SNAPSHOT | Govt to study prison riot findings; Zafrul ready to defend Pandan seat for PKR in GE16

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

Latest:

Albert welcomes Azam's legal action; 77 immigration officers sacked since 2022

2pm

Prison riot

• Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil assured that Putrajaya will study Suhakam’s findings on the Taiping Prison riot, which resulted in the death of one inmate, before determining any further action.

  Noting that the matter has yet to be discussed in a cabinet meeting, Free Malaysia Today quoted Fahmi pointing out that Suhakam’s annual report will typically be tabled in Parliament for a debate session.

  The communications minister also expressed the government’s “concern” over the findings of Suhakam’s public inquiry into the incident.

  

READ MORE: Gobind sinks fangs into prison riot report, demands answers from IGP, AG

Politics

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's senior political adviser, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said that he is prepared to defend PKR's seat in Pandan in the 16th general election, if given the party’s trust.

  "I am not thinking at all (about the possibility of contesting against Rafizi in the Pandan constituency). Yes, I may be up against a political giant if he does indeed contest this constituency again.

  "However, what is more important for us is to do the work and serve, anywhere, whether in Pandan or Ampang or any other assigned area," Berita Harian reported him saying.

  On May 24, Bernama reported PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari saying that Zafrul (above) had been appointed as the party’s monitoring officer for the constituency.

  This followed Anwar adopting Pandan as his parliamentary constituency, after the departure of its former MP Rafizi Ramli.

READ MORE: Rafizi, Nik Nazmi send letters to speaker vacating seats

• A new political party led by sacked former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin is expected to be unveiled in the middle of next month, Free Malaysia Today reported.

  The report quoted an anonymous source, purportedly aligned with the Larut MP, saying that preparations for the launch in Kuala Lumpur were “almost complete”.

  Utusan Malaysia, meanwhile, reported that the launch of the new party will be held at the Reset Convention, ahead of the Dewan Rakyat sitting on June 22.

  

  In March, Hamzah confirmed ongoing discussions about a possible takeover of a political entity reportedly named Parti Keluarga Malaysia, saying the negotiations are still at a technical stage.

Public health

• The Selangor government has welcomed the health minister’s announcement confirming agreement on the proposed site for the construction of the Petaling Jaya public hospital.

  The state government has also pledged to facilitate land matters and expedite processes ahead of the Health Ministry’s site visit this week.

  In a statement, Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said that efforts to secure a site for the hospital have been ongoing since 2018, in response to rapid population growth in the Petaling district, which now stands at around 2.3 million people.

  He said at present, residents in the area rely on nearby public hospitals, including Sungai Buloh Hospital, Shah Alam Hospital, and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), which collectively face increasing demand.

  

  The state government also highlighted ongoing cooperation with the ministry to improve hospital access and reduce congestion across Selangor, including recent and upcoming hospital projects in Cyberjaya, Tanjong Karang, and Kapar.

Previously at 11am | Dept to cooperate in prison riot findings review; police reports filed over stray dog's death

YOURSAY | Prisoners are human beings first

Taiping Prison riot: MOH to probe alleged violations by medical staff

'Tortured, framed, silenced': DAP MP urges action over 'damning' prison abuses

Suhakam finally enters Taiping Prison to probe alleged assault on inmates