SNAPSHOT | Separate state polls: Harapan adheres to EC's decision; PJ MP betrays mandate - PKR leader

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

9am

State elections

• DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said Pakatan Harapan would have preferred simultaneous Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, but will abide by the Election Commission's (EC) decision.

  Stressing that the government does not interfere in the EC's affairs, Loke said the institution's independence must be respected, even when its determinations go against political hopes.

  

  Negeri Sembilan caretaker menteri besar Aminuddin Harun added that while the EC's announcement was "startling", Harapan will look on the bright side.

  The leaders said this during the launch of the coalition's election machinery at an event in Seremban last night.

READ MORE: Nga slams EC's separate state polls explanation as 'absurd', says should resign

Politics

• PKR deputy secretary-general Bryan Ng accused Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung of betraying the mandate given to him by party members when he resigned from PKR’s central leadership council.

  

  In a statement last night, Ng claimed that Lee's move has weakened Petaling Jaya’s influence within the ruling party without bringing any tangible benefit to constituents.

  He also rejected Lee’s claim that his views were ignored, and alleged that Lee had not attended any central leadership council meetings since November 2025.

  On the issue of access to the MyKhas system, Ng said Petaling Jaya residents have not been deprived of assistance, as applications for allocations can still be made through existing channels.

  Ng also broadened his criticism to include former PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, accusing them and their allies of being unable to accept the outcome of internal party elections.

  

Crime

• Perak police arrested a 30-year-old cleaner in connection with the alleged rape of his former girlfriend and the fatal stabbing of her current partner, believed to have been motivated by jealousy.

  According to Perak police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin, the suspect was apprehended at the Perlis Sentral Bus Terminal in Kangar on Thursday, less than 24 hours after the killing, The Star reported.

  

  Alwi said the suspect had met his 25-year-old former girlfriend, a daycare teacher, at about 9am on Tuesday to discuss relationship issues. The pair remained there until about 5am the following day, after which the suspect allegedly threatened the woman and raped her inside his car.

  He said the woman’s current boyfriend, a contractor, arrived during the incident and confronted the suspect, who fled in his vehicle. The suspect is believed to have fatally stabbed the victim during a scuffle after a car chase.

  The suspect has been remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, while the case is being investigated under Sections 302 and 376 of the Penal Code for murder and rape, respectively.

SNAPSHOT | PJ MP quits PKR's central leadership; Najib's loyalist challenges J-Kom chief to debate

YOURSAY | Question EC by all means, but do it responsibly

Harapan leaders frame N Sembilan polls as verdict on BN 'betrayal'

Nga slams EC's separate state polls explanation as 'absurd', says should resign

MEX crash: Military officer charged with murder, claims trial to drink-driving

Accused of murder: Disability, prison couldn't break Said's will to forgive