Malaysia morning news for December 31

Malaysia morning news for December 31
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Malaysia morning news

Malaysia to impose 6% tax on overseas-based services purchased online from Jan 1
Consumers in Malaysia could be paying 6 per cent more if they buy or subscribe to overseas-based digital services, with the imposition of the digital tax on Wednesday (Jan 1).
— The Straits Times

Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan Government Undertakes 3 New Defense Plans
The country is planning on following through on its defense white paper launch with a series of additional plans.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

Malaysia’s Mahathir to keep Anwar waiting in 2020
As Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition enters its second full year in office, uncertainty over whether Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will hand power as promised to a chosen successor will shadow and potentially destabilize the nation’s politics in 2020.
— Asia times

Tourism Malaysia targets 7% increase in Chinese and Indian visitors in 2020
Tourism Malaysia is targeting an approximate increase of 7% in Chinese and Indian tourist arrivals, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020.
— The Sun Daily

Mita chief: Visa exemption will make Malaysia more attractive holiday destination for 2020
The 15-day visa-free stay in Malaysia next year that has been extended by the government for tourists from China and India will make the country more competitive in attracting them to come for their holiday.
— Malay Mail

KTMB introduces flexi fare for ETS effective March 2020
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) is introducing a more affordable fare for those wishing to travel on its Electric Trains Service (ETS) effective March 1 next year with the introduction of the flexi fare.
— The Sun Daily

Petronas completes 50% stake buy in Brazil oil concessions
Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) subsidiary Petronas Petróleo Brasil Ltda (PPBL) has completed the acquisition of a 50% equity in the Tartaruga Verde producing field (BM-C-36 concession) and Module III of the Espadarte field (Espadarte concession), both located in deep waters of the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil.
— The Sun Daily

StarHub, U Mobile to test 5G roaming in S’pore, Malaysia
StarHub and Malaysian mobile service provider U Mobile will conduct 5G standalone roaming trials in Singapore and Malaysia starting in the first quarter of next year, they said in a joint media statement yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Foreign investors return, net inflow at RM53 million
Foreign investors have turned net buyers in the equities market with a net inflow of RM53.31 million in the Dec 23-26 period against an outflow of RM57.7 million a week earlier, as the US-China trade dispute gradually dissipated.
— The Sun Daily

Power bank “explodes” on board, grounds AirAsia flight in Vietnam
An AirAsia flight that was travelling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Hong Kong, was reportedly diverted to Ho Chi Minh City to make an emergency landing due to an “exploding” power bank that caused burn injuries to a passenger aboard flight AK130.
— Soyacincau

Seaports the bright spot for transport sector
AmInvestment Research sees the seaport segment as the bright spot for the transportation sector, forecasting a container volume growth of 4% to 5%.
— The Sun Daily

MH17 trial hopes to bring closure to victims’ families, says Ukraine’s ambassador to Malaysia
The court proceedings examining criminal responsibility in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which will start in March next year, will hopefully bring closure for the victim’s next-of-kin, families.
— Malay Mail

What really went wrong with Malaysia in 2019?
IN two of my recent columns, I wrote on Malaysia’s lost strength and Malaysia’s lost unity.
— The Star Online

Penang Forum to protest RM1b seafront development
Penang Forum will hold a series of protests against the proposed RM1 billion Eastern Seafront Development.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak Amanah not planning to yield seats to allies, says deputy chairman
The Sarawak chapter of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) does not plan to give up any of its seats to another component party of the state Pakatan Harapan (PH), deputy chairman Andri Zulkarnaen said today.
— Malay Mail

KDN to set up consultative council to strengthen policies, security enforcement
The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) will set up a Security and Public Order Consultative Council (MPMKKA) which will play a role of advising the ministry on policy planning and matters regarding security enforcement.
— The Borneo Post

Visa-free entry apt and timely – Liew
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew (pic) hails the government policy of visa-free entry for tourists from China and India throughout 2020.
— The Borneo Post

Bird’s nests worth RM2.1m seized at Kuching International Airport
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department recently seized RM2.108 million worth of undeclared bird’s nests bound for Hong Kong.
— The Sun Daily

DAP leader says disappointed court order used to bar Dong Zong congress on jawi
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today voiced his party’s disappointment with a court order obtained by the police to prevent a congress organised by Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong to discuss the implementation of.
— Malay Mail

Despite not signing UN treaty, there will be focus on helping refugees, says Saifuddin
Despite Malaysia’s decision to not ratify the 1951 International Convention on Refugees, 2020 will see efforts to improve assistance to refugees here, including in health services, work permits and education for the children, says the Foreign Minister.
— The Star Online

Foreigners bought RM69.9m equities on Bursa last week
International investors acquired RM69.9 million net of local equities last week compared to RM68.7 million net bought in the week before.
— The Sun Daily

2019 a challenging year for media industry in Malaysia
The year 2019 witnessed the media industry in the country, especially the print media, facing a challenging situation with the shutdown of several major newspapers, as well as rationalisation plan by media companies that saw many workers being laid off.
— The Borneo Post

