Malaysia Morning News For March 18, 2020

Malindo Air temporarily suspends international operations
Malindo Air will temporarily suspend all its international operations from March 18 to March 31, 2020.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia delays pre-APEC meetings, says committed to hold summit
Malaysia has postponed a series of pre-APEC summit meetings that were to be held this month and the next because of the coronavirus outbreak, it said on Tuesday (Mar 17), but added it remained committed to host the summit expected towards end-2020.
— CNA

Health Ministry confirms two Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia, one linked to tabligh gathering
The Health Ministry today confirmed Malaysia has recorded two deaths over Covid-19, the first two fatalities in the country.
— Malay Mail

Special task force recovered RM1.4 billion in 1MDB funds: PMO
A total of RM1.4 billion have been recovered through the efforts of a special task force responsible for tracking 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) funds abroad, while another RM6.9 billion has been identified.
— The Sun Daily

Muslim funerals may go on in Malaysia during Covid-19 shutdown but with minimal attendees
Malaysians may still hold Muslim funeral rites during the two-week halt of non-essential activities nationwide but without crowds, the National Security Council (NSC) announced this afternoon.
— Malay Mail

Temporary closure of public attractions due to COVID-19
Public attractions in Malaysia will be temporarily closed starting tomorrow, in line with the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday that a nationwide Movement Control Order would take effect until March 31, to curb the spread of COVID-19.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Exempt manufacturing sector from movement control order, FMM urges govt
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged the government to exempt the manufacturing sector, especially those involved in essential goods and exports, from the restriction of movement order imposed on all.
— Malay Mail

Nanta: Essential goods in sufficient supply
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) today gave an assurance that there is an adequate supply of essential items in the country and that the public need not engage in panic buying.
— New Sarawak Tribune

No daily commute for Malaysians working in neighbouring countries – NSC
Malaysians working in neighbouring countries are not allowed to make the daily commute to their workplace, said the National Security Council (NSC) today.
— The Borneo Post

Business as usual at all Tesco stores and online
All 60 Tesco stores in Malaysia as well as its home grocery shopping platform, Tesco Online, will remain open for business during the government-mandated Movement Control Order beginning from tomorrow until March 31, 2020.
— Malay Mail

M’sians won’t be allowed to commute overseas starting tomorrow: Immigration
Malaysians who commute to neighbouring countries daily for work will not be allowed to do so beginning tomorrow, the Immigration Department confirmed.
— The Sun Daily

Pastor from Sarawak is first Covid-19 fatality in Malaysia
The nation’s first Covid-19-related death was recorded in Sarawak on Tuesday (March 17), the state disaster management committee announced.
— The Star Online

Infectious diseases expert urges Malaysians not to ‘balik kampung’ during shutdown
An infectious diseases expert has cautioned the public not to return to their hometowns during the upcoming two-week movement control order, so as to limit the potential risk of spreading Covid-19.
— Malay Mail

Restaurants, coffeeshops can operate but only for takeaway, food delivery: NSC
Eateries are allowed to operate but only for takeaway and food delivery orders under the movement control order, the National Security Council (NSC) said.
— The Sun Daily

Penang Pantai offers first drive-through test for Covid-19 in Malaysia
The country’s first drive-through test for Covid-19 will be made available at the Pantai Hospital here in Bayan Baru.
— The Sun Daily

MARGMA: Gloves players ramp up production amid control order
Malaysia’s rubber glove producers will further ramp up production to cater to the requirement for protective medical gloves despite the movement control order from March 18 to March 31, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA).
— The Sun Daily

No agency appointed to conduct house to house Covid-19 immunisation – NSC
The government has never appointed any agency to carry out house to house immunisation against Covid-19.
— The Borneo Post

Two chairmen of locally listed companies tested positive for Covid-19
Two chairmen from locally listed companies have been tested positive with Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Take extra precautions on the job, Sarawak media practitioners told
The Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) today urged the state’s media practitioners to take extra precautionary measures against contracting Covid-19 while they are covering events on the ground.
— Malay Mail

Bursa Malaysia ends lower as sentiment remains weak
Shares on Bursa Malaysia ended 1.87% lower today as market sentiment remained weak following the negative overnight performance on key global markets.At the close, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM KLCI) fell 24.05 points to 1,256.58 from yesterday’s close of 1,280.63.
— The Sun Daily

PSD orders civil servants to work from home
All civil servants have been ordered to work from home following the nationwide movement control order which will be enforced from tomorrow until March 31 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

First chairman of MAS, G.K. Rama Iyer dies
First chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Tan Sri G.K.Rama Iyer passed away today morning.
— The Sun Daily

Azilah objects to Najib intervening in his review application, says lawyer
Former police commando Azilah Hadri is objecting to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to intervene in his review application to set aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
— The Star Online

Where can you get tested for Covid-19 in Malaysia?
At 9pm last night, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the country would be subject to a movement control order, with most private businesses — besides essential services providers — ordered to shut.
— Malay Mail

Hotels may be allowed to operate with limited services if National Security Council approves
Pending approval from the National Security Council, hotels are allowed to operate with limited services, says the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).
— The Star Online

KL mayor: Food trucks, fresh markets, roadside stalls must close for Covid-19 shutdown
Food trucks, wet and night markets, roadside stalls are among businesses here that must stop operating from tomorrow to March 31, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham A. Dahlan announced today.
— Malay Mail

