Malaysia Morning News For December 20, 2019

Muslim nations must be strong to resist foreign interference: Mahathir
Muslim countries must be strong and independent so that they can resist foreign interference in their affairs, said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday (Dec 19).
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia finally scraps Anti-Fake News Act
Malaysia has repealed the Anti-Fake News Act following the Senate’s approval today.
— FMT

Malaysia to build first domestic arms factory with Turkish help
Turkish weapons manufacturer Tisas Trabzon Silah Sanayi has inked an agreement to establish a firearms manufacturing and assembly plant in Malaysia, which will be the first such facility in the country.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Malaysian authorities making progress on reform agenda, says IMF
The Malaysian authorities are making progress on their reform agenda, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth holding up and is projected at 4.5 per cent for 2019, driven by domestic demand, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
— The Sun Daily

Income Growth Sluggish for Malaysian Youth, Lower-Income Households: Report
Slowing income growth among lower-income households and younger workers has contributed to perceptions of being “left behind”, according to the 21st edition of the World Bank’s Malaysia Economic Monitor, launched here today.
— The World Bank (media release)

Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines gets nod for joint business structure
Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines has secured approval from regulators to launch a joint business structure in 2020.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia seeks more collaboration with China in transportation sector: Anthony Loke
Malaysia has called for more collaboration with China to enhance the transportation sector, especially in port and shipping development.
— The Sun Daily

Anti-social behavior: Malaysia vows to block misleading social media promotion after banana milk row
The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has insisted it will work with social media sites to block all food advertisements that make unvalidated nutritional or health claims, which are in direct violation of the country’s food act.
— Food navigator

Govt to raise monthly minimum wage to RM1,200 in 57 major towns
The government has decided to raise the minimum monthly wage to RM1,200 in major towns under 57 city and municipality councils, while the minimum wage remains at RM1,100 a month for the rest of the country, according to the Human Resource Ministry (MOHR).
— The Sun Daily

US Securities Commission Bans Tim Leissner And Names Najib Razak For Receiving Bribes
Sarawak Report has sighted details of the US Securities Commission ‘Cease & Desist Order’ issued on Monday 16th December against former Goldman Sacks South East Asia boss, Tim Leissner.
— Sarawak Report

Extending petrol subsidy to M40 will spur economic growth
Experts have lauded the government’s decision to extend the Targeted Fuel Subsidy Programme (PSP) to Malaysians in the middle-income bracket (M40), saying that the move will not only enhance their purchasing power but also help to boost economic growth.
— The Sun Daily

Najib exits SRC trial for 2019, back in Jan 2020
Datuk Seri Najib Razak must be breathing a sigh of relief today as he stepped down from the witness box in the High Court after testifying in his own defence for the alleged misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s banknotes free from pig fat, says Deputy Minister
The country’s banknotes are free from any animal fat and do not contain pig fat element, according to Finance Deputy Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.
— The Sun Daily

MPOB expects palm oil stocks to fall 1.5 – 2m tonnes
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) expects the country’s palm oil stocks to finish the year at 2.1 million tonnes or at least remain at the current level of 2.25 million tonnes on continued demand for the edible oil amid a lower-than-expected production.
— The Sun Daily

Rain, floods drive up prices of some veggies from Malaysia
Recent monsoon rain has affected the supply of green leafy vegetables from Malaysia and caused the price of some of them to jump.
— The Straits times

Guan Eng rejects claims of ‘no changes’ to Bandar Malaysia terms
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today rubbished claims that the Bandar Malaysia project has been revived without any changes to the terms.
— New Straits Times

Do you know … about Malaysia’s space programme?
The Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing was set up in 1988 to harness the use of space and related technologies. In 2008, it became the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency.
— The Star Online

Medical rubber gloves price expected to rise after wage hike
The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association expects medical rubber glove prices to rise next year following the increase in minimum wage that comes into effect Jan 1, 2020.
— The Sun Daily

PT3 results: SMK St Teresa straight A scorers thank teachers, parents for support
Straight A students of SMK St Teresa here were thrilled to collect their PT3 examination results today, thanking their parents, teachers and classmates for their achievements.
— The Borneo Post

Sugar dating billboard ads in Kuala Lumpur anger Malaysian netizens
With sugar dating websites such as Universe Club and Seeking Arrangement gaining popularity in Asia, fewer people are batting an eyelid at money-for-love arrangements. But advertising it on the streets of Malaysia? Now that’s a different story.
— Asia One

Indiscriminate acts of terror won’t diminish Islamophobia – Mahathir
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has underscored the need for Muslims, despite their anger and frustration, to steer away from committing indiscriminate acts of terror as this will do no favours in efforts to fight Islamophobia.
— The Borneo Post

Conclude immediately transactions on special registration numbers for vehicles: JPJ
Members of the public and concerned parties are reminded to conclude immediately dealings concerning special vehicle registration numbers before or on Dec 31.
— The Sun Daily

MALAYSIA’S DISPARITY IN MOBILE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY
IN OPENSIGNAL’S last analysis, they found that Malaysian users in thinly populated rural areas connect to 4G just 44% of the time.
— Digital NewsAsia

