Two Chinese cities ease COVID-19 curbs after protests spread - CNA

EASING CURBS

As well as the easing of curbs in Guangzhou and Chongqing, officials in Zhengzhou, the site of a big Foxconn factory making Apple iPhones that has been the scene of worker unrest over COVID-19, announced the "orderly" resumption of businesses, including supermarkets, gyms and restaurants.

Earlier national health officials said China would respond to "urgent concerns" raised by the public and that COVID-19 rules should be implemented more flexibly, according to a region's conditions.

But while the easing of some measures appears to be an attempt to appease the public, authorities have also begun to seek out those who have been at the protests.

"Police came to my front door to ask me about it all and get me to complete a written record," a Beijing resident who declined to be identified told Reuters on Wednesday.

Another resident said some friends who posted videos of protests on social media were taken to a police station and asked to sign a promise they "would not do that again".

Several people gave similar accounts to Reuters on Tuesday.

It was not clear how authorities identified the people they wanted to question, nor how many such people authorities contacted.

Beijing's Public Security Bureau did not comment.

In a statement that did not refer to the protests, the Communist Party's top body in charge of law enforcement agencies said on Tuesday that China would crack down on "the infiltration and sabotage activities of hostile forces".

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission also said "illegal and criminal acts that disrupt social order" would not be tolerated.

The foreign ministry has said rights and freedoms must be exercised lawfully.

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2022-12-01 00:55:00Z
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Chinese leadership mourns ‘insurmountable loss’ as Jiang Zemin dies aged 96 - South China Morning Post

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1. Chinese leadership mourns ‘insurmountable loss’ as Jiang Zemin dies aged 96  South China Morning Post
2. Former China president Jiang Zemin dies aged 96  CNA
3. Jiang Zemin dies: Sino-S'pore economic ties flourished under ex-China president's leadership  The Straits Times
4. China Protests: With Jiang Zemin's Death, Xi Can't Risk a Repeat of the Past  Bloomberg
5. Jiang Zemin, Former China President, Dies at 96: Leader During Economic Boom  Bloomberg
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-11-30 14:06:31Z
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Covid-19 protests escalate in Guangzhou as China lockdown anger boils - The Straits Times

SHANGHAI - People in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Guangzhou clashed with white hazmat-suited riot police on Tuesday night, videos on social media showed, as frustration with stringent Covid-19 rules boiled over, three years into the pandemic.

The clashes in the southern city marked an escalation from protests in the commercial hub of Shanghai, capital Beijing and other cities over the weekend in mainland China’s biggest wave of civil disobedience since President Xi Jinping took power a decade ago.

Resentment is growing as China’s Covid-19-hit economy sputters after decades of breakneck growth, which formed the basis of an unwritten social contract between the ruling Communist Party and a population whose freedoms have been dramatically curtailed.

In one video posted on Twitter, dozens of riot police in all-white pandemic gear, holding shields over their heads, advanced in formation over what appeared to be torn down lockdown barriers as objects fly at them.

Police were later seen escorting a row of people in handcuffs to an unknown location.

Another video clip showed people throwing objects at the police, while a third showed a tear gas canister landing in the middle of a small crowd on a narrow street, with people then running to escape the fumes.

Reuters verified that the videos were filmed in Guangzhou’s Haizhu district, the scene of Covid-19-related unrest two weeks ago, but could not determine when the clips were taken or the exact sequence of events and what sparked the clashes.

Social media posts said the clashes took place on Tuesday night and were caused by a dispute over lockdown curbs.

The government of Guangzhou, a city hard-hit in the latest wave of infections, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China Dissent Monitor, run by US government-funded Freedom House, estimated at least 27 demonstrations took place across China from Saturday to Monday. Australia’s ASPI think tank estimated 43 protests in 22 cities.

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2022-11-30 05:47:34Z
CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9lYXN0LWFzaWEvY292aWQtMTktcHJvdGVzdHMtZXNjYWxhdGUtaW4tZ3Vhbmd6aG91LWFzLWNoaW5hLWxvY2tkb3duLWFuZ2VyLWJvaWxz0gEA

Baling MP to be probed for calling PM an 'agent of Israel', say cops - The Star Online

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Baling MP to be probed for calling PM an 'agent of Israel', say cops  The Star Online
2. Malaysia's PM Anwar acts against a critic who accuses him of being an agent of Israel  The Straits Times
3. PH to counter 'overwhelming' slander against Anwar, govt  Free Malaysia Today
4. PM issues letter demanding apology from Baling MP over audio alleging Israel links  The Star Online
5. Israeli agent? I'm more concerned about welfare of the people, says PM Anwar [NSTTV]  New Straits Times
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-11-29 12:53:00Z
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China to accelerate push to vaccinate elderly against COVID-19 - CNA

China's low vaccination rates, particularly among the older population, have long been seen as prolonging Beijing's no-tolerance approach to COVID-19.

Just 65.8 per cent of people over 80 are fully vaccinated, NHC officials told a press conference Tuesday.

And China has not yet approved mRNA vaccines, proven to be more effective, for public use.

Many fear that lifting that policy while swathes of the population remain not fully immunised could overwhelm China's healthcare system and cause over a million deaths.

But the zero-COVID policy has stoked massive unrest, with people taking to the streets in China's major cities on Sunday to protest draconian lockdowns and broader restrictions on freedom of movement.

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region, was the catalyst for the wave of outrage, with protesters blaming COVID-19 restrictions for hampering rescue efforts - claims the government has denied.

China logged 38,421 domestic infections Tuesday, slightly down from record highs seen over the weekend and comparably low when compared to caseloads seen in western countries during the height of the pandemic.

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2022-11-29 08:51:00Z
1672812601

China Uses Police, Censors, Quiet Covid Easing to Stem Protests - Bloomberg

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1. China Uses Police, Censors, Quiet Covid Easing to Stem Protests  Bloomberg
2. China Corona News Today LIVE: Chinese Citizens Protest Against Xi Jinping | Protest In China News  India Today
3. China moves to curb rare, nationwide protests  CNA
4. Pressure on China's Covid-19 strategy  The Straits Times
5. China's Xi Jinping Should Heed Covid-Zero Protests  Bloomberg
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-11-29 08:58:15Z
1671056854

Cities in China under heavy policing after protests - CNA

SHANGHAI: China's major cities of Beijing and Shanghai were blanketed with security on Tuesday (Nov 29) in the wake of nationwide rallies calling for political freedoms and an end to COVID-19 lockdowns.

