SNAPSHOT | M'sia got €4.7b in French capital last year; first chief judge of Malaya dies

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm and 9pm.

9pm

International trade

• Malaysia topped Asean last year as the biggest recipient of French investment, with total French capital in the country standing at around €4.7 billion, said French Ambassador Marc Abensour.

  He said France was actively encouraging more of its companies to set up in Malaysia, pointing to the country’s political stability, economic growth, and skilled, English-speaking workforce as key draws for French businesses.

  He said interest from French firms was growing across several sectors, particularly aeronautics, energy, and critical minerals, including rare earth elements.

Judiciary

• The country’s first chief judge of Malaya, Siti Norma Yaakob, passed away earlier today due to pneumonia. She was 85.

  Her son, Meor Amri Meor Ayob, in confirming the news, said she passed away at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital at 1.51pm, as reported by Bernama.

  Siti Norma made history as the first woman appointed as a High Court judge in 1983, Court of Appeal judge in 1994, Federal Court judge in 2001, and chief judge of Malaya in 2005.

  She was also the first Malaysian female judge appointed to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Court in 2008.

Foreign relations

• Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg has thrown his weight behind Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to help broker calm in the increasingly volatile West Asia region, saying Malaysia’s domestic stability gave Anwar the standing to play a meaningful role on the world stage.

  

  Speaking at the Sarawak-level Madani 2026 breaking of fast event at the State Jamek Mosque, which Anwar also attended, Johari said Anwar had been fielding calls from Islamic leaders seeking his counsel on how to address the worsening conflict.

  “Because of what is happening in West Asia today, he has been contacted by Islamic leaders to seek ways to address this very important issue, which has implications for the global economy, especially the economy in our region.

  “We pray that the prime minister will be able to offer his ideas and encouragement to help calm the situation,” Bernama reported him saying.

Heritage players

• Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Windsor John, has backed the Malaysian Football League’s (MFL) handling of the heritage player controversy, saying the league followed proper procedure when registering the players as locals for the 2025–2026 season.

  “From AFC’s side, we accept MFL’s decision because it follows the M-League Competition Regulations. The ruling was made based on the competition articles, so there should be no problem,” the New Straits Times quoted Windsor as saying.

  His remarks come after three heritage players from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) - Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - as well as Kuching City FC player Gabriel Palmero, were confirmed as local players by the MFL.

  This confirmation follows the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) decision on March 6 that Figueiredo, Irazabal, and Hevel are “Malaysians who obtained citizenship in accordance (with) the laws of Malaysia.”

6pm

Na’imah probe 

• Some 14 witnesses have had their statements recorded as part of the police’s investigation into “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy” so far.

  Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar S Muthuvelu said several other important witnesses have left the country, and the police are tracking them down.

  Although he did not refer to it, the police had announced that Daim Zainuddin’s widow, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, is being probed under Section 148B of the Penal Code for allegedly threatening parliamentary democracy.

  

  This is after a police report implicated her in a supposed plot to topple the government using international media outlets to mount pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.

  The police’s probe has been criticised by politicians and civil society organisations as reminiscent of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s crackdown on critics during the 1MDB scandal.

Iran conflict

• Malaysia risks facing higher transport and energy costs as escalating conflict in West Asia disrupts global supply chains, MCA vice-president Lawrence Low said.

  In a statement today, he said a survey by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation found that more than 60 percent of Malaysian exporters - mainly micro, small, and medium enterprises - expect to be affected due to shipping delays, rising freight charges, and higher war risk insurance premiums.

  

  Low warned that any disruption to key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz could further destabilise logistics for trade-dependent economies like Malaysia.

  He urged the government to introduce targeted relief measures, improve logistics efficiency, and help exporters diversify markets to cushion the impact on businesses and consumers.

Temple dispute

• The Selayang Magistrate Court has ordered Yayasan Kubra to postpone any demolition works on the Utchimalai Hindu temple in Rawang Perdana, pending the disposal of their civil action in court.

  

  Representing the temple management, lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan confirmed the court’s order, which was made pursuant to Section 99(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

  He further confirmed that the court will hear the case on June 5, as per Section 99(4) of the Code, to determine whether a final decision on who possesses the land ought to be made.

  The temple management had filed a suit at the magistrate’s court on March 3, following the demolition and damage caused to the temple structure situated at the said location at that time.

Reporting by Farah Solhi

Universiti Malaya

• DAP Youth urged Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir to direct Universiti Malaya to withdraw legal action against student group Liga Mahasiswa UM, stressing the need to protect students’ freedom of speech and association.

  The party wing’s publicity secretary, Ho Chi Yang, said in a statement today that the ministry’s call for both parties to resolve the issue through negotiations was too vague and failed to defend students’ basic rights.

  

  He warned that the university’s letter of demand and short compliance deadline could create a “chilling effect”, discouraging students from voicing opinions or participating in campus affairs.

  He further cautioned that using legal pressure against student movements risks undermining academic freedom and healthy democratic discourse in universities, urging the ministry to take firm action in preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.

Court 

• Bersatu leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, has won his bid to obtain a statement made by Bloomberg reporter S Ram Anand to the authorities linked to the former’s sedition case.

  Chegubard’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, told reporters, when contacted, that the Court of Appeal has allowed his appeal against Johor Bahru High Court’s verdict this morning.

  

  Previously, Rafique said, the Johor Bahru Sessions Court, where Chegubard was charged with making seditious remarks linked to the casino project in Forest City, had allowed his application. It was then overturned by the High Court.

