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

Singapore bans 1MDB-linked banker

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has banned former high-flying Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner from trading in the country for 10 years, effective yesterday, after he made false statements in a letter to a Luxembourg financial institution without the knowledge of Goldman Sachs.

Leissner was reportedly a key figure in Goldman Sachs' effort in raising US$6.5 billion through the sale of 1MDB bonds in 2012 and 2013.

MAS is also seeking a lifetime ban on Singapore's Falcon Bank branch manager Jens Sturzenegger and former Singapore BSI Bank employee Yak Yew Chee, and a 15-year ban on another BSI employee Yvonne Seah, for 1MDB-related offences.

Meanwhile, Putrajaya said it is still undecided on whether 1MDB's new auditor Parker Randall will re-audit the firm's 2013 and 2014 financial statements, which were disavowed by its previous auditor, Deloitte.

CJ: Judiciary is impartial

Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria stressed that the judiciary is impartial and joining a dialogue on good practices on international human rights does not make it anti-government.

Justice Arifin spoke at the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Kuala Lumpur, where Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, in a speech read out by his secretary-general, reminded the judiciary to act independently to uphold justice without fear or favour.

Dr M vs Nazri debate is on

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz showed he that he would not back out of a debate against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 1MDB, by booking a venue hall in his constituency of Padang Rengas for the March 25 event.

The 3pm event will be held at Millenium Hall, with Nazri attending in his own capacity and not as a representative of the government.

Other Kinibites

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has spent more of the country's petroleum income since taking office in 2009, in nominal terms, than any of his predecessors, PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said, citing Treasury Department data.

Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii urged DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok to apologise to the family of a bride whose wedding was allegedly disrupted by a protest led by Kok in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur, last Saturday.

The release of Disney's live action remake of the classic animation "Beauty and the Beast" has been postponed in Malaysia pending an internal review, sparking speculation that it is due to a "gay character".

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said he does not expect the party to face friction with its allies in Pakatan Harapan if its sole MP, party president Muhyiddin Yassin, supports amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).

The Penang Health Department closed two popular nasi kandar restaurants in the state because they failed hygiene tests.

The government will enact a new law to deal with child sexual abuse, and set up a special court to hear such cases, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council in Malacca did not follow the law when it raised assessment rates, in a case brought against the council by DAP's Ayer Keroh assemblyperson Khoo Poay Tiong.

Looking ahead

The civil suit by Port Klang Authority against its former general manager OC Phang resumes at the High Court in Shah Alam today.

Bersatu will hold its supreme council meeting as its stand on the Act 355 amendments takes the spotlight.