KiniNews is now also available at: Spotify: https://mk.my/sH14qeJApple podcast: https://mk.my/jPylPZC[KiniNews] Former Umno vice-president Isa Samad will begin serving his jail term today after the Federal Court reinstated his corruption convictions and imprisonment sentence this morning.The Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted the former Felda chairperson in 2021, sentencing him to six years’ imprisonment and a RM15.45 million fine, but the Court of Appeal acquitted him in 2024.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to order MACC chief Azam Baki to go on leave or terminate his contract immediately so that a MACC and/or police investigation against Azam can be carried out.This came following a Bloomberg report today that highlighted that Azam owns 17.7 million shares in financial services company Velocity Capital Partners Berhad.Azam has since said that shares had been properly declared through the Public Service Department's Human Resource Management system.He added that the shares were purchased last year and disposed of within the year.___________________📌 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] Bersatu infighting is heating up as the divide between those supporting either party president Muhyiddin Yassin or his deputy Hamzah Zainudin threatens to become an irreparable gulf.Hamzah's allies are rallying to defend him amid speculation that groundwork is being laid to have the deputy president axed or suspended from the party.Suspended Bersatu leader Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal challenged Hamzah's enemies to “bring it on” and take action if they dare.This came following reports that Hamzah has been summoned for the second time by the party’s disciplinary board over allegations of misconduct against Muhyiddin.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to retract his directive for local councils to “clean up (membersihkan)” houses of worship built in violation of the law.A more holistic and respectful approach must be employed when discussing the matters affecting the houses of worship of any religious community in Malaysia, said LFL executive director Zaid Malek.___________________📌 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] Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil slammed opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan for purportedly questioning International Islamic University Malaysia's (IIUM) competence in conducting a feasibility study on mayoral polls in Kuala Lumpur.Fahmi claimed that Takiyuddin was looking down on IIUM, despite the university having produced leaders not only for Malaysia, but also for other countries."A secretary-general for a party that has lorries of prime ministerial candidates, but he has such an attitude. To me, it's a very ugly attitude to have," the Lembah Pantai MP told a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya this evening.Meanwhile, in a separate story, a PKR veteran has opined that Rafizi Ramli should not only be given space to voice criticism of the government, but also considered to lead the party as its next president.According to Hassan Karim, Rafizi's criticisms are not slanderous but are grounded in the former economy minister's expertise and experience, particularly in policy and governance matters.___________________📌 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] Several opposition MPs have called for a debate in the Dewan Rakyat concerning the Malaysia-Indonesia border negotiations in south Sabah and north Kalimantan.This came following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ministerial briefing on the matter in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, during which he also described the claims of alleged treason as lies and misinformation.In a joint press conference today, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said that he had filed a motion under Standing Order 18(1) and 18(2) to seek an urgent debate as there are still many outstanding issues to be resolved.Meanwhile, in a separate story, during the press conference, Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan targeted Anwar's remarks against the opposition on the matter.“We were not allowed to debate, but we were called stupid. To find out who is stupid and who is not, open up a debate,” said the PAS secretary-general.___________________📌 Share this news! Join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel now! https://mk.my/wa_mkini Turn 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 has clarified that the 5,207ha of land claimed by Indonesia recently was not previously part of any nation.Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar explained that the area could not be regarded as belonging to any country as ownership of the land was subject to negotiations and a “boundary that has yet to be finalised.”He also reiterated Putrajaya’s denial that Malaysia had handed over its land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan area, with the prime minister labelling such claims as “untrue, false, (and) made with malicious intent.”Meanwhile, in a separate story, Perikatan Nasional has warned that a mayoral election in Kuala Lumpur would not necessarily lead to better governance, describing the idea as “simplistic, naive, and misguided”.A more practical approach, PN suggested, would be for the government to study comprehensive institutional, administrative, and legal reforms to improve the Kuala Lumpur City Council’s (DBKL) efficiency and accountability.