Malaysia Morning News For December 30, 2019

Visa-free entry will see more Chinese, Indians visiting Malaysia
The number of tourist arrivals from China and India is expected to increase with the government’s move to provide a 15-day visa-free entry to Malaysia for a one year period from Jan 1.
— New Straits times

What will Beijing do now that Malaysia has discovered the art of the deal in the South China Sea?
“I’m always moving. I’m moving in both directions,” US President Donald Trump once said, boasting about his “art of the deal” unpredictability strategy. But if there is any world leader who truly embodies multidirectional dynamism, it’s Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
— South China morning Post

THE LAST GREEN MILE: Malaysia’s environmental activists and conservationists reflect on the year that was and the way forward
AS I see it, 2019 has been a year of irretrievable losses. From the forest fires of the Amazon and Indonesia (and many other parts of the world) to losing our last Sumatran rhino and reading of the plight of our indigenous communities who have long been guardians of our natural heritage, it seems like conservation has been on the backburner of many governments’ policies and priorities.
— New Straits times

NGO calls for review of Environmental Quality Act 1974
The Environmental Quality Act 1974 must be reviewed in 2020 in order to punish environmental offenders accordingly, said Alliance of Safety Community (Ikatan) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
— The Borneo Post

Fake news galore in 2019, but Malaysians know the truth
The year 2019 that is about to end in two days time witnessed numerous fake news swirling on the social media and at times even reaching the mainstream media, thanks to perpetrators who have gone into overdrive spinning misinformation and the ignorant who made them viral.
— The Sun Daily

Foreign minister: Indian govt’s summoning of Malaysian envoy has not jeopardised bilateral ties
The Indian government’s recent action in summoning the acting Malaysian High Commissioner there, has not jeopardised the relationship between both countries, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said today.
— Malay Mail

Make road safety part of new year resolutions, says road safety NGO
Reducing the number of accidents and practising road traffic safety must be on the list of new year resolutions of every Malaysian, said Alliance of Safety Community (Ikatan) chairman.
— Malay Mail

TNB’s second large scale solar project 84% complete
Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) second Large Scale Solar (LSS) project, located in Bukit Selambau, Kedah, is on track for completion before the end of 2020, as over 84% of the project has been completed to-date.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian teenager dies in skateboarding incident in Australia
A Malaysian teenager, Mohammad Farhan Fudhail Mohammad Farid, died in a skateboarding incident in Townsville, Queensland, Australia on Saturday (Dec 28).
— CNA

Groups will challenge Jawi teaching in court, if all else fails
Non-governmental organisations and education groups that are against the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools will take legal action to challenge its implementation, if all other attempts to pressure the ministry to reverse the policy fail.
— The Sun Daily

Safety and security to be prioritised on reopening of embassy in N. Korea: Saifuddin
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said all security and safety measures will continue to be prioritised regarding Malaysia’s decision to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea, next year.
— The Sun Daily

First batch of MPKKPs to number over 2,000
The Ministry of Rural Development has received more than 2,000 applications from throughout Sarawak for the first batch of Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP).
— The Borneo Post

Sarawak records 225 pct rise in dengue cases
The accumulative number of dengue cases in Sarawak recorded a sharp increase of 225.09 per cent this year.
— The Borneo Post

Sabah threatened by critical wildlife extinction
2019 has been a challenging year for Sabah in terms of preservation and conservation of its wildlife and environment, which has witnessed several tragic events including the threat of extinction of some of the state’s most endangered species.
— The Borneo Post

Cut ministers, politicians’ allowances if necessary: Mohamed Azmin
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix) is of the view that there should be no problem for ministers and politicians’ allowances to be slashed to support the government efforts to better manage the country’s spending.
— The Sun Daily

Works Minister: Over 2,800 community councils to be launched in Sarawak next year
The first batch of 2,847 Federal Village Community Management Councils (MPKKP) will be launched in Sarawak next month after the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development has given its approval, Works Minister Baru Bian said.
— Malay Mail

Eatery owners, operators ready for smoking ban
Eatery owners and operators are ready for the implementation of the smoking ban with the no-smoking signage and notices having been put up at their respective premises, although they have more two days to do so before the ban comes into force.A
— The Sun Daily

Lynas and Sungai Lembing tragedy puts Pahang in the limelight in 2019
The rare earth processing company Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Lynas) which operates in Gebeng Industrial Area here, continues to be at the centre of the public’s eye after its operating license that was to expire on Sept 2 had been extended to March 2, 2020.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah Govt upholds religious freedom – CM
The Sabah Government upholds freedom of religion and peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the people, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
— The Borneo Post

PH Wanita to place 6,000 members to assist in Kimanis by-election
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) Wanita wing is ready to place 6,000 members in the Kimanis parliamentary constituency to assist the election machinery to secure the victory for the candidate of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) in the upcoming by-election.
— The Sun Daily

