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

Guan Eng, Najib spar over rural development

Seeking to deflect accusations of neglecting the rural folk, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng explained the technical reasons why the budget of key agencies in charge of rural development appear to have been reduced when this is not the case.

Lim pledged that the government is committed to helping farmers, plantation workers and the fishing community, but would do so with targeted subsidies aimed at those who are truly in need and deserving.

However, his chief critic Najib Abdul Razak remained unimpressed. Najib said Mara would end up with RM500 million less for scholarships, while Felda smallholders would not be enjoying various perks provided by the previous administration.

More opposition against Icerd ratification

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said all Muslims should oppose the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), claiming that it would place Islam at the “same level” as other religions.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia called on the government to first allay the fears of working-class Malays that Icerd would undermine their special privileges, before signing the treaty. It said it is wrong to assume that concerns over Icerd are solely the work of right-wing Umno and PAS leaders.

Meanwhile, ahead of an anti-Icerd rally this Friday, de facto Islamic affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa urged the participants to refrain from inciting racial and religious tension in voicing their opposition.

More Kinibites

Malaysia’s progress in making education more inclusive for children of migrants and refugees is too slow, according to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) report in conjunction with International Children’s Day.

The water supply for three Kelantan villages is feared to have been contaminated with agricultural effluents, affecting over 2,000 people.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has lodged a police report against a man who allegedly harassed a beer promoter at an Ampang supermarket, while Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching urged netizens to refrain from circulating photographs of the man’s children.

Looking ahead

Policy-stage debates on the 2019 Budget proposal are expected to be wound up in the Dewan Rakyat tonight.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke and AirAsia are expected to make a joint announcement on flights during the coming Chinese New Year season.

A group of right-wing NGOs are expected to announce a new coalition today.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will chair the meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption.