Malaysia Morning News For August 29

National connectivity plan give equal Internet access to urban, rural folk – Gobind
The Cabinet has approved the implementation of an RM21.6-billion national connectivity plan that gives equal access to the Internet for both the urban and rural population in the effort to reduce the digital divide, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced today.
— The Borneo Post

RM53m road project to benefit 3,000
The RM53 million Nanga Menuan-Nanga Setepus road project will benefit nearly 3,000 people, Infrastructure and Ports Development Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said yesterday.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Malaysia aims to be preferred destination for high-tech investment
Malaysia aims to become the preferred destination for high-tech investment through Industry4WRD, says Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming.
— The Sun Daily

UN Report: Poverty in Sarawak higher than national average
The percentage of low-income earners in Sarawak is higher than the national-level figure, according to a United Nations report on extreme poverty.
— The Star Online

Maybank aims 8% growth in SME loans this year
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) is targeting an 8% growth in its SME loans this year, from 6.5% year-to-date, driven by its attractive financing packages for SMEs, including non-collateral financing.
— The Sun Daily

Najib Razak 1MDB: Malaysia’s former PM faces biggest trial yet
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has gone on trial again over an alleged multibillion-dollar fraud involving a government fund.
— BBC

Improve public train transportation to boost ridership: Analysts
The element of security and timing are among the areas in need of improvements to make public transport such as train and rail services the choice of the public, especially among Klang Valley residents.
— The Sun Daily

Sabah to strengthen M’sia-S’pore ties
Sabah is aiming to be the platform for Singapore and Malaysia to strengthen their existing ties. “We discussed how to strengthen ties between Singapore and Malaysia through Sabah.
— The Borneo Post

Govt sets up special committee on Islamic finance
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced the establishment of a Special Committee on Islamic Finance (JKKI) to promote and encourage the development of Islamic finance.
— The Sun Daily

Perak govt abolishes penalties for oil palm smallholders to facilitate MSPO certification
The Perak state government has decided not to impose penalties on oil palm smallholders who have violated their land-use category conditions to ensure that every palm oil producer in the state can obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
— The Sun Daily

Green groups: Malaysians not against foreign investment, but Putrajaya can’t put profit over planet
Putrajaya must scrutinise foreign investment and not put financial gains above environmental concerns, environmental groups said after the government warned against scaring off investors if the controversial rare earth miner.
— Malay Mail

Mahathir test drives Vietnam’s first national car
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Wednesday test drove a model of VinFast, a car manufactured by Vietnam.He test drove the sports utility vehicle (SUV) LUX SA (A) 2.0 model for about 10 minutes during a visit to the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
— The Sun Daily

S’wak only state so far to set up integrity unit in Chief Minister’s Office
Sarawak takes pride at being named the only state in Malaysia to have an integrity unit in the office of the menteri besar, or chief minister.
— The Borneo Post

FGV net loss balloons to RM52.2m for Q2
FGV Holdings Bhd’s net loss widened to RM52.2 million in the second quarter (Q2) ended June 30, 2019 from RM23.43 million in the same quarter last year, attributed to lower crude palm oil (CPO) price realised as well as losses incurred in the sugar sector.
— The Sun Daily

Lower operating cost lifts TM’s Q2 profit
Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s (TM) net profit rose 12% in the second quarter ending June 30, 2019 with RM114.18 million against RM101.93 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year, attributed to a reduction in operating cost from its various cost initiatives.
— The Sun Daily

Water transfer scheme must start now for northern region, says PBAPP CEO
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) today urged Putrajaya to implement the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) as soon as possible to ensure water security for northern states.
— Malay Mail

Report: 33,000 Malaysians seek asylum in Australia
As many as 33,000 Malaysians have applied to be refugees in Australia over the last few years, according to its High Commissioner to Malaysia Andrew Goledzinowski.
— Malay Mail

No need for licence from Sports Ministry for dragon, lion dances
The Youth and Sports Ministry has clarified that dragon and lion dance groups do not need a licence from it.
— The Sun Daily

First durian chartered flight leaves Sepang for China
The first chartered flight of 20 tonnes of whole Malaysian durian flew to the Henan province in China yesterday to fill the appetite and demand for the fruit in the middle kingdom.
— Malay Mail

Health specialists urged to share information with the people
Health specialists including doctors have been urged to share information relating to the health of the people especially patients as an effort to guide them to practise a healthy lifestyle in their daily lives.
— The Sun Daily

Health Ministry lifts suspension on Malee trade and business
The suspension on Malee Mineral Water Sdn Bhd’s trade and businesses in late June, was lifted on August 16.
— Malay Mail

Govt mulls social work punishment for smoking ban offenders
Social work punishment such as cleaning toilets, collecting rubbish and cutting grass is being considered for offenders of the smoking ban at public places, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
— The Sun Daily

Bioalpha seeks transfer to Main Market
Bioalpha Holdings Bhd has proposed to transfer its listing from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Securities.
— The Sun Daily

BNM: Virtual banking is happening now
Virtual banking is already happening in Malaysia, although the digital bank licensing framework will be issued for industry consultation by year-end, Bank Negara Malaysia governor (BNM) Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said.
— The Sun Daily

7-Eleven’s net profit increases 11% in Q2
7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd reported a net profit of RM14.59 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019, an 11.1% increase from RM13.13 million recorded in the same quarter of the preceding year.
— The Sun Daily

