Malaysia Morning News For May 21

NGOs launch new campaign against Penang reclamation project
The proposed Southern Reclamation Scheme (SRS) will not just disrupt the hydrology of Penang’s seabed but also that of northern Perak, where there are 6,000 inshore fishermen.
— The Sun Daily

NFCorp: Our new buyer will repay outstanding loan to Putrajaya
The National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (NFCorp) new buyer is ready to fully repay the company’s outstanding loan to the federal government, company chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail said today.
— Malay Mail

ESSCom thwarts attempt to smuggle in RM455,000 worth of cigarettes
The Eastern Sabah Security Command seized 84,500 packs of contraband cigarettes worth about RM455,000 from five multi purpose vehicles at the Sapi Nangoh Road Check Point (RCP) yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

Kit Siang: PH should recognise Najib’s influence as opposition figure
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government should not dismiss the influence of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, said DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.He said the opposition parties are still riding on Najib’s coattails, knowing the Pekan MP remains the most potent opposition figure.
— The Sun Daily

No job losses from Axiata’s proposed merger with Telenor ASA
Axiata Group Bhd president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim has reiterated that there would be no job cuts if the proposed merger with Norwegian mobile operator Telenor ASA were to materialise.
— The Borneo Post

Declare assets to MACC? GPS lawmakers already did that long ago, says Sarawak DCM
Pakatan Harapan (PH) would be following Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) footsteps if the former introduces mandatory asset declarations for lawmakers, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing has said.
— Malay Mail

Unwise to impose travel ban over PTPTN debts: DPM
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said restricting travel abroad against borrowers who fail to repay loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) are not appropriate.
— 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 would have a positive outcome in the negotiation on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
— The Borneo Post

Matriculation programme vital for racial harmony, says UiTM vice-chancellor
Prof Mohd Azraai Kassim says Bumiputeras are still lagging behind in the science, technology and professional fields.
— FMT News

Lawas OCPD: More sodomy, molest victims expected to lodge police reports against teacher
Police are not discounting the possibility that more victims will come forward to lodge police reports at the Lawas police station this week against the primary school teacher who is currently under a three-day remand to facilitate investigation into alleged sodomy and molest case involving.
— The Borneo Post

Penang CM: Seberang Perai council should upgrade facilities, infrastructure in line with city status
The Penang government wants the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to upgrade facilities and infrastructure in the area in line with the city council status granted to the local authority.
— Malay Mail

ETHIS VENTURES RECEIVES MALAYSIA’S FIRST ISLAMIC ECF LICENSE
MALAYSIA’S Securities Commission announced eight ‘Regulated Market Operators’ for equity crowdfunding (ECF) and P2P financing on May 17, including the very first Islamic equity crowdfunding license, awarded to Islamic fintech venture builder Ethis Ventures.
— Digital NewsAsia

Malaysia, Bangladesh discuss potential defence cooperation
The potential for defence cooperation between Malaysia and Bangladesh was among the topics discussed in a meeting between Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong and the Defence and Security advisor to the Prime Minister of.
— Malay Mail

MOF to seek full repayment of RM250 loan, including late interests from NFCorp
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is seeking full repayment of the RM250 million loan, including its interest and latest late interest charges, given by the federal government to National Feedlot.
— New Sarawak Tribune

AffinHwang is upbeat on SunCon’s prospects in 2H 2019
Affin Hwang Capital expects a stronger second half (2H) in 2019 for Sunway Construction Group Bhd (SunCon) on RM781m TNB job and RM7.4b worth of tenders submitted
— New Straits Times

Datuk Seri remanded over probe into military equipment supplies
Another suspect with the title ‘Datuk Seri’ has been remanded for four days from today over a probe into suspected corruption involving a project worth RM17 million to supply equipment for.
— New Sarawak Tribune

MOE: Increased matriculation seats won’t affect STPM leavers’ varsity enrolment chances
The move to increase seats in matriculation colleges will not affect the university enrolment chances of Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) certificate holders, the Education Ministry (MOE) said today.
— Malay Mail

