| National Affairs
Govt eyes new measures to boost growth NST Online 27th Jul 2016
The government may introduce a stimulus package to bolster the national economy and is looking at specific areas, says Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani.
DOJ should have listened to 1MDB's side of the story before making announcement NST Online 27th Jul 2016
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) should at least have the courtesy to contact 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to listen to their side of the story rather than only based its reports on the online news website (Sarawak Report), said Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan today.
SPAD considers driver card system for Uber, GrabCar drivers NST Online 27th Jul 2016
The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will consider introducing a ‘driver card’ system for Uber and Grabcar drivers to allow them to operate legally, said its chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.
Treasury sec-gen says looking to improve BR1M programme The Malaymail 27th Jul 2016
The 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) will be improved in the future to help the lower income group increase their income.Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said discussions were being held on how to improve the programme, such as having a mandatory training session for them.
Malaysia working with US to fight human trafficking The Star 27th Jul 2016
Prosecuting human traffickers and identifying those susceptible to exploitation as forced labourers are among the areas in which Malaysia will work closely with the United States.
US envoy to visit Malaysia amid questions over mass graves The Leader-Herald 27th Jul 2016
The U.S. envoy on combating human trafficking will visit Malaysia next week, an official said Friday, amid complaints that the Southeast Asian nation has failed to investigate properly alleged official complicity over mass graves of suspected trafficking victims. The State Department has faced a barrage of congressional criticism after Malaysia, a key U.S. trading partner, was kept off a blacklist of countries that fail to meet minimum standards against modern-day slavery. Susan Coppedge, ambassador-at-large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, will meet Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during her two-day visit to the main city Kuala Lumpur starting Monday.
Malaysian Airlines Boeing in US5.5 billion deal to purchase 50 737 MAX aircraft Astro Awani 27th Jul 2016
Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Boeing today inked a deal for 50 737 MAX aircraft with 25 firm orders and 25 purchase rights worth US$5.5 billion.Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew said the deliveries will commence in 2019.
Msia needs to increase percentage of skilled workforce to 40 per cent - Riot Astro Awani 26th Jul 2016
At least 40 per cent of Malaysia's workforce must be highly skilled workers in order for the country to become a high-income nation, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem.
Child Act (Amendment) 2016 gazetted NST Online 26th Jul 2016
The Child Act (Amendment) 2016 with four main amendments - child registry, community service order (CSO), a family-based care and heavier penalty - was gazetted today after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim.
Umno Youth lodges police report against Zeti, Abu Kassim and Gani Patail The Star 26th Jul 2016
Umno Youth has lodged a police report against former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed and former attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.
Economy to register stronger growth in second half of 2016, says ASLI NST Online 25th Jul 2016
The economy will be in better shape in the second half of the year and will register stronger growth, said Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) CEO Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh.
Khairy: Any criminal probe of DOJ findings must be Malaysian-led The Star Online 25th Jul 2016
Any criminal investigation into the findings of the civil suits filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) should be led by Malaysian authorities, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin. "It would be preferable that should there be any instance of criminal fraud, those investigating be led by Malaysian enforcement agencies," said Khairy, who is Youth and Sports Minister.
Malaysia's external debt to GDP ratio higher than others in region at 66pct: Moody's NST Online 21st Jul 2016
Debt has risen in the Asia Pacific region and emerging markets like Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand have recorded large increases in debt.
Media statement by 1Malaysia Development Berhad: US Attorney General Press Conference Malaysia Today 21st Jul 2016
1MDB notes a press conference led by the US Attorney General today relating to a civil court action filed by the government of the United States of America.
Singapore seizes assets totalling S$240 million as part of 1MDB linked probes TODAYonline 21st Jul 2016
Assets totaling S$240 million have been seized by the Singapore authorities as part of investigations into transactions linked to scandal-hit Malaysian state fund 1MDB, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a joint statement on Thursday (July 21).
