Malaysian Swiss Association -

Fifty-five evacuated in Raub as Pahang hit by floods

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Raub became the first district in Pahang to be hit by the monsoon floods this year, as 55 people from 19 families were evacuated to temporary relief centres (PPS) early this morning. Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Zone Three chief Sharulnisam Nasir said that continuous rain since 6pm yesterday, caused low-lying areas in four […]

4 December 2020 | 6:49 am

MOH records four new Covid-19 clusters today, including Monsoon in Selangor’s Petaling

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced four new clusters today, bringing the total number in Malaysia to 373 to date, with 184 active. In a statement, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the new clusters were the Monsoon cluster in the Petaling district of Selangor, and the Jalan Kilang, Perdana Enam, […]

4 December 2020 | 6:43 am

Malaysia records 11 Covid-19 deaths including in Johor, Kelantan as new cases back up to four digits at 1,075

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The health ministry (MoH) recorded today 11 deaths due to Covid-19 today including two in Johor and one in Kelantan, bringing the death toll in the country to 376. Meanwhile, 1,075 new cases were recorded today, raising the number of daily infections back to four digits, just a day after it was reduced to the […]

4 December 2020 | 6:41 am

Malaysia to emphasize importance of accessible, affordable Covid-19 vaccine at UNGASS

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia will emphasize the importance of ensuring a vaccine that is accessible, equitable and affordable at the 31st Special Session of the United Nations general Assembly (31st UNGASS) in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic tomorrow. In a statement, Wisma Putra said Foreign minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein will deliver Malaysia’s statement at the assembly […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

World Bank: With an ageing society, Malaysia needs to re-examine retirement policy

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia needs to relook at its retirement age policy, considering that the country is becoming an ageing society, said World Bank Group representative to Malaysia and country manager Firas Raad. In a statement today, he said Malaysia’s demographics have shifted to an era of low fertility and low mortality from a situation of high fertility […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

HR minister says accommodation for more than 90pct of foreign employees not in compliance with workers’ housing Act

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Some 91.1 per cent or 1.4 million foreign workers in the country are provided with accommodation that does not comply with provisions in the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 or Act 446. Human Resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said he found the statistics “very worrying”, especially with the current Covid-19 […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Pundits suggest Opposition find alternatives to Plan B after repeated failures against Budget 2021 at committee stage

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the rest of the Opposition bloc should seriously reconsider their options, including preparing for general elections, several political analysts said. They noted that the attempts by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its cohorts to vote down Budget 2021 at the committee stage has not worked in the past week as the […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

104 vs 110: Anwar fails to defeat Azmin’s budget in bloc vote, score is 9-0

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Dewan Rakyat has passed the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s RM1.2 billion budget at the committee stage in a bloc vote with 110 votes in favour and 104 against. Six MPs were not present. International Trade and Industry minister Azmin Ali wrapped up the debate while his nemesis Anwar Ibrahim (Harapan-Port Dickson) was among […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Lembah Pantai MP says will appeal decision not to discipline Tasek Gelugor MP over Budget 2021 bloc vote miscount

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) said that the Speaker’s ‘no action’ response in relation to Datuk Shabudin Yahya’s (PN-Tasek Gelugor) apparent Budget 2021 bloc vote miscount gives the impression that Parliament doesn’t take the process seriously. Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Fahmi slammed Speaker Datuk Azhar Azisan Harun’s reply to his motion seeking Shabudin’s referral to […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Another 15 suspects in fatal Malaysia-Thailand border shooting case remanded

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Another 15 local men have been remanded for seven days starting today to facilitate into the shootout between the general Operations Force (GOF) members and groups of smugglers at the Malaysia-Thailand border near Padang Besar last week. The remand order against them was issued by Kangar High Court assistant registrar Siti Nor Haslisa Md Ali. […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Opposition MPs: Why raise budget for overseas travel in a pandemic?

