Malaysia Morning News For July 8

Concern raised over Sabah govt’s decision to proceed with Papar Dam project
The Sabah government should reconsider its decision to proceed with the Papar Dam project and find other alternatives to solve water and power shortage in the state, says Penampang Bersatu Chief Senator Datuk John Ambrose.
— The Borneo Post

Govt needs to focus on ecosystem, people on digitisation plan: Apec
When it comes to digitisation, there is much to be done by the government, says executive director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) secretariat Tan Sri Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria.She said the government should focus on the ecosystem as well as the people, as digitisation is not only about system.
— The Sun Daily

Mahathir’s call for a mega-Malay party puts leadership transition in tatters
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is supposed to announce a timeline for the leadership transition plans within the Pakatan Harapan party, but instead called for the formation of a mega-Malay party.
— The Independent

Sarawak government has not officially responded to RM1b loan offer: MOF
The Sarawak state government has yet to provide any official feedback to the federal government on the proposed loan offer, amounting to RM1 billion, which will be allocated for repairs of dilapidated schools in the state.The Finance Ministry in a statement today said the federal government’s stand on the method.
— The Sun Daily

Minister says still awaiting report on alleged Pasir Gudang death
The Ministry of Health is waiting for a full medical report on a woman who reportedly died from breathing complications that her husband blamed on suspected pollution in the area, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly.
— Malay Mail

Health Ministry to release aedes mosquito with Wolbachia to combat dengue menace
The Health Ministry will be releasing aedes mosquitoes that contain Wolbachia bacteria in stages across the country to control the spread of dengue, which is reported on the rise. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this followed the success of a pilot study using such aedes mosquito to.
— The Borneo Post

Non-Muslim couples required to attend marriage school in Johor
Just when you think wedding planning is a headache, Johoreans have to worry about another thing. Couples, including non-Muslims, are required to attend a compulsory marriage course.
— The Independent

Fake Malaysian visas: Two more arrested in city
In yet another case, immigration officials caught a man from Telangana, who had gone to Malaysia two years ago on a visit visa and returned with a fake immigration seal from Malaysian authorities last week.
— The Hindu

Maritime enforcers out to combat fish bombing
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) together with other relevant agencies will be intensifying operations to combat fish bombing in Sabah waters.
— Malay Mail

Miri cops seize 54 motorbikes, issue 94 summonses in Ops Samseng Jalanan
A total of 54 motorcycles were seized and 94 summonses issued during an all-night police operation at Marina Parkcity here. ‘Ops Samseng Jalanan’, which commenced late Saturday, concluded at 6am yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

Future of Rare Earth Industries in Malaysia
In recent weeks, the global rare earth industry has taken centre stage in the trade discussions between the US and China. Rare Earths are essential inputs to the automotive industry and will become more important with the growth in electric vehicles, the electronics industry, Oil & Gas and renewable energy.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

MoF: S&P’s reaffirmed credit ratings for Malaysia a sign of confidence in country’s outlook despite higher debt
S&P Global Ratings’ (SP&’s) affirmation of Malaysia’s issuer credit rating with a stable outlook on July 3, is a sign of its confidence in Malaysia’s positive economic outlook, despite an increase in the government’s direct debt, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— The Edge Markets

World Bank recognised Malaysia’s effort in uplifting telecommunications sector
The progressive efforts of the Malaysian government in uplifting the country’s telecommunications sector have been recognised by the World Bank in its latest report on Malaysia Economic Monitor: Re-energising the Public.
— Malay Mail

Sarawak does not owe Putrajaya RM2.375 billion
The Finance Ministry (MoF) has got it wrong when it said the Sarawak government owed the federal government RM2.375 billion, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut.
— New Sarawak Tribune

SMEs urged to collaborate with govt agencies
Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should work closely with government agencies to accelerate their business growth, said Sarawak layered-cake entrepreneur Mohammad Hafidz Rohani.
— The Borneo Post

ECRL margins to be less attractive for large-cap contractors — Analysts
Margins from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) could be less attractive for large-cap contractors to participate due to the stiff competition, analysts opined. However, they pointed out that the project could benefit smaller players.
— The Borneo Post

