Malaysia Morning News For April 11

Malaysia former first lady hit with fresh corruption charge
The wife of Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak was hit Wednesday with a new corruption charge over a solar energy contract.
— CTV

Malaysia announces $2.1b bailout for state-owned land development agency Felda
Malaysia announced Wednesday (April 10) it would provide RM6.23 billion (S$2.1 billion) in financial aid for state-owned national land development agency Felda, as part of measures to revive the debt-ridden organisation.
— The Straits Times

Almost all bosses in Malaysia adhering to RM1,100 minimum wage
ALMOST all employers in the country have complied with the minimum wage policy of RM1,100, says Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
— Eleven Myanmar

Mimos, Microsoft’s AI Centre to accelerate Industry 4.0 policy
In line with Malaysia’s goal to become a high-tech industry destination by 2025, Mimos, an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia; and Microsoft have jointly established an Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre in Malaysia named “Centre of AI for Future Industry (CAIFI)”.
— The Borneo Post

Govt considers depositing petrol subsidy into recipient’s bank account
The government may deposit petrol subsidy into the bank accounts of B40 low-income recipients, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— FMT

Dr M: Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, not absolute
Malaysia is a country that practises a constitutional and not an absolute monarchy, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Digital tax to benefit media companies in TV, OTT
The digital service tax, which comes into effect on Jan 1, 2020, might benefit media companies in the TV and over-the-top (OTT) segments such as Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Media Prima Bhd and Star Media Group Bhd as competition from OTT players such as Netflix has pressured subscription revenue and average revenue per user, according to AmInvestment Bank Research.
— The Sun Daily

More airlines expected to fly to Seletar Airport
The approval for Firefly to resume flying to Singapore but to Seletar Airport instead of Changi Airport effective late April will pave the way for other airlines to fly to Seletar, according to MIDF Research.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia backs $1.5 bln in aid for state palm oil firm Fel
Malaysia will inject 6.23 billion ringgit ($1.52 billion) of financial aid into state-owned palm oil plantation agency Felda, after a government inquiry found poor management had sent the company’s losses and debt soaring over the past decade.
— Reuters

Malaysia’s G3 and China’s SenseTime to develop AI talents and products
G3 Global Bhd (formerly known as Yen Global Bhd), has inked a collaboration agreement with China’s SenseTime Group Ltd to develop new artificial intelligence (AI) products and solutions in Malaysia.
— New Straits Times

A Pan-Malaysian dialogue for a united Malaysia
Let’s sit down and talk, and work out a solution for a better, united Malaysia. I would like to propose a nationwide, inter-racial, and inter-religion Pan-Malaysian Dialogue and Compromise to reduce the level of misunderstanding between the races of Malaysia for a more harmonious and united Malaysia.
— Malaysiakini

NST Leader: Harnessing Malaysia’s natural resources
AN endotoxin detection kit (TAL), super-low-cost solar cells, super-efficient edible oil and fuel oil farms, and drugs to combat chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are just some of the products that can be made from the marine resources Malaysia has.
— New Straits Times

FINTECH STARTUP AMALAN ENTERS MALAYSIA
AMALAN, a provider of fintech solutions to reduce the debt balance and loan installments for consumers and business owners, has started offering its services in Malaysia.
— Digital NewsAsia

Accommodation services record higher gross output value in 2017
The gross output value of accommodation services rose to RM15.8 billion in 2017 from RM13.9 billion in 2015, with the annual growth rate value of 6.7 per cent, said the Department of Statistics.
— The Borneo Post

Indonesia’s Eagle High Plantations, FELDA deal going into arbitration: Azmin Ali
Indonesia’s Eagle High Plantations (EHP) is contesting the Federal Land Development Authority’s (FELDA) decision to sell back its 37 pct stake in EHP, Minister of Economic Affairs, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali revealed today.
— New Straits Times

Axiata, Ncell to settle tax bill within 3 months
Axiata Group Bhd and Ncell Private Ltd have been given three months to settle the capital gains tax of NPR61 billion (about RM2.25 billion) for the Ncell buyout deal.
— The Sun Daily

TNB promotes energy efficiency
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is launching a campaign to promote Energy Efficiency (EE) with the intention to remind and educate Malaysians on the significance of environmental sustainability through power saving.
— New Straits Times

Bill to make Sabah, Sarawak equal partners rejected in Malaysia parliament
The Constitutional Amendment Bill to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with the Federation of Malaya, as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, failed to get the required two-thirds majority support in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Apr 9).
— Channel NewsAsia

Improving oil prices abodes well for Sapura
With crude oil prices rebounding significantly in the first quarter of 2019 after plunging in the fourth quarter of 2018, further gains for local oil and gas (O&G) players are likely, according to sector analysts.
— New Straits Times

TM to launch twin core data centre in Cyberjaya by end of the month
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is set to launch TM One twin core Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) in Cyberjaya by end April.
— New Straits Times

Hong Leong Assurance Bags Best Life Insurance Company – Malaysia Award
After garnering the Best Life Insurance Company – Malaysia award in 2017, Hong Leong Assurance (HLA) continued its winning streak in the international insurance arena by bagging the coveted title for the second consecutive time at the International Finance Insurance Awards 2018 recently.
— The Borneo Post

No new Johor MB just yet
Now that Johor is without a mentri besar after the resignation of Datuk Osman Sapian the focus has shifted to the selection of his replacement.
— Asia One

Museum honours pioneer Chinese migrants to Malaysia
The fearsome roars of the South China Sea are not sounds one might expect to hear when entering an establishment in landlocked Seri Kembangan.
— FMT

Malaysia environment groups, Lynas workers rally over rare earths plant
Malaysian environmental groups and Lynas Corp workers held rival demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday over concerns about radioactive waste from the company’s rare earths processing plant in the country.
— Reuters

Thousands rush to pay traffic fines in Malaysia
Afraid of being hauled to court for accumulating 16 outstanding traffic summonses in the past four years, salesman Tommy Lee rushed to the police station in Jalan Patani to settle them all for half the price.
— Asia One

China to launch anti-dumping probe on methionine from Malaysia, S’pore, Japan
China’s Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday it will launch an anti-dumping investigation on methionine imported from Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
— The Edge Markets

Manulife expands into Myanmar’s life insurance market
Manulife Asia is expanding its operations in Myanmar, its 13th market in the region, following its selection as a “preferred applicant” by the country’s Ministry of Planning and Finance to set up a wholly foreign-owned life insurance operation.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia reneging on rights treaties? Wait for report, says foreign minister
Putrajaya said today it will review Wisma Putra’s comprehensive report to ascertain progress prior to addressing criticism it was backsliding on women and children’s rights in recent reviews by the United Nations (UN).
— Malay Mail

Malaysian writers shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize
TWO writers from Malaysia have been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, joining a total of 21 writers spread across 16 countries.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia is at a crossroads, of fear and hope of reform
In medicine, there are times for in-depth contemplation and there are moments when time is of the essence – a second’s delay may result in death or permanent damage.
— The Star Online

Penang CM dismisses talk of factory shutdowns, layoffs
GEORGE TOWN, April 10 — Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow played down claims of multinational companies (MNC) in Penang closing or retrenching their staff as unconfirmed rumours.
— Malay Mail

Breaking up Malaysia Airlines
AS Malaysia Airlines Bhd awaits its fate, there are renewed calls for it to consider divesting some of its business units such as engineering and cargo to raise capital.
— The Edge Markets

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