SNAPSHOT | No more MACC orange jumpsuit for those on remand; emergency declared in Serian over haze

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

6pm

MACC

• The Prime Minister’s Office said those being remanded will no longer need to wear the MACC’s orange lock-up jumpsuit.

  According to the New Straits Times, only suspects facing charges in court will wear the jumpsuit.

  Anwar told reporters earlier today at Masjid Bukit Indah that the decision on the policy was made yesterday.

  This comes after former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom recently arrived at the court complex in Putrajaya wearing the orange MACC lock-up uniform to be remanded in the investigation linked to the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry.

  In 2019, then MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya had announced that suspects arrested by the commission need not appear in court wearing the orange uniform, which would only be used in the lock-up.

READ MORE: Jamil Khir remanded five days to assist Tabung Haji RCI probe - lawyer

Politics

• Bersih has urged the government not to call for an early general election as Putrajaya had yet to implement key institutional reforms.

  In a statement today, the electoral watchdog’s steering committee said this includes separating the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, limiting the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, amending assembly and election laws, ensuring equal constituency development allocations, and strengthening parliamentary select committees.

  It also called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to announce dates for the 16th general election in advance so voters, government agencies, and companies can be prepared.

  

  Anwar has indicated Harapan’s openness to an early GE16, but stressed that the government’s focus remains on public wellbeing and clean governance.

  “I have taken the decision as presented at the cabinet meeting yesterday, which is that we have the mandate to govern, manage well, and cleanse the country from corruption and abuse of power," Berita Harian quoted him as saying at Masjid Bukit Indah in Ampang today.

READ MORE: Zahid says BN open to earlier GE16, but ready to serve full term

• Separately, Anwar called for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and Finance Ministry to resolve issues revolving around allocations for rural road projects.

  “Let us discuss this amicably. I have asked both ministries to resolve this properly,” Bernama reported him as saying at the Masjid Bukit Indah today.

READ MORE: Funding spat brews between Zahid's and Anwar's ministries

Haze

• The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has granted royal assent to a proclamation of emergency in the division of Serian, Sarawak, due to the worsening haze situation.

  However, there are still no details on what the emergency would entail, apart from earlier statements that only essential services will be allowed to operate during the emergency.

  

  “Necessary measures that are more effective will be taken to protect the health and welfare of the affected residents,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement today in announcing the emergency.

  The Air Pollutant Index in Serian crossed the threshold for an emergency to be declared since 8am and continued to worsen, reaching 515 as of 5pm today.

Crime

• Kangar police chief Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop said a 55-year-old activist has been remanded for two days starting today over a social media post linked to a gathering protesting the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kangar on Aug 20.

  Bernama reported Yusharifuddin as saying that the man was arrested yesterday morning in Petaling Jaya on suspicion of allegedly inciting the Hindu Indian community to act contrary to existing laws.

  

  In a statement, he said the case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

  "This gathering is also considered a very dangerous incitement that could trigger religious and racial riots in the state of Perlis," he stated.

READ MORE: Temple on govt land demolished after multiple engagements, says Perlis exco

Previously at 2pm | Serian's air quality worsens; green activists protest at Indonesian embassy over forest fires

9am | Dr M reflects on idea to halt Lima; KJ wants govt to provide greater policy clarity for businesses

SNAPSHOT | Serian's air quality worsens; green activists protest at Indonesian embassy over forest fires

Transboundary haze: Group pushes for corporate liability across borders

DAP Youth jumps aboard 'revisit Zahid's 47 charges' bandwagon

Zahid says BN open to earlier GE16, but ready to serve full term

SNAPSHOT | Temple row: Perlis ready to face lawsuit; 3 mosques will hold 'solat hajat' over haze