SNAPSHOT | Amanah leader pans 'insensitive' PN MB convoy; press group urges end to probe against Mkini

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

9pm

Energy austerity 

• Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar has criticised Perikatan Nasional over its planned large-scale convoy involving four menteri besar on April 4, describing it as immature and insensitive amid the global energy crisis.

  In a statement today, he said the programme contradicts Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for responsible energy use, arguing that organising a fuel-consuming convoy reflects poor judgment and a lack of awareness of global realities.

  

  Mahfuz’s remark was in response to the “Konvoi Bersama MB PN” programme, which is scheduled to take place in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, as part of the fifth International Ummah Unity Gathering and the 2026 Malay World Assembly.

  He added that the issue goes beyond political differences, stressing that every kilometre travelled in the convoy represents public funds being wasted, as the fuel used is subsidised by taxpayers.

Media freedom

• The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged the police to immediately cease their investigation into Malaysiakini and refrain from targeting journalists for their reporting.

  Police are investigating Malaysiakini over an article concerning a proposed migrant worker recruitment system, with one of its journalists called in to give a statement.

  

  In a statement posted on X, CPJ argued that any disputes arising from news reporting should be handled through the Malaysian Media Council, rather than through criminal proceedings.

  It warned that such actions by the authorities serve to intimidate the press and undermine freedom of journalism in the country.

READ MORE: Cops probing Mkini, question journalist on migrant worker system report

West Asia conflict

• Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the Home Ministry is actively monitoring the conflict between the United States and Iran and assessing its potential implications for Malaysia.

  Bernama reported that he chaired a strategic meeting today with the ministry’s management and its agencies to specifically review developments surrounding the situation and examine possible scenarios across several areas of concern.

  

  This includes domestic security, cross-border movement, economic stability, and the readiness of enforcement agencies.

  Saifuddin emphasised that the ministry’s overriding priority is to safeguard national security and ensure that Malaysians are shielded from any adverse effects arising from the escalating international tension.

6pm

Protest

• Bersatu Youth has rallied support for a planned protest against fuel price hikes to be held at 3pm in front of the Sogo shopping complex, Kuala Lumpur, this Sunday.

  In a statement, its information chief, Harris Idaham Rashid, said the gathering, dubbed “Rakyat Menentang”, to be led by Putra president Ibrahim Ali, aims to voice public concern over rising fuel costs amid global uncertainties.

  

  He said Bersatu Youth is closely monitoring recent increases in fuel prices, particularly diesel, which has reached RM6.02 per litre, and RON95 at RM3.87 per litre without the Budi95 subsidy.

  “Swift intervention is needed as this is an unprecedented situation,” he said.

Politics

• MIC president SA Vigneswaran said the party’s bid to join Perikatan Nasional was reviewed following the coalition’s change in leadership, noting that the original application was submitted when Muhyiddin Yassin headed the bloc.

  According to Berita Harian, Vigneswaran emphasised that the leadership shift in PN necessitates consultation with MIC’s grassroots, though it sees no barrier in PN now being led by PAS.

  Vigneswaran added that divisional and state-level party meetings will be held within the next two to three months.

  

  On March 28, PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan showed the press a letter from Vigneswaran, which he believed proved that the party did apply to join the coalition.

  This was despite MIC’s denial and insistence that it had only sought clarifications on terms and conditions should the party become a PN member.

READ MORE: MIC letter to PN supports party's version of events, but suggests it strongly considered joining

Hot Weather

• Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup today said the ministry aims to submit a detailed weather forecast report on the current dry and hot weather to the cabinet next week.

  According to Bernama, Arthur said the move was to enable discussions on whether there was an urgent need to intervene, including through cloud-seeding operations.

  

  “So, it is up to the discussion at that time if the forecast justifies interventions such as cloud seeding to be implemented.

  “However, the ministry will always provide forecast information from time to time,” he said when commenting on the ministry’s latest preparations in dealing with hot weather.

