SNAPSHOT | Harapan disappointed with N Sembilan Umno; Afif invites DAP rep to visit 'polluted' villages

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

9pm

Negeri Sembilan

• Pakatan Harapan has expressed disappointment in the 14 Umno assemblypersons in Negeri Sembilan who withdrew support for Harapan’s Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun and threw their lot with Perikatan Nasional’s five assemblypersons.

  In a statement, its communications director Fahmi Fadzil said their actions are not in line with the spirit of the unity government and amount to a betrayal, especially since it is justified on grounds unrelated to Aminuddin’s performance.

  “The move by Negeri Sembilan Umno and BN is done without regard for the people’s welfare, while the unity government and the country are facing a global supply crisis and are working to manage the economy and reduce the burden faced by the people,” he said.

  

READ MORE: Stalemate in N Sembilan as paths to oust MB remain blocked

• In response to Fahmi Fadzil, the 14 Umno assemblypersons denied that their actions are meant to seize control of the government irresponsibly, but a legitimate political position when there is no longer confidence in the menteri besar.

  In a joint statement, they iterated that Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun had failed to handle highly sensitive customary and constitutional issues prudently, and had impinged on customary issues without consulting exco members from Umno beforehand.

  “Umno-BN does not interfere in customary affairs. But Umno-BN cannot continue to bear responsibility for executive actions that are seen as interfering with customary affairs and jeopardising the stability of the state,” they said.

Pig farming

• Taman Medan assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin has invited his Seri Kembangan counterpart Wong Siew Ki to visit Kampung Tumbuk and Tanjong Sepat in Kuala Langat, along with members of the press.

  According to Sinar Harian, this is to show her the extent of the pollution problem in the area stemming from pig farming. He also questioned Wong for continuing to advocate for pig farming in the state and continued to demand that she apologise.

  Wong had come under fire after urging the state government to reconsider the decision not to allow pig farming, arguing modern farming practices can resolve the pollution issues posed by existing methods.

  

  Wong’s critics had claimed that her remarks were an affront to the Selangor sultan, while Afif had sought to refer Wong to the Rights and Privileges Committee for disciplinary action.

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

KINIGUIDE | The battle over Selangor's pig farms

MACC

• Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s ex-aide James Chai was questioned for eight hours today, after arriving at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am.

  Chai’s lawyer, Ragunath Kesavan, confirmed with Malaysiakini that his client left the MACC headquarters at around 6pm today.

  

  Ragunath added that Chai will continue having his statement recorded at the MACC headquarters tomorrow morning.

  The MACC is questioning Chai over a RM1.1 billion government deal with British semiconductor giant Arm Holdings.

READ MORE: Rafizi's ex-aide to return from overseas for MACC questioning on April 28

• In a sarcastic message to the MACC, Rafizi Ramli advised the anti-graft agency to write him an email if they are interested in recording his statement on the same investigation.

  The Pandan MP noted that since he does not use WhatsApp or answer calls from unknown numbers, the MACC can also email him if they wish to serve him a notice of arrest.

  “Don’t worry, I have never run away. I have been detained by authorities dozens of times since 2010, and not once have I fled,” he added.

  The former economy minister’s social media post comes after his former aide, James Chai, presented himself at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today to facilitate the graft buster’s investigation.

Energy crisis

• The government has assured that it would minimise the impact of any changes to electricity prices on the public and business sectors, Bernama reported.

  Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir noted that about 85 percent of electricity users consume less than 600 kWh and therefore are fully exempt from the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) charge.

  

  The assurance comes as electricity generation costs are projected to increase from RM19.14 per million British Thermal Units (BTU) to RM21.28 per million BTU.

  At the same time, Malaysia’s maximum electricity demand had reached a new record of 21,468 MW on April 23, driven by the increased use of air conditioning due to hot weather.

  Akmal urged users to manage electricity consumption more prudently, including by setting the temperature at a more reasonable level.

Previously at 6pm | PAS: No conditions yet for PN-BN pact in N Sembilan; PKR MP explains rally participation

2pm | Email if you want my statement - Rafizi to MACC; DAP Youth urges Harapan to review Umno pact

9am | Akmal denounces 'backdoor govt' attempt; Zaid notes royal influence in political tussles

SNAPSHOT | N Sembilan PSM calls for state polls; commotion at S'gor assembly, 2 reps suspended

S'gor PAS Youth submits pig farming protest memo to DAP rep

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

N Sembilan crisis: PKR leader wants Umno's sole Selangor exco sacked

SNAPSHOT | PAS: No conditions yet for PN-BN pact in N Sembilan; PKR MP explains rally participation

COMMENT | A time of political fragmentation: Looking ahead Part 2

COMMENT | The MACC must rise to this moment