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

DOJ drops more bombshells

The US Department of Justice investigation into the 1MDB scandal saw its most significant development since it went public on the matter last year as it seeks to seize an additional US$540 million in allegedly ill-gotten assets, bringing the total amount sought to US$1.7 billion.

The DOJ's new seizure court filing revealed startling information, including how US$620 million which Malaysian Official 1 purportedly returned to his "Arab donor" was later used to purchase diamonds for his wife.

It also claimed that the 1MDB-linked funds were, amongst others, used to purchase a superyacht for billionaire Jho Low as well as properties and rare memorabilia for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's step-son Riza Aziz.

The filing also alleged that Jho Low had dual citizenship, in violation of the Malaysian constitution, and had also acquired over US$1 billion in properties using funds allegedly stolen from 1MDB.

The flamboyant tycoon, who is a close associate of Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, also allegedly used the funds to buy jewellery worth around US$10 million for Australian model Miranda Kerr and his mother, on top of rare gifts for Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leonardo had since handed the gifts to US authorities and is cooperating with investigators.

The DOJ also detailed how 1MDB allegedly conspired to cover up purportedly missing money in Brazen Sky by diverting and recycling a Deutsche Bank loan.

Malaysiakini broke down the 251-page filings, highlighting the new personalities in the 1MDB saga as well as interesting quotes from the document.

Putrajaya fights back against explosive claims

The DOJ's new civil suit to recover the money allegedly stolen from 1MDB sparked a flurry of rebuttals from the Malaysian government, including Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak, who blamed the opposition for the filing and described it as an act of "treason".

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali said he was concerned at DOJ's "insinuations" of criminal wrongdoing by Najib.

Najib's press secretary Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad accused the DOJ of having ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, the subject of DOJ's investigation, claimed the filing was not backed by evidence.

The alleged masterminded, Jho Low, reportedly described the DOJ's findings as "inappropriate".

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein decried the DOJ filing as a diversion from the bigger agenda.

The prime minister's wife, Rosmah, did not make specific reference to the DOJ but urged people not to believe "slander" aimed at toppling the country’s leader.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said cops will not cooperate with US authorities in their 1MDB investigation as it was a civil matter.

Human rights group Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan, together with Hakam vice-president Gurdial Singh Nijhar, said the DOJ findings have provided ample evidence and questioned attorney-general Apandi's refusal to act.

Electoral reform group Bersih called on Najib to resign while Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged the premier to file a counter-suit in the US if the claims were untrue.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail called for an emergency Parliament sitting to discuss the matter.

Teen bully victim Nhaveen laid to rest

T Nhaveen, 18, who was comatose and later died from beatings by his former classmates, was cremated at Batu Gantong Crematorium in Penang.

Penang police deputy chief Roslee Chik said five teens, believed to be responsible for Nhaveen's beating, will be charged with murder.

Subang MP R Sivarasa announced he will sue Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for defamation over comments made over the latter's visit to a mosque in Subang.

Tengku Adnan was unfazed, stating that he was prepared to fight the suit.

Other Kinibites

Police chief Khalid said claims of links between alleged protection racketeering mastermind Gopinathan Krishnan and the police is for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate and not Sarawak Report.

Khalid confirmed that he is expected to face mandatory retirement in September when he hits 60.

Sarawak DAP has delayed announcing its candidate for the Pujut by-election pending a court decision on whether the by-election will go ahead or not.

Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar accused Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali of hoarding the state's reserves instead of spending it on fixing dilapidated homes in Selangor.

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) called on the public to provide information about a recent series of mysterious disappearances, including that of pastor Raymond Koh.

Looking ahead

The Kuching High Court will decide on the status of DAP’s Ting Tiong Choon, the incumbent representative of Pujut, and whether a by-election will go ahead.

MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad to attend a ‘Friends of MACC’ function at Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.