Malaysian Swiss Association -

Moody’s: Wider Covid vaccine adoption, herd immunity crucial to Malaysia’s economic recovery

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A stronger push towards wider vaccination and herd immunity will be key to the domestic recovery and should facilitate an economic rebound as emergence of new Covid-19 variant poses high risk, Moody’s Analytics’ economist Sonia Zhu said. Malaysia’s economy contracted by 0.5 per cent year-on-year in the March quarter, following a 3.4 per cent slump […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

732,305 individuals in Malaysia complete both doses of Covid-19 vaccine

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A total of 732,305 individuals have completed two doses of vaccine jabs under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme as of yesterday, according to Health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba. He said they were among 1,182,133 individuals who have received the first dose, taking the total number of doses administered in the country so far […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Restrained celebration in Malaysia, Indonesia under Covid-19 cloud

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Muslims in Indonesia and Malaysia celebrated a muted Hari Raya Aidilfitri for the second year yesterday, under the cloud of resurgent Covid-19 infections. The governments of the two Muslim-majority nations have banned people from returning to their rural home towns and barred mass gatherings in homes. Hari Raya Aidilfitri typically starts with a prayer service […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s new COVID-19 cases highest in 3 months

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia on Thursday reported its highest number of new coronavirus cases in more than three months, as the Southeast Asian country deals with a fresh spike in infections. The health ministry reported 4,855 new cases the highest since January 31 and 27 deaths. It has seen a total of 458,077 coronavirus cases and 1,788 fatalities. […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

US seizes shipment from Malaysia’s Top Glove over forced labour concerns

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The United States seized latex gloves made by Malaysian firm Top Glove Corp Bhd (TPGC.KL) after a shipment was found in Kansas City despite an import ban on its products over forced labour allegations, US customs said. In a statement on Wednesday, the US Customs and Border Protection said its officials at the Port of […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysian media told to be vigilant and not fall prey to Zionist propaganda

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian media must be ever vigilant not to fall prey to Zionist propaganda, lest it becomes an accomplice in the suffering of the Palestinian people. Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia said that, as such, the quick action taken by the minister of Communications and Multimedia (Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah) deserved the praises and plaudits […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Tributes pour in for Malay Mail’s editor-in-chief Wong Sai Wan

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Tributes are pouring in for Malay Mail editor-in-chief Datuk Wong Sai Wan, who died earlier today from a heart attack. Politicians including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and the Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Moody’s: Wider Covid vaccine adoption, herd immunity crucial to Malaysia’s economic recovery

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A stronger push towards wider vaccination and herd immunity will be key to the domestic recovery and should facilitate an economic rebound as emergence of new Covid-19 variant poses high risk, Moody’s Analytics’ economist Sonia Zhu said. Malaysia’s economy contracted by 0.5 per cent year-on-year in the March quarter, following a 3.4 per cent slump […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malay Mail’s Wong Sai Wan dies of heart attack

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malay Mail’s editor-in-chief Datuk Wong Sai Wan died this morning after being admitted to Subang Jaya Medical Centre for heart-related issues. His son Wong Chee Mun confirmed to Malay Mail that he had suffered heart failure. “He came into the hospital at 5.30am and was admitted to the emergency room at 6am. His heart stopped […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

As nationwide infectivity rate hovers at 1.14, new MoH data finds Malaysia could see 8,000 Covid-19 cases daily by June

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has confirmed that Perak has the highest infectivity rate for Covid-19 nationwide, standing at 1.32. This is in comparison to the national infectivity average rate of 1.14, as of yesterday and based on the daily number of cases. In a tweet, he also shared the infectivity rate […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysian companies must allow staff to self-quarantine

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia’s health minister, Datuk Dr Adham Baba, said companies which fail to comply will have their premises shut down immediately. He said the rule falls under the conditions of the general Standard Operation Procedures and the general Guidelines on the Approval of Operations Movement of Company Employees during the latest movement control order (MCO 3.0) […]

15 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s digital economy transformation needs more than great headlines

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> UNLIKE the much-hyped visit to Kuala Lumpur in 1998 when he was named an official adviser to Malaysia’s Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project, Bill Gates didn’t make a virtual appearance to launch Microsoft Corp’s “Bersama Malaysia” (Together with Malaysia) initiative on April 19 that marked a significant milestone of its 28 years in the country. […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Opensignal: Malaysia’s mobile data usage increased 35.2pc, highest growth among five SEA countries

