Malaysia Morning News For March 20, 2020

With Malaysian-made Covid-19 vaccine a possibility, firm pleads for Putrajaya’s backing
A local vaccine manufacturer has pleaded for cooperation and support from Putrajaya, claiming it is being hampered by red tape despite allegedly having a potential cure to the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Malay Mail

COVID-19 cases in Malaysia hit 900 with 110 new infections
Malaysia on Thursday (Mar 19) reported 110 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total in the country to 900, said Health Minister Adham Baba.
— CNA

AirAsia to operate limited number of domestic, international flights until March 31
AirAsia will be operating a limited number of domestic and international flights from today until March 31, the low-cost airline said.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia seeks 2,000 Rohingya men for Covid-19 checks, say sources
Malaysian authorities are scrambling to track down about 2,000 Rohingya men who attended a religious gathering that has led to a big spike in Covid-19 cases across South-East Asia, a security source and two other people told Reuters.
— The Star Online

Only approved industries, factories can operate during MCO period: Miti
The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has stressed that only industries or factories that have received its approval are allowed to operate during the two-week Movement Control Order (MCO) period ending March 31.
— The Sun Daily

Airports continue to operate during MCO: MAHB
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said airports will continue to operate during the 14-days Movement Control Order (MCO) as airports are categorised as an essential service.
— The Sun Daily

#StayAtHome trending on social media as authorities implore M’sians to heed MCO
The #StayAtHome hashtag is now trending on social media during the second day of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to mitigate the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) in Malaysia.
— The Borneo Post

Show some leniency, Sabah law firms tell financial institutions
Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin says a number of banks in the state are compelling law firms on their panels to adhere to strict timelines in the provision of legal services.
— FMT News

Search for 2,000 Rohingya for Covid-19 checks in Malaysia
The authorities are scrambling to track down about 2,000 Rohingya men who attended a religious gathering that has led to a big spike in coronavirus cases across Southeast Asia, a security source and two other people told Reuters.
— The Sun Daily

Armed Forces denies using helicopters to spray disinfectants
The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) today dismissed social media reports claiming that special military helicopters have been used to spray disinfectants against Covid-19 across the country.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Special ministerial committee set up to coordinate MCO implementation
The Cabinet has set up a special ministerial committee to coordinate the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to combat Covid-19, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
— The Sun Daily

Association calls for Bursa Malaysia suspension to protect market
The Association of Stockbroking Companies of Malaysia (ASCM) has called for Bursa Malaysia to be suspended in line with the recent Movement Control Order declared by the government amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Rubber glove players want to operate at full capacity during movement curb period
Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) has called for the government to allow its members to continue production at 100% capacity amid the widespread of Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Food, essential items in sufficient supply for duration of movement control order
Food and other essential items are still in sufficient supply and the people need not panic during the implementation of the Movement Control Order, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
— The Sun Daily

Top Glove Q2 profit up 9.3%, expects strong quarters ahead
Top Glove Corp Bhd’s net profit rose 9.3% to RM115.68 million for the second quarter ended February 29, 2020 compared to RM105.79 million reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, attributed to tax incentives and sales volume growth despite a surge in natural rubber latex concentrate prices.
— The Sun Daily

Exempt public housing rental during movement restriction, DBKL urged
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been urged to extend its rent exemption for business premises and include low-income families renting its people’s housing projects (PPR) and public housing (PA).
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: Banks doing their part by offering relief assistance programs for loan repayments
Several banks in the country have decided to provide leeway for customers to repay their bank loans as the Covid-19 outbreak takes a toll on Malaysians financially.
— Malay Mail

AmBank, Public Bank offer financial relief to customers
AmBank is offering a special relief facility comprising financing of up to RM1 million to SMEs affected by Covid-19, said AMMB Holdings Bhd group CEO Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir.
— The Sun Daily

Adequate supplies as critical sector operating as usual: Mohamed Azmin
The government has allowed businesses in the critical manufacturing sector to operate during the movement control order period to ensure the basic needs and services for the people are not affected.
— The Sun Daily

Penang island council forms squad to enforce Movement Control Order
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has set up a special squad that patrol daily to enforce the federal government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
— Malay Mail

Putrajaya eases control order to let palm, rubber, logging sectors run skeleton shifts
The government announced partial exemptions of the movement control order to permit the palm oil, rubber, and timber sectors resume operations on a restricted scale.
— Malay Mail

Health D-G: Malaysia has traced 10,650 Sri Petaling mosque’s ‘tabligh’ participants, 513 positive for Covid-19
Malaysia has so far traced 10,650 of the attendees at a mass religious gathering held at the Jamek Sri Petaling mosque here from February 27 to March 1, with 513 of these testing positive for Covid-19 so far, Health.
— Malay Mail

