KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today.

6pm

N Sembilan royal crisis

  • All 10 former Negeri Sembilan executive councillors whose appointments were revoked by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir have been ordered to return their official vehicles.

    Former state industry, technology, innovation and digital executive councillor Asna Amin said he received the directive from the state secretary’s office and would comply.

    “Since the revocation was gazetted, I have not used the official vehicle, but today I did receive a letter from the state secretary’s office instructing me to return it.

    “However, I haven’t had time to read the letter,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian after giving a statement to police from Bukit Aman at the state Islamic Religious Council building in Seremban.

    The Lenggeng assemblyperson also said he could no longer access his office at Wisma Negeri and was carrying out his constituency duties from the Lenggeng service centre.

  • Last night’s meeting between 25 BN and Perikatan Nasional assemblypersons with BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi focused on resolving the state’s political impasse ahead of the 2027 state budget, said Asna (above, left). 

    Asna said the state budget, scheduled to be tabled in December, underscored the need to keep the state government functioning.

    “The state budget is approaching, with only about two months left. So, the government must continue to function. It is up to the menteri besar to address and resolve this, as state Umno chairperson Jalaluddin Alias said last night.

    “Whatever happens, we prioritise the people’s interests,” Berita Harian reported him as saying.

READ MORE: Tuanku Muhriz's sacking of 10 N Sembilan excos gazetted

  • Bukit Aman’s Classified Criminal Investigation Unit recorded statements from all 10 excos over the state’s ongoing constitutional and adat crisis.

    It was reported that they were questioned separately today at the state Islamic Council building in Seremban. 

    Asna said each session lasted about 30 minutes and was conducted professionally.

    “I was asked about 60 questions, and I told them what I knew,” he was quoted as saying by The Star, adding that they were not told under which provision they were being questioned. 

    The other former excos were Faizal Ramli, Zaifulbahri Idris, Mustapha Nagoor, Razi Ali, Siti Nur Umaira Hasim, Suhaimizan Bizar, Siow Kong Choon, Fairuz Isa and Razali Abu Samah.


Mandiri probe 

  • Police have frozen five bank accounts linked to their probe into Mandiri Development Centre Sdn Bhd, a registered company for youth-led organisation Mandiri, over alleged illicit funds received between 2024 and 2026.

    Bukit Aman Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Unit team chief Fazlisyam Abdul Majid said that investigations are ongoing, with statements to be recorded from several other individuals.

    “So far, five bank accounts belonging to parties under investigation have been frozen,” Berita Harian reported him as saying. 

    Fazlisyam, however, did not disclose the value of the funds in the accounts or specify how many individuals had their statements recorded so far following the arrests, remand and release of Mandiri leaders Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi and Dobby Chew (above, left).

READ MORE: Protesters urge PM to act on 'corporate mafia', stop targeting activists


Passport ranking 

  • Malaysia’s passport has climbed to second place in the Passport Index Global Ranking 2026, up from third last year.

    The Immigration Department said the ranking reflected the strength and international acceptance of the Malaysian passport.

    “Based on the ranking, Malaysian passport holders have access to 175 destinations, comprising 129 visa-free destinations and 46 destinations with visa-on-arrival, while 23 destinations require a visa,” it said on Facebook today.

    According to Passport Index data, the United Arab Emirates holds the top spot in the passport power rank, while Singapore and Malaysia share second place.

    Spain is ranked third, while 16 countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Norway, share fourth place.