We’ll resolve MCA’s protests before nominations, says Zahid

We’ll resolve MCA’s protests before nominations, says Zahid

6 hours ago

FMT Reporters

The BN chairman says he will hold discussions with MCA before Oct 31.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said there was still room for discussions with MCA if the Chinese-based component was unhappy with the candidates announced.

PETALING JAYA:

MCA’s protests over the allocation of seats for the Nov 14 Melaka polls will be resolved before nomination day on Oct 31, says Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said he met MCA president Wee Ka Siong before the BN candidates were announced yesterday, adding that there was “confusion” as the coalition’s secretariat had failed to notify Wee beforehand about the candidate announcement.

“Indeed, he was surprised because he had not been informed by the secretariat that candidates would be announced at the ceremony.

“However, this is an issue that we will resolve. We will hold discussions before Oct 31,” the Umno president said, according to Bernama.

Zahid said Melaka BN chief Ab Rauf Yusoh had been entrusted with holding the initial discussions with the state MCA leadership.

He added that there was still room for discussions with MCA if the Chinese-based BN component was unhappy with the candidates announced.

Wee led an MCA walkout at the BN event in Melaka last night as the Umno-led coalition unveiled its candidates for the Nov 14 state election.

The MCA president said seats previously contested by the party had been allocated to other parties without proper consultation despite MCA being a long-standing BN component.

Wee also said BN’s executive secretary had informed MCA two days ago that the event would only involve the launch of the coalition’s election machinery, with no candidates to be announced.

Overnight downpour floods Penang neighbourhoods, leaving dozens of homes underwater

Overnight downpour floods Penang neighbourhoods, leaving dozens of homes underwater



A screengrab from a video shared by Huan Cheng Guan on Facebook shows flash flooding in Penang this morning.


Summary

• Continuous heavy rain led to flash floods in several areas of Penang, inundating homes in Taman Cantek and Jalan Jelawat, along with parts of Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru, Seberang Jaya, Ampang Jajar, and Bukit Mertajam.
• The Penang Fire and Rescue Department responded to an emergency call, with floodwaters reaching approximately 0.3 meters in affected areas.
• The department monitored the situation closely until the water levels began to recede, concluding their operations once the flooding was under control.

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 11:18 AM MYT


BUTTERWORTH, Oct 25 — Continuous heavy rain for several hours last night caused flash floods in several areas in Penang, inundating homes in Taman Cantek and Jalan Jelawat here.

In addition, several other areas in Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru, Seberang Jaya, Ampang Jajar and Bukit Mertajam were also hit by flash floods, but no victims have been evacuated.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis said it received an emergency call at 12.24am before dispatching personnel to the scenes.

“The flash floods in Taman Cantek affected 20 houses, with water levels estimated at 0.3 metres (one foot). The flooding was believed to have been caused by heavy rain and rising water levels in a nearby drain.


“We monitored the situation until it was under control and the water began to recede before ending the operation at 1.10am,” he said in a statement today.

He said flooding was also reported along Jalan Jelawat in Seberang Jaya as well as nearby residential areas, with water levels estimated at 0.3 metres due to continuous heavy rain and rising water levels in nearby drains. — Bernama

Three days before Israel votes, thousands take to the streets against Netanyahu

Three days before Israel votes, thousands take to the streets against Netanyahu



A protester wearing a costume with a closed zipper over her mouth and draped in an Israeli flag poses during an anti-government demonstration at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on October 24, 2026, ahead of Israel’s legislative election. — AFP pic


Summary

• In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered in a significant anti-government protest organized by the October Council before the upcoming general election, perceived as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• The demonstration, attended by opposition leaders, aimed to demand accountability for the security failures that led to the recent Hamas attacks.
• As polls reveal neither bloc securing a parliamentary majority, the call for a state commission of inquiry remains strong amid government resistance.
• Notably, Netanyahu's suggestion of a digital economy met with ridicule from opposition figures, intensifying the political and economic discourse as the elections approach.

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 9:36 AM MYT


TEL AVIV, Oct 25 — Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for a large anti-government demonstration, three days ahead of a general election widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The protest was organised by the October Council, a group founded by the families of victims and hostages taken by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023, to demand accountability for the failure to prevent the Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza war.

Netanyahu ordered the 'Hannibal Directive' which killed Israeli soldiers - Charge him with treason, murder and war crimes

According to Israeli media, the gathering saw the participation of the leaders of the four main opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief of staff who is neck and neck with Netanyahu and who received a warm reception from the crowd.

“Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability, and establish a state commission of inquiry,” the October Council wrote on X ahead of the rally.


