Malaysia Morning News For February 14, 2020

Minister downplays lower 2019 economic growth, says government taking steps to mitigate
Malaysia’s economy expanded more than some regional neighbours last year, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said when acknowledging the country’s lower gross domestic product growth.
— Malay Mail

PTMP: Construction work on LRT,PIL, PSR to begin by Q4 2020 , says Chow
The Penang government expects the construction work on the light rail transit (LRT), Pan Island Link (PIL) and Penang South Reclamation (PSR) projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to begin by the fourth.
— Malay Mail

Chinese woman, now in HKL isolation ward, identified as 19th victim of Covid-19
The Health Ministry has identified and confirmed the 19th local victim of the 2019 novel-coronavirus (Covid-19) today.
— The Sun Daily

ECRL project progressing as scheduled despite Covid-19
The construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is progressing as scheduled despite the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Sun Daily

RTD: We will not compromise on corruption claims, action will be taken
The Road Transport Department (RTD) has vowed to take stern action, including dismissal, against its officers if they are found to be involved in corruption.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia-Vietnam strengthen cooperation on security matters
Malaysia and Vietnam today agreed to strengthen their cooperation in addressing security issues affecting both countries.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah approves 10-year plan to conserve elephants
The Sabah government has approved a 10-year plan for the conservation of the dwindling elephant population in the state.
— The Sun Daily

Ex-Education Ministry sec-gen wondered why Rosmah was interested with solar project
Former Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad told the High Court here today she was surprised that Datin Rosmah Mansor showed interest in the hybrid solar project and of her link to the project.
— The Sun Daily

VMY 2020 target to remain despite Covid-19’s impact, says minister
Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Mohamadin Ketapi says it is too early to lower the target of 30 million visitors.
— FMT News

Two syndicates busted in KL, drugs worth RM1.23mil seized
Drugs worth RM1.23mil were seized after police busted two syndicates in the city, says Comm Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim.
— The Star Online

SUPP wing thanks PM for positive remarks about Sarawak government
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women’s wing today thanked Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his vote of confidence in the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government.
— Malay Mail

Former tourism industry leader tells Penang to prioritise solving problems over building new attractions
A town hall session on the Penang Tourism Master Plan (PGTMP) today drew heavy criticism from a former industry leader for its overall premise and lack of data.
— Malay Mail

Unimas to help expedite tests on Covid-19 suspected cases
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has offered to assist the Sarawak Health Department to expedite the tests on the people suspected to have been infected by Covid-19, the novel coronavirus disease.
— The Sun Daily

Street lighting project to light up Jalan Puncak Borneo expected to complete by 2021
All the dark stretches along Jalan Puncak Borneo here are expected to be lighted by 2021.
— The Borneo Post

Govt to create eco-system to help small entrepreneurs apply info technology to expand businesses
The government is focused on creating an eco-system to help local small entrepreneurs apply technology, especially information technology, to expand their businesses.
— Malay Mail

Not proper to use Arab donaton to buy luxury watch: Anifah
The High Court here was today told that it was not proper for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to buy a luxury watch for his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor using the so-called Saudi Arabia donation.
— The Sun Daily

Deputy Minister says letter to National Art Gallery was to support freedom of expression
Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik has clarified that the appeal letter he sent to the National Art Gallery (NAG) over censored artworks of a local artist was written in his personal capacity.
— The Star Online

More banks extending help to customers affected by Covid-19
More banks are offering assistance to customers affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
— Malay Mail

Savings from highway project can be used elsewhere
Saving of RM3.1 billion made following the termination of a Pan Borneo Highway project delivery partner (PDP) agreement will benefit the state government.
— New Sarawak Tribune

SugarBun reaches out to needy
Local franchise brand SugarBun extended Chinese New Year celebrations to both the young and elderly here.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Lynas shares surge 10% on report Malaysia renews rare earths’ plant license
Malaysia has agreed to renew Australian firm Lynas Corp Ltd’s license to operate its rare earths processing plant in the country, Malaysian media reported on Thursday, sending shares of the company up as much as 10%.
— The Sun Daily

Explain double-digit rise in raw building materials, says Wee
The government must explain the reason behind the double-digit rise in the prices of raw building materials if there has been no rise is cement prices, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
— The Star Online

Focus on improving economy, not on vote of confidence: Patriot
There are bigger priorities now than a vote of confidence for the prime minister, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) said today.
— The Sun Daily

Fitch Group unit revises down Malaysia’s 2020 GDP growth to 3.7pc following Covid-19 outbreak
Fitch Solutions has revised down its 2020 real GDP (gross domestic product) growth forecast for Malaysia to 3.7 per cent, from 4.5 per cent previously.
— Malay Mail

Fly MAS to Tokyo to support #TeamMalaysia and stand a chance to win domestic flight tickets
Chant your way into a return flight ticket to any domestic destination courtesy of Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
— The Borneo Post

Huge potential in new collar jobs for Malaysians
Malaysians should capitalise on new collar job opportunities to earn higher salaries and improve their long-term prospects.
— The Sun Daily

PM launches National Reading Decade to boost reading habit
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched the National Reading Decade (DMK) which is the government’s initiative to promote the reading habit among the people.
— The Sun Daily

Uggah: Sarawak all set to fight against possible spread of Covid-19 in state
Sarawak is all set to fight against the possible spread of Covid-19 in the state, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
— The Borneo Post

Unrestricted digital material can be fake news that destroys society: Mahathir
The abundant unrestricted reading material in the digital arena can be a source of fake news and other content that can destroy society, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
— The Sun Daily

