SNAPSHOT | PM files defamation suit against Tuan Ibrahim; GPS ready for state polls - Abang Jo

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

9pm

Lawsuit

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has commenced defamation proceedings in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

  The lawsuit is over a series of alleged defamatory statements made by Tuan Ibrahim (above, left) during a PAS ceramah in Felda Jenderak Utara, Kuala Krau, on June 14.

  "Among the reliefs sought are general damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages, together with an injunction restraining the defendant from further uttering, publishing, republishing or disseminating the impugned defamatory statements or statements bearing the same or substantially similar defamatory meanings.

  "Our client also seeks an order requiring the removal of the impugned publications from social media accounts, platforms and/or publications within the defendant’s possession, custody and/or control, together with interest, costs and such further relief as the court considers just and appropriate," Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair said in a statement today.

  

  On July 30, Sankara said that Anwar’s letter of demand was sent via email to Tuan Ibrahim, giving the Kubang Kerian MP 48 hours to respond.

READ MORE: PM threatens legal action against Tuan Ibrahim over 'defamation'

Air pollution

• Selangor is ready to take further action over the staging of the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) if the Air Pollution Index (API) reaches unhealthy levels, said state Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

  Citing the latest monitoring by the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the Selangor Health Department, Amirudin said the Johan Setia area in Klang recorded a trend of unhealthy air quality due to the area’s location and possible localised fire incidents over the past several days.

  

  According to Bernama, he added that any preventive measures and adjustments to the competition schedule would only be officially determined if weather conditions deteriorated to a concerning level.

  As of 6pm yesterday, Johan Setia, with an API of 153, was the only area in Selangor alongside eight localities in Sarawak that recorded unhealthy API readings, based on data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

Sarawak polls

• Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairperson Abang Johari Openg said the coalition is ready to face a state election with either the existing number of state seats or an increased number following the proposed redelineation exercise.

  

  “We have no problem. If there are 82 seats, then 82 seats. If there are 99 seats, then 99 seats.

  “We have no problem because it may not necessarily be 99 seats if there is insufficient time for its implementation,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Kuching today.

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  READ MORE: GPS leader dismisses claims new Sarawak seats assigned to its parties amid leaked map claims

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  The main priority, he added, is to ensure that the state election could proceed in accordance with the stipulated provisions and timeframe, without being dependent on the outcome of the redelineation exercise.

Previously at 6pm | Penang local councils to cancel new system fines; 'Red Wave' will emerge in Perak - Nga

2pm | Court bins N Sembilan nobles' gag order bid; PAS No 2 asks why Bersatu still with 'damaged' PN

9am | Kepong MP offers RM5,000 reward for info on man who set elderly woman on fire

PAS: Court not the place to settle Hadi-DAP spat

COMMENT | Hadi should show proof of DAP's 'eliminate Malays' agenda

PN to continue Bersatu snub in Malacca, ready for Perak talks with BN

PAS ulama wing clashes with Madani-linked religious group over Hadi's anti-DAP remarks