The latest polls published before a gag period entered into force on Friday night showed that neither bloc would obtain a majority of seats in Israel’s parliament. A poll published by public broadcaster KAN found that out of 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, 52 would go to Eisenkot’s bloc and 50 to Netanyahu’s, with the rest going to non-aligned parties, including Arab ones.

An AFP reporter said thousands were marching from the central Rabin Square towards Hostages Square, a focal point for past anti-government protests to demand the release of those held captive in Gaza.


“Whoever has been leading us for the past four years (since Netanyahu’s government took office in late 2022) has done such a terrible job,” Hadas Feuershtein, 68, told AFP shortly before the start of the rally.

“Israel has never been in a situation as it is now,” she added.


Ahead of the rally, the October Council had alerted law enforcement of possible “provocations” from pro-government agitators.

The Israeli police said on Saturday evening that it “arrested a suspect for assaulting the security team of a public figure” in Tel Aviv, with the Israeli press identifying the target as former Prime Minister and opposition party leader Naftali Bennett.


The rally came after years of campaigning by Israeli civil society and opposition parties to establish an independent commission of inquiry on the security failures that led to October 7.

Netanyahu’s government has refused to establish such an independent body, the likes of which Israel has commonly set up in the past to investigate major state-level failings.

It has instead offered to create a “political” commission, half of whose members would be appointed by the ruling coalition and half by opposition lawmakers.

Opposition leaders however said they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians.

As the campaign draws to an end, Eisenkot and Bennett are expected to hold separate last meetings with voters in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening.



A protester beats drums while marching through smoke from Rabin Square to Hostages Square during an anti-government demonstration in Tel Aviv on October 24, 2026, ahead of Israel’s legislative election. — AFP pic


No ‘bbCoin’

First-time voter Naama Bitterman, 18, said at Saturday’s rally that she was confident the anti-Netanyahu bloc she supports would have the upper hand in the vote and improve Israel’s international standing, tarnished by three years of war in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran and surging violence in the occupied West Bank.

“I think that if we win – and we are going to win – we can change how other people in the entire world see us,” she told AFP.

Britain and several other countries imposed sanctions targeting goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank in response to a wave of settler attacks on Palestinians and settlement construction approved by Netanyahu’s right-wing government.

To circumvent Israel’s growing international isolation, Netanyahu suggested Friday that Israel may need to develop an alternate digital economy.

Netanyahu, who has previously called for Israel to become self-sufficient militarily, also said that multibillion-dollar weapons packages from key ally Washington “won’t keep coming”.

Opposition leaders on Saturday lambasted the premier’s suggestion.

Eisenkot sarcastically referred to the proposed parallel digital currency as “bbCoin,” using a common nickname for the premier, Bibi.

“Netanyahu says that if he is elected again, Israel will disconnect from the global economy. No online shopping, no investments in high-tech, no security. We must not let bbCoin destroy Israel,” he wrote on X.

Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and current leader of the opposition, accused Netanyahu of “promising Israeli citizens before the elections that they will stand in line for an hour and a half for bread like in Russia or Iran”.

“If he wins the elections, that’s what will happen: there will be sanctions, there will be no security agreement with the United States... and there will be no Israeli economy,” he said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12. — AFP

Singapore vows to protect contractual rights over Indonesia’s gas export cut; PM confirms nuclear feasibility study

Singapore vows to protect contractual rights over Indonesia’s gas export cut; PM confirms nuclear feasibility study



Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivers a speech during the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 27, 2025. — Bernama pic


Summary

• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong addressed the People's Action Party conference, underscoring Singapore's commitment to diversifying its energy supply in light of Indonesia's decision to reduce piped gas exports.
• Wong emphasized Singapore's expectation that contractual obligations be honored and noted that local gas importers would take necessary measures to protect their interests.
• He acknowledged ongoing efforts to explore nuclear energy as a reliable power source, despite existing concerns, and highlighted the need for regional cooperation to address broader challenges like transboundary issues and online scams.

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 1:11 PM MYT


SINGAPORE, Oct 25 — The republic’s gas importers will use all available measures to protect their contractual rights, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said today after Indonesia's decision to curb pipeline gas exports.

Addressing the People's Action Party (PAP) conference, Wong noted that while piped natural gas remains central to power generation, investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals have diversified Singapore's supply chains against single-source vulnerabilities. The Straits Times reported.

“We expect all parties to honour their commitments, and Singapore’s gas importer will take the necessary steps to protect its rights and interests under these contracts,” Wong said.

His remarks follow an announcement by Indonesia's upstream regulator, SKK Migas, reducing piped gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD) from Oct 24 under President Prabowo Subianto's domestic energy drive.


Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) clarified that local importers face a smaller reduction of 17 BBTUD over 18 days, representing under 2 per cent of national daily demand exceeding 1,000 BBTUD.