The country's leadership faced a weekend of protests not seen in decades, as anger over unrelenting lockdowns fuels deep-rooted frustration with the country's political system as a whole.

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region, was the catalyst for the wave of outrage, with protesters taking to the streets of cities around the country.

The demonstrators said COVID-19 restrictions were to blame for hampering rescue efforts - claims the government has denied as it accused "forces with ulterior motives" of linking the fire deaths to the strict COVID-19 controls.

Anger over lockdowns has widened to calls for political change, with protesters holding up blank sheets of paper to symbolise the censorship the world's most populous country is subjected to.

"SO MANY POLICE"

More protests were planned for Monday night but did not materialise, with AFP journalists in Beijing and Shanghai noting a heavy police presence of hundreds of vehicles and officers on the streets.

People who had attended weekend rallies told AFP Monday they had received phone calls from law enforcement officers demanding information about their movements.

In Shanghai, near a site where weekend protests saw bold calls for the resignation of President Xi Jinping, bar staff told AFP they had been ordered to close at 10pm (10pm, Singapore time) for "disease control".

Small clusters of officers were deployed to metro exits near the protest site.

Throughout Monday, AFP journalists saw officers detaining four people, later releasing one, with a reporter counting 12 police cars within 100m along Wulumuqi street in Shanghai, the focal point of Sunday's rally.

Despite the overwhelming police deployment, the frustration with zero-COVID remained palpable.

"The (zero-COVID) policies now? They're just too strict. They kill more people than COVID," one 17-year-old passer-by who did not want to be named told AFP, saying he had been surrounded by police when passing through the area.

In an audio recording shared with AFP, a man can be heard asking for his address, to which the passer-by - who asked to be named Ray - insists law enforcement officers do not "have the right" to demand it.

Elsewhere, rallies did go ahead.

In semi-autonomous Hong Kong, where mass democracy protests erupted in 2019, dozens gathered at the Chinese University to mourn the victims of the Urumqi fire.

"Don't look away. Don't forget," protesters shouted.

In Hangzhou, just over 170km southwest of Shanghai, there was strict security and sporadic protests in the city's downtown, with one attendee telling AFP that 10 people were detained.

"The atmosphere was disorderly. There were few people and we were separated. There were lots of police, it was chaos," she said.

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2022-11-29 07:43:00Z
1671056854

Live news: China equities rebound after protests against zero-Covid spark slump - Financial Times

Shanghai’s Disneyland has become a barometer for the openness of China’s largest city, which in April entered a more than two-month shutdown © Kin Cheung/AP

Shanghai’s Disneyland closed down on Tuesday for the third time this year as the city battles a growing outbreak of the virus.

The theme park has become a barometer for the openness of China’s largest city, which in April entered a more than two-month shutdown and has since seen on-and-off restrictions as Beijing persists with its strict zero-Covid policy.

The park will close from Tuesday while Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and two resort hotels will continue to operate normally, the park announced.

In a previous shutdown this year, Disneyland guests were locked inside and not allowed out until they had completed Covid tests. The on-off opening of the park has mirrored China’s struggle to suppress the virus while minimising the economic impact of its curbs.

The park also closed during Shanghai’s lockdown earlier this year and was shut down for pandemic-related reasons in late 2021.

Shanghai on Tuesday reported 178 new locally transmitted cases of the virus, up from 144 the day before.

Nationwide, China reported 37,477 new locally transmitted cases of the virus on Tuesday, down slightly from the 38,808 reported the day before.

The highest concentrations were in the south-western city of Chongqing, which reported nearly 9,000 cases, and the southern manufacturing hub of Guangdong, which notched more than 6,000 new cases.

Cases continued to rise in Beijing, which registered more than 4,000 cases.

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2022-11-29 04:36:35Z
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No more procurement approvals without tender process: Malaysia PM Anwar tells civil servants - CNA

PUTRAJAYA: Approval for government procurement can no longer be given without a tender process, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday (Nov 29).

In his first address to civil servants, Mr Anwar stated that the government under his leadership will not continue to allow for financial leakages and corruption.

“I urge everyone (in the civil service) to work as a team. Let’s be committed to save our country,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He added that he was not interested in bringing up indiscretions from previous administrations and said the focus should be on carrying the nation forward.

“We must restore the image of the civil service, which has been tarnished. This can only be done through change.

“If you saw laxity and carelessness before this, that is history. I don’t wish to dig all that up. We must look forward and prepare ourselves for the future,” he said, according to Free Malaysia Today.

The new prime minister called on civil servants to work with the government to bring about change and return the country to its glory days.

He said that civil servants needed to have a spirit of “islah”, or reform, for the sake of the country.

Reform is required for the country to change, he said, adding that Malaysia had reached a certain level before but had unfortunately declined in its economy, stability and discipline.

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2022-11-29 04:06:00Z
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Hong Kong stocks rise 3% in Asia session; China's Covid situation remains in focus - CNBC

1 Hour Ago

Japan's unemployment rate unchanged, retail sales miss estimates

Japan's unemployment rate for October was steady from September's reading of 2.6%, according to official data. The figure is slightly higher than the mean expectation of 2.5% from economists polled by Reuters.

The jobs-to-applicant ratio, which measures active job openings per jobseeker, was at 1.35. That indicates that there are 135 jobs available for every 100 applicants, signaling a still tight labor market in Japan.

The nation's retail sales rose 4.3% in October on an annualized basis, missing expectations of 5% increase predicted in a separate Reuters poll .

The latest reading marks the first softening in retail sales growth that it's seen since June this year.

– Jihye Lee

8 Hours Ago

Fed should keep hiking into next year, Bullard says

James Bullard at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

David A. Grogan | CNBC

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said Monday that the Fed should continue to raise its benchmark interest rate in the coming months and that the market may be underestimating the chance that the Fed has to get more aggressive.

"We're going to have to continue pursue our interest rate increases into 2023, and there's some risk that we've have to go even higher than [5%]," Bullard said at a Barron's Live webinar.

