PETALING JAYA: Umno’s decision to review its support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has prompted a political analyst to hazard a guess that it is using Anwar Ibrahim’s claim of majority support in Parliament to pressure for a better deal from PPBM.

Azmi Hassan, formerly of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, told FMT he believed Umno was no longer willing to be “played out” by PPBM and that Anwar’s claim had acted as catalyst for it to demand new terms for its support of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
It was now trying to stamp its dominance in the PN-led government, he said.


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PETALING JAYA: DAP says it is “shocked” by the reported invitation extended by Johor Pakatan Harapan chief Aminolhuda Hasan to Umno to form a new state government should it review its support for Perikatan Nasional.

In a statement, Johor DAP said the state PH leadership council had stressed that it had always taken a consultative approach in its actions.
As such, it said, a Berita Harian report quoting Aminolhuda as saying PH was ready to work with Umno to form the government had taken them by surprise.

In the report, Aminolhuda said should Umno want to work with PH, it would have to be “gentlemen” in not making “political threats” and be sincere in serving the people.


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KOTA KINABALU, Oct 14 — Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) is the latest to announce it is opting out of the upcoming Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election, increasing chances for Parti Warisan Sabah to retain the seat if it decides to put up a candidate.

Its chapter chief Datuk Christina Liew said that the decision comes out of respect for the late Batu Sapi MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong, better known as VK Liew, and the desire to prevent another spike in Covid-19 cases.

“Our decision is a show of respect for the late Datuk VK Liew who last held the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat under Parti Warisan Sabah,” she said in a statement today.

Christina, who is also Sabah PKR chief, called on other parties or individuals to avoid participating or to ensure full observance of the standard operating procedure (SOP) should they intend to contest in the by-election.

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PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have voiced some doubt that party leaders alone can decide who should be prime minister if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summons them to ascertain support for Anwar Ibrahim.

It is possible that some MPs are in disagreement with the leaders of their parties, according to Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya.

Speaking to FMT, Azmi claimed to have knowledge that at least two PAS MPs were backing Anwar although the party’s deputy president has said that none from PAS was doing so.

After a royal audience yesterday, Anwar said the King would be calling up leaders from several parties in the next few days.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu were both summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in separate audiences, the two confirmed today.

However, the two party leaders said in a joint statement that both their royal audiences have now been postponed.

The statement said Lim was initially scheduled to see Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today, while Mohamad or Mat Sabu’s audience was to be on October 21.

“However, yesterday His Royal Highness’ senior private secretary informed us that both the sessions before His Majesty have been postponed,” they said.


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Numerous studies have proven the benefits of regular meditation. 

These can include decreased stress, improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, just to name a few. 

And while there are different types of meditation, they can all offer a similar set of proven benefits for mental and physical health. Here's what research has found.

1. Better focus and concentration
Mindfulness meditation helps you focus on the present, which can improve your concentration on other tasks in daily life.

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PETALING JAYA: A Selangor assemblyman has criticised Putrajaya’s sudden announcement to impose a conditional movement control order (CMCO) for the entire state, describing it as “unprofessional”.

In a statement, DAP’s Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the announcement was made without prior consultation and detailed guidelines given to elected representatives, leaving many with unanswered questions.

She said Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari was also shocked by the announcement, and that this was not the first time it had happened.

Jamaliah said that during the first phase of the movement control order (MCO) in March, five states under Pakatan Harapan’s leadership, including Selangor, were not invited to a key meeting on Covid-19.


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PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says DAP’s image among Malay voters and their perception of the party, could improve if the party agrees to work with Umno under a government led by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Anwar was a leader who seemed capable of negotiating a form of political inclusiveness, adding that Malaysia’s politics should no longer be centred on ethnicity or religion but on nationality.

“If DAP rejects working with Umno (under an Anwar-led government), then it will give the wrong perception to the Malay people and the Malay royal institution. DAP must avoid sending the message or perception that DAP cannot tolerate a Malay-Muslim government led by Anwar,” he told FMT.


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PETALING JAYA: The Perak state government is at risk of collapse after barely seven months, as a result of discontent among state Umno leaders regarding their coalition partner PPBM, says a party leader in the know.

Speaking to FMT, the leader who did not want to be named, said there was truth to reports that “all was not well” between the two Malay parties in the state, who are partners with PAS in Perikatan Nasional.

Citing a Malaysiakini report quoting Pakatan Harapan leaders, the leader said ties between Umno and PPBM have been strained over a number issues.

According to the report Perak PKR information chief Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad also claimed that at least six Umno assemblymen were ready to work



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