KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — The Kuala Lumpur City Hall today said all of its 10,000 CCTV cameras have been upgraded with high-resolution facial recognition technology that could help authorities monitor, identify lawbreakers and respond swiftly.

The upgrade, announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and DBKL Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud here, is part of a large‑scale rollout of an integrated system that would connect monitoring, enforcement and city management capabilities.

“This is part of efforts to make the city safer,” Yeoh said at a press conference to unveil the system.

“If you think about doing crime in KL, don’t.”

Also present was Kuala Lumpur Police Chief CP Datuk Fadil Marsus.

Fadil said CCTV monitoring has been shown to be effective in increasing suspect detection and investigation capabilities by 50 per cent, contributing to more effective case resolutions. 

With the upgrade, the police can now monitor suspicious behaviour, track suspects’ movements and respond early if needed.

“What this means is that it gives us (the police) quicker time to respond if, say, civilians have any concerns about suspicious behaviour... the immediate effect from this is we expect to see a reduction in physical crimes,” Fadil said.

Yeoh said the integrated system enables stronger coordination between DBKL and the police, as well as other agencies.

Fadlun said talks with the Ministry of Transport to integrate the system for their own enforcement work is already in the pipeline.

This could mean quicker response by agencies like the Road Transport Department to traffic violations like encroachment of bus lanes or other forms of obstructions.

Fadil, on the other hand, expects the integrated system would help the police manage traffic better.

At the moment, traffic management by the police is still done “manually”, he said.

Other advanced technical suite from the upgrade includes “geo-fencing” for high-risk areas and behavioural analytics designed to flag suspicious movements to the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC).

Police currently have officers stationed at DBKL’s command centre but Fadil said the force is in the process of mirroring the system with its own computers at the KL Contingent Headquarters’ command centre.

Some of the cameras placed at hotspots are also capable of blasting out audio messages. For example, a CCTV within the KLCC vicinity has been sending out regular warnings to tourists not to hire illegal photo touts.

Facial recognition also means the touts’ identities can be recognised, making arrests and press charges easier.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today speculation that the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved “is not an issue yet”.

Anwar met the state’s Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Muniwar last night amid an unfolding political crisis that is threatening to break the Pakatan Harapan-led state administration.

Today, he said Tuanku Muhriz had decreed that Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun would remain as menteri besar but was unclear when asked to comment on Umno’s claim that the party now has the simple majority to form a new government.

“For now, dissolution is not an issue yet. As of now, after discussing with the Tuanku, he asked that the government carry out his duties as per usual and leave the rest to due process,” Anwar told reporters after launching UCSI’s new building here.

In a statement issued shortly after speaking to reporters, Anwar said Tuanku Muhriz is keen to keep Negeri Sembilan’s administration stable, citing it as one of the key reasons why Aminuddin was decreed to remain menteri besar.

Anwar said he supported Tuanku Muhriz’s view.

“I also wish to emphasise that matters involving the Institution of the Undang are being addressed through legal channels, legitimate processes, and the wisdom of the Undang themselves,” he said.

“The federal government will continue to provide full cooperation to ensure the continuity of economic progress and the people’s well-being. In any circumstance, the supremacy of the Institution of the Monarchy and state laws must be preserved and defended,” he added.

The crisis in Negeri Sembilan began after an Undang (territorial chieftain), Datuk Mubarak Dohak, attempted a move to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, a move the menteri besar said was unconstitutional and without legal standing.

The political tension escalated when all 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin over his handling of the royal dispute.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias has denied reports of an agreed Barisan Nasional–Perikatan Nasional move to form a new state government.

He said discussions remained fluid after PN reportedly signalled willingness to back BN following earlier uncertainty over government alignment.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he had instructed Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun to carry out his duties as per usual, even as the Negeri Sembilan Umno chapter had openly expressed its intention to form a new government.

Late yesterday evening, Umno leaders from the state said it has the backing of five Perikatan Nasional state assemblymen to give them a simple majority to overthrow the current Pakatan Harapan-led administration. 

Umno has 14 of the 36-seated state legislative assembly.

“For now I have told the MB it’s work as usual and there shouldn’t be any obstruction to legal processes,” Anwar told reporters after speaking at the launch of UCSI’s new building here.

The turmoil in Negeri Sembilan began when one of the state’s four Udang (territorial chieftains), Datuk Mubarak Dohak, sought to remove Tuanku Muhriz by signing a declaration earlier this month at the Balai Undang Luak Sungai Ujong.

Aminuddin said Mubarak’s action was unconstitutional as the declaration has no legal or customary standing because the latter was no longer Undang Luak Sungai Ujong by then.

Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias declared all 14 Umno assemblymen had withdrawn their support for Aminuddin, citing loss of confidence because of the way the latter handled the royal dispute.

Today, Anwar was asked if the power grab in Negeri Sembilan could affect the federal coalition government.

“What happens next depends on the circumstances and will be decided by Negeri Sembilan and the Undang. Therefore, it is unfair to pass judgment or make hasty decisions that would negate or create political instability in Negeri Sembilan.

