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

Mahathir in rare apology for curbing Agong's powers

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad apologised for curtailing the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's powers in 1994, which allowed the current government to enforce the National Security Council Act – which gives the prime minister emergency-like powers – without royal assent.

Armed Forces chief Zulkifeli Mohd Zin was named as the director-general of the National Security Council, the first ever non-civilian appointment.

In a separate development, Mahathir was slammed for criticising Johor nationalism, with the state ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail telling the former prime minister to shut his mouth.

Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin also told Mahathir not to comment on matters he couldn't understand and appreciate.

1MDB money trail to nightclubs

Whistleblower site Sarawak Report released a bank statement purportedly showing a part of 1MDB funds ending up in a company that owns nightclubs in Las Vegas.

China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Hui Kang gave his assurance that Malaysia's national security is not affected by China's investment in 1MDB-linked projects, which some quarters view as a bailout.

In a separate development, the Scorpene controversy is back in the news after detailed specifications of the submarines was leaked but Putrajaya said the information is not specifically related to Malaysia's Scorpene submarines, which are not affected.

MACC freezes RM8m in fresh swoop

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) froze RM8 million in a new arrest, this time involving a "Datuk" in a government-linked bank.

Meanwhile another "Datuk" who was arrested last week by the MACC, which also discovered cash hidden in his home ceiling, was released on a RM300,000 bail.

Other Kini bites

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said his government has agreed to introduce legal amendments to ensure that interfaith disputes in civil marriages must be resolved in the civil courts.

Rapper Namewee was freed after police failed to renew his remand.

Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) chief R Sri Sanjeevan has been arrested yet again, this time purportedly for using fake academic qualifications.

Amanah Youth vice-chief Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mohd Mokhtar was sentenced to eight months in jail for sedition.

Looking ahead

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be handing out laptops to Form 5 students, as part of his pledge during the Sarawak election.

Former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan will seek to strike out his charge of economic sabotage at the Court of Appeal.