<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BToto) reported a net profit of RM61.94 million in its second quarter ended Dec 31, 2019 (2QFY20), mainly contributed by the strong sales, in particular the 4D Jackpot game, from its number forecast operator (NFO) business Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Quarterly revenue came in at RM1.41 billion, thanks to higher contribution from Sports Toto as well as the substantial contribution from its auto retailing business HR Owen Plc, said BToto in an exchange filing today.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>No comparative figures were available following the group’s change of its financial year end from April 30 to June 30.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>BToto declared a second interim dividend distribution of four sen per share for the financial year ending June 30, 2020, payable on April 9.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>For the six-month period, BToto registered a cumulative net profit of RM128.89 million on revenue of RM2.84 billion.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The group said it is confident that the group will continue to maintain its market share in the NFO business for the remaining quarters of the financial year.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>It anticipates its Sports Toto performance to be better with the improved per draw sales growth.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Shares in BToto settled unchanged today at RM2.63, valuing the group at RM3.54 billion.</p></div>


Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BToto) reported a net profit of RM61.94 million in its second quarter ended Dec 31, 2019 (2QFY20), mainly contributed by the strong sales, in particular the 4D Jackpot game, from its number forecast operator (NFO) business Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

BToto declares four sen dividend after reporting RM62m net profit in 2Q

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government had no plans to temporarily suspend the service of Fennec and HOM helicopters.

Govt not suspending service of Fennec and HOM helicopters, says minister

It will be a four-way fight in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election between Pakatan Harapan’s pick Pang Sock Tao, Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

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Parti Rakyar Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin says that if elected, PRM will stand on a platform of increased transparency in government.

NEWS: Parti Rakyat Malaysia will run on more transparency

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Ageing oil palm trees: MPOA calls for govt incentives to speed up replanting

Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tau, who will be representing her party in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-elections, says that amid all the noise, her focus will be on the rakyat’s issues, especially those concerning the youth and women.

NEWS: PH campaign to focus on core issues

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Court told MACC never asked Najib if he knew who owned shell company that transferred US$30 mil to his account

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is confident of the coalition’s odds in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election, and says the experience of its candidate, Khairul Azhari Saut, gives him an edge over the others.

NEWS: PN confident of wresting KKB seat

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is time to repay PH’s favour in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election. He is also hopeful that MCA will still join the unity coalition's campaign.

NEWS: Time for BN to repay PH’s favour, says Zahid

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

Singapore bank fires workers over misuse of medical claims — CNA

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Time for BN to return PH's favour in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, says Zahid

<p>The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.</p>


Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

<p>The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election will see a four-cornered fight between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.</p>


A four-way bout in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

<p>Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary&nbsp;KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.</p>

<p>The allegations, according to KLK, were made by <em>Sajha Sabal Media</em>, a news portal in Nepal.</p>


KLK investigating allegations of unethical practice linked to its foreign worker recruitment agent

<p>Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.</p>


Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

<p>Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.</p>


<p>Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).</p>


Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

<p>Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a <em>CNA </em>report.</p>


<p>The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).</p>


Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

<p>Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.</p>


Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

<p>The nomination centre&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.</p>

<p>The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin&nbsp;at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.</p>


Nomination centre for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election closes at 10am

<p>Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.</p>


The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

<p>Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.</p>


Singapore plans law to support gig workers’ retirement needs

<p>The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election&nbsp;is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said&nbsp;Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.</p>


<p>US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.</p>


US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

<p>Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.</p>

<p>The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.</p>


Taiwan rattled by quakes again, no immediate reports of damage

<p>The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said&nbsp;there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.</p>


<p>Nomination&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at&nbsp;the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.</p>


Nomination opens at 9am for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

<p>Apple Inc&nbsp;has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the start-up’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;</p>


Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

<p>China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.</p>


China's first-quarter industrial profits rise at slower pace

<p>The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an&nbsp;operations room for&nbsp;the public to channel information and complaints of corrupt acts and power abuse in the Kuala Kubu Baharu&nbsp;state by-election.</p>
