Malaysia Morning News For June 24

Dr Mahathir suggests Asean countries introduce taxes on online businesses
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad yesterday proposed that Asean member nations introduce taxes on online businesses to increase their respective revenues. Dr Mahathir said the online businesses had “swallowed” conventional businesses.
— The Borneo Post

S’wak Finance Ministry: Lim’s bankruptcy claim misleading, contains political motive
Lim Guan Eng’s statement on Friday claiming that the state will go bankrupt in three year’s time if it continues to be ruled by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has been described to be misleading and contained political motive.
— The Borneo Post

Man challenges M’sian minister he allegedly had gay sex with to sue for defamation
He also stood by his initial confession.
— Mothership

Malaysia’s PM vows to help Rohingya
Malaysia’s prime minister on Friday vowed to help Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge in Malaysia, reiterating the call for Southeast Asian leaders to “stop the oppression” of the stateless minority group expelled from Myanmar.
— The Asean Post

Guan Eng says probe necessary over high cement prices in Sarawak
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said today an investigation is necessary to determine whether the practice of local industrial monopoly in Sarawak is the result of the high cement.
— New Sarawak Tribune

More than 80,000 entrepreneurs registered with ministry: Rina
The number of small and medium entrepreneurs registered with the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) now stands at 83,968, says its Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun.She said from the total, 27% are women entrepreneurs engaged in various businesses.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak Finance Ministry: LGE’s statement that state will go bust in three years is misleading
The Sarawak Finance and Economic Planning Ministry has claimed that the statement made by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that the state will go bankrupt in three years if it continues to be ruled by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as totally misleading and politically motivated.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s aerospace industry now ‘more mature’ in product supplies: Maia president
Malaysia’s pioneering leader in the aerospace sector Datuk Naguib Mohd Nor, who is also the president of Malaysian Aerospace Industry Association (Maia) avers that the country’s role in the global aerospace supply chain has become “more mature”.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia wants ‘free and fair trade’ as part of the RCEP: Mohamed Azmin
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said Malaysia is committed to ensuring ‘free and fair trade’ aspect be part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Sun Daily

WSJ skipped Jho Low funding Malaysian Insider story: Source
The Wall Street Journal, the US based newspaper that broke the 1MDB story along with the Sarawak Report blog, did not report on the Malaysian news portal funded by fugitive playboy Jho Low after it was tipped on the story.
— The Independent

M’sian company delivers food to your doorstep via drones
Ever craved for nasi lemak but don’t want to leave your house or can’t stand long delivery times? We are truly living in the future because a Malaysian company has promised to deliver your favourite food to your doorstep using drones.
— The Independent

Malaysians should be country’s tourism ambassadors: DPM
Malaysians should be the country’s tourism ambassadors and to work together to realise the mission of Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) by promoting the country to the international community, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Ex-Minister Hishammuddin at MACC over Defence Ministry land swap deals
Former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters at 11am today to give a statement on the ministry’s land swap deal issue. He was spotted wearing a blue shirt as he arrived in a black MPV, accompanied by an aide.
— The Borneo Post

Sarawak won’t go bankrupt in 3 years: Abang Johari
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (pix) today shrugged off inferences that the state would go bankrupt in three years.He said the presumptions were made without considering the earnings that Sarawak derived from various sources such as oil and gas, besides its outstanding performance in.
— The Sun Daily

We stand by PM for not suspending Azmin, says Sivarasa
The government supports the decision of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for not suspending Datuk Seri Azmin Ali who was implicated in a sex video, says Sivarasa Rasiah.
— The Star Online

Tourism Office plans record one million in dikir barat
The Kelantan Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Office plans to create a record in the Malaysia Book of Records for the participation of one million people in.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Umno sec-gen dismisses rumoured shadow Cabinet with Najib, Hadi as govt advisors
Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa has dispelled rumours over a shadow Cabinet allegedly featuring several Barisan Nasional and PAS lawmakers after it went viral this weekend.
— Malay Mail

Hishammuddin at MACC over Defence Ministry land swap deals
Former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters at 11am today to give a statement on the ministry’s land swap deal issue.He was spotted wearing a blue shirt as he arrived in a black MPV, accompanied by an aide.
— The Sun Daily

Decriminalise drug use? Drug agency chief thinks arrests necessary to ‘save’ addicts
National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) chief Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah on Friday said forced-rehabilitation for those caught in raids remains effective in battling drug addiction.
— Malay Mail

