SNAPSHOT | Onn: Anti-DAP stance about principles; Akmal again calls for Umno-PAS unity

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

Latest:

Wee: Nothing racist about rejecting DAP; fish supply to take a dip

2pm

Politics

• Caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi denied that his anti-DAP stance is related to race.

  “This isn’t about arrogance. This isn’t about racism either. This is a matter of principles, mandate, and responsibility to the people of Johor,” he said in a social media post today, adding that Johor BN serves all races.

  He also said that BN is working with Pakatan Harapan in the federal government due to a royal mandate.

• Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh again espoused his vision for Umno and PAS to be united.

  

  Speaking at the Federal Territories Umno Youth general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he said the two parties needed to join forces for Malays to unite and not become minorities as a result of division.

Artificial intelligence

• The National AI Office (NAIO), which will lead and coordinate all artificial intelligence policies and issues in Malaysia, is set to come online on July 28.

  Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the institution will focus on policies, governance, and the AI ecosystem, including assisting AI developers, Bernama reported.

  

  The NAIO is part of the government’s roadmap to become a regional leader in AI, Gobind said at an event today. 

Earthquake

• The tsunami advisory issued by the Meteorological Department today for coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu, Sabah, has been lifted.

  “The tsunami advisory issued at 8.36am was lifted at noon,” MetMalaysia said in a Facebook post.

  

  Earlier, the department issued a statement warning that tsunami waves of up to 0.4m were expected to hit the coastal areas of the districts between 10.30am and noon today, following a strong 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, the Philippines, earlier this morning.

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