Malaysia Morning News For May 7

Penang International Airport arrivals at record high as direct flights climb
Arrivals at Penang International Airport (PIA) reached an all-time high of 7.79 million passengers last year as a result of more direct flights to the state, the Penang Global Tourism (PGT) disclosed today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad ranked 47th on Forbes’ World’s Greatest Leaders list
Petaling Jaya–Dr Tun Mahathir Mohamad, in his 93rd year and second term as Malaysia’s Prime Minister, has gained yet another accolade. Forbes ranked him 47th out of the 50 greatest leaders in the world, in a list that was released on April 18.
— The Independent

Sarawak’s total 2018 trade value up to RM143.7b
Sarawak registered a total trade value of RM143.7 billion last year compared to RM137.6 billion in 2017, state Assistant Minister of International Trade and e-Commerce Datuk Naroden Majais told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
— Malay Mail

91 non-existent loan cases with losses of over RM760,000 recorded in S’wak
Ninety-one non-existent loan cases were recorded in Sarawak with losses amounting to RM767,171.04 from Jan 1 to May 5, this year.
— The Borneo Post

Axiata, Telenor in talks for potential merger
Axiata Group Bhd and Norwegian telco Telenor ASA are in discussions for a potential merger, which would combine both parties’ Asian operations and portfolio of telecommunications, digital and infrastructure assets.
— The Sun Daily

Equanimity’s upkeep cost RM15.5m for nine months, says AG
The federal government spent RM15.5 million to maintain super yacht Equanimity from the time it was seized until Genting Malaysia Berhad bought it at an auction last month, according to Attorney General (AG) Tommy Thomas.
— Malay Mail

13 Malaysian companies to exhibit at the biggest O&G trade show in Houston
Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (MATRADE) and Malaysian Oil & Gas Services Council (MOGSC) will be organising a Malaysian national pavilion with 13 Malaysian exhibitors at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2019 in Houston, Texas.
— New Straits Times

Putrajaya mulls expanding Penang airport to cater to 20 million passengers till 2035
The federal government may enlarge the Penang International Airport (PIA) to accommodate a maximum of 20 million passengers instead of the initial 12 million proposed.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian Crypto-Powered City to Attract 3 Million Tourists
Malacca City, the capital of the Malaysian state of Malacca, has reportedly become one of the world’s first regions that’s being referred to as a “crypto city.” Notably, Malacca City is expected to attract approximately 3 million tourists per year.
— Crypto Globe

No solution in sight to turn around Malaysia Airlines – PM
The government has yet to decide on the fate of the ailing Malaysia Airlines as there is still no feasible solution in sight to turn it around, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Borneo Post

Telenor sees Malaysia ops merger approval without many remedies
If Telenor and Axiata agree to a proposed merger of their Asian operations, then they see the Malaysia competition authorities approving the deal without too many remedies, Telenor CFO Jorgen C Arentz Rostrup says on a conference call.
— The Edge Markets

Lynas backs Malaysian waste solution despite removal order
Lynas Corporation is pushing ahead with plans to build a permanent disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste in Malaysia despite a contested ultimatum to export about 450,000 tonnes of residue already stockpiled by September.
— AFR

Fake degrees: A worrying trend in Malaysia
An estimated one in 20 potential hires in Malaysia has fake qualifications while one in 10 has credentials from unaccredited institutions, a corporate fraud investigation agency found.
— The Star Online

Malaysia Now and Then: Life in a low-cost flat
TEAM Ceritalah first met Mala, a 50-year-old resident of the Kota Damansara PPR (government-built, low-cost flats) exactly one year ago. She was – and still is – pragmatic, proactive and positive.
— The Star Online

NS Gerakan welcomes PH gov’t free shuttle bus service
Negri Sembilan Gerakan today congratulated Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun for reintroducing the free shuttle bus service but suggested that foreigners be charged for using the facility.
— The Sun Daily

ARB acquires 51% stake in C&M Renewable Energy
ARB Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ARB Development Sdn Bhd has entered into a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) to acquire a 51% sake in C& M Renewable Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (CMSB) for RM5.5mil.
— The Star Online

Govt to ensure no opportunity for another 1MDB: Guan Eng
The government will ensure there is no opportunity for “another 1MDB” to rear its ugly head in the country, whether by the current leadership or any future leadership, that becomes corrupt with power.
— The Star Online

Maybank first local bank to launch SWIFT GPI service
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has become the first local bank to implement the SWIFT global payments innovation (gpi) service that will enable customers to enjoy speedier, more convenient and secure cross-border remittances.
— The Star Online

Malaysia sends former Goldman banker to US over 1MDB charges
A former Goldman Sachs banker has been extradited from Malaysia to the United States to face charges linked to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal, a source and reports said yesterday.
— The Daily Star

Economy rebased to 2015, GNI per capita to reach RM47,720 by 2020
Malaysia’s economy reached a new height of RM1.45 trillion in 2018, at current prices, after a rebasing exercise from base year 2010 to 2015, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
— The Star Online

