Malaysia Morning News For July 24

Sell-off imminent for Malaysia Airlines, says Najib after Morgan Stanley entry
The ex-prime minister says an investment bank is usually hired to sell assets while a union question’s Khazanah’s decision, saying Morgan Stanley won’t know the ‘ins and outs’ of the airline.
— FMT News

What’s Behind Malaysia’s New South China Sea Missile Launches?
Last week, Malaysia concluded exercises that featured a series of missile firings in the South China Sea. While this was a pre-planned development, it nonetheless spotlighted the ongoing question of the evolving shape of Malaysia’s South China Sea approach in the context of wider regional developments.
— The Diplomat

Malaysia gets a new ‘Visit Malaysia 2020’ logo and it’s way better than the previous one
The Southeast Asian country has finally unveiled a brand new Visit Malaysia 2020 logo and the design is far better than this… thing.
— Mashable

Home Ministry: Advanced screening of foreign visitors to Malaysia operational by mid-2023
The Advanced Passenger Screening System module capable of screening foreign visitors before they land in the country will be fully adopted by the middle of 2023.
— Malay Mail

Govt must play distinct role in building better entrepreneurship ecosystem
The government needs to perform a distinct and noticeable role to build a better entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country but with possible assistance and support from the private sector.
— The Sun Daily

ARB bags two water contracts worth RM800m
PETALING JAYA: ARB Bhd has entered into two memorandum of agreements (MoAs) for the provision of water supply-related technology with a combined value of around RM800 million.
— The Sun Daily

Perak PKR chief calls out IGP for not arresting Azmin; claims ‘conspiracy’ against Anwar
Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak today called out Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador for not arresting Economic Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who was implicated in a sex video.
— Malay Mail

Electronic payment test run at Johor’s Customs complex helps ease congestion
The notorious congestion at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex could soon be a thing of the past following the introduction of electronic payment at its Immigration counters.
— Malay Mail

Dr M unveils new national strategy to boost financial literacy
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has launched the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2019-2023 today, which sets out priorities and actionable plans to equip Malaysians with the knowledge to make informed.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian property market bottoming out, says Knight Frank
Malaysia’s property market is showing signs of bottoming out, with “rays of hope” in the housing market, according to Knight Frank Malaysia in its latest research report, “Real Estate Highlights 1st Half of 2019”.
— The Sun Daily

AirAsia carries 18% more passengers in Q2
AirAsia Group Bhd consolidated air operator’s certificates (AOCs) carried a total of 12.84 million passengers in the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 (2Q19), up 18% from 10.88 million passengers a year ago.
— The Sun Daily

Selangor aspires to be Southeast Asia’s premier Smart State by 2025
The Selangor government aspires to be Southeast Asia’s premier Smart State by 2025, by leveraging on smart technology and innovations.
— The Sun Daily

Solar industry can generate more jobs in Malaysia, says minister
The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) is confident that the solar industry will be able to create more jobs in the country.
— Malay Mail

Selangor to maintain dominance in aerospace sector, eyes 70% market share
Selangor is optimistic of increasing its market share in the local aerospace industry to 70% by 2020 from 62% currently, driven by growing demand for aerospace material globally and the rejuvenation of Subang Skypark.
— The Sun Daily

In Penang, authorities say RM937 for three durians reasonable as sellers fined for confusing price tags
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNKK) found no elements of profiteering in the case of a woman who had paid RM937 for two Black Thorn and one Musang King durian.
— Malay Mail

Despite billions spent, Malaysia only 58th in global entrepreneurship index, says minister
Mohd Redzuan Yusof hopes the New Entrepreneur Policy 2030 launched by Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently will kickstart the industry.
— FMT News

MHB bags Kasawari Gas deal from Petronas
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MHB) has been awarded a contract for the Kasawari Gas Development project.
— The Sun Daily

GDB buys 70% of Eco Geotechnics
GDB Holdings Bhd is acquiring a 70% stake in Eco Geotechnics Sdn Bhd for RM5.96 million.The construction services firm said in a filing with the stock exchange that its wholly owned subsidiary Grand Dynamic Builders Sdn Bhd had entered into a share sale agreement with Goh Eng Ngai, Tan Loo Loo and Wong Choo Keong for the purchase.
— The Sun Daily

