It’s Wednesday, October 21, and these are the updates for you.
Firstly, Perikatan Nasional has been deregistered, but the opposition coalition says it will challenge the decision in court.
The Registrar of Societies revoked the coalition’s registration on October 20, citing issues with its response to a show-cause notice and concerns over its internal affairs.
PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition would challenge the decision’s validity and seek a stay to suspend its effects while the legal challenge proceeds.
The move comes amid internal tensions between Bersatu and PAS over the coalition’s leadership and administration. The deregistration also raises questions about PN’s ability to operate as a coalition ahead of the Melaka state election on November 14.
Secondly, Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain is expected to face two assault charges today.
The charges are scheduled to be brought at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court over an incident involving two police personnel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal One on September 28.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed that Shuhaily would face two counts under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which concerns voluntarily causing hurt.
The case came to public attention after CCTV footage of an altercation at the airport circulated online. The two police personnel subsequently lodged reports alleging physical assault, prompting an investigation by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department.
Shuhaily has said he is prepared to face the legal process and accept the court’s decision. The charges remain allegations, and the court will determine the case through the legal process.
Thirdly, the Finance Ministry says the government has made no commitment to bail out AirAsia.
In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said it had not agreed to provide the airline with financial assistance through government guarantees, loans or injections of public funds.
The clarification follows concerns over AirAsia’s financial performance and rising operating costs, particularly higher jet fuel prices linked to the conflict in West Asia.
The ministry said any application for government support would be assessed according to national and public interests, fiscal sustainability and the protection of public funds, in accordance with existing laws and procedures.
It added that the government would continue monitoring developments in the aviation sector. However, no financial assistance commitment has been made.
Fourthly, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has advised Malaysians to reconsider using navigation app Waze over concerns about data security.
Anwar said the National Cyber Security Committee had discussed potential security risks associated with the application, which was founded in Israel.
He raised concerns about the handling of users’ personal data and movement information, noting the app operates within a legal environment linked to Israel.
The Prime Minister encouraged Malaysians to consider TuJu, a local navigation application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority.
However, the concerns raised by the government should not be taken as proof that Waze has misused Malaysian users’ information. Motorists are encouraged to consider available alternatives while remaining aware of the privacy settings and data permissions associated with navigation apps.
Fifthly, a seven-year-old Year One pupil has died after experiencing breathing difficulties in a classroom in Dengkil.
Sepang police said the incident occurred on Monday, October 19, with a report received at around 7.30pm that evening.
The girl reportedly experienced breathing difficulties while in class and received initial resuscitation assistance before being taken to Putrajaya Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Police classified the case as sudden death pending further investigation, including the results of a post-mortem examination.
The Education Ministry said it was leaving the investigation to the police while prioritising psychosocial support for the victim’s family and members of the school community affected by the incident.
Authorities have urged the public not to spread unverified claims about the circumstances surrounding the death. The cause has not been established, and further findings are needed.
Moving on to Penang.
Sixthly, Penang is looking to attract more visitors from Myanmar after direct flights between Yangon and Penang recorded more than 15,000 passengers.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the passenger figures showed the route’s potential to support the state’s international tourism ambitions.
The direct service, operated by Myanmar Airways International, began in April 2025 and initially ran twice a week. Its frequency increased to three flights a week in June this year.
Penang hopes to build on the route by developing travel packages for leisure visitors, medical tourists, families and business travellers.
The state is also looking to strengthen ties with Myanmar’s tourism industry and encourage more visitors to explore Penang’s cultural attractions, food and healthcare services.
The next challenge will be turning the growing passenger numbers into longer stays and greater spending within the state.
Now, let's take a look at sports.
Seventhly, Malaysia has secured two more gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, with powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and long jumper Abdul Latif Romly delivering victories for the national contingent.
Bonnie successfully defended his title in the men’s under-72-kilogram powerlifting event. The 27-year-old lifted 225 kilograms on his second attempt to secure gold.
He then attempted 231 kilograms in a bid to break his own Games record of 230 kilograms, but was unsuccessful.
China’s Zhang Pingkang took silver with 212 kilograms, while Iran’s Mohsen Bakhtiar claimed bronze with 208 kilograms.
Meanwhile, Abdul Latif retained his men’s T20 long jump crown with a season-best leap of 7.39 metres on his third attempt.
Pakistan’s Hassan Dawshi finished second with 7.03 metres, while Japan’s Kanta Kokubo took bronze with 6.98 metres.
The victory marks Abdul Latif’s fourth consecutive Asian Para Games gold in the event, following his previous titles in 2014, 2018 and 2023.
Their performances strengthen Malaysia’s medal campaign and underline the experience and consistency of the country’s para-athletes on the regional stage.
And finally, in international news.
NATO is preparing to deploy additional aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea region following a series of drone attacks on commercial shipping.
The move comes after attacks on vessels near the coastlines of Romania and Bulgaria raised concerns about the safety of maritime traffic near NATO member states.
Some incidents have resulted in deaths and missing crew members, increasing concerns about risks to commercial shipping routes.
NATO said the additional surveillance and counter-drone capabilities would strengthen monitoring and help protect the alliance’s southeastern flank.
The attacks are taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which has increased security risks across the wider Black Sea region.
Although Russia has been suspected of involvement in some incidents, responsibility for the attacks has not been conclusively established.
The deployment is intended to improve surveillance and readiness as NATO members assess the evolving threat to vessels and maritime infrastructure.
And that’s your catch-up with Newsenz for today.
Stay informed, stay ahead.