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Two opposition lawmakers have questioned why Budget 2021 allocations for overseas travel for the Rural Development Ministry were increased amidst travel restrictions in the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the government’s estimated federal expenditure for next year, RM450,000 in taxpayers’ money has been allocated under the “on duty abroad” category for unspecified “special programmes” by the […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

MP wants to cut RM20m from Miti’s online Apec conference budget

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran) has filed a motion to slash the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s (Miti) budget for the Apec 2020 conference. According to the Federal Expenditure Estimate 2021, the ministry sought RM25 million for the conference, which took place online last month (November). This year, governments of 21 nations, including powerhouses such as […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia:Life insurance market shows recovery in 3rd quarter

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian life insurance industry rebounded strongly in the third quarter of this year, registering a 44 percent increase in total new business premiums to MYR2.92bn ($717m) as compared to 2Q2020, says the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM). The industry registered a modest growth of 6.5 percent in total new business premiums in 3Q2020 […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Leaders of Singapore, Malaysia hold talks on HSR project; announcement on further details to be ‘made in due course’

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia’s prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin spoke on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, in view of the December 31, 2020 deadline for the second and final extension of the suspension of construction. Both prime ministers’ offices said in a joint statement on Wednesday (December 2) that further details […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Deputy minister: Malaysia upholding reservation on Cedaw clause that would let Malaysian women pass on citizenship

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The government will maintain its reservations to Article 9(2) on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw), said deputy Home minister Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said. The specific article obliges signatory states to uphold equality between women and men with respect to the nationality of their children. “The government […]

4 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Contingency spending estimate for new Covid-19 cases yet to be determined, says deputy health minister

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> An estimation on contingency spending for an unexpected spike in new Covid-19 cases has yet to be determined by the Health Ministry. Deputy Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the ministry has already used up the previous allocation. “The estimation for contingency spending we don’t have yet, but as it is, the allocation given, RM1 […]

3 December 2020 | 6:37 am

Malaysia records 851 new Covid-19 cases today as Johor moves up to third place with 102

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Johor has become the third state with the most new Covid-19 infections, as a total of 851 cases nationwide were reported today. Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this brings the total number of positive cases in Malaysia to 68,020. “Of the 851 cases today, four are imported cases in which the […]

3 December 2020 | 6:35 am

Malaysia to charge Top Glove over poor worker accommodation, government says

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia said on Tuesday it would file charges against Top Glove Corp because of poor worker accommodation provided by the world’s biggest maker of medical gloves. The Labour Department, part of the Ministry of Human Resources, launched investigations into worker accommodation and hostels after last month’s COVID-19 outbreak at a Top Glove factory in an […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Commentary: Malaysian youths will force a political reckoning some day. That day may be at hand

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The emergence of MUDA is a critique of Malaysia’s established parties and their role in the country’s sustained political stalemate, says an observer. Malaysia’s new youth-led political party the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) is the most recent addition to a trend that sees millennial-inspired political movements emerging in Southeast Asia. These include the Indonesian […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Sector that contributes most to Malaysia’s economic growth during Covid-19 pandemic will be answered in Parliament today

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Which sector contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth during the Covid-19 pandemic will be answered at the Dewan Rakyat today. According to the Order of the Meeting, the matter will be raised through a question by Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan) to the prime minister during the question and answer session. She wants the prime […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Facebook oversight board makes Dr M’s statement on France attacks its first case

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A controversial post by ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad following the terrorist killings in France was the first case selected by Facebook’s independent oversight board under which the social media company’s decisions to remove certain pieces of content from its platforms are being evaluated. “A user posted a screenshot of two tweets by former Malaysian prime […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

COVID-19: Malaysian government opens investigations into Top Glove over workers’ housing

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian government has opened 19 investigation papers into six subsidiaries of the world’s largest glove-maker Top Glove over offences involving workers’ dormitories. This followed simultaneous enforcement operations carried out by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM), an agency under the Human Resources Ministry last Thursday (November 26). “The main offence was that the employers […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia gets RM110bil worth of investments

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia recorded a total of RM109.8bil worth of approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors for the first nine months of this year, according to the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti). The manufacturing sector contributed RM65.3bil or 59.5%, followed by services (RM42.8bil or 39.0%) and primary sector (RM1.7bil or 1.5%), it said. […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

13 hotels in Johor cease operations amid COVID-19 pandemic

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Thirteen hotels in Johor have ceased operations amid the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia this year, the state’s Tourism, Youth and Sports Committee chair said on Tuesday (December 1), without naming the affected establishments. Onn Hafiz Ghazi told the Johor State Legislative Assembly the closure of the Malaysia-Singapore border and the implementation of the movement […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Starbucks Malaysia launches designer merch with Kate Spade New York

