Malaysia Morning News For December 3, 2019

Malaysia wants to spend RM5 million to study the possibility of building a third bridge with Singapore
The third bridge between Singapore and Malaysia may not be coming so soon, but a RM5 million (S$1.6 million) study to look into its feasibility is on the horizon.
— Business Insider

Google to impose 6pc digital tax for Malaysian users from Jan 2020
Beginning January 1, 2020, Google will start charging a 6 per cent digital tax for its paid services in Malaysia. This is in line with the expansion of the Sales & Service Tax legislation in Malaysia to cover digital services.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia tops Aussie list for border alerts
Malaysians are the most common nationality of people on Australia’s list of border alerts, accounting for 11.8% of all red flags in the past year, an Australian daily reports.
— FMT

Electoral reform promises to change Malaysian politics
The victory of the Pakatan Harapan coalition in last year’s Malaysian general elections — the country’s first-ever change of government via an electoral process — raised widespread expectations for long-suppressed reform.
— East Asia Forum

Malaysia unveils first defence White Paper amid rising threats
Malaysia tabled its first defence White Paper in Parliament yesterday, but critics said the 10-year policy plan that was meant to address terror threats and military tension in the South China Sea was short on detailed strategy.
— The Straits Times

Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia bet on space as growth engine
Asian countries are betting that the space industry will provide a new engine of growth, as the global economy sputters and government finances become overstretched.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Urban to rural migration rate at 19.5% for 2018
The migration rate of the urban population to the rural areas last year was 19.5% and 4.8% for rural to urban areas, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Sabah Energy seeks natural gas investors in Japan
Sabah’s advantage as a producer of natural gas and crude oil is expected to give state-owned Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd (SEC) an edge in its pursuit of investors in Japan.
— The Borneo Post

New Kuala Lumpur-Đà Nẵng direct flight launched
Malindo Air from Malaysia officially launched its newest direct air route Đà Nẵng-Kuala Lumpur – the third direct flight after two routes connecting Hà Nội, HCM City and Kuala Lumpur – in a ceremony yesterday.
— Viet Nam News

Malaysia’s Nov manufacturing PMI at 14-month high
Malaysia’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a 14-month high of 49.5 in November from 49.3 in October, attributed to an increase in new exports business, according to IHS Markit.
— The Sun Daily

CM: Sarawak govt to find out why Standard Chartered Bank closes down Bintulu branch
The Sarawak government will find out why Standard Chartered Bank has decided to close down its branch in Bintulu.
— The Borneo Post

MHB secures contracts from Petronas Carigali, Hess Exploration
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MHB) has secured two projects from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) and Hess Exploration and Production Malaysia BV.
— The Sun Daily

Audit Report: Farmers’ subsidy and incentive scheme not managed efficiently
The Farmers Subsidy and Incentive Scheme, which is implemented to increase the country’s rice supply, is not managed prudently, efficiently and effectively, according to the Auditor-General’s Report Series 2, 2018.
— The Borneo Post

Shared Prosperity Vission strategies will help overcome poverty – Dr Mahathir
The strategies outlined by the government in the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and efforts to increase the people’s income will help the poor to come out of poverty, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Borneo Post

118,416 dengue fever cases nationwide as of November
A total 118,416 cases of dengue fever were reported nationwide from January until November 27, a 70 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2018, Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— The Borneo Post

National Audit Department: Almost RM1m in overdue payments yet to be made by Perkeso
The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) has an overdue payment of RM0.89 million yet to be paid to its suppliers with some stretching up to at least a decade, the National Audit Department (NAD) said today.
— Malay Mail

Foreign selling intensifies, RM1.5b net outflows in Nov
Foreign funds stepped up their selling of equities on Bursa Malaysia to RM761.2 million last week, four times more compared to the preceding week, according to MIDF Research.
— The Sun Daily

Authorities to keep tabs on foreigners linked to illegal activities, says Home Ministry
The Immigration Department will continue to keep a lookout for foreigners who could be involved in illicit activities in Malaysia, the Home Ministry said today.
— Malay Mail

10 amazing adventures in Malaysia for 2020
You need good levels of fitness for the two-day ascent of south-east Asia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu (4,095m).
— Telegraph

Game on if there’s demand for third floating liquefied natural gas, says Petronas
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), which is the only company to own and operate two floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels is all set for a third one if there is a demand.
— The Sun Daily

MOTAC to take action against Tattoo Malaysia Expo organiser
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will take appropriate action against the organiser of Tattoo Malaysia Expo 2019 following the semi-nude modelling seen at the event.
— The Borneo Post

Projects completed but eight federal agencies still owe Finance Ministry RM83.67m, audit finds
The 2018 Auditor-General’s Report today revealed that eight federal agencies have yet to return balance grants amounting to RM83.67 million to the Ministry of Finance.
— Malay Mail

MCMC removes 78 pct of 3,877 fake social media accounts – Gobind
A total of 3,877 fake accounts on social media have been detected, 78 per cent of which have been deleted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as of September, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— The Borneo Post

