Kedah UMNO urges dissolution as AirAsia's regulator status remains unclear

Kedah UMNO’s strategic communications director, Syed Johan Rizal, appealed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament, arguing that the recent resignation offer from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has intensified political instability and harmed Malaysia’s economy and international standing. He warned that the Madani government is "almost sinking" and suggested that a fresh election would let voters decide the country's direction.

Rizal also highlighted the inconsistency of Loke’s resignation compared with other DAP ministers, including Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who remain in the cabinet. In a separate development, Securities Commission chairperson Faiz Azmi refused to state whether AirAsia appears on the regulator’s watchlist, noting that the government has hired consultants to examine the airline’s financial health but no takeover plans have been disclosed.

AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes reiterated that the carrier has not engaged in any rescue or bailout discussions with authorities. The regulator also announced plans to request climate-risk preparedness information from major companies ahead of a potentially prolonged El Niño season.