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

Pandikar sinks 1MDB debate again

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Razali Ibrahim dismissed claims that the Equanimity was acquired using misappropriated 1MDB funds, stating that 1MDB has not reported any lost funds.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia blocked an emergency motion on the seizure of the superyacht from being debated in Parliament.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said neither Indonesian authorities nor the US Federal Bureau of Investigation reached out to Malaysian police on the seizure of the Equanimity.

Fuzi also defended Bukit Aman CID chief Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd's refusal to claim some A$320,000 seized by Australian police, claiming that the legal fees to do so would be too prohibitive.

In light of the disclosure of the frozen funds, PKR's Sim Tze Tzin suggested that Wan Ahmad’s declaration of assets be made public.

The MACC said it has started investigation against the CID chief following a complaint being lodged against him.

Malaysian developer Tiah Joon Kim, through his company TA Global Bhd, denied he was being probed by the FBI over a deal with Ivanka Trump, daughter of US president Donald Trump.

Lim eyes Liow for showdown

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng spurned MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong's debate challenge, insisting that only MCA president Liow Tiong Lai is qualified enough to debate him.

BN strategic communications deputy director Eric See-To slammed Guan Eng for his arrogance, pointing out that it is his father Lim Kit Siang who is “number one” in DAP.

Tycoon Robert Kuok thanked Malaysians who spoke up for him and said he was grateful that the Communications and Multimedia Commission had ordered the fake news about him funding DAP to be removed.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching questioned if Umno leaders will now apologise for their attacks on Kuok as the allegation of funding DAP has been proven to be false.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak told netizens to behave "responsibly" online, or risk the government stepping in to "restore order."

International press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders expressed concern at Putrajaya’s plan to introduce a law against fake news, stating that it was not the government's duty to determine if news was fake or otherwise.

Maria Chin resigns

Maria Chin Abdullah formally resigned as Bersih chairperson to make her political debut.

Maria said she was inspired to do so following her 2016 detention without trial under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Gerakan Youth chief Ti Lian Ker said Maria's plan to contest under the Pakatan Harapan banner in the 14th general election exposed Bersih's "partisanship".

Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the opposition coalition will meet with Maria to discuss her GE14 plans.

Bersih said it will press on with its electoral reform agenda without Maria.

On a separate matter, Mahathir said Harapan will choose its common logo within a week.

Other Kinibites

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg asserted the state's oil rights in a symbolic event, which saw the launch of the state's oil company Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros).

Umno supreme council member Nazri Abdul Aziz said in an interview with Malaysiakini that he would not apologise for his comments against MCA, as doing so would require him to apologise to many others for his brashness.

However, despite his feud with MCA, Nazri urged non-Muslims to vote for BN to ensure their rights are protected.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Putrajaya was not sweeping the issue of cost of living under the carpet and he went on to announce six key focus areas for the National Cost of Living Action Council.

DAP and Parti Warisan Sabah face a deadlock as the former refuses to cede two Kota Kinabalu state seats that it won in the last general election.

Looking ahead

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur will hear Maria's defamation suit against Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos.

The Dewan Rakyat begins debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech.

Selangor Harapan continues with its electoral seat negotiations in Shah Alam.