SNAPSHOT | PAS MP wants inmates' dress code reviewed; cops quiz bus driver over 'lap driving' incident

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

Quick highlights:

• MP wants ‘modest’ dressing SOPs reviewed

• Bus driver questioned over ‘lap driving’ incident

• PM, 5 others must enter defence

• Perak govt may table supplementary budget

• Opposition MP criticises sedition probe

• MP’s ‘emergency’ proposal mocked

• Rafizi to join anti-Azam rally

• PAS Youth pans Aidilfitri ‘concert’

9pm

Dress code

• The government has been urged to urgently review and amend the standard operating procedures related to dress code for Muslim female detainees and prisoners to consistently safeguard their right to observe “aurat” (modesty) requirements.

  Tumpat MP Mumtaz Nawi said the amendments should be carried out in cooperation with the Home Ministry, the police, and the Prisons Department. Harakah Daily reported her as saying that the law must protect the rights of veiled women so they can maintain that image when facing the media and the public, regardless of the stage of legal proceedings.

  She further stated that the dignity of Muslim female detainees should not be compromised during investigations or trial proceedings, adding that they should be given the option and proper explanation regarding their right to observe “aurat” requirements in full.

  This includes the provision of long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothing that complies with Islamic requirements when they are brought out of lock-ups or prisons, particularly when attending court.

  Mumtaz did not elaborate on the reasons for her remarks on the issue, However, it came following the arrest of a teacher accused of crashing into two students at SMK Tanjong Mas, who was seen being escorted to court in detention attire, which some social media users on Threads described as concerning.

Road safety

• The express bus driver seen in a viral video with a woman seated on his lap while he was driving, presented himself at the Jasin police headquarters today to have his statement recorded.

  New Straits Times reported that he arrived accompanied by a female companion and is believed to be assisting police in their investigation into the incident, which was filmed and widely circulated on social media, prompting concerns over passenger safety.

  

  In the footage, believed to have been recorded by a passenger, the woman is seen placing her hands on the steering wheel while seated on the driver’s lap as the bus continues moving.

  A separate clip, reportedly captured via dashcam from a vehicle behind, also emerged online showing what is believed to be the same bus swerving through traffic.

  On April 13, the Road Transport Department opened an investigation into the incident. According to NST, the driver has since been dismissed by the bus company.

READ MORE: No compromise: Lee urges stern action over 'bus driver with woman on lap'

6pm

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the government and five other parties must file their statements of defence at the Kuala Lumpur High Court by next Tuesday, in response to a suit brought by 11 participants of the Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (Garah) rally, ahead of the next case management on May 21.

  Sinar Harian reported the plaintiffs' lawyer Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar saying that the court fixed the date during an online case management today.

  On March 16, Muslim Consumer Association Malaysia special communications officer Gulab Jan Fazal Eladi and 10 others filed the suit over their detention during the Garah rally at the Sogo Shopping Complex in February.

  

  The report said that they named the police, Dang Wangi district police chief Sazalee Adam, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail, as the first to fourth defendants. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Anwar, and the government were named as the fifth to seventh defendants.

  In a statement, Zainul’s firm said that the court was informed during today’s proceedings that all the defendants who were named have entered their appearance in the matter, and are in the process of preparing their statements of defence.

READ MORE: Illegal houses of worship rally: 11 sue PM, police over pre-emptive arrests

West Asia conflict

• The Perak government has not ruled out the possibility of tabling a supplementary budget if the West Asia conflict worsens and requires additional expenditure.

  According to the Malay Mail, Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad said the matter had been discussed during last week’s state executive council meeting, with a review being conducted to ensure that an eventual decision would address multiple issues simultaneously.

  

  Responding to an additional question from Kepayang assemblyperson Nga Kor Ming, who is also the housing and local government minister, Saarani said the state government has experience in managing global crises.

  “In my view, the Covid-19 crisis was far more severe than the current situation, as almost everything was shut down at that time.

  “During that period, we did not table a supplementary budget but instead realigned the existing budget accordingly,” Saarani was quoted as telling the state legislative assembly today.

READ MORE: Announce stimulus package to help SMEs, PKR MP urges govt

Freedom of expression

• Opposition MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the reported arrest of a TikTok user under the Sedition Act 1948, purportedly over a video critical of Anwar, raises serious concerns about freedom of expression.

