FOR the past week, the otherwise serene royal town of Kuala Kangsar and the rustic Sungai Besar were abuzz with activities as political parties from both ruling and opposition blocks are preparing to face the by-elections on June 18.
Elsewhere, the Selangor graft claims took a different twist after PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said that adequate space must be given to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to carry out a comprehensive probe on the matter.
Other news that made headlines include the Syariah Bill, demise of heavyweight legend, Muhammad Ali, EgyptAir crash, French Open and the list goes on.
MONDAY
PKR secretary-general, Rafizi Ramli said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must be given adequate space to carry out a thorough investigations on graft claims in Selangor.
Let MACC investigate
PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah today reinforced that the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016 proposes to enhance the Syariah Courts.
Syariah Bill proposes to enhance syariah courts: PAS veep
An unnamed Kedah assemblyman -- alleged to have assaulted a 20-something man, identified as Alif Adam Mohd Munaim
-- became the talk of the small town of Alor Setar, Kedah.
Following the incident, Alor Setar cops have sought the cooperation of those with information on the incident where a state assemblyman was alleged to have assaulted a man on May 15, to come forward to facilitate investigations.
The Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 majority decision Monday, has upheld the sedition conviction of the late Karpal Singh
, ruling that it was a serious offence involving the sovereignty of a ruler and his prerogative powers.
TUESDAY
The 2
016 Global Slavery Index
released today estimates that approximately 129,000 individuals are trapped in modern slavery in Malaysia. Appalling!
For deliberately disabling passport system controls at the airport
, the Malaysian Immigration Department has acted against 37 officers for sabotaging the Malaysian Immigration System (myIMMs).
Fifteen of the employees were shown the exit, 14 suspended and eight saw the freezing of salary movement, said director-general Datuk Seri Sakib Kusmi.
WEDNESDAY
Ping! A signal has been detected that is likely to be from one of the black boxes of the EgyptAir plane that crashed in the Mediterranean last month
, Egypt said Wednesday.
THURSDAY
Police identifying Briton's child abuse victims
British media reported that freelance photographer Huckle, 30, may have abused up to 200 children aged between six months and 12 years, from 2006 to 2014.
FRIDAY
PAS's private member's Bill Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdictions) (Amendment) 2016 is "un-Islamic", said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
What the former Prime Minister said is here
.
SATURDAY
Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Al
i, an icon of the 20th Century whose fame transcended the sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died Friday, his family said.
On the local front, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak
, was casual and relaxed when he answered a series of questions pertaining to several 'issues' in comedian/actor Harith Iskander talk show, 'Obviously Harith Iskander'.
One of the, was on the 30-day leave he took from his position following a report by an international media about the existence of a certain amount of money in his account.
SUNDAY
It was a wet yet quiet Sunday until the media fraternity was jostled to a media statement by Malaysia Airlines Berhad about 'an MH1 flight en route to Kuala Lumpur was hit with severe turbulence when flying over the Bay of Bengal
today.
On the political front, it was the nomination day for the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar parliamentary seats.
Apart from the small 'drama' that ensued at a hall in Kuala Kangsar, thanks to 'independent candidate Datuk Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad
-- nomination processes at both Parliamentary were held in orderly order.
Four-cornered contest for Kuala Kangsar by-election
The Kuala Kangsar seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad.
Wan Khairil was among six people killed when their helicopter crashed in Sebuyau on May 5, en route to Kuching from Betong.
Meanwhile in Sungai Besar, the parliamentary by-election will see a three-cornered contest among Barisan Nasional, PAS and Parti Amanah Negara
.
The by-election has been necessitated by the death of the MP, Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon, in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.
The sports fraternity applauded tennis great, Novak Djokovic
after he captured a first French Open, becoming the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time
Congrats, Djokovic!
Astro Awani
Mon Jun 06 2016
ICYMI: The headlines for week starting May 30 until June 5, 2016. - File Photo
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.