Good morning.
Wishing a prosperous Chinese New Year to those who celebrate.
The Kini Morning Brief team will be taking a short break. We’ll be back on Wednesday, Feb 14.
Here's our news and views that matter for today.
Key Highlights
Dr M’s sons vs ‘impatient’ MACC
PAS’ clarion call to all Malaysians
Did Najib’s lawyer break the law?
Dr M’s sons vs ‘impatient’ MACC
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sons, Mokhzani and Mirzan, have appealed to the MACC to be patient as the pair collect information on their assets.
The brothers argued that it is a time-consuming process since MACC has requested a list of assets going back to 1981, the year their father became prime minister.
“The task at hand in collating 43 years’ worth of information is an impossible endeavour and we ask for patience and understanding to address MACC’s request,” they said.
On the same note, the brothers said restraint would be appropriate in order to avoid prejudgement or misrepresentation.
The two were responding to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki who on Tuesday warned that Mokhzani and Mirzan could be hauled to court.
He said notices under Section 36 of the MACC Act were sent to them, but no response has been received.
Azam also indicated that the brothers could request more time once the 30-day notice period expires in the middle of this month.
HIGHLIGHTS
MACC suspects Daim has more undeclared assets
KJ and Shahril: Govt fails to kill two birds with one pardon
Rewcastle-Brown: M'sia will be global spectacle if it arrests me
PAS’ clarion call to all Malaysians
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has called on Malaysians to show their solidarity with the Kelantan state government by turning up at court.
The Federal Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on the legal challenge by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid of whether 18 provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 are unconstitutional.
He said the public can exercise their right to show up in person and encouraged supporters to state their stand at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Friday (Feb 9).
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin urged all MPs, particularly those who are Muslim, to stand behind the Malay rulers in protecting the syariah legal system.
He said the government should look into a suitable constitutional amendment that would defend the legal system’s sovereignty.
HIGHLIGHTS
PN must discuss with Bersih before joining protest on Najib's pardon - Hamzah
In CNY message, Hadi says PAS' Islamic policy gives justice to all races
Fact-check: Commemorative dragon had China, Malaysia flags
Did Najib’s lawyer break the law?
This is the question DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng wants the Pardons Board to answer after lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah revealed “confidential” details about the pardon process for his client during a press conference.
The Kepong MP, who is a lawyer himself, said: “Usually the deliberations by the Pardons Board are kept confidential, but Shafee openly revealed how the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong carried out the secret ballot on paper.
“I urge the Pardons Board to state clearly in no uncertain terms whether it is allowed under our law for Shafee to announce that the king ‘was thinking of giving’ a full pardon to Najib,” he added.
During the presser on Wednesday (Feb 7), Shafee presented a letter carrying the seal of the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which shed light on a possible impasse between the then-king and the Pardons Board regarding Najib’s sentence.
Lim asked if the lawyer was invited to the Pardons Board meeting which deliberated on the former premier’s fate.
“Was Shafee invited as an eyewitness at the meeting, or did he make this all up?” he added.
HIGHLIGHTS
Lawyers concerned AG will drop Najib's other charges
KINIGUIDE | Is the Pardons Board decision on Najib the Agong's call?
Nga: Unesco status for Chinese new villages not a challenge to Malay rights
Views that matter
10 steps to restore confidence after partial pardon
By P Gunasegaram
Will suing Jeyakumar restore trust in Perak GLC?
By S Thayaparan
Nik Elin's fearless challenge on Kelantan's syariah laws
By Ameena Siddiqi
Other news that matter
The MACC has recovered more than RM23 million in funds and assets linked to 1MDB between 2023 and February 2024.
The funds and assets, which had been returned to the government, were recovered through forfeiture processes, including in courts, and voluntary surrender from five individuals.
Former Padang Serai MP N Surendran has quit PKR. He cited the party’s failure to represent change and reform as a reason for his departure.
Surendran had criticised Pakatan Harapan leaders for being silent on the sedition probe against former Damansara MP Tony Pua.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has appointed Batu MP P Prabakaran as Special Committee chairperson of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).
HIGHLIGHTS
Court allows temporary passport return for Muhyiddin's Thai trip
'Arrogant' - Saifuddin slams Hadi over 'powerful Islam' remarks
Jeyakumar tells Perak state body to 'look in the mirror' over defamation suit
