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

Dr M gets 'frank' with Johor sultan

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said during his meeting with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, they agreed to be 'frank' with each other in discussing issues.

After the meeting, Sultan Ibrahim drove Mahathir to the Senai Airport in a blue, first-generation Proton Saga, gifted to the late Sultan Iskandar in 1985, during Mahathir's first tenure as prime minister.

Describing the journey later, Mahathir said the car was in a very good condition and handled well for a 34-year-old vehicle.

On an unrelated matter, Mahathir said the government would introduce new provisions for anti-corruption laws to compel businesses to reveal the real owners who reap profits.

On the arrest of three individuals for allegedly insulting former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, on social media, Mahathir said the government will need to define what constitutes insults, to serve as a guide for law enforcement agencies, for the sake of freedom of speech.

Former top cop to lead BN's Cameron charge

BN has officially announced former top cop Ramli Mohd Nor, who is from the Orang Asli community in Cameron Highlands, as its candidate in the Jan 26 by-election.

Pakatan Harapan candidate M Manogaran apologised for his remarks made on BN fielding Ramli for the by-election. He had said that BN's chance of winning the seat is slim, for fielding an Orang Asli, as the locals in the parliamentary seat do not even buy 'kuih' from traders of the community.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party will form a coordination committee to assist Ramli, who is representing the opposition, in the by-election.

MIC president SA Vigneswaran cited the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots as a reason for the party to pull out from the by-election, saying voters would probably not vote for two Indian candidates.

Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the state government will not hand out goodies during the by-election, as it is consistent with its intention to always serve the people.

Other Kinibites

Deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim defended the use of the Sedition Act against three individuals who allegedly insulted former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V on social media, saying it was necessary to maintain public order.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim told Indian newspaper The Hindu that the Malaysian government requires formal evidence before it can deport controversial preacher Zakir Naik, who is seen as a thorn in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Police have arrested the man who was caught on CCTV slapping a female shop assistant in a mini market in Bayan Lepas, Penang, over the purchase of cooking oil.

Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said the party's central leadership has taken charge of its Perlis chapter, until the various problems plaguing it are resolved.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said the government will enact new legislation, as well as amend existing laws, to protect the sanctity of the institution of the monarchy from being humiliated and attacked by irresponsible people.

Looking ahead

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng will present the government’s special fund allocation to New Era University College.

Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah will present the letter of appointment to the Pahang state secretary at Pullman Hotel Kuala Lumpur.