Malaysia Morning News For March 31, 2020

Covid-19: Malaysia records three more deaths, 156 new cases
A total of 156 new cases of Covid-19 were reported up to noon today, raising the cumulative total in the country to 2,626 cases.
— The Borneo Post

Govt sets ceiling price at RM1.50 for 3-ply face masks, effective April 1
The government has decided to lower the ceiling price for the 3-ply face masks to RM1.50 starting from April 1, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia widens fiscal deficit target after Covid-19 stimulus measures
Malaysia expects its fiscal deficit to widen to 4 per cent of gross domestic product this year because of the US$58 billion (RM251.2 billion) stimulus measures announced to counter the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on.
— Malay Mail

Manufacturers ask Putrajaya to double wage subsidy aid to RM12b
The government’s RM5.9 billion allocation to subsidise private sector wages is inadequate, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers said.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia Airlines reinstates some international flights to bring back Malaysians
Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) is reinstating some of its international flights between April to May 2020, to bring home families who have not been able to return to their loved ones due to travel restrictions in many parts of the world.
— The Borneo Post

Tan Sri Mohd Rashdan a great contributor to telecom sector’s growth: TM chairman
Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Mohd Rashdan Baba (pix), who passed away today at 85, contributed greatly to the growth of telecommunications industry specifically and to the economy generally, said Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) chairman Rosli Man.
— The Sun Daily

Prime Minister’s Office: Economic Action Council welcomes two new members from Sabah and Sarawak
The Economic Action Council (EAC) has agreed to appoint two top industry players from Sabah and Sarawak as members to represent the states, says the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
— The Star Online

Putrajaya mulls surveillance, quarantine for non-compliant returning travellers to curb Covid-19
In a bid to contain a possible third wave of Covid-19 outbreak in the country, Putrajaya is considering home surveillance on travellers who returned from abroad.
— Malay Mail

MCO: Govt to continue engaging with stakeholders to address economic fallout, says Dr Wee
In an effort to address the Covid-19 economic fallout, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says the government will continue engaging with stakeholders to identify their concerns during the movement control order (MCO).
— The Star Online

Sarawak ensures sufficient food supply in rural, remote areas, says deputy CM
The Sarawak government will ensure sufficient food supply at each of its 800 Point of Sales (POS) during the implementation of the movement control order (MCO), particularly those in the rural and remote areas.
— Malay Mail

COVID-19: Malaysia to implement enhanced measures for second phase of movement control order
Malaysian authorities are set to implement enhanced measures to better contain the spread of COVID-19, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Monday (Mar 30).
— CNA

COVID-19: Malaysia’s Chinese community urged to observe Qing Ming festival at home amid movement control order
Malaysia’s Chinese community has been urged by the government, as well as religious and grassroots associations, to observe this year’s Qing Ming festival at home amid an extended movement control order (MCO).
— CNA

Muhyiddin receives cash donations totalling RM4.25m, equipment worth RM26m for Covid-19 fund
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today received cash donations totalling RM4.25 million and medical equipment worth a whooping RM26 million from six corporate entities for the Covid-19 Fund.
— Malay Mail

Sanitisation exercise at six red zones begins today: Zuraida
Public cleaning and sanitisation works began today at six areas identified as red zones, namely Lembah Pantai, Petaling, Hulu Langat, Seremban, Johor Baru and Kluang, as part of efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, Housing and Local Government Minister (KPKT) Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said.
— The Sun Daily

S’wak ensures sufficient food supply in rural, remote areas
The Sarawak government will ensure sufficient food supply at each of its 800 Point of Sales (POS) during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), particularly those in the rural and remote areas.
— The Sun Daily

CM: Fast food outlets in Sabah can operate for 12 hours
Fast food outlets that have applied for 24-hour operations will only be only allowed to operate for 12 hours in Sabah while the movement control order (MCO) is in place, said chief minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
— Malay Mail

Courts allow lawyers, public to wear face masks during proceedings
The Kuala Lumpur Court Complex has allowed all those present during open court proceedings to wear face masks and gloves, as a measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

Special unit should be set up to counter fake news on Covid-19, says NGO
The Health Ministry should collaborate with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry in setting up a special unit to stop the rising number of fake news and inaccurate information on the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic being disseminated online.
— The Sun Daily

MBKS, Bomba carry out disinfection spraying programme at Stutong Community Market
The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) started their disinfection spraying programme at the Stutong Community Market today in an effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak here.
— The Borneo Post

Face mask ceiling price set at RM1.50 effective April 1
The new ceiling price for ace masks has been fixed at RM1.50 per piece effective April 1, the government announced today. Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new price is lower than the RM2 per unit set previously.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Labuan’s disinfection efforts start with UTC building
The Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Building today underwent a total disinfection, jointly carried out by four government agencies to curb the spread of Covid-19 in its vicinity.
— The Sun Daily

Alliance Bank employee tests positive for Covid-19, three branches closed
Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd is closing three branches until further notice after an employee based at its Damansara Uptown branch tested positive for Covid-19.
— Malay Mail