Movement control order: Selangor State Assembly sitting postponed
The Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, scheduled for two weeks beginning yesterday, is postponed in line with the Movement Control Order that will commence tomorrow.
— The Sun Daily

FMM: Movement restrictions on private firms may be too drastic
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has raised concerns that the restriction of movement imposed on private firms may be too drastic.
— The Sun Daily

Maybank offering financial relief to clients affected by Covid-19
Maybank is providing a special relief facility to its customers who are adversely affected by the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Star Online

Kuching pastor among first Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia
Sarawak has recorded its first death from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), the state disaster management committee said.
— The Borneo Post

PM orders continued tracing, recovery of stolen 1MDB funds
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has ordered the continuation of efforts to recover the stolen 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds.
— Malay Mail

Ministers, organisers urged to refrain from holding press conferences by journalists, use livestreaming instead
The Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) is calling all ministers, parties, associations, and event organisers to minimise or refrain from holding face-to-face press conferences (PCs) with the media throughout the movement control order period for fear of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) infection.
— The Borneo Post

Sarawak mosques, surau committees urged to clean premises proactively
The management committees of mosques and surau in Sarawak have been urged to take proactive measures to carry out cleaning and disinfection activities and not wait for directives from the Ministry of Health.
— The Borneo Post

NGO: Avoid panic buying, restrict outside movement
Members of the public should look at the movement control order announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, in a positive light, and ensure that their activities are in line with the objective of containing the COVID-19 outbreak.
— New Sarawak Tribune

DBKL shutters all its public parks for Malaysia’s two-week Covid-19 shutdown
All public parks in the city will be closed for two weeks starting tomorrow to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak from spreading, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) announced today.
— Malay Mail

Flow of goods, food supplies, cargo to continue between Singapore and Malaysia: PM Lee
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has assured Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that the flow of goods and cargo between Singapore and Malaysia, including food supplies, would continue, Mr Lee said on Tuesday (Mar 17).
— CNA

Global travel expected to fall 10.5% this year, worst on record: Travel Economics
International travel is expected to fall by as much as 10.5% this year, the biggest year-on-year drop as the rapid spread of coronavirus sows chaos across the tourism and leisure sector, according to industry consultancy Tourism Economics.
— The Sun Daily

Hypermarkets to open earlier for seniors, people with disabilities
Mydin hypermarkets will be opening their doors half an hour earlier starting from tomorrow for senior citizens and people with disabilities, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Sun Daily

No trials in Malaysia’s courts during two-week Covid-19 shutdown, including Najib’s 1MDB case
There will be no court hearings of any cases over the next two weeks during March 18 to March 31 when Malaysia temporarily shuts down non-essential services to slow the spread of Covid-19.
— Malay Mail

Workers’ welfare must be looked after during Covid-19 shutdown: MTUC
The government needs to rein in employers who refuse to pay the employees of companies that will be shut down over the next two weeks, said the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
— The Sun Daily

Restaurants, coffeeshops can operate but only for takeaway, food delivery – NSC
Eateries are allowed to operate but only for takeaway and food delivery orders under the movement control order, the National Security Council (NSC) said.
— The Borneo Post

NSC: Students urged to return to hometowns during shutdown
Students should return to their hometowns during the movement control order period from tomorrow until the end of this month, the National Security Council (NSC) said today.
— Malay Mail

ESSCom personnel not involved in Beluran shooting – Commander
Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) Commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali today denied the involvement of any Esscom personnel in the random shooting incident at a plantation in Beluran, about 200km from here, last Saturday.
— The Borneo Post

Covid-19 shutdown: Govt tells Malaysians to cancel holiday plans within Malaysia
Malaysians who intend to take trip within the country and visit tourist spots are advised to cancel such vacation plans during the two-week shutdown starting tomorrow until March 31, the National Security Council (NSC).
— Malay Mail

First OSEIC in state expected to begin operations in June
The first One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) in the state is expected to begin operations in June this year.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysians coming into Singapore caught off-guard, scrambling to find housing, alternative work arrangements
Early in the morning after the Malaysian Government announced a nationwide lockdown that starts tomorrow, Malaysians who work in Singapore streamed across the Causeway in a state of uncertainty and confusion, with many still.
— Malay Mail

Pakatan MPs press Putrajaya for info on food security, travel ban during Covid-19 shutdown
Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers have called upon the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration to clarify matters and provide a “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) list over the restriction of movement order announced.
— Malay Mail

Unemployed man fined RM6,000 for insulting Agong
An unemployed man was fined RM6,000, in default three months’ jail, by the sessions court here today for insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah through a posting on Facebook over the recent political turmoil in the country.
— The Sun Daily

Bursa Malaysia to operate as normal despite movement control
Bursa Malaysia Bhd and its subsidiaries will continue to operate as normal during the 14-day Control Movement Order from March 18 to 31.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia palm growers ask for plantations to run during movement curbs
Malaysia’s palm oil plantation’s must be allowed to operate during the two weeks of restricted movements the government has ordered to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association said on Tuesday.
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Sabah bars entry of non-Sabahans to the state
Sabah has barred the entry of non-Sabahans into the state with immediate effect in a bid to combat the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
— The Star Online

Feature photo Carbon Brief

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Forests, March 21

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).

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