Doing more for data safety
Deepak Pillai, a data protection practitioner with the firm Christopher and Lee Ong, stated that while the recently improved Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) could encourage better compliance among data users and controllers, its effectiveness remains to be seen. Deepak stressed the need for the establishment of a Personal Data Protection Commission, as it would function more effectively with greater independence and accountability. “That is why we only have a Personal Data Protection Department at the moment. He praised the new requirement for data controllers to be responsible for sensitive personal data and to report breaches promptly. The Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on July 16 and by the Dewan Negara on July 31.
Source:The Star
August 06, 2024 05:09 UTC
Malaysia ranks among top 10 crypto-friendly destinations - Gobind
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has emerged as one of the top 10 crypto-friendly destinations for digital nomads and companies, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. Gobind said Malaysia must continue embracing emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to create new value propositions. "Experts predict that blockchain technology will be a significant driver of economic growth for Malaysia. Gobind also noted that the Securities Commission of Malaysia has introduced guidelines to regulate digital asset exchanges under the Recognised Market Operator (RMO) framework. The guidelines ensure that Malaysians can access and trade tokens created by blockchain technology legally in a safe and compliant environment.
Source:The Star
August 01, 2024 12:05 UTC
Bursa Malaysia bounces back on upbeat momentum
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia bounced back from yesterday’s losses to end higher today in sync with the upbeat performance in the regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 13.63 points or 0.85 per cent to 1,625.57 from yesterday's close of 1,611.94. Turnover increased to 4.42 billion units worth RM3.62 billion from yesterday's 4.19 billion units worth RM3.11 billion. The Main Market volume expanded to 2.62 billion units valued at RM3.24 billion from 2.47 billion units valued at RM2.77 billion on Tuesday. Warrants turnover advanced to 1.16 billion units worth RM155.05 million from 1.03 billion units worth RM117.90 million yesterday.
Source:The Star
July 31, 2024 20:40 UTC
AirAsia: No flight cancellations despite system disruptions
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia continues with its operations amid system disruptions, advising guests to expect delays for departures due to manual processing. There are no flight cancellations as of 7.30pm tonight, it said. In a statement today, the low-cost airline also said it is working with all stakeholders to manage the situation to keep the safety, security and comfort of all its guests. ALSO READ: Global IT outage disrupts AirAsia’s check-in systems, causing delaysGuests are advised to monitor the status of their flights by checking their registered email and mobile phones for flight updates, or visit http://airasia.com/flightstatus. "As the self check-in feature is unavailable at this time, guests who are travelling today are highly encouraged to arrive at the airport early for manual check-in and to clear all travelling formalities,” it said.
Source:The Star
July 19, 2024 19:45 UTC
Ringgit closes slightly lower vs US$ after hitting fresh six-month high
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit ended marginally lower against the US dollar due to mild profit-taking after the local currency breached a fresh six-month high earlier today. At 6 pm, the ringgit eased to 4.6680/4710 versus the greenback from yesterday’s closing of 4.6625/6660. "It is normal for the currency to stay at the prevailing level after rising significantly against the US dollar,” he told Bernama. Prior to today, the ringgit had hit a new six-month high every day since Friday last week. Mohd Afzanizam said that recent reports by foreign institutions have further lent support for the positive ringgit trajectory.
Source:The Star
July 19, 2024 04:41 UTC
Malaysia’s top F&B event highlights food tech trends and sustainability
In its 23rd edition, MIFB 2024 will once again feature diverse exhibitor participation and global attendance. “With key segments in food tech and services, logistics, private labelling, packaging, and processing, you can explore the latest in food tech innovations, solutions and services in one place. MIFB continues on its sustainability journey by partnering once again with KLCC to support waste initiatives such as zero food waste and event waste management. New processes will be implemented for participants and attendees, to address the effective recycling of both food waste and booth material waste. Organised by Constellar, MIFB 2024 is endorsed by the Malaysia External TradeDevelopment Corporation (Matrade).
Source:The Star
July 18, 2024 11:20 UTC
Green investment strategy expected to boost Malaysian economy
Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister. (Photo: api.nst.com.my)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) supports the implementation of the Green Investment Strategy to attract green investment to the country and catalyse sustainable socio-economic development, Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz said on July 17. The implementation of the strategy will result to a more effective, orderly and systematic transition in Malaysia. Among the main targets are to attract almost eight times the amount of investment to Malaysia to achieve the objectives outlined in NIMP 2030 and NETR, ensure investment in seven low-carbon primary core, take advantage of foreign direct investment in green technology sector and improving the green investment ecosystem, he added. He said the objectives would be able to stimulate socio-economic growth in green industry, as well as creating new jobs and development skills in the green industry./.
Source:New Strait Times
July 17, 2024 21:08 UTC
Climbers advised not to feel short-changed if they can't summit Mount Kinabalu due to bad weather
KOTA KINABALU: Climbers should not feel that they did not get their money’s worth if they fail to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu due to bad weather. “You paid for the view, the adventure and the climb and you were accompanied by trained mountain guides. “Climbers also evaded disaster or accidents when they were told that the summit was closed due to bad weather,” he added. An update on the cancellation was posted at the Mount Kinabalu Facebook page, resulting in a string of mixed reactions. Those who want to get real-time updates and Mount Kinabalu climb permit bookings, can log on to http://www.MountKinabalu.com among many other platforms.