Bullard made waves in financial markets earlier this month when he said the Fed's hikes have had "only limited effects" on inflation so far and that the benchmark interest rate may need to rise to between 5% and 7%.

Bullard, who is a voting member of the FOMC, said that the Fed will need to hold off any rate cuts next year even if the inflation picture starts to show consistent improvement.

"I think we'll probably have to stay there all through 2023 and into 2024, given the historical behavior of core PCE inflation or Dallas Fed trimmed mean inflation. They will come down, I think. That's my baseline. But they probably won't come down quite as fast as markets would like and probably the Fed would like," Bullard said.

— Jesse Pound

9 Hours Ago

Cryptocurrency prices drop but quickly recover after BlockFi declares bankruptcy

The price of bitcoin took a dip on Monday after BlockFi officially announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the wake of FTX's bankruptcy.

Bitcoin briefly dropped to as low as about $16,000 but has rebounded already. It was last lower by just 1% to above $16,300, according to Coin Metrics. The action in the ether price showed a similar bounce.

BlockFi has been in bad shape since the spring, following the blowup of the Terra project that led to the implosion of Three Arrows Capital. At that time, the company accepted a bailout from FTX that would help it stave off bankruptcy. Of course, FTX is now managing its own bankruptcy.

— Tanaya Macheel

2 Hours Ago

CNBC Pro: Goldman Sachs names the global automakers exposed to a China slowdown

Many global companies are heavily exposed to China, including some of the world's biggest automakers, which generate between 20% and 40% of their worldwide sales in the country, according to Goldman Sachs.

In a note to clients on Nov. 22 — before the latest protests — the investment bank mapped out the global auto industry's exposure to Chinese consumers.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Ganesh Rao

5 Hours Ago

Stocks end Monday's session lower

After a winning Thanksgiving week, the three major indexes ended Monday down as investors sold off amid mounting concerns over supply chain disruptions amid Covid-related protests in China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.45%, or 497.57 points, and closed at 33,849.46. The S&P 500 also shed 1.54% to end at 3,963.94. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 1.58% and ended at 11,049.50.

— Alex Harring

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2022-11-29 02:18:00Z
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China protests highlight Xi's COVID-19 policy dilemma - to walk it back or not - CNA

BEIJING: The rare street protests that erupted in cities across China over the weekend were a referendum against President Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy and the strongest public defiance during his political career, China analysts said.

Not since the protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989 have so many Chinese risked arrest and other repercussions to take to the streets over a single issue.

"During Xi Jinping’s 10 years in power, these are the most public and most widespread displays of anger by the citizenry against government policy," said Bates Gill, a China expert with Asia Society.

Public dissatisfaction with Xi's zero-COVID policy, expressed on social media or offline in the form of putting up posters in universities or by protesting, is Xi's biggest domestic challenge since the 2019 protests in Hong Kong against an extradition bill.

Xi had claimed personal responsibility for leading the "war" against COVID-19, justified zero-COVID with a need to "put people above everything" and counted his "correct" COVID-19 policy among his political achievements when he sought a precedent-breaking third term at the 20th Communist Party Congress in October.

Nearly three years into the pandemic, China says its policies are not geared towards having zero cases at all times but instead, are about "dynamically" taking action when cases surface.

Even though the protests are embarrassing for Xi, they come nowhere near to toppling him, analysts said, because he has full control of the party, military, security and propaganda machinery.

RESISTING LOCKDOWN

While some protesters chanted "Down with Xi Jinping, Down with Chinese Communist Party", most other people only concerned themselves with resisting a lockdown of their residential compounds or exemption from frequent tests for the virus.

"Once these self-interests are met, most people will be appeased and will move on," said Chen Daoyin, a former associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, now a commentator based in Chile.

Students were not highly organised or led by a central figure, Chen said. Protests took place in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu and Urumqi.

At the time of the Tiananmen protests and crackdown by Chinese authorities, the last occasion that demonstrations led to the replacement of the party's general secretary, there were internal divisions amongst top party leaders about how to manage the crisis and what path to take China in future.

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2022-11-28 21:52:00Z
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'We were there to mourn': What it was like at the COVID-19 protests in Shanghai and Beijing - CNA

According to Chris, the police started cordoning off the area after more people began gathering by the river. “The people who came after that were stuck outside. More and more people gathered outside, more and more found out what was happening, and soon we heard people making demands,” said Chris. “Slowly, we realised there were a lot of people, perhaps up to one or two thousand.” 

“When I walked out, there was an impassioned girl making demands like removing PCR tests. After her speech, she led everyone in a song, and the crowd started walking towards the city,” said Chris.

He added that he did not witness violence and that the police as well as those gathered were reasonable. “Most of the police officers in Beijing last night were very polite in dispersing the crowd and advising people to return home. It was something I didn’t expect as well,” said Chris.

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2022-11-28 14:16:22Z
1671056854

Shanghai tightens security after anti-lockdown protests across China - The Straits Times

Shops and cafes in the area were asked to close, a staff member at one told Reuters.

Sunday saw people take to the streets in several major cities across China to call for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedoms, in a wave of nationwide protests not seen since pro-democracy rallies in 1989 were crushed.

“We hope to end the lockdown,” said 28-year-old Shi at a candlelight vigil in Beijing late on Sunday. “We want to live a normal life. We should all bravely express our feelings.”

Beijing on Monday blamed “forces with ulterior motives” for linking a deadly fire in the western Xinjiang region to strict Covid-19 measures.

Online posts circulating on both Chinese and overseas social media platforms have claimed that lengthy Covid-19 lockdowns in Urumqi hampered rescue attempts after the blaze on Thursday night.

In response to a question at a regular press briefing about the disaster, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “On social media there are forces with ulterior motives that relate this fire with the local response to Covid-19.”

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of north-west China’s Xinjiang region, has become a catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid-19 lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts.

But they have also featured prominent calls for greater political freedoms – with some even demanding the resignation of China’s President Xi, recently re-appointed to an unprecedented third term as China’s leader.

Large crowds gathered on Sunday in the capital Beijing and Shanghai, where police clashed with protesters as they tried to stop groups from converging at Wulumuqi street, named after the Mandarin for Urumqi.

