Malaysia morning news for July 23

Malaysia morning news for July 23
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Malaysia morning news

SME Corp targets digitalisation of all SMEs by 2024
SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) expects all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country to embrace digitalisation in their business operations within five years compared with the current 32 per cent.
— The Sun Daily

Jho Low personally called when Najib faced credit card woes in Hawaii, court told
Former AmBank account relationship manager Joanna Yu Ging Ping told the High Court today that she would be contacted personally by Low Taek Jho on behalf of Datuk Seri Najib Razak when the then prime minister’s credit.
— Malay Mail

Fitch Ratings affirms Maybank’s IDRs at A minus, outlook stable
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the long-term foreign- and local-currency issuer default ratings (IDRs) of Malayan Banking Bhd at “A-“.
— The Star Online

Dr M unveils VM 2020 logo, sets 30 million tourist arrivals target
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad unveiled the Visit Malaysia 2020 logo here and set a target of 30 million international tourist arrivals next year.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s $100BN Smart Island City
Malaysia are raising four artificial islands from the waters of the Johor Strait and constructing a USD $100BN smart city from scratch.
— The B1M (video)

Malaysian demand for cheap labour fuels Thai human trafficking spike
Malaysia too demands cheap labour, causing a rise in illegal trade.
— FMT News

Trade war means tough to meet 3% fiscal deficit target for 2020, says Guan Eng
The finance minister says he is ‘cautiously confident’ about meeting Putrajaya’s full year growth forecast of 4.3% to 4.8%.
— FMT News

Jho Low requested for Najib’s accounts to be identified by code: Witness (Updated)
Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (pix) who is also known as Jho Low had requested for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s bank accounts to be identified by a code name for confidentiality reasons.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia will bid to keep international civil aviation seat
Anthony Loke said today the government will submit its bid to retain its seat on the United Nations’ (UN) main decision making body for civil aviation arm — the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) council.
— Malay Mail

Shadowed by trade war, Malaysia says 2020 fiscal deficit target a ‘challenge’
Malaysia will find it challenging to meet its 3% fiscal deficit target for next year due to uncertainties around the US-China trade war, the finance minister told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
— The Star Online

China investors’ appetite for Malaysian properties grows
With investors from China showing strong interest in properties in Southeast Asia, Chinese investments in Malaysia’s residential real estate are expected to double by 2025.
— The Sun Daily

Finance Ministry: Sarawak to get RM350m for school repairs provided RM350m loan repaid
The federal government is ready to extend RM350 million to the Sarawak state government to repair dilapidated schools in the state, said the Ministry Of Finance.
— Malay Mail

NPLs of hawkers, small traders rises to 98%
Non-performing loans (NPLs) involving hawkers and small traders through financing facilities under the supervision of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs since 2013 have risen to 98%, its minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
— The Sun Daily

Selangor-linked sand miner confirms diesel spillage behind massive Klang Valley water outage
Kumpulan Semester Sdn Bhd (KSSB),a Selangor-linked sand mining firm, confirmed today diesel spillage at a site near Sungai Selangor after diesel pollution forced authorities to turn off water supply to over a million.
— Malay Mail

MOE studies need to establish national type Tamil secondary school: Deputy minister
The Education Ministry is studying the need to establish Tamil national type secondary school to improve the education level of the Indian community.Its deputy minister Teo Nie Ching (pix) said the ministry had set up an Indian Community Education Advisory Committee to study the matter.
— The Sun Daily

Bank Negara foreign reserves up US$600m at July 15
Bank Negara Malaysia’s international reserves rose by US$600mil to US$103.3bil as at July 15, 2019 from two weeks prior.
— The Star Online

Papar district heath office studying impact of smoke candy
The Papar District health office is studying a “smoke candy” that is being consumed by students in SK Pekan, as concerns have been raised that it encourages children to smoke cigarettes.
— The Star Online

BNM international reserves rise 0.6% to US$103.3b as at July 15
Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) international reserves amounted to US$103.3 billion (RM424.4 billion) as at July 15, 0.6% than the US$102.7 billion as at June 28.
— The Sun Daily

RAM: Malaysia to see higher inflation of 1.6% for June
Malaysia’s inflation rate is expected to accelerate to 1.6% in June from the 0.2% expansion in May, according to RAM Ratings. The Department of Statistics is expected to release the June inflation figure this Wednesday.
— The Sun Daily

