Israel election results: Eisenkot bloc ‘ahead’ of Netanyahu camp

• There is no outright winner in Israel’s election after record turnout, TV exit polls show, with neither pro-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition nor the main Jewish-led opposition alliance securing a clear majority in parliament.
• First projections show the opposition bloc would win 52-53 seats, while the Netanyahu bloc would have 50 seats. Arab parties are projected to collectively win 17-18 seats.
• Millions of voters have cast ballots to choose 120 members of Israel’s parliament, or Knesset, in the first general election since the start of the genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023.
• Prominent politicians from Arab-led lists have accused Israel’s Netanyahu of inciting hatred against Palestinian citizens in the country, in an attempt to boost his electoral prospects.

27m ago

(21:00 GMT)

Who is Gadi Eisenkot?

The leader of Yashar is a former general who served as Israeli military chief from 2015 to 2019.

He is credited with publicly outlining the Dahiyeh Doctrine in 2008, involving “disproportionate force” and large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure against groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

The 66-year-old entered politics in 2022 with former Defence Minister Benny Gantz’s National Unity alliance and later joined the war cabinet assembled by Netanyahu after the October 7 attacks. His son Gal, 25, and a nephew were killed in December 2023, and another nephew in November 2024, while participating in the genocide in Gaza, losses commentators say have helped forge a connection with an electorate that has come to see itself as scarred by war.

In June 2024, he quit the war cabinet alongside Gantz, accusing Netanyahu of lacking a strategy to end the war. A year later, Eisenkot founded Yashar, advocating for professional government, military service for all – including ultra-Orthodox Jews – and a state commission of inquiry into the failings before October 7.

Gadi Eisenkot waves during a Yashar party event in Tel Aviv on October 25, 2026 [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]

17m ago

(21:10 GMT)

Forming coalition with Arab parties ‘will end’ political careers, says Likud minister

Likud party’s Miki Zohar, who serves as Netanyahu’s sports and culture minister, says any leader that tries to form a coalition government with the help of Palestinian-Israeli parties will “end their political careers”.

“If Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Bennett try to form a government with the Arab parties, it will be the end of their political careers within a very short period of time,” he wrote in a post on X.

“The public will not forgive and will not forget,” he said.

 

Indonesia tells pilgrims to avoid transiting in Singapore, Malaysia

Indonesia tells pilgrims to avoid transiting in Singapore, Malaysia

Yesterday

FMT Reporters

The republic's deputy haj minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak is urging them to take direct flights to Saudi Arabia on local airlines.

Deputy haj minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said national airline Garuda Indonesia and the privately owned Lion Group would have to improve their services. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Indonesia is urging its umrah pilgrims to fly directly to Saudi Arabia on local airlines, instead of taking connecting flights that transit in Singapore and Malaysia, to help boost the republic’s economy.

Deputy haj minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak says that around 70,000 Indonesian pilgrims would stop over in Malaysia and Singapore when flying on foreign airlines, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, sees two million pilgrims going on umrah annually.

“If we can get the 70,000 people transiting via Malaysia and Singapore to use Indonesian airlines, that will help our national economy,” Dahnil was quoted as saying.

He acknowledged, however, that his suggestion would require national airline Garuda Indonesia and the privately owned Lion Group to improve their services.

Additionally, these airlines must provide competitive prices to improve their standing among Indonesian pilgrims.

Dahnil’s statement came on the heels of a decision by Indonesia to reduce natural gas exports to Singapore as president Prabowo Subianto sought to shore up domestic supply and strengthen energy security for South-East Asia’s largest economy.

Oriental Kopi sell-off amid boycott unwarranted, says HLIB

Oriental Kopi sell-off amid boycott unwarranted, says HLIB


Yesterday
Lee Min Keong


Kopitiam chain operator’s sales has remained resilient despite its menu controversy, says Hong Leong Investment Bank

Calls to boycott Oriental Kopi outlets arose after a social media user highlighted the absence of a Malay translation in its menus. (Instagram pic)

PETALING JAYA: The recent sell-off of Oriental Kopi Holdings Bhd shares following boycott calls over its omission of the national language in its menus is unwarranted, said a research house.

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) also said calls to boycott its kopitiam outlets had so far not affected sales, with no significant change in outlet footfall.

“We remain constructive on Oriental Kopi, as our call with management suggests the recent boycott calls over its menu language have, thus far, not impacted sales,” it said in a note.


The controversy blew up in early October after a social media user complained about the absence of a Malay translation in its menus, which are in English and Chinese.


Its shares have dropped as much as 10% in the aftermath of the menu controversy. It closed at 82 sen today, valuing the group at RM1.64 billion.


Its shares, which have been on steady decline since February, have fallen 42% year to date due to a combination of earnings misses, margin compression, and high expansion costs.

The menu backlash prompted Oriental Kopi founder Calvin Chan to apologise and promise improvements.

The company has since completed the design of a new trilingual menu, with the reprinting cost estimated at RM150,000 for about 2,000 menu books.

HLIB considers the management’s response to the controversy “proactive and constructive”.


