KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Former DAP MP Tony Pua has drawn parallels between the police investigation into an alleged conspiracy to topple the government and his own persecution during the 1MDB era, calling on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to put a stop to what he described as "ridiculous nonsense".Pua, whom police investigated and barred from leaving the country during the 1MDB scandal for alleged conspiracy in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, said the latest probe felt unsettlingly familiar.Earlier today, the IGP said that police have launched an investigation into an alleged conspiracy to topple the government and sabotage the country's stability, involving an "influential individual" and an international media agency.Meanwhile, in a separate story, around 50 protesters led by businessperson Albert Tei gathered outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today to amplify calls for the arrest of its chief, Azam Baki.Tei echoed calls for an independent royal commission of inquiry and expressed support for it to be headed by former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's handling of various issues, including corruption cases and matters important to progressives and non-Malays, have led to increasing disillusionment among Pakatan Harapan's core supporters.Anwar's disenfranchised former protégé, Rafizi Ramli, however, has signalled that voters and Harapan supporters may have something to look forward to from him by June.He said they wanted to give an "option" for voters, especially the youths, but what form it would be in would take a few months to sort out.Meanwhile, in a separate story, another “Tangkap Azam Baki” protest will be held at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am this Friday to pressure the government to take strong action against the anti-graft agency and its chief commissioner.This time, the rally is propelled by controversial businessperson Albert Tei and activist Lee Wai Hong.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] DAP has doubled down on its demand for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) in the wake of MACC’s insistence that its alleged involvement in a “corporate mafia” scheme is merely a smear campaign aimed at sullying the commission’s name.Party chairperson Gobind Singh Deo said the commission is entitled to deny the claims but stressed that “a mere denial on their part alone is insufficient”.“When the integrity of our premier anti-graft agency is called into question, a self-issued clearance simply does not measure up. On its own, it does little to restore shaken public and investor confidence,” he said.Meanwhile, in a separate story, PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim said he respects any proposal to establish an RCI, and agrees in principle that the truth must be upheld through a transparent, legally grounded process.However, he added that demands for an RCI should not be based solely on hearsay, assumptions, or innuendo. They must rest on strong and convincing evidence.Earlier today, the MACC had issued a second firm denial on the claims and dismissed them as baseless.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] As the controversy involving the MACC continues to escalate, the DAP will propose at this Friday's cabinet meeting the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged "corporate mafia" scheme.In an interview with Malaysiakini, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said that they had first raised this proposal at the last cabinet meeting and will continue to push for it.Loke opined that the so-called "corporate mafia" scheme represented a far graver issue than the shareholding controversy.Meanwhile, in a separate story, a backbencher debating the Auditor-General’s Report today warned that the government risks public backlash unless it probes allegations involving the MACC and its chief commissioner, Azam Baki.In echoing calls for the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI), Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) also reiterated a demand for Azam’s resignation in the wake of two major scandals."Azam must resign, he has to go. Either he goes, or we (government) go. If we allow him (Azam) to continue as MACC chief commissioner, voters will punish us in the next general election," he said.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Malaysia is no longer tied to the 19 percent US' reciprocal tariff deal that the countries signed in October, claimed former investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. This followed a ruling by the US Supreme Court on Feb 20, he said, which struck down most of US President Donald Trump’s earlier tariff measures imposed unilaterally against other countries. Addressing criticism from former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Zafrul defended the government’s decision to finalize the trade deal before the US top court issued its ruling.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul has rejected a government MP’s bid for Parliament to discuss MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s share ownership in two publicly listed companies.Johari said he had decided to decline the motion submitted by DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh (Harapan-Bukit Gelugor) as the government has since established a special committee to probe the matter.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang says leaders from both rival Bersatu factions have met him following the sacking of Hamzah Zainudin and 16 others.Hadi confirmed that both Hamzah’s camp and those aligned with Muhyiddin Yassin had presented their side, stressing that PAS’ priority is to keep Perikatan Nasional intact if it hopes to govern.Meanwhile, Anthony Loke says DAP will run three rounds of public opinion polls to measure sentiment towards the government - insisting performance must be judged by data, not feelings.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

[KiniNews] Putra president Ibrahim Ali has slammed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for defending the MACC against public criticisms.

“If principles change when power is obtained, those are not principles, but hypocrisy or being a hypocrite.

"Putra does not play double standards or have two, three or four faces. If it is wrong, it remains wrong. Principles do not bow to positions or power,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, a Johor Umno leader has invited Bersatu members affected by the dissolution of 11 divisions in the state to join Umno.

In a statement today, Johor Bahru Umno chief Yahya Jaafar said the disbandment – which includes the Johor Bahru division – should serve as a lesson that political stability and unity are crucial in safeguarding Malay interests.

“Malay political strength cannot be built on fragmentation. It must be founded on unity and stability,” he said.

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KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has warned that more parties are on his “radar” in his uncompromising mission against corruption, and the MACC has not gone undetected.His Majesty said that corruption is a betrayal of the people’s trust, which will not be tolerated in the country’s administration.“Don’t think that fighting corruption is only focused on a few departments or those who give and receive, but also be careful of those in the police force, Immigration Department, Customs Department and many more,” he said through the Royal Press Office.Meanwhile, in a separate story, calls for former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to head investigations on the MACC and its chief Azam Baki has gained support from MPs from both sides of the aisle.Wong Chen, Teresa Kok, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis have voiced support for Tengku Maimun to lead investigations.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa

[KiniNews] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has signalled that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki need not be placed on leave even as the government establishes a task force to probe his shareholding scandal.

Asked whether Azam should step aside, Anwar replied: "Let the (task force) examine the case first, we need to know if it is serious, if there is a basis, only then, we move forward."

Meanwhile, in a separate story, Rafizi Ramli and seven other PKR MPs plan to rally their counterparts from DAP and Amanah to pressure Anwar to suspend Azam and launch an investigation into the allegations against him.

"If it came from DAP and Amanah, usually Anwar would have to think twice… and DAP has to remember that after the Sabah election, every move they make, regarding this issue, will be closely monitored by the people, especially non-Malay voters,” he added.

Earlier, Azam had said that he had nothing to hide and is open to being investigated by any independent committee established by the government over his share ownership.

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KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Public Accounts Committee chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has told Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that being a hardworking civil servant does not exempt anyone, not even MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, from investigation.She stressed that it is dangerous because it involves institutional issues, misconduct, and double standards towards other civil servants.“And the premier should not take this lightly,” she told reporters at Kuala Lumpur High Court today.Meanwhile, in a separate story, the MACC has stressed that it will not comment on allegations that are defamatory in nature, speculative or that involve matters which are sub judice or subject to ongoing legal proceedings.It said this in response to Bloomberg's latest report which claimed that its top leaders had colluded with businesspersons in schemes to muscle out rivals and stage corporate takeovers.The commission rejected the allegation that its investigations are influenced by personal interests.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkiniTurn on notifications 🔔 or unmute the channel to receive news notifications immediately!—Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://bit.ly/3B3ztIa