MACC reveals then PM Najib’s phone calls, and 9 news from yesterday

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

1. The MACC released tapped phone conversations of then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, which revealed attempts to shield his stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz from the 1MDB scandal, and Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor’s displeasure over Najib being portrayed as a villain.

2. Najib countered that the recordings showed that he was telling the truth about the 1MDB scandal, and said the recording between him and Rosmah was a normal conversation between spouses.

3. Meanwhile, on Twitter, the line “Can I advise you something?” allegedly uttered by Rosmah in one of the nine tapped phone conversations has become a viral meme.

4. A school in Puchong took down its Chinese New Year decorations after complaints by a right-wing group that it propagates non-Islamic beliefs to Muslims. However, the incident was rebuked by the cabinet and several ministers visited the school to put up new Chinese New Year decorations.

5. In conjunction with the new school year, vernacular schools have sent out forms to parents, seeking consent to implement Jawi lessons in Bahasa Malaysia classes.

6. The online petition platform Change.org said it believes that all signatures behind a surge of support for Maszlee Malik’s reinstatement as education minister are genuine.

7. Several groups, including opposition parties, plan to hold a protest against the Sabah Temporary Pass, but the state’s Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said the people should instead voice their opinion through the ballot box for the Kimanis by-election.

8. The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has agreed to hear a challenge by Kuantan residents against the cabinet’s decision grant Lynas a six-month extension to its operating licence.

9. Kampung Segambut Permai residents have accepted Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s offer of temporary accommodations, and the demolition of their previous housing will continue.

10. Iran retaliates a US attack with a missile strike against US forces in Iraq. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian airliner crashed shortly after take-off in Iran for reasons unknown.