Crowds that gathered overnight – some of whom chanted “Xi Jinping, step down! CCP, step down!” – were dispersed by Sunday morning.

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2022-11-28 11:44:40Z
1671056854

Shanghai tightens security after anti-lockdown protests across China - The Straits Times

SHANGHAI – Shanghai authorities put up barriers on Monday around a city centre area where hundreds of people protested over the weekend against heavy Covid-19 measures, one of several demonstrations that have flared across the country.

From the streets of Shanghai and Beijing to university campuses, protesters made a show of civil disobedience unprecedented since leader Xi Jinping assumed power a decade ago to oversee the quashing of dissent and establishment of an extensive high-tech social surveillance system.

On Monday, the Shanghai streets where protesters gathered were blocked off with blue metal barriers, in what looked like a bid to prevent crowds gathering. Police in high-visibility vests patrolled in pairs, while police cars and motorbikes cruised by.

Shops and cafes in the area were asked to close, a staff member at one told Reuters.

Sunday saw people take to the streets in several major cities across China to call for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedoms, in a wave of nationwide protests not seen since pro-democracy rallies in 1989 were crushed.

“We hope to end the lockdown,” said 28-year-old Shi at a candlelight vigil in Beijing late on Sunday. “We want to live a normal life. We should all bravely express our feelings.”

Beijing on Monday blamed “forces with ulterior motives” for linking a deadly fire in the western Xinjiang region to strict Covid-19 measures.

Online posts circulating on both Chinese and overseas social media platforms have claimed that lengthy Covid-19 lockdowns in Urumqi hampered rescue attempts after the blaze on Thursday night.

In response to a question at a regular press briefing about the disaster, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “On social media there are forces with ulterior motives that relate this fire with the local response to Covid-19.”

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of north-west China’s Xinjiang region, has become a catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid-19 lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts.

But they have also featured prominent calls for greater political freedoms – with some even demanding the resignation of China’s President Xi, recently re-appointed to an unprecedented third term as China’s leader.

Large crowds gathered on Sunday in the capital Beijing and Shanghai, where police clashed with protesters as they tried to stop groups from converging at Wulumuqi street, named after the Mandarin for Urumqi.

Crowds that gathered overnight – some of whom chanted “Xi Jinping, step down! CCP, step down!” – were dispersed by Sunday morning.

But in the afternoon, hundreds rallied in the same area with blank sheets of paper and flowers to hold what appeared to be a silent protest, an eyewitness told AFP.

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2022-11-28 08:40:00Z
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Malaysia PM Anwar rejects Mercedes S600 as official car, warns against wastage of public funds - CNA

On Saturday night, he had made a similar remark after prayers at a mosque in Selangor. 

He said that no new official car would be bought for his use and no new unnecessary furniture will be bought by his office, as part of a new culture against wastage of public funds that must be practised by all.

“The condition is that there are no new purchases in the prime minister's office,” he told reporters.

“Think of what you can save – RM100 (US$22), RM1000, RM10,000 – which can be returned to the poor. I started with a commitment not to take a salary, but what’s important is not to waste the funds we have,” he said. 

“This is a message to all department leaders to remember that in the current situation we should start a new culture. Don’t use government money for our own facilities.”

Mr Anwar, 75, previously announced that he would not be taking his prime minister salary, in line with a promise that he had made during the 15th General Election (GE15) campaigning. 

He also announced that the Cabinet size will be reduced and that he is also seeking the agreement of parliamentarians who will be appointed as ministers to reduce their salaries.

He has yet to announce his Cabinet line-up and said on Sunday that he will discuss the appointments with his coalition partners in the following days.

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2022-11-28 04:40:54Z
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Taiwan elections: what do KMT's gains mean for the 2024 presidential race? - South China Morning Post

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1. Taiwan elections: what do KMT's gains mean for the 2024 presidential race?  South China Morning Post
2. Attention turns to 2024 presidential poll after Taiwan ruling party thrashing  CNA
3. Beijing-friendly KMT's huge win in local elections does not mean Taiwan is pro-China: Analysts  The Straits Times
4. Taiwan elections set stage for tighter presidential race in 2024  Bangkok Post
5. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen resigns as head of ruling Democratic Progressive Party following local election losses  CNA
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-11-27 11:45:54Z
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Attention turns to 2024 presidential poll after Taiwan ruling party thrashing - CNA

TAIPEI: Attention is turning to Taiwan's next presidential election in 2024 after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was thrashed at local elections on Saturday (Nov 26), with President Tsai Ing-wen's move to focus on China backfiring with voters.

The main opposition party the Kuomintang, or KMT, romped to victory in the mayoral and county elections.

The KMT won 13 of the 21 seats up for grabs, including the wealthy and cosmopolitan capital of Taipei, in line with expectations, although none of those elected have a direct say in policies on China.

China views the island as its own territory and has been ramping up military activities to assert those claims, fuelling global concern especially given Taiwan's major role as a semiconductor producer.

The KMT traditionally favours close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. It had been on the back foot since 2020's presidential election loss, and also suffered a blow last December after four referendums it had championed as a show of no confidence in Tsai's government failed.

Speaking to reporters late on Saturday at party headquarters, its chairman Eric Chu said the KMT understood that only by uniting could it win the next presidential election.

"Taiwan's people have given us an opportunity," he said. "Being selfless is the only chance that the KMT could win the 2024 election."

Ms Tsai resigned as DPP chairwoman after the defeat, the worst showing in the party's history, and is now left with just five mayor or county chief positions.

She had framed the vote as being about showing defiance to China's rising bellicosity, especially after it held war games near the island in August and President Xi Jinping, who has vowed to bring Taiwan under Chinese control, won an unprecedented third term in office last month. 

ELECTION STRATEGY BACKFIRED

But Ms Tsai's strategy failed to mobilise voters, who disassociated geopolitics from the local elections, which traditionally focus more on bread-and-butter issues from crime to pollution.

Turnout on Saturday was at record low, just 59 per cent for Taiwan's six most important cities, compared to an overall figure of around 75 per cent in 2020. 

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2022-11-27 05:38:05Z
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Shanghai hit by COVID-19 protests as anger spreads across China - CNA

ANGER NATIONWIDE

Shanghai's 25 million people were put under lockdown for two months earlier this year, an ordeal that provoked anger and protest.

