SNAPSHOT | Cops recapture Sg Buloh Prison escapee; Nga urges DAP members to remain steadfast

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

Quick highlights:

• S’gor police nab prison escapee

• Bersatu will accept PAS opposition leader

• PKR divisions hold AGM

• PM, CM assist Sandakan fire victims

• Nurul Izzah for Batu in GE16?

• First Malaysian wins ‘Science Oscar’

6pm

Prison break

• A suspected child sexual offender who escaped from the Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor on April 9 has been recaptured, according to Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar.

  In a statement, Shazeli said the detainee, whom authorities have identified earlier as Pakistani national Muhammad Hassan, was arrested at Jalan Batu 14, Jalan Gombak Lama, about 5pm yesterday (Saturday).

  

  “Selangor police would like to extend our appreciation to every party that has extended their assistance until the detainee was successfully recaptured to ensure public peace and security,” Shazeli said.

  The man had escaped from police custody at the Sungai Buloh Prison field after attending trial proceedings at a Shah Alam court.

DAP anniversary

• DAP national deputy chairperson Nga Kor Ming has marked the party’s 60th anniversary with a call for all party members to remain steadfast in their commitment to the people.

  Speaking at the commemorative event held in Penang, Nga reflected on DAP’s six-decade journey, describing it as one rooted in resilience, democratic struggle, and an unwavering defence of the people’s rights.

  

  “From our early days in opposition to our role in government today, DAP has evolved into a mature, responsible, and forward-looking political force.

  “Yet, our core mission remains unchanged to uphold democracy, justice, good governance, and equality for all Malaysians,” said the housing and local government minister. 

  He also stressed that DAP’s strength lies in its identity as a multiracial party representing the aspirations of all Malaysians.

2pm 

Opposition leader 

• Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today said his party will accept any PAS MP named by the Perikatan Nasional component as the next opposition leader.

  Speaking to reporters after attending Gombak Bersatu Hari Raya open house, Muhyiddin was asked if he had a preference to replace sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin in the opposition leader role.

  

  “It was agreed in the PN supreme council meeting that the MP to be proposed will come from PAS. Although he (the candidate) is from PAS, he represents PN.

  “As I mentioned earlier, I have urged that this be expedited. Once PAS has made its selection, the name will be submitted to the speaker… Whoever is nominated, we (Bersatu) will accept,” said the Pagoh MP.

  Reporting by Haspaizi Zain

PKR meetings 

• The Pulai PKR division today proposed that the party’s candidate be considered as a contender in the Kempas state seat, held by Umno’s Ramlee Bohani, who is the political secretary to Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

  Pulai PKR chief Faezuddin Puad said delegates at the division’s annual general meeting also supported a motion to postpone the Johor state election, due after April next year.

  

  The Johor PKR Youth chief also stressed the importance of maintaining harmony with Pakatan Harapan components in the state, as unity forms the foundation of political stability, public confidence, and the success of the reformasi.

• Some 300 PKR members gathered at the Sungai Kandis division’s annual general meeting today renewed their commitment to recapture the Selangor state seat now held by Bersatu’s Wan Dzahanurin Ahmad.

  Kota Raja PKR vice-chief Danish Hairudin said the members, led by Sentosa assemblyperson Gunaraj George, also pledged to defend the state seat under the Kota Raja parliamentary constituency.

  

  The PKR Youth information chief added that their focus is to empower the grassroots machinery, strengthen branches, and ensure effective party outreach to boost public confidence.

Aviation

• Transport Minister Anthony Loke has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to investigate the breakdown of the baggage handling system at KLIA Terminal 1 yesterday.

  According to Bernama, Loke noted that the disruption caused baggage delays of between two and four hours for a significant number of arriving passengers.

  “(CAAM has also been directed to) examine whether punitive action is warranted against Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd for this,” he said.

  

  The Transport Ministry will also convene an emergency meeting with the relevant agencies tomorrow for a review of the standard operating procedures governing breakdown management at airports, the minister added.

• CAAM confirms that operations at KLIA Terminal 1 have resumed after the temporary disruption.

  It said it has exercised strict oversight of the recovery process and continues to engage with MAHB and airlines to ensure full operational stabilisation.