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The current Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of lockdowns have increased data usage as most people are required to work or learn from home. According to Opensignal’s latest report, Malaysia has come up on top for having the highest growth in mobile data consumption year-on-year from 2020 to 2021. Using January 2020 as the baseline, […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

In Malaysia, already more Covid-19 deaths in first two weeks of May than all of April

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The dangers of Covid-19 possibly overwhelming Malaysia’s healthcare system became more apparent today as the country lost another 27 people to the disease. While the deaths today were lower than the record of 39 deaths reported yesterday, the number was still the second highest the country has seen since the start of the pandemic. Of […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

After another shipment seized, Top Gloves reiterates commitment to cooperate with US authorities

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Top Glove Corporation Berhad repeated today its commitment to work with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), after a shipment of approximately RM2.8 million’s worth of its latex gloves were seized by the authorities. In a statement today, Top Glove stressed that it had provided the CBP on April 22 a report on how […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Tears and confusion: As fresh MCO descends, Raya traders looking at bleak season

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> It may be better than 2020, but traders piling their goods for Aidilftri said their sales across the board during this festive season were still low as the country heads into another lockdown for the third time. Textile traders at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur are seeing at least 50 per cent less […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

The politicisation of Syariah law in Muhyiddin’s Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> In March 2021, Malaysia’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) government proposed resurrecting the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 355 (RUU355). Reviving it would allow state-level Syariah courts to mete out heavier penalties against Muslim offenders of legislation under the State List of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. This could pave the way for the prescription […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Penang introduces RM1m electricity bill subsidy to help tourism industry

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Penang state government has introduced an electricity bill subsidy for the tourism industry to help its players stay afloat during movement control order (MCO) 3.0. Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chair Yeoh Soon Hin said the state government will allocate RM1 million for this one-off assistive package to alleviate the financial burden faced by […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Dr Noor Hisham: Let’s battle on and give it our best shot to free Malaysia from Covid-19

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> “The war is still on and health ministry (MoH) personnel are the last line of defence to break the Covid-19 chain of infection. Let’s battle on and give it our best shot to free the country from this pandemic.” This was the clarion call made by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

US seizes shipment from Malaysia’s Top Glove over forced labour concerns

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The United States seized latex gloves made by Malaysian firm Top Glove Corp Bhd (TPGC.KL) after a shipment was found in Kansas City despite an import ban on its products over forced labour allegations, US customs said. In a statement on Wednesday, the US Customs and Border Protection said its officials at the Port of […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

After Goldman, Malaysia’s 1MDB Pursues JPMorgan and Deutsche

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Bloomberg reports that after successfully recouping more than USD3 billion from firms including Goldman Sachs, Malaysia’s 1MDB is casting a wider net. BLOOMBERG reports that the state-owned investment fund is suing companies including JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank in an effort to recover assets worth more than $23 billion the country says are linked to […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

‘This is 2021′-unimpressed Najib schools Saifuddin over free Raya calls

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak has taken Communications and Multimedia minister Saifuddin Abdullah to task over the announcement that local telecommunication companies provided free calls from 10pm last night to 10am today, in conjunction with the celebration of Aidilfitri. “Most plans already include unlimited calls. We’ve had unlimited calls for a long time. Many have also […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s new Covid-19 cases rise again to 4,855, more than one-third in Selangor

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The health ministry recorded 4,855 new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the total number of cases detected in Malaysia since the beginning of the pandemic to 458,077. According to Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Selangor alone had 1,783 cases the highest in the country by far. This was followed by Kuala Lumpur (521 […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Kit Siang: Muhyiddin must announce new economic stimulus package to alleviate hardship faced by Malaysian during MCO 3.0

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang today urged prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s federal government to announce a multi billion ringgit economic stimulus package to alleviate the hardship faced by Malaysians, following the sudden announcement of a renewed nationwide lockdown earlier this week. The DAP veteran claimed that the government had failed in its […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Sarawak DAP chief urges state govt to use reserves fund to help small businesses hit by Covid-19

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Sarawak DAP today urged the statement to utilise certain percentage of the state’s reserve fund to help the business sectors to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Its chair Chong Chieng Jen said while he acknowledges the need to enforce the conditional movement control order (CMCO) to curb the pandemic, the state government […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Dr M apologises for SOP breach, says ready to face action

