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

Dr M's challenge to Najib

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to another "Nothing to Hide" face-off which failed to materialise in 2015.

Mahathir, when testifying in his son Mukhriz's defamation suit against Najib's press secretary Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, described Umno as a party of "thieves and kleptocrats".

Pakatan Harapan which formally released its new logo and manifesto outline, targets to abolish the Goods and Services Tax within 100 days of taking power.

However, analysts say scrapping GST would be an "economically nonsensical" move.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan asked Harapan to explain how it plans to cover the budget shortfall after abolishing GST.

Former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim said while Putrajaya's bid to control the deficit is good, it should not come at the expense of critical sectors such as health and education.

Where does DAP fit in Harapan?

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak questioned whether DAP was being sidelined in the Harapan leadership line-up.

This was after the Harapan revealed the top three positions would be held by its allies, PKR and Bersatu.

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman and party strategist Rais Hussin said the minister's question contradicted his message that DAP dominated the coalition.

Mahathir also took pot shots at Salleh's take on Harapan, and used his height as an analogy. Salleh rebutted by calling Mahathir's reaction illogical.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said Harapan was neither dominated by Malays nor DAP as it was a coalition of equals.

PAS defends public caning in K'tan

Kelantan exco Mohd Nassaruddin Daud warned non-Muslim political parties objecting the state's implementation of public caning for syariah offences not to interfere in Islamic affairs.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman said the implementation of public flogging in Kelantan is a state prerogative.

PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan defended the public whipping, stressing that it is meant to deter crime.

Other Kini bites

Malaysian death row prisoner S Prabagaran was executed in Singapore’s Changi prison.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reopened its investigation into Felda's purchase of a hotel in London after new evidence came to light.

MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon accepted DAP Youth chief Teo Kok Seong's debate challenge on Chinese education and issues affecting the people in the Seremban constituency.

Mersing Umno committee member Mohd Sasi Sapan passed away after choking on 'kuih koci'.

A DAP aide suspected of sex crimes was remanded for two days.

Looking ahead

PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be hosting her Hari Raya open house in Kajang.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang is holding a press conference on the general election and DAP's registration status.

Prime Minister's wife Rosmah Mansor will be attending a luncheon by the Badminton Association of Malaysia in Petaling Jaya.