AMANAH

Amanah hopes to be like a phoenix rising from the ashes in the wake of a humbling defeat in Melaka

AMANAH’S defeat in Melaka would serve to spur the party’s rise from the ashes to continue its struggle, its deputy president Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa stressed.

The Melaka election chairman also remains confident that the people would be able to judge and conclude that narrow racial politics and sectarianism practiced by some parties will not secure a future for the next generation.

The former PAS leader confirmed that his party would analyse their weakness and improvise their election strategy.

Its most prominent candidate, party vice president Adly Zahari lost the Bukit Katil state seat in a straight fight against PAS.

Adly, the deputy defence minister is also a former Melaka chief minister.

Ironically, Amanah is a PAS splinter party.

All the rest of Amanah’s six candidates were also defeated. The party’s ally in Pakatan Harapan (PH) – PKR, too suffered a similar fate. Only DAP secured four out of the seven seats it contested.

The racial politics that Mujahid mentioned referred to Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) ummah unity campaign that consolidated Malay Muslim vote bloc.

Taking a bird’s eye view of Amanah, the party that turned 11 this year have not yet achieved its goal to replace PAS as an alternative for Malay Muslim voters.

Several elections have indicated that the orange party had to rely on non-Malay votes to win the seats.

Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu’s Kota Raja parliament seat itself is a mixed seat.

Melaka state polls that were held yesterday (Nov 14) witnessed BN winning 21 out of the 28 seats. PN contributed three seats.

A total of 70.59% out of 675,166 voters casted their votes.

Even though BN won 21 seats, it merely obtained 49.24% of the votes. PH obtained 29.31% vote share whereas PN secured three seats with just 13.92% votes.

BERSAMA that secured its deposit in Bemban 3.92%. Estranged PN component BERSATU that also went solo received even lesser vote share – 3.16%. – Nov 15, 2026. FocusM, By Pragalath K

TECH

Tech, AI & Business Events

Smart Nation Expo 2026

Tue, 17 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov

Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre

Technology exhibition

• When: November 17–19, 2026.

• Where: Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

The Smart Nation Expo 2026 stands out as the definitive centerpiece for Malaysia's tech narrative this month. Hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from November 17–19, Southeast Asia’s largest 5G and digital transformation event arrives at a critical economic juncture. With the country recording a massive 60% surge in electronics and semiconductor exports driven by the global AI cycle, this expo serves as the physical staging ground where multi-billion dollar data center investments materialize into real-world applications. It offers an unrivaled look at how 5G integration, smart cities, and corporate AI infrastructure are actively reshaping the region's industrial landscape.

Oil

 

$120 Oil Is Almost Here, and Trump Has Few Good Options

Friday, October 23, 2026

The slow creep of oil prices towards the $120 per barrel mark is a nightmarish scenario for US President Trump, even though there has been little fundamental change in the crude oil markets. A slight drop in freight rates and a ubiquitous flattening of backwardated curves lowered differentials of most grades globally, offsetting some of the pressures coming from higher crude benchmarks. Be that as it may, an escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict paved the way for another 4% weekly gain, with ICE Brent trading around $117 per barrel.

First Russian Diesel Cargo Heads for New York. A non-sanctioned tanker, the Maltese-flagged Agioi Fanendes, left Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Primorsk with New York listed as its destination, marking the first diesel cargo under Trump’s deal with Moscow with final delivery expected on November 7.

Libya Oil Output Falls After Protests Reemerge. Libya's NOC said unauthorized individuals shut a pipeline valve serving the Hamada and Tahara fields, cutting output by 50,000 and 40,000 b/d respectively, as recurring protests jeopardize crude production that provides 90% of state revenues.

Europe Enters Winter with Gas at Four-Year Highs. Europe’s TTF gas benchmark rose above €93/MWh ($30 per MMBtu), the highest since December 2022, as restricted Qatari LNG supply coincided with colder weather and storage peaking below 75%, leaving Europe highly exposed ahead of winter.

