Malaysia Morning News For April 19

Digital dialogue focuses on growing Malaysia’s digital economy inclusively
The first forum under the Digital Native Agenda 23 (DNA23) initiative championed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim isn’t just about growing Malaysia’s digital economy, but also doing so in an inclusive manner.
— The Star Online

Putrajaya approves Penang’s 3 islands reclamation project
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced that the proposed three islands reclamation project south of Penang Island has been approved by federal regulators.
— FMT

Dr M: Malaysia will be able to leverage 5G within next three years
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is confident that Malaysia will be able to leverage 5G within the next three years. This, he said, is achievable with the necessary preparations in place to usher the transformational…
— Malay Mail

Malaysia Makes Huge Leap on World Press Freedom Index
A change of governments last year dramatically improved the journalism climate in Malaysia, which stood out as a bright spot in the Asia-Pacific, watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Thursday in releasing its worldwide press freedom rankings for 2019.
— Benar News

Economists see rebound in Q2,H2 this year
Malaysia’s economy is expected to rebound firmly in the second quarter and second half of the year, said analysts and economists said.
— New Straits Times

No rush to fill 4,000 public service jobs, says Sabah CM
The Sabah state government is not in a rush to fill up 4,000 vacancies in the state’s civil service as it is focusing on efficiency, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia saves US$5 billion
After coming into power last year, the Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan)-led government of Malaysia had decided to halt the progress of local projects that were run by China-based companies.
— The Asean Post

Malaysia’s judges leaderless amid tense govt-royals ties
The delay in appointing the head of Malaysia’s judiciary threatens to be the latest in a series of battles between the influential Malay royals and the 11-month-old Mahathir Mohamad administration, which is struggling to maintain support from the crucial ethnic majority.
— The Straits times

Sime Darby Property launches online platform for property purchases
Property developer Sime Darby Property Bhd today launched a new platform based on co-creation and crowdsourcing which is expected to transform the future of property buying.
— FMT

Najib’s lawyers fail to block house renovator from testifying in trial
Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyers today failed to stop a house renovator from testifying in his money-laundering trial over RM42 million of former 1Malaysia Development Berhad unit SRC International Sdn Bhd. Najib’s…
— Malay Mail

Medical marijuana advocate escapes gallows with reduced charge
A man who once headed a pro-medical marijuana group today escaped the gallows with a reduced charge of possessing 1.1kg of cannabis, or weed.
— FMT

Malaysia probes talk on Muslim women giving up headscarves
Islamic officials in Malaysia have launched an investigation into a public event that discussed women who stop wearing the hijab, according to a group of female activists who spoke at the forum.
— The Jakarta Post

Skrine says debt distress lurks among Malaysia private firms
Debt distress in the Southeast Asian nation may be understated as recent cases have involved non-listed companies in oil and gas and real-estate sectors, according to Claudia Cheah Pek Yee, a partner at Kuala Lumpur-based Skrine & Co.
— The Edge Markets

Dr M wants to bring F1 race back to Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the government intends to bring back the Formula One (F1) race due to the interest it has generated in the automotive industry among Malaysians. Although the prime minister did not say…
— Malay Mail

No need for advisories against Malaysia, says Dr M
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today says there is no need for advisories against Malaysia.
— The Edge Markets

Malaysia hopes Singapore will agree to negotiate further over Water Agreement price
At the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya last week (9 April), Malaysia and Singapore came to an agreement to consider arbitration as a resolution to the water agreement issue.
— The Online Citizen

Moody’s views govt RM6.2b aid to Felda as credit negative
Moody’s Investors Service views the Malaysian Government’s financial aid of RM6.2bil (US$1.5bil or 0.4% of GDP) to Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is credit negative.
— The Star Online

Health minister: 22 more suspected H1N1 cases in Ipoh school
PUTRAJAYA, April 19 — Twenty-two new cases suspected to be Influenza A (H1N1) were detected at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR), Ipoh, Perak until yesterday, said Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. This made the cumulative…
— Malay Mail

Gov’t will ensure pricing for 5G connectivity is reasonable: Gobind
PUTRAJAYA: The government will ensure the pricing for the fifth generation (5G) technology network usage to be set by telecommunications companies is reasonable, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh…
— New Sarawak Tribune

China keen on increasing palm oil trade with Malaysia, says China envoy
KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian on Thursday has hinted at the possible increase in the purchase of palm oil and palm oil-related products from Malaysia soon. The…
— New Sarawak Tribune

Ciggies, beer with RM126,000 in unpaid duties seized by Customs
The Customs Department seized cigarettes and alcoholic beverages with unpaid duties and arrested two persons during an operation at a shop in Tinjar, Long Lapok on Wednesday. A statement issued yesterday said the raid was carried out by the department’s enforcement personnel from …
— The Borneo Post

Take communications service complaints to CFM, not grumble on social media
There is no point in grumbling on social media when faced with communications and multimedia service problems, but to instead make official complaints with the Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM). Its director, Ahmad Izham Khairuddin said CFM acted as a …
— The Borneo Post

