SNAPSHOT | Nurul Izzah wants answers on 'corporate mafia'; Anwar visits PAS leader in hospital

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

6pm

MACC oversight 

• PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar today said allegations involving a so-called “corporate mafia” and questions surrounding the MACC chief commissioner’s shareholdings required transparent answers.

  Amid calls for a royal commission of inquiry to probe the allegations, Nurul Izzah repeated her proposal to strengthen parliamentary oversight of the MACC. 

  

  “Parliamentary oversight of the MACC is not an attack on anti-corruption efforts - it is their completion.

  “Accountability must be universal, or it means nothing. Malaysia deserves institutions it can trust, and institutions worthy of that trust,” said the former Lembah Pantai MP. 

  She suggested that bodies such as the Public Accounts Committee or a dedicated parliamentary select committee could review the MACC’s policies, procedures, and major enforcement decisions.

  “What is needed is a clearer line of democratic accountability, where Parliament itself is able to review institutional practices and, where necessary, recommend improvements to the governing law,” she said.

Anwar visits Penang, Kedah

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, while on a one-day visit to Penang and Kedah, visited PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin, who is being treated at the Penang Hospital.

  Anwar, who described Hashim as an old friend, said he had conversed with the senior politician, whose health has improved.

  

  “I also conveyed greetings from (Anwar’s wife Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) to him and his family, and prayed for Hashim’s well-being and speedy recovery,” Anwar said in a Facebook post today.

  Hashim, 87, was previously transferred from Hospital Tuanku Fauziah to Penang Hospital on Feb 18 to undergo a procedure to insert a stent in an artery in his thigh following an injury he sustained.

  During the same visit, Anwar also met a nurse who was involved in a road accident while on her way to work at the hospital.

Johor investments

• Johor’s record RM110 billion in investments for 2025 reflects both the state’s strong economic potential and the effectiveness of the Madani government’s economic policies in restoring investor confidence, said the state’s Pakatan Harapan chapter.

  It welcomed Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s announcement that Johor recorded the highest investment value in Malaysia’s history last year, with an expected creation of 24,584 new job opportunities.

  

  “Global investors do not evaluate a state in isolation from the country. They assess policy stability, the credibility of national leadership, and the strength of economic institutions that shape the overall investment ecosystem,” said the state chapter. 

  It said the investment surge was driven by economic initiatives introduced by the Madani government, including efforts to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem, accelerate digitalisation, and attract investments in data centres and high-value technology industries.

  The statement was jointly issued by Johor Amanah chairperson Aminolhuda Hassan, Johor PKR chairperson Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Johor DAP chairperson Teo Nie Ching.

Attack on Iran

• The government has, in principle, approved a plan to relocate or evacuate Malaysians from high-risk areas in the Middle East and can activate it at any time if the situation requires.

  Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the approval was to enable the government to act promptly, without waiting for a cabinet decision, if the security situation in the Middle East worsens.

  

  “The evacuation plan has been approved by the cabinet; it’s just a matter of when we will trigger it.

  “The National Security Council, together with the Foreign Ministry and other agencies, is monitoring the situation, and our embassy offices are always open,” he said, according to Bernama.

• PKR has expressed support for Spain’s opposition to what it described as unilateral military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran and commended the Spanish government for upholding international law.

  PKR International Affairs Bureau chairperson Maszlee Malik said Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, had taken a principled position by condemning the military action as unjustified and a violation of the United Nations Charter.

  

  “Spain has emerged not merely as a concerned observer, but as a principled defender of the international rules-based order,” he said in a statement today, according to Bernama.

  Maszlee also commended Spain’s decision to deny the US access to its territorial bases and facilities for military operations related to the conflict, describing the move as an exercise of national sovereignty.

2pm

Sosma detentions 

• Police require a longer period to complete investigations linked to the arrest of six teenage boys, including three minors, who were recently suspected of involvement in activities oriented towards the ideology of the Islamic State terrorist group.

  According to Bernama, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that although some parties oppose the use of Sosma against them, a thorough investigation is necessary in the context of terrorism.

  

  “Certainly, the police action has invited some criticism, particularly from groups that describe themselves as human rights defenders, who have pointed out that those arrested are said to be underage.

  “So they are urging that Sosma should not be used against the suspects identified by the police. But in the context of security threats, especially those related to terrorism, the police require a longer period to complete their investigations,” he said in Kulim, Kedah. 

• Student group Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) has condemned the police’s use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to arrest two minors, describing it as a misuse of the law.

  In a statement, the group demanded an immediate explanation from the Home Ministry and the police on the legal basis for invoking Sosma in the case, and called on the government to abolish or amend the controversial law.

  The call follows rights group Suaram’s revelation that police had used Sosma to arrest two 17-year-olds on Feb 15 on suspicion of possessing dangerous items.

  

  “Using Sosma to arrest and detain these two minors is unacceptable,” said Umany.

  Umany argued that the use of Sosma in this case violates Section 83 of the Child Act 2001, which stipulates that a child alleged to have committed an offence must be dealt with in accordance with the Child Act.

Heritage players sanction 

• Four players in the Malaysia League (M-League) are barred from participating in official matches for 12 months following a Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruling on the appeal involving seven heritage players.

