Najib responds to Kit Siang's 'sumpah laknat' challenge, and 9 news from yesterday

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

1. DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang challenged former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to swear a sumpah laknat to deny receiving kickbacks from 1MDB funds, to which Najib said he is prepared to do so but he is already testifying on the case in court, under oath.

2. A report claimed that Goldman Sachs Group Inc is in talks with the US government and a state regulator to pay a US$2 billion (RM8.25 billion) fine and an admission of guilt to resolve investigations into its role in the 1MDB scandal.

3. In a statement to Malaysiakini, Najib addressed several irregularities surrounding the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu that had led to suspicion that the killing was part of a cover-up to protect him.

4. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad denied that the ongoing Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019 seeks to isolate anyone or leave them out.

5. Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission CEO Mohamad Onn Abd Aziz said claims that the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission would act as police, judge and jury against the police force are inaccurate.

6. Former foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman said he would not contest in the forthcoming Kimanis by-election, but will make his comeback in the 15th general election.

7. The presence of online dating apps purporting to connect ‘sugar daddies’ to potential lovers prompts deep questions about youth values, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.

8. Lynas Corp said the Western Australian government would help with management and coordination of the necessary approvals for its rare earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie.

9. An analysis finds that courts in Peninsular Malaysia are meting out stiffer penalties than ever against poachers of an endangered mountain goat known as the Sumatran serow.

10. With 2019 coming to a close, Malaysiakini again invites readers to vote on the year’s top news and newsmakers, and also introduces a new poll for readers to rate the cabinet ministers of the new government.