Chong to GPS leaders: Take Lim’s statement positively, don’t be overly emotional
Leaders from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led state government should take the recent statement by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng positively and not to be overly emotional, said Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen.
— The Borneo Post

‘Dota Underlords’, the quirky new game from massive ‘Dota 2’ studio Valve
The automatic nature of combat frees players to concentrate on team management: improving existing pieces, acquiring new pieces, and using special items.
— FMT News

Take Putrajaya’s bankrupt warning seriously, Sarawak DAP tells state govt
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen today defended minister Lim Guan Eng’s warning that the state could go bankrupt and see its reserves wiped out within three years if it continues tabling large state budgets.
— Malay Mail

Pollution: Johor Education Dept concurs with state govt’s decision to close 3 schools, 2 kindergartens
The Johor Education Department has concurred with the state government’s decision to close three schools and two kindergartens for two days, beginning today.Its director, Azman Adnan said parents, teachers and school staff were informed of the decision as soon as it was announced.
— The Sun Daily

Fire and Rescue Dept officers waiting for green light from PM for critical allowance
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is waiting for the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to grant a monthly critical allowance of RM200 to members of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) as enjoyed by the military and police personnel.
— The Sun Daily

Under Pakatan, a noisier, more demanding Malaysia searches for a common storyline
Ask different Malaysians with different jobs, from different races, and different social-economic backgrounds what ails this country and what they want this government to do, and they will all have different answers.
— Malay Mail

Lawas waters to be gazetted protected area
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is now in the final stages of gazetting 13,981ha of Lawas waters as a protected area. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the proposed Kuala Lawas National Park covers Malaysia’s largest bed of seagrass, which is vital to the marine ecosystem.
— The Borneo Post

Ethnic groups must help govt develop national tourism
Every race or ethnic group in the country should help the government to realise the development of the tourism sector, said the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Speed up restructuring of Esscom, says ex-assistant minister
Ramlee Marahaban says kidnapping cases are still rampant because of a flaw in Esscom’s chain of command.
— FMT News

Tian Chua: Dirty politics an insult to Malaysians
Dirty politics is an insult to the intelligence of the majority of Malaysians who voted in Pakatan Harapan hoping for a new Malaysia, says PKR vice-president Tian Chua.
— The Star Online

Haj pilgrims urged to stop venting frustrations on TH, in social media
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (pix), has reminded all haj pilgrims not to spread news and their feelings of unhappiness about the Pilgrims’ Fund Board (TH) on the social media.He said this would only complicate matters and not resolve any problems they faced.
— The Sun Daily

‘Don’t poke wasp nest’: PAS Women chief warns Pakatan over Islamic education
PAS Central Committee member Dr Halimah Ali Abdullah warned Pakatan Harapan today not to meddle in Islamic affairs, in a veiled jab at DAP. Speaking during the winding-up speech for PAS’ 65th Muktamar or annual congress here,
— Malay Mail

Methanol poisoning: 19 cases reported from June 11 to June 21
The Health Ministry informed that 19 cases of methanol poisoning have been reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) for the period from June 11 to Friday (June 21).
— The Sun Daily

Pay or stay, foreign vehicle drivers told
Foreign vehicles with summonses to settle will not find it easy to escape paying, thanks to a new enforcement system now in place.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Rais Yatim: Dr M in no rush to reshuffle Cabinet, can do what he wants
Former minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not in a hurry to reshuffle his Cabinet and can make decisions as he sees fit. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s supreme council member told.
— Malay Mail

China to help commercialise Batang Ai tilapia
Sarawak will soon work closely with China through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to commercialise the Batang Ai tilapia fish in Lubok Antu, revealed Deputy Chief.
— New Sarawak Tribune

‘Finance minister is fearmongering’
“Irresponsible and fearmongering statement by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng!” That was how Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang responded to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s claim.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Bendang Studio produces beautiful ceramic tableware that’s a hit among restaurateurs
Local artisanal ceramic tableware producer Bendang Studio has become incredibly popular since its inception nearly 10 years ago and now makes tableware for local restaurants as well having Bendang Artisan, a retail space in KL.
— Star2.com

GPs can earn as little as RM10 for a consultation
The rising costs of healthcare are influenced by many factors, most of them not within the control of your neighbourhood general practitioner (GP).
— Star2.com

Zuraida: Ministry still awaiting land for affordable homes in Sarawak
Sarawak is the only state where the Housing and Local Government Ministry has not been able to implement affordable housing scheme due to teething problems in land allocation for the project, says its minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin.
— The Star Online

Feature photo Khalzuri Yazid

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