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Sabtu, 26 September 2020

Democrats hammer Trump's Supreme Court pick, say could jeopardise Obamacare - CNA

WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and others in his party on Saturday (Sep 26) blasted President Donald Trump's choice of conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court, focusing in particular on the threat they said she would pose to healthcare for millions of Americans.

Biden noted that even as Trump's administration is seeking to strike down Obamacare in a case the Supreme Court is due to hear on Nov 10, Barrett has a "written track record" criticising a pivotal 2012 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts preserving the law formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

Biden, seeking to defeat the Republican president on Nov 3, called on the Senate not to act on the court's vacancy caused by the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg until after the Nov 3 election, allowing the winner to make the appointment.

"The United States Constitution was designed to give the voters one chance to have their voice heard on who serves on the court. That moment is now and their voice should be heard," Biden said.

READ: Trump announces 'brilliant' conservative judge Barrett as Supreme Court pick

Senate Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama's 2016 Supreme Court nominee, saying the winner of that year's election should make the pick.

Trump's choice means that he would replace Ginsburg, a champion of gender equality and other liberal causes who died on Sep 18 at age 87, with a jurist who in many ways is her judicial opposite.

If confirmed, Barrett would give the court a 6-3 conservative majority. The implications for contentious issues such as abortion, LGBT rights, gun-control measures and healthcare has prompted passionate reaction on both sides.

Democrats said Barrett would vote to dismantle healthcare during a coronavirus pandemic that already has killed more than 200,000 Americans.

"This nomination threatens the destruction of life-saving protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions together with every other benefit and protection of the Affordable Care Act," House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

READ: Amy Coney Barrett: Religious conservative US Supreme Court pick

Trump wants Barrett confirmed before the election. If so, she would be on the bench for the Obamacare oral arguments, with Republican-led states and Trump's administration trying to invalidate the law. A coalition of Democratic-led states is seeking to preserve the law in the litigation.

Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority and have committed to moving quickly on confirmation. They cheered Trump's choice.

"President Trump could not have made a better decision," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Judiciary Committee that will conduct confirmation hearings, added, "We move forward on this nomination knowing that the president has picked a highly qualified individual who will serve our nation well on the highest court in the land."

Trump critics also have expressed concern that a hasty confirmation process so close to an election risks further eroding the court's reputation as independent.

But Christian conservative and anti-abortion activists, who praised the choice, urged senators to move quickly and warned Democrats not to attack Barrett's religious faith.

"We have full confidence that the pro-life Senate majority will move swiftly to confirm her before the election," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group that is launching a digital advertising campaign supporting Barrett.

Abortion rights groups said Barrett's addition to the court could jeopardise the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion legal nationwide.

"The Supreme Court has a vital role in protecting and upholding civil rights and liberties - including reproductive rights - for everyone in the United States. We cannot barrel forward with a nomination that will impact people's lives for generations," said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

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2020-09-27 02:15:00Z
52781086017991

Biden urges US Senate not to confirm Supreme Court nominee before election - CNA

"The United States Constitution was designed to give the voters one chance to have their voice heard on who serves on the court. That moment is now and their voice should be heard," Biden said.

READ: Trump announces 'brilliant' conservative judge Barrett as Supreme Court pick

Senate Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama's 2016 Supreme Court nominee, saying the winner of that year's election should make the pick.

Trump's choice means that he would replace Ginsburg, a champion of gender equality and other liberal causes who died on Sep 18 at age 87, with a jurist who in many ways is her judicial opposite.

Democrats said Barrett would vote to dismantle healthcare during a coronavirus pandemic that already has killed more than 200,000 Americans.

READ: Amy Coney Barrett: Religious conservative US Supreme Court pick

Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority and have committed to moving quickly on confirmation. They cheered Trump's choice.

"President Trump could not have made a better decision," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Trump critics also have expressed concern that a hasty confirmation process so close to an election risks further eroding the court's reputation as independent.

But Christian conservative and anti-abortion activists, who praised the choice, urged senators to move quickly and warned Democrats not to attack Barrett's religious faith.

Abortion rights groups said Barrett's addition to the court could jeopardise the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion legal nationwide.

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2020-09-26 23:38:09Z
52781086017991

Muhyiddin-led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah clinches simple majority in state polls - CNA

KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition has garnered a simple majority in the Sabah state election, according to official results released by the Election Commission on Saturday (Sep 26) night.

The coalition, which is backed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) as well as other state-based parties such as Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku.

At around 12.30am on Sunday, the Election Commission confirmed that GRS component parties won 38 seats, more than half of the 73 seats in total.

Their main contenders, the Warisan Plus coalition, prevailed in 32 constituencies. Three seats went to independent candidates.

