Malaysia Morning News For January 22, 2020

Malaysia returns plastic waste to 13 countries
Malaysia has sent back 150 containers of plastic waste to 13 mainly rich countries since the third quarter last year, with the environment minster warning on Monday that those who want to make the country a rubbish bin of the world can “dream on.”
— Columbian

Indonesia calls out Malaysia for ‘ineffective’ security
The government has lambasted the “ineffective coordination” of Malaysian authorities following the abduction of five Indonesian fishermen last week in waters off Sabah, the latest incident to underscore the lack of security in the tri-border area between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
— The Jakarta post

Malaysia wields anti-terrorism laws to fight wildlife poaching
Malaysia is stepping up the fight to protect its critically-endangered wildlife by using tough anti-terrorism and money-laundering laws against poachers.
— The Straits Times

Functional porridge: Malaysian firm targets major halal markets with bird’s nest product
Malaysian firm Vesbo is hoping to target major halal markets with its functional instant porridge containing bird’s nest and collagen.
— Food Navigator Asia

Malaysia plans to do more to protect our coral reefs and marine life
Malaysia has an extensive coastline of 4,675km in total and is hemmed in on all sides by seas – the Straits of Malacca, the Sulu Sea, the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea. And all these waters are located within the Coral Triangle, a rich marine ecosystem with nearly 600 species of corals and more than 2,000 species of fish.
— The Star Online

Airlines and airport operator penalised
The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has imposed financial penalties on AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia), AirAsia X Bhd (AirAsia X) and Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd (MA Sepang), which is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia Promotes Cashless Society With eWallet Incentive Award
As Malaysia moves towards a cashless society, the government is offering an award payment of RM30 (about $7.37) under its e-Tunai Rakyat (people’s e-cash) program, according to reports on Friday (Jan. 17).
— Pymnts

Cyberjaya is The First City to Adopt Malaysia’s National QR Payment Standard DuitNow QR
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today launched the Cashless Ecosystem for Cyberjaya, a collaboration between Cyberview and PayNet. In a media statement issued to Fintech News Malaysia, Najib Ibrahim, Managing Director of Cyberview shared that Cyberjaya will be the first city to adopt the national payments QR code known as DuitNow QR.
— Fintech News

Improving Malaysia’s rail networks, services tops govt’s public transport to-do list, says deputy minister
The government is emphasising more on improving railway networks and services as it will help increase public usage and the transportation of freight, says Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar.
— Malay Mail

Short-term rates to remain stable on BNM’s operations
Short-term rates are expected to remain stable today on Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) operations to absorb surplus liquidity from the financial system.
— The Sun Daily

RM140 million for raw water project
A RM140-million raw water transfer project will soon take place in Sri Aman Division. According to Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the project was approved during the State Development Coordination Committee Meeting on ‘Projek Rakyat’ at Sri Simanggang Hotel here, yesterday.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Bird’s nest export poised to hit RM1.5 billion — Salahuddin
The export value of Malaysia’s swiftlet nest is expected to increase to RM1.5 billion this year from RM1.1 billion last year, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
— The Borneo Post

Ministry utilises Integrated Enforcement Management System
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has begun to fully utilise the Integrated Enforcement Management System (IEMS) yesterday to conduct price checks on goods.
— The Borneo Post

KLIA terminals expected to see 10% rise in passenger traffic during CNY: MAHB
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has forecast a 10% increase in passenger traffic movements at both terminals of KL International Airport during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration versus the same period last year.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia on high alert following coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan
Malaysian response teams at all international entry points and health facilities around the country particularly the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Health Office have been placed on high alert following the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
— The Sun Daily

Guan Eng: 3.8 million people to benefit from first phase RM300 BSH payment from today
The first phase payment of RM300 under Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) 2020 will be credited into the bank accounts of registered recipients between today and Wednesday (January 22), said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— Malay Mail

Miti aims for 450 SMEs to undergo RA this year
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is targeting 450 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to undergo the government-funded National Policy on Industry 4.0 (Industry4WRD) Readiness Assessment (RA) programme this year.
— The Sun Daily