Malaysia's June inflation rises at slowest pace in 15 months Nikkei Asian Review 21st Jul 2016
Malaysia's consumer prices in June rose at its slowest pace in 15 months and undershot market expectations, official data showed on Wednesday, as cheaper transport charges cushioned costlier food and beverages. The consumer price index -- Malaysia's primary gauge for inflation -- gained 1.6% in June from a year earlier, the Department of Statistics said in a statement. That compares to May's 2.0% year-on-year increase and a median 1.8% rise predicted by economists. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index rose 0.2% in June from May. Economists say the decelerating inflation provides room for further monetary easing later this year if the country's economic growth slows sharply, although Bank Negara Malaysia is likely to keep interest rates steady in 2016 after the recent cut in the benchmark overnight policy rate. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverage index, which carries the largest weighting at 30.2%, rose 4.2% in June from a year earlier while non-food items were up 0.4%, and the transport sub-index fell 8.5% year-on-year, its sharpest pace of decline since February 2015. The index of food and alcoholic beverages gained 21.9% on year. On a month-on-month basis, the food and non-alcoholic beverages index edged 0.5% higher in June while non-food group was up 0.2% from May. In the months ahead, the pace of inflation will probably pick up to 2.5% in the third quarter and 2.6% in the final three months of this year due to festive season and higher domestic retail prices of gasoline, said Affin Hwang Capital economist Alan Tan.
Nazri: Govt wont be pressured over Uber The Star 20th Jul 2016
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that the government will not succumb to any pressure in the ongoing dispute between taxi and Uber drivers.
Justice Department files lawsuits in connection with 1MDB probe Reuters 20th Jul 2016
The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles, seek to seize assets "involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB". The lawsuits said the alleged offences were committed over a four-year period and involved multiple individuals, including Malaysian officials and their associates, who conspired to fraudulently divert billions of dollars from 1MDB. None of the lawsuits named Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Awang Adek's return to politics after two-year US stint boon to Kelantan: Mustapa NST Online 16th Jul 2016
The decision of former Malaysian ambassador to the United States Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussain to be active again in politics will impact greatly on development in the state. Kelantan UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said this was due to the experience Awang Adek, who is also Bachok UMNO chief, went through in the United States for more than two years. “This is especially so in economy and politics for the benefit of Malaysians specially in Kelantan,” he said when met by reporters at a gathering with the staff of the Machang Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) here, today. On Friday, Awang Adek announced that he would return to the political arena, specifically to strengthen Kelantan UMNO’s position in facing the 14th general election, after concluding his duty as Malaysian ambassador to the United States on July 7. --Bernama
Customs
Liow: No plans to scrap VEP BorneoPost Online 25th Jul 2016
The government has no plan to scrap the implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and said it will be resumed once the system is ready to go. Brushing aside newsreports earlier, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there was no delay on the implementation. “Don’t listen to rumours. The government will implement (VEP). Not only in Singapore but (our borders) in Thailand, Kalimantan and Brunei. We are not discriminating, all borders will have VEP.
Developed markets’ protectionist policies a hurdle for TPPA ratification, research house says The Malaymail 25th Jul 2016
Rising developed market protectionism has affected free trade in developed countries, which may in turn impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TTPA), a Fitch Group research house said today.
Cabinet to discuss Labuan Customs' proposal Daily Express 22nd Jul 2016
The proposal to tighten the regulation on vehicle movement out of Labuan, a duty-free haven will be raised again in the next Cabinet meeting, said Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli. He said the decision to broach the issue at the next Cabinet meeting was stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abd Razak during the Cabinet meeting Tuesday. "This evening, Labuan business chamber leaders and I will meet second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani on the issue," he told Bernama. Rozman said he would propose to the Finance Ministry via the Second Finance Minister for the current RM10 bond system via e-VIS (Electronic Vehicle Information System) card to be retained.
Dates importer files ‘GST’ lawsuit against Customs Dept, MOF Malay Mail Online 20th Jul 2016
A dates importer and distributor has sued the Royal Malaysian Customs (RMC) and Finance Ministry (MOF) in relation to the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on dried dates. Asia Kitchen Sdn Bhd filed the suit through its lawyer, Datuk Abu Backer Sidek of A.B Sidek & Co at the High Court registrar’s office here on June 17. The company, involved in importing and distributing dates from Saudi Arabia, named the RMC and MOF as first and second defendant respectively.