  Ram’s statement, recorded under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code, is imperative to Chegubard’s defence against the charge, Rafique adds. He said that the case trial, which is now in the defence stage, would resume on April 6.

Reporting by Farah Solhi 

2pm

Oil prices 

• Putrajaya’s move to maintain the Budi95 fuel subsidy for Malaysians will see the government upping its spending on such assistance due to rising global oil prices.

  Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government’s monthly petrol subsidy spending has been hiked up to RM2 billion from RM700 million previously, while diesel subsidy has also risen to around RM2 billion.

  

  He said the government decided to continue the fuel subsidy as it believes it can bear the financial burden due to various fiscal reform and consolidation measures implemented by the current administration.

  While reiterating assurances that there is sufficient fuel and electricity supply in the nation, Amir added that it is vital to consider future steps amid such unstable conditions.

• Complaints about the prices and supply of subsidised RON 95 and other controlled items will be investigated within 24 hours, the government said, as Malaysia braces itself for the impact of skyrocketing oil prices.

  The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry told Bernama that any issue affecting consumers will be tackled quickly and effectively.

  The ministry’s enforcement director-general, Azman Adam, said the ministry received 46,815 complaints in 2024 and more than 46,200 last year.

  

  “Our commitment to issues related to prices, supplies and misuse is to investigate within 24 hours,” he said, adding that the pubic is urged to submit accurate information to the ministry.

  The assurance comes as the government announced austerity measures to reduce operating costs following the West Asia war, which has spiked oil prices. These include restricting official overseas trips and cancelling agency and government-linked company Hari Raya feasts.

Cost-saving measures

• Amanah has advised all its organisations at all levels, as well as party members, to celebrate Aidilfitri this year prudently and modestly.

  Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil said this is to heed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s suggestion that cost-saving measures should be adopted following the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

  

  “Amanah maintains that the US and Israel must immediately cease their war against Iran. Peace in West Asia, including in Palestine, must be restored immediately, as the war could have major repercussions on the global economy,” Faiz said, adding that Malaysia will face a challenging economic situation in a prolonged war.

  He said Amanah also reminds the opposition not to politicise the ongoing war for political interests, and for the public to stand with the government in preparing to face any economic challenges arising from the war by practising prudent spending and frugality.

Basic goods supply 

• Consumers have been advised against panic buying essential goods as the domestic economy remains stable, despite the conflict in West Asia escalating.

  Calling for consumers to manage their spending more prudently and reduce wastage, Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) CEO T Saravanan highlighted that there have been no major price increases directly linked to the conflict.

  However, he urged the public to remain cautious, noting that since the ongoing war has started to push crude oil prices higher, prolonged tensions could affect goods prices via higher transportation and logistics costs.

  

  “At this stage, consumers do not need to panic as supplies and prices are still stable. However, consumers are advised to continue shopping wisely, avoid panic buying, and always be alert to price changes,” Bernama quoted Saravanan as saying today.

  He added that if consumers detect unreasonable price hikes, they should report them to the relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate action can be taken to prevent irresponsible parties from taking advantage and manipulating prices.

Court

• The Court of Appeal has postponed hearing Najib Abdul Razak’s appeal in his contempt application against Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh as they await the parties to decide on the way forward.

  This is because the panel, chaired by judge Lim Chong Fong, are of the view that the materiality of the evidence in the contempt application is linked to Najib’s house arrest bid.

  The judges, at the onset of today’s proceedings, where they were scheduled to hear the appeal, had asked parties whether they wanted the case to be heard now, or for Najib’s house arrest bid appeal to be heard first.

  

  Najib, through his counsel Shafee Abdullah, had requested time to ponder the matter. The court then fixed March 30 for case management.

  The former prime minister filed the contempt application on May 21 last year, seeking to cite Terrirudin, now a Federal Court judge, for contempt, as Najib alleges the latter had suppressed a copy of the royal addendum order purportedly allowing him to serve house arrest.

  The Kuala Lumpur High Court, on Sept 4 last year, denied him permission to pursue the case, resulting in his appeal before the panel today.

Reporting by Farah Solhi

Legal

• The Malaysian Bar has called for a structured legal framework to govern the commercial activities of state-linked entities.

  In a statement, Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said such a framework would provide market certainty, ensure prudent management of public resources, reduce the risk of abuse or bribery, and maintain a proper separation between policymaking, regulation, ownership, and commercial operations.

  

  Ezri also welcomed the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and accountability across government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), noting that governance reforms implemented in recent years - including clearer shareholder stewardship, stronger boards, and improved integrity frameworks - have already yielded tangible benefits such as better financial performance and greater investor confidence.

  He pointed to international evidence as further proof that well-governed state-linked enterprises tend to be more profitable, more trusted, and more resistant to corruption and inefficiency, adding that Malaysia's own experience demonstrated that profitability, integrity, and public confidence rise together when governance is clear and accountability is real.

9am

National security

• A total of 540 illegal routes have been identified nationwide, exploited for cross-border criminal activities, as of February, said Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail.

  He said they comprised 316 land routes and 224 maritime routes across 10 states, excluding Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Terengganu and Pahang.

  Khalid said this in a speech read out by Bukit Aman Special Branch E3A deputy director Shaidatul Akmar Mohd Noor during the National Security Overview session at a Ramadan Iftar event with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing yesterday, as Bernama reported.

  “To address the issue of illegal routes, the Royal Malaysia Police has intensified land, river and maritime patrols in an integrated manner with other security agencies, while strengthening enforcement cooperation and information sharing with foreign enforcement bodies,” he added.

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