Malaysia Morning News For May 27

Small businesses bear the brunt in Malaysia’s war against single-use plastic
Visit any Ramadan bazaar during the fasting month in Malaysia and one will notice a common feature: food and drinks are all packed in single-use plastic.
— Channel NewsAsia

Govt committed to strengthening Malaysia-China ties, says PM
The new Malaysian government that came to power in May last year is committed to strengthening Malaysia-China relations with even closer and more meaningful co-operation, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia prepares to boost palm-biofuel use in wake of EU limits
MALAYSIA’S national automotive policy is expected to allow for a higher percentage of palm-biodiesel blends over the next few decades, according to International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking.
— New Straits times

Malaysia Airports to ensure smooth journeys during festive period
Malaysia Airports and all airport stakeholders will strive to ensure a safe and smooth travel experience for passengers flying via its airports during the super peak travel period between now until June 10.
— The Borneo Post

Imran hopeful of reopening labour market in Malaysia
State minister for the expatriates welfare and overseas employment Imran Ahmad on Sunday said that the Malaysian labour market would be opened to the Bangladeshi workers after a joint working group meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 30-31.
— New Age BD

45 NGOs to send memorandum requesting Dr Mahathir intervention to cancel PSR project
45 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Penang plan to send a joint memorandum to request the intervention of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to cancel the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.Penang Malay Association president (Pemenang) Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latif,
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak to continue collaboration with Huawei despite US ban
The Sarawak government will continue to work with Huawei despite restrictions imposed by the United States on the Chinese telecommunications giant, Borneo Post reported.
— Malay Mail

More water treatment plants planned under 12th Malaysia Plan
The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources plans to build more water treatment plants in order to further improve the water supply system in the country, according to its minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia in discussion with China firms on pipeline compensation
Malaysia is in discussions with China-based contractors for compensation relating to pipeline projects worth 9.4 billion ringgit (S$3.09 billion).
— The Straits times

Malaysia, Thailand to pursue single-window system at Kedah border to ease trade
Malaysia and Thailand are eager to implement a single-window system at the Kedah border to facilitate the flow of goods between the two countries.
— New Straits times

Primary Industries Ministry, Palm Oil Board to sign MoU with Tsinghua University on biofuel research
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tsinghua University, China, for research on palm oil as biofuel.
— Malay Mail

51% of private owned vehicles do not meet Puspakom requirements
A total of 51% of private-owned vehicles that undergo inspection do no meet the necessary standards set by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).Puspakom in a statement today said according to the centre’s statistics,the highest level failure in meeting the required.
— The Sun Daily

Residents demand closure of Sepang plastic factory
A plastic recycling factory is causing problems to residents and a dragonfruit grower here and in Sungai Pelek.
— FMT

Time for PTPTN to show some tough love
WITH a debt “time bomb” hanging over its head, it’s time the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) gets tough on borrowers, stakeholders said at a public hearing on ways to get defaulters to pay up.
— The Malaysian Insight

Malaysia’s Sabah dusk-to-dawn sea curfew extended by another two weeks
Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew will be extended for another two weeks until June 10, says Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.
— Eleven Myanmar

DBKL clarifies water bill arrears
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday explained that water bill arrears were reissued in stages from March 2019 to all units of DBKL Public Housing (PA) and People’s Housing Project (PPR) including Sri Kelantan flats.
— The Sun Daily

The impact of improved foreign currency supply on PNG’s economy
The shortage of foreign exchange liquidity in Papua New Guinea’s economy appears to be easing, with increased currency inflows helping to meet the needs of both importers and the financial sector. However, it may be some time before the imbalance is fully rectified.
— The Borneo Post

Sarawak eyes several location in Kuching as Unesco heritage sites
The Sarawak government will be requesting for several locations in Kuching city to be listed as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) world heritage sites.
— Malay Mail

Housing and Local Government Ministry mulls screening process for foreign tenants
The Housing and Local Government Ministry is looking into establishing a standard operating procedure which will allow high rise buildings’ joint management bodies (JMB) or management committees (MC) to screen potential foreign tenants before allowing the owner of the apartment to .
— The Sun Daily

Financial woes, main cause of non-Muslim divorce: Hannah Yeoh
Financial problems is the main cause divorce among non-Muslims in the country, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.
— New Sarawak Tribune

S’wakians urged to promote their culture, heritage
Sarawakians of different ethnic groups are urged to promote their rich and unique cultures and heritage to the rest of Malaysia. Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Chong Chieng Jen said it was imperative for Sarawakians to do so in an effort to have their .
— The Borneo Post