Private sector urged to take initiative in driving financial literacy
The private sector should take the initiative to provide financial education in the workplace and not rely on the government to drive financial literacy, said Fi Life Sdn Bhd founder Malek Ali.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak ministry given five months to improve financial management
A ministry in Sarawak is giving itself five months to improve its financial management after receiving a less than satisfactory rating in the Auditor-General’s Report 2018.
— The Star Online

Malaysian businesses confident of ability to cope with AI, poll finds
Malaysians are highly optimistic about their ability to adapt to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2035, according to a Bloomberg poll.
— Malay Mail

Miti eyes 15% hike in aerospace exports value this year
The value of aerospace exports is expected to increase by 15 per cent this year from RM8.48 billion last year, backed by a hike in existing orders and new products, said International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah can be net exporter of Cavendish banana – Junz
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Junz Wong said Sabah could totally use the success model of a Cavendish banana farm in Cambodia for local and export market.
— The Borneo Post

RM937 for 3 durians ‘reasonable’, rules ministry in dismissing woman’s complaint
The domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, however, slaps a RM2,000 fine on the two stall owners for displaying ‘confusing’ price tags.
— FMT News

Latheefa: MACC to review certain closed cases, especially involving VIPs
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will review cases that have been closed or marked “no further action (NFA)” with controversial ones involving VIPs given priority, says Latheefa Koya.
— The Star Online

Breathing issues, vomiting at Pasir Gudang schools could be due to pigeon droppings: Johor govt
The state government is not ruling out the possibility of the recurrence of breathing issues and vomiting among pupils of SK Tanjung Putri Resort in Pasir Gudang due to pigeon droppings in some of the classes.State Health and Culture Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said the bird droppings had been affecting some of the school students.
— The Sun Daily

Subang Airport to get new lease of life
Selangor plans to rejuvenate the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, also known as Subang Skypark, as the state continues to strengthen its aerospace portfolio.
— The Sun Daily

MCA: Mat Sabu failed to keep word about awarding honorary military ranks
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has failed to keep his word in stopping his ministry’s practice of awarding honorary ranks to politicians, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
— The Star Online

Youth associations have until 2024 to adjust to new age limit
Youth councils and associations in this country have until 2024 to adjust to the new age limit for youths, as approved by the Dewan Rakyat recently.
— The Sun Daily

SRC trial: Ex-AmBank manager says told to leave after news of RM42m scandal broke in 2015
The accounts relationship manager who oversaw Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s three personal AmBank bank accounts was asked to vacate her position within the bank when news broke of the RM42 million flowing through Najib’s…
— Malay Mail

Ringgit ends lower against US dollar for 2nd day
The ringgit extended its downtrend to close easier against the US dollar ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision at its month-end meeting next week.
— The Sun Daily

ECB, Fed rate cut hopes lift equities markets, including Bursa Malaysia
Expectations of monetary easing by major central banks such as the European Central Bank (ECB) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have boosted most equities markets, including Bursa Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

Senate passes three bills
The Dewan Negara today passed three bills namely the Trademarks Bill 2019, Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill 2019 and Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2019.
— The Sun Daily

Lawyer: Singapore acting like N. Korea in treatment of Malaysian death row inmate with mental disability
Lawyers for Liberty legal adviser N. Surendran today likened Singapore to North Korea in its treatment of mentally challenged inmate on death row, Nagaenthran Dharmalingam.
— Malay Mail

Sessions court order restored, Musa Aman gets his passport released
Former Sabah chief minister, Tan Sri Musa Aman can get his impounded passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.
— The Sun Daily

‘Awang Besul’ the tiger dies
The Malayan tiger that was captured in a village in Dungun, Terengganu by the State Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) last Friday has died.
— The Sun Daily

Court allows Najib’s request to access bank account documents
The High Court here today allowed Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s application for access to information and documents of his bank accounts in Ambank for the purpose of preparing his defence.
— The Sun Daily

SSM launches interest scheme master plan
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has launched its Interest Scheme Master Plan which will benefit all sectors of the economy in generating business income and providing alternative financing for the purpose of carrying out economic activities.
— The Sun Daily

KPDNHEP director: No Ghost Smoke candies in S’wak yet, search to continue tomorrow
Inspections carried out on at least 50 outlets statewide today could not find any vape-like candies called ‘Ghost Smoke’ being sold.
— The Borneo Post

