Who gains most from an early election?

Who gains most from an early election?

2 days ago

Letter to the Editor

There are many with an agenda ready to pounce on issues to try and increase their share of power.

From Martin Vengadesan

It’s standard practice for the disgruntled to agitate for early elections.

Ever since the watershed elections of 2008, staple questions designed to create a stir have centred on early election dates, shift of support and possible Cabinet reshuffles.

However, you have to ask yourself who is really keen on having polls? This is especially so considering this is a time of global volatility due to the impact of oil prices and tariffs, not to mention random military action by US president Donald Trump.

Who will push for political chaos and tensions even as we brace for economic impact?

The answer, of course, is those who are most unhappy with the status quo.

It might be former ministers like Azmin Ali, Rafizi Ramli, Khairy Jamaluddin, or affiliated and allied members of the media. It could be PAS, the largest party in Parliament, seeking to capitalise further on recent gains.

In a country like Malaysia where the old coalition Barisan Nasional is suffering reduced circumstances, many among their ranks are agitating for another chance to reclaim lost power.

Supporters of former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin aren’t exactly thrilled about the status quo either.

Basically, there are many with an agenda waiting to pounce on issues to try and increase their share of power. Recently, a palace crisis in Negeri Sembilan was followed by manoeuvres from the state’s Umno chapter.

We shouldn’t forget the calamity that followed the Sheraton Move. Be grateful for the stability and prosperity instead of looking to plunge into another era of uncertainty and political horse trading.

The government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has a stable majority and time on its side, with a year and a half before elections must be called. Why rush to the polls now?

I, for one, would be most relieved if this government pushes through as many promised reforms as possible in the time it has left.

We can start with the four reforms the prime minister announced at the beginning of the year, including the scuppered bill to limit the country’s chief executive to two terms, or 10 years, as well as another bill to separate the powers of the public prosecutor and the attorney-general.

There is also an Ombudsman Bill, aimed at strengthening public accountability, and a Freedom of Information Act to improve transparency in public procurement, contracts and government decision-making.

Also of grave importance to me and our country’s future is carrying out the electoral delineation exercise before a general election is held.

It must be done in accordance with a spirit of restorative justice. There currently exists a gross disparity in the number of voters packed into parliamentary constituencies.

Smaller rural constituencies that back PAS sometimes have just 30% the electorate of urban seats that largely support Pakatan Harapan. This means that the rural voter representation is disproportionately high. How long can this be allowed to persist?

A note too about the pundits expertly predicting doom and gloom about the elections and their outcome.

A question I would like to ask political “experts”, who are making vapid declarations with pomp and circumstance. Which did you correctly predict?

1. Anwar becoming PM in 2022?
2. Najib Razak losing in 2018?
3. Najib losing the popular vote but winning the election in 2013?
4. The tsunami of 2008?

If you did indeed foresee any of those, kindly steer me to proof of your clairvoyance. I will be most impressed.

 

Martin Vengadesan, a former editor, currently serves as a strategic communications consultant to the communications ministry and is an FMT reader.

PAS ulama leader under fire over remarks about prophet's companions

PAS ulama leader under fire over remarks about prophet's companions


Published: May 13, 2026 12:20 PM
Updated: 3:17 PM



A PAS ulama leader is under fire - including from the party's own cleric wing - over remarks about the Prophet Muhammad's companions and the first and second caliphs, Abu Bakar as-Siddiq and Umar al-Khattab.

In a recent religious talk, PAS syura council secretary Nik Zawawi Salleh had said that before Islam, Abu Bakar was a moneylender who oppressed the poor, and that Umar was a violent person, adulterer, and fornicator.

Abu Bakar and Umar led the early Muslim community following the Prophet Muhammad's death.

Abu Bakar was a rich merchant in the pre-Islamic days, and there is no record of him being a moneylender.

While Umar was known for a fierce temper and was said to drink alcohol in his pre-Islamic days, there are no records of him being an adulterer or fornicator.

Nik Zawawi (above) initially responded to criticism negatively and defended his remarks, saying he was merely stating facts.

"We can refer to scholarly books on how things were in the pre-Islamic days, and no ulama has exempted anyone, including Abu Bakar and Umar, from being part of the pre-Islamic system.

"It does not arise that I insulted the prophet's companions," said the Pasir Puteh MP, adding that he forgave those who criticised him.

However, Nik Zawawi issued an apology today.

"I admit I was careless in presenting information and my delivery when making those remarks. As such, I apologise for this mistake," he said in a statement that also sought to distance his remarks from PAS.

The statement was shared by the PAS ulama council 

on its Facebook page.


‘Be more careful’

In a statement prior to Nik Zawawi’s apology, the PAS ulama council said there were factual inaccuracies in the syura council secretary's remarks, and that it had given him a thorough rebuke and reminder to be more careful when speaking about Islamic history.

PAS ulama council information chief Nor Hamzah


"The ulama wing stresses that Prophet Muhammad's companions were the best generation of Muslims who must be venerated and their honour protected.

"Any comments about history and the personality (of the companions), especially about their lives pre-Islam, must be delivered accurately, courteously, and based on accurate knowledge," said the wing's information chief, Nor Hamzah.

Others who have criticised Nik Zawawi include PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and the party's Selangor youth chief, Sukri Omar.

A group of NGOs is also reportedly planning to lodge police reports against the lawmaker later today.