Looking ahead, Wong said Singapore requires “cleaner sources of power to provide reliable electricity around the clock”, confirming ongoing feasibility studies into nuclear energy despite safety and waste concerns in a dense city-state.

“We take the concerns very seriously. Safety must come first. But we should not rule out an option simply because it is difficult or controversial,” he said. Singapore will undergo an International Atomic Energy Agency assessment in 2027 to gauge deployment readiness.

Wong added that cross-border challenges, including transboundary haze and online scams, demand regional cooperation alongside domestic vigilance.

“We are doing everything we can within our power to protect Singaporeans, strengthen our own response and work with our partners to tackle these problems at source.”

Malaysia condemns deadly attack on Jordan church, stands in solidarity with victims

Malaysia condemns deadly attack on Jordan church, stands in solidarity with victims



Malaysia has strongly condemned the deliberate attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Hamoud village, Karak Governorate in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. — AFP pic


Summary

• Malaysia has strongly condemned the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Hamoud village, Jordan, labeling it a grave violation of religious sanctity and an act of extremism.
• The Malaysian Foreign Ministry extended condolences to Jordan and the victims' families while reaffirming its commitment to combatting extremism alongside Jordan.
• Malaysia emphasized its dedication to maintaining strong bilateral relations with Jordan and promoting religious harmony.
• The attack's death toll rose to nine, prompting a three-day national mourning in Jordan.

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 10:50 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Malaysia has strongly condemned the deliberate attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Hamoud village, Karak Governorate in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

According to the Foreign Ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, the attack constituted a grave violation of the sanctity of religious sites and a heinous act of extremism that has no place in any society.

“Malaysia extends its deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and to the families of the victims of the extremist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Hamoud village, Karak Governorate,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

Wisma Putra said Malaysia reaffirmed its steadfast commitment, together with Jordan, to reject extremism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of motive or justification.


Malaysia also reiterated its commitment to strengthening the close and longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, including in defending the shared values of religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, it said.

Malaysia also expressed its solidarity with Jordan during this difficult time.

Anadolu Ajansi, citing the state news agency (Petra), reported on Saturday that the death toll from Friday’s attack on mourners attending a funeral at Hamoud Church in Jordan’s southern Karak Governorate rose to nine.

Following the incident, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered three days of nationwide mourning beginning Friday, October 23. — Bernama

***

We know who did it, those 'spitting-at-Christians' S-Wholes

Singapore shrugs off Indonesian gas cuts, urges importers to take legal recourse

Singapore shrugs off Indonesian gas cuts, urges importers to take legal recourse



A family looks out of a cabin on the Singapore Flyer in Singapore on October 15, 2026, as haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia shrouds the country. — AFP pic


Summary

• The Energy Market Authority of Singapore has reassured that a recent reduction in natural gas supplies from Indonesia will impact less than 2% of the nation's total daily gas demand, citing alternative LNG reserves and contingency protocols to ensure continued power grid stability.
• Indonesia announced a scale-back on gas exports to Singapore, with plans to reduce supplies by 31 BBTUD, though Singaporean importers reported a smaller reduction of 17 BBTUD over 18 days.
• Despite concerns over potential political motives tied to bilateral issues, analysts believe this situation may hasten Singapore's shift towards regional grid interconnectors and renewable energy investments.
• Temasek-owned Gas Supply is actively engaging with upstream suppliers to mitigate industrial delivery disruptions.

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 10:22 AM MYT


SINGAPORE, Oct 25 — A sudden reduction in piped natural gas supplies from Indonesia will account for less than 2 per cent of Singapore's total daily gas demand, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) confirmed, adding that alternative liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves and contingency protocols will prevent any disruption to the power grid.

The market regulator was responding to announcements from Jakarta that Indonesia would scale back deliveries through two subsea pipelines feeding the island nation.

Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas chief Djoko Siswanto told local media that Jakarta would reduce natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD) starting Oct 24.

However, the EMA clarified that data from Singapore's licensed gas importers points to a smaller curtailment of 17 BBTUD spread over 18 days, a fraction of the republic's daily consumption exceeding 1,000 BBTUD, The Straits Times reported.


“EMA understands that our importers will pursue all relevant recourse in their contracts for the gas supply disruption,” the spokesman added, emphasizing that the city-state regularly absorbs operational fluctuations between 20 and 100 BBTUD during routine maintenance cycles without incident.

Singapore generates roughly 95 per cent of its electricity from natural gas, relying on pipeline links from Malaysia and Indonesia alongside globally sourced LNG cargoes. The EMA noted that Singapore GasCo, the nation's central gas procurement entity, stands operationally primed to import supplemental shipments at short notice.

