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

9pm

Politics

  • Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly dismissed speculation that Bersatu could rejoin Pakatan Harapan following the dissolution of its cooperation with PAS.

    “For me, a political marriage where you divorce and remarry is not our way,” New Straits Times quoted him as saying, adding that he has not heard of such rumours.

    Anwar said Harapan’s approach is based on consultation and cooperation, rather than political manoeuvring.

    Cooperation within the coalition government parties remains strong at the federal level, despite differences at the state level, the Harapan chairperson added.

READ MORE: Bersatu to be hit hard over PAS' decision, expect new political alignments - analysts

  • PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man clarified that the Islamist party’s decision to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu does not mean the complete severing of ties between the two Perikatan Nasional components.

    The Kubang Kerian MP insisted that PAS’ decision to end its political cooperation with Bersatu will create space for each party to determine its own direction, stressing that relations between both parties will continue to be preserved.

    READ MORE: Johor polls: PAS eyes political pact, seat talks with Umno, other parties

    Acknowledging that PAS’ experience of working with Bersatu had various “difficulties and constraints”, Tuan Ibrahim cited Bersatu leaders’ dissatisfaction with its former deputy president, Hamzah Zainudin, and those linked with him.

    Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

    Recounting a previous instance when Bersatu had supposedly not reacted well to Malacca PAS’ invitation for Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin to join its programme, the former minister said the reaction could extend to PN’s potential collaboration with Hamzah’s Reset movement.

  • In a Facebook post responding to Tuan Ibrahim, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz rebutted that it is “far more difficult” to work with those who speak as if they follow Islamic teachings while their actions do not mirror their words.

    He claimed that to his knowledge, PAS had never once sought Bersatu’s views or considered its sensitivities before inviting leaders who had allegedly violated Bersatu’s constitution and party discipline to its programmes.

    Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz

    Tun Faisal also asserted that PAS had disregarded decisions established with Bersatu, with the Islamist party further accused of failing to inform Bersatu of certain matters prior to execution.

  • A group of lawmakers, who were all previously suspended from Bersatu, have urged the party to leave or be expelled from PN, asserting that the party’s “weaknesses” and its president Muhyiddin Yassin’s “arrogance” will cripple the opposition coalition.

    The 13 MPs also called for all exco positions held by Bersatu in the relevant states to be reshuffled.

    In a statement today, the parliamentarians blamed Bersatu’s supposed refusal to respect the spirit of camaraderie between PN components as the reason behind PAS’ move to end political ties with the party.

    They added that while they had repeatedly raised concerns with Muhyiddin regarding the party’s conduct, their “constructive criticism” was ignored while the party’s disciplinary board was allegedly misused to silence them from “speaking the truth”.

Crime

  • Former MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has reportedly welcomed the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ decision to classify businessperson Albert Tei’s claims of facing intimidation from him as no further action.

    READ MORE: AGC classifies Albert's 'threat' claim against Azam as NFA

    According to New Straits Times, he said the decision confirms there is no firm basis to Tei’s allegations, which were inconsistent with the facts and evidence gathered by the authorities.

    Azam Baki

    “I am grateful that the truth has finally prevailed,” he reportedly said in a text message.

Previously at 6pm | Albert takes on MCMC over social media restrictions; no changes to fuel prices

2pm | Govt mulls oil from Africa, Russia, US; PAS states retain Bersatu exco members

9am | Umno man, Nik Aziz's grandson reconcile; Annuar: PAS-Bersatu split for common good