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Starbucks Malaysia has launched designer merch just in time for the holidays, thanks to its collaboration with luxury fashion brand Kate Spade New York. The collection comprises tumblers, water bottles, and a tote bag in pink and blue, with designs of the New York skyline, polka dots, and cute black cats. They go on sale […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

EXCLUSIVE-Malaysia probing Norway’s Aker Solutions over Petronas dealings, sources say

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia’s anti-graft agency is investigating Norway’s largest oil services provider Aker Solutions on suspicions of making false statements in its dealings with state-owned energy firm Petronas, three sources familiar with the probe said. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is looking into allegations that Aker Solutions made false representations regarding the ownership of one of its […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Clinic in Cheras offers Covid-19 tests for just RM60

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A medical clinic here is offering the Covid-19 antigen rapid tests for just RM60 as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. Laurent Bleu Medical Clinic’s CEO Natasha Ng said the aim is to provide affordable Covid-19 testing for everyone, especially the 1.7 million foreign workers in the country. “Ideally, our effort is to make […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Chronic diseases, mental issues plague Malaysia’s poor more than well-to-do: Here’s why and what to do next

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Low income households in Malaysia are more prone to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health problems than their better-off counterparts as a result of policies that perpetuate class division and wealth inequality, according to a new study by Khazanah Research Institute (KRI). The study sought to analyse social factors shaping health and suggested that income […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia starts virus tests for 1.7M foreign workers

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Mandatory COVID-19 screening of some 1.7 million foreign workers in Malaysia will begin on Tuesday. Testing will start in the cities of Klang and Seremban as major clusters have been reported in both areas, according to Asri Ab Rahman, chief of Malaysia’s Labour Department. “The department has been entrusted with conducting the screening of 888,342 […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

M’sia gains cheaper access to HIV drug DTG on World Aids Day

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia has signed an agreement that will give it access to affordable dolutegravir-based treatments for HIV positive patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using dolutegravir (DTG) to treat all HIV patients, including pregnant mothers, as it is easier to administer and has been proven to be more effective. The drug has also been found […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Report: Tech giants told transport minister they would review cable investments in Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Minister of Transport, Wee Ka Siong, was recently criticised for his decision to revoke the cabotage exemption for foreign vessels to conduct undersea cable repairs in Malaysian waters. Last week, tech giants which include Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) have expressed urgent concerns over the decision which will impact Malaysia’s internet speed […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Top Glove shares slip further on news of possible charges

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Top Glove Corporation Bhd’s shares slipped more than 5 percent or 38 sen to RM6.74 at 4pm today, reducing its market capitalisation to RM55.33 billion. About 55.5 million shares changed hands. Earlier today, it was reported that Top Glove was among the companies facing charges for violating the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities […]

3 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Anwar’s Budget ‘strategy’ puts Pakatan between a rock and a hard place, say analysts

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s credibility took a big hit after last Thursday’s Budget 2021 debacle in Parliament, analysts said. This could potentially have an adverse effect on Anwar’s standing as Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) prime minister of choice, they suggested, pointing to the flak directed at the opposition coalition on social media. Many PH […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Health Ministry: Two new Covid-19 clusters reported in Kota Kinabalu

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Two new Covid-19 clusters have emerged in the state of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the health ministry announced today. They are the Kolombong and Talang-Talang clusters, where a total of 143 individuals have been screened for Covid-19. “We screened 76 individuals in the Kolombong cluster and found 40 of them positive for Covid-19. The index case-65,698 […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Tok Mat hails PM Muhyiddin’s intention to hold GE15 post-Covid-19

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s intention to call for the 15th general Election (GE15) after the Covid-19 pandemic is over is deemed a right decision in getting a new mandate from the rakyat. Umno deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the slim majority held by the current government was often being questioned by […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia budget 2021: Allocation for PM’s Department passes after opposition defeated in bloc vote

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The voting took place after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim questioned the need for additional funding set aside for the prime minister’s Department. The allocation for Malaysia’s prime minister’s Department (PMD) in the 2021 budget was passed in parliament on Monday (November 30), after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim questioned the need for additional funding. In a […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Health minister: Free pneumococcal vaccination for children at health clinics starts today

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The free pneumococcal vaccination under the National Immunisation Programme for children begins simultaneously today at the Ministry of Health (MOH) health clinics nationwide, which will benefit 500,000 children each year. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said children born on or after January 1, 2020, are eligible for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) which would […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysian employers shocked, angry over fines ruling for overcrowded migrant workers’ lodgings