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has apologised for breaching Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) last Saturday while distributing Ramadan and Hari Raya donations in Langkawi, Kedah. The Langkawi MP said he was informed he did not record his body temperature before entering Surau Tsunami Batu Arang, Kuala Terang, Kuah, and as such, had […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Another Top Glove shipment seized by US authorities, this time worth RM2.8m

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A shipment of 4.68 million latex gloves produced by a Top Glove Corporation Berhad subsidiary was seized by authorities in the Port of Kansas, Missouri following findings that the products were produced under forced labour, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently revealed. A public statement on CBP’s portal dated May 12, 2021 revealed […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

GOF members stay vigilant on duty despite being away from families during Aidilfitri

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Despite having to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri while on duty to guard the country’s borders from being trespassed, it did not dampen the spirit of two members of Pengkalan Hulu Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) 18th Battalion to continue serving the nation. For Constable Mohd Mahadi Melor, 24, the experience being away from his wife and […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Zafrul confirms govt going after KPMG over 1MDB scandal

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz confirmed today that the government is going after auditor KPMG over the 1MDB scandal. This was after Damansara MP Tony Pua questioned why Putrajaya did not go after KPMG even though Deloitte, another of 1MDB’s auditors, had paid RM336 million in a settlement for its role in the […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Help the poor instead of downplaying MCO 3.0 impact-Kit Siang

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz Tengku Abdul Aziz should focus on introducing measures to assist the poor during the third movement control order (MCO 3.0), rather than to downplay its impact, Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang said. This was after Tengku Zafrul said the MCO 3.0, which kicked in today, is not expected to […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Dr Sim: Sarawak reconsidering AstraZeneca opt-in vaccinations

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccine could yet be an option for Sarawakians as Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has revealed that the Sarawak Covid-19 Advisory Group (Scovag) will reconsider the state’s initial decision not to accept it. The State Disaster Management Committee advisor said in a Facebook post that the AZ vaccine, which Sarawak […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

MOF recovers another RM1.9b stolen 1MDB funds, total now at RM16.05b

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The finance ministry today announced that it has recovered another RM1.9 billion in stolen 1MDB funds. It said the funds were recovered with the help of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) which remitted the money to Malaysia’s Asset Recovery Trust Account. “This recovery would not have been achieved without the excellent cooperation between the […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysia raises alert over spiking COVID-19 cases

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia’s ministry of health on Wednesday cautioned that the country has yet to see the worst of a current surge in coronavirus cases, as it reported its highest daily death count to date. Malaysia recorded 39 deaths among the 4,765 new cases on Wednesday, pushing its total caseload past 450,000 with 1,761 fatalities the third […]

14 May 2021 | 12:02 am

US returns $452 mn in 1MDB funds to Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The United States has returned $452 million to Malaysia related to the scandal-hit sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, authorities said Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation steps up efforts to recover looted cash. Billions of dollars were stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad in a fraud that involved former premier Najib Razak, and spent on everything from […]

13 May 2021 | 7:14 am

Malaysia govt defends Covid-19 response amid criticism as third lockdown looms

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian government on Tuesday (May 11) defended its response to the Covid-19 pandemic amid criticism of poor coordination and crisis communication as the country heads into a third lockdown from Wednesday. The top officials in charge of the security and health aspects of the pandemic response held a rare joint press conference to address […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s new Covid-19 cases rocket to 4,765 including over 2,000 in Selangor alone, record high 39 deaths

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The health ministry recorded 4,765 new Covid-19 cases today, a sharp jump from recent days. Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Selangor remains at the top as the state with the most infections at 2,082 cases, followed by KL Federal Territory with 540 cases, and Sarawak with 405 cases. “The state with […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Turkish president discusses Israeli attacks with Qatar, Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the Israeli violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem with Qatar and Malaysia over the phone, Turkey’s presidential office announced in a statement on Tuesday. Erdogan told Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that the two countries should exert joint efforts to mobilise regional countries and the international […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

MCO 3.0: Business group states willingness to ‘bite the bullet’ for the sake of saving lives

