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

Najib helps make America great again

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak met with United States President Donald Trump where he announced Malaysia's intention to strengthen the US economy.

Najib also announced that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will invest US$3 billion to US$4 billion on infrastructure projects in the US, increased investments by Khazanah Nasional Bhd in high-tech companies there, as well as plans to purchase at least 33 aircraft from Boeing.

Najib described his meeting with Trump as "positive and friendly".

However, there was no press conference following the meeting amid expectations that Najib could be grilled by the US media on the 1MDB scandal.

Najib, who also met with the US-Asean business community in Washington, accused critics of using the 1MDB issue to sabotage Malaysia's economy.

Najib said Malaysia needed to regain the level of interaction with the US to boost trade and investment between the countries.

The White House said it had no role in booking Najib's accommodation at Trump International Hotel, which is owned by US President Donald Trump's family.

Investments in US raises China debt poser

PKR Youth chief Fahmi Fadzil questioned Malaysian investments in the US while at the same time raising funds from China for projects at home.

Najib's pledge to strengthen the US economy also courted bewildered reactions among Malaysians on social media.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali expressed shock at Malaysia's planned investments in the US which could amount to RM100 billion, and asked why the money cannot be invested locally.

The EPF gave its assurance that its investments go through a stringent process and described the US as a key market.

Umno's Kuala Selangor MP Irmohizam Ibrahim criticised the opposition for previously suggesting that Najib feared travelling to the US for fear that he could be arrested over the 1MDB scandal, pointing out that this had been proven to be untrue.

Pasir Gudang Umno Youth chief Azman Jaafar praised Najib's visit to the US, stating that the prime minister had made the country proud and that the opposition should eat its heart out.

Pua snubs Najib

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said he will not apologise to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This was after Najib's lawyer suggested the prime minister was open to an apology with regard to his defamation suits against the DAP lawmaker.

Sarawak DAP urged the state government to break Cahaya Mata Sarawak Bhd's monopoly of the cement industry.

PAS Youth vice-chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari likened the DAP to BN for its support for the Better Beer Festival 2017.

The Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) called on mosques across the country to hold prayers this coming Friday for an end to the Rohingya crisis.

Other Kinibites

Suhakam, in a visit to the Tanah Merah Immigration Depot, said the place was so filthy that even staff were falling sick.

There is no decrease in sight for petrol prices, after 11 weeks.

Malaysiakini follows Amanah in its electoral efforts through agriculture projects.

MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad said the commission's anti-graft effort has struck fear into bribe givers.

A second Chinese submarine reportedly docked in Sabah amid strengthening ties between Malaysia and China.

Looking ahead

Pakatan Harapan will hold a press conference on the implications of the prime minister's visit to the US.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua will conduct a site visit over an alleged land grab purportedly by a political party.