The incumbent Warisan Plus coalition comprises Parti Warisan Sabah, fellow state-based United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) as well as Pakatan Harapan (PH) national parties Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Amanah Negara.

The results mean that GRS can form the new state government and a new chief minister will be appointed to replace Warisan chief Shafie Apdal.

The polls saw multi-cornered fights in all 73 seats. A total of 447 candidates, including 56 independents, stood in the election.

Election Commission chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said in a press conference that among GRS coalition parties, PN has 17 seats, BN has 14 seats and PBS has won seven seats.

For Warisan Plus coalition parties, Warisan garnered 29 seats, PKR two seats and UPKO one seat. Three seats went to independent candidates.

Mr Abdul Ghani added that the voter turnout for the state election was 66.6 per cent.

Key GRS leaders Bung Moktar Radin and Hajiji Mohd Noor, from BN and Bersatu, won their seats in Lamag and Sulaman convincingly.

Speaking to the media at around 9.30pm, Mr Bung Moktar said: "GRS is in the midst of discussing its direction and other problems ... We promise that this government will be transparent and the people's welfare (will be) taken care of."

Mr Muhyiddin, who spoke to journalists after midnight, expressed his gratitude to the people of Sabah for "having confidence" in candidates put forth by GRS.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all GRS candidates who have been chosen to be representatives of the Sabah state assembly. This is the time for you to start your work as representatives of the people, with integrity, trustworthiness and dedication to implement what was promised in our manifesto," said Mr Muhyiddin.

The polls were conducted amid political uncertainty at the federal level, after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday that he has garnered a "strong, formidable, convincing majority" of Members of Parliament to overthrow the current government led by Mr Muhyiddin.

Mr Muhyiddin has since cast doubts over Mr Anwar’s claim, pointing out how the PKR president has not specified the MPs who were supposedly backing him.

During the course of campaigning, Mr Muhyiddin also hinted that an early 15th General Election may be held if GRS wins the Sabah polls.

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2020-09-26 23:18:00Z
52781084774700

Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls, SE Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s alliance has won the Sabah state elections, boosting his credentials amid a leadership challenge from federal opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim.

According to official results, Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance yesterday won a total of 38 state assembly seats – just one seat above the minimum 37 required to form the next state government.

Rival Parti Warisan Sabah and its allies, which was the incumbent government, won 32 seats.

Independent candidates won the remaining three seats.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

Mr Muhyiddin has said that snap national polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory would help strengthen Mr Muhyiddin’s bid in defending his premiership against Datuk Seri Anwar, who said last week that he has the numbers to form the next federal government.

Mr Anwar last Wednesday dropped a bombshell by saying that he has majority support from federal MPs and claimed that the Muhyiddin government, which came to power seven months ago, has “collapsed”.

A loss in Sabah could have led to political turmoil at the federal level as PM Muhyiddin’s critics could question his political strength.

Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin said that based on the unofficial results in Sabah, GRS “will take over the state”. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Mr Muhyiddin, in a statement on Facebook, said the victory showed that voters trusted GRS, and asked his alliance to fulfil its promises.

Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, secretary-general of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Mr Muhyiddin’s ruling coalition, said hours before the official results were announced that based on unofficial figures, GRS “will take over the state”.

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Bung Moktar Radin too declared GRS victors of the election late yesterday.

SABAH 2020 ELECTION RESULTS
GABUNGAN RAKYAT SABAH 38 seats

WARISAN PLUS 32 seats

INDEPENDENTS 3 seats

The victory means that GRS – consisting of PN, BN, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and several other Sabah-based parties – has snatched away the state government from rival Warisan and its allies, which took over after the 2018 General Election.

The victory was more remarkable as members of GRS contested against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

Still, it remained unclear who will become the chief minister.

Both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.

BN chief and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that traditionally, the faction with the biggest number of seats gets to choose who would become the chief minister.

PN won 17 of the 38 alliance seats, and BN won 14. PBS won in seven wards.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second-biggest state after Sarawak.

Concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks have contributed to the lower turnout. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

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2020-09-26 17:08:06Z
52781082334707

Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls, SE Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Rival Parti Warisan Sabah and its allies, which was the incumbent government, won 32 seats.

Independent candidates won the remaining three seats.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

Mr Muhyiddin has said that snap national polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory would help strengthen Mr Muhyiddin’s bid in defending his premiership against Datuk Seri Anwar, who said last week that he has the numbers to form the next federal government.

A loss in Sabah could have led to political turmoil at the federal level as PM Muhyiddin’s critics could question his political strength.

Mr Muhyiddin, in a statement on Facebook, said the victory showed that voters trusted GRS, and asked his alliance to fulfil its promises.

