KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) spent RM12.81 million on special projects unrelated to its mandate of regulating the communications industry from 2016 to April 2018.

That is the finding of the Auditor-General’s Report 2018 Series 1 under the A...

Audit finds MCMC funds used for Najib’s books, among others

(July 15): Budget constraints are causing over a fifth of the Rumah Keluarga Angkatan Tentera (RKAT) homes to be unfit for occupation, forcing thousands of armed forces personnel to seek pricier homes elsewhere for their families, according to an audit finding.

As of Dec 2018, 12,261 (22.5%) of existing 54,497 RKAT units in 100 locations nationwide are unfit for occupation either due to damages, lack of maintenance, or safety reasons. Another 2,212 had been renovated for other purposes.

That leaves only 40,024 or 73.4% RKAT units occupied, noted the Auditor-General 2018 Report Series 1, released today.

Funding shortage sends army housing into spiral of disrepair

(July 15): The emergency and trauma department (ETD) at Malaysian hospitals are understaffed, overcrowded, underfunded and do not have enough equipment to provide proper levels of care.

The latest audit report by the National Audit Department also flagged the issue with funding for ETD, which it deemed “insufficient”.

“The provision of financial allocation which is insufficient, may affect the ETD’s service efficiency,” the audit report released today stated.

Audit finds Malaysian hospitals understaffed, underfunded and overcrowded

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) spent RM12.81 million on special projects unrelated to its mandate of regulating the communications industry from 2016 up to April 2018.

Audit finds MCMC funds used for Najib's books, among others

(July 15): Only a tenth of the budget allocated for the ‘Film in Malaysia Incentive’ or FIMI went to local filmmakers from 2016 up to Aug 2018, with lack of domestic promotion of the incentive affecting participation from the local industry.

The actual impact from the incentives to the creative industry also could not be gauged, because there was no outcome evaluation, according to the Auditor-General 2018 Report Series 1.

The FIMI programme was managed by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), an agency under the Multimedia and Communications Ministry.

Foreign filmmakers benefited more from filming incentives than locals

(July 15): A radar facility that only went operational almost three years after its original completion deadline, had posed risks to national security.

The project, awarded for an original contract value of RM289.8 million via direct negotiation, saw four extensions of time (EOT) totalling 602 days, according to the Auditor-General 2018 Report.

While the project was completed in Oct 2017, it was not operational until January this year, the report said, due to delays in relocating radar equipment to the site.

National security found at risk due to operational delay of RM290m radar faciltity

IT was an unprecedented twist after a five-hour annual general meeting. In the aftermath, the directors of FGV Holdings Bhd gathered in a private meeting to discuss what to do next.

The unfolding drama has gripped corporate Malaysia. FGV’s major shareholders voted yes to re-electing its...

Special Report: Dysfunctional relationship between FELDA and FGV boils over

“Boss, I think we have a situation next month.”

The CEO looks up from his smartphone, pauses his Korean movie and removes his earphones before motioning for the executive to sit.

“What’s the matter today?”

“The AGM season starts next month and I really suggest we hav...

Fashionable annual activism

One year on: What do you really think about Malaysia Baru

 

About the survey



The Edge online survey ran for...

Growing weariness as the rakyat awaits a better life under PH

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), the largest bank in Malaysia by market capitalisation, is the winner of PwC’s Building Trust Awards 2019, recognising its efforts in building stakeholder trust.

Diversified conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd took the second place, and IHH Healthcare...

Maybank wins PwC’s Building Trust Awards 2019

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) must tread cautiously in raising interest rates, as some indicators of inflation expectations remain short of its 2% target, the International Monetary Fund's Japan mission chief Nada Choueiri said on Friday.

IMF urges Bank of Japan to tread cautiously in raising interest rates

Israel's apparent strike on Iran after days of vacillation was small and appeared calibrated to dial back risks of a major war, even if the sheer fact it happened at all shattered a taboo of direct attacks that Tehran broke days earlier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said.

Israel's Iran attack carefully calibrated after internal splits, US pressure

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 dipped on Friday, with Netflix among the biggest drags on a dour quarterly forecast, while all three indexes stared at weekly losses amid diminishing hopes that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates anytime soon.

Nasdaq lags peers as Netflix, chip stocks drag; AmEx lifts Dow

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kota Kinabalu on Friday night for a one-day working visit to the state.

Anwar's plane landed at Terminal Two, Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.40pm, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Anwar arrives in Kota Kinabalu for one-day visit

Parties in the Unity Government have their methods to ensure a win in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election next month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said this was discussed at the Unity Government secretariat meeting on Wednesday.

Unity Govt parties have ways to ensure victory in Kuala Kubu Baharu polls — Ahmad Zahid

All travellers entering or leaving Singapore carrying Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) that are valued more than S$20,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency, must submit the necessary declarations electronically with effect from May 13.

Travellers to and from Singapore carrying over S$20,000 must submit online declaration from May 13

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:

Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement. The suspension took effect from 2.30pm onwa...

Sapura Energy, PIE Industrial, LSH Capital, YX, Westports, Yinson, Sime Darby Property, MISC, Meta Bright, EG Industries, Hextar, Uzma, Nova MSC and Iconic Worldwide

YX Precious Metals Bhd, a 70%-owned subsidiary of Tomei Consolidated Bhd, has proposed to transfer its listing from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia as it has met the profit requirements for the transfer.

In a bourse filing, the gold jewellery wholesaler and manufacturer said it has also satisfied the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Main Market listing requirements on financial position, public shareholding spread and Bumiputera equity.