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) has expressed its support of a stricter movement control order (MCO), stressing the extremity of Covid-19 containment measures imposed by the federal government nationwide was more crucial to saving lives than making profits. In perhaps what is an unexpected response to the recently announced MCO, FMBA said lives […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Commentary: Malaysia’s nationwide MCO-denial, doubts and divisions threaten effectiveness

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> COVID-19 policy u-turns, knee-jerk reactions and incrementalism in finalising implementation details are fuelling public fatigue and a loss of confidence that Malaysia can beat this pandemic, says ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s Serina Rahman. In a surprise move at about 7.30pm on Monday (May 10), prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that a Movement Control Order would be […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

AirAsia Group subsidiary gets Malaysian regulator’s approval to offer aircraft maintenance services

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> AirAsia Group Bhd said today its wholly-owned subsidiary Asia Digital Engineering Sdn Bhd (ADE) had obtained the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s (CAAM) base maintenance approval, which allows ADE to offer aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. “With the approval, ADE will now not only perform regular line maintenance, but also base maintenance (hangar […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

MCO 3.0 not impacting economy? Najib says govt only protecting the rich, but the poor sidelined with unfair restrictions

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datuk Seri Najib Razak today took the finance minister and the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor to task, for claiming the new movement control order dubbed MCO 3.0 will not pose a significant impact on the nation’s economy. Taking to his Facebook, the convicted former prime minister accused the government of favouring the rich over […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

After apologising, Dr Mahathir says ready to accept punishment for SOP breach during Langkawi event

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has apologised for breaching Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) during a charity event in Langkawi, Kedah recently. In a statement today, he said that he would accept any punishment meted out in accordance with the law, adding that adherence to the SOPs must not be taken lightly to […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Finance minister: MCO 3.0 not expected to have significant impact on Malaysia’s economic growth

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The implementation of the third movement control order (MCO 3.0) nationwide is not expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economic growth as almost all economic sectors are allowed to remain operational. Finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the closure of all economic sectors would be more detrimental for […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Fitch unit reaffirms lower growth forecast for Malaysia on the back of MCO 3.0

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Fitch Solutions reaffirmed today its 2021 real growth domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Malaysia at 4.9 per cent after accounting for the risk of another nationwide lockdown announced on May 10, even as official estimates put the trajectory higher. The unit of Fitch Ratings said the latest lockdown will likely have a severe negative […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Report: Sri Ram says no conflict of interest in defending law firm Wong & Partners in 1MDB’s $1b lawsuit

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Former judge-turned-lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram has reportedly said that there is no conflict of interest when it comes to him acting for law firm Wong & Partners and its partner Brian Chia Hock Gee in defending them against a civil lawsuit where 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is claiming $1 billion. Sri Ram is […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Ibrahim Ali defends taking RM600k from Najib after 1MDB suit

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali has admitted to receiving money from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak but claimed he did not know the funds originated from 1MDB. His confession came after former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd filed a civil suit against him to recover the RM600,000 he received. In a statement today, Ibrahim […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysian police warn of drones, surprise visits to ensure Covid-19 MCO compliance during Hari Raya

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysian police have warned that they will use drones or make surprise visits to households in the run-up to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season. This is to ensure that the public complies with the movement control order (MCO), which takes effect on Wednesday (May 12). The MCO the third since the start of the […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Malaysian retailer Fixi wants to give you a free book for getting the AstraZeneca vaccine

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A local publisher in Malaysia is giving away free books to those who have gotten their dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Till June 30, the Kuala Lumpur-based Fixi, known for publishing titles like the KL Noir series of short stories and horror novel Dark Demon Rising by Tunku Halim, announced today that it was giving […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

EMCO at miners’ quarters in Raub from May 14, says Ismail Sabri

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Sungai Batu mine workers’ quarters, Batu Talam, Raub, Pahang will be placed under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) from May 14 to 27 after the Ministry of Health (MOH) detected new cases involving mine workers who are Indian nationals. Senior minister (Security Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail, said that the move would enable the […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

Rulers urge Malaysians to appreciate Covid-19 frontliners’ sacrifices, celebrate Aidilfitri responsibly

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> With Hari Raya Aidilfitri being joyously celebrated from tomorrow, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah today reminded the people to never forget the heavy responsibilities and workload shouldered by frontliners in their battle against Covid-19. He said for over a year, frontliners have been working tirelessly without proper rest, suffering from fatigue as well as […]

13 May 2021 | 12:02 am

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