🇲🇾Week of September 7

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has postponed the royal pardon application of former prime minister Najib Razak, according to multiple outlets. The King also granted release to 65 prisoners in the same decision.123

Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports, asked the public to wait for an official statement on the royal pardon case. She made the request after the Pardons Board meeting concluded its session.456

UMNO hopes that Najib Razak's pardon application will be considered without postponement, according to Asyraf Wajdi. The party's position was stated by its secretary-general.7

Nurul Syazwani, writing in Sinar Harian, argued that there should not be double standards in the granting of pardons. Her opinion piece appeared amid the royal pardon case.2

Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi invited delegates to raise placards reading "Justice for Najib Razak" on stage at an event. The action was reported by Berita Harian.8

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be elevated as a national narrative rather than treated solely as a Sabah and Sarawak issue. Kamil Munim made the same call, saying MA63 should be framed as part of Malaysian history, not a regional matter.12345678

Anwar also said parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak will be increased. He stated that interim payments for Sarawak will be announced on 16 September.91023

The government continues to open space for negotiations with Sabah and Sarawak on MA63 matters. Anwar performed Friday prayers at Masjid Jamek Kampung Likas during the same period.32

Fourteen areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy air pollution index readings as of 9am, with Samarahan registering the highest reading as of 8am. The number of areas with unhealthy readings decreased compared with earlier monitoring.12

Serian returned to the very unhealthy category after its air pollution index rose to 220. The reading placed Serian at the very unhealthy level, the most severe classification reported in the affected areas.34

Sarawak state authorities said the OPA programme will continue to ensure the state's water reserves remain sufficient, a statement made by Uggah. The measure is tied to maintaining adequate supply amid the haze conditions.5

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) has detained a former minister as part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji (RCI TH). The former minister is expected to be charged in court on Monday.1234

Lawyers for Azeez Rahim denied viral claims that he took and misused RM193.5 million in Tabung Haji funds for himself and his family. Azeez Rahim was released and was due to attend a PAU event that night.56

Coverage of the arrest and the expected charge came from outlets across editorial camps, including the oppositional Free Malaysia Today and the pro-government Astro Awani, Harian Metro, Berita Harian and Kosmo Online, alongside the centrist Sinar Harian.134562

The managing director has been remanded for four days to assist the investigation. The remand was granted by the court, and the suspect is being held as part of the probe into the delayed fertilizer distribution. The case is being investigated under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.123

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has pledged to cooperate fully with the SPRM investigation into the paddy fertilizer cartel issue, which involves a value of RM1.8 billion. The ministry stated it is ready to assist the investigation into the late distribution of Baja 3.45

NAFAS successfully supplied 10,500 metric tonnes of fertilizer to the MADA area within a period of 10 days. This was reported as part of the efforts to address the fertilizer distribution issue.6