Hunza launches latest residential show units in PICC
Hunza Properties Bhd’s latest residential (MUZE) show units of Penang International Commercial City (PICC) was launched at its sales gallery here in Bayan Baru on Sunday (May 26).
— The Star Online

Malaysia holds vigil: the last male Sumatra rhino is dying
Tam’s appetite and level of activity fell suddenly towards the end of last month. The animal is under constant observation by veterinarians. Iman, the last female specimen in Malaysia, is also ill.
— Asia News

Liew denies interfering with Singapore court decision to stay execution of Malaysian death row prisoner
De facto law minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong has denied interfering with the Singapore Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of P. Pannir Selvam, a Malaysian citizen convicted on a drug charge.
— The Star Online

Rights group demands action over Sungai Buloh custodial death blamed on TB
A human rights group called today for an investigation into the death of a 26-year-old prisoner in Sungai Buloh, allegedly from tuberculosis (TB). Melissa Sasidaran from Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) told Malay Mail.
— Malay Mail

Dr Mahathir congratulates Modi on clear victory in India’s election
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) elections.”Congratulations @narendramodi on your clear victory in India’s election.
— The Sun Daily

No complaint on shortage of supplies: Saifuddin
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has yet to receive any complaints regarding the shortage of supplies for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.Its minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, through his collaboration with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk.
— The Sun Daily

Minister Liew denies interfering with Singapore case of death row Malaysian
De facto law minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong has denied allegations that he tried to interfere with Singapore’s death sentence of a Malaysian citizen that a Singaporean court later stayed.
— Malay Mail

Finance talented Malaysians, not foreigners, Putrajaya told
Malaysian leaders need to start helping citizens and develop local assets for Malaysia to be respected, said academician Dr Frank Kiong. Frank, who is now working in the Middle.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Possible but unlikely Malaysia will gain from US-China trade war, say analysts
New competition to Malaysia as a manufacturing destination means the country is not poised to profit in the event the US-China trade war escalates, according to analysts. With the worsening trade row fuelling expectations.
— Malay Mail

Thirteen foreigners without proper documents arrested in operations around KL
A total of 13 foreigners, mostly from African countries, were detained following several operations in the city.
— The Star Online

BNM’s balancing act with the economy
The global economy has entered what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dubbed as ‘a synchronised slowdown’ with signs of deceleration seen in major economies world wide. With trade tensions escalating yet again between two of the world’s economic powerhouses; China and US,
— The Borneo Post

SDNU called to help solve urban poverty
Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) should play a leading role to solve the issues of squatter colonies and urban poverty. Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom says it is imperative for the union to look into the matter as the issues are currently affecting members of the .
— The Borneo Post

MAICCI supports DBKL’s ban on foreign nationals from doing business
The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) today expressed its support for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)’s move to prohibit foreign nationals from conducting 23 types of business activities.
— Malay Mail

PH mulls non-constituency women state assemblyperson to fulfil 30% quota
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is considering introducing positions like the non-constituency state assemblypersons for women politicians in order to establish 30% women representation in the state assembly.PH Wanita chief and PKR vice president Zuraida Kamaruddin said this is one of the ways .
— The Sun Daily

Umno-PAS cooperation won’t last: Amanah VP
The Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has questioned whether the cooperation between PAS and Umno through the joint charter that expected to be signed after Hari Raya Aidilfitri was.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Selangor MB: No need for RCI on water supply disruptions
There is no need for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into water supply disruptions in Selangor, said Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.
— Malay Mail

2,000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysian detention centres
At least 2,000 Bangladeshi undocumented workers are held in Malaysian detention centres.
— New Age BD

Protect Malaysia’s unity in diversity: Gobind
Malaysians should not let their guard down in preserving the unity in diversity in the country and must also promote noble values, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
— The Sun Daily

Rural villagers want better telecommunications
Villagers looking forward to Gobind’s visit to get first-hand ground experience KUCHING: Residents in Kampung Benuk, a 780-door Bidayuh village in Jalan Puncak Borneo near here, are looking forward to.
— New Sarawak Tribune

NUTP: Don’t hold activities during school holidays
The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged all school administrators not to hold any activities, including extra classes or academic programmes, during the school holidays.
— The Star Online

PAS Bintulu disappointed with Maszlee for ignoring Gawai and Pesta Kaamatan
PAS Bintulu criticised Education Minister Maszlee Malik today for failing to mention Gawai Dayak and Pesta Kaamatan in his video message to teachers and students in conjunction with school holidays.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo baka_neko_baka

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges Gawai Dayak Festival, June 1.

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.