Malaysia Morning News For February 18, 2020

First Malaysian coronavirus patient cured, discharged
A Selangor resident who was the first Malaysian to test positive for the Wuhan virus, or Covid-19, is now cured and has been discharged, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced today.
— Malay Mail

M’sia works on sending back 110 containers of plastic waste
Malaysia has begun the process of sending back 110 containers of plastic waste that are still in the country, according to Deputy Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.
— The Sun Daily

Gobind: Malaysia to choose 5G partners based on own security standards
Malaysia’s own security standards will dictate which companies take part in its planned 5G rollout this year, its communications minister told Reuters today, as the United States pushes countries to exclude China’s.
— Malay Mail

Sabah’s top beans: Malaysian cocoa specialist Vive Snack banks on local focus for success
Malaysian cocoa firm Vive Snack is banking on a strong local focus to further expand its reach in the domestic market, with an emphasis on its use of local ingredients and new product innovations.
— Food Navigator-Asia

Guan Eng: Economic stimulus package to help industries recover from coronavirus blowback
The objective of the upcoming economic stimulus package, aside from mitigating the impact of the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, is also to assist industries in rebounding once it has blown over, said Finance Minister Lim.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian EduTech start-up raises massive pre-seed funding
The start-up provides a range of expert-led on-campus training in coding, data science, design, digital marketing, and more.
— OpenGovAsia

Foreign minister: Business as usual at Malaysian embassy, consulates in China
Business is as usual at the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and consulate offices in China.
— Malay Mail

Bursa Malaysia ends
Bursa Malaysia ended in the red today, amid a mixed performance on regional markets, despite policymakers pledging to put together fiscal and credit support to address the impact from Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian COVID-19 patient linked to Grand Hyatt meeting discharged
A Malaysian man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending a company meeting at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Singapore has been discharged from hospital, Malaysia’s Health Ministry said on Monday (Feb 17).
— CNA

Uggah regrets certain unscrupulous people found selling Health Declaration Forms to visitors
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has expressed regret that certain unscrupulous people have been found selling the Health Declaration Forms (HDF) to visitors at certain entry points.
— The Borneo Post

Prosecution applies for stay of ruling on return of monies seized from Umno, MCA, two others
The prosecution has applied for a stay of execution of a High Court order for the return of RM194 million that was seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from Umno, Wanita MCA and two companies, Binsabi Sdn Bhd and Perano Sdn Bhd.
— The Sun Daily

JCI Padawan prioritises community, eco-based projects for 2020
The Padawan chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) strives to continue its flagship clean water project this year, focusing on the rural areas.
— The Borneo Post

Stop the charade over Dr Ting’s ouster as Pujut rep, PDP chief tells DAP
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has urged Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak leaders to stop justifying former lawmaker Dr Ting Tiong Choon’s non-disclosure of his dual nationality, which led to him being disqualified as the Pujut assemblyman.
— The Borneo Post

Najib ordered direct tender for solar project without price review, court told
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had ordered Finance Ministry (Treasury) deputy secretary-general Datuk Othman Semail to continue with the direct tender of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd for the solar hybrid project, the High Court heard on Monday (Feb 17).
— The Star Online

Malaysia urged to cut down on plastic packaging for cleaner seas
An analysis of Asia’s worst ocean polluters shows Malaysians are the biggest individual consumers of plastic packaging, green group WWF said on Monday (Feb 17), urging the government to limit single-use plastics and work with companies to fund a recycling push.
— CNA

Melaka govt wants Najib to explain cancellation of Jernih Dam project in 2017
The Melaka government has asked former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to explain why his administration cancelled the Jernih Dam project in Alor Gajah in 2017, despite its urgency.
— The Star Online

Business as usual at Malaysian Embassy, consulates in China
It is business as usual at the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and consulate offices in China.
— The Sun Daily

SealNet keen to lead in cross-border trade facilitation
SealNet Sdn Bhd (SealNet), a subsidiary of Dagang NeXchange Bhd (DNeX), is gearing up for a busy 2020 as it pushes for more cross-border trade facilitation and initiatives.
— New Sarawak Tribune