  

  “MAHB is obligated to comply with the established Quality of Service standards, including the timely and efficient handling of passenger baggage, amongst others.

  “In line with this, CAAM is enforcing compliance with these requirements and will take appropriate regulatory and enforcement actions in the event of any non-compliance,” it said.

  CAAM said MAHB is also required to implement the necessary corrective and preventive measures to avoid recurrence.

Sandakan fire 

• A pre-dawn fire at the Kampung Bahagia water village in Sandakan, Sabah, destroyed some 200 stilt houses, Bernama reported.

  Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee chairperson Walter Kenson declared it a disaster and activated a temporary relief centre for victims at the PPR Batu Sapi hall.

  

  Taking to Facebook, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal and state governments will coordinate the provision of urgent basic aid and temporary accommodation for all victims.

  Anwar also stressed that the priority is to ensure the safety of all victims.

  Separately, former opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin also expressed his condolences and reiterated a call for assistance from all relevant authorities. 

• Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the state government has mobilised all relevant agencies to ensure the safety of victims, while expediting the delivery of immediate assistance.

  “I am deeply saddened to receive reports of a major fire involving hundreds of houses in Kampung Bahagia,” he said on Facebook today.

  

  He added that the state government would continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that all forms of assistance are delivered promptly and effectively.

11am

Election predictions 

• Batu PKR at its division annual general meeting has unanimously proposed party deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar as the constituency candidate in the next general election. 

  

  However, Batu PKR division chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said the motion came with a caveat, that Nurul Izzah should be named only if he is not chosen to defend the seat held by incumbent P Prabakaran. 

  “Members have proposed that priority be given to the division chief to contest under PKR. However, if the party leadership has other plans, the division suggests that the ‘Puteri Reformasi’ be fielded as an alternative,” he told Malaysiakini.

  Prabakaran, who lost the Batu PKR chief post to Asheeq, first won the Batu seat in 2018 as an independent and retained the seat in GE15.

  Reporting by B Nantha Kumar

• A Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component party leader has dismissed claims on social media that the coalition is mulling to contest in Sabah in the next GE, with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu supreme council member Abdullah Saidol calling it fake news.

  

  “There is no evidence that GPS chairperson and state premier Abang Johari Openg has directly or indirectly made such a statement.

  “That post is clearly a form of political libel aimed at creating suspicion and unease between the people of Sabah and Sarawak,” he was quoted as saying by Borneo Post, adding that the Sarawak government has never interfered in other states.

Sports

• Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) pocketed US$1.7 million (RM6.72 million) despite being eliminated in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals in Saudi Arabia. 

  Sinar Harian reported the amount represents the total prize money won by the Southern Tigers since the group stage, up until their 1-2 defeat to defending Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ahli at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, Jeddah. 

  

  Based on the prize breakdown, JDT received US$800,000 as an initial participation fee. Three wins in the league stage allowed the team to add US$300,000 to their earnings.

  Qualifications into the round of 16 earned the team US$200,000, followed by another US$400,000 upon confirming their place in the quarter-finals.

‘Science Oscars’

• A major discovery in genetic research has ranked US-based Malaysian-born consultant haematologist Dr Thein Swee Lay as one of six winners of the 2026 Breakthrough Prize, dubbed the “Science Oscars”, with a US$3 million reward.

  Thein was recognised for discovering the gene B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia 11A, which has been identified as a key regulator of foetal haemoglobin production.

  “To be the first Malaysian to receive this recognition is not just a personal milestone - it belongs to everyone who believed in me, mentored me and to the country that shaped me,” the Universiti Malaya medical graduate was quoted as saying by The Star.

Mental health

• Mental Health Advisory Council member Lee Lam Thye has urged employers to make it their responsibility to create a safe and supportive psychosocial work environment.

  This includes promoting open conversations about mental health, as well as providing access to resources, including counselling.

  “Employers should also train managers to recognise early signs of mental distress and respond with empathy, while ensuring reasonable workloads, work-life balance and fair treatment at all levels,” he was reported as saying by Bernama. 

  Organisations must also establish clear policies to address workplace bullying, harassment and toxic cultures, he added.

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