YX Precious Metals proposes to transfer listing from ACE Market to Main Market

(April 19): Oyo Hotels is in talks to raise up to US$450 million via dollar bonds, a person familiar with the matter said, as the once-high-flying Indian startup seeks to replace an existing high-cost loan amid delays in its stock-market debut.

Softbank-backed Oyo eyes US$450 mil bond sale for refinancing

CIMB Thai Bank PCL’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) dropped 24.6% year-on-year to 626.1 million baht from 830.1 million baht, as it reported lower operating income and higher expenses.  

The group recorded an 8.4% drop in operating income and an 11.8% increase in operating expenses. The effects of these were partially offset by a 36.9% decline in expected credit loss, according to CIMB Thai president and chief executive officer Paul Wong Chee Kin in a statement. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has a 94.83% interest in CIMB Thai.

CIMB Thai's 1Q earnings drop 24.6% as operating income falls while opex climbs

Most read this week - Stay up to date with the biggest news and latest trending topics by checking out the top 10 articles of the week. 

Most read this week

Financial services provider MIDF has reported a recent cyber security incident to relevant authorities and is collaborating closely with them on addressing the matter.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, MIDF affirmed that it takes the cyber security incident seriously and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the privacy and security of customers' information.

MIDF confirms cyber security incident

Automotive electronic parts manufacturer MCE Holdings Bhd has commenced the construction for its MCE Auto Hub, the company’s new manufacturing facility in Serendah, Selangor, with an initial investment of RM50 million for the first phase of the development.&nbsp;

MCE Holdings commences construction for RM50 mil manufacturing facility in Serendah 

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Oil-and-gas services firm Yinson Holdings Bhd said on Friday that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Yinson Production Offshore Pte Ltd (Yinson Production) has successfully placed a US$500 million five-year senior secured bond issue.

Yinson’s unit places US$500 mil five-year senior secured bonds

PUTRAJAYA (April 19): Payment of fees&nbsp;for training or classes in esports, equestrian, swimming, motorsports and taekwondo is&nbsp;eligible for&nbsp;tax relief of up to RM1,000 from next year, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Payment of fees for sports training eligible for tax relief from next year — Hannah

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Meta Bright Group Bhd is forming a joint venture company (JVco) with a Bumiputera firm to bid for renewable energy (RE) projects with a Bumiputera equity requirement.

Meta Bright forms JVco with Bumiputera firm for RE projects

DUBAI/JERUSALEM (April 19): Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an&nbsp;Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated that it had no plans for retaliation — a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel after drones attack Iran

Batik Air will suspend its operations to Istanbul, Turkiye, effective May 1, 2024, and affected passengers will be notified via email and text, said the airline operator, Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd.

Batik Air to suspend operations to Istanbul from May 1

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Construction company Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (LSH Capital) said it has obtained approval from its shareholders to transfer the group’s listing from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

Lim Seong Hai Capital gets shareholder nod for transfer of listing to ACE Market

Bursa Malaysia ended the week mixed on Friday with buying in selected heavyweights and commodity-related stocks amid the negative sentiment on regional markets, said an analyst.&nbsp;

Bursa ends mixed amid weak regional sentiment

A group of investors led by a Dubai-based real estate developer is in talks to build a mixed-use tower in Thailand that may vie for the mantle of the world’s tallest building.

Thailand in talks with group of investors from Middle East, China to build world’s tallest tower

(April 19):&nbsp;Hedge funds and other international investors are sounding alarms after a profitable education company from China defaulted on its convertible bonds in March.&nbsp;

Hedge funds cry foul over Chinese education firm’s default

Mah Sing Group Bhd's M Oscar development in Sri Petaling has achieved an 85% Quality Assessment System in Construction (Qlassic) from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The certification was presented by CIDB Malaysia CEO Datuk Mohd Zaid Zakaria at an appreciation night for the completion of M Oscar recently.

Mah Sing's M Oscar awarded 85% Qlassic score

SINGAPORE (April 19): CGS-CIMB Securities has officially rebranded as CGS International Securities (CGS International), as the integrated financial services provider launched its new identity in Singapore on Thursday (April 18).&nbsp;

CGS-CIMB Securities rebrands as CGS International, aims to double revenue to S$700 mil by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): UEM Sunrise Bhd has launched The Beat 2.0, an extension of The Beat retail hub at its Kiara Bay development in Kepong, during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the Kiara Bay sales gallery on Friday. The Beat 2.0 measures 2.6-acres and will comprise a net lease area (NLA) of 73,566 square feet (sq ft), according to a press statement on Friday.

UEM Sunrise launches The Beat 2.0 at Kiara Bay, welcomes Harvey Norman as anchor tenant

Shares of IT services firm Infomina Bhd fell on Friday to its lowest in nearly one year as its latest results disappointed investors even as analysts largely remained bullish.

Infomina shares near one-year low as earnings miss expectations

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd said it has secured a RM13.33 million contract to upgrade fire engineering systems at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Terminal 1 satellite building.

Fajarbaru clinches RM13 mil contract from MAHB

Fibre optic cables manufacturer Hextar Capital Bhd, formerly known as Opcom Holdings Bhd, said it plans to diversify into the construction and project management business.

The proposed diversification is expected to boost the group’s net profit by about 25%, aligning with its long-term strategy to pursue more engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) projects beyond telecommunications network projects, the group said in an exchange filing.

Hextar Capital plans to diversify into construction business

MISC Bhd, via its petroleum arm AET, has entered into time charter party contracts with PETCO Trading Labuan Company Ltd (PTLCL) for the world’s first two ammonia dual-fuel Aframaxes (tankers with a deadweight of between 80,000 and 120,000 tonnes), as it seeks to reduce overall emissions from its operations.

Both MISC and PTLCL are units of&nbsp; national oil company Petronas.

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