  The Malaysian Football League (MFL), in a statement today, said the four players are Johor Darul Ta’zim stalwarts Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, and Kuching City FC player Gabriel Palmero.

  

  “MFL confirms it has received official notification from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) regarding the CAS decision.

  “The notification states that the seven players will still serve a 12-month suspension, but it applies only to official matches and not to all football-related activities,” the statement said, according to Bernama.

  The four players are among seven who were sanctioned by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for falsifying naturalisation and eligibility documents to represent the Malaysian national squad.

Johor state election 

• Johor Umno deputy chairperson Ahmad Maslan said no formal negotiations over seat allocations or pre-election pacts have commenced ahead of the state election due by next year.

  According to Sinar Harian, the Pontian MP said BN has yet to decide whether to contest as a single coalition or together with Pakatan Harapan parties, its partners in the federal government.

  

  “Any statement regarding the number of seats to be contested by parties within the Unity government coalition is the prerogative of each respective party.

  “So far, there have been no negotiations or decisions made. The Johor state election is expected to be held by April next year at the latest,” he said during a programme with the Pontian Umno Youth division in Benut on Friday night.

11am

Return to Umno 

• Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has welcomed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that all former members would be welcome back into the party with no conditions attached.

  In a teaser for his latest Keluar Sekejap podcast, the former Rembau MP called it the best opportunity for him to return to the party that had served as his political platform for more than two decades.

  

  “When such an invitation has been extended, I have long said that I wish to return to Umno. I see this as a positive development and a sincere opportunity on a personal level,” said Khairy, who made an appearance during the Umno annual general assembly in January. 

• Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros said the state chapter viewed Zahid’s call to be in line with the spirit of Ramadan, focusing on forgiveness, reflection, and strengthening ties within the party.

  Azleen said that Umno, through Zahid’s “Rumah Bangsa” vision, should play a role in uniting the Malays, who are now facing an increasingly polarised political scene. 

  

  “The decline in support and the crisis of confidence among a large segment of the Malay community towards Umno can no longer be allowed to continue.

  “Johor Umno Youth believes that the Rumah Bangsa initiative can serve as an important formula to create space for unity and to strengthen the confidence of the Malay community in Umno once again,” said Azleen.

• Former Umno supreme council member Isham Jalil, however, rejected Zahid’s call.

  In a Facebook post, Isham insisted Zahid must first apologise to others, including former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein and former Umno Youth deputy chief Shahril Suffian Hamdan, for actions taken against them.

  

  “Apologise to them before inviting them to rejoin Umno if they wish. As for me, there is no need to invite or meet me because I have said several times that as long as he cooperates with DAP, I will not join.

  “Full stop. There is no need to ask me this question repeatedly because my answer remains the same,” said Isham, who was sacked from Umno on Dec 6, 2023.

Bersatu civil war 

• Sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin made an appearance as the guest of honour during a function hosted by Bersatu Port Dickson division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin last night.

  Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee told Malaysiakini some 500 guests attended the function, which also featured other current and former party leaders aligned with Hamzah.

  

  Kiandee also said the Bersatu Disciplinary Board is unlikely to deliver a decision against him and Bersatu Women’s Chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin today, at the end of the seven-day period given for them to respond to a show-cause letter. 

  “Maybe not today, but it does not make any difference whether we replied or not. Like in the case of Hamzah, he asked for a postponement of the disciplinary proceedings, but they ended up sacking him anyway,” said the Beluran MP. 

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri

Politics

• PAS has criticised DAP over the latter’s push for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) against the MACC and its chief, Azam Baki, claiming that it was nothing more than just a charade.

  In a statement, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari pointed out that DAP has always stood by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and therefore shares collective responsibility for all decisions made by the government.

  

  He suggested that DAP was only pushing for the RCI to investigate allegations of a “corporate mafia” within the MACC because the general election is nearing.

  “I agree that an RCI should be established to investigate this ‘corporate mafia’ allegation. But to say that DAP was really pushing for it for the sake of justice, that is just a theatrical performance.

  “Whatever happens, DAP will always be with Anwar and shares the collective responsibility for all government decisions.

  “Even if DAP exits the government this coming July, they will join forces again after the election,” Fadhli said.

Corruption

• James Chai, a former aide to ex-economy minister Rafizi Ramli, said he is ready to cooperate with the MACC investigation against him and has appointed two lawyers.

  In a statement, Chai said the counsels would contact MACC investigating officers to arrange a session for him to provide the statements necessary.

  He also said that the first time he received messages from individuals claiming to represent MACC was through WhatsApp on the evening of March 5.

  

  “Prior to these messages, I have not received any form of communication with the explicit mention of MACC nor any form of formal notice,” he said.

  Chai added that he generally blocks unknown or suspicious phone numbers, given the numerous fraud and scam cases in Malaysia, especially those involving scammers posing as authorities.

  MACC previously claimed that its officers made numerous attempts to contact Chai before issuing a notice declaring him a wanted person on Wednesday (March 4).

  The agency was looking for Chai to facilitate investigations into allegations linked to Rafizi, who is accused of expediting an RM1.1 billion government deal with British semiconductor giant Arm Holdings.

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