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Dr M slashes gov't size; Guan Eng grills Arul Kanda; MACC after Azeez
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KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.

Dr M slashes gov't size

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad chaired the Pakatan Harapan government’s first cabinet meeting.

After the meeting, Mahathir announced that all ministers will see a 10 percent pay cut.

He also declared that several agencies would be dissolved, including the Special Affairs Department, the Prime Minister's Department's Performance and Delivery Unit, and the Land Public Transport Commission.

The prime minister also stressed that the government had no intention of buying back automaker Proton.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak criticised Harapan for publicly claiming that national debt was higher than officially reported, believing that the announcement had spooked the markets.

Guan Eng grills Arul Kanda

1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy briefed Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on the state of the troubled company.

According to Lim, Arul Kanda was now unsure if 1MDB's RM9.8 billion in ‘fund units’ investments even existed, despite previously claiming otherwise.

He also said 1MDB director Kamal Mohd Ali admitted that these investments were a scam.

The finance minister branded Arul Kanda "utterly dishonest" following the briefing.

He also announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers will be appointed to audit 1MDB.

MACC after Azeez

The MACC raided several properties linked to Umno lawmaker Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, and seized around RM500,000 cash and some jewellery.

Azeez, who also stepped down as Tabung Haji chair, claimed part of the RM500,000 was meant for a humanitarian mission to Gaza.

The cash seized in raids on properties linked to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak reportedly amounted to RM120 million.

The Bar Council took aim at new MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull for his tell-all press conference about alleged attempts to suppress the 1MDB investigation, calling it unprofessional and inappropriate.

This was echoed by DAP lawmaker Ramparkal Singh, who said that Shukri’s revelations could give the impression that his impartiality has been compromised with regard to the probe on 1MDB and Najib.

The 1MDB special committee set up by the government said Shukri should focus on completing the investigation instead of making public statements.

Former MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad claimed Shukri has apologised for branding him a “traitor to the country.”

Meanwhile, the 1MDB taskforce said it has met with PetroSaudi whistleblower Xavier Justo.

Other Kini bites

MCA urged Mahathir to clarify how he arrived at the figure that the country's debt had surpassed RM1 trillion.

Bersih mooted a constitutional amendment to redraw electoral boundaries so that the apparent malapportionment can be corrected.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said the case into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock should be reopened.

The new Warisan-led Sabah government slapped a temporary ban on timber exports.

Former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron criticised his successor for highlighting the alleged opulence of the official CM’s residence, stating that it should not be exploited for political ends.

Looking ahead

Najib will report to the MACC at 10am for the second time to have his statement recorded.

Supporters of the former premier are also expected to lodge reports at the MACC against Mahathir for alleged abuse of power.

The Perlis menteri besar for the BN state government is set to be sworn in.

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