'No question of renegotiating TPP deal' NST Online 15th Jul 2016
The question of renegotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement does not arise even if there are such indications by United States presidential candidates, said International Trade and Industry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to withdraw or renegotiate the TPP agreement, which was signed by 12 countries in February. “There will not be a renegotiation. That much is clear,” she said during a panel discussion held in conjunction with the launch of the latest Malaysia Economic Monitor by the World Bank, here, yesterday.
2,621 companies fail to comply with GST Act NST Online 15th Jul 2016
The Customs Department has identified 2,621 companies who have failed to comply with the Goods and Services Tax Act (GST) 2014, as of last month. Its deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy said most cases revolved around failure to submit statements to the department. “We view the non-submission cases seriously as these companies are keeping people’s money meant as revenue for the government,” he told a press conference after a dialogue with more than 400 stakeholders at the Customs complex here.
Defense & Security
PM: Malaysia not immune to IS attacks, NSC Act vital The Malaymail 27th Jul 2016
The National Security Council Act that will come into force August 1 is crucial to protect Malaysians who now face the very real threat of attacks from global terror group Islamic State (IS), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
MAHB beefing up security at local and overseas airports NST Online 21st Jul 2016
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is beefing up security in all its airports in Malaysia as well as the Sabiha Gokcęn International Airport (Sabiha Airport) in Istanbul, Turkey.
NSC Act to take effect on August 1 The Malaymail 26th Jul 2016
The controversial National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 that allows the government to hold emergency powers is set to be in force on August 1 this year.The date was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a federal gazette dated June 24 that was published on the e-Federal Gazette site on July 14.
Asean cops to discuss closer ties The Star 21st Jul 2016
The 36th Asean Chief of Police (Aseanapol) Conference kicks off next Monday with discussions focused on closer cooperation in transnational crime and making the public feel more secure throughout the region.
Energy
Construction begins on 2,000MW Jimah East Power project in MalaysiaEBR 27th Jul 2016
Construction work has started on the proposed RM12bn ($2.6bn) Jimah East Power (JEP) plant project in Jimah, Port Dickson, about 60km south of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The 2,000MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant will feature two greenfield power units at the Port Dickson strategic site, which is said to be a crucial to the security of power supply in Peninsula Malaysia. Power generated from the facility will be sold to Malaysian electric power company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) under a 25-year power purchase agreement. TNB owns 70% stake in the project through the acquisition of Edra Global Energy’s stake in Jimah East Power (JEP), a joint venture company formed by Mitsui and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to construct and operate the ultra super critical coal-fired power plant. In 2015, TNB acquired the power generation assets of Edra Global Energy Berhad from 1MDB. Mitsui and Chugoku Electric Power each own 15% stake in the project, which is expected to increase TNB’s generation capacity to 25,198.53 MW from the current 22,747.53MW by end 2020. The first unit of the project is scheduled to commence in June 2019 followed by second unit in December 2019. In 2015, Hyundai Engineering has awarded two contracts to Jacobs Engineering to provide civil and structural design services for the balance of plant facilities and the cooling water intake and discharge system for Jimah East power project. A consortium of Toshiba, IHI Corporation, Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Engineering & Construction was earlier selected for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the power project in 2014. The EPC contract was signed with JEP.
