Malaysia Morning News For April 23, 2020

Malaysia surpasses rest of ASEAN bloc in virus recoveries
Singapore reports over 1,000 positive virus cases for 3rd consecutive day, surpassing 10,000 mark on total.
— AA

Press freedom: Malaysia jumps up 22 places to No 101
Malaysia has been ranked 101st globally in the latest 2020 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
— The Star Online

Malaysia Airlines enforces the use of face masks on passengers
All Malaysia Airlines passengers are now required to bring and wear their own protective masks effective April 23, 2020, at touch-points such as check-in, boarding, in the aircraft cabin, disembarkation and collection of baggage on arrival to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
— The Borneo Post

AirAsia challenges regulator fine
AirAsia filed a request for a judicial review over its conviction for consumer protection violations.
— Travel Mole

Covid-19: One death, 50 new positive cases reported in Malaysia today
A total of 50 new positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded nationwide today, bringing the nationwide cumulative tally to 5,532 cases, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
— The Borneo Post

2 Malaysian universities in Times’ sustainability Top 100
The Covid-19 pandemic has not stopped some of the world’s universities from achieving remarkable accomplishments, including two in Malaysia.
— FMT

Malaysian aviation company receives certification from FAA, EASA to service latest Dassault aircraft
ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia has gained new certifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), allowing the company to service all latest Dassault Falcon aircraft.
— The Sun Daily

Tourism Malaysia holds home video tourism contest
Tourism Malaysia is inviting Malaysians to take part in the shooting of their own tourism-themed music videos by using their living spaces as a background.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia to experience short-term benefit from China
RHB Investment Bank said Malaysia is expecting a short-term benefit from the reopening of China’s economy after Covid-19 but the general weakness is likely to kick in as recession seems to be looming.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Australia joins US ships in S.China Sea, near waters claimed by Vietnam and Malaysia amid rising tensions
An Australian frigate has joined three US warships in the South China Sea near an area where a Chinese vessel is suspected to be exploring for oil, near waters also claimed by Vietnam and Malaysia, officials said today.
— Malay Mail

World Bank: Malaysia has little space for fiscal response if Covid-19 fallout drags on
The World Bank has cautioned the Malaysian government about its inability to respond effectively should the Covid-19 fallout drag on, citing Putrajaya’s limited fiscal space for extended intervention.
— Malay Mail

Grab to assist traditional merchants embrace digital economy
Grab is shifting its focus to help small traditional businesses embrace and thrive within the digital economy, which includes collaborating with state governments and other organisations to deliver Ramadhan Favourites as well as adding five more markets across Selangor to their Pasar by GrabMart service effective April 24.
— The Sun Daily

Pahang announces fourth phase MCO aid
Pahang government today announced the fourth phase assistance to those affected by Movement Control Order (MCO) including army veterans, retired policemen and fishermen, involving six initiatives worth RM614,750.
— The Sun Daily

Minetech bags Perak civil works contract
Minetech Resources Bhd (MRB)has received a letter of intent from Bumimaju MTE Engineering Sdn Bhd , appointing its wholly-owned subsidiary Minetech Construction Sdn Bhd as a contractor to undertake civil works related to a pipeline laying project in Hulu Grik, Perak.
— The Sun Daily

Penang sets up tourism recovery taskforce
Penang has set up a special taskforce to formulate a strategy to revive the state’s tourism industry in the “next normal” after the movement control order (MCO), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said the..
— Malay Mail

Malaysia not threatened by Bill Gates’ synthetic palm oil project
Malaysia does not see the production of synthetic palm oil by US start-up company, C16 Biosciences, as a threat to natural palm oil supply chain particularly when produced under the best agricultural practices and sustainability standards.
— New Sarawak Tribune

M’sian Embassy in Thailand facilitated return of more than 600 Malaysians
The Malaysian Embassy in Thailand and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla has facilitated the return of 677 Malaysians as of April 20 through border checkpoints between both countries amid travel restrictions imposed to control the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, said Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Malaysia’s green zones increase to 64, including entire Perlis; new districts in six states with zero active cases
The number of Malaysian districts in the green zone — or without any active Covid-19 cases currently — has increased yet again, this time to 64 districts, including the entirety of Perlis, the latest figures from the.
— Malay Mail