Chinese authorities have since then sought to be more targeted in their COVID-19 curbs, but that effort has been challenged by a surge in infections as China faces its first winter with the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

While low by global standards, China's case numbers have hit record highs for days, with nearly 40,000 new infections reported by health authorities on Sunday for the previous day.

On Friday night, crowds took to the streets of Urumqi, chanting "End the lockdown!" and pumping their fists in the air after the deadly fire, according to videos circulated on Chinese social media.

Many of Urumqi's 4 million residents have been under some of the country's longest lockdowns, barred from leaving their homes for as long as 100 days.

In Beijing, 2,700 km away, some residents under lockdown staged small protests or confronted local officials on Saturday over movement restrictions, with some successfully pressuring them into lifting the curbs ahead of a schedule.

A video shared with Reuters showed Beijing residents in an unidentifiable part of the capital marching around an open-air car park on Saturday, shouting: "End the lockdown."

The Beijing government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

The next few weeks could be the worst in China since the early weeks of the pandemic both for the economy and the healthcare system, Mark Williams of Capital Economics said in note last week, as efforts to contain the outbreak will require additional localised lockdowns in many cities.

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2022-11-27 05:10:48Z
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Not all Malaysians happy about PM Anwar's Nov 28 holiday - The Straits Times

GEORGE TOWN - Holidays, ironically, can become a headache as well.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang chairman Lee Teong Li explained that the last quarter of the year was usually a crucial time for companies as they would rush to complete their production and shipment before the festive period starts.

“Thus, unplanned off days are a bane and the government should take into account these issues when declaring a holiday,” he said.

He said that overtime payments for workers could run into hundreds of millions of ringgit throughout this period.

“These expenses are not budgeted, which creates difficulties in production and financial planning.”

Public holidays were declared for Nov 18 and 19 to allow voters to get home for polling.

And Nov 28 is also a public holiday, following the appointment of Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister.

“This is taxing for companies,” said Mr Lee, noting that Christmas and New Year holidays were approaching as well.

And despite the three-day weekend, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) did not see a surge in bookings.

That’s because the public announcement holiday for Monday came too suddenly, which meant that holiday-makers could not make arrangements for hotels and flight tickets, said MAH Kedah/Perlis chairman Eugene Dass.

“The occupancy rate is still hovering around 50 per cent to 55 per cent, including in Langkawi,” he said.

Many people, he added, had not expected a day off tomorrow, so they decided to stay put and take a longer break during the school holidays, which is only about 10 days away.

The situation is similar in Penang, too.

MAH Penang chairman Tony Goh said the occupancy rate was at 55 per cent to 60 per cent currently in Penang, as people were waiting for the December holidays.

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2022-11-27 03:52:36Z
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Taiwan's Tsai quits as party leader after heavy local election losses - Nikkei Asia

TAIPEI -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as leader of her ruling party after the opposition Kuomintang retook its traditional strongholds in local elections held on Saturday.

She will remain Taiwan's president until her second term expires in early 2024. It has been a poor election night for her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which was facing a difficult electoral cycle as the party's term-limited incumbents stepped down. Premier Su Tseng-chang also offered to resign but was retained by Tsai.

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2022-11-26 18:30:00Z
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China's Xinjiang loosens some restrictions after lockdown protests - CNA

People in Urumqi largely marched peacefully in big puffy winter jackets in the cold winter night.

Videos of protests featured people holding the Chinese flag and shouting “Open up, open up." They spread rapidly on Chinese social media despite heavy censorship. In some scenes, people shouted and pushed against rows of men in the white whole-body hazmat suits that local government workers and pandemic-prevention volunteers wear, according to the videos.

By Saturday, most had been deleted by censors. The Associated Press could not independently verify all the videos, but two Urumqi residents who declined to be named out of fear of retribution said large-scale protests occurred Friday night. One of them said he had friends who participated.

The AP pinpointed the locations of two of the videos of the protests in different parts of Urumqi. In one video, police in face masks and hospital gowns faced off against shouting protesters. In another, one protester is speaking to a crowd about their demands. It is unclear how widespread the protests were.

In one video, which the AP could not independently verify, Urumqi's top official, Yang Fasen, told angry protesters he would open up low-risk areas of the city the following morning.

That promise was realised the next day, as Urumqi authorities announced that residents of low risk areas would be allowed to move freely within their neighborhoods. Still, many other neighborhoods remain under lockdown.

Officials also triumphantly declared Saturday that they had basically achieved “societal zero-COVID," meaning that there was no more community spread and that new infections were being detected only in people already under health monitoring, such as those in a centralised quarantine facility.

Social media users greeted the news with disbelief and sarcasm. “Only China can achieve this speed,” wrote one user on Weibo.

On Chinese social media, where trending topics are manipulated by censors, the “zero-COVID” announcement was number one trending hashtag on both Weibo, a Twitter-like platform, and Douyin, the Chinese edition of Tiktok. The apartment fire and protests became a lightning rod for public anger, as millions shared posts questioning China's pandemic controls or mocking the country's stiff propaganda and harsh censorship controls.

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2022-11-26 13:56:00Z
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Deadly Xinjiang fire stirs anger at China's zero-COVID policy - CNA

BEIJING: A deadly fire in China's northwest Xinjiang region has spurred an outpouring of anger at the country's zero-COVID policy, as Beijing fights growing public fatigue over its hardline approach to containing the coronavirus.

Ten people were killed and nine injured when the blaze ripped through a residential building in the regional capital Urumqi on Thursday night, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Online posts circulating on both Chinese and overseas social media platforms since Friday have claimed that lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns in the city hampered rescue attempts.

Some videos appeared to show crowds of people taking to the streets of Urumqi to protest against the measures.

The action comes against a backdrop of mounting public frustration over the government's zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 and follows sporadic protests in other cities.

China is the last major economy wedded to a zero-COVID strategy, with authorities wielding snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantines and mass testing to snuff out new outbreaks as they emerge.

Footage partially verified by AFP shows hundreds of people massing outside the Urumqi city government offices during the night, chanting: "Lift lockdowns!"

In another clip, dozens of people are seen marching through a neighbourhood in the east of the city, shouting the same slogan before facing off with a line of hazmat-clad officials and angrily rebuking security personnel.