Government to implement B10 biodiesel usage this year The Star 26th Jul 2016
The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry aims to implement the usage of B10 biodiesel within this year, said its minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
KNM rides on green energy The Star Online 23rd Jul 2016
Green is the new black for KNM Group Bhd. The oil and gas (O&G) downstream player, which specialises in process-equipment manufacturing, is rewriting its growth story by transforming into a renewable energy major. And it is optimistic that it will begin to reap the rewards of its business transformation plan once its first renewable energy project – a 72%-owned bio-ethanol plant in Thailand – kicks off in the fourth quarter of 2016. “Now, we see the ‘fruits’ hanging, ready to be plucked; and we expect to start plucking them by the end of this year,” says KNM chief executive officer Lee Swee Eng. Lee tells StarBizWeek that with the first-phase of the group’s bio-ethanol project in Thailand, which comes with a daily capacity of 200,000 litres, coming on stream next quarter, the renewable energy sector will account for 15% to 20% of the group’s earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2017. That is an income of at least RM15mil per year. According to Lee, contributions from the new business to group’s earnings will progressively grow, as KNM still has the second phase of the Thai bio-ethanol project and the first phase of its 80%-owned waste-to-energy plant in Peterborough, UK, in the pipeline for commissioning in 2018. “We expect the renewable energy business to account for 30%-40% of our group earnings in 2018, and by the next five years, this portion will grow to 70%,” Lee says. “We are moving very actively in this space,” he notes. The second phase of KNM’s bio-ethanol project in Thailand that also comes with a daily capacity of 200,000 litres is expected to be commissioned in mid-2018. As for the group’s Peterborough project, the first phase of the waste-to-energy plant will see production of 18MW of electricity in the first quarter of 2018, with projected earnings of about RM50mil per year. Any doubt about the execution of KNM’s Peterborough project has been diminished since the group managed to secure £35mil (RM187.7mil) loan from the Export-Import Bank of Malaysia two months ago to part finance the development and construction of the first phase of the plant. The eventual plan is to expand the Peterborough plant in phases to reach the maximum capacity of 80MW over a five-year period. Besides the overseas projects, KNM is currently also involved in two renewable energy projects in Negri Sembilan, including the RM268mil engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for a waste-to-energy plant in Ladang Tanah Merah.
Financial Services
Bank Negara to cut SRR to release more liquidity into banking system? The Star 25th Jul 2016
Expectations are building up for Bank Negara to reduce the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) by between 50 and 100 basis points (bps) this year to release more liquidity into the banking system amidst the slowing economy.
Malaysian banks' earnings under pressure The Star 14th Jul 2016
Already facing poor earnings prospects in the current challenging economic environment, banks in Malaysia will likely be squeezed further by Bank Negara’s unexpected move to cut the overnight policy rate (OPR).
SC unveils measures to boost unit trust industry The Starm 20th Jul 2016
From next month, the Securities Commission (SC) will implement an expedited authorisation process for non-complex funds and remove the need for prospectuses to be renewed on an annual basis in an effort to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of the Malaysian unit trust industry.
Ringgit opens lower against US dollar NST Online 15th Jul 2016
The ringgit opened lower against a rejuvenated US dollar today, said a dealer. At 9.16 am, the local unit was quoted at 4.0300/0350 against the dollar from Tuesday’s close of 4.0200/0300. There was limited trading activity on July 6 and 7 here as the market was closed for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday. “It could be thinly traded today as many players are extending their holiday over the weekend,” the dealer added. The local note traded mixed against other major currencies.
Food & Agriculture
Law to protect sharks in the works in Malaysia AsiaOne 25th Jul 2016
Under Malaysian law, sharks can be consumed because they are considered "fish". That can soon change with a new legislation that is aimed at listing sharks as a protected animal. Sharks, which come under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is listed as "fish" under the Fisheries Act. What Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar wants to do is to remove sharks from the purview of the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry (MOA) and to recognise it as a protected species under a planned Protected Marine Species Act. Following the circulation of gory images of alleged shark finning activities in Pulau Mabul, near Sipadan in Sabah, he said: "It's rather unfortunate that our law defines sharks as fish. It's not under me, it's under the MOA.
