Malaysia Morning News For January 10, 2020

‘700% cost increase’: Malaysia puts export permit rule changes for fruits and veggies on hold
Malaysia’s initial plans to implement stricter regulations for all plant commodity export permit applications to Singapore have been put on hold after vehement protests from local fruit and vegetable firms.
— Food Navigator

Malaysia imposes anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese steel products for five years
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam’s cold-rolled coil and non-alloy steel coil products, along with those of China, South Korea and Japan, will be imposed anti-dumping duties for five years by Malaysia.
— Sggp News

Finance minister says beat 2019 sales tax target by RM5.5b
The federal government collected RM27.5 billion in Sales and Services Tax (SST) revenue in 2019 to surpass the RM22 billion targeted for the year, Lim Guan Eng said today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s ex-PM sought royal’s help over scandal
Malaysia’s disgraced ex-leader Najib Razak allegedly sought help from Abu Dhabi’s crown prince to conceal wrongdoing linked to a multi-billion-dollar graft scandal, recordings released Wednesday by investigators showed.
— The Asean Post

US-Iran conflict does not affect Malaysia’s tourism promotion in Middle East
The conflict between Iran and the United States (US) does not affect Malaysia’s efforts to promote tourism in the Middle Eastern countries, says Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture secretary-general Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia’s foreign portfolio inflows hit six-year high in 2019
Malaysia attracted foreign portfolio inflows of RM8.8 billion in 2019 — a six-year high — compared to an outflow of RM33.6 billion recorded in 2018.
— Malay Mail

Guan Eng: Toll rate freeze extended to 2020 to ease Malaysians’ burden
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng reiterated today that the government has opted to continue disallowing highway toll rate increases into 2020.
— Malay Mail

Why do onions cost most in Penang? Domestic Trade Ministry is on the case
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has instructed its enforcement team to investigate the pricing mechanism for onions at retailers in Penang.
— Malay Mail

Foreign debt holdings hit 20-month high in December
Foreign investors retained as net buyers of Malaysia’s debt securities for the second successive month in December 2019 as foreign debt holdings picked up RM8.1 billion to a 20-month high at RM204.7 billion.
— The Sun Daily

Loke: Appointments by Prasarana, MAHB not under Transport Ministry’s jurisdiction
The appointments of chief executive officer (CEO) for Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) do not come under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry, says its minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
— Malay Mail

Govt prepares to evacuate Malaysians from Iran, Iraq – Saifuddin
The government is making preparation to evacuate 220 Malaysians residing in Iran and Iraq following the latest conflict in the region, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
— The Borneo Post

Bukit Kukus landslide: Construction company fined RM22,000
The contractor for the Paya Terubong paired roads project in Jalan Bukit Kukus near here was fined RM22,000 by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to two charges of failing to provide safe work procedures.
— The Sun Daily

Ministry ‘report card’: RM387m allocated in 2019 to carry out 69 flood mitigation projects nationwide
The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry allocated RM387 million to carry out 69 flood mitigation projects nationwide in 2019.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia to play mediator role?
AWEEK into 2020 and we are already witnessing a possible war in the Middle East, between an unpredictable United States president and a defiant Iran leadership.
— New Straits Times

Another Rohingya held in Malaysia
An illegal Rohingya migrant fleeing a detention camp in Thailand has been arrested in Malaysia.
— Bangkok Post

Perodua launches 2020 Bezza, expects to sell 4k units per month
Perodua has launched the latest version of 2020 Bezza yesterday, with 4,000 units expected to be sold monthly on average.
— The Borneo Post

Tax structure review may be needed
A review of the tax rate might be necessary in order to provide the government with a more effective method of revenue collection, said Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd Malaysia tax leader and business tax services leader Amarjeet Singh.
— The Sun Daily

MACC action shows lack of professionalism, says Tok Mat
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s move to make public the contents of nine audio recordings allegedly incriminating former top government officials, including Datuk Seri Najib Razak, clearly lacked professionalism, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
— The Star Online

Appointments by Prasarana, MAHB not under Transport Ministry’s jurisdiction
The appointments of chief executive officer (CEO) for Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) do not come under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry, says its minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
— The Sun Daily

Analyst warns of lynching risk if sex offender registry is accessible to all
The information in the National Sex Offender Registry is not meant to be publicly available, otherwise sex offenders will face repercussions beyond the court room, crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim (pix) said.
— The Sun Daily

Still not feeling it? Govt helped you save RM47m last year, transport minister tells Rapid users
Klang Valley rail commuters using the My100 public transport pass for MRT and LRT services have saved up to RM47 million in total, Anthony Loke said today.
— Malay Mail