88 developers penalised for failing to complete affordable housing projects
Eighty-eight housing developers in Johor had been imposed penalties between 2016 and 2018 for failing to complete the state’s affordable housing projects Rumah Mampu Biaya Johor (RMBJ).State Housing, Communications and Multimedia Committee chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad said 41 of the developers were in Johor Baru.
— The Sun Daily

Govt lauds move to cover mental health by insurance companies, says Dr Lee
The Federal Government has lauded the initiative taken by some insurance companies to extend their coverage to include mental health.
— The Star Online

Ailing ringgit bonds await lifeline from Malaysia policy review
The case is growing for Bank Negara Malaysia to bolster the economy with another interest-rate cut — and to provide some much-needed encouragement for inflows to the ringgit bond market.
— The Star Online

Environmental group to hand over memo to all 222 MPs, seeking amendments to National Forestry Act
The Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) will hand over a memorandum to all 222 MPs to demand greater environment protection from the government.
— The Star Online

Backing ‘Undi 18’, Umno senator says youths will keep Malaysia’s leaders on their toes
Giving 18-year-olds access to the ballot will invite greater public scrutiny of politicians in the country and promote accountability, said Senator Khairul Azwan Harun.
— Malay Mail

Felda will rise again with confidence of settlers restored, says Azmin
The economic affairs minister says the PH government is committed to bringing back the glory of the agency through the Settlers Development Programme launched today.
— FMT News

State, country need to look at diverse fields for revenue, says Sabah CM
The government needs to start looking at diverse sectors now so that the state and country is not dependent on any particular sector for revenue, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
— The Star Online

Health Ministry to issue statement on death of woman in Pasir Gudang
The Health Ministry will issue a statement regarding the news about the death of a woman who reportedly died from breathing complications allegedly caused by pollution in Pasir Gudang.
— The Star Online

Shafie wants maximum punishment for fish bomb users
The Sabah chief minister tells authorities to investigate how the bomb makers get their contents.
— FMT News

Move to end child marriages in Malaysia
Sisters in Islam calls upon the Malaysian government to take proactive measures in making necessary legal amendments and rolling out necessary ground initiatives to end child marriages for all children in Malaysia, with no exceptions.
— Aliran

A radioactive political football: So what is all the fuss with Lynas?
In the campaign leading up to the 2013 general election, the-then opposition Pakatan Rakyat had a clear approach about how they would deal with Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and its US$800 million (RM3.35 billion) Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) rare earths refinery in Gebeng, Pahang.
— Malay Mail

Govt plans to merge Felda settlers’ land into big estates, says Mahathir
He also wants settlers not to depend only on oil palm or rubber but to diversify crops.
— FMT News

Police to call in Lokman Adam over illegal protest
Police will call Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam (pix) to give his statement regarding the illegal protest organised by Suara Rakyat Secretariat in the city yesterday.Dang Wangi Police chief ACP Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan Abdullah said the protest was held without any notice given to the police as.
— The Sun Daily

Kok: Put info about palm oil into schoolbooks
The Primary Industries Ministry is hoping to work with the Education Ministry to introduce knowledge about palm oil into school textbooks, says Teresa Kok.
— The Star Online

Dr M: Combine Felda settlements for greater wealth
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has proposed an amalgamation of Felda settlements which would in turn produce higher yields and bring greater benefit to settlers.
— The Star Online

Mahathir looks beyond Malaysia’s first century
While the economy is on the right track, the country needs to survive murky politics which could weaken the ruling coalition.
— FMT News

RTM fully prepared to go digital
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) is fully prepared to switch from the current analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting.Broadcasting director-general Abdul Muis Shefii said the results of the trial run of the station’s two digital channels, namely the 24-hour Berita Ehwal Semasa (BES) news channel and the.
— The Sun Daily

RM1 bln loan offer: CM says S’wak govt responded to Putrajaya through Maszlee, sent letter to MoF
The Sarawak government has denied it had not provided any official feedback to the federal government with regards to the proposed RM1 billion loan offer for the repairs of dilapidated schools in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the Sarawak government had in fact responded.
— The Borneo Post

Tourism in Langkawi possibly victim of spending cutbacks
Langkawi, Malaysia’s premier island resort, may have fallen victim to a cutback in spending on efforts to woo tourists. While the country recorded an increase in arrivals and spending in the first quarter of this year compared with the corresponding period last year, the island seems to have fallen off the radar,
— The Sun Daily

