RM22,120, and school land where quit rent allegedly jumped from RM2 to RM8,074.
Lim Guan Eng (left) and Chow Kon Yeow
He challenged Penang chief minister Chow Kow Yeow to disclose how much additional revenue the state expects to collect from the hikes, adding that a citizen-centric government should be standing by its people instead of “Little Napoleons” in the Land Office.
Politics
Former Bersatu member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has acknowledged Umno’s invitation, but made clear that ex-Bersatu members have their own plans moving forward.
He told Malaysiakini that the group takes into account the leadership of ex-Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, and that they have already declared their support for PAS as the party leading Perikatan Nasional.
Politics
Former Bersatu member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has acknowledged Umno’s invitation, but made clear that ex-Bersatu members have their own plans moving forward.
He told Malaysiakini that the group takes into account the leadership of ex-Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, and that they have already declared their support for PAS as the party leading Perikatan Nasional.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal
While grateful for Umno’s outreach, Wan Fayhsal stopped short of shutting the door entirely on potential cooperation, suggesting it was not out of the question.
However, he said any such discussions would need to take place at a higher level, between party leaderships, rather than being settled at this juncture.
Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii yesterday urged Hamzah and his supporters to rejoin Umno, rather than setting up a new political party.
Sports
Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari said the government accepts the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the seven “heritage” footballers for their “complicit responsibility” in falsifying documents to join the national team.
He said that the episode should be taken as a lesson, but emphasised that it should not derail ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysian football, the News Straits Times reported.
Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya CEO Robert Douglas Friend expressed disappointment over the ruling, as he claimed that there had been strong grounds for a different outcome to be presented.
While grateful for Umno’s outreach, Wan Fayhsal stopped short of shutting the door entirely on potential cooperation, suggesting it was not out of the question.
However, he said any such discussions would need to take place at a higher level, between party leaderships, rather than being settled at this juncture.
Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii yesterday urged Hamzah and his supporters to rejoin Umno, rather than setting up a new political party.
Sports
Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari said the government accepts the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the seven “heritage” footballers for their “complicit responsibility” in falsifying documents to join the national team.
He said that the episode should be taken as a lesson, but emphasised that it should not derail ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysian football, the News Straits Times reported.
Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya CEO Robert Douglas Friend expressed disappointment over the ruling, as he claimed that there had been strong grounds for a different outcome to be presented.
Robert Douglas Friend
He stressed that the players had acted with professionalism and integrity throughout the process, adding that the sanctions against the players remain excessive and disproportionate.
This is compared to previous cases, where full suspensions from football activities were not imposed despite their being of similar circumstances.
Politics
Mukhriz Mahathir has ruled out any idea of returning to Umno. In a press conference today, the former Kedah menteri besar said that he will remain in Pejuang, an Umno splinter.
He said that he would not be joining the party even if its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is no longer leading.
He stressed that the players had acted with professionalism and integrity throughout the process, adding that the sanctions against the players remain excessive and disproportionate.
This is compared to previous cases, where full suspensions from football activities were not imposed despite their being of similar circumstances.
Politics
Mukhriz Mahathir has ruled out any idea of returning to Umno. In a press conference today, the former Kedah menteri besar said that he will remain in Pejuang, an Umno splinter.
He said that he would not be joining the party even if its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is no longer leading.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
“I feel Umno has drifted too far. It is no longer the Umno we once knew. Many of us in Pejuang also came from Umno, then from Bersatu. So we have been filtered twice over.
“Those who remain in Pejuang are the hardcores - hardcore in their struggle. The original spirit of Umno lives on in Pejuang.”
Zahid recently invited previously sacked Umno members to return with no conditions imposed.
Censorship
Activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak’s Facebook account was suspended today. Upon checking, a notice from Facebook stated that the suspension was made in compliance with a legal request from the MCMC to restrict his content.
“Alhamdulillah, my main account has finally been blocked, time for a breather. Just the Ampang district police headquarters to deal with before Rayer now,” Tamim posted, ostensibly referring to DAP MP RSN Rayer, his critic.
Malaysiakini reached out to MCMC for comment but had not received a response by press time.
Last week, Tamim posted two updates on Facebook - one expressing his intent to join PKR and requesting a membership registration form, and another showing his completed online application, which is now pending approval. In a Facebook post yesterday, he said his publicly announced bid to join PKR was nothing more than a joke.
“Those who remain in Pejuang are the hardcores - hardcore in their struggle. The original spirit of Umno lives on in Pejuang.”
Zahid recently invited previously sacked Umno members to return with no conditions imposed.