S4S, Kuching Traditional Handicraft Studies Society to hold vigil for late Adenan on Jan 11
Sarawak For Sarawakians (S4S) and Kuching Traditional Handicraft Studies Society are holding a special vigil for the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem at the Darul Hana Bridge, Kuching Waterfront here on Jan 11.
— The Borneo Post

Time for National Drug Policy to be reviewed: MCPF
It is time for the government to review the National Drug Policy (NDP) so that efforts to combat drug addiction and abuse can be done in an integrated manner, says Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Cabinet has decided on acting education minister: Guan Eng
The Cabinet has made a decision on the person to be appointed as acting education minister, following Dr Maszlee Malik’s resignation, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) said.
— The Sun Daily

Replanting trees based on suitability
Kuching North City Commision (DBKU) is looking to replace unsuitable trees planted along the main roads in hopes of providing a safer driving experience for its citizens.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Sunway targets rm2 billion in sales
Sunway Property announced yesterday that it is targetting RM2 billion in sales this year while continuing to focus on delivering lifelong value to purchasers.
— New Sarawak Tribune

RAM: Negative business sentiment bottoming out
The negative sentiment among Malaysian businesses appears to have bottomed out, said RAM Ratings in releasing the latest RAM Business Confidence Index for Q1-Q2 2020.
— The Sun Daily

Scomi Energy to introduce ‘green’ products for drilling services in China
Scomi Energy Services Bhd (SESB) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong-listed Anton Oilfield Services (Group) Ltd, as part of its planned expansion into China by introducing green products for drilling services.
— The Sun Daily

Top Glove: Nitrile segment to make up bulk of output by year-end
Top Glove Corp Bhd expects its total production of nitrile gloves to overtake natural rubber gloves by the end of this year, according to its executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai (pix).
— The Sun Daily

India restricts refined palm oil imports after Malaysia’s criticism of Modi
India imposed restrictions on imports of refined palm oil and palmolein today, a move sources said was retaliation against top supplier Malaysia after its criticism of India’s actions in Kashmir and a new citizenship law.
— Malay Mail

Bursa Malaysia ends lower in line with global markets on rising geopolitical tensions
Bursa Malaysia ended lower today in line with global markets following rising tensions in the Middle East between Washington and Tehran.
— The Sun Daily

Kejuruteraan Asastera bags RM19m contract from Binastra Land
Kejuruteraan Asastera Bhd (KAB) has secured a RM19 million contract from Binastra Land Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary Binastra AbleBuild Sdn Bhd for its Trion@KL project.
— The Sun Daily

Ex DBKL Senior Deputy Director pleads not guilty to using using ill-gotten gains to buy 109 cows
A former deputy director of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to three counts of money laundering, involving RM276,400.
— The Sun Daily

Internal PKR critic Zuraida’s case now in disciplinary chief’s hands, says party sec-gen
PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today confirmed party vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin has been referred to its disciplinary board after her diatribe against the leadership last November.
— Malay Mail

‘Road crashes’ more accurate than ‘road accidents’, says Transport Ministry
There will be a gradual shift in the use of the terminology road accidents to road crashes, says Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.
— The Star Online

Release of recordings raises question of prejudice in Najib’s case
Questions have been raised by lawyers and a former top brass police officer on whether the audio clips released to the public by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday were prejudicial to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
— The Sun Daily

Ex-KL City Hall dep director charged with laundering RM276k to buy cows
A former Kuala Lumpur City Hall deputy director pleaded not guilty to three counts of money laundering totalling RM276,400 for the purchase of 109 cows last year.
— The Star Online

Najib-Arul Kanda 1MDB audit report trial resumes next week
The hearing for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s joint trial with former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy who are both accused of tampering with the auditor-general’s (A-G) final 1MDB audit report will resume next week, culminating.
— Malay Mail

Pos Laju extends SendParcel promotion
Pos Malaysia Berhad (Pos Malaysia) is extending its Pos Laju SendParcel promotion until January 31 due to popular demand.
— New Sarawak Tribune

No smoking zones for DBKU yet
No smoking zones will be built in areas within DBKU’s jurisdiction yet, said Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan.
— New Sarawak Tribune

DAP assemblyman claims trial to LTTE-linked charge
Seremban Jaya P. Gunasekaren pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to a charge with giving support to the LTTE terrorist group at an event in Melaka two years ago.
— Malay Mail

Extraordinary People: Six world marathons and running
AFTER Maggie Kim Hong Goh gave birth to her second child at 34, she started to put on the pounds. S
— The Sun Daily

We will check recordings to decide on the classification of the case: IGP
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pix) said police will study the audio recordings allegedly involving several high-profile individuals before deciding on the next course of action.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Templeofthai.com

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on street food throughout Asean.

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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