Malaysia Morning News For January 15, 2020

Malaysia ranked world’s 16th most peaceful country by Global Peace Index
Malaysia is ranked the 16th most peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2019.
— Malay Mail

100 per cent electricity coverage by 2025
These days, electricity has become a basic necessity in daily life, but Sarawak’s immense landmass and unique geographical terrain make complete electricity coverage state-wide a challenge.
— New Sarawak Tribune

What’s Next for Malaysia’s Capabilities After Its Helicopter Decommissioning?
Ongoing efforts to decommission aging equipment spotlight the broader issue with the country’s capabilities.
— The Diplomat

Malaysia symposium talks COC building
A symposium on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) as a tool to address disputes in the East Sea was held in Kuala Lumpur on January 13.
— VietnamPlus

Malaysia: Human Rights Reforms Stall
Malaysia’s promised human rights reforms stalled in 2019 as the government either backed away from or delayed action on its campaign commitments, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2020.
— Human rights watch

Dr M: Govt committed to reducing disparity between rich and poor
The government is committed to reducing disparities between the rich and poor through Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Shipping back of plastic waste encouraging: Yeo
The shipping back of containers filled with contaminated plastic waste to the exporting countries has been encouraging, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (Mestecc) Minister Yeo Bee Yin (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian among three to be charged with entering Singapore illegally by sea
Three foreigners will be charged in court today with illegal entry into Singapore, after they were nabbed at sea by the Police Coast Guard on Sunday evening.
— Malay Mail

Giant python carcass found by SFC in Lingga
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) officers have found the carcass of a giant python at Sg Sekupang in Lingga, following a video clip which went viral on social media last week.
— The Borneo Post

Latheefa’s legal officer lodges report on ‘criminal plot’ to tarnish MACC’s reputation
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has lodged a police report against individuals whom they claim have plotted to tarnish the reputation of its chief commissioner, Latheefa Koya.
— The Star Online

Judicial Commissioner Chin to decide on Jan 23 whether to recuse himself from state sales tax case
Judicial Commissioner Christopher Chin has fixed Jan 23 to decide on whether he should recuse himself from presiding over the High Court case of Sarawak suing Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) for unpaid state sales tax (SST) of RM1.3 billion.
— The Borneo Post

Mahathir: I will step down immediately if PH council wants me to
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix) has said he would step down as prime minister immediately if that is the wish of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council.He said his position is decided by the ruling pact’s components.
— The Sun Daily

Govt will do away golden shares in GLCs, if necessary: Mahathir
The government will do away with holding golden shares in government-linked companies (GLCs) if it found to be necessary, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Sun Daily

Business outlook for 1Q2020 remains upbeat
Business sentiment among Malaysia companies has increased for the fourth consecutive quarter in Q12020, according to Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Malaysia’s Business Optimism Index (BOI) study.
— The Sun Daily

Guan Eng: We have done more for opposition states than previous govt
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) believes the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has contributed much more to opposition-held states than the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration did.
— The Sun Daily

Guan Eng: Free RM30 e-wallet infusion for qualified Malaysians begins tomorrow
Malaysians eligible for the RM30 e-wallet incentive from the government will begin receiving the money tomorrow, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
— Malay Mail

2019: PDRM thwart plot to attack international target
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have successfully crippled a large-scale plot hatched by the Al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorists to stage an attack on an international target last year.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysian businesses to remain moderately confident as US-China trade tensions cool
In spite of signs of cooling US-China trade tensions, business confidence in Malaysia is anticipated to remain moderate as negotiations on a second phase deal may lead to some negative speed bumps while two thirds of Chinese goods remain taxed by the United States, said Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research).
— The Sun Daily

Johor exco promises deep probe into Kluang school canteen after food poisoning scare
Canteen cleanliness and staff hygiene will be scrutinised after 120 students at an Islamic boarding school in Kluang took ill after eating the food there yesterday, a Johor state executive council member said today.
— Malay Mail

Minister: Pakatan govt helps Opposition states more than BN ever did
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government has extended more help to Opposition-held states compared to the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— Malay Mail

PM says Malaysia needs to find solution to India and palm oil, but can’t only think of money
Malaysia will need to come up with ways to resolve a current crisis concerning its palm oil exports to India, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today in response to news reports that its biggest importer is stopped purchasing the.
— Malay Mail

Amid flu concerns, Johor exco says hospital to detail seven-year-old’s cause of death today
An official report detailing the cause of seven-year-old Nur Dinie Damia Muhammad Noor Ain’s death is expected to be released by Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here later today.
— Malay Mail

e-Tunai Rakyat initiative to kick off tomorrow, qualified individuals to get RM30 each
Malaysians can begin applying for the e-Tunai Rakyat initiative, which gives qualified individuals RM30 each to spend through one of three e-wallets operators, beginning tomorrow.
— The Sun Daily

AmGeneral Insurance bags ‘Property & Casualty Insurer of the Year 2019 – Malaysia’
AmGeneral Insurance Bhd (AmGeneral) has won the ‘Property & Casualty Insurer of the Year 2019 – Malaysia’ award by Insurance Asia News Awards for Excellence 2019.
— The Sun Daily