Palm oil extends losses, tracking weak overseas soya markets Business Recorder 25th Jul 2016
Malaysian palm oil futures extended losses on Monday, coming off last week's two-week high, as weakness in overseas soyabean oil prices lured buyers away from the tropical oil. Palm's rival soya fell sharply on Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade on expectations of a bumper US crop this fall. Dalian prices slipped a percent on the day and looked set to extend their losses this week. Benchmark palm oil futures for October delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 2.2 percent to 2,268 ringgit ($560) per tonne at the close of trade, an intraday and near one-week low. Traded volumes stood at 33,690 lots of 25 tonnes each on Monday evening, compared with the 2015 average of 44,600. Palm oil plunged to a 10-month low earlier this month before recovering to a two-week high of 2,368 ringgit last Thursday. It has lost 1.4 percent so far this month. "The decline is due to soyabean oil prices, which came off sharply on Friday," said a futures trader from Kuala Lumpur, adding that export demand did little to lift prices despite improving data from cargo surveyors. "The pipeline is dry, so they are buying to have some oil in hand. It's not serious buying, but the figures are good in comparison to June," he said
Govt views seriously allegation of fraud in percentage of broken rice, says Shabery The Malay Mail Online 24th Jul 2016
The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry views seriously allegations by some quarters of fraud on the percentage of broken rice content by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) in its products as spread on social media. Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the ministry had identified the blog which started the issue and would investigate the matter. “I have asked the regulatory officers to check on the allegation and found it not true. I am willing to listen if there are quarters who produce evidence so that action can be taken,” he told reporters after a gathering with fishermen here today. Also present were Fisheries Director-General Datuk Ismail Hassan and State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Plantation and Commodities Committee chairman Nawi Mohammad. In another development, he said the use of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) would be made a condition in the issuing of licence for trawling during the monsoon season for fishermen beginning this November. He said the use of ‘Smile TED’, which was specially designed by researchers at the Fisheries Department, was aimed to increase the fishermen’s income, as well as to save the turtles and other mammals from being trapped in the trawl net.
Malaysia launches high-tech…. durians GovInsider 21st Jul 2016
As part of its smart agriculture drive, Malaysia is using tech to ensure the quality of its premium grade durians, the government announced this week. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has developed a new platform called MyTrace to track standards of agricultural produce, focusing first on durian exports. The government-built system uses big data analytics, allowing consumers to check the authenticity, place of origin, packaging date and logistics information, by scanning the barcode on their smartphones. Data logs are two-way: when users scan the QR code, information on location, browser and phone type are recorded, allowing exporters to monitor their shipments. Local exporters will be able to use these data to trace customer locations and design better logistic services, explained Ahmad Helmi Abdul Halim, Senior Director of Corporate Market Strategy, MIMOS . The move is indicative of how Malaysia intends to develop its digital services. The government is prioritising the agricultural sector, investing in “smart villages” and smart-farming technology. Agriculture is one of four priority areas in the country’s national IOT strategy. The first pilot was in the palm oil industry. “We are using IoT to detect the right time to pollinate oil palm flowers,” Halim told GovInsider last year.
Health & Life Sciences
Calling for Health Ministry’s help The Star 26th Jul 2016
Since its introduction in 2013, the Letter of Credential Privilege (LCP) certificate has been a prerequisite for doctors to legally practise aesthetic medicine in Malaysia. This regulation was put in place to ensure the professionalism of the doctors and also to safeguard the welfare of patients. The Health Ministry undoubtedly had a good objective in implementing this regulation. However, the procedural fairness has been mired in various controversies. Since its inception, the LPC certificate (General Practitioner Section) has been given freely to the senior members in the field. The selection criterion is unknown to the public: Who deserves to be the senior members? Who has the power to select them? Why and how is the selection done? This lack of transparency has raised doubts and suspicions on the award of the certificate.
All about the nicotine The Star 24th Jul 2016
If Malaysia regulates e-cigs as a pharmaceutical product, the industry here could face challenges similar to our neighbour Down Under. In Australia, states are extending tobacco control laws to include e-cigs, Sydney-based tobacco treatment specialist Dr Colin Mendelsohn shares. In addition to the nicotine restriction, they want more restrictions on sales to minors and through vending machines, advertising, displays, and use in smoke-free areas and in cars with children, he says. Consumers have been fined for vaping in public places and one business even went bankrupt for selling e-cigs, he relates. Nicotine for non-therapeutic purposes like recreational vaping, is categorised as a “dangerous poison”. Possession, sale and use of it is illegal. But if used for therapeutic purposes to quit smoking, its sale is allowed by prescription.
