Malaysia Morning News For May 31

Malaysia PM proposes common Asia trading currency
East Asia should consider a common regional trading currency based on gold to promote commerce, and free the region from relying on dollar transactions, Malaysia’s prime minister said yesterday.
— Borneo Bulletin

Malaysia will continue to use Huawei’s technology: Mahathir
Malaysia is unperturbed with the allegation of spying levelled against the Chinese tech giant, Huawei and will continue to make use of their technology as much as possible, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.”We are too small to have an impact on the company like Huawei,
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia gets tough over polluting e-waste
The Malaysian government wants to make it mandatory for consumers to send certain unwanted electrical and electronic items to places licensed to handle e-waste.
— The Straits Times

Telekom Q1 net profit jumps to RM308.2m on lower operating costs
Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s net profit almost doubled in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 to RM308.28mil from RM157.15mil a year ago mainly due to a reduction in operating costs.
— The Star Online

With Electrowise, even an average household in Malaysia can become electricity trader
Electrowise is a blockchain marketplace on which people can utilise the existing national grid to buy and sell electricity As the world moves towards sustainability, the topic ‘eco-friendly renewable energy’ has assumed all the more importance.
— e27

Maybank’s Q1 net profit dips 3.3% on higher loan provisions
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) reported a 3.3% decline in net profit to RM1.81 billion for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2019 against RM1.87 billion in the previous corresponding period, as the group took a conservative stance in setting aside additional provisioning for.
— The Sun Daily

AirAsia shares soar on special dividend
AirAsia Group Bhd’s share price soared as much as 42 sen to trade at a high of RM3.05 this morning after it declared a special dividend of 90 sen per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.The stock opened higher at RM3.01 this morning from its last traded price of RM2.63.
— The Sun Daily

HR Ministry advises Socso to extend Self-Employment Scheme to informal sector workers
The Human Resources Ministry is recommending that the Social Security Organisation (Socso) extend the Self-Employment Scheme (SPS) to include farmers, fishermen, hawkers and artistes.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia not a currency manipulator, says Bank Negara
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), while stressing that it does not undertake unfair currency practices, believes the Malaysian economy will not be affected by the country’s inclusion the US Treasury’s monitoring list of potential currency manipulators.
— The Sun Daily

Dr M: Malaysia to let Lynas continue running rare earths plant (updated)
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (May 30) that Malaysia will allow Australian rare earths producer Lynas Corp to keep operating its rare earths processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
— The Star Online

AirAsia proposes 90 sen special dividend despite earnings plunge
AirAsia Group Bhd has proposed to declare a special dividend of 90 sen per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 despite a 91.6% plunge in net profit to RM96.09 million from RM1.14 billion a year ago, due to a gain on partial disposal of a subsidiary last year.
— The Sun Daily

Today’s top tech news, May 29: Malaysian HRtech company Jibble raises US$2.5M
Also, Bukalapak joins forces with MoEngage for cross-channel customer engagement Malaysian HRtech company Jibble raises US$2.5M, now valued at US$33M [Press Release] Jibble, Malaysia-based HR software provider, announced that it has raised US$2.5 million funding, putting its valuation at US$33.
— e27

TNB takes action on electricity bills issue
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has given assurance it will refund the excess payment made by consumers if it is proven that excess charges occur on their respective electricity bills.
— The Sun Daily

Aeon Co allocates RM500mil capex for 2019
Aeon Co (M) Bhd has set aside about RM500mil in capital expenditure (capex) that will be used to refurbished its existing stores including Daiso outlets.
— The Star Online

FT minister appoints six KL MPs to assist DBKL committees
The Federal Territories Ministry has appointed six of the 11 MPs in Kuala Lumpur to participate in various administrative committees under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said the idea is for the.
— Malay Mail

I-Bhd’s Q1 net profit falls to RM6.43mil
I-Bhd, which posted a net profit RM6.43mil in the first quarter ended March 31 against RM22.73mil, expects the property market to remain challenging in 2019.
— The Star Online

Umno, PAS will back lowering voting age to 18, think tank claims
The Centre for Governance and Political Studies (Cent-GPS) said today it believes that Malaysia’s Opposition bloc ― largely made of Umno and former rivals PAS ― is game when it comes to decreasing the voting age to 18 instead of the current 21.
— Yahoo News

Ex-AG Apandi Ali now free to fly abroad, says lawyer
The Immigration Department has lifted a travel ban against former attorney general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, his lawyer said today. M. Visvanathan said his client was informed that he was no longer barred from leaving the.
— Malay Mail

