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

2pm 

MACC

  • A former aide to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok will be charged at the Sessions Court tomorrow morning, the New Straits Times reported, citing a source familiar with the issue confirming the matter, however, no details on the charge were provided.

    On March 6 last year, the then-DAP vice chairperson revealed that the MACC had arrested two of her former staff who previously managed finances and constituency funds at her service centre before resigning in 2024.

    Seputeh MP Teresa Kok

    One of them also later resigned as the federal territories DAP publicity secretary after coming under the MACC’s radar for allegedly taking bribes in the supply of interactive smart boards for several schools in Kuala Lumpur.

    READ MORE: Puad fires at Teresa for 'playing safe' in ex-aides' bribery case 

Sand exports 

  • NGO Rural Malaysia urged against the use of river management and sediment reduction works as a continuous economic model built upon the exploitation of natural resources in Pahang. 

    Referencing Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah’s recent statement on increasing state revenue through river sand exports, its secretary-general Anuar Mahmod said economic models that rely heavily on extractive activities should no longer be viewed as the primary pathway for generating state revenue.

    Arguing that land in Pahang has “for far too long” borne the burden of development practices destructive to the environment, Anuar highlighted that citizens are always the first to suffer when rivers are damaged, water catchment areas are disrupted, and environmental stability declines. 

    The NGO also backed the federal government’s “more cautious” approach in evaluating proposals involving natural resource exploitation, stressing that economic development must be balanced with environmental sustainability and the rakyat’s long-term interests.  

    READ MORE: Sedimentation in Pahang rivers serious safety risk: Tuan Ibrahim 

Political funding 

  • Umno has no objections to the proposed drafting of a bill to regulate political funding, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said. 

    Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said

    However, the Umno information chief said the BN linchpin’s official view has yet to be conveyed formally as the process of obtaining feedback on the proposed bill from all political parties remains ongoing. 

    READ MORE: 12MP review: Govt committed to enacting political funding law by 2025

    Bernama quoted her as affirming the matter after officiating the 2026 Madani Accountability Framework Public Dialogue programme in Bangi today. 

    The minister previously said policy matters regarding the potential bill would require consensus from all political parties.

Previously at 11am | Civil society flags stalled reforms; Agong invites Putin for 2027 visit