Malaysia Morning News For February 28, 2020

Celcom, Digi, Maxis inks MOU to explore joint fibre infrastructure development
Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Maxis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore joint fibre infrastructure development to efficiently deploy fibre backhaul and rollout fibre to base stations in the country.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Political think tank supports Pakatan’s minority govt instead of Dr M’s non-partisan govt
Political think tank the Institute of Political Studies for Change (KPRU) has voiced its support for a minority government under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition as opposed to a non-partisan government mooted by interim.
— Malay Mail

A botched power grab leaves Malaysia without a government
he pictures showed Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister, working calmly at his desk. “Just another day in the office”, read the accompanying caption, tweeted on February 25th. Yet outside the doors of his office there was pandemonium.
— The Economist

Petronas: RM24b dividend this year, no special payout
National oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) reported lower earnings for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2019 (Q4’19) of RM4.1 billion, a 71% drop from RM14.3 billion in Q4’18, due primarily to an impairment of assets and lower revenue.
— The Sun Daily

Political crisis bring the crucial role of King
The ongoing political crisis in the nation has brought to the fore the crucial role played by the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
— New Sarawak Tribune

RHB Bank profit jumps 7.7 pct to RM2.48 bln in 2019
RHB Bank Bhd’s net profit jumped 7.7 per cent to RM2.48 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2019, compared with RM2.31 billion in the year before.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Businesses in Asia Pacific battle to maintain operations
Businesses in the Asia Pacific are struggling to maintain operations amidst the Covid-19 outbreak with almost 50 per cent of them stating they will be forced to restructure business operations to stay afloat if the situation worsens.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Malaysian exporters generates RM566m sales at Gulfood, Dubai
The 103 Malaysian exporters that participated in the food and beverage (F&B) trade fair, Gulfood in Dubai recently, generated RM566 million in sales throughout the event held from Feb 16-20.
— The Sun Daily

RM15 million for Teraju to implement Superb Scheme
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has allocated RM15 million to the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) for the implementation of the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme (Superb) this year.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Political imbroglio should not overshadow Covid-19 outbreak, says MMA
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has expressed concern over the current political uncertainty amidst an ongoing effort to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
— The Borneo Post

MMA reminds leaders to not forget Covid-19 outbreak in midst of political turmoil
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today reminded leaders to prioritise national interest such as dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak as the country face political uncertainty.
— Malay Mail

Morning News Roundup: Malaysian food delivery startup Dahmakan raises US$18M in Series B
Finance Malaysian food delivery startup Dahmakan raises US$18 million series B funding round Dahmakan, Malaysia-based direct-to-consumer delivery-only food startup, just closed a US$18 million Series B funding round from new investors Rakuten Capital, White Star Capital, JAFCO Asia, and the GEC-KIP Fund.
— e27

Maybank ends FY19 with record profit of RM8.2b, pays 39 sen final dividend
Malayan Banking Bhd posted a net profit of RM2.45 billion for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2019, a 5.3% increase from RM2.33 billion recorded in the previous corresponding quarter, boosted by robust performances of its community financial services, Islamic banking and insurance & takaful segments.
— The Sun Daily

Higher net income lifts AMMB Q3 earnings
AMMB Holdings Bhd reported a 9.2% increase in net profit to RM382.15 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019 against RM349.88 million in the same quarter a year ago, underpinned by higher net interest income and other operating income.
— The Sun Daily

After 2003, Mahathir to announce another health related economic package
Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix) will announce the much-anticipated economic stimulus package later today, in a bid to shield the economy from Covid-19 related impacts on the country’s vital domestic sectors.
— The Sun Daily

Melaka BN demands Pakatan put out SDs to show it is still the government
Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rauf Yusoh said Pakatan Harapan (PH) must prove it still has the support to remain the state government given Chief Minister Adly Zahari’s claim.
— Malay Mail

Anwar says Pakatan not planning to approach Dr M, but insists bridges not yet burned
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is not chasing an immediate reconciliation with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad but would keep communication channels open with the interim prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
— Malay Mail

Perak state govt unchanged – for now
The Perak state administration is maintaining its status quo, according to several politicians from the state.
— The Star Online

Muhyiddin, IGP meet Dr M at PMO; stimulus package launch delayed
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador was seen entering the Prime Minister’s Office at 3.35pm just as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was scheduled to announce the economic stimulus package to mitigate the effects of.
— Malay Mail

Sultan Ibrahim returns to Johor throne
The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar returned to his state throne on Tuesday.
— The Sun Daily

Will Pakatan and Bersatu ever reconcile? Anwar drops hint
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested today that Pakatan Harapan (PH) has no set decision yet on whether it would ever accept Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia back into the fold.
— Malay Mail