GPS members throng Kuching Court Complex for Sarawak’s suit against Petronas
Hundreds of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members have gathered at the Kuching Court Complex today to show their support to the Sarawak government which is suing Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) for unpaid state sales tax (SST) and penalties amounting to RM1.3 billion.
— The Borneo Post

Former JKKK chairman charged with CBT involving RM350,000 meant for mosque
A former Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman from Tanjung Malim claimed trial today at the Sessions Court here to three charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM350,000.
— Malay Mail

Audio recordings: Latheefa expected to give statement on Thursday
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya is expected to give her statement to the police at Bukit Aman this Thursday.
— The Borneo Post

E-hailing drivers and others in gig economy seek social protection
For Roopan (not his real name), being engaged in the e-hailing service is his way of making ends meet each month.
— The Sun Daily

PDRM offers 50 pct discount on traffic summonses from Jan 18
Police are offering 50 per cent discount for traffic offenders to settle their outstanding summonses online from Jan 18 to Feb 1, said Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Datuk Azisman Alias.
— The Borneo Post

50% discount for traffic offenders to settle summonses from Jan 18: PDRM
Police are offering a 50% discount for traffic offenders to settle their outstanding summonses online from Jan 18 to Feb 1, said Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Datuk Azisman Alias.
— The Sun Daily

Masing: PRS yet to receive any compound notice from MACC for receiving 1MDB funds
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has not received any compound notice from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in regards to the party receiving funds from 1MDB, says its president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing.
— The Borneo Post

MACC Chief’s special officer to lodge report on plot to smear her reputation
The special officer to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya will lodge a police report on an alleged criminal plot to smear her reputation.
— The Borneo Post

Making sure polio doesn’t spread to Sarawak
The Health Department Sarawak has set up ways and means to prevent polio from spreading to the state.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Middle East tumult to have minimal impact on Malaysia’s passenger traffic
The recent geopolitical US-Iran turmoil is not expected to have a significant impact on passenger traffic in Malaysia.
— The Borneo Post

Dr M says ‘will go now’ if Pakatan parties want him to make way for Anwar
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad offered to step aside today for his named successor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim if that is what all the Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties wish for.
— Malay Mail

M’sia’s first Food Bank programme distribution centre to be operational in February
The first distribution centre for the Malaysian Government’s Food Bank programme is expected to be operational in February.
— The Star Online

No bakwa from West M’sia: Import ban on pork products stands for Lunar New Year
Be warned not to bring in bakwa (Chinese pork jerky) from Peninsular Malaysia in view of the Lunar New Year celebration or face a maximum compound of RM25,000, said Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
— The Borneo Post

Petronas confirms pipe rupture, fire incident at gas pipeline in Upper Baram
Petronas has confirmed that a pipe rupture and fire incident have occurred at its Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) near Ba Selulong in Upper Baram yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

Drugs disguised as soft drinks
Drug dealers tried to evade detection by bottling narcotics as soft drinks, but their ruse was uncovered by the police’s anti-drug division.
— The Sun Daily

Kit Siang: No one challenged veracity of audio clips
Many public interest issues have been raised, following the disclosure of the nine audio tapes released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), but among the biggest is that after a week, none of the protagonists had denied their veracity or claimed that they were doctored or fake tapes.
— The Sun Daily

Contaminated mee goreng likely made 120 students ill in Johor, says state health director
About 120 students of the Johor Government Religious Secondary School (SMAKJ) near Kluang were down with food poisoning after allegedly having fried noodles for their breakfast at the school’s dining hall this morning.
— Malay Mail

KFC gives back to community
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Malaysia continued its effort to give back to the Sarawak community by donating RM18,000 to charitable homes and organisations throughout the state.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Satok Suspension Bridge expected to be opened in June – JKR S’wak director
The Satok Suspension Bridge is expected to be opened this June, reveals Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Datu Zuraimi Sabki.
— The Borneo Post

What is G25’s motive in questioning Jakim’s establishment: Mujahid
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof (pix) has questioned the motive of the Group Of Ex-Civil Servants (G25) which continued to raise issues regarding the establishment of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) although they had been given a detailed explanation on the matter previously.
— The Sun Daily

Selangor assemblyman among 17 individuals detained in Puchong raid
A Selangor assemblyman and several political aides were among 17 people who were arrested in Puchong early on Sunday. All but one allegedly tested positive for drugs following a police raid on a wild private party.
— The Sun Daily

Corporate sector urged to work with government on Anjung Kasih
The corporate sector are urged to work with the government to make the National Welfare Foundation’s Anjung Kasih temporary shelter project a success for the benefit of the families of patients undergoing hospital treatment.
— The Sun Daily

Mohd Isa’s special officer received RM10,000 to RM50,000 after collecting money, court told
A former special officer to Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad told the High Court here today that he would get between RM10,000 and RM50,000 from the former Felda chairman after receiving money from a former member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAPSB) board of directors, Ikhwan Zaidel.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo WOBB

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on renewable energy use 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).

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