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Bung Moktar Radin too declared GRS victors of the election late yesterday.

The victory was more remarkable as members of GRS contested against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

Still, it remained unclear who will become the chief minister.

Both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.
PN has named its Sabah chairman, Datuk Hajiji Noor, as potential chief minister, while BN has put forward the name of Bung Moktar, who is facing corruption charges.

BN chief and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that traditionally, the faction with the biggest number of seats gets to choose who would become the chief minister.

PN won 17 of the 38 alliance seats, and BN won 14. PBS won in seven wards.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second-biggest state after Sarawak.

Concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks have contributed to the lower turnout. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

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Malaysia PM Muhyiddin's alliance wins Sabah polls: Unofficial results - The Straits Times

KOTA KINABALU - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's alliance has won the Sabah state elections on Saturday (Sept 26), according to unofficial results.

In a boost to his leadership, his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance has won the minimum 37 state assembly seats required to form the next state government.

The state has a total of 73 constituencies.

The victory could strengthen Tan Sri Muhyiddin's bid to defend his premiership amid an attempt by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to form the next federal government.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin has said that national snap polls could be called soon if GRS were to win in Sabah.

Malaysia’s general election is due only in 2023, but has been widely speculated to be called within the next few months.

The Sabah victory is a boost for the premier, after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday (Sept 23) dropped a bombshell by saying that he has majority support from federal MPs to form the next government.

Mr Anwar had also claimed in the news conference in Kuala Lumpur that the Muhyiddin government, which came to power seven months ago, has “collapsed”.

Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, secretary-general of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Mr Muhyiddin’s ruling coalition, said on Saturday that based on the unofficial results in Sabah, GRS “will take over the state”.

The victory meant that GRS - consisting of PN, Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Bersatu Sabah and several other Sabah-based parties - has snatched away the state government from a rival alliance led by Parti Warisan Sabah.

Unofficial results showed the Warisan alliance has won 20 seats, and three other wards were won by other factions.

GRS managed to come out victorious despite its various members contesting against one another in 17 of the 73 wards.

But it remained unclear over who will become the GRS chief minister, as both PN and BN had touted their own candidates for the post during the 14-day campaigning.

Voter turnout was just over 60 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million voters in Malaysia’s second biggest state after Sarawak.

The lower turnout was contributed by concerns of a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sabah in recent weeks. The state now has 730 active Covid-19 cases.

In 2018, voter turnout was 77 per cent.

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American sued in Thailand over negative Tripadvisor review - CNA

BANGKOK: An American has been sued by an island resort in Thailand over a negative Tripadvisor review, authorities said on Saturday (Sep 26), and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.

Domestic tourism is still happening in Thailand, where COVID-19 case numbers are relatively low, with locals and expats heading to near-empty resorts – including Koh Chang island, famed for its sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

READ: Thailand to allow long-stay tourists in island of Phuket from October

But a recent visit to the Sea View Resort on the island landed Wesley Barnes in trouble after he wrote unflattering online reviews about his holiday.

"The Sea View Resort owner filed a complaint that the defendant had posted unfair reviews on his hotel on the Tripadvisor website," Colonel Thanapon Taemsara of Koh Chang police told AFP.

He said Barnes was accused of causing "damage to the reputation of the hotel", and of quarrelling with staff over not paying a corkage fee for alcohol brought to the hotel.

Barnes, who works in Thailand, was arrested by immigration police and returned to Koh Chang where he was briefly detained and then freed on bail.

According to the Tripadvisor review Barnes posted in July, he encountered "unfriendly staff" who "act like they don't want anyone here".

The Sea View Resort said legal action was only taken because Barnes had penned multiple reviews on different sites over the past few weeks.

At least one was posted in June on Tripadvisor accusing the hotel of "modern day slavery" - which the site removed after a week for violating its guidelines.

"We chose to file a complaint to serve as a deterrent, as we understood he may continue to write negative reviews week after week for the foreseeable future," the hotel said, adding that staff had attempted to contact Barnes before filing the complaint.

Barnes did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

READ: COVID-19: Indonesia gives free Bali staycations to test tourism readiness

Thailand's notorious anti-defamation laws have long drawn scrutiny from human rights and press freedom groups, who say powerful players use it as a weapon to stifle free expression.

The maximum sentence is two years in prison, along with a 200,000 baht (US$6,300) fine.

Earlier this year, a Thai journalist was sentenced to two years in prison for posting a tweet referencing a dispute over working conditions at a chicken farm owned by the Thammakaset company.

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2020-09-26 10:52:30Z
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Sabtu, 26 September 2020

SABAH 2020 ELECTION RESULTS