Good morning.

Friendly reminder, Kini Morning Brief will now be published three times a week.

Here's what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

  • Azeez to be freed?

  • PKR polls fraud

  • Project IC revisited




Azeez to be freed?

The MACC may have new evidence that could get Baling MP Azeez Abdul Rahim's corruption charges withdrawn - at least that is what his lawyers believe.

They cited a letter from the graft buster last week, which said that the commission will be briefing prosecutors soon on certain aspects that need "further investigation".

Azeez is on trial for allegedly accepting RM5.2 million in bribes related to road projects, as well as for allegedly money laundering RM13.9 million.

Earlier in January, Azeez's younger brother was acquitted of a charge of abetting Azeez in receiving bribes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Political apathy means leaving the future in corrupt hands - Anwar
Zaid hopes BN wins GE15 and reforms the justice system
Tajuddin wants Ismail Sabri to remain as PM post-GE15




PKR polls fraud

PKR sources claim that a forensic audit into the party's top leadership election has uncovered "massive fraud", such as double voting.

This has reportedly put the party on the spot on what to do with the results while avoiding any trouble with the ROS.

The official results are expected to be announced soon.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Umno polls: ROS has to decide by July 16 - Ismail Sabri
Not true: Annuar on teaming up with Ismail Sabri for Umno polls
Teng: Johor DAP boss suffering from Streisand effect




Project IC revisited

PBS president Maximus Ongkili accused an unnamed BN party of being responsible for giving undocumented migrants citizenship in exchange for votes - a scheme popularly known as Project IC.

PBS is a former member of BN and the two parties co-govern Sabah with Perikatan Nasional under the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) umbrella.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said Ongkili was clearly referring to Umno, and that he had tried to uncover the matter via a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

HIGHLIGHTS

Eight things to know about the Sabah RCI
Project IC: Warisan feels vindicated, Najib blames Dr M and Anwar
Najib: I put PBS head in charge of migrant management



What are people saying?

Remember, those are taxpayers' money
By Rafidah Aziz
Is middle person the pied piper leading us to increased prices?
By R Nadeswaran
Mat Kilau: How important are films in shaping a society?
By Zan Azlee



What else is happening?

  • Bersatu has conveyed to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that it wants the position of deputy prime minister.

  • Ismail Sabri is finally hitting out at internal critics, saying attacks against him only weaken BN.

  • A professor who opposed the Rome Statute is the new head of Suhakam. Also appointed as commissioners were two active Umno leaders, raising concerns among activists.

  • Anti-inflation jihad team leader Annuar Musa has offered to meet with protest leaders and find solutions together.



HIGHLIGHTS

PM cites 'freeloading' foreigners to justify reduced chicken subsidy
Abolish NRC? I can step down if rakyat wants - Muhyiddin
DAP rep: Cut down on ministers, not eggs