Late selling of Petronas Gas, Sime trims KLCI’s hard-earned gains
Late selling of Petronas Gas and Sime Darby trimmed the FBM KLCI’s gains amid a firmer broader market on Tuesday but trading value perked up compared with recent days.
— The Star Online

Perak assembly approves motion compelling assemblymen and families to declare assets
The Perak legislative assembly today approved a motion which compels all assemblymen and their immediate family to declare their respective assets.
— Malay Mail

FGV’s case against Isa Samad, Mohd Emir over condo purchase to commence Nov 25
FGV Holdings Berhad’s case against its former chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and former president and group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah will commence on Nov 25.
— Malay Mail

PSR development will ensure Penang’s progress: Social activist
Penang may not be able to achieve a higher level of progress if the government accedes to the demands of those opposing development programmes such as the Penang South Reclamation (PSR), says a social activist.
— The Sun Daily

China Mobile launches i-solutions for enterprises and MNCs
China Mobile International (CMI), the international operation unit of China’s telecommunication giant China Mobile Ltd, has launched its global information and communications technology services, i-Solutions, bringing a seamless, borderless digital connectivity solution for Malaysian market.
— The Star Online

Shares of Excel Force, GPacket, MyEG up in active trade
Shares of Excel Force MSC, Green Packet and MyEG Services rose in very active trade on Tuesday on expected corporate news involving their companies.
— The Star Online

IPO discussions set to dominate International Education Symposium 2019
The initial public offerings (IPOs) of private educational institutions is expected to dominate discussions in a regional education symposium in KL this month end, as players in the multi-billion ringgit industry toy with novel ways to raise funds.
— The Sun Daily

Consumer Credit Act to be put on fast track
The government will speed up the formulation of the Consumer Credit Act to protect the interests of consumers and promote a healthy credit market, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— New Sarawak Tribune

KPDNHEP S’wak launches operation to sniff out Ghost Smoke candies
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) Sarawak has launched a statewide operation to check if Ghost Smoke candies were being sold in the state.
— The Borneo Post

PM says may impose cap on government guarantees
Putrajaya will be looking into setting a ceiling for government guarantees on public projects, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
— Malay Mail

Water supply disruption in Johor Baru on July 30
JOHOR BARU, July 23 — Several areas here will experience a 23-hour disruption in water supply from 10am on July 30 due to maintenance work at a plant in Sungai Johor.
— Malay Mail

Efforts under way to save special needs man from gallows
PETALING JAYA: An effort led by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) is under way to save a special needs man from the gallows.LFL is appealing to the government to intervene in the case of D. Nagaenthran, who has been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Singapore and is awaiting execution at Changi Prison.
— The Sun Daily

Positive on personal finances, job prospects
Malaysia is the 10th most confident country in the world in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, with a majority of Malaysians have a positive outlook on their personal finances and job prospects, according to The Conference Board Global Consumer Confidence Survey.
— The Sun Daily

Second death among Malaysian haj pilgrims
MAKKAH: Sixty-seven-year-old Ismail Yaakob from Cherang Ruku, Kelantan, has become the second Malaysian haj pilgrim to have died during this year’s haj season.
— The Sun Daily

Drone technology can boost padi quality, production: Azmin
IPOH: The use of new technologies such as drones can help improve the quality and production of padi, said Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Perak requires all assemblymen to declare assets
Perak has become the first state to require all state assemblymen to declare their assets and those of their close family members, namely spouse and children.
— The Sun Daily

Selangor MB, Melaka CM made honorary brigadier-generals
Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari has been made a honorary Brigadier-General in the army for his role as the patron of the Selangor Territorial Army Support Committee (JAKPAW).
— The Star Online

MACC chief vows to review controversial cases that were closed, labelled ‘no further action’
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya will be reviewing all controversial cases handled by the graft agency, including those involving political leaders and well-known personalities.
— Malay Mail

Doctored version of VM2020 logo going viral, alleging it plagiarises another hornbill design
The newly-launched Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) logo is a completely original piece of work and does not plagiarise any other design, says Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.
— The Star Online

Another 18 Penang JPJ officers to be charged with graft tomorrow, says MACC chief
Another 18 low-ranking officers from the Road Transport Department (RTD) in Penang will be charged for graft tomorrow, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.
— Malay Mail

MMHE gets Petronas Carigali job for Kasawari Gas project
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MMHE) has secured an engineering contract from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd for the Kasawari Gas Development project.
— The Star Online