RM253 mil net inflow this week good sign for equity mart, say analysts
Inter-Pacific Securities’ Pong Teng Siew says the net inflow from Monday to Thursday surpassed that of the whole month of June.
— FMT News

Putrajaya eyes crop, livestock shift to supplement Felda bailout plan
The government will introduce Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers to fast-yielding crops and livestock to mitigate palm oil woes that forced Putrajaya into a multi-billion bailout of the agency, according to.
— Malay Mail

KK chamber calls for more technology transfer from China
Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kkccci) president Datuk Michael Lui hopes to see more technology transfer from China through win-win investment projects in Malaysia. He said Malaysia’s comprehensive strategic partnership with China and the Belt and Road’s trade route would help.
— The Borneo Post

Four in five Malaysian parents back physical punishment of children
Up to 81 per cent of Malaysian parents believe that sparing the rod will spoil the child. The Sunday Star reported that a survey by international agency YouGov, which polled 619 Malaysian parents, found that most believe.
— Malay Mail

Waytha Moorthy: Govt to focus on addressing Orang Asli Batek tribe health issues
The main focus of the Pakatan Harapan government today is to address the health issues faced by the Batek tribe of the Orang Asli community in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang.
— Malay Mail

‘Predators’ invade Penang heritage site for good cause
Penangites and tourists to the George Town heritage core zone were shocked and dumbfounded when two predators were found ‘abducting’ vulnerable victims, young and old, in broad daylight.
— Malay Mail

National Botanical Park re-opens today
The National Botanical Park in Bukit Cerakah here, which was closed to the public since last March for cleaning and restoration work after a thunderstorm lashed through it, reopens today.Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehhudin Hassan said the park is being re-opened.
— The Sun Daily

58 people arrested in anti-drug operation in KK
Fifty-eight people were arrested for various drug-related offences in a week-long operation by the police here and in Inanam since last Friday.Kota Kinabalu district police chief ACP Habibi Majinji said 24 raids were conducted during which 1521.75 gm of syabu, worth RM187,762.50, were seized.
— The Sun Daily

Guan Eng: S&P outlook sign that growing debt not a threat to Malaysia’s credit ratings
Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings positive outlook of the local economy demonstrates that rising direct public debt was not jeopardising Malaysia’s sovereign credit rating, said Lim Guan Eng.
— Malay Mail

Maybank’s transformation plans positive and sustainable
The transformation of Malayan Banking Bhd’s (Maybank) risk management practices have been projected by analysts to be a positive contributor to the sustainability to the group’s earnings going forward.
— The Borneo Post

Kampung Segedup to be modern hub
Efforts are already in motion to turn Kampung Segedup here into a modern village hub. This was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Analysts: Malaysia’s plantation sector still dim in 3Q19
Prospects for the plantation sector in the third quarter of 2019 (3Q19) is still expected to be dim, with crude palm oil (CPO) prices expected to remain under pressure during the period. According to the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research), while some positive factors are developing in the.
— The Borneo Post

Higher e-hailing fares expected
Higher fares and longer waiting time for e-hailing services are on the cards as the number of drivers dwindle by the July 12 deadline for them to obtain a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.
— The Star Online

PPBM in Sarawak ‘will give voice to the indigenous’
Sarawak is a wealthy state, but we do not see this wealth being shared with the people, says Sarawak PPBM chief.
— FMT News

Economists believe fares won’t go up
Fares for e-hailing rides should not increase, as affordability is among the reasons passengers turn to them, say economists.
— The Star Online

Number of users lured into installing scam cleaners doubled in a year to almost 1.5 million
Kaspersky experts have detected a two-fold rise in the number of users being attacked with fake system cleaners – fraudulent programmes designed to trick users into paying for alleged serious computer issues to be fixed.
— The Borneo Post

Minister: No incidence of mass psychogenic hysteria in Pasir Gudang
No incidence of mass psychogenic hysteria was detected in the health issues affecting students in Pasir Gudang, Johor, following the air pollution incident in the area.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Borneo Rhino Alliance

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on Asean’s endangered species, here, the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

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.