State PWD can handle Sarawak’s RM11b road projects, DAP rep tells Najib
Violet Yong Wui Wui defended today her criticism of an external firm’s award as project management consultant (PMC), saying the state Public Works Department (PWD) is capable of taking on the RM11 billion Sarawak coastal road.
— Malay Mail

BN never intended to upgrade Penang airport, says Guan Eng
The finance minister insists that the proposed airport in Kulim will have no economic impact on Penang.
— FMT News

Govt to ensure no opportunity for ‘another 1MDB’
The government will ensure there is no opportunity for “another 1MDB” to rear its ugly head in the country, whether by the current leadership or any future leadership, that becomes corrupt with power.
— The Borneo Post

SRC trial: Najib signed federal guarantee for KWAP’s second RM2b loan to ex-1MDB unit
Datuk Seri Najib Razak personally signed off on a government guarantee for SRC International Sdn Bhd’s second loan of RM2 billion from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP), the High Court heard today.
— Malay Mail

In critique of Pakatan’s first year, groups say pact lost momentum on rights and reforms
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has yet to deliver on its election pledges to reform allegedly repressive laws and uphold human rights despite a promising start, a panel of non-governmental organisation (NGO).
— Malay Mail

Foreign fishing boat detained in Malaysian waters: RMN
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has detained a foreign fishing boat in Sarawak waters, 60 nautical miles north of Kuching during a routine patrol.
— The Sun Daily

Finance minister urges Securities Commission to study CEO-worker pay disparity at profitable firms
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has called upon the Securities Commission (SC) to look into fairer compensation for employees in well-performing companies for its Corporate Governance (CG) Monitor next year.
— Malay Mail

No cabinet reshuffle, says PM
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today reiterated that there will be no Cabinet reshuffle and that he is 100 per cent behind his team of ministers. “They (the ministers) are performing. I don’t see any reason to reshuffle the Cabinet,” he said.
— The Borneo Post

No racial slant intended in opinion on Kulim airport
However, there have been attempts by BN in the past to move projects away from Penang.
— FMT News

Jho Low took a lot of money for himself, says Dr M
We have evidence fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho took a lot of money for himself, says the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Satirist Zunar wants PH to make meaningful reforms
Leading satirist Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque has called on the ruling Pakatan Harapan to initiate meaningful reforms immediately with the one-year anniversary of the coalition’s rule just days away.
— The Sun Daily

Mah Sing plans IBS plant with Chinese firms
Mah Sing Group Bhd is exploring the possibility of teaming up with Chinese companies to set up a permanent Industrialised Building System (IBS) precast concrete plant in Southville City, KL South.
— The Star Online

Penang CM says waiting for Transport Ministry for three-way meeting on Kulim airport
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today he is waiting for the Transport Ministry to arrange a tripartite meeting on the proposed Kulim airport in Kedah.
— Malay Mail

RM15.5 million spent on Jho Low-linked superyacht, says AG
Tommy Thomas says the amount, spent up till April 30 this year, is still far less than it would have been if the yacht had been seized anywhere else in the world.
— FMT News

In New Malaysia Declaration, DAP reiterates commitment to uplift all
DAP today reaffirmed its commitment towards defending the rights of the Bumiputera, including the Malays, the sovereignty of the King and the Malay Rulers, the special status of Islam and dignifying the national language as.
— Malay Mail

Sabah confirms 14 rotavirus cases between January and April
There have been 14 confirmed rotavirus cases between January and April, says Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.
— The Star Online

Report: Banks raising interest rates while BNM still holding OPR steady
Several financial institutions have increased their base rate (BR) ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s review of the overnight policy rate (OPR), according to industry sources.
— Malay Mail

Fasting no problem for nonagenarian PM
Fasting is not a problem for 93-year old Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has a packed schedule.
— The Star Online

SC to review anti-corruption measures of PLCs
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) will be reviewing anti-corruption measures of listed companies this year as part of its efforts to support the National Anti-Corruption Plan.
— The Sun Daily

Roland Sagah: S’wak govt conducting study to enhance rural folk’s standard of living
The Sarawak government is presently conducting a study on Rural Growth Centres (RGCs) and Small Isolated Rural Communities towards enhancing the standard of living of the rural folk.
— The Borneo Post

Cops: No chemical leak at Penang school, only experiment gone wrong
State police confirmed that there is no chemical hazard at Bayan Lepas secondary school thought to have experienced a chemical leak this morning.
— Malay Mail

More to Ramadan than fasting, says Mahathir
Fasting is not just about refraining from eating, but resisting the temptation of committing offences, advised Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”Fasting teaches us to control ourselves and temptations.
— The Sun Daily

PM: Still no solution in sight for MAS
The deep losses of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), coupled with bad management previously, make it very difficult to turn it around, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Kit Siang: Malaysia still has a long way to go before it is free of corruption
Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang reminded Malaysians today that the country is still far from being back on the road to integrity, despite the ongoing corruption trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Yn. Abdul Aziz

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges the commencement of Ramadan, May 6.

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.