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

Malacca DAP elected reps quit party

Four elected representatives from Malacca quit DAP citing disillusionment with the party, following DAP’s cooperation with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his party Parti Pribumi Bersatu.

The four are Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San, Bachang assemblyperson Lim Jak Wong and Kesidang assemblyperson Chin Choong Seong.

DAP, however, welcomed the resignations, which came after a day after Sim’s and Goh’s one year suspension from the party ended.

The resignations left DAP with three remaning state seats - Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hilir and Ayer Keroh - and no MPs from the state.

Felda didn’t lose RM4.3 billion, Shahrir clarifies

Federal Land Authority (Felda) chairperson Shahrir Samad clarified that all the RM6 billion raised in the Felda Global Ventures initial public offering (IPO) is accounted for.

RM1.7 billion was distributed to Felda settlers at RM15,000 per household while the remainder RM4.3 billion was spent on payments to state governments, housing loans for settlers, property investments and other expenses, he said.

He was earlier quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that RM4.3 billion raised in the IPO was unaccounted for while RM200 million of Felda’s funds were spent without going through due approval processes.

The Sinar Harian interview prompted PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil to urge for a royal commission of inquiry as well as townhall meetings in each state with Felda settlements so the issue is explained to stakeholders.

I drive a Proton Saga, PAS spiritual leader refutes RM90m claim

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin refuted claims that PAS received a RM90 million windfall from suspect sources, by saying that he is still driving a Proton Saga and lives in a home worth only RM50,000.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang meanwhile said Amanah’s Salor assemblyperson Husam Musa is only claiming he has information on this so he will be sued for defamation, and disqualified from contesting the 14th general election.

Husam, who is former PAS vice-president, however, laughed off the suggestion and noted that losing a civil suit does not disqualify anyone from standing in elections.

Other Kinibites

Police released a man arrested for alleged anti-royal remarks in a viral video, after Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim instructed police to do so. The prince said the Kelantanese, who is allegedly developmentally-challenged, is innocent and was used for a political agenda.

Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin said conditions in a country must first be ideal before hudud is implemented to avoid unjust outcomes.

Speaking at a forum by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah-founded NGO Angkatan Amanah Negara, the mufti also speaks out against a counter-rally against the PAS-organised Himpunan 355 on Feb 18.

Meanwhile, Muslim student group Gamis assured students they will not face disciplinary action for attending Himpunan 355, as the rally to galvanise support for Hadi’s private member’s bill to amend Act 355, is legal.

On a separate matter, Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani said there is no need for a subsidy mechanism to help the poor deal with rising fuel prices for now. Such a proposal will be revisited if the cost of crude oil doubles to reach US$100 per barrel, he said.

Looking ahead

The Federal Court will decide if politicians can file defamation suits in their capacity as public officials, in Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob’s case against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin plans to visit the Football Association of Malaysia over his possible candidacy as FAM president.