Law to be amended to expose real beneficiaries of corrupt activities – Latheefa
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 will be amended to include a provision on beneficial ownership to ensure that the real owners of enterprises cannot escape lawsuits and enforcement action, said MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.
— The Borneo Post

Anti-corruption measures required for listed companies
Listed companies will be required to put in place anti-corruption measures, among other recommendations made by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) as part of its action plan in support of the National Anti-Corruption Plan (2019-2023) (NACP).
— The Sun Daily

Citing 1MDB, SRC International, MACC urges govt to amend law to expose real owners in companies
The new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief hopes the government will soon table in Parliament its plan to compel companies to disclose the identities of the shadowy owners who are unnamed in the register but.
— Malay Mail

‘Gangsters’ squeezed RM80,000 from Rohingya in Malaysia to fund arms for insurgent group, says report
The syndicate operates in seven states, and uses hawala and Western Union to channel money to Arsa.
— FMT News

1MDB suit against landowner transferred to Penang High Court
1MDB claims landowner failed to executive agreement on exchange of land despite having been paid RM6 million.
— FMT News

Azmin makes courtesy call on Perak MB
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali today paid a courtesy visit to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here.
— Malay Mail

Deputy minister: Education Ministry studies need to establish national type Tamil secondary school
The Education Ministry is studying the need to establish Tamil national type secondary school to improve the education level of the Indian community.
— Malay Mail

Cops record statement of PKR rep over sex video case
A PKR state assemblyman has been summoned by Bukit Aman to have his statement recorded in connection with the sex video implicating Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
— The Star Online

2018: Very drastic hike in calls concerning fires
The drastic hike in incidents of fire nationwide last year is very alarming and requires more proactive preventive measures and enforcement when 36,043 calls over fire were recorded compared to 28,853 calls in 2017.
— The Sun Daily

Group protests Mardi’s application to test-plant genetically-modified rice
A group of farmers and non-government organisations are objecting to Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute’s (Mardi) application to plant the genetically-modified (GM) rice MR219 on a test field.
— The Star Online

Rural tourism road category needed to get road repair allocation in Sabah
Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has proposed that a Rural Tourism Road category be created to facilitate the government’s efforts to provide special allocations for road maintenance or upgrade.
— The Sun Daily

S’wak economy needs to be developed in tandem with current global trends: CM
Sarawak economy needs to be developed in tandem with the current global trends, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. In view of this, Abang Johari said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is currently transforming Sarawak towards digital economy. .
— The Borneo Post

Jho Low relayed messages purportedly from Najib to AmInvestment Bank
The High Court heard today (Mon, July 22) that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho had on occasions relayed messages, purportedly from Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to the relationship manager at AmInvestment Bank Bhd, who was handling the former prime minister’s accounts.
— The Star Online

UOB Kay Hian Research sees brighter outlook for cement, steel
UOB Kay Hian Malaysia Research sees a brighter outlook for the cement and steel products in the second half of 2019, underpinned by higher average selling prices (ASPs) folowing the consolidation in the industry and more construction activities.
— The Star Online

Najib appointed ex-SRC CEO to manage his current accounts, court told
Ambank’s former relationship manager also says she sought assistance from Jho Low whenever former SRC CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil could not be contacted.
— FMT News

MACC Act to include provision for beneficial ownership: Latheefa
The government will amend the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 to include a provision on beneficial ownership.This will make the MACC more effective by boosting its enforcement capabilities, said its Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya.
— The Sun Daily

Number of human trafficking victims in Thailand at record high following demand for cheap labour in Malaysia
The number of human trafficking victims rescued in Thailand is set to hit a record high this year, according to government data, with demand for cheap labour in neighbouring Malaysia causing a jump in the illegal trade.
— Malay Mail

Independence an option if Putrajaya fails to return Sarawak’s rights, says NGO
The Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration says Sarawakians are beginning to realise the importance for the state to have a say in running its affairs.
— FMT News

Najib’s current accounts had high volume of transactions: Ex-banker
A former banker in Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s (pix) trial today told the High Court here that the former prime minister’s three current accounts had a high volume of transactions between 2011 and 2015.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak CM boasts of ‘excellent’ state economy after auditor-general’s clean bill of health
Sarawak has managed its economy well without any assistance from anyone, Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg asserted today.
— Malay Mail

RAM Ratings sees June inflation surging to 1.6%
RAM Ratings expects Malaysia’s overall inflation rate to accelerate to 1.6% in June (May: 0.2%), fuelled by the low-base effects arising from the removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) last year.
— The Star Online

