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

6pm

Austerity measures

  • Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Putrajaya’s efforts to realign operating expenditure priorities across ministries have yielded positive results without affecting public service delivery or government programmes.

    Citing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s briefing to the cabinet earlier today, Fahmi said priority remains on strengthening frontline services, particularly in the security, healthcare, and education sectors, to safeguard public welfare.

    He told a press conference that the government has achieved about 50 percent of its target for expenditure prioritisation.

    Reporting by Zarrah Morden

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Press freedom

  • The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has received a complaint from the Johor Media Club alleging harassment, obstruction, and disorder involving media personnel during coverage of the Pakatan Harapan convention in the state.

    In a statement today, MMC said the club claimed the situation escalated to pushing, shoving, and verbal altercations, with female media practitioners among those affected.

    Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor Bahru

    It urged organisers to ensure media access and safe working conditions, adding that aggression or violence is unacceptable.

    Press freedom group Gerakan Media Malaysia expressed solidarity with the Johor Media Club, which has lodged a police report over the alleged incident.

    In a statement yesterday, it said security control does not justify obstructing journalists in the performance of their duties.

READ MORE: Harapan convention: Govt achievements, reform agenda played up in speeches

  • Fahmi said he has instructed the Harapan convention secretariat to look into the allegations of aggressive treatment towards media practitioners during the event.

    “I have asked the secretariat to look into the complaints that have been made and try to identify what the issues are and who may be involved so that we can take action after this,” he told a press conference today.

    He said such behaviour should not have occurred, but noted that limited space and the large number of attendees may have contributed to the situation.

    Reporting by Zarrah Morden

Previously at 2pm | Cop dies after suspected fall; Rafizi: Bersama co-founder angered by sale query

9am | Uproar against Pua after remarks on monarchy; Yeoh lodges report over alleged slander