The bank maintained its “buy” call on the stock with an unchanged target price of RM1.17 a share and views the recent share-price weakness as “an attractive entry opportunity”.

It also kept its earnings forecasts unchanged and expects FY2026 core net profit to touch RM67 million.


Known for egg tarts, coffee and local dishes served in the tradition of Chinese coffee shops, Oriental Kopi was listed on the Ace Market in January 2025.

Its share price nearly doubled on its debut to 87.5 sen from its IPO price of 44 sen.

Founded in Johor in 2020, the group operates more than 30 outlets in Malaysia and Singapore and is targeting the opening of about 10 outlets annually.

 

Positive for me, says Rauf on talks with MCA

Positive for me, says Rauf on talks with MCA

Yesterday

FMT Reporters

The Melaka BN chairman also maintains that the seat allocation dispute has been resolved.

Melaka BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh said MCA would announce the outcome of the discussion between the party and the coalition’s leaders.

PETALING JAYA:

Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh has maintained that talks with MCA over seat allocations saw a positive outcome and that the dispute has been resolved.

However, Rauf said MCA would announce the outcome of the discussions, Astro Awani reported.

“We managed to resolve the deadlock that was causing problems. Let’s wait for MCA to announce the outcome of the negotiations I had with its leaders last night.

“For me, the discussion was positive. Wait for what was discussed. I can’t say yet,” he was quoted as saying after launching BN’s election machinery for the Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat tonight.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier said the possibility of MCA pulling out of the Nov 14 Melaka state election was not raised during his meeting with the party’s leaders, and that Rauf would announce the outcome.

However, MCA president Wee Ka Siong later said that it was premature for Zahid to describe the talks as having produced a positive outcome.

Wee said no agreement had been reached and that any decision on MCA’s next course of action would be deliberated and made collectively by the party’s central leadership.

The disagreement follows a walkout by MCA leaders during BN’s unveiling of its candidates for the state election.

MCA was unhappy that seats it had previously contested were allocated to other parties without proper consultation.

Penang CM Chow says developer and landowner must answer for fatal Paya Terubong landslide

Penang CM Chow says developer and landowner must answer for fatal Paya Terubong landslide



Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the parties involved must be held accountable. — Bernama pic



First Published: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2026 7:19 PM MYT


GEORGE TOWN, Oct 27 — The landowner and developer of a condominium and road construction project on a hillside near the landslide site in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, must take responsibility and ensure the safety of the affected area, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

He said the parties involved must be held accountable, particularly as the landslide, which claimed the life of a doctor, occurred on land owned by the developer.

“They must take responsibility for the impact of the landslide, including addressing the legal implications, matters related to the approval of the plans and carrying out mitigation works to restore the safety of the site,” he told reporters after visiting the scene today.

Chow said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had issued an immediate stop-work order and given the developer seven days to submit a mitigation plan to address safety risks at the site.


The landslide, which occurred at 8.36am yesterday, claimed the life of Dr Wong Kar Lin, 73, who was buried under debris after the slope behind his house collapsed. His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, who is in her 80s, managed to escape.

Chow said he had received reports from MBPP and the Penang Town and Country Planning Department, as well as a draft incident report from the MBPP Engineering Department, with a full report expected within one or two days.

He said that preliminary findings showed the incident occurred at a section that had yet to undergo slope stabilisation works, with prolonged rainfall believed to have caused water to seep into the soil, adding to the load on the unstabilised slope.

However, Chow said the exact cause of the incident could only be determined after the relevant authorities submitted their full reports.


He said the condominium development project was first approved in 1996 but subsequently faced several setbacks, including changes in land ownership, developers and development guidelines, before the latest approval was granted in 2023.

“This shows that MBPP does not grant approvals arbitrarily, as the process is subject to the Town and Country Planning Act, technical requirements, environmental impact assessments, traffic studies, social impact assessments and other criteria, all of which have been complied with,” he said.


Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had instructed MBPP and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to ensure that all ongoing development projects, particularly those in hillside areas, step up site monitoring during the rainy season.

He said some construction activities could be temporarily suspended, if necessary, to allow greater focus on safety monitoring and the immediate implementation of mitigation measures.

Chow also expressed his condolences to Dr Wong’s family and said the state government and MBPP were ready to provide the necessary assistance.

He said the decision on whether residents of nearby homes could return would depend on assessments by the relevant authorities of site conditions and slope stability. — Bernama

How did Brazil's Lula pull off another election win?

How did Brazil's Lula pull off another election win?



Marching to slogans like “Bolsonaro never again,” thousands of people turned out in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte to rally support for Lula, his social policies and his promise to defend minority rights. — AFP pic



First Published: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2026 9:00 PM MYT


BRASÍLIA, Oct 27 — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stunned the world with an election victory that has landed him an unprecedented fourth term in office.

Bets were on right-winger Flavio Bolsonaro to become Brazil’s next president after his shock first-round win earlier this month.

But the leftist incumbent bounced back with an energetic runoff campaign, going on to win 51.8 per cent of the vote.

How did 80-year-old Lula pull it off?


Young people take the streets

While the campaign reeled from the first-round defeat, students and young people immediately took to the streets.