Censorship
Activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak’s Facebook account was suspended today. Upon checking, a notice from Facebook stated that the suspension was made in compliance with a legal request from the MCMC to restrict his content.
“Alhamdulillah, my main account has finally been blocked, time for a breather. Just the Ampang district police headquarters to deal with before Rayer now,” Tamim posted, ostensibly referring to DAP MP RSN Rayer, his critic.
Malaysiakini reached out to MCMC for comment but had not received a response by press time.
Last week, Tamim posted two updates on Facebook - one expressing his intent to join PKR and requesting a membership registration form, and another showing his completed online application, which is now pending approval. In a Facebook post yesterday, he said his publicly announced bid to join PKR was nothing more than a joke.
Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak
Following Tamim’s lead, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth announced his intention to join DAP on March 6. However, he revealed earlier today that the announcement post has been taken down.
Student activism
The Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya student group has claimed that their university is planning to take action against them.
In a statement today, the group described the move as the latest attempt to intimidate the student movement, particularly in relation to students’ efforts to voice their views and organise.
According to a media invitation, Liga Mahasiswa UM alleged that the university intends to sue the group. However, the exact nature of the action could not be confirmed when contacted.
Malaysiakini understands that the matter may be linked to the group’s use of UM’s name, despite allegedly not being a registered society under the university.
Student activism
The Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya student group has claimed that their university is planning to take action against them.
In a statement today, the group described the move as the latest attempt to intimidate the student movement, particularly in relation to students’ efforts to voice their views and organise.
According to a media invitation, Liga Mahasiswa UM alleged that the university intends to sue the group. However, the exact nature of the action could not be confirmed when contacted.
Malaysiakini understands that the matter may be linked to the group’s use of UM’s name, despite allegedly not being a registered society under the university.
Malaysiakini has contacted both parties for comments but has not received confirmation from either by press time.
The student group said it will hold a press conference tomorrow to address the matter and provide further clarification.
Politics
A PKR elected representative has urged the party to reject a membership application from activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, who has been at the forefront of campaigning against unauthorised temples.
“There is no room for provocateurs in PKR. We do not allow narrow religious and racial sentiments,” Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat said in a statement.
“What we have is the spirit of togetherness among human beings based on values of humanity, fairness and diversity,” he added.
Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh confirmed that the party received a membership application from Tamim (above) on March 5 and said it will screen the application as per the usual process.
Tamim was arrested last month after damaging a temple in Rawang in response to Anwar’s call for local authorities to “clean up” places of worship that were erected in violation of the law.
Crime
Police have arrested a second individual to facilitate an investigation into an alleged attack against independent preacher Zamri Vinoth on Saturday.
Penang police chief Azizee Ismail told Malaysiakini that police had picked up the man last night and that they would be seeking to extend the remand today.
Yesterday, a video emerged where several individuals, including two on a motorbike, had approached a car later confirmed to be Zamri’s.
A screenshot from the viral video of the alleged attack
Zamri is then seen fleeing the scene, ramming into the motorcyclists in the process. He later shared photos claiming to be evidence that he was under attack.
READ MORE: Rayer: My police reports against Zamri not meant to incite attacks
Police arrested one suspect yesterday, but he was reportedly released after Zamri did not identify him as among his alleged assailants.
Reporting by Hariz Mohd
Governance
The government is bringing forward the second round of Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) payments this year, with distribution beginning tomorrow.
Speaking at a Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry assembly today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this is to help recipients with Aidilfitri later this month.
Zamri is then seen fleeing the scene, ramming into the motorcyclists in the process. He later shared photos claiming to be evidence that he was under attack.
READ MORE: Rayer: My police reports against Zamri not meant to incite attacks
Police arrested one suspect yesterday, but he was reportedly released after Zamri did not identify him as among his alleged assailants.
Reporting by Hariz Mohd
Governance
The government is bringing forward the second round of Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) payments this year, with distribution beginning tomorrow.
Speaking at a Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry assembly today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this is to help recipients with Aidilfitri later this month.
PM Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar also reminded civil servants that their RM500 special aid announced in Budget 2026 will be paid out on March 15.
On flight subsidies for students to fly between the peninsula and East Malaysia during festive seasons, Anwar reiterated that aid has been extended to the National Arts, Culture, and Heritage Academy, semi-government universities, state-run public varsities, the Manpower Department Training Institute, and the Plantations and Commodities Institute.
The Transport Ministry had announced the expansion in January.
Anwar has ordered the Public Service Department to look into promotion pathways for Grade 1 civil servants - the lowest-ranked in public service - which numbers 125,000 individuals.