110 new Covid-19 cases, tally now 900: Dr Adham Baba
Another 110 new Covid-19 cases were reported today, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 900, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said.
— The Sun Daily

IGP: 8,600 cops deployed nationwide to ensure people abide by MCO
A total of 8,600 police personnel have been deployed nationwide to ensure that people abide by the movement control order (MCO), says Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
— The Star Online

Longhouse in Miri imposes RM2,000 fine to outsiders to safeguard community from Covid-19
The Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Rumah Bajing, in Batu Niah, Miri is going the extra mile to curb the spread of Covid-19 by imposing a RM2,000 fine for outsiders who visit their longhouse during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Borneo Post

Johor lawmaker criticises MB’s call to reopen border with Singapore, says will endanger health workers and Malaysia
A PKR leader today criticised Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad for saying the state government wanted to reopen the border with Singapore despite the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— Malay Mail

SMC instructs hawkers at Sibu Central Market to trade on rotation during MCO
Hawkers at the Sibu Central Market will open their businesses on rotation starting today until March 31 during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— The Borneo Post

PSB moots SST exemptions in proposed second stimulus package
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has urged the government to consider giving exemptions for the Sales and Services Tax (SST) for an extended period of time due to the tough economic situation, which is compounded by the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— The Borneo Post

Military troops may be mobilised
Military troops may be mobilised if the people’s level of compliance with the Movement Control Order introduced by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19, is deemed unsatisfactory.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Pakatan urges Putrajaya to protect economy, workers in Covid-19 crisis
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council said the federal government must ensure the continued economic and business stability of Malaysia that is facing a public health crisis.
— Malay Mail

Health Ministry adopts social distancing for reporters attending press conference
In an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 infection, a press conference at the Health Ministry today adopted social distancing seating arrangement for media personnel.
— Malay Mail

COVID-19: Malaysia may deploy soldiers to enforce movement control order
Military troops may be mobilised if Malaysians do not comply with the movement control order introduced by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday (Mar 19).
— CNA

Tourists anxious to go home as Malaysia shuts down for Covid-19
With Malaysia under a nationwide movement control order, tourists still stranded are scrambling for flights home.
— Malay Mail

Wisma BSN, KL branch closed for disinfecting work till March 20
Wisma BSN, the headquarters of Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) and its Kuala Lumpur Main Branch are temporarily closed today until March 20 for a comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting work in accordance with the safety and health guidelines.
— The Sun Daily

7-Eleven receives valid acceptance of 90.58% stake in Caring Pharmacy
7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s mandatory general offer (MGO) for Caring Pharmacy Group Bhd at RM2.60 apiece has reached a valid acceptance level of 90.58%.
— The Sun Daily

MBKS waiving parking fee for all areas under its jurisdiction during MCO period
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is waiving the parking fee for all areas under its jurisdiction during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period until March 31.
— The Borneo Post

Police: Public awareness poor as motorists still seen travelling to city from Kota Samarahan
Traffic police have set up a roadblock near the Sg Kuap Bridge linking the city to Kota Samarahan, not to catch traffic offenders but to advise motorists to return to their homes during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
— The Borneo Post

Supporting the frontliners working around the clock to combat Covid-19 threat
Over 1,800 workers from One Medicare Sdn Bhd have been working around the clock in 23 hospitals in Sarawak to assist patients of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and prevent the spread of the virus.
— The Borneo Post

Plantation, conmmodity sectors exempted from movement restriction order
Workers in the plantation and commodities sector have been exempted from the Movement Control Order and are allowed to resume their work activities, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Sarawak State Assembly to sit for one day on April 13
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the first meeting of the fifth term of the 18th Sarawak State Assembly will only be held for one day on April 13.
— The Sun Daily

SC, Bursa: No suspension of financial markets
Despite heightened market volatility and the movement control order, the Securities Commission (SC) and Bursa Malaysia Bhd assured that the financial markets will not be suspended.
— The Sun Daily

10,553 from Sri Petaling tabligh gathering have been tested for Covid-19 – Dr Noor Hisham
A total of 10,553 attendees of the recent tabligh gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque have been tested for Covid-19, according to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
— The Borneo Post

Johor Sultan grants audience to PM for briefing on Covid-19 situation
Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar granted an audience to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Istana Pasir Pelangi here today.
— Malay Mail

SGH: No donation campaign authorised by hospital for its personnel
Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has never authorised any party to use its name for the purpose of collecting donations or contributions for hospital personnel who are on duty during the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Borneo Post

Feature photo Carbon Brief

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Forests, March 21

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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