SNAPSHOT | Guan Eng worries EPF dividends sign of 2-tier economy; Rafizi mocks PKR's BM skills

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

6pm

Iran conflict

• Experts expect that the Iran conflict, which has disrupted flights as well as cargo shipments, could have a significant financial impact on global aviation.

  Juwai IQI global chief economist Shan Saeed told Bernama that the financial impact could exceed US$1 billion (RM3.89 billion) depending on the duration of the conflict.

  Meanwhile, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology economist (aviation and aerospace) associate professor Harridon Suffian said that crude oil prices would also go up due to an increase in risk premium.

• The attacks on Iran have led to at least 283 umrah pilgrims from Malaysia being stranded in Jeddah until further notice after flights from multiple carriers were grounded, NST reported.

  Malaysia Airlines also confirmed the cancellation of seven flights to and from Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah that were scheduled for yesterday and today.

  

  Flights to London and Paris will be routed through Afghan airspace to avoid the conflict zone, it said.

• In a statement today, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) reminded airlines of their obligation to promptly notify passengers of any changes to flight schedules - while providing appropriate care and assistance to affected passengers.

• The Foreign Ministry is recommending Malaysians to avoid any non-essential travel to the Middle East in light of the conflict there.

  In a statement today, it also advised Malaysians within the region to register their presence through e-Konsular services and obey instructions from local authorities.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday warned that Israeli and US attacks on Iran bring the Middle East to the edge of catastrophe, and called for an immediate end to hostilities.

  As Iran’s retaliation hit neighbouring countries like the United Arab Emirates, Anwar prayed for the safety of all those in the Middle East.

Separately, Perikatan Nasional chief Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar expressed condolences over Khamenei’s death, saying it was a major loss to Muslims.

2pm

MACC RCI

• Editor’s Note: An earlier copy of this entry said Chin Teck Ming was from DAP. The error is regretted.
  
  A Warisan assemblyperson has questioned why the government is waiting for the findings of the attorney-general-led panel probing MACC chief Azam Baki’s shareholdings before establishing a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on allegations that the MACC colluded with businesspersons to shake down rivals.

  Kapayan assemblyperson Chin Tek Ming said the wait was not necessary as any delay in forming an RCI may create the perception that the government is testing the political temperature before committing to an independent probe.

  

  “With respect, this approach places the cart before the horse. The central issue today is public confidence. The AG-led panel, by its very structure, lacks the degree of independence, openness, and institutional separation necessary to restore trust,” Chin said in a statement today.

  Economy

• ​​Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) dividend announced yesterday has become a cause for concern as the payout rate is lower than the 2024 dividends despite better gross domestic product, inflation, and unemployment numbers last year.

  “The lower than expected 2025 EPF dividend rate has only sparked concerns about our country’s economic growth being K-shaped or a two-tier economy, where the benefits of growth are concentrated amongst the few in the top 10 percent but making life harder for the remaining Malaysians,” he said in a statement today.

  Even the strengthening ringgit has caused economic hardship, particularly for industries like exporters who benefit from a strong dollar, he added.

  

  EPF CEO Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said yesterday that the strong ringgit had impacted the value of the fund’s international assets, while domestically dividends were weighed down by slower stock market growth.

11am

Politics

• Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has responded to PKR’s show-cause letter, accusing the party of misinterpreting his statement that he intends to re-contest the Pandan seat, but not under PKR, in the next general election.

  In a statement last night, he said PKR is trying to interpret his words as an immediate withdrawal from the party – triggering the anti-hopping law and forcing him to vacate his MP seat.

  

  The Pandan MP stressed that he intends to remain with PKR for now, but that it was his right to have his own plans after the dissolution of Parliament to make way for GE16, when he is no longer bound by provisions regarding the changing of parties.

  “If these statements were understood using a rational understanding of Malay, there is no need for complicated interpretations as in the show-cause letter,” Rafizi added.

• A lawyer for two of Daim Zainuddin’s children questioned the need for the Immigration Department to state that his clients are overseas amid an ongoing MACC probe - calling it a “calculated political move”.

  Rajesh Nagarajan told Malaysiakini that Daim’s son’s lawyers had previously informed the MACC of their presence overseas, and there was no need for the statement, which the lawyer said implied that authorities were clueless about their whereabouts.

  

  Rajesh, who is representing Amir Zainuddin and Amin Zainuddin, said this raised questions about possible interference in the investigation, given that enforcement bodies should remain neutral in such matters.

  Reporting by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain

READ MORE: 'Not a wanted list': MACC details why trace notice issued to Daim's associates

Military

• Military training procedures, especially those under the Reserve Officer Training Unit, are being reviewed after the death of cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin last year, Defence Force chief Malek Razak Sulaiman.

  

  Malek was quoted by Bernama as saying that the review aims to improve military training modules so that exercises are not excessive and to remove any elements of improper conduct.

  “Military training is demanding, but it is conducted within clear boundaries of what is allowed and what is not. If there are breaches of guidelines or actions that exceed procedures, we have internal mechanisms to take action,” he said at a visit to Pos Tanjung Sepang in Kota Tinggi, Johor yesterday.

  He explained that the review encompasses procedures, regulations, and the scope of training activities, particularly those that are physically demanding.

I'll respond this evening, Rafizi tells PKR as show-cause deadline hits

Unsure who to vote? Wait for June, Rafizi tells disillusioned supporters

COMMENT | Same script, different actors, endless distractions

Three of Daim's children overseas - Immigration DG

UTM cadet death: Lawyer asks why officers not charged with murder

26pct rise in EPF top-ups signals trust in nation's financial institutions - minister

EPF declares 6.15pct dividend for conventional, syariah savings