Source:The Star
July 17, 2024 20:47 UTC
Govt approves diesel subsidies for over 88,000 companies and 249,000 vehicles
KUALA LUMPUR: As of July 14 this year, 88,183 companies involving 249,091 public and commercial vehicles were approved to receive diesel subsidies under the Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0, the Dewan Rakyat was told. The ministry was responding to Datuk Siti Amina Aching (PN-Beaufort), who asked about the latest number of companies and vehicles registered under Subsidised Diesel Control System 2.0. “Through this programme, the government bears the cost of diesel subsidy, which is given to qualified vehicles, and the government expects savings of up to RM4bil a year,” said the ministry. Subsidies are continued for traders using diesel-powered commercial vehicles and for public transportation. Eligible transport companies can apply for the targeted subsidies through http://mysubsidi.kpdn.gov.my.
Source:The Star
July 17, 2024 05:25 UTC
Nearly 40,000 new voters in electoral roll
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 39,019 Malaysians aged 18 and above were automatically registered as new voters in the Supplementary Electoral Roll for May 2024. Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the electoral roll also contained 6,547 registered voters who had changed constituencies and 1,710 voters who had changed their status or category of voter. He said the electoral roll was gazetted yesterday and is now open for review for 30 days until Aug 13. Ikmalrudin also called on Malaysian citizens aged 18 to check the electoral roll. “If they find that their names are not listed in the electoral roll, they can make a claim by filing in Form C through the online app at https://myspr.spr.gov.my or visit the state EC office concerned,” he said.
Source:The Star
July 16, 2024 12:09 UTC
Ex-women’s doubles shuttler Ang set to fulfil Olympic dream in a different capacity
Living a relatively low-profile life away from the sports scene, Li Peng’s legal career reached great heights that saw her establish her own legal firm. Been there, done that: Ang Li Peng (right) and Lim Pek Siah posing with their 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medals in the women’s doubles. But despite her success, Li Peng never lost sight of her passion for sports, particularly the Olympic movement. Li Peng will be making her Olympic debut in Paris, albeit in a different role compared to her time as a shuttler. “Safeguarding athletes was something I didn’t know much about before, but now I can return to the sporting world in this capacity,” she said.
Source:The Star
June 30, 2024 10:07 UTC
Scalding stats
MOST Malaysians are quite aware about the importance of preserving the environment and the need for sustainability. We’re familiar with climate change but oblivious to how it affects our daily lives. That indifference is about to dramatically change, though. Unpredictable heavy rain and almost neverending heatwaves are now battering us daily, along with an increasing frequency of droughts and floods.
Source:The Star
June 30, 2024 09:27 UTC
Govt allocates RM10mil for seafarers to improve knowledge, skills
GEORGE TOWN: The government, through the Skill Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), is allocating RM10mil this year for seafarers to improve their knowledge and skills, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pic). The Transport Minister said this reflected the government's commitment to improve the skills of seafarers and recognise their sacrifices to the country’s economy. "Interested seafarers can apply through the Malaysian Maritime Professional Association (IKMAL) to benefit from the initiative," he told reporters after opening the Seafarer's Day and Lighthouse Carnival at Straits Quay here on Saturday (June 29). Also present were the Malaysian Marine Department director-general Capt Mohamad Halim Ahmed and Transport Ministry secretary-general Dr Nor Fuad Abdul Hamid. "In our country, not many people are involved in the seafaring profession, with only around 11,000 who are active.
Source:The Star
June 29, 2024 17:48 UTC
Living with Covid-19: Health Ministry to release new SOP
NILAI: The Health Ministry will soon release details of revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to COVID-19 as the country transitions to living with the pandemic. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the revised SOPs would cover the home surveillance order (HSO), the use of face masks, and the declaration of local areas of infection. "As soon as we have the implementation date, the Director General of Health will release the details to the public. "Consistently for the last decade, one in two Malaysian adults has been overweight, while one in six adults has diabetes. "It is to deal with excessive sugar intake through the War on Sugar initiative that will be launched soon," he said.
Source:The Star
June 29, 2024 17:47 UTC
Repeated sales of controlled fuel strictly prohibited
KANGAR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will strictly enforce the order to prohibit repeated sales of diesel and RON95 petrol in an effort to curb smuggling of the fuel to deal with fuel subsidy leakages. KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said a letter has been sent to all petrol station operators in Perlis regarding the prohibition of the repeated sale of fuel on the same day which will take effect immediately as practised in Kelantan, Bernama reported. “This directive applies to all 39 petrol stations and retail licence holders of diesel and all petrol grades for Perlis,” he told reporters after handing over the Supply Controller’s directive to 39 petrol station owners here yesterday. Azman said that if it is found that the operators of the gas stations are in default and colluding with the party who misappropriated the fuel, they will be subjected to licence suspension or cancellation. He said KPDN officers will also be at petrol stations which are hotspots besides monitoring closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) for reinspection to detect if there is any activity of misappropriation of the subsidised fuel.
Source:The Star
June 29, 2024 03:21 UTC