Gay sex video: Police in final stages of investigation
Police are in the final stages of their investigations into a gay sex video clip purportedly featuring former Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Aziz and Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.
— The Sun Daily

MARC removes Quantum Solar Park from negative watch
Malaysian Rating Corporation (MARC) has removed Quantum Solar Park (Semenanjung) Sdn Bhd’s (QSP Semenanjung) RM1bil green SRI sukuk rating from MARCWatch Negative.
— The Star Online

NGOs lodge police report over Facebook account insulting Islam
Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today lodged police reports against a Facebook account owner using the alias ‘Wendy Loong’ for allegedly insulting Islam on the social site.
— Malay Mail

No one is above the law including court judges: Hanipa
The recent arrest of a number of legal practitioners including a court judge by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) proves that no one is above the law in this country.
— The Sun Daily

Musa Aman succeeds in bid to have passport temporarily returned
Former Sabah chief minister, Tan Sri Musa Aman can get his impounded passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.
— Malay Mail

Fatimah: Five months to correct financial management issues in ministry
Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah is giving her ministry five months to correct financial management issues, following its less-than-satisfactory performance recorded in the Auditor-General’s (AG) Report 2018.
— The Borneo Post

Classes resume at Negri Sembilan school after pesticide poisoning
Classes at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Linggi in Port Dickson started yesterday after inspections at the school found it to be safe from pesticide fumes.
— Malay Mail

NRD lodges police report over viral pictures of foreigners flocking to HQ
The National Registration Department (NRD) today lodged a police report over the viral pictures of foreigners flocking to its headquarters here allegedly to apply for citizenship.
— The Sun Daily

Judge remanded for allegedly soliciting bribes
A sessions court judge in Kuala Kubu Baru has been remanded after he was detained yesterday for alleged corruption.
— The Sun Daily

Be critical, forthright in evaluating education, Seameo told
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik (pix) said members of the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) need to be critical to build the right perspective as its Strategic Plan 2015-2020 is coming to an end next year.
— The Sun Daily

MARC affirms BBB minus rating on Senai-Desaru RM1.89b sukuk
Malaysian Rating Corporation (MARC) has affrimed its BBB-IS rating on Senai-Desaru Expressway Bhd’s (SDEB) RM1.89bil Islamic medium-term notes (restructured sukuk) programme with a stable outlook.
— The Star Online

Sex video — dirty politics with nasty objectives
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is not defending Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali over a viral sex video which allegedly implicated the Economic Affairs Minister.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Teen in botched circumcision case gets RM150,000 in out-of-court deal
A 19-year-old youth who lost the head of his penis in a botched circumcision procedure when he was aged 10, today received RM150,000 in an out-of-court settlement with a government medical assistant, one of the six.
— Malay Mail

Fearing HIV infection, woman runs to cops about her illicit sex with foreigner
A Malaysian woman’s extramarital relationship with a foreigner came to light after she filed a police complaint against him for removing his condom mid-sex.
— Malay Mail

Formulation of Consumer Credit Act to be expedited – Tun M
The government will speed up the formulation of the Consumer Credit Act to protect the interests of consumers and promote a healthy credit market, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
— The Borneo Post

KUB sells Mukah land, assets for RM44.8m
KUB Malaysia Bhd is disposing of a piece of land measuring 60 hectares as well as a factory, ancillary equipment and machineries in Mukah, Sarawak for a total of RM44.8 million.
— The Sun Daily

Mah Sing buys Kepong land to develop “M Luna” project with RM705m GDV
Mah Sing Group Bhd is acquiring a parcel of land measuring 5.47 acres in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur for RM94.76 million.
— The Sun Daily

Sex video case: Haziq freed on police bail
Former Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz was released on police bail today after being held on remand for nine days to assist investigations into the case of a sex video which allegedly implicates a minister.
— The Sun Daily

Berjaya Corp denies Suzuki signing
Berjaya Corp Bhd (BCorp) has denied that its executive chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan will fly to Japan early next month to sign a distributorship agreement with Suzuki Motor Corp.
— The Sun Daily

Body in luggage: Mobile phone of murder victim found in drain
The mobile phone of a man whose body was found inside a locked piece of luggage has been found in a monsoon drain at Lorong Chawan 12 here today.
— The Borneo Post

CCTV recordings protected under Personal Data Protection Act, says deputy minister
Any video recording including from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public or private areas is subjected to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709), said Deputy Communications.
— 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.