Kini Roundup: Clash over RM4.2bil scandal, lawyers vs cops, Najib's catch-22
Here’s a recap of major headlines yesterday you may have missed.
RM4.2bil scandal spills over
The government moved quickly to dismiss reports by Australia-based ABC News about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his RM4.2 billion scandal just as Malaysians are still reeling from the explosive revelations.
A federal minister even accused former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad of being responsible for the reports.
However, the Prime Minister's Office appeared happy with one part of the reports, claiming it proved Najib's statement that the multi-billion deposits he received in his AmBank accounts was indeed a 'Saudi donation'.
On the other hand, Australia's fourth largest bank, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), is mulling to sell its 24 percent stake in scandal-plagued AmBank.
Malaysian Bar on collision course with cops
Malaysian Bar called for a protest outside Bukit Aman police headquarters after cops initiated a sedition probe into the professional body's motion at its annual general meeting to remove the attorney-general for refusing to prosecute over multi-billion deposits received by Najib.
Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar was unfazed by the threat to protest, telling the lawyers not act like " crybabies ".
Meanwhile, the Judicial and Legal Service Officers' Association (Jalsoa) passed its own motion denouncing what it said is the Malaysian Bar's meddling into the Attorney-General's Chambers affairs.
Najib's catch-22
Back home, it's business as usual as Najib addressed Parliament, claiming that the high cost of living was due to people with low education level who aren't able to grow their income.
However, PKR's Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar pointed out the irony of Najib's statement as his government continued to slash spending in education.
Anwar's early release unlikely
Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah said her family will not seek parole for her father, Anwar Ibrahim, and will only accept a pardon as his sodomy conviction was politically motivated.
However, parole for Anwar is unlikely after the Home Ministry clarified that sodomy offenders don't qualify for it.
Posted by Malaysiakini on Wednesday, March 30, 2016
The debate had arisen after former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo was released from prison early on parole, after having served only six months out of his 12 months’ jail sentence.
Other Kini bites
Nurulhidayah, daughter of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was roasted for complaining that air stewardess with Malaysia Airlines were "old".
Flight attendants are up in arms after deputy prime minister’s daughter Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid criticised Malaysia...
Posted by Malaysiakini on Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Malaysian Nisha Ayub became the first transwoman to win the US Women of Courage award.
DAP's Tanjung Bungah state assemblyperson will face action for calling on the party's secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to go on leave pending investigation into the latter's bungalow controversy.
Deputy minister Saravanan insisted that the RM19 million channelled into his foundation was above board and invited critics to bring their accountant for an audit.
Looking ahead
Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem will meet state governor Abdul Taib Mahmud today.
All eyes will be on whether the chief minister will ask for a dissolution of the Sarawak state legislative assembly to pave the way for fresh polls.
The three lawyers who proposed the motion at the Malaysian Bar AGM for the attorney-general's removal will be questioned by police at Bukit Aman police headquarters under the Sedition Act at 2.30pm.
The Malaysian Bar is expected to gather outside to protest what it described as an interference in the professional body's affairs.
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