The demands for allocations by opposition Members of Parliament will be discussed in the Unity Government Leadership Council meeting next Wednesday.

Unity govt to discuss allocations for opposition on Wednesday, says Fadillah

The Dewan Negara's first meeting of the third session of the 15th Parliament concluded on Thursday after a three-week sitting since March 18, which saw the approval of 17 Bills.

Dewan Negara meeting ends after passing 17 Bills

The Dewan Negara on Thursday passed the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Licensed Land Surveyors (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The Bill to amend the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) was approved by more than 17 votes in favour after 17 senators took part in the debate.

Dewan Negara passes two environment-related Bills

A total of 823 companies have signed bank guarantee agreements with the Ministry of Health (MOH) as of February to enable their foreign workers to gain access to medical facilities at MOH clinics and hospitals.

MOH sign bank guarantee agreements with 823 companies

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), through its agencies, is working with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development to address the issue of Bumiputera companies’ low participation in the manufacturing sector.

Ministries in joint effort to address low participation of Bumiputera firms in manufacturing, says Zafrul

The government does not consider it suitable to impose capital gains tax on the disposal of shares of listed companies at this time, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

"The approach is taken to ensure that the local stock exchange can continue to be competitive," she said when winding up the debate on the Income Tax Bill (Amendment) 2024 in the Dewan Negara on Wednesday.

Not the right time to impose capital gains tax on disposal of shares

The money services business (MSB) handled a total of RM74 billion in transactions last year, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

"As of Dec 31, 2023, there are 259 licensed MSB companies that offer conversion, delivery and wholesale currency services through more than 2,900 licensed premises and agents nationwide," she said when winding up the debate on the Money Services Business Bill (Amendment) 2024 in the Dewan Negara on Wednesday.

Money services business handled RM74 bil in transactions in 2023 — deputy finance minister

The Dewan Negara has passed the Unclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The Bill, presented by Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, was unanimously approved after being deliberated by nine senators.

Dewan Negara passes amendment to Unclaimed Moneys Act 1965

The local iron and steel industry is facing major challenges resulting from the lack of activities in China’s construction sector, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said.

Local iron and steel industry affected by China's construction sector, says Liew

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): There is no need for the private sector to operate the Malaysian Vocational Certificate (SVM) programme to meet the needs now, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

He said this is because the Ministry of Education (MOE) has a comprehensive plan to expand ...

No need for private sector to handle Malaysian Vocational Certificate programme — MOE

The Ministry of Defence is in the midst of completing the policy paper to strengthen the country's defence industry and explore new areas in defence, including cybersecurity, the Dewan Negara was told on Wednesday.

Ministry in midst of completing policy paper to strengthen defence industry — Adly

The authorities will investigate Malaysian citizens who have been rescued from job offer scams to ensure they are indeed victims, not syndicate masterminds.

Govt to probe rescued job scam victims to ensure they are not syndicate masterminds, says Tok Mat

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) had approved 4,230 green technology projects worth RM41 billion as of 2023, said Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong.

Mida approved 4,230 green tech projects worth RM41b as of 2023, Dewan Negara told

The current consumption tax system, namely the sales and service tax (SST), can provide a faster fiscal impact to the nation compared to the implementation of a value-added tax system, such as the goods and services tax (GST), said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

SST provides faster fiscal impact to nation, says Lim Hui Ying

WASHINGTON (April 16): US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday warned that the US intends to hit Iran with new sanctions in coming days over its unprecedented attack on Israel, and these actions could seek to reduce Iran’s capacity to export oil.

US to hit Iran with new sanctions in ‘coming days’, Yellen says

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): The Unity Secretariat meeting, held on Tuesday night, discussed preparations to strengthen machinery and the working mechanism of parties within the Unity Government, in preparation for next month’s Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

Saifuddin Nasution: Unity Secretariat discussed machinery preps for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

WASHINGTON (April 16): Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel is unlikely to prompt dramatic sanctions action on Iran’s oil exports from the Biden administration due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China, said analysts.

Biden unlikely to cut Iran’s oil lifeline after Israel attack

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

MyEG, HeiTech Padu, Apex Healthcare, Globetronics Technology, Kossan Rubber, Tomei, GDEX, Serba Dinamik, Alpha IVF and Comfort Gloves

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): The 14-year-old daughter of Lahad Datu police chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail was found dead in a pool of blood, in a room at her home in Taman Tabanak, Lahad Datu on Tuesday.

Teen daughter of Lahad Datu police chief found dead in pool of blood

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) plays an instrumental investment facilitator role in removing obstacles for prospective investors, said Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Zafrul: Mida a vital instrument to remove obstacles for prospective investors

NEW YORK/BENGALURU (April 16): The Dow Jones Industrial Average outshone its peers on Tuesday, following upbeat results from health insurer UnitedHealth, while higher Treasury yields and conflict in the Middle East kept investors on edge.

