We believe that Malaysia needs doctors with high professional, ethical and personal standards to properly care for the health of the rakyat. Therefore, we are writing to discuss three recent healthcare issues that are directly related to the doctors that Malaysians deserve.

Issue 1: Ma...

State Of Health: The doctors that Malaysians deserve

On Dec 5, 2023, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) scores of 77 countries were released worldwide. PISA is an international study started in 2000 and owned by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a club of 38 high-income countries. Every three y...

State of Health: What PISA education scores can teach health system guardians

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that nearly 20% of the world’s youth aged 15 to 24 years grapple with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression; this is a staggering 244 million people. Worse, in 2016, WHO projected a global shortfall of 18 million health professi...

State Of Health: Policies and practice for AI-enabled solutions for youth mental health

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of telehealth in care delivery to patients, such as delivering consultations, diagnoses and even treatment through the use of technology, digital devices and the internet. In 2021, McKinsey estimated that telehealth use stabilised at levels 38 times h...

State Of Health: We need new Malaysian standards for safe and effective telehealth

In a previous State of Health article ­(“Systematically screening an ageing Malaysia”, Issue 1470, May 1, 2023), we discussed the importance of targeted health screenings as Malaysians grow older, and how state governments such as Selangor and Penang are pioneering policies for health screenings....

State Of Health: The ageing population needs healthspan, not just lifespan

Suicide attempts by young Malaysians in schools or universities are under-reported and under-managed, and Malaysia must do better to prevent suicide among our youth. According to the World Health Organization and Relate Malaysia (a mental health non-profit), an estimated 250 Malaysians attempt su...

State Of Health: Transforming suicide prevention in schools and universities

At the upcoming parliamentary sitting in June, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to table the Health White Paper (HWP), which will set out the guiding principles and strategies to reform and strengthen the country’s healthcare system. As co-chairs and members of the 13-person H...

State Of Health: Now is the time for health reforms

“State of Health” is a new monthly column on health policies, health systems and global health, focused on strategies to strengthen the population’s health delivered by the public, private and non-profit sectors to achieve Health for All. “State of Health” replaces “Stethosc...

State of Health: Systematically screening an ageing Malaysia

This month’s Stethoscope column was written after the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe vs Wade ruling on June 24, which had recognised that women had a constitutional right to abortion since 1973. Three professional associations responded against the Supreme Court: the American Medical Associa...

Stethoscope: Professional associations must engage in the politics of health

In April 2022, a junior doctor working in Penang Hospital fell to his death from his residence. In response, the police have classified it as “sudden death”, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has convened a Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force (HWCITF) and various doctor groups have expresse...

Stethoscope: A public policy view of bullying

Transitioning towards a low-carbon power system is critical for Malaysia to realise its potential for green growth and unlock the critical opportunity to restructure the nation’s economy for a second economic take-off. Large-scale deployment of solar power is critical in realising this national v...

My Say: Deploying solar power for the low-carbon economy

China's aviation regulator said on Friday it had opened new air routes to the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Fuzhou with flight paths situated very close to the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu, in a move likely to anger Taipei.

China opens new air routes near Taiwanese islands

The Malaysian rubber glove industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amidst challenging global dynamics, with optimism for a rebound in 2024, with an anticipated surge to approximately 450 billion pieces by 2027 despite a downturn in 2023, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma).

Margma optimistic of rebound in 2024, expects surge to 450 billion pieces by 2027

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) on Friday upgraded Public Bank Bhd to “buy” from “neutral”, with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.80 (from RM4.70).

RHB upgrades Public Bank to ‘buy’, raises target price to RM4.80

A total of 218 out of 338 projects to reconstruct dilapidated schools in Sabah have been completed to date, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said 60 projects were currently under construction and expected to be completed soon, while the remaining 60 projects were still in the planning stage.

218 out of 338 dilapidated school reconstruction projects in Sabah completed — Fadhlina

Sales of previously-owned homes in the US fell in March from a one-year high, underscoring the lingering impact of high mortgage rates and elevated prices.

US existing home sales decline as rates keep buyers sidelined

Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, ABC News reported late on Thursday, citing a US official, while Iranian state media reported an explosion in the center of the country, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

Israeli missiles hit site in Iran — report

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Shares of Awanbiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) fell as much as 53% on Friday, prompting Bursa Malaysia to suspend the counter’s intraday short selling (IDSS). 

Awantec’s share price tumbled to a low of 15 sen during the morning session, its lowest since March ...