Capital flight could be contained following possible FTSE index exclusion
KUCHING: Malaysia’s potential exclusion from the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI) will likely see risks of capital flight to be contained within US$3 billion to US$5 billion as the market is still on the ‘Watch List’. Following its inaugural fixed income country …
— The Borneo Post

‘New Malaysia’ opens new dimension in bilateral ties — Argentinian envoy
The new Malaysian government has given a new impetus to Argentina-Malaysia bilateral ties, said Argentinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Manuel Balaguer Salas. He said Argentina is delighted with the latest development especially under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which saw …
— The Borneo Post

Sabah minister tells activists to have open mind over coal power plant
Deputy Chief Minister Madius Tangau says with improved technology, Sabahans should have another look at the coal option.
— FMT News

Water disruption in Klang Valley starting April 24
Water disruption is expected to last up to 86 hours in Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat and Kuala Selangor following upgrading of electrical supply system at the Sungai Selangor…
— Malay Mail

RHB eyes 1 million mobile app users by year-end
RHB Banking Group is looking to increase its active mobile banking users to one million by year-end following the launch of its new RHB Mobile Banking Application.
— The Star Online

Genting Malaysia’s RM1.8bil Mashpee write-off reversed?
There are several developments in the US which Affin Hwang Capital believes could possibly end up favourably and improve investor sentiment on Genting Malaysia Bhd.
— New Straits Times

Jet Airways lenders ‘reasonably hopeful’ of successful bids for grounded airline
Lenders to India’s Jet Airways Ltd said on Thursday they are ‘reasonably hopeful’ that the bidding process for the grounded airline will end successfully.
— New Straits Times

Investments from China in Malaysia expected to surge, says trade ministe
The investments from Chinese firms in Malaysia are expected to surge following the conclusion of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
— Eleven Myanmar

Cheques for Najib’s home renovation, RM56k water tank revealed in SRC trial
Two cheques were issued and received by two separate companies who carried out renovation works and over RM56,000 worth of water tank installation works at Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house, the High Court heard today….
— Malay Mail

Bigger reforms in national education soon: Dr Mahathir
The government is pushing for bigger reforms in the national education system, according to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.He said the reforms could be expected once the Special Taskforce have reviewed in entirely the national education policies, from preschool to tertiary, …
— The Sun Daily

Dr M: PH’s first year dedicated to consolidation, rehabilitation and resetting the nation
The first year of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has been dedicated to consolidation, rehabilitation and resetting the nation amid the mess created by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Lynas refutes Semambu assemblyman’s claim on waste storage issue
Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Lynas) has denied the assertion made by Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung claiming that the rare earth plant had broken a law by storing huge amount of scheduled wastes or Neutralisation Underflow Residue (NUF).
— The Sun Daily

No stray dogs exempted in Kuching anti-rabies crackdown, says Sarawak DCM
The state Disaster Management Committee today stressed that no exemption will be given to any stray or free roaming dogs targeted for removal in the anti-rabies operations here from April 22 to May 2.
— Malay Mail

Local fund buying helps KLCI recoup early losses
Blue chips closed Thursday off their intra-day lows as local funds were seen mopping up oversold banking stocks but key Asian markets ended mostly in the red on profit taking and due to trade tensions.
— The Star Online

BAT awaiting approval for ‘alternative’ products launch
British American Tobacco Bhd (BAT) is currently awaiting approval for its tobacco heating product (THP) and its flagship product Glo from the tobacco control sector and department director-general of health under the Health Ministry.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah stops Aussie cattle imports
Sabah agriculture minister Junz Wong says despite hundreds of millions of ringgit spent over the years, beef production in the state remains less than 25%.
— FMT News

Weak sentiment weighs on the Ringgit
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended its downtrend to close lower against the US dollar today, dampened by weak market sentiment towards the local currency amid declining crude oil prices, dealers said.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian creates Chrome extension to blur out Avengers: Endgame spoilers
PETALING JAYA: Do you want to enjoy scrolling through Facebook without the fear of your “friends” spoiling the Avengers: Endgame for you?
— The Star Online

With BN defeated, Malaysia leaps 21 places in Press Freedom Index
Malaysia has climbed 21 places to rank 123rd out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) annual World Press Freedom Index, following the shock results of the 14th general elections.
— Malay Mail

SPAN: Four million consumers to be affected by water treatment plant shutdown on April 24
More than four million people will face water supply disruption for up to four days from April 24 due to the shutdown of the Selangor River Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant for upgrading works.
— Malay Mail

Wang Kelian RCI: GOF officer taken off field duty after filing report alleging authorities’ collusion
A General Operations Force (GOF) officer was taken off field duty after he filed an incident report alleging authorities’ involvement in the Wang Kelian human trafficking and mass graves incident, the Royal Commission of Inquiry heard today.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Tourism Malaysia Wilayah Selatan – Melaka

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges the Declaration of Malacca as Historical City (Malacca), April 15.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Malaysia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Malaysia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.