KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.
MACC chief drops a bombshell
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was questioned by the MACC in relation to the 1MDB subsidiary SRC International investigation, which was scuttled when BN was in power.
Najib withdrew his defamation suit against former minister Dr Ling Liong Sik, who had accused him of stealing public funds and being unfit to hold public office.
Bahri Mohd Zin, an MACC officer who had fiercely investigated the SRC and 1MDB matter, was recalled to the commission to complete the probe.
In a press conference, new MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull claimed he had been threatened with arrest for conspiracy to overthrow the government during his previous stint with the commission.
At the time, he added, a cornered MACC had made appeals to other ministers and even the Conference of Rulers to replace then-PM Najib, but to no avail.
In response, the Conference of Rulers said it took the 1MDB matter seriously, but had to act within constitutional constraints.
Shukri also said there was no evidence to back Najib's claim that the RM2.6 billion in his personal bank account was a "donation."
He added that charges on the SRC matter would be brought to court “very soon”.
At the same press conference, the MACC chief also branded his predecessor Dzulkifli Ahmad a traitor to the country for allegedly covering up for Najib.
He also denied murdered deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais had anything to do with the 1MDB case.
PAS lawyer Wan Zainuddin Wan Musa criticised Shukri's tell-all press conference, stating that it would prejudice the ongoing investigation against Najib.
RM7b 1MDB bailout revealed
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed that the previous government spent RM7 billion bailing out 1MDB.
The revived 1MDB taskforce said its focus is now would be to repatriate funds stolen from the state-owned company.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, on his first day on the job, said seven national security laws would be reviewed.
Newly-minted Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin mooted synchronising existing affordable housing programmes.
Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail and East Coast Rail Link projects will be reviewed.
Azmin also declared an end to direct negotiations and limited tender practices.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who also holds the women, family and community development portfolio, said the Permata early childhood programme would be maintained, but it must undergo a full audit.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu vowed to probe the previous administration’s alleged defence scandals.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke urged civil servants to focus on their work instead of welcoming or accompanying ministers.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad promised that non-performing ministers would be replaced.
Khairy to restructure Umno, BN
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has been tasked with coming up with proposals to restructure Umno and BN after their unprecedented polls defeat.
Acting Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his party agreed that all positions, including that of president and deputy president, would be contested in the party elections.
He also denied knowledge of MACC appealing to the then-BN government about Najib's involvement in the 1MDB scandal.
Zahid said the probe against Najib should be respected, so long as it is carried out appropriately.
The former deputy prime minister was also upbeat on BN’s chances of making a comeback against a government built on "hatred."
Other Kinibites
Azmin said the new Selangor menteri besar will be announced within weeks.
Zahid and his acting deputy in Umno, Hishammuddin Hussein, met with the Raja of Perlis following BN’s failure to form the state government two weeks after the 14th general election.
Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said he will discuss the possibility of re-investigating the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case with his personnel.
Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos was arrested for a firearms offence.
Tycoon Robert Kuok said the Council of Eminent Persons comprises excellent people and urged Malaysians to trust the advisory body.
Looking ahead
Mahathir will hold a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Putrajaya.
The Council of Eminent Persons will continue receiving briefings on the state of the country's economy.