MOE to ensure no manipulating in procurement process
The Ministry of Education (MOE) will ensure that no one will be able to manipulate the process in the procurement for three services namely security (PKK), janitorial (KBK) and supply of cooked food (BMB) for contracts starting from Jan 1, 2020.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Pos Malaysia unions welcome stance on tariffs
All seven Pos Malaysia Berhad workers unions have welcomed Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s concern on postal tariffs.
— New Sarawak Tribune

99 out of 113 audit certificates given without reprimand, says Auditor-General
The National Audit Department (NAD) has audited the financial statements of 113 federal agencies for the 2018 financial year as of Aug 30, this year said Auditor-General Datuk Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid.
— The Sun Daily

Customs seizes lorry, alcoholic beverages worth RM75,000 in Miri
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has seized a lorry and 3,140 litres of alcoholic beverages worth about RM75,000 including tax at Jalan Spring, in Lutong, here yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

MOE to ensure no manipulation in procurement process
The Ministry of Education (MOE) will ensure that no one will be able to manipulate the process in the procurement for three services namely security (PKK), janitorial (KBK) and supply of cooked food (BMB) for contracts starting from Jan 1, 2020.
— The Sun Daily

CM to SFC: Engage private sector to promote Sarawak’s national parks, wildlife as tourism products
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to look into the possibility of engaging the private sector to promote and market Sarawak’s national parks and wildlife as tourism products.
— The Borneo Post

Tattoo expo organisers hauled up over half-naked models
The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau says organisers were responsible for ensuring that all events proceeded according to the rules and regulations.
— FMT News

Complete investigations quickly on meeting of ex-PKM members
The police have been directed to quickly complete investigations on the allegation of a meeting involving former members of the Malayan Communist Party (PKM) in Kajang, yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

Ewein, Consortium Zenith to undertake RM159.75m development in Penang
Ewein Bhd has entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement with Consortium Zenith Sdn Bhd (CZC) for a RM159.75 million development on 4.43-acre freehold land in Bandar Tanjong Pinang, Penang.
— The Sun Daily

Trial: Zahid, wife’s credit cards used for LV, Harrods and Armani, had RM250,000 spending limit
Former minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis had four credit cards with Ambank with a total combined spending limit of RM250,000, with such cards regularly used during November 2013 to.
— Malay Mail

78% of 3,877 fake social media accounts removed as of Sept: Gobind
A total of 3,877 fake accounts on social media have been detected, 78% of which have been deleted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as of September, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— The Sun Daily

48 complaints involving umrah and pilgrimage travel packages from Jan to present
There were 48 complaints received by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry over umrah and pilgrimage travel packages from January to October this year, says Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau).
— The Star Online

Shared Prosperity Vision strategies will help overcome poverty: Mahathir
The strategies outlined by the government in the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and efforts to increase the people’s income will help the poor to come out of poverty, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Sports Toto gives out more than RM37m jackpot in November
November must be a very auspicious month for 17 lucky winners who walked away with more than RM37 million Sports Toto jackpot.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia sweeps four gold on SEA Games opening day
The Malaysian contingent was on a roll on the first day of competition in the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines after securing four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
— New Sarawak Tribune

PM says racial inequality impeding Malaysia’s success, but govt can’t clear hurdles alone
Malaysia’s celebrated multi-racial composition is also its bane when there’s a large disparity in income and achievements among the different demographic groups, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
— Malay Mail

Ringgit opens slightly lower against US dollar
The ringgit opened marginally lower against the US dollar today on lack of demand for the local note amid cautious sentiment surrounding the US-China trade negotiation, said a dealer.
— The Sun Daily

Tabling of Defence White Paper main event in Parliament today
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu (pix) will be tabling the Defence White Paper (DWP) after the Oral Question-and-Answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
— The Sun Daily

National flag incident: Cops to record IT company MD’s statement again tomorrow
Police will once again summon the managing director of a information technology consulting firm to facilitate investigation over the incident in which a Jalur Gemilang with a five-pointed star was electronically displayed at the opening ceremony of a basketball tournament, here last month.
— The Sun Daily

S’wak Math and Science teachers to receive tutoring from English teaching colleagues
Year One Mathematics and Science teachers in Sarawak can be paired with English language teachers to improve their proficiency as they teach both subjects in English starting next year, suggests education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin.
— The Star Online

Claim your place and show your worth, little people advised
Little people should claim their place in society by showing their worth, the National Organisation of Dwarfs Malaysia said.
— The Sun Daily

3,000 athletes from 29 countries converge in Kuching to take part in 21st AMAC Kuching 2019
About 3,000 athletes from 29 countries are currently in Kuching to take part in the 21st Asia Masters Athletics Championship (AMAC) Kuching 2019 which is held from today until December 7.
— The Borneo Post

Feature photo Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Civil Aviation Day, December 7.

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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