Strict laws for Malaysia The Star 24th Jul 2016
E-cigarrets should be strictly regulated as a pharmaceutical product in Malaysia. That’s the recommendation of the Health Ministry’s technical committee tasked with studying the health effects of e-cigs and shisha smoking, reveals its chairman, senior consultant chest physician Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Muttalif, a former director of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Institute of Respiratory Medicine. The initial recommendation was to ban e-cigs all together, he shares in a recent interview in Kuala Lumpur. But because there were “a lot of issues”, which he declines to elaborate on, the committee decided on the next best thing: strict regulation. Last year, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Health Ministry’s ban on sales of vapes containing nicotine would kill the Malay-dominated industry. The minister made the comment after several bumiputra groups lodged a police report over the issue.
Halal vaccine: Public urged not to be wary of immunisation NST Online 15th Jul 2016
The people of Terengganu have been urged not to be wary or refuse immunisation for their children as the state fatwa committee had ruled that all vaccine ingredients for child immunisation are halal. State Health, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Pehimi Yusof said the fatwa committee chaired by State Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifly Muda had also, on July 4, given clearance for the vaccines to be used on Muslims as a defence against diseases which could lead to death. He said among the diseases that could be prevented by vaccinations were diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), measles and cervix cancer. “As such, I hope the people in the state will no longer be hesitant in vaccinating their children. “The Health Ministry has also informed that if the vaccines had non-halal ingredients, they would not use it on the people,” he told reporters after attending Jerteh State Constituency’s Aidilfitri Open House here today.
Health ministry discussing amending laws to make vaccination compulsory, says Subramaniam The Malay Mail Online 14th Jul 2016
The Health Ministry is looking at formulating a new law making it compulsory for new parents to vaccinate their children as protection against diseases. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said talks were being held with the National Fatwa Council which had agreed that vaccination was a responsibility. He said the council had issued a statement that parents must vaccinate their children as protection against diseases. “We are still at the discussion stage, so that a law will be drafted to make it compulsory for parents to vaccinate their children,” he told reporters after visiting the Sri Muneeswarar Temple in Jalan Tengku Kudin here today.
ICT
Cyber laws to be reviewed to curb IT, social media abuse: Azalina NST Online 27th Jul 2016
The country’s cyber laws will be studied and enhanced to prevent abuse of information technology (IT) and social media, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said the move was necessary based on developments today which saw the influence of social media playing a major role in the lives of the people.
Materialise launches 3D printing R&D centre in Malaysia Digital News Asia 21st Jul 2016
Belgium headquartered 3D printing solutions provider Materialise NV has launched a 3D printing Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Malaysia that will do research and development (R&D) on digital light processing (DLP) technology. Materialise Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive vice president and chief executive officer Wim Michiels said the centre would provide the missing link between the company’s existing engineering and software development in Malaysia, as well as its actual knowledge of the 3D printing process. “This will benefit our customers and partners enormously as it brings us close together in knowledge, technology, and even proximity. “It will also benefit Malaysia, as it will build local knowledge and develop applications well suited for the region,” he said at the launch of the centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 20.
Malaysia to make coding part of school syllabus … 25+ years later — A. Asohan The Malay Mail Online 20th Jul 2016
My Facebook feed yesterday was peppered with the Malay Mail Online story that Malaysia would make coding part of the syllabus in national schools starting next year. The revelation came via Yasmin Mahmood, chief executive officer of national ICT custodian Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), previously Multimedia Development Corp, who said an official announcement would be made in August.