New thermoscanners now in use at entry points into Sarawak to contain Covid-19
Sarawak has received three new thermoscanners from the Health Ministry to screen the temperature of arrivals at the state’s entry points to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 (novel coronavirus).
— The Star Online

Sarawak police receive boost with unveiling of 35 new vehicles worth over RM5.3 mln
Sarawak police have received a boost with the unveiling of 35 new vehicles worth over RM5.3 million.
— The Borneo Post

Mental health issues cost economy RM14.46bil in 2018, estimates NGO
Mental health issues plaguing the nation’s workforce may have cost the economy as much as RM14.46bil, or more than 1% of Malaysia’s total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, according to a study by Relate Mental Health Malaysia (Relate).
— The Star Online

Court allows prosecution’s request for more time for Najib, family to inspect items seized by MACC
The High Court here today allowed an application by the prosecution in a forfeiture suit against former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his family for an extension of time to allow the defendants to examine.
— Malay Mail

Health Ministry: Energy Candyproducts found containing banned tadalafil
The Ministry of Health (MoH) today confirmed that the Energy Candy products contain a banned substance called tadalafil. The products involved include ExtrAli Energy Candy, Extra Strong Energy Candy and Mixed Fruit Candy.
— Malay Mail

White cigarettes worth RM65.44m seized at PTP
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized smuggled white cigarettes of different brands valued at RM65.44 million including tax in two separate operations on seven containers at the Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP) here last month and early this month.
— The Sun Daily

Deputy minister: Defence White Paper aims to increase diversity, gender equality
Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong has revealed that the Defence White Paper will focus on fostering diversity and increasing women’s participation in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
— Malay Mail

Rosmah trial: Former MoE sec-gen says business partners fought over RM1.2 bln solar deal
epak Holdings Sdn Bhd’s Saidi Abang Samsudin and Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah fell out with each other and the latter tried to secure a RM1.25 billion solar power project from the government for himself, the High Court heard today.
— The Borneo Post

Foreign investors snap 2-week selling spree on Bursa
Last week, foreign funds entered Bursa at a moderate pace, buying up RM70.3 million of local equities snapping the net selling seen in the previous two weeks.
— The Sun Daily

With biryani and rice balls, Malaysia aims for halal Olympic gold
A small factory here is preparing thousands of ready-to-eat halal meals, from fried rice to chicken biryani, to be shipped off to Japan for 2020’s biggest sporting event
— The Sun Daily

Initiatives to enhance state tourism welcomed
Sarawak emphasises on and practises responsible tourism and welcomes private initiatives to enhance the industry, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Penang to have first cooperative town in Malaysia
The Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) is set to build a new town in Sungai Ara, Penang. Executive chairman Datuk Nordin Salleh said the project would be developed by SKM’s subsidiary, Sungai Ara Berhad (Tunas Muda)..
— Malay Mail

SME Corp to venture into ‘hidden gems’ industry
SME Corp will venture into “hidden gems” industry involving agarwood, orchid and others, in a bid to spur further growth among the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), its CEO Noor Azmi Mat Said (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Penang CM: Sungai Muda water level to sustain until monsoon season
The Penang government needs to ensure that the Sungai Muda water level to sustain until the arrival of the monsoon season. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today said that the next monsoon season was expected to arrive between.
— Malay Mail

Proposal for new Phnom Pen, Siem Reap airports could have impact on Muhibbah Engineering
Recent reports of new airport projects in Phnom Penh and Siam Reap, Cambodia, which are targeted for completion in mid-2022 and 2022/23 respectively, could directly impact Muhibbah Engineering Bhd’s existing airports.
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak DCM says no fraudulent health declarations so far
Visitors to Sarawak have been truthful in filling in their Health Declaration Forms (HDF), state Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said today.
— Malay Mail

1MDB trial postponed as Muhammad Shafee needs to prepare for his son’s wedding
The High Court here has deferred the scheduled dates for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial set for this week, to March 2.
— The Sun Daily

