Malaysian Swiss Association -

Malaysia to get rid of single-use plastic by 2030, says minister

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) is working on ways to fully abolish single use of plastic by 2030, its minister Yeo Bee Yin said today. “Plastic contamination has become a national issue and it bears negative implications to the environment,” Yeo told reporters after chairing a town hall session […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

BNM has RM3b loans for SMEs, says Guan Eng

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The central bank has allocated about RM3 billion in loans for small and medium enterprises, Finance minister Lim Guan Eng said today. The loans, managed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) assistant governor Abu Hassan Aishari Yahaya, is readily available to assist SMEs in setting up and developing their businesses. “There are claims that is difficult […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Corrupt people must be punished: Dr M

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that corrupt people must be punished, but he also thinks that it has not reached a stage in Malaysia where the corrupt should be sentenced to life imprisonment. “They (corrupt individuals) might be jailed. How long they need to be jailed depends on the extent of the […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

No extremism in ‘New Malaysia’, says Anwar

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Pakatan Harapan government will not support extreme demands regardless of who makes these, said PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today. Citing the example of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) issue, he said groups were free to express their views and opinions. However, he stressed that allowing space for such views should not […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Dr M to meet with heads of UK, Iran and more at UN assembly fringes

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> UK prime minister Theresa May will be among world leaders meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations general Assembly here. The two prime ministers will meet tomorrow, when they are expected to briefly discuss ties between both countries. It will be their first meeting since Dr Mahathir became […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Bigotry, harassment of greater concern to M’sian LGBT than same sex marriage: Activist

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The ongoing heated discussion on the issue of same sex marriage should not overshadow more serious and immediate concerns over bigotry and violence suffered by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Malaysia. Activist S Thilaga, member of the LGBT rights group Justice for Sisters, said that the government and other stakeholders must […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia’s CIMB says chair Nazir Razak to step down by end of the year

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> CIMB Group Holdings, Malaysia’s second biggest bank, said on Monday (Sep 24) its chair Nazir Razak would step down by the end of the year. Nazir has been CIMB’s chair since 2014. He has worked at the bank for 29 years, including 15 as chief executive. Nazir, the brother of former Malaysian prime minister Najib […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

‘Umno cannot make Najib its de facto chief’

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Umno has rejected calls for its former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be made the party’s de-facto leader. Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the suggestion is “irrelevant and can’t be implemented” as there are no provisions under the party’s constitution to do so. He was speaking to reporters at a press conference […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Constitutional protection based on gender, not sexual orientation: Syarie lawyer

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Federal Constitution upholds the rights of Malaysians regardless of faiths, races and gender. However, the definition of gender here denotes men and women, not an individual’s sexual orientation. Syarie Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PPSM) president Musa Awang said that justice is the equivalent of putting something in its rightful place and not equalising something. […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Minister: US-China trade war on Dr M’s mind for UN meet

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to discuss the United States-China trade war during the United Nation meeting this week, including the tariffs imposed on another $200 billion (RM826.6 billion) of Chinese goods. International Trade and Industry minister Darell Leiking said the amount of tariff imposed is considered as a big economic problem […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia government to review Australia rare earths plant

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> An ardent critic of an Australian rare earths plant in Malaysia said Tuesday she will head a government review into the controversial site after her political alliance took power at landmark elections. Shares of Australian miner Lynas have been hit since reports emerged that MP Fuziah Salleh had been picked to probe the plant, which […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Townships built exclusively for foreigners not allowed in Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysia’s Finance minister Lim Guan Eng clarified that while foreigners are welcome to acquire properties in Malaysia… The Forest City development in Johor was recently criticised for being heavily marketed to Chinese buyers and other foreigners. Malaysia’s Finance minister Lim Guan Eng clarified that while foreigners are welcome to acquire properties in Malaysia, the government […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia may carry out VEP by year end RTD