Govt emphasis on improving railway networks: Kamaruddin
The government is emphasising more on improving railway networks and services as it will help increase public usage and the transportation of freight, says Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (pix).
— The Sun Daily

ERT to assist travellers using Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak this Lunar New Year
An Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been set up to assist the public who are travelling on the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak during this Chinese New Year celebration.
— The Borneo Post

Telcos working hand in hand to ensure successful 5G rollout
Malaysia’s telecommunications companies are ramping up efforts, investments and collaborations to support the 5G rollout in the country.
— The Sun Daily

Leiking: Malaysia won’t lose out on trade opportunities in wake of ‘phase one’ US-China deal
Malaysia will not lose out on trade opportunities following the signing of the US-China “phase one” agreement last week, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.
— The Sun Daily

MOH collecting data on patients with Influenza A: Dr Dzulkefly
In an effort to identify the total number of people with Influenza A (H1N1) across the country thus far, data from all facilities under the Ministry of Health (MOH) and related parties are being collected.
— The Sun Daily

RAM: Corporate bond issuance to remain stable after a record high in 2019
Malaysia’s gross corporate bond issuance hit a record RM132.8 billion in 2019, outperforming the previous high of RM124.9 billion in 2017 and exceeding RAM Ratings’ projection of RM110 billion to RM120 billion.
— The Sun Daily

Rais Yatim: New China visa rules for Malaysians will open floodgates to ‘hundreds of thousands’
Bersatu supreme council member Tan Sri Rais Yatim today complained about the long-term multiple entry visa for Malaysians visiting China, saying that Chinese citizens may use as a means to settle in Malaysia.
— Malay Mail

No Malaysian today is ‘100pc’ monocultural, says Kit Siang
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today reminded Malaysians to take pride in their cultural diversity, warning against the creep of extremists seeking to polarise the nation along racial and religious lines.
— Malay Mail

Emergency evacuation at school as another round of severe floods hit remote northern S’wak
Floods in SK Benawa in Baram district in interior northern Sarawak have forced students and staff members to be evacuated on Tuesday (Jan 21) morning.
— The Star Online

Ahmad Maslan charged with failing to declare RM2m received from Najib to IRB
Pontian Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pix) was charged in the sessions court here today with failing to declare RM2 million which he received from Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and to giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
— The Sun Daily

Shahrir Samad claims trial to RM1mil money laundering charge
Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abd Samad has pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here Tuesday (Jan 21) on a charge of money laundering involving RM1mil.
— The Star Online

Shahrir Samad charged with failing to declare RM1 mln received from Najib to IRB
Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Ab Samad was charged in the Sessions Court here today with failing to declare RM1 million which he received from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
— The Borneo Post

Exclusive: TB scare at Bayan Baru lock-up
Two former policemen attached to the detention centre at the Bayan Baru Central Police lock-up here have been found to have contracted tuberculosis (TB).
— The Sun Daily

Cops arrest three individuals in viral Mercedes Benz street racing incident
Police have arrested three individuals, including a woman, to assist in investigation into an illegal race involving two yellow Mercedes Benz, Sinar Harian reported.
— The Star Online

Ahmad Maslan claims trial to laundering RM2m allegedly from Najib
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan was today charged in the Sessions Court here with two counts of money laundering amounting to RM2 million in funds allegedly received from former prime minister Datuk Seri.
— Malay Mail

Scomi, Scomi Energy suspended for trading
Trading of Scomi Group Bhd and Scomi Energy Services Bhd’s shares have been suspended today pending a material announcement.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia’s Islamic schools need help
Last week, Malaysian media reported that the country’s finance minister, Lim Guan Eng had handed over an allocation of RM100 million (US$24,646,124) to the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mujahid Yusof Rawa for the purpose of upgrading and maintaining registered Islamic schools.
— The Asean Post

After PLUS, Khazanah now has to decide on Malaysia Airlines
Just when it is about to close the chapter on the stake sale in PLUS Malaysia Bhd, Khazanah Nasional Bhd has drawn its attention to the ailing national carrier, Malaysia Airlines Bhd in which it injected RM800 million, if not more, last year.
— The Edge Markets