Muslims in Sarawak prohibited from visiting graves during MCO
The Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) will prohibit burial ground visits during the Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the Covid-19 outbreak in the state.
— The Borneo Post

Covid-19: List of fake news on social media as of 11.15am – KKMM
The following is the morning update from the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) Quick Response Team on countering fake news on Covid-19 on social media.
— The Sun Daily

CPI slips 0.2% in March
Malaysia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) slipped 0.2% in March this year to 120.9 from 121.1 registered in the previous year.
— The Sun Daily

Sime Darby to divest Tesco Malaysia stake for RM300m
Sime Darby Bhd’s (SDB) wholly-owned subsidiaries Sime Darby Allied Products Bhd and Sime Darby Holdings Bhd have entered into conditional agreements with CP Retail Development Company Limited, Tesco Holdings BV and Tesco PLC to divest its 30% stake in Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for RM300 million.
— The Sun Daily

Use face masks wisely, urges Dr Sim as China stops exporting KN95 masks
Hospitals in Sarawak could face a shortage of respirators and surgical masks as well as having difficulty in outsourcing for China-made KN95 respirators because China has stopped exporting them, said Housing and Local Government Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
— The Borneo Post

Covid-19: Virtual methods being used for promoting country’s domestic tourism, says Tourism Malaysia D-G
Various campaigns and promotions for the country’s tourism industry are now focused on virtual methods due to the constraints caused by the Covid-19 pandemic today, with a focus on domestic tourism.
— Malay Mail

Covid-19: Death toll in Sarawak rises to 16 with death of 72-year-old from Sri Aman today
Sarawak recorded one new death due to Covid-19 today, bringing the death toll to 16.
— The Borneo Post

MCO: Immigration suspends operations against illegal immigrants
The Immigration Department suspends all operations against illegal immigrants during the movement control order (MCO) except for important cases and on the directive of the National Security Council (NSC).
— The Star Online

Adequate supply of food and other essentials – Ismail Sabri
There is adequate supply of food products and other basic necessities to meet the demands throughout the country, including during the Ramadan period, said Senior Minister (Secuirity Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
— The Borneo Post

Works Minister: House renovations by G1, G2-grade firms can resume during MCO with permission
Companies with G1 and G2 grades will be allowed to resume their construction works under the movement control order (MCO) if they have obtained permission to operate from the government, said Works Minister Datuk Seri.
— Malay Mail

MCO: Applications for interstate travel to open on Saturday
Those who went back to their hometowns before the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced can start applying on Saturday for permission to return home, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
— The Borneo Post

No mass return of M’sians from S’pore yet, says Ismail Sabri
There has not been a mass return of Malaysians from Singapore yet, following the Singapore government’s decision to extend its partial lockdown until June 1, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
— The Star Online

Covid-19: Almost 5,000 individuals quarantined in Johor since April 7
A total of 4,886 individuals have been housed in 40 quarantine stations in Johor from April 7 to April 21, Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said. Out of the total, he said 4,859 were classified
— Malay Mail

Cabinet Committee on Food Security to be set up: Ronald Kiandee
A Cabinet Committee on Food Security, chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, will be established soon to, among others, formulate the National Food Security Policy, according to Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.
— The Sun Daily

Senior minister: No mass return of Malaysians from Singapore just yet
Malaysia has not seen a mass return of its citizens from Singapore following the Singapore government’s decision to extend the circuit breaker to June 1, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
— Malay Mail

Earth Day 2020: Continue to practise green lifestyle – Tuan Ibrahim
Malaysians should continue adopting the green lifestyle even after the Movement Control Order (MCO) period is over, said Environment and Water Minister Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pix).
— The Sun Daily

MTA, IBFIM introduce remote testing for takaful basic examinations
The Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) and the Islamic Banking & Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM) have introduced remote sessions for takaful basic examination (TBE) this week due to the closures of TBE exam centres as a result of the movement control order (MCO).
— The Sun Daily

