Malaysia Morning News For March 12, 2020

Malaysia rises four places in global rule of law index
Malaysia’s ranking in the World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index for 2020 has gone up four rungs, or 5.1 per cent, compared to last year, putting it in 47th place out of 128 countries and jurisdictions.
— Malay Mail

MCMC confirms employee tested positive for Covid-19
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has confirmed that one of its employees had tested positive for Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Transport Ministry to compile data on Covid-19 impact on airline sector
The Transport Ministry will be compiling and looking at notes and data from the airline sector to find ways to handle the impact due to the Covid-19 outbreak, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
— The Star Online

Four new ministries in Cabinet for more systematic, focused governance
The establishment of four new ministries in Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet will create an environment for a more systematic and focused governance which is capable of driving the country’s development.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Covid-19 drags down M’sian airports’ Feb passenger traffic by 23.4%
The aviation sector is reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak, with local airports registering a 23.4% decline in traffic volume to 6.2 million passengers over the same period last year.
— The Sun Daily

Special dividend again from Petronas if deficit widens?
Malaysia’s federal budget deficit could widen to RM69.1 billion, from RM55.3 billion, should the average price of Brent crude oil average at around US$40 per barrel, according to a note by Kenanga Research.
— The Sun Daily

Govt sets up Economic Action Council amid economy slump
Amidst growing concerns over the slowing down of the global and local economy, the Cabinet has today decided to form an Economic Action Council (EAC) to be headed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
— The Sun Daily

Scientex Q2 profit jumps 32.2% to RM97.5m
Packaging manufacturer and property developer Scientex Bhd reported 32.2% higher net profit of RM97.47 million in the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2020 (Q2) from RM73.75 million a year ago.
— The Sun Daily

Govt sets up Economic Action Council to address economic woes
The government has decided to set up an Economic Action Council (EAC) as an immediate step to address the economic woes faced by the country.
— The Borneo Post

Muhyiddin says will study calls to bring back GST
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin pledged today to consider calls to reinstate the unpopular Goods and Services Tax (GST), promising to review all tax systems as part of the new government’s effort to rein in living.
— Malay Mail

No-confidence motion against PM Muhyiddin unlikely to succeed, says Mahathir
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has indicated that Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) attempt to table a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in parliament was unlikely to succeed.
— CNA

Bursa rebounds but sentiment on oil & gas stocks remains fragile
While the broader market and the energy index staged a technical rebound today after a steep fall on Monday, some heavily sold oil & gas (O&G) stocks remained in negative territory as investors remain wary about the sector’s outlook.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Travellers from China, South Korea, Italy and Iran banned from entering Sarawak
All foreigners (irrespective of nationalities) who have been to China, South Korea, Italy and Iran in the past 14 days will be refused entry into Sarawak, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) announced today.
— The Borneo Post

New government legal and constitutional
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today chaired the maiden Cabinet meeting of the new government which he emphasised is legal and constitutional.
— New Sarawak Tribune

After ‘toppling’ the Pakatan govt via Facebook, Najib ‘targets’ United Nations next
In a sarcastic jab to being blamed for the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government, Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he didn’t know his witty comments on social media was so impactful.
— The Star Online

SRC Trial: Ex-MACC chief denies AGC ordered further investigations in 2016 as ‘theatrics’
Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad today denied the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) instructions for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to further investigate the SRC International Sdn Bhd and RM2.6 billion case.
— Malay Mail

Najib’s SRC case: Defence closes case, Court sets May 12 for submission
The defence in former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s case involving misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd closed its case today after calling 19 witnesses.
— The Borneo Post

Kejuruteraan Asastera bags RM28.6m contract from China Construction Development
Kejuruteraan Asastera Bhd (KAB) has secured a RM28.6 million contract from China Construction Development (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the latter’s serviced apartment project, Agile Bukit Bintang.
— The Sun Daily

Sirim confirms one employee positive Covid-19
Sirim Berhad (Sirim) has confirmed one of its employees has been tested positive for Covid-19.Sirim in a statement today said the employee, based at the headquarters here, was confirmed positive of the infection yesterday.
— The Sun Daily

Agreeing with Bersih, G25 says EC chief need not go
The G25 group has sided with electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 against former Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar who called for chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and his commissioners to resign.
— Malay Mail

Eversendai wins RM490.1m contracts in MENA region
Eversendai Corp Bhd has secured a number of projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) valued at RM490.1 million.The new wins bring its current outstanding order book to a near all-time high of RM2.69 billion.
— The Sun Daily

Muhyiddin’s Cabinet will guarantee loyalty from allies, but might prove problematic in future, projects Fitch Solutions
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Cabinet composition of predominantly Bumiputera lawmakers with a poor local ethnic representation, paired with its sheer size, could cause political and policymaking challenges for his.
— Malay Mail

Absent from swearing-in, Bintulu MP offered to serve in other ways, says PM
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was absent from his swearing-in as the deputy minister for national unity, has offered to serve the government in a different way.
— Malay Mail

Pantai Premier Pathology lab to provide Covid-19 sampling service from home or office
Pantai Hospital through Pantai Premier Pathology lab has been selected as one of the four private laboratories to provide a home-based Covid-19 sampling service.
— Malay Mail