 

Bodies of 3 women recovered after boat tragedy off Pangkor

Bodies of 3 women recovered after boat tragedy off Pangkor

2 hours ago

Bernama

The vessel was reported to be carrying 37 undocumented migrants from Indonesia.

MMEA officers retrieving the belongings of undocumented migrants after the boat they were travelling in capsized in waters off Pulau Pangkor on Monday. (MMEA pic)

LUMUT:

Authorities have recovered the bodies of three women in the waters off Pulau Pangkor believed to be among the victims of a capsized boat carrying undocumented migrants.

Marine police Region 1 operations command officer Mazre Che Mahmod said the bodies were discovered by the navy’s KD Sri Indera Sakti about 20 nautical miles from the location of the incident at about 6pm yesterday.

“An investigation to determine the identities of the three victims is ongoing,” he said.

Mazre said the latest discovery brought the total number of victims found so far to 30, after 23 of them were rescued on the first day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation on Monday.

Four bodies were found in the waters off Pulau Pangkor yesterday.

“We are still searching for seven more victims. The third day of the SAR operation resumed at 7am today, involving the marine police, the navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA),” he said.

The boat was carrying 37 undocumented migrants from Indonesia who reportedly departed from Kisaran for Malaysia on May 9.

MCA: Proposed 150-litre RON95 cap will hit urban families, SMEs

MCA: Proposed 150-litre RON95 cap will hit urban families, SMEs

By Bernie Yeo
4 hours ago


MCA has expressed concern over a proposal to reduce the subsidised RON95 petrol quota under the BUDI95 programme to 150 litres per month, warning that the move could increase living cost pressures on urban households and raise operating costs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).


Responding to earlier remarks by Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong regarding the proposal, the party’s Economic and SMEs Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Lawrence Low said the government should clearly explain the basis and feasibility of the proposed reduction before making any final decision.


He said a 150-litre monthly quota would be insufficient for many dual-income families, particularly those living in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang, where long daily commutes are common.

“In many urban households, both spouses work and owning two cars is often a necessity rather than a luxury,” he stated.

Low noted that while the government has encouraged greater use of public transportation, improvements to connectivity and coverage remain necessary before people can realistically reduce their dependence on private vehicles.


He said issues such as weak last-mile connectivity, inconsistent service frequency and inconvenient transfers continued to discourage wider public transport usage.

“As the government pushes for subsidy rationalisation and greener transportation policies, it must first strengthen the efficiency and accessibility of public transport systems,” he explained.

Among the improvements needed, he said, were better feeder bus services, expanded park-and-ride facilities, more frequent services and wider transport network coverage.

Low also warned that reducing the fuel subsidy quota would affect not only households but also the SME ecosystem, particularly businesses and workers that rely heavily on daily travel.

“Fuel is not a luxury item for SMEs, sales personnel, delivery workers and insurance agents. It is a basic operating cost necessary for them to earn a living,” he said.

He went on to question the reliability of data cited in support of the proposal and urged the government to clarify how the figures were calculated.

Low noted that during the previous subsidy adjustment, when the quota was reduced from 300 litres to 200 litres, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stated that 90% of Malaysians would not be affected, a claim that drew public scepticism.

He said the latest figures suggesting that 60% of Malaysians consume less than 150 litres monthly should be properly explained, including what the government meant by people being “unaffected”.

“Even if the data is accurate, the impact of fuel subsidy reductions cannot be assessed solely based on individual petrol consumption,” he reckoned.

Low said higher fuel costs would eventually increase transportation, logistics and service costs, which would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

He warned that implementing stricter subsidy measures at a time when businesses and households were already struggling with rising costs would place additional strain on the economy.

“What the people fear is not just the 150-litre quota itself, but whether this signals further reductions in fuel subsidies in the future,” he added. ‒ May 13, 2026

Penang tightens sanitation, rodent monitoring at Swettenham Pier amid Hantavirus concerns

Penang tightens sanitation, rodent monitoring at Swettenham Pier amid Hantavirus concerns



No Hantavirus cases in Malaysia, but Penang is ramping up health checks at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in George Town as precaution. — Bernama file pic

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 12:23 PM MYT


GEORGE TOWN, May 13 — The Penang Port Commission (PPC) has strengthened precautionary and health surveillance measures at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) following international reports of a cluster of Hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship.

PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said although no Hantavirus infections have been reported in Malaysia so far, the commission is treating the matter seriously to protect passengers, ship crew and the local community by strengthening ship sanitation inspections and rodent‑infestation monitoring within the terminal.

“These measures are being implemented in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and in close collaboration with the Health Ministry (MOH) and relevant agencies.

“Emphasis is placed on early detection of any health‑risk indicators so that prompt action can be taken and the terminal’s health facilities are on standby to manage any suspected cases,” he said in a statement today.

Yeoh said infectious‑disease surveillance activities have been intensified, including event‑based surveillance, to detect any unusual incidents quickly.

He said cross‑agency cooperation with the Department of Veterinary Services and local authorities has been strengthened to maintain vector control and environmental hygiene.

Meanwhile, he also advised all passengers and crew to adopt preventive measures, including avoiding contact with rodents or their droppings, wearing masks and gloves when cleaning contaminated areas.

He also advised them to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath after being in a potentially exposed environment.

Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysia is fully prepared to face the threat of Hantavirus infection, although no cases involving Malaysians have been reported to date.

International media have reported that European countries are tightening monitoring and quarantine measures following a Hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. — Bernama