Growth with economic stimulus measures
Malaysia’s economy is still expected to record growth this year following the introduction of RM250 billion Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Private sector’s finance, HR employees given one day to work on payroll process
The government has decided to allow employees of the finance or human resources division in the private sector to work for just one day to process payroll in accordance with the law.
— The Borneo Post

Penang CM: City councils awaiting NSC guidance on Ramadan bazaar licences
Local authorities in Penang are waiting for the National Security Council’s (NSC) advice before issuing licences for Ramadan bazaars in the state, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
— Malay Mail

Property developers in talks with Bank Negara Malaysia on plans to help market
The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) is in talks with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to work out plans to help the property market at a time when the country is on the brink of technical recession.
— The Sun Daily

828 individuals arrested as of yesterday for flouting MCO
A total of 828 individuals were arrested during police patrols and at roadblocks across the country for flouting the Movement Control Order (MCO) as of yesterday, according to Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Covid-19: No exponential spike yet, but MOH says prepared for the worst
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said today that Covid-19 cases in the country is currently stable, but the government is well prepared if there is an exponential spike — which can only be identified by the first week of.
— Malay Mail

Bursa Malaysia fails to hold on last week’s gains on rising Covid-19 cases
Bursa Malaysia failed to hold on to last week’s gains as investors remained jittery over the continued rise on the number of Covid-19 cases.
— The Sun Daily

Anwar: Review blanket ban on NGOs delivering aid, Welfare Dept can’t do it alone
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the government to loosen restrictions on NGOs and civil society bodies distributing food aid to the needy during the extended movement control order (MCO) period.
— Malay Mail

NPC to collect funds to help media personnel
The National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC) has initiated a fund-raiser through its Journalist Welfare Fund to assist the media fraternity combat Covid-19.
— The Sun Daily

MCMC: Initiatives by telco, courier, broadcasting companies will ease people’s burden
The inclusive initiatives by telecommunications, postal, courier as well as broadcasting companies under the RM250 billion Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) will help to ease the burden on the people.
— Malay Mail

Syed Saddiq says lost RM250,000 in cash after home robbed, denies it’s Bersatu’s money
Former minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said his private home was burgled and RM250,000 in cash was now missing.
— Malay Mail

MCO: Public advised to be cautious to avoid snatch thieves
Although the Movement Control Order (MCO) is currently in force, criminal activities such as snatch thefts are still happening.As such, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pix) advised the public to always be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.
— The Sun Daily

11 jailed three months for defying MCO
Eleven individuals have been sentenced by the Magistrate’s Court here to three months in jail for defying the Movement Control Order (MCO) by refusing to stay at home.
— The Borneo Post

FMM calls for further relaxation of stimulus package measures
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called for the relaxation of some measures introduced in the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package to help ease the immediate cash flow and financial constraints of businesses due to the Covid-19 and movement control order.
— The Sun Daily

Willie: Over 8,600 households in Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency set to receive essential food aid
Some 8,637 households have been finalised to receive the essential food assistance from Puncak Borneo Parliamentary Service Centre office.
— The Borneo Post

Give interest-free loans to SMEs, Putrajaya told
Putrajaya should include zero-interest loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) as part of the Covid-19 economic stimulus, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung suggested today.
— Malay Mail

Hearing on Najib’s bid to inspect assets in govt’s forfeiture case on April 29
The High Court has rescheduled Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s (pix) application to physically inspect items seized by the police from premises belonging to Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd due to the closure of the court following the Movement Control Order (MCO).
— The Sun Daily

CIMB Group employee tests positive for Covid-19
An employee of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has tested positive for Covid-19 and is being treated at a government hospital.
— The Sun Daily

Fitch Solutions cuts household spending growth forecast to 4.2% for 2020
Fitch Solutions has revised down its household spending growth forecast for Malaysia in 2020 to a year-on-year (yoy) increase of 4.2%, from a pre-Covid 2020 projection of 6.3%, as consumers are restricted in their movements during the movement control order (MCO), and the majority of retail shops now closed.
— The Sun Daily

Foreign selling on Bursa slows to RM631.9m last week
International investors sold RM631.9 million net of local equities last week, the first time in five weeks that international funds disposed of local equities below the RM1.0 billion mark.
— The Sun Daily

Syed Saddiq says RM250,000 of his money went missing
Muar MP and former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pix) lodged a police report on Sunday claiming that RM250,000 he kept in a safe at his Kampung Tunku house here went missing.
— The Sun Daily

National Press Club initiates fund-raiser to help media during MCO
In a bid to assist the media fraternity combat Covid-19, the National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC) has initiated a fund-raiser through its Journalist Welfare Fund.
— Malay Mail

Seven men caught playing football, jogging during MCO fined RM1,000 with three months community service
Seven men who were caught playing football and jogging in a field were fined RM1,000 each with three months of community service by the magistrate’s court here today for breaching the movement control order (MCO).
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Wenjay Tew

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in 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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