Think tank finds GLC reforms 'benefit' Bersatu, and 9 news from yesterday

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

1. A study by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) found that reforms on government-linked companies (GLCs) seem to benefit Bersatu, and many defeated Pakatan Harapan election candidates were appointed to head these entities.

2. Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali has dismissed Ideas’ findings, saying that the entire cabinet is involved as a team to rebuild the nation’s economy.

3. Former Tanjung Piai MP Wee Jeck Seng has been confirmed as BN’s pick for the by-election in the constituency, while Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad hailed the by-election as a referendum on the people’s support towards Pakatan Harapan versus the newly-formed Muafakat Nasional.

4. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged GLCs to form strong institutions to help support the country’s growth.

5. At a hearing at the UK Court of Appeal, lawyers representing the Minister of Finance Incorporated and 1MDB urged the court to intervene in the US$5.78 billion settlement agreement between them and Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Corporation.

6. Former 1MDB CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi testified that a Jho Low-controlled company paid PetroSaudi International Ltd directors Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahoney US$85 million (RM355.32 million) as “commission”.

7. Mahathir said Malaysia had been bullied by “very powerful people” into closing bank accounts held by Iranian nationals and companies.

8. Police intend to propose to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to serve Umno’s Lokman Noor Adam with a court bond to prevent him from issuing “provocative” statements on social media.

9. Former Umno senator Salleh Said Keruak said he is committed to PKR’s reform agenda and hopes to contribute to it. PKR is said to be still considering his membership application, although its online membership roll shows that the application had been approved.

10. Tourism Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi said his deputy’s announcement of a forthcoming exhibition featuring artefacts related to Egyptian pharaohs Ramses II and Tutankhamun had not gone through proper channels.