Save water in hot and dry weather: MetMalaysia
Based on the latest monitoring by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, drought has already started in northern Kedah and Perlis with some areas not receiving rain for several weeks, said its director-general, Jailan Simon.
— The Sun Daily

Zuraida is still PKR member, not joining Bersatu, says pol-sec
The Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pix), who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president, is not joining Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), said her political secretary Nor Hizwan Ahmad.
— The Sun Daily

114 nabbed at secret society initiation ceremony
A total of 114 individuals including six Singaporeans have been arrested by police for participating in an initiation ceremony for members of the ‘Double Seven’ secret society here.
— The Borneo Post

Move to improve bus services
While waiting for the implementation of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line and Stage Bus Services Transformation (SBST) programme, the Sarawak Transport Ministry is also making efforts to improve existing public bus services.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Ensure right information gets out
Media practitioners in Sarawak must work twice as hard to ensure that they get the right information out, thus differentiating them from the wannabes on social media.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Maybank, UUM collaborate to shape leaders of tomorrow
Maybank and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership between industry and academia in developing the leaders of tomorrow.
— The Borneo Post

Najib’s bid to call handwriting expert a ‘tactical manoeuvre’, says prosecutor
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s application to call an Australian handwriting expert to examine his signatures on several SRC International Sdn Bhd related documents to establish authenticity is just a “tactical manoeuvre”, the High Court was told yesterday.
— The Borneo Post

NOT READY to go cashless
Sarawak Bus Transport Company Association is appealing to the Transport Ministry to allow bus operators in Sarawak to implement the cashless payment system in the near future, and not now.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Public transport, R&R operators encouraged to go cashless
The Transport Ministry has encouraged operators of public transport services and rest and recreation (R&R) areas nationwide to adopt the cashless payment method.
— The Sun Daily

Woman among three suspected traffickers held, drugs worth RM948,000 seized
Two men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of trafficking in amphetamine and syabu worth RM948,000 in raids in Setiawangsa and Cheras, here, last Monday.
— The Sun Daily

MITI: India-initiated bilateral meet falls through due to busy schedule
KUThe International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) today revealed that the proposed bilateral meeting initiated by India, which was targeted for this week, has fallen through due to both parties’ busy schedule.
— Malay Mail

Former director, executive director claim trial to CBT charges involving RM2.82m
A former director and an executive director of a company, pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to nine charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM2.82 million of the company’s money.
— The Sun Daily

CM: Water supply in drought-hit Penang under control
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today gave the assurance that the piped water supply in drought-hit Penang is under control and can meet the needs of the people in the state.
— Malay Mail

Influenza: Selangor still has highest number of cases among schoolchildren
Selangor still has the highest number of schoolchildren infected with influenza, with 863 cases of Influenza A and H1N1 recorded to date.
— Malay Mail

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm warning for six states
The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has warned of thunderstorms in several areas in Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Sarawak, saying heavy rain and strong winds can be expected up to 8 pm today.
— Malay Mail

KL shares end lower due to losses in heavyweights
Bursa Malaysia ended lower today in line with regional markets, as losses in selected heavyweights continued to weigh on the local index.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia 2019 corporate bond issuance at RM132.8b — RAM
Malaysia’s gross corporate bond issuance hit a record of RM132.8 billion in 2019, attributable to the robust private sector, albeit largely boosted by a one-off RM27.6 billion issuance by Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB).
— The Edge Markets

Malaysia govt starts free meal programme for poor with 4,000 students
About 4,000 students from 100 schools across Malaysia on Monday (Jan 20) were given free meals before the beginning of classes, part of a government programme to help poor students who could not afford a proper meal at home.
— The Straits Times

Feature photo My English Matters

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Education, January 24.

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).

—

About Malaysia morning news.

Malaysia morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Malaysia English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Malaysia English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Malaysia daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Malaysia news headlines and first paragraphs before 8.15am Malaysia time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Malaysia news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Malaysia news article, or keep on reading the remaining Malaysia daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Malaysia English language news today by email before 9am Malaysia time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.