Good morning! Happy Malaysia Day and Salam Maulidur Rasul.

Here's what you should know today.

Key Highlights

• PAS sets eyes on Genting casino

• Jakim blasted over GISBH scandal

• Opposition rejects govt deal

PAS sets eyes on Genting casino

Pahang PAS has vowed to shut down all gambling outlets in the state if they capture Pahang in the next election.

This includes the Genting Highlands casino.

However, Pahang PAS deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu was quick to admit that shutting down the Genting casino may involve the federal government and thus won't be easy.

Separately, PAS' non-Muslim wing also dared the Madani coalition to ban gambling in all states under its control.

Pahang DAP chief Lee Chin Chen warned that if PAS' plan becomes a reality, it could hurt the economy and Genting's Muslim staff who work at its hotels and other attractions.

HIGHLIGHTS

	PAS opens associate membership to non-Muslims, sans atheists
	PN wants Chinese to punish govt in Mahkota polls but has rough start
	PN's Haizan hopes coaching past can score non-Malay votes

Jakim blasted over GISBH scandal

The Islamic Development Department is being called to task for alleged inaction over abuses that reportedly occurred at welfare homes run by Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holding (GISBH).

Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin claimed that researchers had presented their findings to Jakim some time ago but no action was taken.

Jakim officers, however, defended the department saying it was not an enforcement agency.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain, meanwhile, said that police had been investigating the GISBH-linked homes for six months before they carried out their raid.

Whether Jakim played a part in getting the police to initiate the probe is unclear.

HIGHLIGHTS

	At least 13 kids saved from welfare homes believed to be sodomy victims: IGP
	Global Ikhwan CEO admits there were 'one or two' cases of sodomy
	No sexual abuse at PAS schools, we have regulations - Hadi

Opposition rejects govt deal

Perikatan Nasional unanimously rejected the government’s proposed deal on constituency allocations for its MPs.

Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said one reason they rejected the offer was concerns that the deal could affect the rights and privileges of the Malays and bumiputera guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

They also said it could restrict MPs’ freedom of speech.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government was open to negotiations but indicated that they would not budge on their demands.

HIGHLIGHTS

	PAS delegate accuses Madani govt of endorsing bids to 'bury Islam'
	'Religious figures teaming up with tyrants to change religion of Allah'
	Sanusi: Join puzzle pieces to see DAP's 'Setapak Declaration' agenda

Views that matter

	Mahkota by-election: Glitter or gold for Umno? By Bridget Welsh
	Sleepwalking into a nanny state By Mariam Mokhtar
	Anwar's foreign policy - an unbalanced balancing act By Ong Kian Ming

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