  “There is a vast difference between criticism based on differing political views and defamatory words.

  “Legitimate criticism cannot be considered a crime. Instead, it must be handled fairly and democratically,” the former Bersatu lawmaker said on Facebook today.

  

  He also accused government leaders who previously condemned the Sedition Act of now being “hypocritical and openly deceptive” to create a “climate of fear” among the rakyat.

READ MORE: This isn't a police state, Hassan says after cops keep mum about PM critic's arrest

Work-from-home

• Anwar has directed Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to monitor the implementation of the work‑from‑home (WFH) policy for the civil service, including the verification of employees' presence during work hours.

  Addressing a post-cabinet meeting press conference today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also affirmed that the delivery of government services will continue to operate as usual.

  

  He also reiterated the government’s suggestion that the private sector consider implementing WFH policies for specific and suitable departments.

MCMC

• Between March 29 to 7am today, the MCMC identified 441 social media posts circulating false information regarding the global energy crisis.

  Following probes on the detected postings, the commission submitted 12 investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, while 42 cases remain ongoing.

  Fahmi said members of the public had filed official complaints to the MCMC, which had then made requests for the content to be removed from social media platforms.

2pm

Politics

• A former aide to Muhyiddin Yassin mocked DAP lawmaker Khoo Poay Tiong’s proposal that an emergency be declared to postpone the Malacca state election due to the West Asia conflict.

  

  Marzuki Mohamad said during the Muhyiddin administration, an emergency was declared to postpone by-elections in order to save lives at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

  However, he said those who criticised the emergency as being politically expedient are the ones suggesting such a move now.

  “Not because of a pandemic, security threat, or to protect people’s lives. But because they are scared that if a state election is held when fuel prices are high, the government parties will lose,” he said.

• Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli announced that he will be joining another Tangkap Azam Baki protest at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on April 25.

  "I will be there with the youths and Malaysians who want to see Malaysia is free from corruption," he said in a social media video.

  

  The former economy minister said the changes should start with replacing Azam, who has been implicated in a scandal involving his shareholdings.

READ MORE: Tangkap Azam Baki roadshow barred from venue due to 'sensitive content'

Geopolitics

• Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained extremely limited after nearly a week since a ceasefire was announced on April 18, according to data compiled by a multinational naval partnership.

  The data published in an advisory by the Joint Maritime Information Center showed between two and eight cargo and tanker transits being tracked through the straits from April 8 to 13, compared to the pre-war average of about 138 transits per day.

  This totalled 22 ships leaving the Persian Gulf and 11 ships entering those waters during the period, including at least 10 tankers exiting the Persian Gulf.

  The advisory said the ceasefire has not restored traffic, and mariners should “balance” it with the US announcement of a blockade when considering the risk of resumption of hostilities.

  It noted that shipowners reported “insufficient clarity” on protocols for transiting through the strait, with continued reports of “aggressive” radio communications warning against “unauthorised transits”.

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  READ MORE: US-Iran talks: What prevented a deal and what's next?

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• Malaysia and Japan conducted a joint drill in the South China Sea involving the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force on April 13, which included helicopter deck landing and air defence moves, the Japan Embassy said on Facebook.

  

  Following this, China's military announced that it will be conducting live-fire exercises in the South China Sea starting today until April 17, Bernama reported.

  The Chinese Maritime Safety Administration indicated the coordinates of the exercise areas, during which there will be an entry prohibition.

9am

Politics

• Malacca PAS Youth defended their criticism of the state government having artistes sing at Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Sunday.

  State wing chief Zulhilmi Suboh told Malaysiakini the criticism was aimed at improving public awareness about what forms of entertainment are appropriate for official events, especially those involving Muslims.

  

  Previously, Malacca PAS Youth had said that having artistes sing at the Aidilfitri celebrations was an affront to the state’s history as a beacon of Islam.

Read the full story here.

• Bersatu’s Ketereh MP Khlir Nor said he is ready to follow the party’s former deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and join PAS - if the latter chooses to do so.

  “I will just follow Hamzah. For me, he is a good leader who prioritises the people,” Khlir told Sinar Harian.

  

  PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan previously said that anyone can join the party, but no application had been received from Hamzah’s side thus far.

READ MORE: MP claims Bersatu may lose PN council vote for Hamzah's faction to join coalition

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