Race-based politics here to stay, says experts in implication for GE15 forum
Malaysia will not be able to get away from identity or race-based politics for at least another two general elections, observed experts at a seminar titled “Post-GE14 By-Elections: Implications for GE15”.
— Malay Mail

Press Metal among six Malaysian firms in Forbes Asia’s ‘Best Over a Billion’
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (Press Metal) join five other Malaysian companies on Forbes’ inaugural “Best Over a Billion” list of companies across Asia-Pacific that recorded revenues exceeding US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion).
— The Borneo Post

PBAPP wants water transfer scheme to start by 2025
Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) is seeking the commissioning of the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) by 2025.
— The Sun Daily

Court dismisses Mahathir’s appeal over Forex losses suit
The Court of Appeal today dismissed an appeal by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to reinstate his lawsuit in which he seeks a declaration to invalidate a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into foreign exchange losses suffered by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in the 1990s.
— The Sun Daily

Sime Darby says Abdul Rahman its new chairman from Oct 31
Sime Darby Bhd today announced that its chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah will retire from the board effective October 31, 2019 due to health reason and will be replaced by Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad.
— The Sun Daily

BIMB Q2 earnings up 30.2% to RM195.16m
BIMB Holdings Bhd’s net profit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 jumped 30.2% to RM195.16 million from RM149.91 million a year ago, thanks to higher profit from its Islamic banking and takaful businesses.
— The Sun Daily

Big Blue Taxi chief apologises for calling Indonesians poor after remark sparks outrage among Go-Jek riders
Big Blue Taxi Services founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail today publicly apologised to Indonesians for calling them poor, sparking an outrage among Go-Jek riders in the republic.
— Malay Mail

Report: Leaked Kedah’s Budget 2020 presentation file shows Kulim airport to have two runways
A leaked presentation from Kedah’s Budget 2020 dialogue revealed that the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP) is to sit on a 17sq km plot of land on the state’s border with Penang and have two runways.
— Malay Mail

No spike in application for Malaysia My Second Home Programme from Hong Kong
Despite the recent protests in Hong Kong, Malaysia has not seen a spike in the number of applications for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak.
— The Sun Daily

Tourism push via social media ‘influencers’
Malaysia hopes to have an audience reach of between two million and four million in its tourism push using social media.
— The Sun Daily

Minister: Jakim forwarded 5,000 complaints over insults against Prophet Muhammad, Islam to police, MCMC
About 5,000 complaints have been lodged with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) relating to articles or provocative statements insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
— Malay Mail

Kerjaya Prospek posts flat Q2 earnings
Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd’s net profit rose 1.7% to RM35.78 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 against RM35.17 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
— The Sun Daily

Kerinchi PPR lift incident due to brake failure
The incident involving a lift at a PPR (people’s housing project) in Kampung Kerinchi, Pantai Dalam, on Aug 2 was due to a brake failure caused by faulty mechanical components.
— The Star Online

The origins of Najib’s ‘Bossku’ phenomenon explained in 1MDB trial?
A former public relations consultant to Datuk Seri Najib Razak has suggested that the current “Bossku” campaign employed by the ex-prime minister could have its roots in his experience in digital media.
— Malay Mail

Sabah Forestry Dept recruits rangers specialising in anti-poaching ops
A new team of rangers specialising in anti-poaching operations in Sabah has just been hired, following weeks of intense scrutiny, training and final selection.
— The Star Online

New travel trade show to be held June next year at Mitec
A new travel trade show will be held on June 25-27 next year. The Malaysia Tourism and Travel Mart 2020 (MTTM) is expected to host more than 200 international exhibitors from over 45 countries.
— The Sun Daily

Oct 21-24 hearing of suit against Rosmah to return 44 jewellery pieces
The High Court here today set four days from Oct 21 to hear a suit by Global Royalty Trading SAL against the former prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pix) to seek her return of 44 pieces of jewellery sent to her for selection or for her to pay the price of all the items amounting to US$14.79 (RM60 million).
— The Sun Daily

1MDB trial: RM2m cheque with Najib’s signature paid to manage his social media in 2013
Datuk Seri Najib Razak had signed off on a RM2 million cheque to a private agency in 2013 to manage his public image and social media accounts, the High Court heard on the first day of the ex-prime minister’s 1Malaysia.
— Malay Mail

Jackpot! RM2 Supreme Toto ticket nets Sabah housewife RM41.45 million
A housewife from Sabah has become a multi-millionaire after winning the Supreme Toto 6/58 jackpot on Aug 21 of RM41.45 million.
— The Borneo Post

HSBC to cut fees, offer rebates to boost struggling small HK firms
HSBC launches a package of support measures for struggling small and medium enterprises, the first time it has done so since the 2008-09 global financial crisis.
— FMT News

Dr M pays courtesy call on Vietnamese president
Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad paid a courtesy call on the President of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, here today.
— Malay Mail

Bursa continues weak momentum in early trade
Bursa Malaysia continued yesterday’s downward momentum to open lower today as sentiments failed to improve despite positive developments in US-China trade tensions.
— The Sun Daily

NIOSH denies chairman’s contract not renewed
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has denied a report in a news portal that the contract of its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pix) has not been renewed.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on Malaysia National Day, August 31.

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).

—

About Malaysia morning news.

Malaysia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Malaysia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Malaysia English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Malaysia daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Malaysia news headlines and first paragraphs before 8.15am Malaysia time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Malaysia news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Malaysia news article, or keep on reading the remaining Malaysia daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Malaysia English language news today by email before 9am Malaysia time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.