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

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed that the China-based Silk Road Southeast Asia Ltd had paid 1MDB 4.25 billion yuan (RM2.7 billion) but seemed contended to receive nothing in return.

According to The Edge Financial Daily, it is now suspected that the transaction was used to launder a China Exim Bank loan intended for another project to pay off 1MDB’s debts.

Separately, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa said 1MDB Foundation-sponsored hajj pilgrimages are politically motivated because its candidates were selected through Umno divisions.

Dr M takes Khazanah’s helm

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has appointed himself as the new Khazanah Nasional Bhd chairperson, while Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has become one of its directors.

This quickly drew flak from MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong, who said it shows that Pakatan Harapan couldn’t keep its promises to decentralise the prime minister’s power.

Pay more for imported cars, again?

Mahathir said the government is considering the possibility of imposing conditions to restrict the import of foreign cars and protect the local automotive industry.

However, the Malaysian Automotive Association said such a move would be a step back for the industry, and the government should liberalise the market instead.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak expressed concern that protectionist measures could lead to Malaysians paying more, and not just for cars.

Other Kinibites

A newly released report on the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 reveals that the aircraft’s controls were likely to have been deliberately manipulated, but investigators don’t know who was at the controls.

Deeming the Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos to be a flight risk, the Ampang Magistrate’s Court has revoked its bail order on Jamal and ordered him to be held at Sungai Buloh Prison until his trials are completed.

A vice-minister of the Communist Party of China's International Department, Guo Yezhou, paid a visit to Malaysiakini to understand Malaysia’s media landscape.

Looking ahead

Today is National Heroes’ Day, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V will be attending the celebration at the National Heroes Square in Putrajaya.

The government will table the Goods and Services Tax (Repeal) Bill 2018 in the Dewan Rakyat, together with other related bills.

Bestinet Sdn Bhd, which had been accused of profiteering from the migrant worker registration process, is expected to hold a press conference on those allegations today.