Govt’s lack of commitment to improve two federal roads disappointing, says Dr Wee
The government’s delay in improving the condition of two federal routes in Ayer Hitam, Johor – despite promises before the last general election – is unacceptable, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
— The Star Online

Former telco CEO released on bail Sunday (May 20)
The former telco CEO and local musician who was arrested for allegedly trespassing into his ex-wife’s house has been granted bail.
— The Star Online

Guan Eng: AG to sue to compel NFCorp to cough up over RM250m in outstanding debt to govt
The attorney general (AG) will be mounting a lawsuit to compel the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) to cough up RM253,618,455.03 which it owes the federal government, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
— Malay Mail

Kit Siang: Claims DAP pushing for Maszlee’s removal utter lies
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang (pix) has rubbished claims that the party was out to get Maszlee Malik removed as Education Minister.The Iskandar Puteri MP said this was just another one of the opposition’s elaborate tactics to regain federal power in the next general election.
— The Sun Daily

Hundreds of fish found dead in Sungai Melaka pollution incident
Hundreds of freshwater fish have been found dead, as Sungai Melaka faces a major pollution incident.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s current account surplus highest in five years
Malaysia’s current account surplus reached to the highest levels in five years in the first quarter of 2019 (1Q19) as goods surplus rose amidst a fall in imports while the services and income deficits narrowed.
— The Borneo Post

MAS wants to be part of balik kampung journey, runs campaign to unite families for Raya
The balik kampung journey is what most Malaysians will look forward to every festive season.
— The Star Online

Matriculation programme important for racial harmony
The matriculation programme is important to sustain racial harmony in the country through equal involvement of all races in science, technology and professional fields, said Universiti Teknologi Mara.
— New Sarawak Tribune

What Sabah CM needs to do to revive state economy, according to ex-CM
The Sabah government needs to refocus their direction from timber processing into the services sector if they want to revive the state economy and provide jobs, said a former chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.
— Malay Mail

Retract remarks linking bumiputra employment to matriculation quota, Penang MCA tells Dr Maszlee
Penang MCA wants Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik to retract his remarks connecting bumiputra employment in the private sector to the matriculation quota.
— The Star Online

How Najib and Jho Low are diverting attention away from 1MDB, according to Kit Siang
Veteran lawmaker Lim Kit Siang has theorised five tactics allegedly used by Datuk Seri Najib Razak and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho to win back the peoples’ support and distance themselves from the scandals.
— Malay Mail

Report: Lynas Corp almost sued in 2016 over delays in setting up shop
Reports of rare earth mining company Lynas Corp being the subject of a potential class action suit during its establishment back in 2016 has emerged just a day before the company is set to brief investors on upcoming.
— Malay Mail

Felda denies settlers at risk of losing land rights
Felda today denied the news report in Berita Harian, among others, claiming that its settlers were at risk of losing their land rights, alleging that the contents in the article were inaccurate.Head of the Legacy Unit, Felda Land Management Department, Mohd Yassin Mohd Yusof said the .
— The Sun Daily

DPM: Unwise to impose travel ban on PTPTN defaulters
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said restricting travel abroad against borrowers who fail to repay loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) is not appropriate.
— Malay Mail

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.National Union of the Teaching.
— The Sun Daily

Over 400 school dropouts in Perak return to school , says Abdul Aziz
Over 400 school dropouts in Perak have been able to return to school due to the work and initiatives taken by the Special Committee to eradicate school dropout problem in the state. Perak Education, Technology, Science and.
— Malay Mail

Alleged sex predator tutor at HK university reinstated despite expose by Malaysian student
A Malaysian former postgraduate student at the Hong Kong University (HKU), who detailed her sexual harassment ordeal on Facebook, claimed that the university has since allowed her alleged harasser back on campus to continue.
— Malay Mail

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.