SNAPSHOT | Cops recommend charges on 'protection money' case, politicians want tougher penalties for drunk drivers

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

9pm

‘Protection money’

• Police have recommended that charges be filed against two PKR-linked men who allegedly demanded “protection money” from a massage parlour at Wisma Setapak.

  According to the New Straits Times, Wangsa Maju district police chief Lazim Ismail said police have submitted their investigation papers on the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

  

  However, he declined to disclose details on the charges recommended by police against the duo, who are part of the Federal Territory Residents Representative Council.

READ MORE: 'Monitoring, not extortion': Wangsa Maju resident reps deny 'protection money' claims

Driving under the influence

• The Transport Ministry is drafting further amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 to require drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims’ families, in addition to serving custodial sentences.

  Minister Anthony Loke today said the added punishment will be in addition to the existing penalties under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 that provides for imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than 15 years, and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000.

  He also said the current law, amended in 2020, also provides more severe punishment for repeat offenders - not less than 15 years imprisonment and not more than 20 years, and a fine of not less than RM100,000 and not more than RM150,000.

  

  Responding to the latest case, which led to the death of motorcyclist Amirul Hafiz Omar and sparked public outrage, Loke said: “This loss is deeply heartbreaking, and such incidents not only claim innocent lives but also constitute a form of criminal negligence that is entirely unacceptable.”

  Loke urged the police to expedite investigations and for the court to impose a maximum sentence if the offender is found guilty.

READ MORE: Father of three killed in crash left home to buy maths book for child

• The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) noted that under the current legal framework, financial penalties imposed on intoxicated drivers do not support victims’ families.

  

  MMA president Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said that due to the lack of a dedicated compensation mechanism for victims, families are left to navigate complex legal processes, prolonged insurance disputes, and significant financial hardship - frequently without adequate support.

  Apart from the establishment of a dedicated compensation fund, Thirunavukarasu also called for preventive measures such as the lowering of the permissible blood alcohol concentration limit in line with global recommendations.

• Batu Tiga assemblyperson Danial Al-Rashid disagreed with Loke, asserting that no amount of money is enough to compensate for the loss of life.

  “The issue is not just a matter of compensation, but also of justice, prevention, and being firm with the law. Cases involving intoxicated drivers have claimed too many innocent lives,” the Amanah deputy youth chief said on Facebook.

  He called for a strong and comprehensive approach to ensure effective preventive measures are in place, and violators are punished with stiffer penalties.

• Separately, Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil said causing death through drunk driving should be considered a serious crime like rape and robbery, and should be punished according through caning.

  

  In addition, he said there should be tighter controls on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

  “This means banning the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages in open places, and premises that sell alcoholic beverages need to ensure their clients will not be driving,” he said.

6pm

Corruption

• Muda has asserted that if Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chooses to “continue protecting” MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, the former will merely be defending his own political interests instead of the nation’s integrity.

  Urging the government to disclose the full findings of the probe into Azam immediately, the party’s political bureau also called for the nation’s top anti-graft officer to be relieved from his current duties.

  

  It also stressed that an individual linked with issues of integrity, abuse of power, and allegations of corruption should not be considered for any public position, let alone becoming a member of Dewan Negara.

  In a statement, Muda cautioned that if such an appointment were to happen, it would send a signal that accountability can be set aside and positions of power can be used as a form of protection.

  Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that Anwar had asked “key people” in the probe against Azam to hold off from making their findings public, with the anti-graft chief allegedly lobbying to be made a senator after he retires from the civil service.

READ MORE: 'Sue Bloomberg' - PAS dares PM over latest report that Azam probe results withheld

• Bersatu Youth also pressed Anwar to immediately address claims detailed in Bloomberg’s report, asserting that the prime minister’s alleged interference in delaying the publication of the report on Azam raises doubts on the integrity of the nation’s administrative system.

  

  “If the allegations are true - that the delay was made merely to manage political perception ahead of the election - it is an insult to the principles of transparency that should be the pillar of today's government,” Bersatu Youth executive council member Na’im Brundage said in a statement.

  He warned that any attempt to hide the findings from public knowledge would only erode public trust in the country's enforcement institutions.

Weather

• The Malaysian Meteorological Department confirmed that as of 4pm today, no areas nationwide are listed under the Level 2 heatwave warning.

  The development comes amid a decrease in heat intensity compared to last week, when several districts in Perlis and Kedah recorded extreme temperatures under the Level 2 classification.

  However, water storage levels at major dams, particularly in the northern region, remain at worrying levels amid the prolonged dry spell.

2pm

Court

• Blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, was fined RM4,000 by the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today for making seditious statements against Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

  This was over remarks he made about an audience the monarch granted to KK Mart owner Chai Kee Kan at the height of the Allah socks controversy.

  

  According to NST, judge Norma Ismail meted out the sentence after finding that the accused failed to raise a reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

  The court also ordered Azri to serve four months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

Politics

• Three children of top Sabah leaders were conferred the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK), which carries the title “Datuk”, in conjunction with the birthday celebration of Sabah governor Musa Aman today.

  They were Kinabatangan MP Kurniawan Naim Moktar, son of the late Bung Moktar Radin; Sungai Manila assemblyperson Hazem Mubarak Musa, son of Musa; and Sulaman Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Youth chief Ghazali Hajiji, son of Sabah Chief Minister and GRS chairperson Hajiji Noor.

  

  Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh received Sabah’s highest honour, the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK), which carries the title “Datuk Seri Panglima”, leading the list of 1,026 recipients of state honours, stars, and medals.

  Also receiving the SPDK were Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail and businessperson Abdul Farish Abd Rashid.

• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming called on Malaysians to stand united amid troubling times.

  

  “Despite the fact that some neighbouring countries have declared an energy emergency, Malaysians still enjoy one of the lowest petrol prices in the world, and the government is implementing various proactive initiatives to manage the situation.

  “Malaysia’s unity in diversity is our greatest asset. Therefore, we must not allow any irresponsible narratives to erode the trust and understanding that generations of Malaysians have worked hard to build,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama at a Hari Raya celebration last night.

• Penang Umno has signalled that it intends to continue cooperation with Pakatan Harapan in the next election.

  “Umno and BN have never stabbed their friends in the back. We will remain loyal to the unity government, and we fully support it under the leadership of the chief minister (Chow Kon Yeow),” Penang Umno chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir was quoted as saying by FMT last night.

  

  Musa said this during a Hari Raya celebration hosted by Penang Harapan.

  Meanwhile, Chow was reported as saying that all leaders and party workers must use the remaining time before the next general election to serve the people well and deliver their best performance.

9am

Education

• Sex education programmes currently in place have not been sufficient to educate adolescents about reproductive health and personal boundaries, said Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri.

  

  “Some adolescents also face vulnerability due to neglect, exploitation, or lack of support.

  “Stigma surrounding discussions on sexuality can discourage young people from seeking accurate information or assistance,” she was quoted as saying by The Star.

  She cited Health Ministry data that between 2019 and 2024, there were 21,114 pregnancies among unmarried girls aged 19 and younger.

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