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

Jomo says BR1M good, but handling akin to bribery

Prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram said the much criticised Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) cash handout is among the Najib administration's successes as it introduces social provisioning, but he agrees with critics that the current implementation is akin to bribery.

This comes as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak lambasted nemesis and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly doing a "U-turn" on the BR1M.

Mahathir said he would not oppose it if the opposition continued to implement BR1M if it comes into power, albeit with a different distribution method.

In a related matter, Jomo joins the chorus of analysts who believe BN will retain power in the next general election, thanks to the opposition being in disarray.

DPM, PM sing praises for China

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia wants to learn how China fights crime and deradicalises detainees.

Similarly singing praise for China, PM Najib said China's investments in Malaysia would bring benefit to the people and are no different from investments by European nations, of which impact on the nation’s sovereignty was never questioned.

Other Kinibites

A condominium resident assaulted a security guard with a bolt cutter in Penang because the guard placed a tyre clamp on his car, which was wrongly parked at the building's parking bay for visitors.

PAS is adamant about holding a rally on amendments to the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) on Feb 18, despite various objections from other parties, as it is a matter of dignity, PAS number two Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

The ministry secretrary-general and one of his sons, who were were detained for 11 days in a high profile corruption case, have been released on bail of RM200,000 and RM25,000 respectively, after their remand period expired.

Penang MCA may seek seat swaps as it explores different strategies to revamp its fortunes in the northern state.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) election manifesto includes bringing 1MDB perpetrators to justice.

Looking ahead

The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court will decide if PKR vice-president Tian Chua is guilty of insulting a police officer.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad will update the media on investigations into the ambush attack on him by Pasar Salak voters on Parliament grounds.