Three Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia MPs said all their representatives had signed SDs and that they had all agreed on a candidate. “The party decision or personal decision will be the same. Leong agreed that a party member must toe the party line when it came to major decisions. PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said PAS MPs always followed the decisions made by their leadership. He was at the audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday with several leaders of other parties to discuss the issue of the next prime minister.

KUALA LUMPUR: A special meeting of the Malay Rulers will be held this Friday at Istana Negara where the King is most likely to share the decision of the 220 Members of Parliament in choosing the prime minister. Also present were Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun. The process of appointing a new prime minister began on Monday after the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was accepted by the King. Muhyiddin has been appointed caretaker Prime Minister in the interim but has limited powers and can only perform basic essential functions of a government. In June, at the initiative of the King, the Rulers held a special meeting to discuss efforts to combat Covid-19.

PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his former government focused much energy on saving lives during the Covid-19 pandemic before they were “interrupted”. Muhyiddin disagreed with viral complaints made under “#kerajaangagal”, pointing out that his government had delivered and saved millions of lives. “I could have done more if I had been around as Prime Minister to finish what we started,” he said. This should not be on my shoulders, I know, but as the Prime Minister, I felt it,” he said. Asked if he would offer himself as a candidate as the new Prime Minister, Muhyiddin said he did not know, but added that he would focus on strengthening his party for the coming elections.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday on the situation in Afghanistan and they agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach, the White House said. The decision by U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to stick to the troop withdrawal deal struck by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump has stirred widespread criticism at home and among U.S. allies. The United States and Western allies resumed evacuating diplomats and civilians on Tuesday, the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans thronged the runway. A Downing Street spokesperson said Johnson in the call with Biden "stressed the importance of not losing the gains made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, of protecting ourselves against any emerging threat from terrorism and of continuing to support the people of Afghanistan," a Downing Street spokesperson said. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Eric Beech and Mark Porter)

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is offering a discount of up to 70 per cent on all compoundable summonses from Aug 18 to Sept 16. It said the discount was being offered in conjunction with the 64th National Day celebration themed ‘Malaysia Prihatin’ this year. "The reduction is for all summonses issued under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) as well as other rules and orders under it, including cases that are still blacklisted. "The discount on the summonses is based on the current compound rates fixed in the JPJ’s mySIKAP system,” it said. The summonses can be paid at all state RTD offices and branches, Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) outlets, kiosks and online via the mySIKAP JPJ portal at https://public.jpj.gov.my/.

Muhammad Shafee: Have you seen the first writ (of summons) and the amended writ? Mohd Hazem: No. Mohd Hazem: Yes. Muhammad Shafee: I put it to you, you were in fact very concerned over the lawsuit. Mohd Hazem: I don't know, they (remuneration committee) are the ones who decided this.

KUALA LUMPUR: Surina Shukri is relinquishing her role as CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) with effect from Aug 31. In a statement on Tuesday, MDEC said Surina will move on to focus on interests close to her heart. Surina said it has been an absolute privilege to lead MDEC and the nation’s digital economy agenda forward through the unexpected changes and significant challenges over the past two years and seven months. During her tenure at MDEC, Surina oversaw the successful “Reinvent” mission and its implementation at MDEC. She has also been a key contributor to establishing digital and technology as a national agenda in line with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint or MyDIGITAL and the National 4IR Policy.

Serving the people is our main agenda in this time of need – we can't fail," he said. Muhyiddin said, since he is no longer prime minister, full attention would be given to Bersatu and its allies in Perikatan to continue serving the people. What's for sure is that I have a lot of time now," he told senior media editors after announcing his resignation as prime minister on Monday (Aug 16). Muhyiddin is currently carrying the duties of caretaker prime minister upon the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. You can check with them (MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan).

