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

First MRT line fully operational

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak unveiled the full Sungai Buloh-Kajang line with good news, announcing a 50 percent discount on fares until Merdeka Day.

In an apparent swipe at his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Najib said the project was completed ahead of schedule as the contracts were not awarded to "cronies".

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak hailed the MRT launch as a gift from Najib to the people.

However, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil reminded Najib that the shadow of the 1MDB scandal follows him and eclipses the mega MRT project.

Kajang folk interviewed were thrilled with the MRT launch but said it did not mean they will give a free pass to the prime minister in the general election.

MACC swoops in on Felda Investment

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided the Felda office on Jalan Gurney as part of its investigation into Felda Investment Corporation's purchase of a luxury hotel in London.

Felda Global Ventures, in which Felda is a substantial shareholder, will commence its domestic inquiry on July 24 over allegations of wrongdoings in the company.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said calls for a single stream school meant that both the vernacular and Malay-only schools must be abolished and questioned whether there is the political will to do this.

Zahid rules out pre-September polls

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ruled out the possibility of the general election being held before September.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang opined that Najib's window of opportunity to hold the general election this year was closing.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir said the door was still open for negotiations for an electoral pact in Kedah.

DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said the fact that BN had resorted to dishing out goodies in Sembrong, a known BN stronghold in Johor, suggests the ruling coalition was losing ground.

Other Kinibites

Dalian Wanda, a potential candidate for the Bandar Malaysia project, is reportedly facing curbs from the Chinese government on sealing deals abroad.

The DAP finally received a formal letter instructing it to hold a re-election for the central executive committee but no deadline was given.

Controversial Umno leader Jamal Md Yunos expressed interesting in replacing Khairy Jamaluddin as Umno Youth chief.

Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob's defamation suit against his party-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia is set to go for mediation.

Villagers of Kampung Bakar Batu in Perling, Johor Baru, lost their appeal against their eviction and for higher compensation.

Looking ahead

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad will hold a press conference on his debate challenge against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The Court of Appeal will hear the government's appeal against the redelineation challenge brought by residents in Malacca.