AFTER the President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama concluded his three-day working visit at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, the focus at the editor's desk was shifted on local news.

The week of Nov 23 started with a bang when the President of India, Narendra Modi swung by in town to inaugurate 'Torana Gate' at Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur. The gate, which is a gift from the Indian government to Malaysia is a mark of friendship between Malaysia and India.

On the political front, UMNO members are feeling the rising heat as they gear up for the UMNO General Assembly which is scheduled to take place at the Putra World Trade Centre, KL from Dec 8 to 12.

The burning question remains if it this year's UMNO Assembly would take a different twist, thanks to the 'uncertainties' shrouding the party.

November 29, Sunday

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stressed that UMNO’s decision to allow its three party wings – Wanita, Youth and Puteri – assemblies to be officiated by its respective chiefs is aimed at preventing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from speaking.

The statesman said, “Muhyiddin has to attend and sit on top. Based on protocols, Muhyiddin is number two after the President.

Former Prime Minister
'Stop speaking of democracy if freedom of speech is restricted' - Dr Mahathir - File Photo


Dr Mahathir has also expressed is willingness to attend the 2015 UMNO General Assembly after he received the invitation to attend it. In his typical nonchalance, the veteran politician said that no members from the UMNO bloc 'should be barred from attending the assembly.'

There were murmurs of 'oohs' and 'aah' among Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) fans at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Johor as Club side Felda United FC sent star-studded side JDT packing out of the Malaysia Cup when they defeated the AFC Cup champions on a 3-2 aggregate at the conclusion of the quarter-finals.

Larkin
It was an unexpected exit for the Southern Tigers as they had also won the Super League title this season and have not seen defeat on home ground since 2013. - File Photo
Elsewhere in Rembau, a man and his pregnant wife were killed and their two-year-old son injured when the car they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with another at the 14.7km Jalan Seremban.

In Johor, many were surprised when its Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed a ban on vape businesses in the state. The state executive council has been commanded to meet next week to hasten the process.

Johor is the first state to enforce a ban on the sale of vapes, which will be enforced Jan 1, 2016.


November 28, Saturday

A father of a 13-year-old girl in Kampar, Perak was forced to file a police report following the discovery of his daughter's sexual relationship with a 23-year-old man after they chatted on WeChat. The suspect was arrested on grounds of allegedly raping a minor.

WeChat
The suspect and the victim met again on Nov 20 and the suspect invited the victim to have sex in a public toilet at Plaza Kranji in Jalan Market. - File Phpto


'Charles Suresh Morais, is a coward!' These were the words by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in response to the 'disappearance' of Suresh -- the younger brother of the late Anthony Kevin Morais -- who had allegedly fled the country after making various allegations in connection with his brother's death. Khalid said Suresh left the country at 1.30am through the Johor Causeway last Thursday, a day after he held a press conference on Kevin's death.

murder
Kevin's body was found in a drum filled with concrete at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, near here last Sept 16. Kevin, 55, was reported missing on Sept 4. He was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta here to his office in Putrajaya. - File Photo

Malaysian envoy led by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived in Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The Deputy Prime Minister who is leading the Malaysian delegation, arrived at Malta International Airport at 9.30pm (4.30am Malaysian time) accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis.

CHOGM
Ahmad Zahid during a press conference at CHOGM, Malta. - Bernama Photo

November 27, Friday

Police recorded a statement from Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar regarding her controversial meeting with Jacel H. Kiram, a daughter of a former terrorist chief who had intruded into Lahad Datu, Sabah in 2013.

intrusion
Malaysian security forces surrounded the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu in 2013. - File Photo

Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Muhamad Baderudin Ahmad was caustic when he said that a ban on vaping and shisha smoking must be accompanied by a prohibition of their sale.

He said that in line with a decision to ban e-cigarettes, the government must also consider all factors which contributed to the activity.

e-cigarette
To ban or not to ban? - File Photo

November 26, Thursday

The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has ordered for the Facebook account holder who goes by the name of Faisal Bin Rohban to be investigated and arrested for sedition.

Khalid, on his official Twitter page, ordered the Police Cyber Investigation and Response Centre to investigate and arrest the Facebook account holder.

FB
Facebook - File image

In a different development, Khalid had cautioned the younger brother of Anthony Kevin Morais to not withhold the infomation on the latter's death from the polce. Khalid said, he should surrender any info to the police for investigation as withholding such information can be regarded as an offense.

November 25, Wednesday

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will table its report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in Parliament no later than March next year.

1MDB
The first PAC session involving the company (1MDB) was held on May 19, the second session on June 10 and the third on June 17. - File Photo

When it rains, it pours. The East Coast is inundated with monsoon, yet again. Three new evacuation centres in Raub were opened since 7.30 pm Tuesday to accommodate 81 people from 14 families in the district who were affected by the floods.

Kuantan
A file image of a young boy cleaning his home after it was ruined by the massive flood in Kuantan, Pahang not too long ago. - File Photo

November 24, Tuesday

National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail was acquitted of two criminal breach of trust charges involving RM49.7 million and two charges relating misuse of company funds.

mismanagement
On March 12, 2012, Mohamad Salleh, 66, who is also NFCorp director claimed trial to misappropriating RM9,758,140 through four NFCorp cheques to fund part of the purchase of two condominiums at One Menerung complex in KL. - File Photo
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission dismissed a social media allegation over the purported donation deposited in an account of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

MACC said the information circulating on social media was false and believed be the work of irresponsible people.

twitter
MACC said that it hoped the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would investigate the matter as it had jeopardised its name and reputation. - File Photo

November 23, Monday

The delegates meeting of three UMNO wings, namely Wanita, Youth and Puteri at the UMNO General Assembly next month which will not be opened by the UMNO deputy president is not an issue to be blown up to affect the party.

Several UMNO veterans, on the other, viewed that continuous debate on the matter would only weaken the largest Malay party, especially at the grassroots level.

UMNO General Aasembly
The question now, remains if Muhyiddin will be attending the UMNO General Assembly or not. - File Photo