Malaysia Morning News For February 7, 2020

First Malaysian-transmitted coronavirus case confirmed
The health ministry today confirmed another two coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 14. One person is a Malaysian woman while the other is a 37-year-old Chinese national.
— FMT

Sarawak most romantic state in Malaysia, says e-commerce platform
Sarawak is the most romantic state in Malaysia, an international e-commerce platform said following an analysis of romantic queries online by states in the country.
— The Borneo Post

M’sian companies lead Asia Pacific on digital transformation: Survey
A study by Workday has found that Malaysian companies are leading the digital transformation in the Asia Pacific, with 58% of C-Level executives seeing measurable returns with the initiatives.
— The Sun Daily

BNM: Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank are domestic systemically important banks
Malayan Banking Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Public Bank Bhd have been identified as domestic systemically important banks (D-SIB), according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
— The Sun Daily

MACC denies claims it took no action over alleged corruption in MBPJ
Investigations into alleged conflict of interest in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) are still ongoing, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
— The Star Online

Malaysia remains attractive investment destination for Japanese firms
Malaysia is still an attractive investment destination for Japanese firms despite the current weak global economic environment. Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry (JACTIM) vice-president Daiji Kojima said business cost is still affordable and a good geographical location for trade movement.”
— The Sun Daily

Palm oil dilemma: Why Malaysia’s second-largest commodity export continues to face uncertain future
Malaysia is the second-largest palm oil producer in the world and the commodity is also the country’s second-largest export in terms of value – but the local palm oil industry as a whole faces an uncertain future due to volatile prices and continuing opposition by the European Union (EU).
— Food navigator-asia

Sabah has lost over RM5mil to power thieves since 2017, says SESB
The Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has discovered over 800 power thieves with losses of about RM5mil in the state since 2017.
— The Star Online

Sarawak Matta targets more tourists from India this year
The Sarawak Chapter of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is aiming to attract more Indian tourists to the state this year, said its chairman Lina Tsen Pei Tsin today.
— New Sarawak Tribune

AirAsia X forms board committee to review Airbus graft claims
AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) board of directors has formed a board committee comprising the non-executive members of the board, save for Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, to review allegations in an Airbus bribery probe.
— The Sun Daily

Petronas Dagangan: No plans to stop NGV service
Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PetDag) is not planning to stop its natural gas for vehicles (NGV) service to customers.Managing director and CEO Azrul Osman Rani said its stations remained operational to provide NGV to taxis.
— The Sun Daily

GCMY Centre of Excellence launched to boost corporate Malaysia performance
Global Compact Network Malaysia (GCMY) and the Securities Commission Malaysia’s (SC) affiliate Capital Markets Malaysia (CM²) have jointly launched the Global Compact Network Malaysia Centre of Excellence (COE).
— The Sun Daily

Support from Umno, PAS is welcome, says Mahathir
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir today said he will welcome any support towards his government amidst rumours that Umno plans to throw their support behind the premier.
— The Sun Daily

State govt seeks funds for its ambitious Penang Bay project
The Penang state government will be presenting its ambitious Penang Bay project at the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) to seek funding and ideas from investors, said state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo.
— 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

MIHAS 2020 to garner RM50b halal exports by year-end: Matrade
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) aims to achieve its RM50 billion halal export target by year-end by enhancing its global marketing activities for local halal products.
— The Sun Daily

Offsets are not bribes, says Dr M of AirAsia-Airbus scandal
Getting offsets in large business deals is normal as long as the money is not pocketed by individuals, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— Malay Mail

Dr M: University and University Colleges Act to be replaced with better, more comprehensive law
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is intensifying effort to repeal the University and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 and replace it with better and more comprehensive law, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
— Malay Mail

Govt issues guidelines on handling issues relating to coronavirus
The government has issued guidelines on handling issues relating to contagious outbreaks including 2019 novel coronavirus infections (2019-nCoV).
— Malay Mail

Dr M: Public can debate PPSMI, Cabinet will decide on implementation
Putrajaya welcomes any differing opinion regarding the decision to teach Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) as the Cabinet weighs in on the issue, acting education minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
— Malay Mail

