SNAPSHOT | Samsuri to lead PN for the general election; Albert welcomes J-Kom DG's debate challenge

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

6pm

Politics

• Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar affirmed that he will lead the coalition towards taking over the federal government in the next general election, amid uncertainty over the opposition’s political cooperation.

  Without elaborating on the assurance, the PAS vice-president told an audience during the Kedah PAS election machinery launch last night that the party’s priority is to strengthen PN as it enhances efforts to address the rakyat’s issues.

  The Terengganu menteri besar’s statement comes amid worsening ties between PAS and its fellow PN ally, Bersatu.

READ MORE: Samsuri: PN does not exclusively belong to one party

State elections

• Bersih has urged all political parties and candidates to campaign according to the principles of clean, free, and fair elections, as well as adhering to the Election Offences Act 1954 - which prohibits, among others, the giving of valuable items and bribery.

  The electoral watchdog also reminded the federal and caretaker state administrations not to indirectly or directly campaign by organising government functions after the dissolution of state assemblies and the announcement of election dates.

  

  Bersih added that it is also seeking public donations amounting to around RM30,000 to facilitate its election monitoring team’s work for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls.

READ MORE: EC: Johor goes to polls July 11, N Sembilan to follow on Aug 1

Freedom of expression

• Selangor Bersatu Youth chief Na’im Brundage said that the Himpunan Gegar TikTok rally organised by businessperson Albert Tei is only the beginning of a wider movement demanding that TikTok Malaysia respect freedom of expression.

  In a statement, he warned that the campaign will continue until the platform complies with democratic principles and upholds Malaysians’ rights.

  Na’im called on TikTok Malaysia to restore accounts and content that he claims were restricted for political reasons, and demanded greater transparency regarding the basis and processes behind such enforcement actions.

  

  Earlier today, Tei, a staunch critic of the government and the MACC, held a protest outside the TikTok headquarters to demand that the platform restore his account.

  Berita Harian reported that about 80 people had joined the protest at Sunway Velocity V2 Tower that began at 10am and dispersed peacefully at noon.

• Meanwhile, Tei welcomed the challenge to debate Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Hisyamuddin Ghazali.

  

  “On Thursday (June 11) at the Putrajaya district police headquarters, he challenged me to a debate, and now I want to state that I welcome it.

  “Tell me where, when, and who is hosting it. Don’t run away,” he said," The Star reported Tei saying.

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  READ MORE: New J-Kom chief targets those ‘slandering’ govt, moots debates with Albert, Najib loyalist

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  Earlier, Hisyamuddin had vowed a tougher stance against those slandering the government, going on the offensive in defence of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Madani administration.

Previously at 2pm | Polls win rests on parties' strength, not timing - Khaled; ministry denies seizing Orang Asli land

11am | Separate state polls: Harapan adheres to EC's decision; PJ MP betrays mandate - PKR leader

Hamzah reveals new 'Wawasan Negara' party, reappointed as opposition leader

LETTER | Beyond race and religion: The leadership Malaysia needs

Sanusi: PN states may sync polls with GE16, eyes T'ganu-style clean sweep in Kedah

Who is Syam Ghaz? New J-Kom chief hits ground running in first week