Penang activist moots audit, public KPI for state officials’ overseas trips
There should be a public audit to justify the overseas working trips taken by Penang government officials, Lim Mah Hui of a state-based social group called Penang Forum said today.
— Malay Mail

Sapa pledges full support for S’wak govt in OMO amendment
Sarawak Association for People’s Aspiration (Sapa) president Dominique Ng has pledged his full support for the Sarawak government in the amendment of the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO). According to him, the Petroleum Development Act does not apply to Sarawak as it was never passed through State Legislative Assembly.
— The Borneo Post

88 people high on drugs nabbed at entertainment centre
Eighty-eight people who turned a family entertainment centre in Puchong into a drug joint were arrested when police raided the place late last night.Serdang district police chief ACP Ismadi Borhan said the suspects, aged between 18 and 50, included 84 Indonesians who are mostly labourers and factory workers.
— The Sun Daily

More US firms shift towards Malaysia
Malaysia can expect more US firms to establish their presence here amid the ongoing US-China trade war.
— The Sun Daily

MAHB to complete act of aggression exercise by 2022
Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) aims to complete the Act of Aggression exercise at all local airports under its management by 2022, says chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Motac wants to list Balik Pulau festival in Visit Malaysia Year 2020 calendar
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will consider listing the Balik Pulau Festival in the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 calendar.Its Deputy Minister, Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, said the first Balik Pulau Festival which ended today was a great success.
— The Sun Daily

Hannah Yeoh leads TTDI residents in saying resounding no to scaled down Rimba Kiara project
The Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents Association (TTDI-RA) and a group of longhouse residents living on Taman Rimba Kiara, led by their MP Hannah Yeoh, gave a huge thumbs down to developing one of the city’s last green.
— Malay Mail

Despite drizzle, SAPA and S4S supporters throng Padang Merdeka to observe Sarawak’s independence day (Video)
Despite the morning downpour, hundreds of supporters of Sarawak Association For Peoples’ Aspiration (SAPA) and the Sarawak 4 Sarawakians (S4S) movement turned up at Padang Merdeka to celebrate Sarawak’s independence day.
— The Borneo Post

Sungai Selangor, Rantau Panjang water treatment plants resume operations
Operations at the Sungai Selangor phases 1, 2 and 3 and the Rantau Panjang water treatment plants which were shut down yesterday due to diesel pollution have been resumed at about 3.30am today.
— The Sun Daily

Ministries pledge to work together to address sale of vape to pupils
The Ministry of Education (MOE) will work with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to address the problem of electronic cigarettes and vape being sold to schoolchildren.theSun in a special report today highlighted concerns raised over cigarette-like candies being sold to kids.
— The Sun Daily

Maju’s Bright Focus proposes sukuk restructuring
Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary Bright Focus Bhd is proposing a sukuk-restructuring exercise to improve the weak structure of the Islamic debt issue. It involves a sukuk-to-sukuk swap and the issuance of a new sukuk.
— The Sun Daily

Implementation on noise regulations still low: Niosh
The implementation on sound regulations among employers and workers in several critical sectors in the manufacturing and construction industries in the country is still low, said National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
— The Sun Daily

Water theft: Span raids cement plant in Seremban
The National Water Services Commission (Span) today raided a cement mixing premises at Kampung Jimah Baru, here, suspected to be illegally tapping treated water for its day to day operations .
— The Sun Daily

Two men acquitted of 2016 Setapak murder of moneylender
Two men escaped the gallows after the High Court acquitted them of the murder of a moneylender who was gunned down in broad daylight in Setapak almost three years ago.
— The Star Online

Jakoa: Respect Orang Asli’s freedom of religion
The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is urging the relevant authorities to respect the Orang Asli’s freedom of religion and solve the issue of “Islam” specified as the religion in the MyKads of those who are non-Muslims.
— The Star Online

Fitch affirms Hong Leong Bank IDR at A minus, stable outlook
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the long-term issuer default rating (IDR) of Hong Leong Bank Bhd at “A-” with a stable outlook.
— The Star Online

Give Sarawak back its dues under MA63, group tells Putrajaya
The Sarawak Association of People’s Aspirations today reminded the federal government of the state’s full constitutional rights nearly 60 years after the signing of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
— Malay Mail

MACC looking into ‘punitive cases’ based on AG report
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up a task force to investigate cases which call for punitive action with regard to irregularities disclosed in the latest Auditor-General’s Report.
— The Sun Daily