Four new ministries in cabinet for more systematic, focused governance: Analyst
The establishment of four new ministries in Prime Minister Tan Sri Muyiddin Yassin’s cabinet will create an environment for a more systematic and focused governance which is capable of driving the country’s development.
— The Sun Daily

Bribery trial: Rosmah asked when MOE would sign contract with company, progress of govt’s payments to company, says witness
Both Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and her then aide Datuk Rizal Mansor had asked about matters relating to Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd’s RM1.25 billion project from the Education Ministry, including when the contract could be.
— Malay Mail

PLUS to accept RFID at all toll plazas across peninsula Malaysia from April 1
PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) will offer the Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) payment facility at all of its 83 Closed Toll systems, including the LPT2 highway along the East Coast, from Wednesday, April 1,.
— Malay Mail

PM Muhyiddin vows to lead a clean Cabinet, uphold ‘highest integrity’
PUTRAJAYA, March 11 ― Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin vowed today to maintain a clean Cabinet that will “eradicate” corruption and pledged to lead a government with “integrity of the highest level”. Muhyiddin said fighting…
— Malay Mail

Stay calm and practise good hygiene, reps advise Mirians as Brunei confirms Covid-19 case
Mirians have been told to remain calm but alert for developments on Covid-19 after Brunei reported its first positive case on Monday.
— The Borneo Post

Biggest winners in new Cabinet line up
It appears that those who left Pakatan Harapan (PH) as well as lawmakers from Umno are the biggest winners in the new Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Yeo Bee Yin defends her handling of the Sg Kim Kim pollution crisis
Former Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Yeo Bee Yin (pix) recently denounced a netizen’s statement on Twitter saying that she failed at delivering her job in handling the issue of Sungai Kim Kim toxic pollution because of her husband.
— The Sun Daily

Najib’s 1MDB trial won’t resume today due to SRC trial spillover, but could continue tomorrow afternoon
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial will not be resuming today as his separate trial over ex-1MDB unit SRC International Sdn Bhd’s RM42 million funds has yet to.
— Malay Mail

KL shares higher at opening
Shares on Bursa Malaysia were higher at the opening on improved market sentiment from the downtrend caused by the sharp slump in oil prices, amid the ongoing Covid-19 fear.
— The Sun Daily

Ringgit extend yesterday’s loss to open lower against US dollar
The ringgit extended yesterday’s losses to trade lower against the US dollar in the early session today, as more investors abandoned emerging currencies including the ringgit amid persistent concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak, dealers said.
— The Sun Daily

Dr M asks Muhyddin not to undo Pakatan’s policies
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he hoped Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would at least retain the policies introduced by the short-lived Pakatan Harapan government.
— Malay Mail

Who masterminded the Pakatan collapse? Dr M reveals who he thinks is responsible
Conspiracy theories remain over who specifically caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration but Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has offered up a culprit who had not been visibly involved in the crisis.
— Malay Mail

Dr M throws in the towel, sees Muhyiddin staying PM at least until GE15
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has conceded that Pakatan Harapan only has a slim chance of pushing a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
— Malay Mail

EPF officed at Jalan Raja Laut closed until Monday for disinfection exercise
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) at Jalan Raja Laut here has closed its office from today until March 13 for the disinfection of office space and surrounding areas.In a statement issued yesterday, EPF said the office will resume operations on Monday (March 16).
— The Sun Daily

MACC arrests 12 PDRM personnel in Penang
Twelve police personnel in Penang were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki when contacted by Bernama confirmed the matter.
— The Sun Daily

No provision to reduce employees’ EPF contribution rate
There is no provision under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Act 1991 that allows its members the option to reduce the statutory contribution rate for employees.
— The Sun Daily

Manjoi Health Clinic decontaminated over suspected Covid-19 patient
The Perak Health Department carried out decontamination at Manjoi Health Clinic here after an individual alleging Covid-19 symptoms sought treatment at the clinic.
— The Sun Daily

New government legal and constitutional says Muhyiddin
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today chaired the maiden Cabinet meeting of the new government which he emphasised is legal and constitutional. Addressing a press conference after the meeting here, the prime minister said it is a government for all Malaysians and one that will deliver.
— The Sun Daily

PM accepts Tiong’s decision to decline deputy minister’s post
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has accepted Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s decision to turn down the National Unity Deputy Minister’s post.
— The Borneo Post

In Rosmah’s trial, ex-ministry sec-gen admits played golf with director of company that received RM1.25b project
Former Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad admitted to having played golf in Kuala Lumpur with Saidi Abang Samsudin, the director of the company Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd that had obtained a RM1.25.
— Malay Mail

Pressing need for PN to establish Presidential Council – Analysts
A specific platform or council needs to be established to coordinate input and plans of all parties under the Federal Government to create and allow room for harmonious political cooperation.
— The Borneo Post

Dutch Court postpones MH17 crash hearings until March 23
The District Court of The Hague decided on Tuesday to postpone the hearings in the case of the Flight MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine in 2014 until March 23, reported Sputnik news agency. The hearings began at the Schiphol Judicial Complex on Monday.
— The Borneo Post

Muhyiddin says ready to meet Dr M for country’s sake
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today shared with the media the contents of a letter he had written to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressing his intention to meet with the former prime minister.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Travelers Muse

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on the Hindu Holi festival of colours, March 9-10.

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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