“Besides Indonesia, Singapore imports natural gas from other sources around the world.

“Power generation companies are further required to maintain sufficient fuel reserves for power generation, including diesel reserves.”


On the corporate front, Temasek-owned Gas Supply acknowledged that deliveries to local industrial clients faced “temporary reductions” from its Indonesian upstream counterpart, confirming direct discussions to cushion the operational shortfall.

“(The company) continues to engage closely with our upstream supplier to manage the situation,” the importer stated.


The pipeline curtailment follows pointed rhetoric from Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who warned on Oct 22 that Jakarta could restrict energy shipments to nations that fail to demonstrate mutual respect.

Indonesian media have characterised the cuts, which involve 15 BBTUD from the Natuna offshore corridor and 16 BBTUD from the Jambi Merang field in Sumatra, as part of President Prabowo Subianto's drive to prioritise domestic energy security.

Sumatran gas flows directly to Gas Supply, while Natuna offshore gas feeds into Sembcorp Gas receiving terminals under long-term sales agreements scheduled to run until 2028.

Energy market economists noted that while turning to spot LNG can occasionally elevate marginal procurement costs, the modest scale of the cut means consumer electricity tariffs will absorb minimal impact.

Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore chief executive Subodh Mhaisalkar noted that LNG acts as a critical strategic shock absorber, observing that the shortfall represents a “small portion” of daily generation needs.

Independent energy economist David Broadstock described the sudden reduction as a “surprising event” in Singapore's supply chain, noting that the timing coincides with the eve of Singapore International Energy Week and ongoing bilateral friction over transboundary haze enforcement.

“There is a question mark over whether there is a political element tied to this action, potentially making it a reaction to the haze issue.

“I wouldn’t say for sure that it is a definitive driving factor, but it certainly cannot be ruled out.”

Analysts highlighted that with LNG currently accounting for roughly 60 per cent of Singapore's gas mix, the pipeline row will likely accelerate Singapore's push toward regional electricity grid interconnectors and renewable investments.

FROM THE QURAN - SURELY THE UGLIEST VOICE IS THE VOICE OF THE DONKEY

 

OutSyed The Box

Friday, October 23, 2026

FRIDAY NOTES (23/10/26) FROM THE QURAN - SURELY THE UGLIEST VOICE IS THE VOICE OF THE DONKEY

Non Muslims can read this too. It will take less than a minute.

Surah Luqman 31:18  وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

“And do not turn your cheek in contempt toward people and do not walk through the earth boastfully. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone who is self-deluded, boastful.”

Surah Luqman 31:19   وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ
“And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.”

 

Iranian Forces Shoot Down Another U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone After Attempted Strike on Anti-Ship Missile Launcher

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

October-21st-2026

Shootdown and Wreckage of Reaper Drones Separately Shot Down Over Iran

Iranian air defences were reported on October 21 to shot down a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone, after the unmanned aircraft attempts to target an anti-ship cruise missile launcher in the country. The engagement occurred near the coastal city of Sirik in Hormozgan Province, with images circulating online showing smoke rising from the area. Sirik lies along Iran’s southern coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a substantial share of global oil shipments passes. While U.S. forces have relied heavily on unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9 for penetration strikes into Iran, due to the high attrition rates which aircraft have suffered, Iranian forces depend heavily on ground-based air defences and mobile cruise missile launchers to asymmetrically counter American air and naval power respectively. 

Footage of Explosion Following Engagement Near Sirik - Telegram

The reported attack comes amid continued U.S.-Iranian military confrontations over control of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command has previously announced strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage facilities, naval capabilities and other military infrastructure intended to reduce Tehran’s ability to exercise sea denial. In a separate round of attacks in July, U.S. forces reported striking approximately 90 Iranian military targets along the country’s coastline. The loss of an MQ-9 represents another setback for U.S. unmanned operations over and around Iran, with close to 50 having been lost in engagements with Iranian and Yemeni Ansurullah Coalition forces. 

MQ-9 Reaper

In mid-October it was confirmed that at least 81 American military aircraft had been lost or damaged during the U.S.-led war effort against Iran since February 28, including at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. This count did not account for the reported destruction of eight newly produced and unassembled MQ-9s during an Iranian missile strike on King Faisal Air Base in Jordan in late July. Reports of unassembled MQ-9 drones being present at air bases in the Middle East corroborated with reports from U.S. sources that a number of airframes stored by the type’s primary producer, General Atomics, could be purchased by the Air Force to replenish wartime losses. The U.S. Air Force cannot place orders for additional MQ-9A Reapers due to the suspension of production, as while limited production of the MQ-9 continues, only the very different MQ-9B SeaGuardian, which has a redesigned airframe that has different systems and logistics requirements, is being produced.