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

Najib's 1MDB denial

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, in a meeting with his supporters, cited lies, slanders and empty promises by his opponents to explain BN's defeat but made no mention of 1MDB.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin gave a curt response that it was the 1MDB scandal that cost BN federal power.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said it was naive of Umno to absolve themselves of responsibility for the 1MDB scandal.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner pleading guilty for conspiring to embezzle 1MDB funds was the strongest proof yet that the scandal was real.

Goldman Sachs acknowledged that it could face fines over its dealings with 1MDB. The bank had helped 1MDB arranged three bonds which were subsequently misappropriated.

The latest edition of Kiniguide takes a look at the identities of the co-conspirators named alongside Leissner in criminal charges brought by the US Department of Justice.

Azmin holds ground in PKR polls

PKR deputy presidential candidate Rafizi Ramli was off to a shaky start in Sabah, a key battleground in his race against incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali in the party election.

Chaos ensued during voting in Keningau, with Rafizi claiming that he was attacked.

MACC visited the PKR headquarters over complaints of irregularities in the PKR polls.

The commission also arrested a PKR member over claims of phantom voters.

Pressure for Mahathir to stay as PM

Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged pressure from Bersatu grassroots for him to stay on as prime minister for a full term but reiterated his commitment to a two-year tenure.

Mahathir also assured that any BN defectors wanting to join Bersatu would be vetted and that those who "supported thieves" would be turned away.

He revealed that Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed had met him even while in Najib's government, but that the latter had been afraid to speak out.

Najib criticised Pakatan Harapan leaders for declaring their income, telling ministers and their children to also declare their assets.

He also urged Putrajaya not to "raid" Petronas to cover any revenue shortfalls.

Other Kinibites

Check out Malaysiakini's interactive poll, which allows readers to view the Budget 2019 highlights and provide instant feedback.

PKR lawyer Latheefa Koya slammed her party colleague Johari Abdul for urging the use of the Sedition Act 1948, stating that he was no different from BN.

Guan Eng touted the "samurai bond" Putrajaya secured from Japan, which only has an interest rate of 0.65 percent compared to the seven percent arranged by what he described as the previous "kleptocratic government".

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming announced that all parliamentary written replies will now be uploaded online for public viewing. (online)

PSM urged Putrajaya to review the Fees Act 1951, as the current law would force the poor to pay more if they transfer to a public hospital after depleting their government-provided RM8,000 critical illness insurance in a private hospital.

Looking ahead

MCA delegates will vote for their new leaders today.

Mahathir will launch a home financing scheme in Semenyih.