KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] The MACC is reported to have deployed its special tactical squad and heightened security at an event featuring its chief commissioner Azam Baki today.The elite officers were stationed at every entrance of the Bangi Avenue Convention Centre, where Azam gave a convocation speech to civil servants who are now certified integrity officers (CeIO) after attending programmes organised by the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Academy last year.Besides the tactical squad, several media outlets reported that police and auxiliary police were also stationed at the venue.Meanwhile, in a separate story, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has dismissed claims that RM750 million of public funds was spent on vending machines under the People’s Income Initiative.Responding to Human Resources Minister R Ramanan’s criticism of the initiative, Rafizi said the attack was misguided and based on inaccurate information.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has hit out at Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli over his remarks on the possibility of a by-election in the Pandan constituency.Puad accused Rafizi of provoking the issue to gain sympathy and said it would only drag the country into wasting public funds.He said this in response to Rafizi's remarks in a podcast released last week, where he claimed that PKR could be pushing for a by-election in his constituency and might nominate former investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz as their candidate.Meanwhile, in a separate story, a trade association said that the widening difference between subsidised and market-rate fuel prices, on top of extra costs for digital purchases, is among the reasons why certain petrol stations in the country are running out of fuel.Bumiputera Petrol Station Dealers’ Association of Malaysia president Abdul Aziz Sapian told Malaysiakini that the supply disruption is not merely a temporary logistical issue, but reflects a structural mismatch within the existing system.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has urged the party to sack him if it deems him in violation of disciplinary rules, following the party’s decision to serve him with a second show-cause letter.Rafizi said this while responding to a April 9 letter from PKR’s disciplinary board, which outlined several alleged infractions which had supposedly tarnished the party’s name.In his reply, Rafizi called on the board to make a firm and quick decision in determining his fate with the party, cautioning against “further delays” as the rakyat are “already nauseated”.Meanwhile, when asked about Rafizi's remarks, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim declined to comment.Anwar said that as prime minister, his priority is to resolve the country’s economic problems amid a challenging situation.“The country’s economic issues are more serious than personal problems,” he said.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning took a swipe at a certain “ulama with a huge following” for allegedly confusing the public with comments on the oil crisis.While he did not name names, it is believed Anwar’s criticism targeted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who yesterday claimed Malaysia had no reason to increase its fuel prices.In a speech addressing civil servants in Putrajaya, the prime minister said he is not helping and is even confusing (the people).Meanwhile, in a separate story, three youth activists who were detained after waving the “Tangkap Azam Baki” placards and heckling MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki during his public address at an integrity forum were released early this morning.Liga Rakyat Demokratik president Hamdin Nordin shared an update with a photo of him, Liga Mahasiswa activist Ahsanul Akmal Sulam, and Mandiri coordinator Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal posing outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] The Tangkap Azam Baki Secretariat has described the detention of three youths under investigation for allegedly disrupting MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s speech yesterday as an attempt by authorities to silence anti-corruption activists.Group spokesperson Alyaah Hani Anuar, responding to the arrest and three-day remand, said the arrest was a betrayal of freedom of speech.A magistrate this morning granted a three-day remand order for the three, Liga Rakyat Demokratik president Hamdin Nordin, Liga Mahasiswa activist Ahsanul Akmal Sulam, and Mandiri coordinator Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal.Meanwhile, in a separate story, US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday a two-week suspension of military action against Iran.Trump said that after conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, he agreed to halt planned strikes for two weeks, subject to Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] A small group of protesters disrupted a speech by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki at an event in the Putra World Trade Centre today.They were seen waving “Tangkap Azam Baki” and “Azam Baki simbol reformati” during the MACC chief's speech at the Wacana Ilmiah Perdana event.Meanwhile, 29-year-old Shafiq Salleh has been charged with murder for causing three deaths in the fatal Segamat crash.The crash killed K Myakrishnan, his wife, S Sevendai, and her brother S Palamiandy.___________________📌 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 toured three states in as many days, attending political programmes alongside official duties. Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional chief Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar joined a 10km motorcycle convoy with the menteris besar of Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.Yesterday, Anwar commended Hassan for his loyalty to the party despite his criticism and confided that Hassan would campaign for any PKR candidate during elections.His remarks came after a heated exchange between Hassan and PKR vice president R Ramanan when Ramanan criticised Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli on stage.___________________📌 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] The Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to charge a driver with murder doesn’t mean the accused will be acquitted if the prosecution fails to prove intent, a lawyer said.

Arguing in favour of the murder charge, lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said that even if the prosecution fails to make a case under Section 300 of the Penal Code stick, the law allows for a different charge to be applied at the end of the prosecution.

“The court can, on the application of any party or of its own volition, change the charge to something more appropriate," he said.

Meanwhile, in a separate story, Environment Department (DOE) director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar was charged this morning at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with receiving a RM100,000 bribe last year in relation to an infrastructure project in Penang.

The director-general, who turns 59 in August, pleaded not guilty to the charge before judge Suzana Hussin.

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KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar has defended the decision to bring murder and drug-related charges over the death of factory worker and delivery rider Amirul Hafiz Omar.The move comes amid questions over the difficulty of securing a murder conviction, which requires prosecutors to prove intent or that the accused knew their actions could likely cause death.There were also queries as to why the prosecution did not additionally pursue a charge under the Road Transport Act for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the country is currently in crisis preparedness mode following global uncertainties which affect fuel prices.He said the current situation was caused by the global crisis and required the cooperation of all parties to deal with it together.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv

KiniNews is now also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts.[KiniNews] Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the cabinet are committed to disclosing MACC-linked investigations, once both aspects are thoroughly probed, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.Fahmi said this in response to a question from a Bloomberg representative, who sought clarity on when the report on MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s shareholding will be made public, as well as his assurance that the report will be disclosed in its entiretyMeanwhile, in a separate story, a 28-year-old man was charged with murder today for the death of delivery rider Amirul Hafiz Omar.R Saktygaanapathy, however, did not enter a plea when charged at the Magistrate's Court. This is because murder cases are under the High Court's jurisdiction.Amirul's widow and mother of their three children, Nor Nadia Abdul Majid, wants the accused to pay with his life.___________________Support independent media, subscribe to Malaysiakini.com - https://membership.malaysiakini.com/membership/start?internal_source=kinitv