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysian employers on Monday expressed their shock and anger over the government’s decision to impose a $12,277 fine for each foreign worker found to be living in overcrowded lodgings. A number of company bosses said they were in a race against time to fall in line with the new criteria and avoid being hit with […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Penang LRT project to go on with other financing options, says Chow

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Penang will not give up on its proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project despite Putrajaya withdrawing its guarantee, said Chow Kon Yeow. The Penang chief minister said the state will continue with its LRT project as it generally has several other financing options to fund projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). “At the […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Tengku Zafrul: Appeals for Prihatin Special Grant 2.0 open from December 7-21

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Individuals may submit their appeals for the Prihatin Special Grant 2.0 (GKP 2.0) from December 7-21, 2020, said Finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said the time period has been set to allow them to submit the supporting documents to be reviewed and verified by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRB). […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Companies to face 63 charges for flouting Workers’ Housing Act

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Sixth-three (63) charges will be foisted on firms failing to comply with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), including manufacturers of rubber gloves, said Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) director-general Asri Ab Rahman. He said companies in the construction and manufacturing sectors were also set to face charges […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Govt opens 19 investigation papers on Top Glove worker lodgings in five states

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Putrajaya cracked down on the operations of Top Glove Corporation Berhad in five states on November 26, after one of its factories in Meru, Klang became the biggest contributor of Covid-19 cases to the Teratai Cluster. In a statement today, the Human Resources Ministry said that operations were carried out with the Department of Labour […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

World Bank hub in Malaysia to bring together economic, financial experts, says Tengku Zafrul

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The World Bank Group (WBG) office in Malaysia will function as a hub that brings together local economic and financial experts, said Finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. He said the hub would also allow the WBG to conduct developmental research to improve global indicators including through the World Bank’s Doing Business […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Decisions of former top judges protected by ‘de factor doctrine’, top court rules

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The judicial decisions of two former top judges, whose appointments as additional judges were challenged, remain protected by the “de facto doctrine”, the Federal Court ruled today. Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who chaired a five-member bench, said that even if the court were to accept the argument that the appointments of former […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

New Covid-19 cases up to 1,472; Selangor tops list with 891

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Selangor topped the number of new positive Covid-19 cases today with 891 out of a total of 1,472 new cases, the health ministry reported today. The bulk of Selangor’s cases came from the Teratai cluster linked to Top Glove Corporation Bhd that involved foreign workers at several factories in the district of Klang, Kuala Selangor […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Opposition again fails to stop finance ministry’s RM21b spending for Budget 2021 in second bloc vote of the day

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Opposition failed to block the Ministry of Finance’s expenditure under the 2021 Supply Bill for a second time today when a bloc vote was called, with 107 ayes and only 95 nays. Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon agreed to call for a division vote when nearly all Opposition MPs stood up requesting one because […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s economy set to rebound in 2021-UOB

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> UOB Malaysia expects Malaysia’s economy to rebound to six per cent next year as a result of government efforts to counter the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and improved external demand conditions. The bank has forecast a six per cent expansion of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, compared with an estimated contraction of […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Parliament in uproar over phantom voting on Budget 2021 yesterday

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Federal lawmakers broke out in argument today after it was revealed that one among them voted on Budget 2021 yesterday despite being absent from the house. Earlier, deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon read out a declaration from Speaker Datuk Azhar Azisan Harun that Noor Amin Ahmad (PH-Kangar) informed him Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Man behind Malaysia’s betting call centre networks arrested, also on China’s wanted list

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Federal police believe they have the mastermind behind a slew of Macau scam syndicates that have been running in Malaysia and who is also linked to a local gambling kingpin nicknamed Datuk Addy Kanna. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Huzir Mohamed disclosed the mastermind’s identity as Chen De Wei from China. “Chen […]

2 December 2020 | 12:02 am

Malaysia’s new Covid-19 cases remain in four-digit zone, 402 in Selangor alone

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The number of new Covid-19 cases today dipped to 1,212 cases, the bulk of which were in Selangor with 402 infections. After Selangor, the majority of the new infections were reported in Sabah with 326 cases and Negri Sembilan with 141 cases. Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also reported three new […]

1 December 2020 | 4:11 am

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