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Road Transport Department (RTD) expects the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) on all foreign vehicles entering the country through the Johor Causeway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link, to be implemented at the end of this year. Its director-general Datuk Seri Saharuddin Khalid said the permit system was now in the final stage of tests, before […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia government to review Australia rare earths plant

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> An ardent critic of an Australian rare earths plant in Malaysia said Tuesday she will head a government review into the controversial site after her political alliance took power at landmark elections. Shares of Australian miner Lynas have been hit since reports emerged that MP Fuziah Salleh had been picked to probe the plant, which […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Don’t beat around the bush, Najib told

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Lim Guan Eng has asked his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak to not “beat around the bush” in his latest response to the two men’s bickering over government funds alleged missing from federal accounts. “I am asking him now, do not try play around with questions while the root of the issue remains […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Dr M: Dyson wants to bring more investment into Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> British home appliances developer and manufacturer, Dyson, has indicated an interest in bringing in more investment into Malaysia. This was expressed by Dyson founder and innovator, Sir James Dyson, to prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a visit to Imperial College London on Monday morning, where the two had a private meeting. Dyson has […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Najib innocent? You must not have read ‘Billion Dollar Whale’ properly, Shafee told

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah may not have read Billion Dollar Whale well when he said that the book had cleared his client Datuk Seri Najib Razak of wrongdoings as he was misled or cheated by Low Taek Jho, according to Tom Wright. “It’s nonsense, Shafee didn’t read the book properly for sure,” the journalist […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

SMEs should be more disciplined and pay off loans: Mohd Redzuan

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) need to change attitude and be more disciplined to pay off loans to banks, said Entrepreneur Development minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof. He said banks had refused to approve loans for some entrepreneurs to expand their business due to their failure to settle their debts. “Untill today, only 27 per […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Patriot disavows ex-official’s letter criticising Mat Sabu

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A letter critical of Defence minister Mohamad Sabu written by the former honorary secretary of the National Patriot Association is not connected in any way to the group’s views, said president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji. He said the letter did not represent Patriot, which he categorised as currently supportive of the minister […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Minister: Migrant labourers must foot 80pct of extension fee

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Migrants with the temporary foreign worker permit (PLKS) will be liable for 80 per cent of the RM10,000 levy to be imposed, Finance minister Lim Guan Eng said today. Lim said the levy will be applied on foreign workers who have been employed for 10 years and wishing to extend their employment duration for a […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

‘Whale’ author: Rosmah was Jho Low’s direct line to Putrajaya

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had given fugitive financier Low Taek Jho complete access to the corridors of power in Putrajaya, journalist Tom Wright asserted in a radio interview today. The co-author of Billion Dollar Whale said on the BFM Breakfast Grille that Low’s relationship with Rosmah was effectively gaining the ear of then prime minister, […]

26 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Don’t beat around the bush, Najib told

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Lim Guan Eng has asked his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak to not “beat around the bush” in his latest response to the two men’s bickering over government funds alleged missing from federal accounts. “I am asking him now, do not try play around with questions while the root of the issue remains […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Thirty-seven deaths across Malaysia now linked to tainted alcohol

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Health authorities and police are reporting that the number of deaths due to the consumption of tainted alcohol over the last week has risen, with 37 being the latest figure. National news agency Bernama writes that as of Sunday night, the toxic alcohol pandemic saw 24 cases in Selangor, 10 in Kuala Lumpur, and three […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia religious school teacher charged with sodomising 9 students: Report

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The principal of a religious school in Kepong, a town in northern Kuala Lumpur, has been charged with sodomising nine students from the school. A report by The Star on Sunday (Sep 23) said the man was slapped with 11 charges in the Putrajaya Sessions Court on Sep 19. According to the Bernama news agency, […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Time for Malaysia to move on from 1MDB

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The filing of extra charges against former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak over a state fund corruption scandal leaves the courts to decide the issue. Though this is not final closure, it enables the government to put the affair to one side and focus on other important agendas The latest charges against former Malaysian prime […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Report: MH370 pilot left suggestive comments on twin models’ FB page