AFP journalists were able to verify the videos by geolocating local landmarks, but were unable to specify when exactly the protests occurred.

A wave of anger simmered on the Weibo social media platform on Friday amid claims that parked electric vehicles left without power during lengthy lockdowns blocked fire engines from entering a narrow road to the burning building.

"I'm also the one throwing myself off the roof, trapped in an overturned (quarantine) bus, breaking out of isolation at the Foxconn factory," read one comment referencing several recent incidents blamed on zero-COVID strictures.

Chinese authorities censor online content deemed politically sensitive and appeared to have scrubbed many posts and hashtags relating to the fire by Saturday morning.

Urumqi police said in a Friday post on Weibo that they had detained a woman surnamed Su for "spreading online rumours" relating to the number of casualties from the blaze.

RARE APOLOGY

An initial investigation showed the blaze to have been caused by a board of electric sockets in the family bedroom of one of the apartments, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Rescue attempts were complicated by "a lack of parking spaces and a large number of private vehicles parked on both sides" of a narrow road to the building, city fire and rescue chief Li Wensheng told reporters late Friday, CCTV said.

Urumqi mayor Maimaitiming Kade offered a rare formal apology for the blaze at the briefing, according to the broadcaster.

But officials also pushed back against some of the online allegations, denying that residents' doors had been clamped shut with iron wiring.

COVID-19 controls have confined some communities in Urumqi - a city of 4 million people - to their homes for weeks on end.

But in the wake of the protests, officials on Saturday said the city "had basically reduced social transmissions to zero" and would "restore the normal order of life for residents in low-risk areas in a staged and orderly manner".

Pandemic fatigue has been growing in China, with violent protests erupting at a vast COVID-hit factory in the central city of Zhengzhou in recent days due to a dispute over pay and labour conditions.

China recorded 34,909 new domestic infections on Saturday, the vast majority of which were asymptomatic, according to the National Health Commission.

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2022-11-26 05:25:00Z
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China reports third consecutive daily record for new COVID-19 cases - CNA

BEIJING: China reported 35,183 new COVID-19 infections on Nov 25, of which 3,474 were symptomatic and 31,709 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Saturday (Nov 26), setting a new high for the third consecutive day.

That compared with 32,943 new cases a day earlier – 3,103 symptomatic and 29,840 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately.

Excluding imported cases, China reported 34,909 new local cases on Friday, of which 3,405 were symptomatic and 31,504 were asymptomatic, up from 32,695 a day earlier.

There were no deaths, keeping fatalities at 5,232. As of Friday, mainland China had confirmed 304,093 cases with symptoms.

Mega-cities continue to struggle to contain outbreaks, with Chongqing and Guangzhou recording the bulk of new cases.

Chongqing, a southwestern city of 32 million people, reported 7,721 new local cases for Friday, a jump of almost 20 per cent from the previous day.

Guangzhou, a prosperous city of nearly 19 million people in southern China, reported 7,419 new local cases for Friday, down slightly from 7,524 cases a day earlier.

New local cases for Friday in the capital Beijing jumped 58 per cent to 2,595, according to figures released by local health authorities on Saturday.

There are COVID outbreaks in almost all Chinese provinces, with Hebei, Sichuan, Shanxi and Qinghai provinces each registering more than a thousand new cases on Friday. (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by Kim Coghill, William Mallard and Edmund Klamann)

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2022-11-26 04:21:21Z
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Taiwan votes in local elections amid tensions with China - CNA

The election is happening a month after the end of the 20th congress of China's Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping secured an unprecedented third term in office - a point Tsai has repeatedly made on the campaign trail.

Although the outcome of the election will be an important measure of popular support for both parties, it cannot necessarily be read as an augur for the next presidential and parliamentary races in 2024.

Tsai and the DPP heavily defeated the KMT in 2020 despite their setback at the 2018 local polls. Her second term in office runs out in 2024 and she cannot stand again as president because of term limits.

Both parties have concentrated their efforts on wealthy and populous northern Taiwan, especially the capital, Taipei, whose current mayor, from the small Taiwan People's Party, cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Taiwanese elections are raucous and colourful affairs, with candidates touring their districts on the backs of trucks and SUVs seeking support, with music blaring and campaign flags fluttering.

There is also a vote on lowering the voting age to 18 from 20, which both parties support.

The election results should be clear by early evening on Saturday.

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2022-11-26 00:44:00Z
CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS90YWl3YW4tbG9jYWwtZWxlY3Rpb25zLXZvdGluZy10c2FpLWluZy13ZW4tY2hpbmEtdGVuc2lvbnMta3VvbWludGFuZy0zMTAyMjcx0gEA

Thousands flocked to a spiritual leader who claimed he could multiply money. Then, dead bodies turned up - CNA

Abdul was a respected figure in Probolinggo regency and news of his murder shook the community. The manhunt for the murderers began.

In May, the police made arrests. One of them, Wahyudi, was the leader of the foundation’s security team. He was also an active member of the Kopassus, the Indonesian Army’s special forces command.

But there were still many unanswered questions. “Why did they murder? What was the motive?” said Rakhmad Hari Basuki from the East Java High Prosecution Office, who prosecuted the murders. “They had no grudge against Abdul Gani.”

More disturbing news surfaced. Abdul’s colleague was also missing – and had been for some time.

The disappearance of Ismail Hidayah, the foundation’s coordinator, had been reported by his wife more than a year ago. When Abdul was found murdered, the police figured out that Ismail had also been murdered. 

His body had, in fact, been found in February 2015. But at the time, recalled journalist Babul, the unidentified corpse was completely unrecognisable. No one took notice, he added, because “why should we care about this unknown person”?

With the identification now made, it wasn’t long before investigators found the common thread. “Ismail, Abdul and Dimas – they’re known as old friends,” said Babul. “It means there are two people, close friends of Dimas Kanjeng, who (died of) unnatural causes.”

WATCH: Exposing The Schemes Of A Spiritual Conman In Indonesia (46:12)

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2022-11-25 22:01:11Z
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China's tightening COVID-19 curbs fuel pushback - CNA

At the world's largest iPhone factory in the central city of Zhengzhou, more than 20,000 new hires have left after COVID-19-related worker unrest this week, further imperilling output at Apple supplier Foxconn's plant there, Reuters reported.

