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

Minister decries DOJ implicating Rosmah

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan questioned why the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is insinuating misconduct involving prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor and the jewellery purchased for her when they are not even going to seize the diamonds listed in its court filing.

He is the first member of the government to link Rosmah over the matter, as the DOJ only mentions that the "wife" of "Malaysian Official 1" received about US$30 million worth of jewellery from 1MDB-linked individual Jho Low.

The DOJ told Malaysiakini that its latest court filing is not the end of their case as their investigations are ongoing.

Fellow Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman urged the public not to panic over the latest 251-page civil suit filed by the DOJ last Thursday, arguing that the US and Malaysia have different legal systems.

Meanwhile, Umno information chief Annuar Musa urged party members to remain loyal to the leadership, arguing that the DOJ's suit is a conspiracy to incite regime change in Muslim-led Malaysia.

Dr M: PKR’s distrust holding back Harapan

Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said distrust among some in PKR over him being named chairperson of Pakatan Harapan is holding back the official registration of the opposition coalition.

He also said that it would be "churlish" for him to reject calls for him to sit in the prime minister's seat temporarily if Harapan wins in the 14th general election, even though he stressed he has no ambitions to return to Seri Perdana.

Meanwhile, minister Abdul Rahman said there are better candidates in Harapan for premiership besides Mahathir, including PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli and DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua.

Other Kinibites

A relative of one of the teenagers accused of murdering T Nhaveen claimed that lawyers were not willing to represent the four, allegedly because the word "sodomy" was involved.

Bersatu Youth executive council member Mohamad Taufik Abas lodged a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) claiming Mahathir had in 2003 approved a multi-million Telekom Malaysia Bhd contract for his son Mukhriz Mahathir's firm. Mukhriz is now Bersatu deputy president.

BN strategic communications team gave the Penang government one week to respond to allegations that they overpaid in consultancy fees over three new roads that were part of the state's undersea tunnel project, before it submits evidence to the MACC.

PKR vice-president Rafizi urged those registered to vote at opposition strongholds to forgo their vote and volunteer in marginal seats instead to ensure opposition victory, but this suggestion has "shocked" electoral watchdog Bersih, who said voters should not be taken for granted.

A survey by Invoke, a think-tank set up by Rafizi, found that support for BN in Najib's constituency of Pekan has fallen by nearly a quarter making it the second worst-hit seat among the 52 Felda seats. The poll found support for BN has dipped in 45 of those seats.

Looking ahead

Former Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) chairperson Mohd Isa Samad and his wife will have their statements recorded by the MACC this morning in Putrajaya.

Over at Ampang, Sungai Besar Umno division leader Jamal Md Yunos joins the DOJ fray and will be calling a press conference.

Meanwhile, DAP's Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng plans to lodge a report with the MACC on allegations made in the DOJ court filing.