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

Auditor Parker Randall in spotlight

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua claimed 1MDB failed to disclose that it is local firm Afrizan Tarmili Khairul Azhar (Aftaas) that would be auditing 1MDB when it announced Parker Randall as its new auditor.

“Aftaas is a member of Parker Randall International, an international association of audit and accounting firms,” he said.

Malaysiakini has taken a look at the background of Parker Randall, which is expected to share 1MDB's spotlight.

Pua also criticised treasurer-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah for complaining about economic perception, stating that economic solutions do not rest with the media publishing only good news.

Dr M sees a new Singapore in the making

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has likened Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's strategy of attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs) through land sales to the sale of Singapore to Great Britain during the colonial era.

The Economist claimed in a report that Najib was "contesting" against the economy and could still be ousted in the next general election if he cannot "keep the money flowing" despite his current solid position.

Bank Negara's international reserves fell to US$94.6 billion as of Dec 30, 2016, down US$1.8 billion in just 15 days.

PAS organ accuses DAP of feeding PKR 'dedak'

PAS organ Harakah Daily in a column accused DAP of buying off PKR by appointing its secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution as Penang strategy adviser.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon, who is from PKR, said the appointment was not a bribe but to help strategise on attracting Malay support.

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar downplayed possible seat allocation issues with PAS in the run-up to the 14th general election.

Other Kinibites

Johor Bahru MP Shahrir Samad was named as the new Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairperson, replacing former Umno vice-president Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir's defamation suit against Tengku Sariffudin Tengku Ahmad, the prime minister's aide, will go to trial.

A Turkish academician's passport was seized by Malaysian immigration, raising concerns about possible interference from Ankara amid a crackdown in Turkey.

The flood situation in Kelantan, Terengganu and Sabah improved, with some flood victims being allowed to return home.

The Sarawak government said Putrajaya's new policy requiring employers to foot the levy of their migrant workers will not apply to the state.

Looking ahead

PAS is expected to announce its campaign to support the planned amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, widely known as the ‘hudud bill’ pushed by party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Mahathir is expected to attend a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) function to launch its mobile application and website.