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Key Highlights
His excellency Tajuddin Abdul Rahman
Mahathir throws gauntlet at Zahid
Kian Ming tells Harapan to keep open mind
His Excellency Tajuddin Abdul Rahman
Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has been confirmed as Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia.
He will replace career diplomat Zainal Abidin Bakar.
It was previously reported that Tajuddin was nominated to be an ambassador to reward his staunch support for Ismail Sabri Yaakob when the prime minister post fell vacant in August last year.
The Umno veteran has a controversial track record for being combative and undiplomatic.
He was sacked as Prasarana chairperson in May last year for his insensitive handling of an LRT accident that left scores injured.
It is not clear how Tajuddin will juggle his duties as an ambassador - which will require living abroad - with that of a lawmaker.
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Mahathir throws gauntlet at Zahid
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad dredged up an old grudge against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid had in 2017, implied Mahathir was not Malay when he claimed the latter's original identity card bore the name "Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty".
The nonagenarian has never denied any Indian ancestry, but said Zahid had defamed him by claiming he was not Malay.
He wants the Umno president to show proof or apologise, or get sued.
Mahathir dug up the old argument in response to Zahid suing him for defamation over allegations the latter lobbied for influence over his corruption trials.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | He says Zahid expressed concern over his court cases during those meetings. |
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Kian Ming tells Harapan to keep open mind
Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming - who is serving his final term in office - has advised Pakatan Harapan to keep an open mind on political cooperation.
This is to avoid a situation where Umno's court cluster is back in power, he said.
Ong was previously one of two DAP MPs who urged Harapan to cooperate with Muhyiddin Yassin when the latter was trying to save his premiership with a confidence and supply agreement (CSA).
Harapan rejected the CSA, but would sign a deal with Muhyiddin's successor Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
After a string of thumping election defeats, Harapan has also been pushing for a "big tent" approach for cooperation with other opposition parties, although this is meeting resistance from within the coalition.
HIGHLIGHTS
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 | UPDATED 11PM | Tee claims Wee likely trying to eliminate potential rivals ahead of party polls. |
A daily glance at Covid-19
1,469 new cases yesterday (May 17) brings the cumulative infections to 4,481,278.
3 new fatalities put the death toll at 35,623.
New cases by states
Selangor (615)
Kuala Lumpur (219)
Penang (123)
Negeri Sembilan (112)
Perak (95)
Johor (64)
Kedah (59)
Malacca (34)
Putrajaya (32)
Sarawak (29)
Sabah (27)
Pahang (22)
Kelantan (14)
Terengganu (13)
Labuan (6)
Perlis (5)
What else is happening?
Public transport users are not happy with Grab's new transport rates - up nearly double the usual regular hour rates.
A police officer is being investigated for victim-blaming a cosplayer who had tried to lodge on harassment and stalking.
The fisherfolk community in Kampung Warisan Nelayan Tanjung Tokong, Penang is appealing to an international school not to evict them and abandon plans to build a water sports facility over their homes.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | Police call on public to assist if they have information on unidentified boy. |
 | Investigation under Section 233 of CMA for misuse of network facilities. |
 | Remove signs criminalising suicide on Penang Bridge, Tan says. |
What are people saying?
 | By P Gunasegaram |
 | By Eric Loo |
 | By Malaysiakini readers |