Marching to slogans like “Bolsonaro never again,” thousands of people turned out in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte to rally support for Lula, his social policies and his promise to defend minority rights.

“The mobilisation of young people was fundamental,” said Eduardo Grin, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV).


Lula’s Workers’ Party (PT) “managed to reconnect with that young audience,” he told AFP.

The president himself said he had not seen anything like it since 1984, when a mass movement called for elections during Brazil’s military dictatorship.


Digital troops

Lula called his first-round campaign the most “disorganized” in decades and overhauled his social media strategy ahead of Sunday’s vote.

The incumbent sought help from young influencer politicians, bought his first cellphone and declared himself “king of the selfie.”

His supporters meanwhile launched a digital offensive of their own to counter the strong online influence of the political right.

Many leftists “spent hours and hours per day online just posting stuff or taking to the streets and talking to voters,” Oliver Stuenkel of the FGV told AFP.

“The social network activity was exhausting; I devoted a lot of time outside my working hours with the awareness that I was working for Lula,” publicist Taiza Mendonca, 36, told AFP in Rio.

Even Mendonca’s “60-year-old aunties” learned the word “hashtag,” she added.

The digital campaign spread wings via the “Lula’s Army” WhatsApp channel, which went from having 60,000 followers to almost 11 million in three weeks.

Rejection of rival

According to Grin, “the mobilization in the streets and on social media managed to create fear of a return of the Bolsonaro family to power and concern for democracy and social rights.”

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, was chosen to lead the political right by his father, ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro who is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after his own loss to Lula in 2022.

His critics remember his administration for rising hunger rates, a poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, increased violence against minorities and environmental policies rooted in denial of climate change.

Bearing a strong physical resemblance to his father, Flavio called Jair his “compass” during the campaign, vowing to liberate him if elected.

Crowd pleasers

Lula passed a raft of crowd-pleasing measures in the run-up to the election.

Congress handed him a key victory by approving a reform that guarantees workers two days of rest per week, a cornerstone campaign pledge.

The government rescheduled October welfare payments to land before the runoff instead of after, along with a wave of debt forgiveness for small-scale entrepreneurs and a raft of other popular measures.

“I’m not going to stop granting a benefit I can grant just because there are elections,” Lula said in an interview on the campaign trail. — AFP

After five years and 38 witnesses, prosecution closes case in Lim Guan Eng trial

After five years and 38 witnesses, prosecution closes case in Lim Guan Eng trial



The prosecution has closed its case in the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng. — Bernama pic



First Published: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2026 7:38 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — After more than five years of proceedings and calling 38 witnesses, the prosecution today closed its case in the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and major roads project corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution team, informed Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi that the prosecution was closing its case after its 38th witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters senior superintendent Zulhilmi Ramli, who was also the investigating officer, concluded his testimony.

“Alhamdulillah, first of all, we would like to record our appreciation to your honour for patiently hearing this case for over five years. I hereby close the prosecution’s case and offer Penang Mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony to the defence should they be called to enter their defence,” he said.

Azura then ordered both the prosecution and defence to file their written submissions by January 13, and fixed January 26 and 27 next year to hear oral submissions.


The trial commenced on July 13, 2021. Among the key witnesses called were former Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, former Penang state executive councillor Datuk Lim Hock Seng, former Penang state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, former tourism and culture minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, and businessman Datuk Seri G. Gnanaraja.

The trial drew significant attention following several notable developments, including the death of former Ewein Bhd group managing director Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng, who was found dead after reportedly falling from a luxury condominium unit in Jalan Kelawei, Penang, at 5.37am on October 5, 2021.

Ewe, 53, was the 15th prosecution witness scheduled to testify in the trial.

On December 16, 2021, the court allowed Ewe’s recorded statement to be admitted as evidence in Lim’s trial.


In today’s proceedings, Wan Shaharuddin was assisted by DPPs Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, Khairunnisa Hazwani Omar, Farah Yasmin Salleh, and Julaila Jamaludin, while Lim was represented by counsel Ramkarpal Singh, RSN Rayer, Mohd Haijan Omar, Tiara Katrina Fuad, and Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah.

On the first charge, Lim, 65, is accused of using his position as then Penang chief minister to receive RM3.3 million in gratification for himself.


The offence was allegedly committed by helping a company owned by Zarul Ahmad secure the undersea tunnel and major roads construction project in Penang, valued at RM6,341,383,702, between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office.

The charge, framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

On the second charge, the Bagan Member of Parliament is accused of soliciting a 10 per cent cut of profits from Zarul Ahmad as an inducement to help the businessman’s company secure the same project.

The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City here between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011, under Section 16 of the MACC Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment or a fine of not less than five times the bribe value or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Lim also faces two charges of causing two plots of land owned by the Penang state government, valued at RM208.8 million, to be disposed of to developer companies linked to the undersea tunnel project.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Komtar, on February 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017. The charges, under Section 403 of the Penal Code, provide for a prison sentence of between six months and five years, whipping, and a fine, upon conviction. — Bernama

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Personally, much as I am sometimes angry at Tokong for his inexplicable public attacks on his successor, I doubt he would be involved in crass stuff such as financial corruption.