Guan Eng: Cabinet decision on highway takeovers next week
The Cabinet will finalise its decision over the proposed takeover of Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS) Malaysia Bhd and four other highway concessionaires by Gamuda Berhad next week.
— Malay Mail

Centre of excellence for maritime to ensure sovereignty from next year
Wisma Putra will establish a centre of excellence for maritime services next year in order to strengthen the sovereignty of Malaysian waters, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Carimin Petroleum bags IHUC contract from Petronas Carigali
Carimin Petroleum Bhd has accepted a letter of award for the provision of integrated hook-up and commissioning (IHUC) services for Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.
— The Sun Daily

Compound for smokers at eateries from Jan 1
The smoking ban at all prohibited areas including eateries will be fully enforced effective Jan 1 and individuals found smoking at these premises will be subjected to a compound of RM250, said health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
— The Sun Daily

TNB’s Jimah East Power fully operational
The second of two coal-fired power plants owned and run by Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) subsidiary, Jimah East Power Sdn Bhd (JEP) has commenced its commercial operation date (COD) last Friday.
— The Sun Daily

Low income earners still to see boon from economic growth
The Malaysian economy may be on the upswing, but the poorest in the country have yet to get a taste of the bounty.
— The Sun Daily

Customs: Netflix, Spotify, Airbnb among 126 registered for 6pc digital tax in Malaysia
At least 126 foreign digital service providers including Google, Netflix, Spotify, Airbnb have registered with the government for the 6 per cent digital tax to be imposed from January 1, the Customs Department has confirmed.
— Malay Mail

Govt to adopt holistic plan to curb influx of illegal immigrants, says Muhyiddin
A Holistic Plan on Enforcement Against Illegal Immigrants will be launched next year to combat in a comprehensive manner the influx of illegal immigrants in the country.
— The Star Online

Child restraint systems: KPDNHEP will monitor online sales
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will closely monitor the online sale of child restraint systems (CRS), which are widely available, to ensure they comply with the stipulated standards.
— The Sun Daily

Bid to smuggle bird nests worth over RM2m foiled
Th Royal Maleaysian Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle out processed bird nests worth RM 2.108 million at the Kuching International Airport, two days ago.
— Malay Mail

Poh Kong foresees better gold prices next year
Poh Kong Holdings Bhd is forecasting an uptick in gold prices next year to between US$1,600 and US$1,700 per ounce.
— The Sun Daily

Wisma Putra: Malaysian victims of Egypt crash in stable condition
All five Malaysians involved in a road crash in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday (December 28) were reported to be in stable condition.
— Malay Mail

Maritime centre to strengthen sovereignty of Malaysian waters, says Saifuddin
Wisma Putra will establish a centre of excellence for maritime services next year in order to strengthen the sovereignty of Malaysian waters, says Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
— The Star Online

Yong: Ferry service across Samarahan River expected to operate come March 2021
Residents living at Kampung Beliong will soon be able to get to Samarahan without relying on ‘sampans’, as a ferry service across Samarahan River is expected to operate come March 2021.
— The Borneo Post

U Mobile and Starhub to be first in world to conduct 5G SA roaming trial
U Mobile Malaysia and Singapore’s StarHub have announced that they will be conducting one of the world’s first 5G standalone (5G SA) roaming trials.
— The Sun Daily

IUMS: Malaysian higher education system is internationally recognised
The Malaysian higher education system, which is of international stature, is often used an an example and guide by many nations of the world.
— Malay Mail

KKB Engineering set to clinch more jobs in Sarawak
Affin Hwang Capital said prospects for KKB Engineering Bhd to expand its construction order book are good given the Sarawak government’s plan to accelerate infrastructure spending to improve the water supply and road network in the state.
— The Sun Daily

Travel agency seeks to include Azmin’s children in suit over unpaid bills
Its lawyer says an application to amend the lawsuit will be filed by this week.
— FMT News

Put off smoking ban until challenge is disposed of, says group
Association wants smoking ban at eateries extended by another six months.
— FMT News

Dr Zakir Naik should not feature in university syllabus, says Penang mufti
Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik should not have been included in the syllabus of a university.
— Malay Mail

Look at my ministry’s report card, Maszlee tells Ramasamy on education reforms
The Penang deputy chief minister II had said Putrajaya lacked the leadership and dynamism needed to reform public universities.
— FMT News

Make Malaysia more disabled-friendly: Nasom
It is time to make Malaysia a more friendly destination for people with special needs, according to National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) president Feilina Feisol.
— The Sun Daily

MACC submits report on Lauan Port to HQ
The Labuan Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has submitted a report on alleged conspiracy in the Labuan Port’s tender process to its headquarters for further action.
— The Borneo Post

2019 in Penang: Fatal landslide and first step towards implementation of PTMP
Several incidents in 2019 had put Penang at the centre of media coverage, including a landslide that killed four workers from Myanmar on June 25.
— 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).

 

 

About Malaysia morning news.

Malaysia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Malaysia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Malaysia English language news today.

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Sreypov Men recently completed a course of study in International Relations at the Institute of Foreign Languages.

She commenced as an intern at AEC News Today and was appointed as a junior writer/ trainee journalist on April 2, 2018

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