JOHOR state-owned investment arm Johor Corp (JCorp) is set to take another step in its restructuring drive by selling at least two of its hospitality assets, sources say. The Edge understands that it is looking for buyers for The Puteri Pacific Hotel in Johor Baru and Hotel Selesa Pasir Gudang, which could fetch a combined RM160 million. The Puteri Pacific Hotel closed down for good on Aug 30 last year during the Covid-19 pandemic after operating for 29 years, while Hotel Selesa Pasir Gudang ceased operations in 2017 after 25 years. The last time JCorp divested three of its hotel assets was in 2017 and 2014. If it materialises, the sale of The Puteri Pacific Hotel and Hotel Selesa Pasir Gudang will place the group closer to a potential exit from the hospitality sector, which has been one of the hardest hit due to the pandemic.

Inspector Rashidi Othman said this when testifying in the rape trial of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong. “The timing at the CCTV at the guardhouse at Meru Desa Park was 10 minutes fast, while the timing shown on the CCTV at the fast food restaurant was seven minutes slow. Another lawyer Salim Bashir also questioned Rashidi on whether he had any knowledge about time-stamping, digital watermark or calibration certificate involving CCTV. “Did you ask the supervisor at the guard-post or the manager at the fast food restaurant to show you the calibration certificates,” he asked. On Aug 23, 2019, Yong claimed trial at the Ipoh Sessions Court to raping his then 23-year-old maid.

TOKYO: Oil prices fell on Tuesday, paring earlier gains, as expectations that major producers will not boost supply any time soon were outweighed by worries over slowing demand amid a spike in the Delta variant of coronavirus infections. Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration urged the producer group to boost oil output to tackle rising gasoline prices that they see as a threat to the global economic recovery. But the market ran out of steam mid-session amid concerns over the resurgence in the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the market shrugged off rising output in U.S. shale oil, Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd said. U.S. shale oil output is expected to rise to 8.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in September, the highest since May 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration's monthly drilling productivity report on Monday.

BENGALURU: Gold prices hit a more than one-week high on Tuesday as surging coronavirus Delta variant cases raised concerns over its impact on the pace of economic recovery, driving investors towards safe-haven assets. Spot gold rose 0.2% to $1,791.55 per ounce by 0655 GMT, after hitting a peak since Aug. 6 at $1,792.83. Data on Monday showed China's factory output and retail sales growth slowed sharply in July amid new COVID-19 outbreaks, adding to signs its economic recovery is losing momentum. Focus is now on U.S. retail sales data due later in the day as well as the minutes of Fed's July meeting on Wednesday for cues on the central bank's stimulus tapering. Elsewhere, silver rose 0.2% to $23.86 per ounce, having hit a high since Aug. 9 at $23.95.

PETALING JAYA: I have done my best for Malaysia’s children during this trying pandemic, says Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin as he ended his tenure as Education Minister. He also asked for forgiveness for his unyielding stance during the 18 months he helmed the ministry. “In addition to resolving long-standing issues, many improvements have been and are being implemented,” said Radzi, who thanked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for his trust in him. He also thanked everyone at the ministry, district and state education offices, teachers who worked hard to ensure students could still study during the numerous movement control orders. Radzi is a member of Bersatu and has served as Education Minister since March 10, 2020.

GEORGE TOWN: Most businesses are now allowed to operate in Penang under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), following the latest list of permitted activities and businesses. “It was announced yesterday (Aug 16) that more sectors are allowed to operate and the state did not need to wait for the 50% vaccination rate for the adult population anymore. “As Penang is already on to Phase Two of the NRP, whatever was previously allowed in Phase One should be allowed in Phase Two as well. Under Phase Two, the 11 businesses allowed to resume operations are photo and photo services, used goods, florists and nurseries, crafts and souvenirs, antiques, toys, carpet, creative content and creative industry accessories, outdoor gadgets, cosmetic, skincare and perfume, and tobacco including vape and e-cigarettes. However, it was also announced that only those with complete digital vaccination certificates are allowed to access these businesses.

IPOH: A 19-year-old student here was cheated of about RM37,000 in a purported Macau scam. Ng said he first transferred RM20,000 to a bank account belonging to one "Mohd Nasrullah". "Having almost cleared my bank account, I was asked for more and to borrow from friends or relatives. "I am aware of scam cases, but did not think that they would use a police station's number," said Low, who added people should always be vigilant. "First, the people should never panic, and to go to the nearest police station to verify the matter.