References to a speech by a man in the southwestern city of Chongqing who called for the government to admit its mistakes on COVID-19 were shared widely on Chinese social media.

"Give me liberty or death," the bespectacled man told onlooking residents in an impassioned speech on Thursday, according to videos seen by Reuters.

"There is only one disease in the world and that is being both poor and not having freedom," he added. "We have now got both. We're still struggling and suffering over a little cold."

The man was later seen being bundled towards a police car by security personnel, prompting angry shouts from onlookers.

Hashtags related to the man, who netizens have called "Chongqing's superman brother" or "Chongqing hero", were censored on Friday. But individual users continued to show support by posting subtle messages or cartoon pictures of him.

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES?

As lockdowns afflict more people, some residents are proposing alternative approaches for their communities. In Beijing, residents of some compounds shared on WeChat proposals for how infected neighbours could quarantine at home if they did not display serious symptoms.

It's not clear whether such proposals would succeed.

Notices listing the circumstances under which health workers may remove a person from their home, aimed at educating people of their rights if asked to be taken to a quarantine centre, were also circulated online.

Oxford Economics senior economist Louise Loo said in a note that reports of public dissatisfaction across provinces in partial or full lockdowns have gained momentum, as was the case during the last big outbreak in April, although these "don't yet reflect large-scale collective action".

"As before, we expect officials to be able to respond swiftly to stem the social risk of escalating protests, either through a combination of heavier-handed information controls or with piecemeal easing of restrictions," Loo said.

Although the April outbreak was concentrated in Shanghai, case clusters this time are numerous and far-flung.

The southern city of Guangzhou and southwestern Chongqing have recorded the bulk of cases, while cities including Chengdu, Jinan, Lanzhou, Xian and Wuhan logged hundreds of new infections daily. Beijing reported 1,860 cases for Thursday.

In the east, Nanjing in Jiangsu province said it would conduct mass testing for five straight days from Saturday, the latest city to announce such plans. 

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2022-11-25 09:23:00Z
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Commentary: Even if Malaysia PM Anwar forms unity government, questions remain how long it can last - CNA

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said that his coalition is not interested in joining a unity government with PH. In fact, Muhyiddin has publicly challenged Anwar for the latter’s command of a parliamentary majority, to which Anwar replied with his intention to bring forth a vote of confidence at the first sitting of the new parliament in December.

But even if Muhyiddin stays true to PN’s snubbing, there will still be political wrangling in the existing ruling coalition. According to a Sin Chew Daily report on Nov 24, BN, and especially its leading party UMNO, was bargaining hard for the more “powerful” Cabinet posts, including the finance minister role, which could allow it to hold the government’s purse strings and thus disburse more resources to the party’s benefit.

Anwar’s party reportedly invited Nazir Razak, an apolitical prominent banker and estranged brother of former prime minister Najib Razak, to hold that important position instead.

The new federal ruling coalition could lead to political realignments even at the state level. Take Sabah for example, currently ruled by GRS and BN Sabah. PH and Parti Warisan Sabah could demand to be included in the state’s administration as well.

It also raises a question for upcoming state elections of PH-ruled Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan: Whether the various component parties in the federal ruling coalition will fight one another electorally.

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2022-11-25 07:35:00Z
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Sabah bloc to join Malaysia unity government, size of Cabinet will be reduced: PM Anwar - CNA

The Nov 19 election produced no clear winner, with neither Mr Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) nor Mr Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) able to secure a simple majority in the 222-seat Lower House.

PH won 81 seats while PN managed 73, putting both in a position to form the next government. A coalition needs to be backed by at least 112 lawmakers to form the next government. Both coalitions scrambled to gather support from Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and GRS. 

BN, which finished a distant third, managed to win 30 seats. GPS won 23 seats while GRS emerged victorious in six seats.

The king had asked PH and PN to form a unity government, but the latter turned down the suggestion.

Following a meeting of the Malay rulers on Thursday regarding the political impasse, Istana Negara announced that Mr Anwar will be the next prime minister.

After his swearing-in on Thursday, Mr Anwar told reporters that the unity government comprises PH, BN and GPS. The government also included Parti Warisan Sabah, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance and other independent lawmakers. 

Mr Anwar stated that he is willing to work with all coalitions, including PN.

The new prime minister said that the next parliamentary session will take place on Dec 19.

He added that a vote of confidence in his leadership will be the first item on the agenda during the parliamentary session. 

In a statement issued on Friday, Mr Muhyiddin congratulated Mr Anwar and said PN will play a check-and-balance role in the parliament. 

“Moving forward, PN will continue the struggle for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of the country guided by the principles of Caring, Clean and Stable,” he said. 

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2022-11-25 07:06:57Z
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Malaysia's Mahathir congratulates rival Anwar on appointment as prime minister - CNA

Anwar is expected to start discussions on forming his Cabinet as he begins work on Friday as prime minister at a challenging time, with the economy slowing and the country deeply split after a close election.

The 75-year-old was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy and opposition figurehead.

Anwar, who was appointed by Malaysia's king following an inconclusive election, said that the people of Malaysia had long been awaiting change.

"We will never compromise on good governance, the anti-corruption drive, judicial independence and the welfare of ordinary Malaysians," he said late on Thursday.

Anwar's appointment ends five days of unprecedented post-election crisis but could usher in further instability with his rival, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, challenging him to prove his majority in parliament.

Both men's coalitions failed to win a majority in Saturday's election, but Malaysia's constitutional monarch, King Al-Sultan Abdullah, appointed Anwar after speaking to several lawmakers.

The campaign pitted Anwar's progressive, multi-ethnic coalition against Muhyiddin's mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance.

The uncertainty over the election had threatened to exacerbate instability in Malaysia, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and also risked delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.

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2022-11-25 04:28:53Z
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Nov 28 is a public holiday in Malaysia, says PM Anwar - The Straits Times

SUNGAI LONG – Newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has declared Monday a public holiday in Malaysia.

“I will discuss with the chief secretary because I have promised for a holiday on Monday this week, but this was not settled last Monday,” Datuk Seri Anwar said during a media conference at a golf club in Sungai Long on Thursday.

