KINI ROUNDUP | PKR senator Bob Manolan Mohd has finally apologised for his remark that Orang Asli village chiefs who do not support Pakatan Harapan or the government risked losing their positions and salaries, after initially denying threatening the chiefs.

However, the Pakatan Harapan campaign in Cameron Highlands had hit another snag as opposition politicians ramped up their attacks over purported cash handouts during nomination day, including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. Police reports have also been lodged.

This is despite repeated clarifications by Harapan that the money was reimbursement for party volunteers’ travel expenses, and does not constitute an offence under election law.

MACC probes Immigration top brass changes

Sources at the MACC said that the commission is investigating whether a spate of recent changes to the Immigration Department’s director-general post was linked to an attempt to award an RM3.5 billion sweetheart deal.

Meanwhile, new Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said he was surprised by his appointment, but pledged to make the agency among the world’s best.

Other Kinibites

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) deregistered former BN component party MyPPP, where two rival factions have claimed to be the rightful leader.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin questioned Johor Educational Foundation's (YPJ) appointment of two Bersatu division chiefs as board members saying that they were political appointments, but YPJ said the appointment was based on the duo’s qualifications and experience.

Former diplomat Redzuan Kushairi said Malaysia’s foreign policy needs to break out of its 1990s mould, as much has changed on the world stage since then.

Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) Project is likely to miss its targeted 2024 completion date because Malaysia has postponed appointing its joint venture partner for the project multiple times.

Looking ahead

Today is the proclamation of Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah as the sixth Pahang sultan.

MIC vice-chief C Sivarraajh, who was Cameron Highlands MP until his victory was nullified by the Election Court last November, is to lodge a MACC report against DAP's M Manogaran over alleged vote-buying.

Tabung Haji CEO Zukri Samat would give a briefing on the fund’s turnaround plan.