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

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Teresa's ex-aide to be charged; NGO warns on Pahang sand exports

11am 

Nation-building 

  • Reflecting on the eighth anniversary of the 2018 general election, which saw BN losing its two-thirds majority for the first time, civil society organisations lamented that many long-promised institutional reforms remain “incomplete” or “lacking clear progress”. 

    The groups also expressed concern over a growing sense of political apathy and democratic fatigue among the public, particularly at a time when they said substantive discussions on long-term nation-building are being sidelined for more populist narratives. 

    In a joint statement today, the groups said a press conference yesterday revealed plans to organise a public forum in mid-July to discuss Malaysia’s democratic challenges, institutional weaknesses and future reform priorities.

    The forum, the groups added, is not intended to support any political party. The statement was endorsed by Bersih, the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia, and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia. 

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Russia-Malaysia ties 

  • Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Malaysia in 2027, according to the federation’s state-backed media. 

    Referencing reports by Sputnik/RIA Novosti, Bernama reported that Sultan Ibrahim had also thanked Putin for the warm welcome in Moscow, with diplomatic relations between both countries set to celebrate their 60th anniversary next year. 

    At a meeting with the king, Putin reportedly said relations between the two nations are developing well, including ties on trade and economics, and these were all prerequisites to overcome a slight decrease in trade.

    His Majesty, who visited Russia on an official visit at Putin’s invitation, earlier became the first Malaysian head of state to be a guest-of-honour at Russia’s Victory Day parade to mark the conclusion of the Second World War.