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

Leaders deny links to grand graft in Sabah

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said claims linking two civil servants arrested with RM53 million cash by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to Kimanis Umno, which he leads, were "preposterous and untrue".

Meanwhile, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan who heads the Infrastructure Development Ministry claimed he was not in the loop about the duo overseeing RM3.3 billion in infrastructure projects as the money came directly from Putrajaya.

The two were accused of giving lucrative government projects to their families and associates over a period of four years, and the MACC earlier this week seized RM114.5 million in cash and assets, as well as 19.3kg in jewellery, from them.

Former MACC adviser Robert Phang said it was difficult to believe that the duo could have amassed such a huge amount of money and suggested that they may be a front for politicians, urging the commission to go after them as well.

Kelantan defends logging

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) ticked off the Kelantan government for downplaying loggers' intrusion of Orang Asli land in Gua Musang by claiming that it was a legitimate source of revenue for the state.

Kelantan deputy menteri besar Nik Amar Nik Abdullah said the state government will meet the Orang Asli community over the matter soon. The Orang Asli in the affected area erected a blockade last week.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said outsiders were shocked to learn that there were Muslims out to bring down the Islamic state government.

Johor BN loses two-thirds majority

BN lost its two-thirds majority in the 56-member Johor state assembly after Jorak state assemblyperson Shahruddin Salleh defected from Umno to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

However, Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin downplayed this breaching of the psychological barrier, stressing that BN still has a comfortable majority in the state.

Other Kinibites

Selangor Umno Youth vowed to confront Bersih if its nationwide roadshow enters Selangor.

Police said it will investigate both pro-democracy group Bersih and the red shirts anti-Bersih group for alleged offences under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Malaysian activist Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, who was part of a Middle East humanitarian mission, returned to Malaysia after being freed by Israel.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai confirmed debris found in Mauritius were from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Looking ahead

Bersih its continuing with its national roadshow ahead of the Nov 19 rally but Umno and red-shirt activists have vowed to confront them.

Gerakan will hold its national delegates' conference for its Youth and Women's wings.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to speak at a forum in Petaling Jaya.