Slow Internet speeds damping Malaysia’s digital economy aspirations: MDEC CEO Digital News Asia 20th Jul 2016
E-commerce will be one of the key drivers of Malaysia’s digital economy, but that aspiration is being dampened by the relatively slow Internet speeds available here, the head of the country’s national ICT custodian admitted. Malaysia has done well in improving Internet access, with nearly 70% of the country enjoying fibre connectivity, but overall Internet speed is still lacking, according to Yasmin Mahmood, chief executive officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). At a recent forum hosted by Google Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, she said that Malaysia’s average Internet speed of 7.3Mbps was far below the global average of 23Mbps, citing figures from a World Economic Forum report (PDF).
Special Cyber Court to start operations in September The Star 20th Jul 2016
The Cabinet has received a proposal to establish a Special Cyber Court to judge criminal offences under the cyber laws, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.
Coding to be in school curricula next year, says MDEC CEO Malay Mail Online 18th Jul 2016
Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Datuk Yasmin Mahmood speaks at a forum organised by Google Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur July 18, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow FengKUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Coding will be officially added to the syllabuses of national schools starting next year, according to Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Datuk Yasmin Mahmood. She said computer coding will not only in taught as part of a computer science subject, but will also incorporated into the pedagogy of teaching, especially in science and maths classes. “We will be launching this thing called the digital maker movement next month, where coding is embedded as an official curriculum in schools, starting from standard three onwards,” she told a forum organised by Google Malaysia. The movement, she explained, is an initiative to encourage school-going youth to participate as makers of technology instead of just users.
MCMC blocks online access to Islamic State’s Malay paper The Malaymail 14th Jul 2016
The Islamic State’s (IS) official website for its Malay language publication Al Fatihin has been blocked, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said today.
Infrastructure
Malaysia beats NZ, South Korea in infrastructure project risk ranking The Malaymail 27th Jul 2016
Malaysia ranked top among emerging countries in Asia in a BMI Research survey measuring the risk of infrastructure projects, with its risk considered to be lower than in developed nations like Hong Kong, South Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan.
Rail line connecting Singapore and Malaysia set to be completed in 2026 The Star 20th Jul 2016
With the 2026 target set for the High Speed Rail service to be up and running, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong witnessed a key milestone for the project with the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) here.
KL-Singapore high speed rail project to cost RM50-RM60 billion - Johari Astro Awani 19th Jul 2016
The High-Speed Rail (HSR) project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore is expected to cost between RM50 billion and RM60 billion, Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani said.
Japan, China battle for KL-S'pore rail link Free Malaysia Today 25th Jul 2016
Japan and China are engaged in a high stakes high-speed rail link project between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, according to the asia.nikkei.com report. The RM65 billion project, dubbed a “game changer”, will see travelling time reduced to 90 minutes when completed in 2026.
Penang Forum’s ‘better, cheaper, faster’ transport plan not practical, says state The Malay Mail Online 22nd Jul 2016
Penang Forum’s proposed alternative Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) is not viable and practical, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said today. Chow, together with the PTMP project delivery partner SRS Consortium’s project director Szeto Wai Loong, pointed out a list of weaknesses in the alternative “better, cheaper, faster” transport plan by the local non-governmental organisation (NGO), including the lack of a funding plan and impractical proposals. “Penang Forum wants the best of both worlds — they want faster, cheaper, better. They want to share roads but all these proposals are not practical,” Chow told a press conference in Komtar today. He said the roads in Penang were not wide enough to allow for sharing between private vehicles and on-the-road trams. He believed this will contribute to even more traffic jams as the lanes for cars will have to be reduced for the tramlines. According to Szeto, the costs of trams were not “cheaper” than the LRT as claimed because the additional space required for the tram lines would mean extra costs to acquire lands. He said this is the reason why elevated structures for the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) are needed, so that it does not take up several lanes on the road. As for the project costs, Szeto admitted the total costs of the PTMP are estimated to run up to RM46 billion due to additional components for the mainland. “In our proposal, the costs of RM27 billion were according to the Halcrow proposal but after we were made project delivery partner, we had discussions with the state and added more components. That is why the estimated costs increased,” he said. SRS also listed out the reasons for the Penang South Reclamation plan, the main purpose of which was to fund the PTMP. SRS and Chow were responding to a press conference by Penang Forum last week claiming that the state could have implemented a “better, cheaper and faster” transport plan. Last week, the group claimed the state’s PTMP was too expensive and poorly integrated before proposing their alternative plan consisting mostly of trams and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). They contended that there was no need to build more highways, but instead to introduce an integrated tramline system complemented by the BRT to reduce cars on the roads.