“God willing, this (impasse) is settled on Thursday, and I will fulfil my promise to have a holiday next Monday.”

Mr Anwar said his first focus as prime minister is to ensure national economic recovery and he noted that after his appointment, foreign investors’ confidence appeared to have been positively affected and the share market situation has improved.

“Foreign investors’ confidence has changed, the ringgit has strengthened and the stock market is fresher,” he said.

“That is why I decided that Friday will not be a public holiday and, instead, it will be next Monday.”

The 75-year-old leader was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on Thursday, ending his 24-year wait to lead the country. The Pakatan Harapan chairman was appointed after the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, made the decision following a special meeting of the nation’s nine state monarchs.

Mr Anwar said he will start his duties as prime minister on Friday morning.

“Because there is a meeting at 8.30am on Friday and I have discussed with the chief secretary to the government that I will arrive at the Prime Minister’s Office before 10am on Friday,” he added.

Mr Anwar also talked about his feelings since 1998, when he was removed as deputy prime minister by then Premier Mahathir Mohamad.

“My grandson asked me, how much longer do you have to wait? I said not too long, only 24 years. God willing, with all the trials and tribulations... I am proud to say that we have achieved (this),” he said.

Mr Anwar added: “It is not for Anwar, not for the party leaders, but to give this new sense of confidence to Malaysians that this is their land and their country.” THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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2022-11-24 23:25:13Z
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PM Lee congratulates Anwar Ibrahim on becoming Malaysia's prime minister - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated his newly sworn-in Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Harapan alliance on its strong performance at Malaysia’s general election.

Datuk Seri Anwar was appointed Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on Thursday.

PM Lee said in a letter to Mr Anwar: “Your premiership comes amidst significant challenges in our regional and global environment. As close neighbours and friends, Singapore and Malaysia should work together to manage these challenges and explore new opportunities for cooperation.”

He added: “Singapore and Malaysia share a longstanding substantive relationship, underpinned by our historical ties, multifaceted cooperation, and strong people-to-people links.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore and Malaysia supported each other, with close coordination between the governments allowing for the flow of essential goods and workers, and to reopen borders swiftly and effectively, said PM Lee.

This close partnership in Asean remains central to stability in the region amid rising geopolitical tensions, he added.

He noted that the two bilateral framework agreements on green and digital economies will create new opportunities for businesses and people, and that both countries can still do more to enhance openness, stability and connectivity for mutual benefit.

“I look forward to meeting you soon, to discuss the common issues facing our two countries and how we can further advance our bilateral relationship,” he said.

PM Lee wrote, in concluding his letter: “Ho Ching and I wish you and Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah good health and happiness.”

Mr Anwar, 75, was sworn in after most parties agreed to a call by the Malaysian King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, for a unity government in the wake of last Saturday’s general election resulting in Malaysia’s first-ever hung Parliament.

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2022-11-24 14:03:23Z
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PM Lee congratulates new Malaysian PM Anwar, says both countries should work together to face challenges - CNA

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday (Nov 24) congratulated newly appointed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was earlier sworn in at the Istana Negara.

In his letter, Mr Lee also congratulated Mr Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition for its strong performance in the general election.

Mr Anwar’s appointment was confirmed by the Istana Negara on Thursday afternoon, following days of political uncertainty after the election failed to produce a clear winner.

“Your premiership comes amidst significant challenges in our regional and global environment,” Mr Lee wrote. “As close neighbours and friends, Singapore and Malaysia should work together to manage these challenges and explore new opportunities for cooperation.”

Mr Lee added that Singapore and Malaysia share a “longstanding substantive relationship”, underpinned by historical ties, multifaceted cooperation and strong people-to-people links.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our two countries have been steadfast partners supporting each other,” he said. “The close coordination between our ministers and officials allowed us to maintain the flow of essential goods and workers, and to re-open our borders swiftly and effectively.

“We have also been close partners in ASEAN, which remains central to stability in Southeast Asia amidst rising geopolitical tensions.”

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2022-11-24 13:32:00Z
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As it happens: Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Malaysia's 10th prime minister - CNA

Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim was on Thursday (Nov 24) sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, five days after his coalition won the most seats in the general election.

All eyes are now on how PH will form the next government.

Less than an hour before Anwar was sworn in, Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Muhyiddin Yassin insisted he commanded the majority support of those elected to lead the government. He called on Anwar to prove that he had the required numbers. 

Early Thursday morning, Barisan Nasional (BN) said that it would take part in a unity government, but not one led by PN.

Follow the latest developments on Thursday:

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2022-11-24 10:20:05Z
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Malaysia GE15: BN to take part in unity government but not one led by PN: UMNO - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready to support and take part in a unity government as mooted by the king, said the coalition's lynchpin party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

However, the party stressed that it will not be part of a unity government led by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which is headed by Mr Muhyiddin Yassin. 

In a statement released early on Thursday morning (Nov 24) after an UMNO Supreme Council meeting, the party's secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said: "The (UMNO) supreme council has considered carefully the main points following the discussion between BN with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional.

"The supreme council has unanimously decided to adhere to the wishes of His Royal Highness the king for Barisan Nasional to support and take part in a unity government which is not led by Perikatan Nasional to ensure that a government which is stable and prosperous is formed," added Mr Ahmad Maslan.

On Monday, PH and BN leaders met at the Seri Pacific hotel to discuss the formation of the new government. Mr Anwar said later that he was very pleased with the progress of the discussions.

Local media also reported that some BN and PN heavyweights were holding talks at the St Regis hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Citing party sources, local media reported that the meeting was to hear Mr Muhyiddin’s case for a unity government.

In his statement, Mr Ahmad Maslan added that the UMNO supreme council shall adhere to and accept the formation of a unity government or any other government structures that will be stipulated by the king. 

He also said that the UMNO supreme council supports the leadership of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

On Wednesday morning, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid, his deputy Mohamad Hasan and the coalition’s secretary general Zambry Abdul Kadir were seen driving into the palace grounds for a royal audience with King.

Mr Ahmad Zahid was later quoted as saying by Malaysiakini that the King had decreed that all of BN's 30 MPs must take part in a unity government. 

“Tuanku’s decree was to form a unity government,” Ahmad Zahid reportedly said.

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2022-11-23 22:17:54Z
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