SNAPSHOT | Rafizi exits MACC after 9-hour questioning; Dzulkefly seeks re-evaluation of MOH budget cut

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

9pm

Graft

• Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has left the MACC headquarters after nine hours of questioning in relation to his involvement in Putrajaya’s RM1.1 billion deal with semiconductor giant Arm Holdings.

  Online portal FMT reported the Pandan MP was seen leaving the building at 6.50pm and will return at 10am tomorrow.

  “I gave my full cooperation, but it was a lengthy process,” he was quoted as saying.

Budget cuts

• The Health Ministry has requested that proposed spending adjustments and budget cuts affecting the ministry be re-evaluated to ensure that core public services are not compromised.

  Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged the ministry's appeal to prevent the RM3.04 billion in cuts proposed by the Treasury secretary-general from being implemented as originally planned.

  He stressed that any assessment regarding budget reductions must take into account essential services and the ministry's human resources.

  

  Dzulkefly stated that he has instructed his secretary-general and team to immediately submit a counter-proposal, according to Bernama.

  This includes identifying non-essential areas where cuts could potentially be made, provided they do not involve core services or human resource requirements.

Previously at 6pm | Psych evaluation for woman with knife; Johor PN ready to contest all 56 seats in state polls

2pm | MACC grills Rafizi; Lynas assures safety of M'sian operation

9am | Cops nab Penangite over edited photo of Selangor ruler; Mara TVET grads 98pct employable

COMMENT | Madani should not reduce healthcare budget to save money

Govt's RM10b budget cuts could trigger 'false savings', warn analysts

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

'Not worth it': Group warns health budget cut may increase deaths, worsen disease burden

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