Awantec shares plunge 53%, intraday short selling suspended 

Apple removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China on Friday after the iPhone maker was ordered by the Chinese government.

Apple removes WhatsApp, Threads from China app store on govt order

Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped after reports of a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities.

Stocks sink, oil surges on reports of Middle East attacks

KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador, former political aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has ceased to be a substantial shareholder of HeiT...

HeiTech Padu, Axiata, AmanahRaya REIT, AmFirst REIT, RHB Bank, 7-Eleven Malaysia, MBSB, Awantec, MAA Group, UMediC, Systech, Pansar, Auro, Kimlun and AWC

PIE Industrial Bhd, whose share price extended its rally to a new all-time high on Thursday on reports that it has secured a new customer, confirmed the matter and said it is expecting the new customer to contribute an additional RM2.5 billion revenue to the group, of which RM1 billion will be recognised as early as next year.

PIE Industrial confirms bagging new client, expects additional RM2.5 bil revenue

FE Green Pet (M) Sdn Bhd’s new high-tech recycling factory is expected to make Melaka a green investment destination and complement the economic growth strategy in the state, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said with an investment totalling approximately RM958 million, the plant on 14 hectares of land is projected to be completed by 2Q 2025, creating almost 500 jobs.

RM958 mil high-tech recycling factory puts Melaka on green investors map — Ab Rauf

Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, ABC News reported late on Thursday, citing a US official, while Iranian state media reported an explosion in the center of the country, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

The oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

 Sarawak aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy

Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped after reports of a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities.

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Shares of Awanbiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) fell as much as 53% on Friday, prompting Bursa Malaysia to suspend the counter’s intraday short selling (IDSS).&nbsp;

Awantec’s share price tumbled to a low of 15 sen during the morning session, its lowest since March ...

The US on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognising a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny the Palestinian Authority full membershipof the world body.

US stops UN from recognising a Palestinian state through membership

Apple removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China on Friday after the iPhone maker was ordered by the Chinese government.

The amount of reserves in banking system — a key determinant for the Federal Reserve to continue shrinking its balance sheet — dropped by the most in two years as Americans paid income tax bills out of their bank accounts.

US bank reserve balances see largest drop since 2022 tax season

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) on Friday upgraded Public Bank Bhd to “buy” from “neutral”, with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.80 (from RM4.70).

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s earnings for the first quarter to rise 34% year-on-year to RM75 million, amid the expectation of higher securities average daily value (ADV) and derivatives average daily contract (ADC).

HLIB sees Bursa Malaysia’s 1Q earnings rising 34% y-o-y 

RHB Retail Research said Inari Amertron Bhd is poised to challenge the RM3.27 resistance level once again, which would make this its fourth attempt this year.

Inari poised to challenge RM3.27 resistance, says RHB Retail Research 

Chinese government-linked hackers have burrowed into US critical infrastructure and are waiting "for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow," FBI director Christopher Wray said on Thursday.

FBI says Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure

The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower for the fifth consecutive day, said palm oil trader David Ng.

He said the weaker soybean oil market and lower crude oil prices continue to pile pressure on prices.

CPO futures end lower for 5th consecutive trading day

RHB Retail Research said Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd may be headed for an uptrend after rebounding strongly from a recent pullback and pushing past the 21-day simple moving average line.

Muhibbah Engineering may be headed for uptrend, says RHB Retail Research 

Cocoa futures hit a new high in New York — topping US$11,000 (RM52,624) a metric tonne — as the pace of processing in chocolate factories holds up even in the face of a global supply crunch and record prices.

Cocoa soars above US$11,000 a tonne as processing pace holds up

Rakuten Trade said United U-Li Corporation Bhd may trend higher after breaking out from its two-week bullish flag pattern with a long white candle on Thursday.

United U-Li Corp may trend higher, says Rakuten Trade 

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said Kimlun Corp Bhd’s earnings is primed for promising prospects in FY2024-25, underpinned by an unbilled orderbook of RM2.48 billion (3.0x cover on FY2023 revenue and the highest achieved since FY2018), with 85% dedicated to construction and the remaining to precast manufacturing.

HLIB sees promising prospects for Kimlun’s FY24-25 earnings

The remains of the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here at 11.20pm on a commercial flight.

The flight which was initially scheduled at 9.15am on Thursday was cancelled due to ash clouds from Mount Ruang’s volcanic eruption in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, engulfing the air space.

Khor Swee Kheng

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Khor Swee Kheng

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