Dow up on UnitedHealth boost; higher bond yields, Mideast tensions cap gains

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Comfort Gloves Bhd said two subsidiaries of the group have commenced legal action over an additional tax demand totalling RM99.3 million by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

Comfort Gloves’ units go to court over RM99 mil additional tax demand

Tesla Inc shares extended their decline for 2024, pushing the electric-vehicle (EV) maker’s market valuation below US$500 billion (RM2.40 trillion), as a round of job cuts this week further soured sentiment around the company.

Tesla’s value declines below US$500b as risks pile up

Federal Reserve (Fed) vice chair Philip Jefferson said he expects inflation to continue to moderate, with interest rates at their current level, but persistent price pressures would warrant holding borrowing costs high for longer.

Fed’s vice chair sees steady rate helping to push down inflation

Outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) player Globetronics Technology Bhd is in the final stages of discussion with two prospective clients interested in leveraging advanced packaging technology.

Globetronics in final talks with two potential customers for advanced packaging

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is unleashing a barrage of trade restrictions against China as she seeks to follow through on a pledge to make the EU a more relevant political player on the global stage.

EU goes on China trade offensive after getting ‘played’ 

Practice Note 17 (PN17) company Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd said it had been granted an extension of time until May 15 by Bursa Malaysia to submit its regularisation plan.

Bursa grants Serba Dinamik second extension of time until May 15 to submit regularisation plan

ISKANDAR PUTERI (April 16): The Johor government wants to develop a multi-tiered Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system in Johor Bahru to address traffic congestion in the city.

MB: Multi-tiered Automated Rapid Transit system planned to overcome Johor Bahru congestion

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) will draw up a comprehensive semiconductor strategic plan to ensure that Malaysia continues to be the chosen investment destination for this strategic industry, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar: Miti to draw up comprehensive semiconductor strategic plan

HSBC Holdings plc has started a new round of job cuts at its Asia investment bank amid a slump in dealmaking across the region, according to people familiar with the matter.

The London-based lender cut around a dozen bankers across its investment banking division in Asia on Tuesday, one of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter.&nbsp;

HSBC slashes a dozen investment bankers in Asia on deals slump

Bursa Malaysia ended lower for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, tracking the weak global sentiment due to the Middle East conflict, said an analyst. &nbsp;

Bursa closes lower, tracking weak global sentiment

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 16): Malaysian airlines will be hurt by higher fuel costs, even as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are not expected to dent ticket sales, analysts said.

Local airlines may feel heat from rising oil prices as Middle East tensions simmer — analysts

1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) on Tuesday failed to transfer its case concerning its US$6.59 billion (RM31.58 billion) suit against its former president Arul Kanda Kandasamy and former Treasury secretary general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah from the Civil High Court to the Commercial High Court.

1MDB fails to transfer suit against Arul Kanda and Irwan to another court

MIDF Research expects crude palm oil (CPO) prices to moderate in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q2024), yet predicts a month-on-month (m-o-m) increase of 4.6%&nbsp;to RM4,410.5 per tonne in April due to&nbsp;mild El&nbsp;Niño events.&nbsp;

MIDF sees CPO price moderation in 2Q

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has registered the proposed construction of a new highway alignment that will connect Tanjung Malim to Lumut.

Confirming the matter, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the construction of the highway is necessary&nbsp;to facilitate export logistics services through the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) when the High Technology Automotive Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim begins operation.

Perak proposes new highway between Tanjung Malim and Lumut

Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd has proposed a final dividend of two sen per share for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY2023).

The final dividend will be paid on July 18, with June 20 as the ex-date and June 21 as the entitlement date, the glove maker said in a bourse filing on Tuesday.

Kossan proposes final dividend of two sen for FY2023

The Sarawak government has welcomed the appointment of Lawrence Wong as Singapore's next&nbsp;prime minister, while also expressing interest in studying further the republic's approach to assisting its low-income sector.

Abang Johari sees more Sarawak-Singapore collaborations under PM Wong

Tesla Inc&nbsp;shares extended their decline for 2024, pushing the electric-vehicle (EV) maker’s market valuation below US$500 billion (RM2.40 trillion), as a round of job cuts this week further soured sentiment around the company.&nbsp;

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Bursa Malaysia Bhd is collaborating with the UK government’s Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures (Mobilist) programme to help address the funding gap needed in Malaysia to achieve the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Bursa works with UK's Mobilist programme to address funding gap and achieve UN SDGs

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has accused him of abusing power for personal gain.

Mahathir claims MACC accuses him of power abuse for personal gain

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Newly-listed fertility care company Alpha IVF Group Bhd made a net profit of RM13.59 million for its third quarter ended Feb 29, 2024 (3QFY2024), on a revenue of RM40.7 million.

Alpha IVF makes RM13.6 mil net profit in 3Q, sees rising demand for fertility solutions amid resurgence in medical tourism

The suspect who opened fire at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 Arrival&nbsp;Hall&nbsp;on early&nbsp;Sunday morning, before being arrested in Kota Bharu on Monday, is believed to have been trying to escape to a neighbouring country.

Parliament

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