Johor police announce multi-agency operation to tackle cross-border crime
Five enforcement agencies in Johor, including the Armed Forces, have today jointly initiated an integrated operation to address cross-border crime in the state.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia charts biggest improvement globally for press freedom in 2020 index; best in Asean again
Malaysia showed the greatest improvement in a 2020 global index measuring press freedom in 180 countries and regions, again topping the South-east Asian or Asean region just like it did in the 2019 edition.
— Malay Mail

Ganja e-liquids sold openly on M’sian online platforms may contain dangerous synthetics
Traders of illegal e-liquids meant for use on vaping devices are turning to e-commerce websites to maintain the sales of their products during the movement control order (MCO).
— The Sun Daily

Report: Hari Raya celebrations should be postponed but obligatory prayers must go on, says minister
Malaysians can and should partake in religious obligations this coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as long as they adhere to movement control order (MCO) guidelines, said Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.
— Malay Mail

Don’t terminate or cut pay, Sabah GLCs told
The Sabah state government today told its all government-linked companies (GLCs) not to lay off workers nor cut their pays during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— The Sun Daily

Works minister: MRT Corp among 9,000 firms awaiting nod to resume work
MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd is among the thousands of construction companies awaiting the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s (Miti) approval to operate during the movement control order MCO), said the works.
— Malay Mail

BNM’s international reserves strengthen slightly to US$102b
Bank Negara Malaysia’s international reserves amounted to US$102.0 billion (RM448 billion) as at April 15, 2020, a slight increase of 0.3% from US$101.7 billion recorded as at March 31.
— The Sun Daily

Reopening of baking supply shops receives mixed reactions from operators
The reopening of baking supply shops on Wednesdays and Fridays during the Movement Control Order (MCO) has received mixed reactions from baked goods operators.
— The Borneo Post

Penang durian sellers get nod to sell fruit in markets during MCO
This durian season in Penang will be different from before, with roadside durian stalls barred during the movement control order (MCO).
— Malay Mail

Banks tighten credit on Asia oil traders as Hin Leong losses add to woes – sources
Banks and trading companies are scaling down activities in Asia following the oil price collapse and financial problems at three companies including major Singapore trader Hin Leong, according to nine sources familiar with the matter.
— The Sun Daily

Last-minute buying pushes Bursa Malaysia slightly higher at close
Last-minute buying in consumer product and healthcare counters pushed Bursa Malaysia back into positive territory at close today, in line with recovering Asian stock markets, dealers said.
— The Sun Daily

MCO: Daily screenings on workers among SOPs set for construction sector
Providing thermal scanners and screenings for Covid-19 on workers at construction sites are among the conditions that need to be fulfilled by contractors and companies that are allowed to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Borneo Post

MACC has received more than 300 tips-offs and reports during MCO
Since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented last month, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had received 286 tip-offs and 22 reports of alleged corrupt practice and power abuse.
— The Sun Daily

Unifi’s special mobile plans with unlimited data for varsity students
Unifi has introduced special mobile plans with unlimited connectivity to help facilitate e-learning for university students and keep them connected via online by offering its unlimited mobile solutions.
— New Sarawak Tribune

No Covid-19 infections at immigration depots nationwide – DG
There have been no Covid-19 infections reported so far at the 14 immigration detention depots nationwide says Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
— The Borneo Post

Opportunities for digital education
The implementation of the movement control order (MCO) has provided teachers the opportunities to explore the use of digital technologies in education to ensure learning process among students continue uninterrupted.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Groups helping govt to ease burden of less-fortunate
Taking the cue from the government, several individuals and groups have launched their own initiatives to help those in the thick of the war against Covid-19 or those most badly affected by the outbreak.
— The Sun Daily

205 fake news clarified by Quick Response Team since its inception
The Quick Response Team (PRP), which monitors suspicious news and allegations, has clarified 205 fake news since its inception on March 24.
— The Borneo Post

Feature photo Unit ICT Pejabat Bendahari Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Girls in ICT Day, April 23.

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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