___________________📌 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] International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is carrying out the feasibility study on mayoral polls in Kuala Lumpur, not DAP, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, following backlash against the idea.She said that, after the study is completed, its findings will be brought to the cabinet.“Don’t be scared, the study is being carried out by IIUM. It’s a reputable university. The study isn’t being carried out by DAP,” she told a press conference today.Meanwhile, in a separate story, National Unity Advisory Council member Tajuddin Rasdi has hit back at Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli’s latest remarks on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, describing it as his “unkindest” remark.The academic said he “took offence” to the former economy minister’s claims that Anwar had been too preoccupied with power and wanting to become prime minister, reminding that Anwar continued to fight despite enduring police brutality and imprisonment for decades.___________________📌 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 said it is looking forward to resolving all Perikatan Nasional leadership issues in a “full council” meeting, and insisted that everything should be done according to the coalition’s constitution.This came after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin held a pre-council discussion at his residence in Kuala Lumpur last night, with all presidents of PN component parties in attendance except PAS.According to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s political secretary, Syahir Sulaiman, the Islamist party’s chief could not attend last night’s meeting due to a last-minute change to his schedule.Meanwhile, in a separate story, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has suggested that the party go solo in the next general election if the ongoing dispute over PN's leadership is not resolved soon.He told Malaysiakini that such a move would likely receive strong backing from PAS grassroots members, particularly in Perlis."If each party is stubborn, if it (the problem) is not resolved... it is better to contest solo. Contest first, then based on the results (of GE16), we will negotiate to form a government," 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] Leaked correspondence between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, ahead of a now-cancelled PN supreme council meeting, has fuelled further speculation on who will succeed the coalition as its new chief.The leaked correspondence between Muhyiddin and Hadi revealed that there were opposing views on a purported “consensus” reached during a Jan 16 meeting at the Pagoh MP’s home to resolve matters arising from his resignation.Among other things, Muhyiddin claimed that an agreement had been reached to establish a presidential council led by Bersatu and an executive council led by PAS, and to abolish the position of PN chairperson being eyed by the Islamist party.Hadi, however, claimed that the proposed resolution referred to by the Bersatu leader was neither discussed nor agreed upon.Meanwhile, in a separate story, the former director-general of the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation, Razali Alias, has claimed trial to three charges relating to kickbacks for himself and his wife.The kickbacks were in the form of a bribe for himself and two return flight tickets to Europe for his wife.___________________📌 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] Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos said he plans to auction several pairs of his slippers and shoes to pay DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok following a court-ordered debt.His remarks came after police and court officials forced entry into his home in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, earlier today to recover outstanding judgment costs from a defamation suit filed by the Seputeh MP.When met at his house, Jamal said the issue could have been resolved amicably and expressed disappointment over the enforcement action.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Perikatan Nasional's supreme council has called off its meeting scheduled for this Thursday, which was called to discuss the resignation of its chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and possibly appoint his successor.According to a supposed copy of the meeting cancellation notice, which has gone viral on social media, Muhyiddin had allegedly sent out a separate invitation to the presidents of PN component parties for a pre-council meeting at his house.__________________📌 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 has agreed to withdraw the proposed diagnostic screening test that was intended to assess whether children as young as six are eligible to enter Year One starting from the 2027 school session.He said the proposal had been carefully reviewed, including concerns that such testing could have psychological effects on children.“The initial proposal was well-intentioned, as it aimed to introduce an assessment system before children enter school. However, it was felt that it could be discriminatory in nature," he said.Anwar added that this was the education minister’s recommendation, and he agreed.Meanwhile, in a separate story, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari branded the cancellation as a "U-turn" and said it was proof that Putrajaya did not think through before they announced the plan last week."It is good when the government makes a U-turn for the benefit of the rakyat. However, this also shows that the government did not really do an in-depth study before they announced a policy," 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