#ICYMI: Weekly Editor's Pick (Nov 23-29)

AFTER the President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama concluded his three-day working visit at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, the focus at the editor's desk was shifted on local news.

The week of Nov 23 started with a bang when the President of India, Narendra Modi swung by in town to inaugurate 'Torana Gate' at Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur. The gate, which is a gift from the Indian government to Malaysia is a mark of friendship between Malaysia and India.

On the political front, UMNO members are feeling the rising heat as they gear up for the UMNO General Assembly which is scheduled to take place at the Putra World Trade Centre, KL from Dec 8 to 12.

The burning question remains if it this year's UMNO Assembly would take a different twist, thanks to the 'uncertainties' shrouding the party.

November 29, Sunday

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stressed that UMNO’s decision to allow its three party wings – Wanita, Youth and Puteri – assemblies to be officiated by its respective chiefs is aimed at preventing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from speaking.

The statesman said, “Muhyiddin has to attend and sit on top. Based on protocols, Muhyiddin is number two after the President.

Dr Mahathir has also expressed is willingness to attend the 2015 UMNO General Assembly after he received the invitation to attend it. In his typical nonchalance, the veteran politician said that no members from the UMNO bloc 'should be barred from attending the assembly.'

There were murmurs of 'oohs' and 'aah' among Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) fans at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Johor as Club side Felda United FC sent star-studded side JDT packing out of the Malaysia Cup when they defeated the AFC Cup champions on a 3-2 aggregate at the conclusion of the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere in Rembau, a man and his pregnant wife were killed and their two-year-old son injured when the car they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with another at the 14.7km Jalan Seremban.

In Johor, many were surprised when its Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed a ban on vape businesses in the state. The state executive council has been commanded to meet next week to hasten the process.

Johor is the first state to enforce a ban on the sale of vapes, which will be enforced Jan 1, 2016.

November 28, Saturday

A father of a 13-year-old girl in Kampar, Perak was forced to file a police report following the discovery of his daughter's sexual relationship with a 23-year-old man after they chatted on WeChat. The suspect was arrested on grounds of allegedly raping a minor.

'Charles Suresh Morais, is a coward!' These were the words by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in response to the 'disappearance' of Suresh -- the younger brother of the late Anthony Kevin Morais -- who had allegedly fled the country after making various allegations in connection with his brother's death. Khalid said Suresh left the country at 1.30am through the Johor Causeway last Thursday, a day after he held a press conference on Kevin's death.

November 27, Friday

Police recorded a statement from Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar regarding her controversial meeting with Jacel H. Kiram, a daughter of a former terrorist chief who had intruded into Lahad Datu, Sabah in 2013.

Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Muhamad Baderudin Ahmad was caustic when he said that a ban on vaping and shisha smoking must be accompanied by a prohibition of their sale.

He said that in line with a decision to ban e-cigarettes, the government must also consider all factors which contributed to the activity.

November 26, Thursday

The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has ordered for the Facebook account holder who goes by the name of Faisal Bin Rohban to be investigated and arrested for sedition.

Khalid, on his official Twitter page, ordered the Police Cyber Investigation and Response Centre to investigate and arrest the Facebook account holder.

In a different development, Khalid had cautioned the younger brother of Anthony Kevin Morais to not withhold the infomation on the latter's death from the polce. Khalid said, he should surrender any info to the police for investigation as withholding such information can be regarded as an offense.

November 25, Wednesday

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will table its report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in Parliament no later than March next year.

When it rains, it pours. The East Coast is inundated with monsoon, yet again. Three new evacuation centres in Raub were opened since 7.30 pm Tuesday to accommodate 81 people from 14 families in the district who were affected by the floods.

November 24, Tuesday

National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail was acquitted of two criminal breach of trust charges involving RM49.7 million and two charges relating misuse of company funds.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission dismissed a social media allegation over the purported donation deposited in an account of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

MACC said the information circulating on social media was false and believed be the work of irresponsible people.

November 23, Monday

The delegates meeting of three UMNO wings, namely Wanita, Youth and Puteri at the UMNO General Assembly next month which will not be opened by the UMNO deputy president is not an issue to be blown up to affect the party.

Several UMNO veterans, on the other, viewed that continuous debate on the matter would only weaken the largest Malay party, especially at the grassroots level.