KINI ROUNDUP Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.

1MDB denies China rescue deal

Malaysia’s troubled sovereign fund 1MDB denied reports that China would be roped in to help pay its “US$6.5 billion settlement” with Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

1MDB chairperson Irwan Serigar said the arbitration process between the two companies in London was “still ongoing”.

Irwan also said the Malaysian fund is identifying a new auditor soon after three previous ones were either sacked or resigned.

Economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram said the weak ringgit was partly due to the loss of confidence in the Malaysian government as a result of the 1MDB scandal.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced 1MDB Foundation will be sponsoring village chiefs to perform the haj. “We will pay for all the expenses and also give them a stipend,” he said.

Dr M's sarcastic rejoiner to royal snub

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sarcastically noted that Istana Negara was “owned by Najib and BN” after his invitation to the installation of the 14th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong was withdrawn.

Pakatan Harapan secretariat chief Saifuddin Abdullah appealed to the Conference of Rulers to intervene in the matter.

Law expert Abdul Aziz Bari said the Conference of Rulers is not obligated to act on the advice of the government in ceremonial matters, such as the installation of the Agong.

Bersih sues over Soros funding claim

Bersih initiated a lawsuit against TV3 over allegations that the movement received RM3.2 billion from US billionaire George Soros.

Police also questioned former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan over the movement's funding.

Empower staff were also quizzed by police for allegedly receiving funds from Soros-founded Open Society Foundations (OSF).

Abdul Rahman Haniff, son of a former inspector-general of police, lodged a police report urging authorities to expedite investigation into the OSF funding.

Lawyers for Liberty said NGOs are concerned the funding issue is being used as an excuse for a witch-hunt against them.

Other Kinibites

Perlis amended its Administration of the Religion of Islam Enactment 2006 to allow unilateral conversion of children to Islam.

The Terengganu sultan restored state Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman ‘Datuk Seri’ title.

Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu will meet on Dec 13 to discuss formalising cooperation between them,

Suaram said 2016 has been the worst year for human rights since Operasi Lalang in 1987.

Malaysiakini in its latest edition of KiniGuide takes a look at the Rohingya crisis.

Looking ahead

Universiti Malaya is expected to deliver its decision on disciplinary proceedings against students who participated in the Aug 27 TangkapMO1 rally, which saw 1,500 in the streets of Kuala Lumpur where an effigy of Najib was put “behind bars”.

Among those who will know their fate is 24-year-old rally organiser Anis Syafiqah Md Yusof.