Malaysia, Singapore team up to build bullet-train project ABC News 19th Jul 2016
Malaysia and Singapore have signed an agreement to build an ambitious high-speed rail link touted as a first for South-East Asia that will knit the historically fractious neighbours more closely together. The 350-kilometre bullet-train line from the regional financial hub of Singapore to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur is expected to slash travel times to 90 minutes from the five or more hours by road today. Authorities have yet to provide cost projections, but analyst estimates have been as high as $US15 billion ($20 billion), a potential bonanza for foreign railway contractors as well as other businesses expected to feed off ancillary developments related to the project.
Jumbo sukuk swells Malaysia’s infrastructure bond pipeline BorneoPost Online 18th Jul 2016
KUCHING: The Pan-Borneo Highway in East Malaysia, a jumbo project estimated to cost RM27 billion, is finally starting to take shape as the federal government prepares to launch initial funding to kick off formal construction. A group of banks has been selected for the first issue. Although names have not been disclosed as the mandate has yet to be formalised, the group includes the four top Malaysian lender – CIMB, AmInvestment Bank, Maybank and RHB. The appointed banks are working to finalise a RM13 billion Islamic MTN programme to fund initial works. About 60 per cent of the project will eventually be funded with proceeds from ringgit-denominated Islamic bonds to be issued through federal government funding vehicle DanaInfra Nasional. Over the next two weeks, investors expect a RM1.8 billion issue from Jambatan Kedua, a RM3.64 billion project bond from DUKE 3 and a RM5.45 billion sukuk from Sarawak Hidro. Others in the queue are Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional, which aims to sell RM2 billion of sukuk, Lembaga Pembiayaan Perumahan Sektor Awam, planning a RM7 to RM10 billion debut, CIMB Bank, with a pending RM1.35 billion Tier 2 and Maxis Broadband, looking to issue off a RM10 billion programme. The crop of deals, amounting to some RM37 billion including the Pan-Borneo highway, is expected to be easily absorbed given that many of them are government-guaranteed or government-related offerings. In the face of the low supply of corporate bonds this year, local investors have tended to ignore the 1MDB saga. The main challenge, said investors, would be how the deals would price against declining interest rates.
MRT Corp awards three works packages for MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya project NST Online 15th Jul 2016
Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has awarded three work package contracts worth RM1.38 billion for the construction of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line. The awards, which include two system work packages and one advance work package, were made following a One-Stop Procurement Committee Meeting (OSPC) chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Razak. System work package SY205 for the engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of power supply and distribution system for the SSP Line was awarded to Colas Rail Consortium. MRT Corp, in a statement, said the contract is worth RM693.03 million.
Manufacturing
Mustapa: Manufacturing sector remains vibrant despite challenges The Star 28th Jul 2016
The manufacturing sector provided jobs to 160,000 people since 2013 although 15,000 workers were laid off during that period.
Govt wants manufacturers to embrace 'fourth industrial revolution' NST Online 27th Jul 2016
The government welcomes suggestions concerning tax incentives on how best to facilitate more manufacturers to automate and embrace the fourth industrial revolution, said Second Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
MAVCOM introduces consumer protection code for air travellers NST Online 18th Jul 2016
The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) has introduced the Malaysia Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016, which is designed to protect consumer rights in Malaysia. The code, the first in Malaysia's aviation industry, is adapted from international guidelines such as the Montreal Convention 1999 as well as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Core Principles on Consumer Protection. MAVCOM director of consumer affairs, Pushpalatha Subramaniam said that under the code, consumers' rights are clearly defined and protected under the national law.
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