SNAPSHOT | Dr M leaves IJN to visit Hasmah's grave; MACC denies serving notice to Saravanan's minor son

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

2pm

Dr Mahathir

• Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has left the National Heart Institute (IJN) this morning, where he remains in treatment, to visit the grave of his late wife, Dr Hasmah Ali, at Pusara Negara in Putrajaya today.
  
  Berita Harian reported that Mahathir, who arrived at 11.05am accompanied by family members, was seen shedding tears as he prayed at the grave and scattered rose petals.
  
  He spent about 15 minutes there before leaving.

  

  
  The visit came three days after Hasmah’s death on Monday, following more than seven decades of marriage.
  
  Mahathir’s press secretary Sufi Yusoff previously said the former premier had been exhausted from stress and lack of sleep following his wife’s passing.

READ MORE: When old foes come together to mourn the woman they both loved

MACC

• MACC chairperson Abd Halim Aman has denied that the commission served an asset declaration notice on the 12-year-old son of former human resources minister M Saravanan.
  
  Berita Harian reported that Halim said the law does not specify an age category for relatives or associates, but the MACC exercised discretion in the child’s case.
  
  “We decided not to serve a notice on his 12-year-old son. There was indeed no such notice,” he was quoted as saying in Putrajaya today.

  

  
  Halim (above) added that the 12-year-old’s presence at the MACC office was merely to accompany his parents and not to receive a notice.
  
  The asset declaration notices were issued under Section 36(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, with recipients given 30 days to comply, subject to extensions on reasonable grounds.

READ MORE: Saravanan willing to declare all assets, questions need for 12-year-old son to attend MACC

• MACC has yet to receive a formal complaint over allegations that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry overspent by RM2.1 billion, said Halim.
  
  Bernama reported Halim said the commission only learnt of the allegations targeting Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who heads the ministry, through media reports.

  

  
  “We have only read about it in the media. There has been nothing formal yet. So I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment.
  
  “Once a formal complaint is lodged with us, we will certainly step in (to investigate),” he told reporters at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.
  
  Yesterday, DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng reportedly urged MACC to act over the alleged overspending, while Zahid previously said its spending would not exceed government-approved allocations.

READ MORE: 'Be fair to UiTM, take action against Zahid and his ministry too', Guan Eng pushes MACC

Student’s murder

• A Form Four student detained over the alleged murder of his 14-year-old schoolmate at a Kuala Pilah school has been remanded for another seven days until Oct 8.
  
  The Star reported Negeri Sembilan police chief Alzafny Ahmad said the Kuala Pilah Magistrate’s Court granted the extension today after the suspect’s initial remand expired.

  

  
  Alzafny also said police have recorded statements from 70 people so far, including teachers and students.
  
  He added that the victim’s parents told investigators their son had never complained about being bullied at school.
  
  A second Form Four student, who lived in the same hostel block as the victim, was detained on Tuesday to assist investigations and remanded until Saturday.

Saravanan's defence seeks early trial as prosecution needs a month for documents

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Condolences pour in for Dr Hasmah, to be accorded state funeral

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