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The pilot of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah had been fixated with the social media profiles of models Lan Qi Min and Lan Qi Hui between 2013 and 2014. British tabloid Daily Mail Online reported that in the 12 months before the flight disappeared in March 2014, Zaharie left 97 allegedly […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysian INGO calls for mandatory jail sentence as alcohol poisoning deaths hit 36

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has called on the government to introduce a mandatory jail sentence for those who sell smuggled or adulterated alcohol, as the death toll from an alcohol poisoning case rose to 36. The non-governmental organisation’s senior vice chair Lee Lam Thye said on Sunday (Sep 23) that the existing laws […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Commentary: The bittersweet return of Anwar Ibrahim to Malaysian politics

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim might win the by-election for the Port Dickson seat come October 13, but he will have to contest with bigger issues, says one observer. Malaysians love acronyms and when you use “DSAI” in Malaysia, it can only refer to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, widely seen as the Malaysian prime minister-in-waiting. Anwar […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

96pct drop in Malaysia’s consolidated accountWhere has all the money gone?

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should explain why the consolidated revenue account had dropped by 96 percent or RM11.41bil between December 31, 2017 and April 30, 2018, says Finance minister Lim Guan Eng. In a statement, Lim said Najib left the new Pakatan Harapan government only RM450mil on April 30, 2018. “The […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Guan Eng insists Najib dodging missing funds claim

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Lim Guan Eng is refusing to accept former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s rejection of the claim he left the government with just RM450 million in the Consolidated Revenue Account. Lim accused Najib of treating Malaysians as gullible with the denial and or attempting to divert attention towards the ringgit’s performance in […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Waiting for PTPTN payments to be deferred? Don’t bother, Najib tells borrowers

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Debtors should pay off their federal student loans as Pakatan Harapan will struggle to defer repayments as pledged, said former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In a Facebook post pointing out that the coalition previously urged borrowers not to repay the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), he said it was scolding the same […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Dr M to deliver major lecture on Islam at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to deliver a major lecture at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OXCIS) at the University of Oxford, as part of his visit to the United Kingdom. The prime minister, who is now in the UK en route to New York to attend the 73rd United Nation general Assembly, […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Anwar: Dr M and I both oppose gay marriage

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim denied today any differences between him and prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on issues related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The PM-in-waiting said the only difference was that he believed Malaysia’s laws against sodomy must be amended. “Actually we do not have a difference of opinion. […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Anwar denies wanting to become cabinet minister

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied that he is contesting in the upcoming Port Dickson by-election because he wants to become a minister. He stressed that should he win the by-election, it would enable him to play the role of a parliamentarian apart from helping prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. According to […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

No exclusive townships for foreigners, developers told

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Finance minister Lim Guan Eng said Putrajaya had no issues with foreign ownerships of properties, but warned against real estate development projects solely for foreigners. He said the government will never allow property developers to build townships exclusively for foreigners. “Let me be clear that our prime minister does not oppose to foreigners buying properties […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Najib dares Guan Eng to answer 17 questions

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datuk Seri Najib Razak has hit back at Lim Guan Eng over the latter’s statement earlier today, daring the finance minister to answer 17 questions in regards to the financial shape of the nation. In a Facebook posting, the former prime minister lashed out at Lim for, amongst others, accusing Barisan Nasional (BN) of “general […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Govt working on improved Child Registry to protect children from abuse

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is working on a Child Registry to protect children from abuse. Its deputy minister Hannah Yeoh said the registry would serve as a sex offender registry. “Anyone who works with children has to undergo screening. Only if he passes will he be allowed to work with children. “This […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Orangutans saved as Malaysia foils high-seas smuggling bid

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> A pair of young orangutans, baby crocodiles and rare birds were among over 400 animals rescued from a boat off Malaysia as they were being smuggled from neighbouring Indonesia, officials said Monday. Three suspected Indonesian traffickers were arrested after customs officials thwarted the bid to transport the animals to Thailand in an operation Friday off […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Importers, distributors appeal for fireworks sales regulations to be relaxed