Aramco Evacuates HQ After Houthi Attacks. Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) ordered staff to evacuate its Dhahran headquarters and temporarily work from home after the HQ was attacked by the Houthis, the first such move since the Iran war began, with drone strikes also killing two at the Shaybah oilfield.

Qatar Looks to Rebuild Its LNG Supply Base. QatarEnergy is seeking additional long-term cargoes from the US and potentially Asia after securing its first agreement with US developer Cheniere (NYSE:LNG), locking in 4 million tonnes of LNG per year until 2054, as domestic LNG outflows remain constrained.

Trump Taps Emergency Diesel Stockpiles. The US Energy Department is offering 315,000 barrels of diesel, one-third of its Northeast reserve, to ease regional disruptions as global diesel exports decline, while portraying the loan as temporary relief, with first Russian cargoes arriving in early November.

Japan Weighs Phasing Out Gasoline Subsidies. The Japanese government is considering phasing down gasoline subsidies from December as the program costs billions monthly, rapidly depleting a $20 billion budget, with average prices potentially rising from $4.1 per gallon now to $4.35 per gallon in January.

Trump Sees Wind Turbines as a Security Threat. US President Trump declared imported wind turbines and components a national security threat over cybersecurity and foreign dependence concerns, citing a Commerce Department investigation, ordering trade officials to discuss the issue with trading partners.

Indonesia Considers Halting Gas Exports. Indonesia may halt pipeline gas exports to neighbouring countries as Jakarta seeks to prioritize rising domestic demand, potentially a great blow to Singapore as such a move would remove some 7 bcm of supply, equivalent to 45% of the city-state’s consumption.

Mexico Doubles Down on Oil Exploration. Mexico’s state oil company Pemex pledged to direct $99 billion towards its upstream business in 2025-2030, 80% of its entire investment budget, seeking to counter declining production as crude oil output hovers at a meagre 1.34 million b/d in 2026 to date.

Kashagan Arbitration Court Rejects $12bn Cost Claims. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague rejected the Kazakh government’s $12 billion cost claims against international oil majors operating the giant Kashagan field, claiming it is too late to claim costs incurred between 2011 and 2015.

EU Starts Work on 22nd Russia Sanctions Package. The EU's draft 22nd sanctions package would add 12 individuals and 105 entities tied to Russian oil production, trading, refining, shipping and logistics, doubling down on pressure as Washington and Moscow discuss broader bilateral economic issues.

UAE Oil Spill Threatens Civilian Infrastructure. UAE authorities closed coastal areas around Umm Al Quwain and launched containment operations after a tanker—the Gem No.2 VLCC struck by missiles two weeks ago—began leaking oil, with currents carrying contamination towards desalination plants.

Beijing Orders a Nationwide Oil Supply Boost. The Chinese government instructed state oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC to expedite oil exploration and production to shield the country from supply shocks, going beyond the 2% annual growth rate with current oil output at 4.43 million b/d.

America’s Gas Glut Defies the Global Rally. Henry Hub gas futures fell to a two-month low of $2.66 per MMBtu as mild weather, recovering offshore supply and above-average US inventories outweigh record LNG demand, with the calendar year 2027 futures falling to a 5-year low of $3.09 per MMBtu.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

UMNO

My Way, Jamal Way or Milo Tin Way – Options for UMNO Youth leader and UMNO-PAS unity beyond politics

RM300,000 – that is the amount UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh lost in a defamation suit filed by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over allegation that the former made against the latter regarding halal certification.

Melaka High Court awarded RM250,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs. In addition, the court instructed Akmal to remove the defamatory remarks from all of his social media platforms.

In September 2024, Akmal made some remarks after Kok questioned a proposal to make halal certification compulsory for restaurants and businesses that did not serve pork and alcohol.

She pointed out that it could burden businesses, especially the small ones. Akmal called her an “old nyonya” and suggested a “non-halal” label be placed on her forehead.

Would Akmal now go the Jamal Way or opt for the popular Milo tin to settle the payment?