Report: ‘Strong enforcement action’ against unlicensed Singapore-Johor carpool services
Drivers caught providing hire-and-reward carpool services between Singapore and Johor without a valid public service vehicle licence (PSVL) could be jailed and fined, CNA reported today.
— The Sun Daily

Azmin: Cut ministers, politicians’ allowances if necessary
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is of the view that there should be no problem for ministers and politicians’ allowances to be slashed to support the government efforts to better.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian institute to help train teachers in southern Thailand
The Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Kota Baru (IPGKKB) will be working with the authorities in southern Thailand in an effort to improve the quality of education in the region.
— Malay Mail

Cracks, cave-ins along rural roads in northern Sarawak due to prolonged rain
Rural roads in parts of northern Sarawak are being affected by cracks and cave-ins, thus posing a danger to travellers.
— The Star Online

Adib’s inquest verdict and water woes grabs Selangor’s attention in 2019
The year 2019 saw the gruelling process to determine the cause of death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim following a riot near here in November 2018 finally come to an end.
— The Sun Daily

Uggah: Education fund to be set up to assist Bukit Saban students selected for higher education
An education fund to assist Bukit Saban students selected for higher education will be set up next year, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
— The Borneo Post

Wisma Putra confirms 5 members of Malaysian family injured in road crash in Egypt
Five members of a Malaysian family were involved in a road crash in Egypt last Saturday (Dec 28).
— The Borneo Post

GOF sezies smuggled cigarettes and frozen chicken in Pasir Mas
Some 1,500 cartons of the ‘Saat’ brand white cigarettes, worth RM450,000 including in unpaid tax, were seized by the 7th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA7) in a raid at an illegal jetty in Tanjung Baru, Pasir Mas, yesterday.
— The Sun Daily

Wisma Putra confirms five members of Malaysian family injured in road crash in Egypt
Five members of a Malaysian family were involved in a road crash in Egypt on Saturday (Dec 28).
— The Sun Daily

Here’s a list of 15 policies and laws to get you excited about 2020
Don’t know what to expect in 2020? Fear not! Malay Mail is here to help. Here is a list of new laws and policies which are taking effect next year, some even as early as January 1, 2020.
— Malay Mail

PSB to contest where it can win
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has yet to finalise the seats it will contest in the coming 11th state election. But its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh is looking beyond just Chinese majority seats.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Farmers told to look after durian trees
Durian trees must not be left unmaintained, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Rapes involving underage cause for concern
Although reported rapes in Penang indicate a reduction over the past six years, the majority of cases involving victims aged 17 and below stands at 78 per cent of the total number of cases comprising 462, and the police are viewing the matter seriously.
— The Borneo Post

M’sian institute to help train teachers in southern Thailand
The Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Kota Bharu (IPGKKB) will be working with the authorities in southern Thailand in an effort to improve the quality of education in the region.
— The Sun Daily

13% drop in dengue cases in Perlis this year
The number of dengue cases recorded in Perlis from January to Dec 7 this year dropped by 13.2% to 276 from 318 in the same period last year, according to state Health Committee chairman Teh Chai Aan.
— The Sun Daily

Hadi defends ‘Malay world’ remark, tells other races to be grateful to Malays who came first
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang defended today his earlier remark aimed at ethnic Chinese educationists that they were living in a “Malay World” by asserting that the other Malaysian races should be grateful to the.
— Malay Mail

Thanks to volunteers, diners can pay as they wish at this vegetarian restaurant in KL
Over 30 years ago, a Hindu religious teacher had a vision of a world without hunger. He then started a vegetarian restaurant, which allowed patrons to “eat as they wish and pay as they feel”.
— CNA

Reps raise RM90,000 for brain surgery machine
Sibu Hospital will buy back a soft tissue ultrasonic aspirator machine from a company.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Malay-majority village holds Christmas-New Year celebration
Kampung Muhibbah, a Malay-majority village in Kuala Baram, held a Christmas and New Year celebration yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

‘Cut ministers, politicians’ allowances if necessary’
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is of the view that there should be no problem for ministers and politicians’ allowances to be slashed to support the government efforts to better manage the country’s spending.
— The Borneo Post

Unemployed man caught with 10gm of methamphetamine
Police arrested an unemployed man and seized 10.34gm of methamphetamine when they raided a room in Jalan Melayu Centrepoint, here today.
— The Sun Daily

Report on bungalow affected by soil movement ready by Jan 8
A full report on the status of a bungalow at Jalan Kelab Ukay 2, Taman Kelab Ukay, Ampang, and soil movement in the area will be submitted to the Selangor government on Jan 8, said Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Kazakhstan-Langkawi special chartered flights will boost Visit Malaysia Year 2020
Three special chartered flights by Kompas Tour from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Langkawi are expected to boost the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 campaign to the duty-free resort island.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Save the Rhino

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on environmental concerns throughout Asean — death of Malaysia’s last Sumatran rhinoceros.

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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