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysian Licensed Fireworks Importers, Wholesalers and Operators Association (Pierpyro) appealed the Home Ministry to relax regulations on the sales of fireworks among licensed distributors. Its chair Datuk Abdul Rahman Manan said this include allowing the products to be sold at special section in supermarkets and shopping malls, like the one designated for alcoholic beverages. He […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

‘Not right to label those yet to repay PTPTN loan as dishonest’

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> It is not right to label borrowers who refuse to repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans as dishonest, said Umno information chief Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. The Lenggong Member of Parliament said borrowers refused to pay the loans because they were told by then opposition that their loan repayments would be put […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Waiting for PTPTN payments to be deferred? Don’t bother, Najib tells borrowers

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Debtors should pay off their federal student loans as Pakatan Harapan will struggle to defer repayments as pledged, said former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In a Facebook post pointing out that the coalition previously urged borrowers not to repay the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), he said it was scolding the same […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

All eyes on Dr M’s return to UN assembly

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has spoken at the United Nations general Assembly numerous times, but on Friday, it will be as though his first, with the world and country watching his speech for the tone it will set for “New Malaysia’s” foreign policy. “Even we in Wisma Putra are looking forward to his speech, and […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Now, PAS VP says party should gift PD win to Anwar

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah differed today with PAS leaders who said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must be made to slog for victory in the Port Dickson by-election. Umno is meeting now to decide if it will field a candidate, but PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has repeatedly said that his party must […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

MACC to Jho Low: Come back to Malaysia

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has once again urged businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, to return to facilitate investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case. MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki also urged SRC International managing director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil Nik Othman to come forward to […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Report: Anwar claims elements of corruption in PKR polls

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Unnamed leaders in PKR are allegedly offering projects for support in the party’s internal election, president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. According to Utusan Malaysia, Anwar warned the group that he will not tolerate those who use “dirty tactics” in the PKR poll. “I only want clean leaders to lead the party so that the […]

25 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Experts cast doubt on Malaysia’s handling of MH370 investigation

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Two of the world’s leading experts on the disappearance of MH370 have accused Malaysia of failing to faithfully and diligently pursue the investigation into the mysterious 2014 disappearance of the Boeing 777. Mike Exner and Don Thompson, members of the Independent Group (IG) of experts, say the investigation “was heavily politically influenced, and delayed”. They […]

24 September 2018 | 1:13 am

Malaysia’s Axiata in talks for $900 million worth of acquisitions

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Malaysian telecoms firm Axiata Group Bhd’s (AXIA.KL) tower unit is working on acquisition deals amounting to more than $900 million, which it aims to complete in the next 12 months, the company’s chief executive officer said. Suresh Sidhu, chief executive officer of edotco Group Sdn Bhd, told Reuters on Friday that he was optimistic that […]

24 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia cops say standing in a parking spot to ‘reserve’ it can lead to a $660 fine or jail time

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Motorists who attempt to “reserve” a parking spot by standing there can be fined up to RM2,000 (S$660) or be given six months’ jail time. The Royal Malaysia Police on its Facebook page on Thursday (September 20) said it is against the law to physically place oneself in a parking space to prevent other vehicles […]

24 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Anwar says no reason to demand ‘popular’ Dr M’s early resignation

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is highly popular now as prime minister, prime minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said. In the interview with Al Jazeera English’s UpFront programme, Anwar also said there was no reason to ask Dr Mahathir to resign early and hand over the prime minister post to him. When asked whether the […]

24 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia to have its own Ombudsman, replacing Public Complaints Bureau

<a href="https://www.intellasia.net/">Intellasia East Asia News</a> The Public Complaints Bureau will be known and function as Ombudsman Malaysia, prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today. For this purpose, he said, an Ombudsman Act would be drafted to ensure a more effective management of public complaints in Malaysia. “The Ombudsman Malaysia will not be put under the prime minister’s office or […]

24 September 2018 | 1:00 am

Malaysia News