Right policy mix can help address Malaysians’ cost of living woes: World Bank economist
The term “cost of living” is one that has different meanings for different households, which could lead to a misconception that it is rising, despite consumer price inflation being recorded at just 1.1% in October 2019, said World Bank Malaysia lead economist Richard Record (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Ex-MCMC deputy director claims trial to 3 bribery charges
A former Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) deputy director claimed trial today to three counts of bribery amounting to RM87,000.
— The Sun Daily

Muslim countries must focus on national development, says Dr M in KL Summit keynote address
Muslim countries must focus on development to become strong and defend its ummah, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

At KL Summit, Turkish president says UN Security Council outdated, doesn’t protect Muslims
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted today that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), founded by the victors of World War Two, is outdated and is not protecting the interest of Muslim nations.
— Malay Mail

Sabah Net conferred Malaysian Top Achievers 2019 Award for inudstry excellence in ICT
Sabah Net Sdn. Bhd. was awarded the Malaysian Top Achievers 2019 Award for Industry Excellence in Information Communications Technology during the gala presentation at EQ Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on December 16.
— The Borneo Post

Kuching’s very own timber enclave
Timber industry players and those from related sectors are encouraged to occupy units at the Royal Bay Timber Enclave in Taman Riverview, Bintawa.
— New Sarawak Tribune

PGA7 seizes items worth almost RM130,000 in Malaysia-Thai border op
After only three days of ‘Op Wawasan’, the 7th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA7) has successfully seized vehicles and miscellaneous items worth RM128,898 at the Malaysia-Thailand border.
— The Sun Daily

ASNB announces record low payout for flagship fund
Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), the wholly owned unit trust company of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), has announced a distribution payout of 5.5 sen per unit for its flagship fund Amanah Saham Bumiputera for FY2019, the lowest in its history.
— The Sun Daily

PNB to boost international equity investments
Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) plans to increase its investments in international equities of developed and emerging economies, such as in the US, Europe and Asia.
— The Sun Daily

JKR: Jalan Foochow, Jalan Rengas to be closed until Dec 31 for resurfacing
Motorists using Jalan Rengas and Jalan Foochow will need to use an alternate route until January next year as the roads will be closed from today (Dec 19) until Dec 31.
— The Borneo Post

Bureaucratic procedure forces retired sergeant to live like an immigrant
A retired soldier who was a staff-sergeant had to live like an “illegal immigrant” for four years without any self-identification due to bureaucratic procedure after retiring from the Royal Malaysian Army in October 2016.
— The Sun Daily

Push for relook at probe and trial of Altantuya’s murder, says Kit Siang
Law practitioners and Malaysians seeking justice should call for a relook at the whole process of investigation, prosecution and trial of Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang (pix) said.
— The Sun Daily

Pilot project aimed at curbing drug addiction and social deviance to be extended
The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) will extend its pilot project to curb drug addiction and social deviance, with a second phase to begin from January next year.
— The Sun Daily

Food prices: Daim calls for improvement of delivery, Fomca suggests tackling monopoly
The government has to look at new measures to bring down food prices next year, Economic Advisor to the Government Tun Daim Zainuddin said yesterday.
— The Sun Daily

KPDNHEP Putrajaya seizes fake branded footwear worth RM1.3m
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) Putrajaya has seized 27,103 pairs of fake branded shoes and slippers worth RM1.3 million in two separate raids here today.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak designers take part in Selangor Fashion Week
The recently concluded Selangor Fashion Week 2019 (SFW) was a great opportunity to showcase Sarawak’s top talents and fashion products.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Rare solar eclipse in Serian on Dec 26
Sarawakians will have the rare opportunity to witness daylight darkness for nearly three minutes during a solar eclipse on Dec 26. The phenomenon will be from 10.26am to 3.30pm.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Yinson posts 24% earnings growth for third quarter
Yinson Holdings Bhd’s net profit rose by 24.4% to RM53.97 million for its third quarter ended Oct 31, 2019, from RM43.4 million reported in the same quarter of the previous year attributed to favourable foreign exchange, net reversal in impairment loss on trade and other receivables and lower impairment loss on property, plant and.
— The Sun Daily

Dialysis subsidy recipients up by 37.27 pct — Deputy Health Minister
The number of haemodialysis subsidy recipients receiving treatment at 125 dialysis centres, run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and overseen by the Health Ministry, increased by 37.27 per cent this year from the figure in 2017.
— The Borneo Post

George Kent Q3 net profit down on lower revenue
George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd reported a 50.1% decline in net profit to RM10.26 million for its third quarter ended Oct 31, 2019, from RM20.55 million reported in the corresponding period of the previous year attributed to substantially lower revenue and contribution from its engineering and construction divisions.
— The Sun Daily

Bursa Malaysia to revise listing rules to support national anti-corruption agenda
Bursa Malaysia Bhd will be changing the listing requirements for the ACE and Main Markets to encapsulate anti-corruption measures in support of the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023, the bourse said in a statement.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Akademi Bahasa Arab di Kuantan

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on Arabic Language Day, December 18.

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).

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