Good morning, here’s what you need to know today.
Key Highlights
BN-PN blame game
Nagaenthrean's fate
Malaysiakini's contempt review
BN-PN blame game
While some government leaders have blamed Pakatan Harapan for defeating a motion to renew the detention without trial provision in the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), it has also revealed fissures within the government.
BN secretary-general Ahmad Maslan (above) said Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin should not blame Umno MPs and should instead question Bersatu MPs for their absence during the vote.
Previously, Hamzah had suggested some MPs deliberately left the Dewan Rakyat when the vote came up because they "didn't like his face".
Amid the blame game, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa, who is from Umno but has favoured friendly relations with Bersatu, maintained that the relationship between BN and PN is still good.
The government was two MPs shy of passing the vote.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | It involves US$1.4 billion. |
 | This was in relation to a US trial on 1MDB. |
 | Investigation revealed Najib issued two cheques. |
Nagaenthran’s fate
Efforts to stop the death sentence against Malaysian citizen D Nagaenthran failed after a Singapore court rejected an appeal that the punishment should be commuted on grounds of his mental disability.
Human rights group Lawyers for Liberty, which has assisted Nagaenthran’s family in the case, condemned the decision.
They took issue with the court's refusal to allow an independent psychiatric assessment of Nagaenthran’s current mental state or fitness to be executed.
Nagaenthran was supposed to be executed on Nov 10 last year but it was delayed pending the legal challenge. A new date has not been revealed.
He is on death row for trafficking around 42.7g of heroin into Singapore.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Covid-19 dampen the state’s green initiative. |
 | He says the issue is important. |
 | They warn healthcare-related Covid clusters could emerge. |
Malaysiakini's contempt review
A seven-person Federal Court panel unanimously rejected a review sought by Malaysiakini against its contempt of court case.
The panel led by judge Zaleha Yusof said they were unconvinced by the argument that the news portal was denied the right to natural justice.
On Feb 19 last year, Malaysiakini was found in contempt of court for readers' comment criticising Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and was slapped with an RM500,000 fine.
The panel, however, did not order any cost as they said it was a public interest matter.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Witness says friction between parties meant not all on same page. |
 | Meet the young leaders of a party at crossroads. |
 | No ill blood between camps no matter the outcome. |
A daily glance at Covid-19
15,215 new cases yesterday (March 29) brings the cumulative infections to 4,167,418.
64 new fatalities put the death toll at 34,906.
New cases by states
Selangor (6,985)
Kuala Lumpur (1,434)
Negeri Sembilan (974)
Sarawak (828)
Johor (751)
Kedah (734)
Perak (701)
Penang (679)
Pahang (554)
Terengganu (403)
Kelantan (362)
Malacca (350)
Sabah (251)
Labuan (80)
Perlis (66)
Putrajaya (63)
What else is happening?
Lawyers of single mother Loh Siew Hong said PAS was in contempt of court when the party warned against changing the religion of her children from Islam. Loh had filed a judicial review to quash the unilateral conversion of her children by her ex-husband.
Penang Umno Wanita leader Norliza Abdul Rahim claimed DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng was "rattled" by what she described as the Chinese community's support for ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has been convicted of corruption.
The disbursement for the fourth round of withdrawal from the Employees Provident Fund will commence on April 20.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | The cleaners gathered to strike. |
 | Kasthuri Patto says no detailed breakdown provided. |
 | US to probe Chinese manufacturers shifting production. |
What are people saying?
 | By Lim Teck Ghee |
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By Rais Hussin & Ameen Kamal |
