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

Dr M's rare praise for Najib

In a rare praise for Najib Abdul Razak, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad lauded the prime minister's call to both sides of the political divide not to politicise the floods that devastated Penang.

DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said only those with mental problems will link disasters to religion after Umno's Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin suggested the Penang floods may be linked to "karma".

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng clarified Najib did not announce new funds for flood mitigation in the state but would merely consider the existing more than RM1 billion planned for Penang, but which was not executed.

The total number of flood evacuees in Penang dropped to 3,482 people.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar warned northern states in Peninsular Malaysia to remain vigilant in the face of possible further weather changes.

Shafee breaks silence on alleged RM9.5mil from Najib

Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah broke his silence on allegations that he received RM9.5 million from Najib, dismissing it as "nonsense".

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's challenge to overturn his sodomy conviction on the grounds that Shafee, who had acted as prosecutor in the case, received payment from the prime minister was thrown out.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Anwar will receive the "best treatment" ahead of his shoulder surgery on Sunday.

The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department said it will investigate a qazaf complaint against former finance minister II Ahmad Husni Hanazlah for allegedly accusing Anwar of sodomising someone related to the former.

Lawyer VK Lingam, who is facing a contempt of court proceeding, said he was finding difficulty in securing a lawyer.

Lawyer Americk Sidhu claimed businessperson Deepak Jaikishan had submitted conflicting defence in A Santamil Selvi's suit against Deepak, Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Jho Low's associates blocked from acquiring bank

Mauritius blocked an attempt by associates of Penang businessperson Jho Low to acquire a local bank after the US Department of Justice went public with the 1MDB scandal.

Pua questioned if Putrajaya was trying to cover up an alleged bailout of Tun Razak Exchange after it repeatedly refused to disclose information on the deal to Parliament.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan denied claims that the government had collateralised oil and gas blocks off Sabah to China for a RM100 billion loan from China.

Mahathir said police had yet to record his statement over his "Bugis pirate remark".

Azmin said he believed the issue involving Mahathir can be resolved amicably without interference from the press.

Other Kinibites

Petrol prices achieved a new high since the implementation of the weekly float system with RON95 increasing by seven sen to RM2.31 per litre and RON97 increasing by six sen to RM2.60 per litre.

Police arrested a man for criminal intimidation after he dressed as a suicide bomber for a Halloween party.

Zahid stressed that controversial preacher Zakir Naik had never promoted terrorism.

He also urged people not to character assassinate MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad and to allow him to carry out his job.

The Selangor government said it will consider purchasing electric vehicles for its exco members but said there was no need, for the time being, to change the Toyota Camry vehicles it purchased nine years ago.

Looking ahead

The NewGen Party will meet Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir will also attend a dialogue on leadership in a digital future.

Parliament and the Selangor state assembly will continue sitting.