Malaysia Morning News For May 20

Infrastructure devt to continue for IR 4.0: CM
The state government is committed to develop rural infrastructures such as road networks, bridges, water and electricity supplies in preparation of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).
— New Sarawak Tribune

Is the Malaysian civil service getting in the way of reform?
Malaysia’s civil service has long come under fire for being bloated, inefficient and self-serving. Now it stands accused of preventing attempts at reform.
— Asean Today

No official agent or lobbyist of the ECRL project: Contractor
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRLSB) and China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd (CCCC) today said they have not appointed official agents or lobbyists to facilitate the pre-qualification of local contractors for 40% of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) civil work packages.
— The Sun Daily

MB: Pahang wants federal govt to reconsider oil royalty payment to state
The Pahang government wants the federal government to re-consider the payment of oil royalty or “wang ihsan” (compassionate money) to the state. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said a letter on the matter would.
— Malay Mail

Lessons from Malaysia: How to benefit from Belt and Road Initiative without falling into a debt trap
Mahathir Mohamad’s threat to review Chinese-financed projects and cancel those his country couldn’t afford got him a much better deal from Beijing.
— Scroll

Report: Year Four students to learn AI, robotics and computer programming from 2020
The subject of Design and Technology (RBT) related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer programming and robotics will be introduced to Year Four Pupils beginning 2020.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s Sarawak province to take Bangladeshi workers
The Bangladesh government has decided to allow workers to the Sarawak province of Malaysia with jobs in the plantation and agricultural sectors there, said officials.
— New Age BD

Govt considers adopting Australian automatic polling system, where Malaysians can vote while abroad
The government is mulling the idea of adopting and implementing a new automatic polling system in Malaysia, one that will emulate the voting frameworks currently being used in Australia.
— Malay Mail

Govt optimistic of overcoming growing challenges to economy: Guan Eng
The government is always optimistic of overcoming the growing challenges to the economy and will do so to the best of its ability, according to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— The Sun Daily

Matriculation quota still needed by state Bumis: Unimas VC
Matriculation quota is relevant and is still needed by Sarawak Bumiputeras, according to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Kadim Suaidi.
— New Sarawak Tribune

PMM seeks solid public support for charity works
The Miri Malay Association (PMM) calls upon all members of the public to continue supporting its charity programmes. PMM president Radzali Alison believes that solid support is vital to ensure that the objectives behind each programme could be achieved accordingly.
— The Borneo Post

Tun M can restore economy in two years: Anwar
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is confident the country’s economy will recover in two years based on the plans and implementation being carried out by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Sun Daily

MA63 negotiation: Revenue sharing, O&G revenue among matters to have positive outcome
Revenue sharing and oil and gas revenue are among the matters that will have a positive outcome in the negotiation on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
— The Borneo Post

Perangsang Selangor acquires Toyoplas for RM311m
Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, through wholly-owned Perangsang Dinamik Sdn Bhd, is acquiring a 100 per cent stake in Toyoplas Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for RM311.25 million cash.
— New Straits Times

MRL and China contractor denies appointing agents for ECRL projects
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) have denied appointing agents to offer direct contracts to Malaysians for the construction of the East-Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
— Malay Mail

RISE engages pageant organiser in charity drive
A local social enterprise responded to a call for assistance from a pageant organiser in Sabah recently. Members of Kuching-based Rural Impact Social Enterprise (RISE), led by its founder Johnny Bong, went to Kampung Gana in Kota Marudu where together with Grand Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu.
— The Borneo Post

Make a study on students’ poor English language proficiency: NUTP
The Ministry of Education (MOE) and stakeholders of the education sector need to make a comprehensive study to determine the cause of poor English Language (BI) proficiency among students, rather than blame it on teachers’ poor grasp of the language.
— The Sun Daily

Attack on KL entertainment outlet: ‘Datuk Seri’ surrenders to police
A man, with the “Datuk Seri” title, wanted in connection with an attack at an entertainment premises in Jalan Klang Lama here on May 3, has surrendered himself to the police.
— Malay Mail

39 Malaysians detained in Syria want to come home: Police
39 of the 65 Malaysians detained in Syria on suspicion of involvement in terrorism activities have contacted the police and have said they want to come home.Principal assistant director of Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter Terrorism (E8) Division Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia’s last surviving male Sumatran rhinoceros in poor health
The health of Malaysia’s last surviving male Sumatran rhinoceros is deteriorating, said Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew on Sunday (May 19).
— Channel NewsAsia

Awas cameras where personnel cannot be stationed: Miros
It is only practical to use technology at accident prone locations where there is a hindrance to station enforcement personnel, said Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) director general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak.
— The Sun Daily

Observer: Intense lobbying could lead to Bidayuh disunity
The intense lobbying by various individuals and parties to contest the eight Bidayuh-majority seats in the upcoming 2021 State Election could cause further political disunity within the Bidayuh community. This is the view of political veteran and observer Dato Peter Minos.
— The Borneo Post

Rina Harun: Need to address foreign influx in Kampung Baru immediately
The influx of foreigners in Kampung Baru needs to be addressed immediately as there are too many cases of business monopoly and social problems posed by them to the detriment of local residents here.
— Malay Mail

Seberang Perai to get city status after Raya
Minister says formalities being completed for the country’s largest city council, covering 747.8 sq km, with a population of 946,200.
— FMT News

Seberang Prai Municipal Council awarded city council status
Penangites can look forward to a special bonus after Hari Raya Aidilfitri when the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) is awarded city council status.
— The Star Online

Minister: Sufficient supply of essential food items during festive seasons
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has assured that there would be sufficient supply of essential food items during this year’s festive seasons. Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry and the…
— Malay Mail

Reliance Capital protests downgrade, says it will cut debt 50%
Reliance Capital disagrees with the revision as Care didn’t fully factor in the impact of its plan to raise more than 100 billion rupees (US$1.42 billion) via asset sales.
— FMT News

Ismail Sabri gives up Selangor Umno chief post
Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix) has quit as Selangor Umno chairman, effective May 1.In a statement here today, Ismail said Selangor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan assumes the role of acting chairman pending an announcement from Umno deputy
— The Sun Daily

Anwar: Port Dickson Hard Rock Cafe, Hotel projects on
The Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel projects here will go ahead with construction expected to begin this year, said Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
— Malay Mail

Sabah cops arrest eight in anti-drug operation
Eight locals, including a woman, were arrested in an anti-drug operation codenamed “Ops Sarang”, on early Sunday morning (May 19).
— The Star Online

Penang govt to have dialogue on schools affected by PIL 1
The Penang state government will have a dialogue session on schools that are affected by the construction of the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1).
— Malay Mail

Fatimah: ‘Sumbangsih’ programme to continue
The Sarawak government is committed to continue with its ‘Sumbangsih Gawai-Raya’ programme for security forces and enforcement agencies even though the state is now administered by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which is the opposition at the federal level.
— The Borneo Post

MOE rejects MBM’s proposal on special subject on religion
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has rejected the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)’s proposal that a special subject to learn about other religions, apart from the Islamic studies, should be introduced in schools and higher education institutions.
— The Sun Daily

Improving telco infrastructure in rural areas on-going — Gobind
The government will continue to improve the telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas throughout the country, says Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Sing Deo.
— The Borneo Post

Feature photo naim fadil

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.

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.