Malaysia Morning News For April 30

Guan Eng: RM550m soft loan and RM100m grant for independent oil palm smallholders
The government, yesterday, announced RM550 million soft loan at two per cent repayment rate to independent smallholders to replant their unproductive oil palms.
— New Straits Times

Kedah airport plan will have a negative impact on Penang, says CM
Plans for an airport in Kedah, even if it is only for cargo, will have a negative impact for Penang, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
— Eleven Myanmar

Malaysia eyes potential investments worth RM10bil from expo 2020 Dubai
Malaysia aims to achieve RM10 billion worth of potential investments and businesses from Expo 2020 Dubai, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
— The Star Online

Lim: Property management is good in Malaysia
Association of Property and Facility Managers (APFM) Singapore president Dr. Lim Lan Yuan finds that property management practices in Malaysia are good overall, although weak in certain areas.
— The Edge Markets

Penang manufacturers feel the heat
Impacted by the global economic slowdown and US-China trade war, the manufacturing sector in Penang is already feeling the heat, with some factories suspending operations and downsizing their workforce, according to InvestPenang director Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon.
— The Star Online

Malaysia eyes potential investments worth RM10bil from expo 2020 Dubai
Malaysia aims to achieve RM10 billion worth of potential investments and businesses from Expo 2020 Dubai, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
— The Star Online

Islamic finance has prominent role in financial inclusion, says SC chairman
Islamic finance has a prominent role in helping to address unmet needs of the world’s Muslim population for Shariah-compliant financial services, says Securities Commission Malaysia chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar.
— The Star Online

UOB Malaysia FY18 net profit up 8% at RM1.24b
United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd recorded a net profit of RM1.24 billion for the financial year ended 2018 (FY18), an 8% increase from FY17.
— The Star Online

Malaysia Airlines offers up to 50% off on airfares
Malaysia Airlines is offering up to 50% off on airfares along with more travel benefits and opt-in options from today until May 8 with its latest Ultimate Travelicious Deals campaign.
— The Sun Daily

Former PM Najib fails to have seven corruption charges dismissed
Najib challenged criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering charges at the start of his trial.
— Aljazeera

RedCargo, Oman Air sign agreement to power cargo growth
RedCargo Logistics Sdn Bhd (RLSB), the cargo and logistics platform of AirAsia Bhd, today signed an interline agreement with Oman Air to provide customers with access to belly space on Oman Air’s cargo and freight network including to Africa, the UK and Europe.
— New Straits Times

Bursa Malaysia net profit down 26% in Q1
Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s net profit fell 26.5% to RM46.85mil in the first quarter ended March 31, from RM63.78mil in the same period a year ago, mainly due to lower operating revenue.
— The Star Online

Lotte Chemical Titan’s profits slump in Q1 FY19
Lotte Chemical Titan Bhd’s profits fell by 77.1% in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 due to higher effective tax rate as there was no further reinvestment allowance claimable and lower profit and a fall in the selling prices of its products.
— The Star Online

Public Bank records higher net profit of RM1.41b in Q1 FY19
Public Bank Bhd posted slightly higher net profit in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 mainly due to lower loan impairment allowance and higher investment income when compared with a year ago.
— The Star Online

Proposed Kulim Airport will have negative impact on Penang, CM says
The proposed Kulim Airport will have a negative impact on Penang, especially the Penang International Airport (LTAPP), the Penang Legislative Assembly was told today.
— Malay Mail

Proposed Kulim airport will have negative impact on Penang: Chow
The proposed Kulim airport will have a negative impact on Penang, especially the Penang International Airport (LTAPP), the Penang Legislative Assembly was told today.
— The Sun Daily

Economist: Govt should boost SME sector to create more jobs
The Pakatan Government’s pledge to create one million job opportunities in five years is attainable in the long term if it boosts development expenditure and fosters the growth of small and medium enterprises.
— Malay Mail

Refer to Finance Ministry if home loan application rejected, says Lim
Applicants for home loans who face difficulty in getting loan approvals should refer to the Finance Ministry, says its minister Lim Guan Eng.”If you have difficulty getting loans, refer to us.
— The Sun Daily

Works minister confirms RM5.5b federal injection for road linking Sarawak and Sabah
Putrajaya has approved RM5.5 billion for the construction of a 415km-long road from Sarawak all the way to the northern tip of Borneo in Sabah, Works Minister Baru Bian disclosed ahead of the Pakatan Harapan federal.
— Malay Mail

FAA considered grounding some Boeing 737 Max planes last year
The MCAS malfunction alert issue was discovered last year, but FAA inspectors did not give details of the discussions to higher-ranking officials.
— FMT News

Principal rebrands to strengthen asset management operations in Asian markets
Principal Financial Group (Principal) announced recently that it will rebrand its asset management operations in Asean, a joint-venture with CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (CIMB).
— The Borneo Post

Almost 800 police reports lodged against Zakir Naik follower
The police have received 790 complaints as today against a purported follower of Muslim preacher Zakir Naik for allegedly insulting Hinduism in a lecture.
— Malay Mail

Health Minister to discuss proposal on mandatory vaccination
The proposal on making immunisation mandatory will be tabled with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) steering committee on May 8 for approval, before it is presented to the Cabinet.
— Malay Mail

Be prepared for challenges of fake news in 5G tech era
The agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) must be prepared to face the many challenges from the fifth generation (5G) mobile technology, including the spread.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Dr M: ECRL negotiations by previous govt not transparent
The negotiations on the construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) by the previous Barisan Nasional government were not transparent and were conducted without any detailed study.
— Malay Mail

Petronas gas extends power supply to PAP for another 22 years
Petronas Gas Bhd (Petronas Gas) recently entered into two separate sales and purchase agreements with Polyplastics Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd (PAP), each for a 22-year duration.
— The Borneo Post

Najib’s SRC trial set to proceed during Ramadan
The trial of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak relating to RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds is set to commence at 9am until 3.30pm during Ramadan, which will start next week.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian palm oil price hits 1-month low on weaker related oils
Malaysian palm oil futures extended losses on Monday to hit a one-month low, weighed down by weaker related oils and crude oil.
— The Star Online

Perkata receives grant from govt
Political secretary to the Chief Minister Tan Kai represented Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in presenting a grant from the state government to Perkata.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Traditional games well-supported by public, says rep
Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi is full of praise for “Pesta Mensia Marek” (Traditional Games) which were introduced during the recent Darul Hana Carnival.