Don’t go looking for trouble, KTMB tells people trespassing railway tracks
On April 14, two men believed to be Myanmar nationals were killed after they were struck by a KTM commuter at Km371.7 of the Sungai Buloh-Kepong track.The tragedy saw two more lives lost due to trespassing on railway tracks.Last year alone, a total of 17 people died after they were.
— The Sun Daily

Sime Darby 9M core net profit exceeds AmInvest Research forecast
Sime Darby’s nine months (9MFY19) core net profit of RM647mil exceeded AmInvestment Research’s expectations but was within with street estimates, accounting for 86% and 73% of its and consensus forecasts respectively.
— The Star Online

Putra: Relaxed conditions for China, India tourists could jeopardise country’s sovereignty
Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) vice president Datuk Hamidah Osman had urged Putrajaya to review its suggestion to loosen the conditions for tourists from China and India as she said the move would bring more harm.
— Malay Mail

Bomb jest lands airline passenger in hot water
An airline passenger bound for Kuala Lumpur on the afternoon of May 28 was arrested by the police for cracking a joke about having a bomb inside his checked-in luggage. Kuching District Police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect told the joke to.
— The Borneo Post

Report: Jho Low’s two New York condos to go on sale in US 1MDB forfeiture lawsuit
Two high-end condominiums in New York City allegedly bought with money stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) by Penang-born fugitive Low Taek Jho are now for sale, Bloomberg reported today.
— Malay Mail

58 Malaysia-bound Rohingyas rescued from Bay
The group was rescued from a Malaysia-bound trawler, in the Bay of Bengal, to the south-east of St Martin’s Island
— Dhaka Tribune

Strict enforcement, cutting out middlemen can lower retail prices, Daim says
Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin believes there is a cure to the high prices of goods in today’s market faced by the average Malaysian consumer. The adviser to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said research.
— Malay Mail

Socso advised to extend self-employment scheme to informal sector workers
The Human Resources Ministry is recommending that the Social Security Organisation (Socso) extend the Self-Employment Scheme (SPS) to include farmers, fishermen, hawkers and artistes.Its Minister M. Kula Segaran said the proposal was to ensure that apart from those with employers,
— The Sun Daily

Where will Malaysia go if our grads have poor English? Daim asks
At its current pace, Malaysia will not be competitive globally because its young people have poor English language skills, former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said. He added that the thinking and communication skills.
— Malay Mail

Help improve public healthcare services in Sarawak: Juma’ani
The Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers (Sabati) has urged local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the corporate sector to help improve public healthcare services in Sarawak.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Malaysia hostel warden gets 228 years in jail for sodomising, molesting students
A Malaysian hostel warden was sentenced on Wednesday (May 29) to 228 years in jail and 42 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to 25 counts of sodomy and gross indecency against five religious school students.
— Channel NewsAsia

Smart home pilot project to roll out
Sarawak is set to be the first in Malaysia to implement Smart Green Home as the state looks to roll out 50 homes under the Sarawak Smart Green Home.
— New Sarawak Tribune

More tourists in the first quarter of this year
Tourism arrivals and spending saw a healthy increase in the first three months of this year.Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said tourist spending increased over RM3 billion or 16.9% from RM18.3 billion in the first quarter last year to RM21.4 billion in the.
— The Sun Daily

Only clean, used plastics can be imported: DOE
SHAH ALAM: Malaysia allows the import of used plastics for recycling only and not for dumping in the country, said Selangor Department of Environment (DoE) director Shafee Yasir.”Dirty and contaminated plastics cannot be imported into the country because it is not allowed, but some importers …
— The Sun Daily

7-Eleven’s first-quarter earnings rise 24.8%
7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 rose 24.8% to RM11.15 million from RM8.93 million a year ago driven by higher revenue and marketing income.In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group said that the adoption of MFRS 16: Leases had.
— The Sun Daily

Thai crackdown forces romance scam syndicates to Malaysia
In just a year, a whopping 162.2 million baht (RM22.39 million) was fleeced from Thais who fell prey to online romance scams but, with the heat on them, syndicates behind these rackets are now running south to Malaysia to set up base. Thai Police said the good news was that the numbers.
— The Sun Daily

Efforts being made to return Zoo Negara to glory days
There was a time when Zoo Negara, filled with all kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish attracted millions of visitors as well as inspired and educated Malaysians of all ages.Having accommodated about 5,137 specimens from 476 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians.
— The Sun Daily

