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

Much ado over beer, gay party and laundrette

Johor prince Tunku Idris Sultan Ibrahim said he was appalled at a laundrette that was set up in his state to only cater to Muslims.

Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the Muslim-only laundrette in Muar was "narrow-minded" and could lead to "extremism".

Amanah vice-president Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus also criticised the business, calling it "immature".

MCA president Liow Tiong Lai said the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has no jurisdiction over the Immigration Department, after Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said he received information from Jakim on who will be coming to the country to attend a purported gay party and to bar them.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali fumed at Utusan Malaysia for claiming that he had given approval for a beer festival in the state, demanding that the report is retracted.

Najib's US deal-making

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang questioned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on his claim that his comment on helping strengthen the US economy was misconstrued, with Lim pointing out that the White House transcript only showed Najib making multiple offers without asking anything in return.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil also asked how Malaysia had benefited from Najib's visit to the US.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also questioned Najib's promise that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will purchase between US$10 billion and US$20 billion worth of aircraft from Boeing, pointing out that MAS had previously sought to purchase aircraft from Airbus.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) strategist Rais Hussin also pointed out that a recovering MAS was not in the position to acquire new aircraft.

Najib said the Employees Provident Fund received better returns from its investments in the US.

He also urged government-linked companies to meet their bumiputera empowerment targets.

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Azmi Abdul Aziz said the company was grateful for Khalid Abu Bakar's appointment as its chairperson, stating that the former inspector-general of police can help improve the safety of public transport.

Harapan ups the ante in Sarawak

Top Pakatan Harapan leaders, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, asked Sarawakians to help deliver two-thirds majority to the federal opposition in the next general election during a ceramah in Kuching.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) supreme council member Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar downplayed Mahathir's impact on Sarawak, claiming that the former prime minister was "talking rubbish".

On another matter, Wan Junaidi, who is also National Resources and Environment Minister, said RM2.6 billion had been spent to solve Penang's flood problems.

PAS has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against the Penang government over the recent flooding in the state.

DAP is mulling fielding candidates in Kelantan for the next general election, the first time in 31 years.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang urged party members to show their loyalty by attending the party's Himpunan Fastaqim 2.0 rally in Kuala Terengganu this weekend.

Other Kinibites

Motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson is parting ways with Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd as its dealer following the expiry of their agreement.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said Putrajaya will study an alternative design for a section of the Rapid Transit System link with Singapore, following complaints by Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Police have concluded their investigation into the arson of a Kuala Lumpur religious school and the papers were submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

The Malaysian judiciary made history with the elevation of four women judges to the appellate courts.

Pro-Mahasiswa, a coalition of student groups, has complained about unfair disqualification ahead of the Universiti Malaya student leadership elections.

Looking ahead

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will attend the ground-breaking ceremony for a diplomatic enclave in Putrajaya.

The Court of Appeal will hear Selangor exco Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's suit against former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, the Attorney-General's Chambers and the government for repeatedly charging him for the same offence.