SNAPSHOT | N Sembilan Umno wings back state leadership; cops probe Facebook account over royal insult

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Negeri Sembilan

• Negeri Sembilan Umno’s women, youth, and young women wings are backing the party’s 14 assemblypersons’ withdrawal of support from Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

  In a joint statement, they labelled Aminuddin’s failure to manage the ongoing royal dispute as a “very serious leadership weakness”.

  

  They also condemned Aminuddin for failing to hold discussions with the state executive council to contain the crisis before it reached critical levels.

  Firmly placing themselves behind their chairperson, Jalaluddin Alias, they described Umno and BN as “the last bastion” in defending customary institutions and the state and federal constitutions.

READ MORE: N Sembilan Umno withdraws support for MB, Madani state govt may collapse

Royalty

• Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship exco Najwan Halimi has strongly condemned a social media post featuring an edited image of a pig dressed in ceremonial attire purportedly intended to insult the Selangor ruler.

  Najwan described the post as deeply offensive, disrespectful, and dangerous, adding that he personally felt insulted as a loyal son of Selangor upon seeing the image being circulated.

  

  Najwan urged the authorities to immediately investigate the matter and take firm action against those responsible, arguing that the post amounted to an open insult against the sultan as well as an affront to the state government.

  Yesterday, Free Malaysia Today reported that Selangor exco for religious affairs Fahmi Ngah and Selangor investment, trade and mobility exco Ng Sze Han had also condemned the social media post, joining calls for stern action over the incident. 

READ MORE: Pig farming row: What Wong said and what was 'lost' in translation

• Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 504 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

  CID director M Kumar said police have identified the administrator of the Facebook account “Huayan The Pureland Learning Centre”, which is believed to have uploaded the edited image.

  

  Noting that police received a total of 21 reports on the matter nationwide, he cautioned that freedom of speech under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution has limitations, and police will take stern action against those who misuse social media for unlawful purposes.

Scams

• Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said 43,618 pieces of scam-related content had been taken down from Jan 1 to March 31.

  During her speech at the Confederation of Asean Journalists’ 21st annual general assembly, Teo said the figure, based on MCMC data, includes fake accounts and impersonation.

  

  According to The Star, she noted an increase in cases involving the use of artificial intelligence tools to impersonate royalty, such as social media accounts that use Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s voice to promote scams.

Tourism

• Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin said the state is planning to introduce targeted support for the tourism sector.

  The measures, which include incentives and stronger strategic marketing, are aimed at maintaining demand and air connectivity to Sabah amid the ongoing global energy crisis, Bernama quoted Jafry as saying at the state legislative assembly sitting today.

  

  “The ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board, will also enhance efforts in North Asia and Southeast Asia, focusing on China, South Korea, Japan, and regional markets less affected by global airspace disruptions.

  “Sabah will also be promoted as a premium destination to attract higher-spending tourists who are less affected by rising costs,” he added.

Previously at 9am | S'gor excos want stern action over 'pig in royal attire' pic; Azam probes must go on, says PKR MP

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