Singapore stocks up on low-sulphur fuel ahead of new shipping rules
Under new International Maritime Organization rules, ships must reduce the sulphur content of the fuel they burn to 0.5% from the current 3.5% from January 2020.
— FMT News

Junz Wong: Sabah can be net exporter of Cavendish bananas
Sabah can become a net exporter of Cavendish bananas, says Sabah Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Junz Wong.
— The Star Online

PTP looking to expand free trade zone by 141.64ha
Following the increasing interest in its free trade zone, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is looking at expanding the area by an additional 141.64 hectares in phases over the next few years.
— The Sun Daily

Pillion rider succumbs to injuries in accident at Beratok
A pillion rider succumbed to her injuries after being involved in an accident at Mile 21, Beratok, Jalan Kuching/Serian early this morning.
— The Borneo Post

I’m planning to register a startup in Malaysia. Where do I begin?
Sun SEA Capital’s ST Chua answers common questions regarding registering and starting up in Malaysia 1. What are the key factors to consider before setting up a tech business in Malaysia?
— e27

PTP looking to expand free trade zone by 141.64 hectares
Following the increasing interest in its free trade zone, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is looking at expanding the area by an additional 141.64 hectares in phases over the next few years.
— The Sun Daily

RAM reaffirms Tanjung Bin Energy’s AA3 sukuk rating for RM3.29b Sukuk
RAM Ratings has reaffirmed the AA3/Stable rating of Tanjung Bin Energy Issuer Bhd’s RM3.29bil Sukuk Murabahah (2012/2032).
— The Star Online

Sabah Umno Youth cry foul over DCM’s comment on 38-year-old mass Islamisation of Tambunan natives
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Madius Tangau’s recent Facebook post on the mass conversion of villagers in Tambunan nearly 40 years ago has the state’s Umno Youth seeing red.
— Malay Mail

Negri Sembilan SMEs participating in Malaysia Fest at Singapore
Four small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Negri Sembilan will be taking part in the Malaysia Fest 2019, to be held July 25-28 in Changi, Singapore, as part of the state’s efforts to promote agro-based products.
— The Sun Daily

Smelling sabotage, SPAN files police report on Sg Selangor diesel contamination
The National Water Service Commission (SPAN) filed a police report today urging the authorities to investigate the possibility of sabotage at four raw water treatment facilities in Selangor.
— Malay Mail

MACC releases cops, seeks remand for DPP and lawyer nabbed for brazen bribery attempt in court
Corruption investigators will be applying to hold longer a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) and a private lawyer who was arrested on suspicion of taking bribes at the Kuala Kubu Baru courthouse last week after the expiry of.
— Malay Mail

Give more emphasis to TVET to produce skilled manpower in Sabah – Jaujan
More emphasis should be given to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to produce skilled manpower in Sabah in the move towards becoming an industrial State.
— The Borneo Post

IGP: Bigger K9 unit, more tasers, and better training to handle autistic suspects on Bukit Aman’s cards
Federal police are currently engaged in an exercise to relook some outdated standard operating procedures (SOP) involving their daily operations.
— Malay Mail

Kedah launches green energy, renewable energy master plan
Mentri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI Kedah) has launched the state’s Green Energy and Renewable Energy Master Plan. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir (pix) said the plan also provides guidelines for potential investors in Kedah’s renewable energy industry.
— The Sun Daily

Take us seriously, Abdullah tells Putrajaya
Sarawak will not use hostile approach in negotiating to get back its rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
— New Sarawak Tribune

Former Sarawak football team coach Mohd Poasa Sahar passes away
Former Sarawak football team coach Mohd Poasa Sahar passed away at the Sarawak General Hospital here around noon today. He was 77. According to his eldest daughter Norjanah Mohd Poasa, 51, her father passed out inside a surau at Petra Jaya Phase 2 Housing area after prayer this morning.
— The Borneo Post

SPAN lodges police report over water contamination
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has lodged a police report today over two water contamination incidents involving four water treatment plants (WTP) in Selangor.SPAN chairman Charles Santiago (pix) said two incidents that took place over the past three days are alarming.
— The Sun Daily

Allowing Zahid to come back is proof Umno is ‘dumb and dumber’, says Kit Siang
Umno members have proved Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s caustic claim that they are “dumb” and getting “dumber” by allowing Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to return and lead them despite his many pending corruption.
— Malay Mail

 

Feature photo Vital Strategies

This week’s Malaysia morning news  feature photo focus on air quality throughout Asean.

 

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.

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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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