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Key Highlights
Fireworks in DAP
A clockwork rainbow
MACC vs son-in-law
Fireworks in DAP
Fireworks erupted in DAP after P Ramasamy announced his resignation and launched a broadside against the “emperor”.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke retaliated by accusing the academic-turned-politician of being an opportunist who rode on DAP for power and position.
Ramasamy then returned fire at Loke, claiming that he lacked the courage to call a spade a spade or to oppose the “emperor”.
According to Ramasamy, the list of DAP candidates for the Penang state election, from which six incumbents including himself were dropped, was a purge.
Those axed, he said, were perceived to be supporters of caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
The “emperor”, which is believed to be in reference to national chairperson Lim Guan Eng, has remained tight-lipped on the issue.
Lim’s faction has been accused of plotting to seize the chief minister post.
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A clockwork rainbow
The government has decided to ban Swatch watches or related material - including boxes - containing LGBT elements.
The Home Ministry said the ban is being enacted under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) and that a gazette has been issued.
It added that Section 8(2) of the same Act carries punishments for selling, distributing, or owning banned material, which included up to three years in jail, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both.
Following this, lawyer New Sin Yew questioned the raid on 11 Swatch stores and the seizure of 172 items from the Swiss brand’s Pride Collection. The collection comprises watches in various shades of the rainbow, which is regarded as an LGBT symbol.
“The raids on May 13 and 14 are illegal because there was no order under Section 7 of the PPPA that was gazetted at the time of the raid.
“The subsequent making and publishing of the order in the gazette after the raids do not cure the illegality of the raids because the order takes effect from the date it was gazetted,” he said.
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MACC vs son-in-law
Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin’s son-in-law denied being a fugitive but MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki told him to stop making excuses and come home.
Muhammad Adlan Berhan’s lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu said his client left Malaysia legally.
“Our client, like any other free citizen of Malaysia, has the right of movement and travel, including overseas, and more so to conduct his business in any part of the world,” he said.
Baljit added that Adlan was willing to return if the elements of “threats and persecution” against him are removed.
Meanwhile, Azam denied that the issue was raised at this point because of the state elections.
MACC is seeking Adlan and another person to assist in investigations into a project regarding the registration and storage of biometric information for foreign workers.
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Views that matter
 | By Francis Paul Siah |
 | By S Thayaparan |
 | By Charles Santiago |
Other news that matter
In an attempt to assuage the concerns of non-Muslim voters, Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Azmin Ali said Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd continued operating when he was menteri besar.
Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah failed to recuse two Federal Court judges from hearing an appeal by a King's Counsel from the UK to represent jailed former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government's vision for Malaysia's economy will see the continuance of needs-based affirmative action while improving policies that strengthen social justice.
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