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

Azmin weighs in on PAS talks

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said he accepted Pakatan Harapan's decision that it will not work with PAS, but insisted that he was free to talk to anyone.

Analysts claim that BN could potentially regain two-thirds parliamentary majority if Harapan engaged in multi-cornered fights with PAS and BN.

PAS ambiguity on siding with Harapan and BN is a "rational" move to maximise its benefit from any such relationship, said an analyst.

PKR lashes at DAP's public demand for seats

Tebrau PKR chief Steven Choong criticised DAP's proposal for PKR to give up one of three parliamentary seats within greater Johor Baru city which it had previously contested, to the DAP.

DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua questioned 1MDB's source of funds used to pay for the first tranche of the settlement with Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

BN strategic communications deputy director Eric See-To rebutted PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli's claim that Putrajaya's excessive spending resulted in the rate of tax collection outpacing economic growth, stressing that such a growth trend was not unusual.

Nation celebrates Merdeka Day

The country celebrated its 60th Merdeka Day with a colourful parade at Dataran Merdeka, fresh from Malaysia's success at the SEA Games.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak shared his Merdeka message at a town hall session with youths, sharing his Merdeka memories and talking about the challenges of nation building.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged Malaysians to "reclaim" Merdeka "with a new nation inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty."

Other Kini bites

A police officer was found dead, shot at close range and stabbed with a sharp object, at the Pinggiran Subang Jaya police station.

A Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry assistant enforcer was remanded at the Tawau Magistrate's Court on suspicion of bribery.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman, in a parliamentary written reply, claimed automatic voter registration is unconstitutional.

The Australian chapter of Amnesty International praised Malaysia for its ongoing assistance for Rohingya refugees, but urged the country to become a signatory to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Gerakan Media Merdeka (GMM) criticised the government's plan to register online news portals, describing it as an attempt to neuter the Malaysian online media.

Looking ahead

Malaysia celebrates Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V will return to his state in conjunction with the festivities, where he will perform prayers at Masjid Muhammadi in Kota Bharu.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will attend an Aidiladha function with the General Operations Force personnel in Ipoh.