SNAPSHOT | Anti-fuel hike protest a dud; Nik Nazmi urges PKR to reflect if its behaving like BN, PN

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

6pm

Politics

• A protest against skyrocketing fuel prices in downtown Kuala Lumpur was less than inspiring today, with fewer than 100 people in attendance.

  Among those present were Putra president Ibrahim Ali (above), Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP) president P Waytha Moorthy, Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham, and businessperson Albert Tei.

• Former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has urged the party to reflect on whether its handling of criticism is the same as the BN and Perikatan Nasional administrations.

  “Are we attracting idealists, or just those who are power hungry? Are we more keen to make excuses and delay change or try our hardest to effect change?” he added on social media today.

  

  His message of reflection comes a day after the 27th anniversary of the founding of Parti Keadilan Nasional - the precursor of PKR.

• Researcher and former PKR candidate for Putrajaya in 2022, Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz, has quit the party.

  Noraishah, who is a wheelchair user, was quoted by MalaysiaGazette as saying that she no longer understood where the party is headed

  She also voiced support for former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who is making a slow but sure exit from the party.

  When contacted, Rafizi told Malaysiakini that Noraishah’s exit showed that people with a cause, like the disabled activist, were losing faith in PKR, and that this was the beginning of the end of the party’s values of being open to criticism, being inclusive, professional, and having a cause.

Reporting by Zikri Kamarulzaman

2pm

Fuel prices

• The government estimates it had spent RM2.2 billion on diesel subsidies in March, compared to RM700 million previously.

  Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Ali said the surge in expenditure was driven by escalating global diesel prices, Bernama reported.

  The price of diesel at the pump in Peninsular Malaysia is RM6.02 per litre, the highest on record.

Politics

• Former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin hinted he might join a party that is already part of Perikatan Nasional instead of setting up a new one.

  

  “When we say ‘new home’, questions arose whether we will form a new party or (join) an existing one… the answer is not necessarily a new party,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

  The Larut MP was previously rumoured to be eyeing a takeover of Parti Keluarga Malaysia - which has not been registered with the Registrar of Societies.

11am

Politics

• PKR central leadership council member Kumaresan Aramugam has accused former deputy president Rafizi Ramli of “internal political sabotage”, in response to the Pandan MP’s claims that he would be “more dangerous” from outside the party. 

  

  Kumaresan, who described Rafizi’s actions as a “desperate attempt” to divert attention from the ongoing RM1.12 billion Arm Holdings investment scandal probe, said a leader who is truly sincere in their struggle would never threaten their own party for political leverage. 

  “If Rafizi truly believes he is stronger outside the party, then he should stop playing both sides and leave now.

  “More than one million PKR members do not exist to serve the interests of a single individual. PKR is a party that serves the people, not any one person,” he said in a statement. 

  

• In a message to mark Easter Sunday, National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang urged Malaysians to ensure that peace and unity continue to remain a core value.

  “Our nation’s strength is from the strength of its people, who are united, respectful, and work together for a better future,” he said on Facebook.

Austerity

• The Fire and Rescue Department will not be cutting costs to essential and emergency services despite the rising fuel prices.

  

  However, the department’s director-general, Nor Hisham Mohammad, said the use of non-critical vehicles is being limited to ensure there is enough fuel for the firetrucks.

  The department is also moving all meetings online, while programmes such as public education activities have been rescheduled to optimise the use of resources, The Star reported.

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