AirAsia’s stocks appreciate on disposal of shares by EPF
Shares of AirAsia Group Bhd (AAGB) and its sister company AirAsia X Bhd appreciated in active trading yesterday following recent downtrend amid news report which alleged the low-cost airline took $50 million bribes from aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Paramount expands into Thailand’s property development market
Paramount Corp Bhd is expanding into the Thai property market via the purchase of a 49% stake in local firm Navarang Charoennakorn Co Ltd for 60.3 million baht (RM8.4 million).
— The Sun Daily

Penang Immigration rescues two Indonesian women from forced labour
Two Indonesian women who are believed to have been forced to work for more than 12 hours a day without pay at a shop selling traditional medicine in Lebuh Pantai, here, were rescued by an enforcement team from the Penang immigration today.
— The Sun Daily

PTPTN announces 4pc dividend for depositors
The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has announced a four per cent dividend for 2019 for two of its Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN), namely SSPN-i and SSPN-i Plus.
— Malay Mail

What Malaysia can learn from Switzerland’s success in treating drug addiction
In the 1980s and 1990s, Switzerland had the highest HIV infection rate in Western Europe and a severe heroin addiction problem.
— Malay Mail

Assistant driver killed in collision
One person was killed while another badly injured when a fertiliser laden lorry they were travelling in collided with a school bus near Kampung Jirok, Simunjan Serian – Sri Aman Road yesterday.
— New Sarawak Tribune

MACC audio recordings: Process to summon Najib, Rosmah still underway
Police are still in the process of summoning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) ex-Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad to give their.
— Malay Mail

BuildEasy out to reshape future of property ownership
For many, the journey of property ownership can be a daunting experience, especially when there is a need to renovate and navigate the legal framework surrounding it.
— The Sun Daily

AUKU to be replaced with better, more comprehensive law
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is intensifying effort to repeal the University and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 and replace it with better and more comprehensive law, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
— The Borneo Post

Investment in Perak unaffected by MAPS closure, claims Nizar
IPOH: Any investments made in Perak will not be affected by the closure of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
— The Star Online

Tok Mat: Umno will pay dearly in GE15 if it collaborates with Dr M
PETALING JAYA: A government that is formed without the blessing of voters will be killed off in the next general election, warns Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
— The Star Online

Guidelines on handling issues relating to coronavirus
The government has issued guidelines on handling issues relating to contagious outbreaks including 2019 novel coronavirus infections (2019-nCoV).
— The Borneo Post

No decision yet on PPSMI, says Tun M
The government has not made any decision to implement the teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI).
— The Sun Daily

Support me? Then back Pakatan govt in Parliament, Dr M tells Umno, PAS
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he is expecting opposition parties Umno and PAS to support changes proposed by his Pakatan Harapan administration in Parliament.
— Malay Mail

Sarawak man killed after collision with lorry carrying medical waste
A 71-year old man was killed after a car he was driving collided head-on with a 10-tonne bonded lorry laden with medical waste on Jalan Kedap in Saratok, Betong Division, this morning.
— Malay Mail

AGC not contesting judicial review leave application in LTTE case
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will not contest a leave application for a judicial review filed by taxi driver V. Balamurugan, who is seeking to strike out a 2014 Government gazette listing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terror group.
— The Star Online

Sabah CM: Seven-day extension maximum for China tourists in wake of coronavirus
The Sabah government is standing firm on its one-week visa extension for Chinese nationals in the wake of its ban on direct flights from China due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
— Malay Mail

MACC audio recordings: Process to summon Najib, Rosmah still under way
Police are still in the process of summoning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) ex-Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad to give their statements on the revelation of audios by the agency last month.
— The Sun Daily

LTdL must have a strong brand for next 25 years – Dr Mahathir
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the organiser of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) to strive for new milestones and achievement to ensure that the Asian premier cycling race would have a strong identity and brand for the next 25 years.
— The Borneo Post

Fine workers who do not follow SOP for cleanliness: DOSH
Employers are recommended to carry out a risk assessment and upgrade their work procedure by practicing a high standard of cleanliness and implement the usage of face masks to avoid virus infection among employees.
— The Sun Daily

Parents picking up e-wallets… to better monitor children’s expenses
It saves time, and is safe and easy to use. These are among the attributes of the Touch ‘n Go e-wallet application (app) that led Rohaizi Yusuf, 42, to use the app to give pocket money to.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Dr Wan Azizah Ismail

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.

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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