SNAPSHOT | Jan 7 decision on Bar's bid to challenge Najib's reduced sentence; Orang Asli man killed in tiger attack

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

2pm

Najib’s pardon

The Court of Appeal will rule on Jan 7, 2027, on the Malaysian Bar’s bid to challenge the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s 2024 decision to halve Najib Abdul Razak’s 12-year prison sentence and reduce his RM210 million fine to RM50 million.

Free Malaysia Today reported the decision date was set before the board granted the former prime minister a conditional pardon last week, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

During today’s hearing, lawyer Yeo Yang Poh argued that accountability was a fundamental pillar of the justice system, and that the board’s decision should be subject to judicial scrutiny.

“The board must be held accountable to the people. As such, its decisions must be susceptible to judicial review, and the doors of the court must not be shut,” he was quoted as saying.

The government and Najib (above) opposed the appeal, contending that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s pardoning power under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution was not subject to judicial review.

READ MORE: Najib gets house arrest - but how he'll be tracked remains unclear

Budget 2027

Rising global oil prices will not disrupt development plans under Budget 2027, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir said.

He said the government remained committed to next year’s development expenditure despite managing the impact of higher oil prices on subsidies and fiscal space.

“Although managing oil prices is an urgent, short-term matter, long-term commitments must still be maintained,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Putrajaya today.

Akmal (above) said the Finance Ministry would decide how to absorb the impact, while protecting the public from rising costs.

Brent crude is trading at about US$100 a barrel amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Tiger attack

- The Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has deployed personnel to Kampung Takung in Pos Perwor, Sungai Siput, following the suspected killing of an Orang Asli man by a tiger.

Bernama reported that Zamberi Angah, 42, was attacked while collecting rattan with a friend in the Korbu Forest Reserve yesterday.

Perhilitan said the victim was found near a logging road, about 200m from a site showing signs of a struggle.

A search and investigation are being conducted with police, Rela, the Civil Defence Force and residents to establish the circumstances and confirm the cause of death.

- Zamberi’s son, Joe, reportedly said he entered the forest with his father at about 8am, and they were heading home around 3pm when the attack occurred.

“I heard my father scream. I turned around and shouted. Then the tiger dragged him away. I was afraid, so I ran and called the villagers,” Joe said, as quoted by Berita Harian.

Zamberi’s body was found at 6.58pm in a bamboo grove near a logging road, about 200m from the suspected attack site.

Previously at 9am | Teachers' union inks deal with Batik Air

Court of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's appeal over Najib's pardon

PM slams Hadi over oil price claims, says hikes driven by multiple factors

MP SPEAKS | Are we willing to sacrifice our Malayan tiger national icon?