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

Latest:

Undang eviction premature, Rais warns; budget cuts were proposals, minister says

6pm

Music festival

  • The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) voiced its objection to the Rain Rave Water Music Festival, which starts tonight until May 2 at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, and hopes the organiser will re-evaluate its concept.

    In a statement today, it asked that the organiser be aware of sensitivities in Malaysian society and that all parties should ensure entertainment programmes do not have elements that could affect religious piety and society’s morals.

    While noting that Islam does not ban entertainment, the department said entertainment should be subject to syariah guidelines.

    Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department

    Jawi also said it will continue to hold programmes throughout the federal territories, including Yassin recitation and solat hajat tonight, in praying for people’s well-being and harmony in life.

    The Rain Rave Water Music Festival is being organised by the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry as part of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

  • Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar demanded Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing to resign over the Rain Rave Water Music Festival.

    He also urged the organiser to pull the plug immediately, claiming the event clearly violates local cultural sensitivities and social harmony.

    In his remarks circulated to the media, Sukri claimed the concert was contrary to local values and allegedly received widespread objections from Malaysians.

    Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar

    He also called for the ministry to set up tourism guidelines to ensure that programme proposals undergo strict values screening and reflect the true beauty of local culture.

    His demands were outlined in a memorandum submitted to the ministry earlier today.

READ MORE: Tiong defends water music festival after backlash from PAS, PKR

Healthcare

  • The Health Ministry warned that health screening services, such as blood collection by community pharmacies, can only be done at medical facilities registered under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.

    “Providing this service without registration or a valid licence under Act 586 is an offence punishable by a fine of up to RM500,000, a jail term of up to six years, or both,” it said, emphasising that safety, quality, and accountability must come first.

    The statement comes after the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations of Malaysia (FPMPAM) raised the issue in an April 24 statement, calling it an “enforcement failure” where medical procedures are done without proper oversight.

    FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan TV Ganeson warned that if the issue goes unchecked, patients risk being harmed without clear accountability.

Global energy crisis

  • Public Service Department director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the government’s work-from-home policy for civil servants has saved RM1.9 million in RON95 subsidies, or 979,632 litres of petrol, since it was implemented on April 15.

    He said there are now 20,136 participating in the initiative, up from 15,452 on April 15, and without affecting public service delivery.

    “Although the figure may not seem large, I view it as a meaningful contribution from civil servants in helping the government manage financial pressures arising from the crisis in West Asia,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Previously at 2pm | Zahid against N Sembilan coup, says Loke; Muda opposes Health Ministry budget cut

9am | Govt orders audit to fix Ampang Hospital; court to rule on Ebit Lew prosecution