Or does he have enough to pull it like Frank Sinatra’s classic by claiming “I did it my way”?

Sinatra’s song is entitled My Way. Co-incidentally this song was also closely associated to former UMNO president and ex premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his 22-year-long administration.

The Jamal Way

The Jamal Way is in reference to another UMNO leader – Sungai Besar division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos who co-incidentally lost a defamation suit to Kok as well.

He lost a suit and was ordered RM300,000 over a speech in 2017 where he implicated Kok over alleged misuse of Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas) funds.

He lost the case in 2022 and was unable to settle an outstanding amount of RM66,00 until this year.

Prior to that, 14 assets belonging to Jamal Md Yunos were confiscated from his Ampang Jaya residence in Jan 2026.

An asset auction was put on hold in June this year after he settled the amount.

Milo tin method

The Milo tin method is a method popularised by PAS. The Islamist party distributes their Milo tins around during ceramahs to collect funds in their bid to settle defamation suits.

Several past and present PAS leaders have used this method successfully when they lose defamation suits.

Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad lost a defamation suit to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, party advisor Lim Guan Eng and Kok in Apr 2026.

She had to pay a lofty RM750,000 for claiming that the DAP trio were related to the former Communist Party of Malaya secretary-general, Chin Peng.

Umno-Pas united in more than political collaboration

In the event Akmal fails to pay up, he may be declared a bankrupt. That would bar him from contesting the Melaka election scheduled for Nov 14 this year.

In an odd way, Akmal’s defamation loss mirrors PAS too.

Ironically, both UMNO and PAS have combined forces to win the state election in Negeri Sembilan and are forging their alliance in the Melaka state polls. - By Pragalath K

Zetrix

Zetrix’s RM314mil arrears since May this year, not 2023, says Loke

PUTRAJAYA: The RM314 million in arrears that Zetrix AI Bhd owes the road transport department (JPJ) involves fees and summonses that the MYEG Group subsidiary collected since May this year, not May 2023, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke said his ministry and JPJ had taken steps to regain the collections, including holding four engagements with stakeholders since May, including the finance ministry.

He also said the company previously known as MyEG Sdn Bhd had been issued 35 notices to transfer the amount.

“On Aug 21, the company submitted a cheque dated Sept 30 worth RM231 million. However, when the cheque was credited on Sept 30, the bank said it could not process it on the company’s orders,” he said at a press conference here.

Loke also sidestepped queries on reports that Zetrix had ties to Umno, quipping that he could only confirm that DAP had no links to the firm.

“You have to ask (Umno) about that. One thing I’m sure of is that the company has no ties with my party,” the DAP secretary-general said. “But what party it’s linked to is not among my considerations.”

Loke said that his ministry and JPJ would set a deadline for the arrears to be settled and take appropriate steps to recover the funds.

He also said the government would consider lifting the suspension of Zetrix’s services once the debts have been cleared.

JPJ suspended the firm’s services effective today, partly due to its unfulfilled obligations.

Loke said JPJ’s services, via the department’s official and alternative channels, remained unaffected. - FMT 5 October 2026

PKR Bersatu

Anwar–Muhyiddin partnership touted as solution to Malaysia’s racial politics ahead of Melaka PRN

A PROPOSED political pairing between PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is being touted as a key solution to racial division in Malaysia.

Sinar Harian reported that academic Misrinah Misban of Universiti Utara Malaysia believes combining the two leaders would build public trust by guaranteeing the protection of Malay rights while ensuring Chinese and Indian communities remain protected under Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The partnership is also expected to resonate in Sabah and Sarawak because of its non-racial focus.

Former Amanah vice-president Datuk Husam Musa previously endorsed this combination to facilitate a smooth power transition for top government posts.

On the other hand, in parallel developments ahead of the Melaka state election (PRN), political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mashitah Mohd Udin highlighted that Bersatu must form alliances rather than contest solo.