Fatimah welcomes partnership to help women entrepreneurs go global
The International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (IWFCIM) is welcomed by the state Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Children Development ministry as a strategic partner in.
— New Sarawak Tribune

PH implemented various initiatives for Muslims – Dr Mahathir
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government today had implemented various initiatives for Islam and Muslims in the country.
— The Borneo Post

FGV, PLS Plantation look to form JV for development of durian plantations
Following the signing of a heads of agreement (HoA), FGV Holdings Bhd (FGV) and PLS Plantation Bhd (PLS) are exploring the potential of forming a joint venture (JV) for the development of cash crop plantations, primarily durian.
— The Borneo Post

Positive growth despite uncertain global environment, says Taib
Sarawak has recorded a positive economic growth despite the uncertain global economic environment.
— New Sarawak Tribune

New NGO from KK seeks guidance from Hope Place Kuching
A group of young adults from Kota Kinabalu recently approached Hope Place Kuching for advice and guidance in their newly-formed non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as ‘Arms of Hope Sabah’.
— The Borneo Post

Meeting with Land and Survey soon over Santubong land issues
Santubong Zone Community Leaders and Ketua Kaum (KMKK) will hold a meeting with the Land and Survey Department soon.
— New Sarawak Tribune

P&G to improve smallholders livelihood in palm supply chain
Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has collaborated with Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation to help improve the livelihood of smallholders within the P&G palm supply chain in Malaysia.
— The Borneo Post

Leaders across political divide urged to fight for Sarawak’s rights
Leaders in Sarawak, be they in the government or the opposition, should set aside their political differences in fighting for Sarawak’s rights.
— The Borneo Post

With 45,000 public uni spots, are STPM grads losing out to 40,000 matriculation students?
An average of 45,000 places in public universities were offered for undergraduate study in the past two years, even as the matriculation programme’s intake has just been raised to 40,000 students.
— Malay Mail

Missing longhouse man found
A 70-year old man clad in a blue Barisan Nasional T-shirt and a pair of shorts, who was reported missing since last Saturday after going out of his longhouse.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Police to question those involved in Rome Statute forum
The police will quiz several individuals involved with the forum on the Rome Statute held at Universiti Malaya on Saturday to record their statements.
— The Sun Daily

Don’t forget the poor, says Head of State
More special programmes and projects are needed to eradicate poverty. Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the poor must not be forgotten in Sarawak’s efforts to.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Comprehensive Bill aims to pull the plug on water pollution
The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry is drafting a uniform and comprehensive Water Resource Bill in a bid to clamp down on water pollution.
— The Star Online

Fifth consecutive loss for MMHE, Bokor remains bulk of orderbook
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Bhd (MMHE) suffered its fifth consecutive net loss of RM29.4 million in its first quarter of financial year 2019 (1QFY19) whilst its Bokor project offshore Sarawak continues to make up the bulk of its orderbook.
— The Borneo Post

Najib’s SRC trial: Gandingan Mentari account flagged as ‘high risk’, subject to extra monitoring
The account of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd was considered “high-risk” and put under stringent monitoring by AmBank, the High Court heard today.
— Malay Mail

Court rejects Najib’s bid to quash seven SRC charges
The High Court here today dismissed former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s application to quash the seven charges in relation to RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds.
— The Borneo Post

Group of retirees call for Socso to extend gratuity payments
A group of retirees want the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to extend gratuity payments to all.Their spokesman Mohd Noor Abdullah said they received an ex-gratia payment in 2014 based on the formula of RM1,000 for every year of service.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak shines at Asean PR Excellence Awards
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak has clinched the ‘Diamond Award’ for ‘Best Government Public Relations (PR) – Asean Category’ at the Asean International PR Excellence Awards.
— The Borneo Post

Brickfields’ 1.1 million residents get new district police headquarters
The newly-launched Brickfields district police headquarters (IPD) along Jalan Travers here will be able to better serve the 1.1 million residents in its area, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said.
— Malay Mail

SC cautiously optimistic over possible increase in sukuk issuances
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is cautiously optimistic over a possible increase in sukuk issuances this year.
— The Star Online

Focus on ‘genuine’ crimes instead of sedition, lawyer tells IGP
The police would be wiser to use their valuable resources to fight “genuine” crimes instead of investigating public fora for sedition that are little more than political harassment, human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen…
— Malay Mail

IGP: Preacher held for insulting Hinduism brought to Dang Wangi for further investigations
A freelance Muslim preacher held for insulting Hinduism has been brought to Dang Wangi for further investigations.
— The Star Online

Educational enforcement period on smoking ban extended with focus on rural areas
The educational enforcement period on the smoking ban at eateries has been extended until the end of the year to enhance public awareness and knowledge on the matter, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.
— The Sun Daily

Contractors who dumped debris into the sea nabbed after being caught on camera
The contractors who dumped construction debris into the sea from an open air parking lot in Lebuh Farquhar here on April 19 were nabbed within four hours, after a security camera caught their lorry’s licence plate number.
— The Star Online

Feature photo Borneo Jazz

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Jazz Day, April 30.

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.