Rosmah trial: Senior Treasury official says firm improperly awarded RM1.25b solar project
Government procedures were not followed when Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd was issued the letter of award for a RM1.125 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak, the High Court heard today. Testifying in Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s..
— Malay Mail

Four nabbed in drug lab raid, seizure worth RM2.23mil
Police have uncovered a drug processing laboratory at a condominium in Jalan Yaacob Latif here and arrested four men, including three foreigners.
— The Star Online

Report: Health of coral reefs in Malaysia slowly declining in last five years
The overall health of coral reefs in Malaysia is considered to be “fair”, but has been slowly declining in the last five years, according to a report by Reef Check Malaysia.
— The Star Online

Takaful myClick MozzCare coverage for Covid-19
Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd (Takaful Malaysia) through its general takaful arm, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Bhd, has introduced its latest affordable online protection plan, Takaful myClick MozzCare, that provides coverage against dengue and Zika infection as well as a complimentary extension of coverage for the 2019.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Malaysia top plastic ocean polluter in Asia, says WWF
An analysis of Asia’s worst ocean polluters shows Malaysians are the biggest individual consumers of plastic packaging, green group WWF said on Monday (Feb 17), urging the government to limit single-use plastics and work with companies to fund a recycling push.
— The Star Online

After book ban overturned, rights group urges govt to repeal repressive PPPA
Following a court decision to overturn a ban on three books promoting moderate Islam here last week, freedom of speech group Article 19 has urged Malaysia to repeal the law that was used to initially impose the ban.
— Malay Mail

Luxchem posts 11.6% rise in Q4 earnings
Industrial chemical distributor Luxchem Corp Bhd posted an 11.6% increase in its net profit to RM9.6 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec 31, from RM8.6 million in the previous corresponding quarter, mainly due to higher profit in its trading segment.
— The Sun Daily

HLT expects to see effects of demand uptick from next month amid virus outbreak
Glove-dipping lines manufacturer HLT Global Bhd said the group has seen an uptick in enquiries from China since the extended closure of factories there following the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Sun Daily

Report claims Jho Low still not listed on Interpol’s Red Notice website
Fugitive financier Low Taek Jho has not been listed on Interpol’s Red Notice website, Berita Harian reported today, even as Putrajaya has confirmed to the public that a notice has been issue for the man called Jho Low.
— Malay Mail

Sarawak consistently supporting charities
Sarawak has been an avid supporter of charity bodies looking to help fellow Sarawakians in the state.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Disposal of stake in unit to deliver only marginal gain for Pos Malaysia: HLIB Research
Pos Malaysia Bhd’s proposed disposal of a 49% stake in Pos Aviation Engineering Services to SIA Engineering Co Ltd (SIAEC) for RM10.1 million will only generate a marginal gain for Pos Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

217 Perak theme park workers receive RM1.2m compensation
Two hundred and seventeen Animation Theme Park Sdn Bhd (ATP) employees who were terminated following the closure of Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) in January will be receiving an overall compensation of RM1,2 million at the end of this month.
— The Sun Daily

Former MACC boss to testify in Apandi’s suit against Kit Siang
The former attorney-general is suing the DAP stalwart over an article he said had suggested him as an unethical person.
— FMT News

Retailers seek rental rebate to ride out Covid-19 effects
Retail associations in the country are appealing for shopping malls and shophouse landlords and owners to give rental rebates of between 30 per cent and 50 per cent for the next six months to allow retailers to ride out the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Borneo Post

Notorious AYT 99 gang crippled by cops, gun used in 2017 shooting of ex-AG’s driver among firearms seized
A gang notorious for criminal extortion and violence that was mainly active in Klang has been crippled by police following the arrest of 12 of its members that included the gang’s leader, and the seizure of several.
— Malay Mail

Inject fast track measures to boost consumer spending, says economist
Malaysia should consider injecting fast track measures to boost consumer spending to counter the effects of the infectious novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on the economy.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Sahabat Alam Malaysia

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on World Day of Social Justice, February 20.

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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