KOTA KINABALU, Oct 14 — Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) is the latest to announce it is opting out of the upcoming Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election, increasing chances for Parti Warisan Sabah to retain the seat if it decides to put up a candidate.

Its chapter chief Datuk Christina Liew said that the decision comes out of respect for the late Batu Sapi MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong, better known as VK Liew, and the desire to prevent another spike in Covid-19 cases.

“Our decision is a show of respect for the late Datuk VK Liew who last held the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat under Parti Warisan Sabah,” she said in a statement today.

Christina, who is also Sabah PKR chief, called on other parties or individuals to avoid participating or to ensure full observance of the standard operating procedure (SOP) should they intend to contest in the by-election.

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PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have voiced some doubt that party leaders alone can decide who should be prime minister if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summons them to ascertain support for Anwar Ibrahim.

It is possible that some MPs are in disagreement with the leaders of their parties, according to Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya.

Speaking to FMT, Azmi claimed to have knowledge that at least two PAS MPs were backing Anwar although the party’s deputy president has said that none from PAS was doing so.

After a royal audience yesterday, Anwar said the King would be calling up leaders from several parties in the next few days.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu were both summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in separate audiences, the two confirmed today.

However, the two party leaders said in a joint statement that both their royal audiences have now been postponed.

The statement said Lim was initially scheduled to see Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today, while Mohamad or Mat Sabu’s audience was to be on October 21.

“However, yesterday His Royal Highness’ senior private secretary informed us that both the sessions before His Majesty have been postponed,” they said.


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Numerous studies have proven the benefits of regular meditation. 

These can include decreased stress, improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, just to name a few. 

And while there are different types of meditation, they can all offer a similar set of proven benefits for mental and physical health. Here's what research has found.

1. Better focus and concentration
Mindfulness meditation helps you focus on the present, which can improve your concentration on other tasks in daily life.

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PETALING JAYA: A Selangor assemblyman has criticised Putrajaya’s sudden announcement to impose a conditional movement control order (CMCO) for the entire state, describing it as “unprofessional”.

In a statement, DAP’s Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the announcement was made without prior consultation and detailed guidelines given to elected representatives, leaving many with unanswered questions.

She said Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari was also shocked by the announcement, and that this was not the first time it had happened.

Jamaliah said that during the first phase of the movement control order (MCO) in March, five states under Pakatan Harapan’s leadership, including Selangor, were not invited to a key meeting on Covid-19.


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PETALING JAYA: A political analyst says DAP’s image among Malay voters and their perception of the party, could improve if the party agrees to work with Umno under a government led by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Anwar was a leader who seemed capable of negotiating a form of political inclusiveness, adding that Malaysia’s politics should no longer be centred on ethnicity or religion but on nationality.

“If DAP rejects working with Umno (under an Anwar-led government), then it will give the wrong perception to the Malay people and the Malay royal institution. DAP must avoid sending the message or perception that DAP cannot tolerate a Malay-Muslim government led by Anwar,” he told FMT.


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PETALING JAYA: The Perak state government is at risk of collapse after barely seven months, as a result of discontent among state Umno leaders regarding their coalition partner PPBM, says a party leader in the know.

Speaking to FMT, the leader who did not want to be named, said there was truth to reports that “all was not well” between the two Malay parties in the state, who are partners with PAS in Perikatan Nasional.

Citing a Malaysiakini report quoting Pakatan Harapan leaders, the leader said ties between Umno and PPBM have been strained over a number issues.

According to the report Perak PKR information chief Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad also claimed that at least six Umno assemblymen were ready to work



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GEORGE TOWN, Oct 13 — The Penang state government has yet to make a decision on whether the controversial undersea tunnel project will be built, said state exco Zairil Khir Johari (DAP - Tanjung Bungah).

The Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman said the state will only make a decision after the feasibility report on the tunnel by Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) is finalised.

"So, at this time, there is no need to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment for the project until the feasibility report is finalised by CZC," he said in his written reply to a question by Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (PAS - Penaga) at the state legislative assembly.

Mohd Yusni had asked the state to reveal the EIA for the undersea tunnel and to list the agencies that had approved the project.

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Overview


When you think about eating, you may think of the work that happens in your stomach and intestines. But the entire digestive process starts in your mouth, with chewing.

When you chew your food, it gets broken down into smaller pieces which are easier to digest. When mixed with saliva, chewing allows your body to extract the greatest possible amount of nutrients from the food you eat.


Chewing food 32 times

Experts have a lot to say about chewing. One common piece of advice is to chew your food an estimated 32 times before swallowing. It takes fewer chews to break down soft and water-filled food. The goal of chewing is to break down your food so it loses texture.

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