Based on performance in previous state elections, Bersatu faces strategic pressure to negotiate – potentially with PH – to prevent multi-cornered fights, consolidate resources, and optimise seat distribution.

While political realignments remain fluid, analysts note that any potential PH-Bersatu alliance must carefully weigh supporters’ acceptance and party identity against political costs.

She also said the likelihood of the party led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin contesting solo does not appear to be a viable option at this time.

“The experience from those two state elections (Johor and Negeri Sembilan) is indeed relevant to be used for strategic assessment. Bersatu’s own leadership has stated that the outcome will be closely scrutinised through a party post-mortem.

“In Negeri Sembilan, Bersatu contested using its own logo, and the official results showed Perikatan Nasional securing seven out of 36 state legislative assembly seats, while Barisan Nasional won 18 and PH won 11,” Sinar Harian quoted her as saying. —  FocusM Oct 3, 2026

Nik Elin

“I’m perceived an enemy of Islam because I love my faith deeply, eager to protect it from abusers”

THEY call me an enemy of Islam. They think “Nik Elin” is a dangerous, secular liberal lawyer on a personal mission to destroy the religion.

Let me tell you the absolute truth: that is the most painful, inaccurate label anyone could ever put on my name.

Anyone who truly knows me knows my real character. I am a happy go lucky, fun person. Yes, I am stubborn and I speak my mind plainly. Perhaps that raw honesty works to my detriment at times. But I am absolutely not anti-Islam.

On the contrary, I love my faith deeply and my true purpose is to protect and defend it. I want to protect Islam from the very people who use and abuse Islam to attain total control and power over us.

I want to defend it from those who weaponise the religion to secure power and force others into absolute submission. In reality, it is these extreme actors who are sabotaging the genuine beauty and intellectual depth of Islam.

Luckily, we still have our Federal Constitution to protect us. But now they are threatening to take that protection away from us and rule us by terror and fear. They want to amend the constitution and take away the very fabric of human rights.

‘Don’t be fearful of Nik Elin, the lawyer’

If you love Islam, stand with me. Be the voice of progressive change so that our faith is never defined by fear, intimidation, or extremism. Islam is peace. Islam is entirely about love, mercy and compassion. It is about peaceful coexistence and universal justice.

I am simply a Muslim who wants a stable future where our faith inspires rather than strikes fear. Forced belief is a complete contradiction, it is a fundamental oxymoron.

By creating rigid modern laws that never even existed during the time of our beloved Prophet, we are acting lebih kuah dari sudu (an equivalent of “more Catholic than the Pope).

We cannot tolerate legal frameworks that completely criminalise critical thinking. Differences of opinion should be celebrated as a divine blessing, not punished.

Look at the moral decay in our society right now. Why is this happening? Because of the intense systemic pressure to conform to only one narrow, rigid version of Islam.

Our faith explicitly demands that we think for ourselves. In Quran Surah Al Anam 6:116, Allah warns us not to blindly follow the masses because the majority can lead you astray from the true path.

I dream of a future where Islam does not need to be forced upon us by state legislation but lives naturally within our hearts.

My life motto is anchored in Quran Surah An Nisaa 4:135 which commands us to stand up firmly for justice as witnesses to Allah even if it goes against ourselves, our parents or our closest kin.

So please, stop being afraid of Nik Elin, the lawyer. We should only fear Allah.

I invite all of you to look past the political noise and return to the true, beautiful way of Allah. Let us be guided by the divine wisdom found in Quran Surah An Nahl 16:125:

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction and argue with them in a way that is best.

If you believe in an Islam rooted in wisdom, compassion and true justice, I invite you to join me and be a voice for that change. – Focus M Oct 1, 2026

Kelantan-born Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid is a Malaysian lawyer who made headlines for successfully challenging the constitutionality of several state-level Syariah criminal provisions in Kelantan.

Alongside her daughter Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman, she filed a legal challenge at the Federal Court of Malaysia in May 2022 against the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

https://secangkuk.blogspot.com/p/pov-october-2026.html