  He added that if cloud seeding is necessary, the ministry can provide information to certain agencies so that early steps can be taken to reduce the effects of this unpredictable weather.

Bestinet

• Bloomberg (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has applied to strike out a libel suit filed by Bestinet Sdn Bhd and its founder, Aminul Islam Abdul Nor, over a report alleging migrant worker exploitation.

  Bloomberg Malaysia’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, said his clients were wrongly named as defendants, arguing that they neither published nor controlled the article in question.

  

  According to The Edge,  Bloomberg Malaysia’s application maintains that the report, titled “Everyone Gets A Cut, And Migrant Workers Pay The Price”, was published on a website maintained by the parent company, Bloomberg LP, based in New York.

  Bloomberg’s New York office and Kuala Lumpur office are respectively named as the first and second defendants in the suit, while Malaysiakini is named as the fifth defendant.

READ MORE: Bestinet files billion-ringgit lawsuit against Mkini, 9 others

2pm

MACC

• MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki declined to comment on the investigation into alleged governance issues at IJM Corporation Berhad, citing ethical violations.

  “I cannot comment in detail about the investigation.

  “I have sent it (the investigation paper) to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP), and the DPP will study the matter,” he told reporters after a media engagement session with the Multi-Agency Task Force at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.

  Azam also declined to comment on any Bloomberg reports involving himself.

  Reporting by Zarrah Morden

READ MORE: MACC looking into RM2.5b laundering claims against top IJM official, adviser

• During Azam’s speech at the event, he also warned against complacency among enforcement officers as he pointed to “severe” corruption in the country.

  “If not addressed aggressively and consistently, it will continue to erode national revenues, damage institutional integrity, and weaken the economy as a whole,” he asserted.

  Corporate crime, such as fraud and share manipulation, was occurring openly, he said, adding that law enforcement agencies needed to step up their efforts against these activities.

  He said those who do not wish to “do the work” should resign, especially MACC officers.

  Reporting by Zarrah Morden

Politics

• Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has once again warned that divisions among Malays, driven by the proliferation of political parties, could jeopardise their future and the country’s sovereignty.

  In a Facebook post today, the centenarian reminded that while Malays had come together under Umno and defeated the British colonisers, the victory was due to their unity, and not the party itself.

  

  A false belief that a party had led to the victory has contributed to the formation of more Malay-based parties and created further division, he said.

  “They compete among themselves. It is impossible for any of them to win,” added Mahathir, who since leaving Umno had formed Bersatu and later Pejuang, with the latter now led by his son, Mukhriz.

  “The fault lies with the Malays,” he claimed, adding that the situation represents a “final struggle” for the Malays.

9am

Fuel prices

• Amid skyrocketing diesel prices, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man questioned whether the government is making efforts to diversify fuel sources to decrease reliance on West Asia supply that must pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

  He noted that India had recently upped exports by 20 percent, while Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also have large-capacity refineries.

  On the RM300-per-month diesel subsidy payouts, he said that while the aid is beneficial, he questioned whether it was sufficient to offset the surge in prices.

  “This isn’t about being ungrateful. This is a question of sufficiency and efficiency. Cash aid without a structured plan is a reaction, not a solution,” he said.

  

  Tuan Ibrahim also asked what the government’s emergency, medium-term and long-term plans are to face the crisis.

• PAS vice-president Amar Nik Abdullah said expensive diesel will increase costs for fisherfolk, farmers, and the logistics sector, who will, in turn, pass on costs to consumers.

  He said that while the people understand that global factors are at play, the government needs to elaborate on what is causing fuel price hikes.

  “The people need the full picture, including the real costs borne by the government, the basis of weekly calculations, and concrete steps to stabilise diesel.”

  Former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin echoed the comments on the knock-on effects of price hikes, adding: “Prime minister, this is why people are angry.”

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