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

IGP admits knowing protection racket suspect

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar admitted that a suspect believed to be the main intermediary in a police protection racket was known to him, after Sarawak Report claimed that the two were in contact.

However, Khalid said he also knew Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan, but had still acted against him upon finding out alleged wrongdoings.

On another allegation by Sarawak Report that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak paid RM9.5 million to the prosecutor in the Sodomy II case, Khalid asked the portal's editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown to provide her statement in Malaysia but said he could not guarantee her safe passage.

Rewcastle-Brown declined Khalid's invitation due to his refusal to provide safe passage but added that the information police sought is already available with the special task force that investigated the multi-billion ringgit deposits in the prime minister's bank accounts, of which Khalid was a part of.

Puchong MP Gobind Deo Singh said Khalid has a conflict of interest and should recuse himself from the RM9.5 million case.

Simpang Pulau assemblyperson Tan Kar Hing also urged the Inland Revenue Board to look into whether the alleged RM9.5 million payment was taxed.

Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Musa Hassan wants a council of ex-IGPs to improve the police force.

Report on FGV crisis is ready

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said former minister Idris Jala's report into the FGV crisis is ready but it will only be announced at an appropriate time.
(is ready)

Meanwhile, FGV chairperson Mohd Isa Samad was slapped with growing demands for his resignation.

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli questioned if Felda will be raising its stake in Indonesian company Eagle High Plantations, following such a speculation in the Indonesian market, and also asked where Felda would source for the funds required.

Former Johor state executive councillor Abd Latif Bandi and two others, including his son, faced fresh charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Parties hammering on Harapan deal

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said his party would not agree with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) occupying both the positions of chairperson and president in Pakatan Harapan, but he refused to say if he was open to Bersatu occupy only one of the positions.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy president Salahuddin Ayub believes the opposition can submit Harapan's registration before Hari Raya, which will require the line-up to be finalised.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth was plagued with an internal strife as some leaders turned guns on their top leadership.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang aims for Johor to be turned into a frontline state, like Penang, in the 14th general election, arguing that this would allow Putrajaya to be within the federal opposition's grasp.

A Singapore forum heard that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is expected to retain power as Malay Muslim voters are expected to side with Umno and PAS, instead of Harapan.

Other Kinibites

Fuel prices hit the lowest level since the introduction of the weekly price mechanism, with RON95, RON97 and diesel now priced at RM1.98, RM2.24 and RM1.88 per litre respectively.

Penang, which had imposed taxes on hotels since 2014, said it will not stop the policy following the introduction of a similar tax by the federal government.

The Sabah government said it would find common ground with Sarawak in negotiating with the federal government on Putrajaya's planned tourist tax.

Five students from the National Defence University Malaysia were charged with the murder of cadet Zulfarkhan Osman Zulkarnain, who they allegedly bullied.

Suaram condemned the arrest, release and re-arrest tactics by the police against 24-year-old L Thuraisinggam, in an attempt to bypass remand requirements

Looking ahead

The executives of Maxim Birdnest factory are expected to be charged following a joint special report by Malaysiakini and Tempo.

Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz will make a public appearance at a photo exhibition amid the ongoing row over the tourist tax.