MARC: Monetary, fiscal policy mix needed this year
Following the release of economic growth figures, which surprised on the downside, the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) believes that a mix of monetary and fiscal policy will be needed over the course of this year to prevent further downside.
— The Sun Daily

Health Dept denies social media rumours Covid-19 has reached Sarawak’s shore
Sarawak Health Department has denied rumours on social media stating that the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has reached the shore of Sarawak.
— The Borneo Post

Kit Siang: Pakatan Nasional rumours just attempts to disintegrate PH
Speculations of a new Malay-based government dubbed the “Pakatan Nasional” are merely conspiracy theories being played up by the opposition to put an end to Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) reign as the ruling administration.
— The Sun Daily

Sukuk issuance rose in 2019, Malaysia dominates supply
Global sukuk issuance rose 6.0 per cent in 2019 as the range of issuers and investors broadened, although supply is still concentrated geographically, said Fitch Ratings.
— The Sun Daily

Ringgit remains lower against US dollar
The ringgit remained lower against the US dollar for the second consecutive days due to weak demand for the local currency amid mixed external sentiments.
— The Sun Daily

As conspiracy rumours swirl, Anwar says Dr M assured him of commitment to power transition
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had no part in a purported conspiracy to prevent the PKR president from becoming the next prime minister.
— Malay Mail

Government always reviews GDP growth: Anwar
Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pix) said the government is always reviewing the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast.
— The Sun Daily

Case of toddler flung out of car: A lesson on importance of child safety seats, says Loke
The incident in which a two-year-old boy was flung out of a car driven by his father on the North-South Highway near Senawang, Negri Sembilan on Monday, should serve as a lesson to parents on the importance of using child safety seats.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah govt will leave no stone unturned in quest to solve elephant deaths, says DCM
Five endangered pygmy elephants have died in six weeks, with the latest found dead in a plantation in Lahad Datu area on Sunday (Feb 9).
— The Star Online

Bursa Malaysia ends mixed on cautious sentiment
Bursa Malaysia ended mixed today as cautious sentiment clouded the market following the release of weaker-than-expected Malaysia’s fourth-quarter 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) and expectations of another round of interest rate cut by Bank Negara Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

From ‘woke-washing’ to doing it for the ‘Gram: What makes Gen-Z tick in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s Generation Z’s behaviour and attitudes are shaped by six pop culture elements, a study by Ipsos UU in Malaysia in partnership with Ogilvy Malaysia has revealed.
— Malay Mail

Sarawak health director dismisses Covid-19 ‘positive’ case as fake news
The Sarawak Health Department has denied that there is a confirmed positive Covid-19 case in the state.Its director Dr Chin Zin Hing said the message being spread on social media was not true.
— The Sun Daily

Mohamaddin: Tourism Ministry to help industry players affected by consequences of Covid-19 epidemic
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will look for ways to help tourism industry players who have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic.
— The Borneo Post

Rosmah pressured Dr Madinah to expedite solar project application, court told
Former education ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad told the High Court on Thursday (Feb 13) that the ministry received pressure from several individuals to expedite the approval process to award Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd with the solar hybrid project contract in Sarawak.
— The Star Online

Rosmah trial: Prosecution witness says Najib gave explicit orders to expedite solar hybrid project to Jepak Holdings
The former general-secretary for the Education Ministry (MoE) testified today that she had received orders from Datuk Seri Najib Razak to speed up the process of granting the RM1.25 billion hybrid schools project to Jepak.
— Malay Mail

Rosmah able to influence Najib’s actions as PM, former MoE sec-gen testifies
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is very influential, to the point that she can influence the actions of her spouse Datuk Seri Najib Razak within his capacity as the prime minister, the High Court heard today.
— Malay Mail

EC awaiting official notification on Pujut seat vacancy
The Election Commission (EC) is awaiting the official notification from the Sarawak State Assembly Speaker on the vacancy of the Pujut state seat before taking the necessary action.
— The Borneo Post

Pos Malaysia to divest 49% of loss-making aircraft maintenance unit for RM10m
Pos Malaysia Bhd is divesting its 49% stake in Pos Aviation Engineering Services Sdn Bhd to SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) for RM10.09 million cash.
— The Sun Daily

Unrestricted digital material can be fake news that destroys society – Dr Mahathir
The abundant unrestricted reading material in the digital arena can be a source of fake news and other content that can destroy society, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
— The Borneo Post

SRC trial: ‘Improper’ for Najib to purchase Chanel watch with Saudi donation, says Anifah
Former minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said it was “improper” for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to purchase a luxury watch worth half a million ringgit using financial aid provided by then Saudi ruler King Abdullah Abdulaziz.
— Malay Mail

PLS Plantations: Durian exports to China delayed, not cancelled
PLS Plantations Bhd said its durian export business to China has not seen any significant impact from the covid-19 outbreak.
— The Sun Daily

After top court ruling, Johor lawyers urge other states to gazette ‘bin Abdullah’ fatwa for illegitimate Muslim children
Other states in Malaysia should emulate Johor by gazetting a religious edict to impose “bin Abdullah” or “binti Abdullah” as part of the names of Muslim children born outside marriage, lawyers for the Johor Islamic.
— Malay Mail

Newly appointed Kuching district deputy chief of operations to report for duty tomorrow
Simunjan district police chief Supt Merbin Lisa, who was promoted to the rank of superintendent yesterday (Feb 12), will be reporting for duty as the new Kuching district deputy chief (operations) tomorrow (Feb 14).
— The Borneo Post

Feature photo Cancer Research Malaysia

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, February 11.

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