KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.
Dr M welcomes strong opposition
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is not fond of having a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and instead prefers a strong opposition, amid the defection of Umno lawmakers.
Speaking to Malaysiakini in an interview, the Bersatu chairperson also assured that his party will not be taken over by Umno defectors.
During a luncheon cruise on the Putrajaya lake with members of his cabinet, Mahathir joked about the reason Putrajaya was chosen as the administrative capital - some say that there is a tunnel from the prime minister's residence to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport that will allow him to flee, but added that he won't do that.
On another matter, Bersatu's Youth wing handed a memorandum to Mahathir, seeking the removal of P Waythamoorthy as a minister for allegedly failing to contain interracial tensions in the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple issue.
Asked about it later, Mahathir said people can express their opinion about Waythamoorthy, but it is up to him to ultimately decide, and thus far, the minister's performance is 'okay' to him.
Najib turns down Umno leadership proposal
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak turned down a proposal for him to become de facto Umno leader and opposition leader, amid party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi going on leave.
The suggestion was put forward by Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam, who claimed that Najib's experience could help stabilise Umno, and stop more lawmakers from leaving the party.
Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said Zahid's move to hand over the presidential duties to his deputy Mohamad Hasan was laudable.
Responding to Zahid who had hinted at the 'humiliation' sustained during meetings after Umno's GE14 loss, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said Umno had brought it upon itself by allegedly aiding and abetting the 1MDB scandal.
Commenting on Umno's predicament, PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said Umno should be dissolved and its members should join PAS.
Other Kinibites
Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim questioned Water, Land, and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s statement that the acting Agong supported Putrajaya's push to retain Pulau Kukup as a gazetted national park.
Today, some 30 PKR members will file a report with the party's disciplinary board against PKR member Latheefa Koya over the lawyer's accusation of cronyism and nepotism in the appointment of party state chiefs.
The Cameron Highlands by-election will be held on Jan 26 next year with a 14-day campaign period, Election Commission chairperson Azhar Azizan Harun announced.
Former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa has claimed trial to four counts of abetting the international financial institution to omit material facts and fabricate statements in relation to 1MDB guaranteed notes and bonds amounting US$6.5 billion issued between 2012 and 2013.
Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) slapped former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner with a lifetime ban after the latter pleaded guilty to 1MDB-related criminal charges in the US.
Looking ahead
Education Minister Maszlee Malik will attend the handover of SMKA Putrajaya school at SMKA Putrajaya, Precinct 11(2), Putrajaya.
PKR grassroots will file a disciplinary complaint against Latheefa Koya at PKR headquarters.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh will meet the Kuala Lumpur mufti to discuss current issues.