“This is because the choice before the menteri besar is to safeguard the state’s interests while respecting and upholding the institution of the Monarchy.

“In my view, we must maintain harmony. The country is facing economic issues and an ongoing economic crisis; now is not the time for power struggles or backstabbing,” he replied.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Negeri Sembilan remains in a state of political paralysis as a rare royal constitutional dispute has snowballed into a power tussle that threatens to end Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s leadership.

As of Tuesday morning, the PKR leader is clinging to power following a dramatic withdrawal of support by his coalition partners, while federal leaders scramble to prevent a total collapse of the state government.

Here is the latest update on the unfolding situation:

The dispute over the throne

The crisis originated within the state’s unique customary structure, Adat Perpatih. On April 19, the four Undang Yang Empat (territorial chieftains) declared they were “deposing” the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, naming Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the successor.

Aminuddin dismissed the move as unconstitutional, arguing that the lead chieftain, Datuk Mubarak Dohak, had been stripped of his title days earlier. 

The standoff led to an indefinite postponement of the State Legislative Assembly on April 23 after the Undangs boycotted the opening ceremony.

The political fallout

On Monday, the state’s political stability fractured. All 14 Umno state assemblymen officially declared a loss of confidence in Aminuddin, accusing him of “mishandling” the royal crisis and failing to respect traditional institutions.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias with other Umno assemblymen during a press conference declaring their withdrawal of support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun in Seremban April 27, 2026.

With Umno’s exit, Aminuddin’s PH coalition is left with only 17 seats, falling one short of the 19 seats required for a simple majority in the 36-seat assembly.

Perikatan Nasional (PN), holding 5 seats, has already offered to form a “Unity Government” with Umno to oust the current administration.

Aminuddin: We still lead 

Following an emergency audience with the Ruler and a subsequent meeting with state DAP leaders on Monday afternoon, Aminuddin told a press conference he would remain in office for the time being.

“Tuanku Muhriz has advised that the state administration must continue to function as usual to protect the interests of the rakyat (people) while the status of the majority is conclusively clarified,” he said.

But the MB conceded that the government is in a state of flux, confirming that Umno assemblymen would be removed from the state executive council following their retraction of support.

Perikatan Nasional’s Labu assemblyman Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker (third from right) handing over a letter of cooperation to Negeri Sembilan Umno secretary Datuk Mustapha Nagoor during a press conference at the Royale Chulan Seremban hotel in Seremban April 27, 2026. — Picture by Ida Lim

Zahid Hamidi’s intervention

At the federal level, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi moved to contain the fire, stating that a final decision rests with the central leadership, even as the state Umno chapter has shown keeness to form a new coalition with PN.

Zahid told reporters here this evening that he would be chairing an emergency Umno Supreme Council meeting, and later meet the 14 Umno assemblymen together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives for an event at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) in Kuala Lumpur April 27, 2026. —Picture by Firdaus Latif

“They did inform us but the decision was made by the state Umno chapter. However, the final verdict on the matter will ultimately come from us (Umno’s central leadership),” he said.

Barisan Nasional claims simple majority

Negeri Sembilan Umno and Barisan Nasional last night declared that they had obtained a simple majority to form the state government with the support of the five PN assemblymen.

The Umno assemblymen said PN’s support gave Umno-BN the numbers needed to form the state government, adding that the interests of the people of Negeri Sembilan must come before partisan considerations.

What happens next?

The state currently sits in a legal vacuum with two possible paths forward. If Umno and PN can present 19 statutory declarations to the Palace, Tuanku Muhriz may be compelled to appoint a new MB.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin could seek a dissolution of the assembly to trigger snap state elections, though the Ruler has the discretion to refuse if a stable alternative is available.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Deputy Communication Minister Teo Nie Ching today expressed hope that the police would accord the newly set-up Media Council more trust to deal with press-related complaints, even if it still has authority to investigate them under criminal laws.

“When PDRM receives a complaint they still have the right to open an investigation and then refer it to the AGC (Attorney General’s Chambers), which has the power to decided on further action,” she told reporters after launching the 21st Conference of Asean Journalists’ annual general assembly here. 

“But I still hope when the Malaysian Media Council’s role become stronger it can become the first layer, or the first platform to deal with affairs relating to the media,” the Kulai MP (DAP) added.

“I can’t say PDRM and the AGC cannot act on complaints at all but what’s important is there is mutual respect between enforcement and members of the media.”

Those who pushed for the council said its formation was a step in the right direction towards stronger media accountability, but by pivoting away from a colonial-style system that placed the press under stringent government-enforced laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.

The MMC was established to allow the media to regulate itself — similar to medical or legal councils — arguably as a way minimising direct government interference in editorial decisions.

The MMC was formally established following the gazettement of the Malaysian Media Council Act 2024 on June 13, 2025.

Meanwhile Teo said the council had received seven complaints as of April 27, mostly relating to allegations of reporting inaccuracy, unauthorised use of images and content affecting social harmony. Five of those complaints are said to have been resolved.