Malaysia Morning News For March 25

Sarawak set to be first to use hydrogen fuel-powered buses in Malaysia
Sarawak will become the first state in Malaysia to introduce hydrogen fuel-powered buses, which will also act as a new tourist attraction, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Water shortage in six Malaysian states expected, rationing may be needed
Water shortage is expected in six Malaysian states due to the extreme hot weather, said Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar on Saturday (Mar 23) as he warned that water rationing is needed.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia to finalise deal on China-backed railway project early April
Malaysia will finalise talks with China in early April regarding a US$20 billion (S$27 billion) rail project that has been suspended since July last year, the Malaysian representative for the negotiations said late on Friday (March 22).
— The Straits Times

Malaysia threatens EU fighter jet boycott over palm oil
Malaysia may retaliate against an EU plan to curb palm oil use by purchasing new fighter jets from China instead of European arms companies, its leader said Sunday (Mar 24).
— Channel NewsAsia

Decentralisation the best bet for Malaysia’s growth
Malaysia’s burgeoning middle class has high expectations for future economic development. But the nation won’t escape the ‘middle-income trap’ and won’t have socially-inclusive growth under current government policies. A range of reforms that deliver decentralised decision-making is needed to build the knowledge-led economy to propel Malaysia to the next level of development.
— East Asia Forum

Tejas set for three-way dogfight in Malaysia with Pak, Korean jets
Aerospace experts believe Malaysia will choose between three light fighters: Tejas, the South Korean FA-50 Golden Eagle and the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder.
— Business Standard

Malaysia, model country in championing world peace
The success of Malaysia in organising the Peace Solidarity Assembly at Dataran Merdeka Saturday night clearly showed Malaysia as a model country in the eyes of the world to champion global peace.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia will only absorb good values from international treaties: Dr M
The Malaysian government wants to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, but at the same time, it also wants the treaty to be subject to Malaysia’s conditions, according to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Sun Daily

Dr M: Malaysia to maintain good relationships with Pakistan and India
Malaysia appreciates and will continue to maintain its good relationships with India and Pakistan.
— New Straits Times

Najib seizes on Nurul Izzah’s warning to mock Pakatan, Mujahid
Malaysians will not accept PKR MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s warnings of a crisis in Pakatan Harapan (PH) if it does not come from the “theatrics minister”, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
— Malay Mail

Lima ’19, platform to share new defence ideas, technologies
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2019 (Lima ’19), which will be taking off on March 26, will be a platform for the local defence industry to continue sharing ideas and technologies with new and leading defence industries from all over the world.
— The Sun Daily

Palm oil ban: Kok going to Belgium in May to explain Malaysia’s stance
Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok is set to lead a mission to Belgium this May to explain Malaysia’s stance on European Union’s (EU) decision to phase out the use of palm oil in biofuels in the trading bloc.
— New Straits Times

Malaysian fugitive Jho Low’s $5m three-storey bungalow in Penang seized by police
A three-storey bungalow in Penang owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s family has been seized by the police.
— Asia One

Fit Malaysia launched to promote healthy lifestyle
STARTING in April, government offices in Selangor will be encouraged to spend an hour every Wednesday, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, engaged in sports and recreational activities.
— The Star Online

PM again warns of retaliation if EU keeps up palm oil offensive
Putrajaya will consider retaliation if the European Union persists with its campaign against palm oil, the prime minister said when describing the offensive as disingenuous.
— Malay Mail

Foreign funds net buyers, RM90.2m net inflow into Malaysian equities
Foreign funds were net buyers with the local bourse recording a total net inflow of RM90.2 million between March 18 and March 21 versus total net outflow of RM472.2 million recorded in the same period in the previous week.
— Malay Mail

Mynews Holdings net profit rises to RM8.24 million in Q1
Mynews Holdings Bhd’s net profit increased to RM8.24 million in the first quarter ended Jan 31, 2019 from RM6.34 million in the same period last year.
— New Straits Times

Petronas awards two offshore blocks in Peninsular Malaysia
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has awarded Block PM407 and Block PM415 to PTT Exploration and Production Hong Kong Offshore Limited (PTTEP HKO) and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.
— The Sun Daily

Two companies shortlisted for third national car project
Two car manufacturers have been shortlisted for the third national car project, according to Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.
— New Straits Times

SMEs to collaborate, transform manufacturing sites to smart factories
Some local and foreign technology service companies are collaborating with each other to enable small and medium enterprises (SME) in Malaysia to transform their traditional manufacturing sites into smart factories.
— New Straits Times

MAP should explain methodology of pornography study – DPM
Malaysians Against Pornography (MAP) should clarify the methodology of its study which found about 80 per cent of children aged between 10 to 17 intentionally watched pornography in 2018.
— The Borneo Post

MB: Weekly exercise sessions for Selangor civil servants commence in April
Beginning April, civil servants in Selangor are required to participate in sport-related activities through the SLIM Selangor programme.
— Malay Mail

PAS hints at expected dowry for ‘marriage’ with Umno
PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang recalled yesterday the conditions for his party’s 70s partnership with Barisan Nasional (BN) that included the rejection of Western culture.
— Malay Mail

Sapura back in investors’ radar, to strengthen in next few months
Potential improvement in future profitability as well as better earnings growth from projects that in the pipeline showing positive signals for Sapura Energy Bhd.
— New Straits Times

Social media abuse: MCMC raids 11 locations in several states
Eleven locations in several states were raided by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in an effort to curb abuse of social media in the country.
— The Borneo Post

Inflation falls 0.4pc in February 2019
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.4 per cent to 120.8 in February 2019 compared with 121.3 in the same month last year mainly due to a decline in transport cost, says the Statistics Department.
— New Straits Times

Murphy Oil exits Malaysia
Murphy Oil Corp has signed a sale and purchase agreement to divest the fully issued share capital of its two primary Malaysian subsidiaries, Murphy Sabah Oil Co Ltd and Murphy Sarawak Oil Co Ltd, to a subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Co Ltd (PTTEP).
— The Star Online

Supporting women entrepreneurs in Sarawak
Malaysia’s fight for gender equality continue to make its strides, especially towards financial freedom and economic self-sustainability in a world predominantly male-oriented.
— The Borneo Post

InvestKL CEO: Some MNCs’ plans fail to take off because of external business reasons
While many large global multinational companies (MNCs) have successfully thrived in Greater Kuala Lumpur, some ventures have failed to take off here due to various business reasons.
— The Sun Daily

Social media, mobile tech double-edged swords
I was sitting in a coffee shop having breakfast with some friends in one of the food stalls in Kota Samarahan, a small town not very far from Kuching.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Ministry announces reappointment of housing tribunal members
The Ministry of Local Government and Housing yesterday announced the reappointment of five members of the Sarawak Tribunal of Housing Purchaser Claims (TTPRS).
— New Sarawak Tribune

Finance Ministry warns of scammer posing as Guan Eng’s ‘manager’
A man is posing as a “business manager” to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to defraud the public, the ministry warned the public today.
— Malay Mail

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