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

Latest:

Israel releases Gaza flotilla activists, including 29 M’sians, Turkiye sponsors flights

6pm

Politics

  • The exodus of Pandan PKR Youth leaders earlier today does not automatically trigger the wing’s dissolution, said PKR Youth legal and public complaints bureau chief Khairul Naim Rafidi.

    He said Clause 13.9 of the wing’s regulations allows its central committee to call fresh elections if more than two-thirds of its committee members resign or are uncontactable, but this does not mean it ceases operations.

    Instead, Clauses 13.10 to 13.13 provide for those vacancies to be filled to ensure continuity, and the process should be allowed to proceed in an orderly manner.

    He said those who declared the Pandan PKR Youth as “dissolved” acted irresponsibly as it could mislead members and create inaccurate perceptions about the party.

READ MORE: Pandan PKR Youth division allegedly dissolved as 19 committee members resign

Corruption

  • Businessperson-turned-whistleblower Albert Tei questioned why Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has yet to be investigated over viral claims linking the latter to a scheme to steal money and stash it in Africa.

    Raising allegations of double standards, Tei said police had informed him that businesspersons Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak and Sofia Rini Buyong had been called to provide their statements over the matter.

    Businessperson-turned-whistleblower Albert Tei

    “Today is my turn to give a statement. The question is when will Anwar be called?” he said at a press conference outside the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.

    Tei was there with his lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, to provide a statement to Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit in the probe over a video that went viral late last month.

READ MORE: After new clip surfaces, PM dares accuser to show proof

Defence

  • US Embassy chargé d’affaires David H Gamble Jr denied his country was involved in Norway’s revocation of export licences to deliver naval strike missiles (NSM) for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

    Instead, he told New Straits Times that the US supports Malaysia acquiring a naval strike capability to respond to regional threats and safeguard its sovereignty.

    The denial came after several analysts reportedly speculated that the presence of a US-made component in the missile, which is subject to US arms export restrictions, may have contributed to Oslo’s decision to revoke the licence.

    The component is a gyroscope used in the NSM’s guidance system, which helps the missile stay on course over long distances by detecting changes in the missile’s flight path, even if other navigation systems like GPS are disrupted.

READ MORE: Govt sends LOD to Norwegian defence firm, seeks over RM1b in losses

Press freedom

  • MCA has urged Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to explain if any action will be taken against those who allegedly shoved and obstructed journalists at the recent Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor.

    Party information chief Chan Quin Er said the incident was more than a mere crowd control issue, arguing it raised press freedom concerns.

    MCA information chief Chan Quin Er

    In a statement today, she said that while Fahmi acknowledged such treatment of media professionals was unacceptable, the government must provide safeguards for journalists covering political events.

    She also called for a full investigation and binding safety practices for media workers, telling Harapan that it cannot publicly champion press freedom while failing to protect reporters on the ground.

Previously at 2pm | PKR Women urges six MPs to quit; PJD Link: Residents receive crucial documents

9am | New MACC chief says Arm probe to take time; Pandan PKR Youth schism