Govt withdraws travel ban on former AG Apandi
Former Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali is free to leave the country, after the government withdrew the restriction place on him from leaving.
— The Star Online

No attempt to push anyone out of Umno, says Tok Mat
There is no attempt to remove anybody from the party, be it Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
— The Star Online

Maybank posts net profit of RM1.81b on revenue of RM12.97b
Malayan Banking Bhd posted net profit of RM1.81bil in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 on revenue of RM12.97bil as it undertook prudent measures amid the challenging operating environment.
— The Star Online

Market higher at midday on continuous buying
Fund buying of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Petronas Gas Bhd and Axiata Group Bhd helped push the FBM KLCI to a higher close at midday on Thursday, extending its gains for the fourth day.
— The Star Online

Author mooting killing ‘Malay traitors’ not our founder, says ex-servicemen’s group
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) today distanced its group from controversial author Helmi Effendy who founded a website with the same name sparked uproar after calling for a purge of Malay liberals, whom he denounced.
— Malay Mail

Putra VP: Party was formed to provide an alternative to Malays, not to divide them
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — The formation of Parti Putra Perkasa Negara (Putra) was not meant to further divide the Malay community but rather to provide an alternate party for the Malays, said Putra vice president Datuk Hamidah Osman. Hamidah issued a…
— Malay Mail

MACC to use new provision to prosecute companies, not just individuals
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will enforce a new provision in the MACC Act 2009 effective from June 2020 to enable the prosecution of commercial organisations involved in corruption.
— The Star Online

Okay for non-Muslims to distribute tithes, says Penang mufti
Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor says ZPP channels tithes through several quarters including Muslim and non-Muslim elected representatives.
— FMT News

New provision in MACC Act will be used against corrupt companies
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will enforce and use the new provision in the MACC Act 2009 Act, effective June 2020, to enable commercial organisations involved in corruption to the prosecuted.
— The Sun Daily

Have good ties with each other, market traders told
KUCHING: Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes to see market traders in the state keep good ties among each other. As Sarawak is multi-racial, it is important that traders carry out their business in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill, he said.
— The Borneo Post

Public awareness programmes to go on despite limited fire stations
The lack of fire stations does not stop the fire and rescue team from holding various programmes to raise public awareness on early disaster prevention measures, says state Fire and Rescue Department (JPBM) director Khirudin Drahman.
— The Borneo Post

Alliance Bank’s Q4 profit flat, to pay 8.2 sen dividend
PETALING JAYA: Alliance Bank Bhd posted a flat net profit RM111. 77 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2019 against RM112.87 million in the previous corresponding period. Its revenue also remained stable at RM403.44 million against RM403.53 million previously. It has proposed a second …
— The Sun Daily

Patriot wants action taken against author who advocated killing
The National Patriot Association (Patriot) has called for firm action to be taken against a Malay right-wing author for calling and praying for the killings of “Malay traitors”.Patriot president BG (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji (pix) said Helmi Effendy should be probed and .
— The Sun Daily

Eden returns to the black with small profit
Eden Inc Bhd registered a net profit of RM411,000 in first quarter ended March 31, for the first time since the quarter ended June 30, 2016, mainly due to savings in cost of sales of the energy segment, as well as higher income from other segments.
— The Star Online

Two Penang boys to have an asteroid named after them
An asteroid will be named after two 16-year-old boys from a school in Penang, following their victory in an international science fair held in the US. The Star reported Melwin Cheng Choon Lei and Tham Yong Shiang from SMJK.
— Malay Mail

RM4 bln loan to SRC among highest approved by KWAP — Ex-CEO
Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) former chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Azian Mohd Noh said the RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd was among the highest approved by the statutory body. Continuing her testimony yesterday, she told the High Court here that she was.
— The Borneo Post

STB produces Sarawakian style money envelopes
The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has produced Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri money envelopes for the festivals. A press release said the envelopes were produced to create awareness among non-Sarawakians as well as to instil pride among Sarawakian communities,
— The Borneo Post

WWF: Tam’s death should serve as a warning
The death of Malaysia’s last remaining male Sumatran rhino, Tam, on Monday should serve as a warning on the need to act fast to provide the highest protection for all endangered species.
— Malay Mail

Axiata, Telenor to conduct due diligence on proposed merger
Axiata Group Bhd and Norwegian multinational telecommunications company, Telenor ASA, will be conducting a due diligence exercise for their proposed merger, also known as MergedCo.President and group CEO Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said the due diligence process includes looking into.
— The Sun Daily

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.