The prime minister said it was crucial to ensure that those at the bottom have the means to work their way up and have career development, taking into consideration the duration of service as well as upskilling courses.
Court
The Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling which required the government to adjust the pensions of retired civil servants to match rates set in 2016, a move that would have cost Putrajaya RM1.7 billion in arrears to some 531,000 pensioners.
The bench unanimously found that the suit filed by 57 pensioners was a matter that the courts already decided on four years ago - in reference to a 2022 ruling that declared a 2 percent flat annual increment rate for pensions set in 2013 as unconstitutional, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Environment
Environmental group RimbaWatch has warned that oil and gas prospecting close to the Tun Sakaran Park in Semporna, Sabah risks significant ecological and socioeconomic impact.
The marine park is located within the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME), which is a globally recognised site of outstanding biodiversity, the group explained in a statement today.It further noted the presence of communities near the park, who mainly rely on marine resources for their livelihoods.
The group called on oil and gas operators - a consortium of which was awarded an exploration block near the park last year - to end activities near the SSME.
Anwar also reminded civil servants that their RM500 special aid announced in Budget 2026 will be paid out on March 15.
On flight subsidies for students to fly between the peninsula and East Malaysia during festive seasons, Anwar reiterated that aid has been extended to the National Arts, Culture, and Heritage Academy, semi-government universities, state-run public varsities, the Manpower Department Training Institute, and the Plantations and Commodities Institute.
The Transport Ministry had announced the expansion in January.
Anwar has ordered the Public Service Department to look into promotion pathways for Grade 1 civil servants - the lowest-ranked in public service - which numbers 125,000 individuals.
The prime minister said it was crucial to ensure that those at the bottom have the means to work their way up and have career development, taking into consideration the duration of service as well as upskilling courses.
Court
The Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling which required the government to adjust the pensions of retired civil servants to match rates set in 2016, a move that would have cost Putrajaya RM1.7 billion in arrears to some 531,000 pensioners.
The bench unanimously found that the suit filed by 57 pensioners was a matter that the courts already decided on four years ago - in reference to a 2022 ruling that declared a 2 percent flat annual increment rate for pensions set in 2013 as unconstitutional, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Environment
Environmental group RimbaWatch has warned that oil and gas prospecting close to the Tun Sakaran Park in Semporna, Sabah risks significant ecological and socioeconomic impact.
The marine park is located within the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME), which is a globally recognised site of outstanding biodiversity, the group explained in a statement today.It further noted the presence of communities near the park, who mainly rely on marine resources for their livelihoods.
The group called on oil and gas operators - a consortium of which was awarded an exploration block near the park last year - to end activities near the SSME.
RimbaWatch also urged the state government to strengthen the Sabah Parks Enactment 1984 to protect marine and coastal environments from harmful activities, and for Putrajaya to join growing calls for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Foreign policy
Malaysia will support any credible efforts to negotiate an end to hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran as the conflict continues to spill into more neighbouring countries.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also urged the international community to act with urgency before more nations get dragged into the conflict and more lives are lost.
“Energy facilities, water installations and other infrastructure (in countries neighbouring Iran) that millions depend on for daily life have been hit. The world’s oil and shipping routes run through these waters.
“Disruption here carries consequences far beyond the region,” he said on Facebook today.
Politics
Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii has urged opposition chief Hamzah Zainudin and his supporters to return to the party instead of setting up a new one and further dividing Malays.
Umno leader Razlan Rafii
"If we were to set up another Malay-based entity or party, it would not help unite the Malays... it just won't happen. Our objective in setting up the idea of 'Rumah Bangsa' is to invite as many as possible out there to come under Umno's umbrella.
"Not only Hamzah and the gang, others who are with smaller parties out there should also disband their parties and return to Umno, no problem," he told reporters after a breaking fast event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The call came as rumours were abuzz that Hamzah, who was recently sacked from Bersatu following an internal power struggle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin, was planning to either establish or join another political platform.
Reporting by Haspaizi Zain
Obituary
Eminent Islamic scholar and philosopher Syed Naquib al-Attas passed away in Kuala Lumpur at 6.47pm on Sunday.
According to Astro Awani, the body of the royal professor, who was 94, will be taken to Masjid Al-Taqwa in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur for a final prayer this morning before burial at the Bukit Kiara cemetery.
Born in 1931 in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Syed Naquib was the founder of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation.
He has authored over 30 books and monographs on Islamic philosophy and culture.
The thinker was awarded the royal professor title by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in 2024.
: Getty