RM260 million for repair of 67 dilapidated schools in Sabah this year
The Sabah Education and Innovation Ministry is focusing on addressing problems of dilapidated schools, with RM260 million to be spent for repair and rebuilding of 67 such schools in the state this year.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysian field hospital helps control Covid-19 in Bangladesh
The medical team at the Armed Forces’ Malaysian Field Hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh has been entrusted to be involved in plannings to control the outbreak of Covid-19, especially involving the Rohingya ethnic group.
— The Sun Daily

Lawyer loses bid to challenge departure levy
The High Court here today dismissed a suit filed by lawyer R. Kengadharan against the Finance Minister and the government to challenge the imposition of the departure levy on Malaysians travelling overseas.
— The Sun Daily

New Bersatu and Umno coalition state govt for Johor
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) Johor state government has fallen and it has been replaced by a new coalition between Bersatu and Umno.The Johor Palace said the announcement by Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) had pulled out of PH, resulted in a hung government in the state.
— The Sun Daily

Businessman charged with cheating single mother of RM350,000
A businessman pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to a charge with cheating a single mother of RM350,000.Abdul Majib Mohd Yusoff, 48, made the plea after the charge was read out to him before judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
— The Sun Daily

Awang Tengah: S’wak remains popular with investors despite nation’s political struggles
Sarawak remains the top choice of investors within and outside the country, despite the nation being hit by political turmoil, as the state has its own strengths.
— The Borneo Post

Datasonic sees Q3 profit doubling after Bursa query
Datasonic Group Bhd, which was queried by Bursa Malaysia yesterday over a sharp fall in its share price, saw its net profit for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2019 double to RM20.18 million from RM9 million a year ago, thanks to higher revenue from the supply of smart cards, passports and provision of personalisation services.
— The Sun Daily

Penang Bersatu reps pledge support for state govt
The position of two of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblyman in the state will remain after they pledged their support to the state government.
— The Star Online

Bersatu assemblymen still part of Penang Pakatan administration
The two Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblymen in Penang support the Pakatan Harapan state administration, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s political secretary Teh Lai Heng today.
— Malay Mail

TA Global minority shareholders cry foul over privatisation offer
The minority shareholders of TA Global Bhd have expressed their dissatisfaction over the conditional general offer to delist the property firm at 28 sen per share.
— The Sun Daily

Penang CM meets Bersatu duo over positions in state Pakatan administration
Penang’s two Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblymen have been summoned to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s office today.
— Malay Mail

Mahathir refused to be PH’s prime minister, reveals Guan Eng
It appears that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s nomination as the prime minister by Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs came after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s refused to lead the coalition as the premier.
— The Sun Daily

SPM results out on March 5
The 2019 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results will be announced this Thursday (March 5), according to the Ministry of Education (MOE).
— The Borneo Post

Guan Eng: Dr M refused to commit to Pakatan manifesto after resigning
Interim prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had refused to continue to fulfill Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) pledges despite being urged on by DAP, its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng revealed today.
— Malay Mail

Risk of power abuse, dictatorship tendencies: Pundits caution against unity govt idea
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal for a non-partisan unity government which concentrates power in the hands of a prime minister will lead to risks of abuse of power and dictatorship tendencies, political observers.
— Malay Mail

Despite political turbulence, Malaysia’s economic fundamentals remain sound: Analysts
While uncertainty over the federal administration is clouding the horizon, Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals means it is likely to be resilient, said economists and industry players interviewed by CNA.
— CNA

Sabah, Sarawak the ‘kingmakers’
With all the political maneovering happening in Peninsular Malaysia, political parties here will do well to remember that the future of the nation rests in East Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

Neutral government can be solution to political crisis: Analysts
A government that does not favour any party can be a good solution in reducing an excessive politicking culture, according to some local political analysts.Shah Alam University of Technology (UiTM) political and social media analyst from associate Professor Dr Sara Chinnasamy said the approach would enable cabinet members to focus on national.
— The Sun Daily

PKR comms chief confirms Ranau MP yet to officially quit party
PKR strategic communications director Fahmi Fadzil clarified today that Ranau MP Jonathan Yasin has not formally resigned despite a previous statement placing him among 11 federal lawmakers who left the party.
— Malay Mail

Mahathir returns as Bersatu chairman (Updated)
Just days after resigning as the chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to resume his role in the party.
— The Sun Daily

Johor’s Pakatan Harapan state government falls, new coalition to take over
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) Johor state government will be replaced by a new coalition, the Johor Palace announced on Thursday (Feb 27).
— CNA

Feature photo The MOLE

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on Zero Discrimination Day, March 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).

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