SNAPSHOT | Ex-MP wants meal plan in Budget 2027 to combat child stunting; weak earthquake in Sabah

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

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Budget 2027

• Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called on Putrajaya to introduce a universal “National Meals Plan” providing children with nutritionally balanced meals in Budget 2027.

  He was responding to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad’s remarks last week that 23.4 percent of children in Kuala Lumpur were stunted, while 12.4 percent were underweight, 8.1 percent affected by wasting, and 7.5 percent overweight.

  Charles said stunting must be treated as a cost-of-living issue, noting that “when households are forced to stretch every ringgit, nutritious food is often the first thing compromised”.

  “Protein, fruit, vegetables, milk, and other nutrient-dense foods become harder to afford. A child may be full, but still not be well nourished.”

  

Environment

• A weak magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck Keningau, Sabah, at 9.31am today, according to the Meteorological Department.

  The quake occurred about 10km west of Keningau at a depth of 10km, with tremors felt in Keningau and surrounding areas.

  MetMalaysia said it would continue monitoring the situation.

  Last Friday, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck Temenggor in Perak.

READ MORE: Reservoir pressure, ancient fault in focus after Temenggor quake

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