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

Pakatan Harapan has tabled an expansionary budget despite struggles to contain the federal government's debt levels.

Although there are no drastic cuts for any ministry other than the already downsized Prime Minister's Department, the budget deficit is set to grow in the near term.

There will be new taxes on sugary drinks, casinos, international flights and digital services, among others.

But these taxes are unlikely to generate much revenue. Instead, the government looks set to tap Petronas' coffers to make up for the increased cost of running the government.

There are new incentives for first-time homeowners and new measures to curb property speculators.

Lower-income households will also be able to take advantage of a revamped cash handout scheme.

To learn more about the budget and how it affects you, check out Malaysiakini's special Budget 2018 page.

The opposition accused Harapan of copying the budget speeches of previous BN governments.

US indicts Jho Low

Penang-born fugitive Jho Low, together with bankers Roger Ng and Tim Leissner, are the first persons to be charged in the US in relations to the 1MDB scandal.

Malaysiakini publishes US Department of Justice's full statement on the charges here.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Low has lived the life that many had dreamed of, but now he was "hiding like a rat".

Low, through his lawyers, maintained that he was innocent and urged the public to keep an "open mind" until he had a chance to defend himself in court.

The DOJ's court filings once again referred to "Malaysian Official 1" and accused this person as the recipient of kickbacks and bribes.

The court documents also claimed that Low had communicated to Leissner on the need to send "cakes", which the DOJ read as bribes, to the wife of "Malaysian Official 1" whom was otherwise described as "madam boss".

Other KiniBites

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has given PKR candidate for Rantau, Dr S Streram, time to consider amending his civil suit pending the Seremban Election Court's decision on Nov 22.

A team of MACC officers visited former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's residence yesterday morning to collect more evidence.

New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) has apologised to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng for defaming him and agreed to pay RM200,000 in compensation.

Looking ahead

The Sabah-leg of the PKR divisional and national leadership elections kick off today. This will likely determine who will win the tight race for the party’s no 2.

Mahathir will be chairing the Harapan leadership council meeting in Putrajaya.