Religious Affairs Minister: Relax, it's not a private jet, trip was fully sponsored by the Muslim World League
PETALING JAYA: After courting flak over a viral video on social media, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has explained that his trip to Saudi Arabia was fully sponsored by the Muslim World League. Zulkifli also said the fully sponsored trip was a sign of respect by the Saudi Arabia Royalty and government and the Muslim World League. "I would like to state here that every programme and important meetings concerning haji, umrah and Islamic affairs during my trip in Saudi Arabia was arranged and fully sponsored by the Muslim World League. "I see this as a sign of respect by the Royalty, the Saudi Arabia government and the Muslim World League towards Malaysia," he said. He also said that during his tenure as minister, he boarded a commercial flight from Jeddah to Riyadh in his official trip to meet with the Saudi Arabia minister in charge of haj and umrah pilgrimages.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 08:26 UTC
Court: Guan Eng demands RM20 mil in damages from Raja Petra
KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): Former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is demanding general damages of RM20 million in his suit against blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin over a series of articles on the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project. Lim, 61, the plaintiff said, a total of 20 articles have been published in both English and Malay by the Malaysia Today portal, belonging to Raja Petra property since February 2019. This has damaged my credibility and character," said Lim, who also sought for aggravated and exemplary damages amounting RM500,000 respectively. On Feb 28 last year, Lim obtained a default judgment against Raja Petra after the blogger did not contest the suit. Lim had also attempted to serve the writ and statement of claim to Raja Petra by personal service at the blogger’s last known address which was obtained from the National Registration Department and the Election Commission, but was unsuccessful.
Source:The Edge Markets
April 14, 2021 07:52 UTC
RM42mil mere ‘peanuts' for Najib, court heard
PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): The RM42mil of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds utilised by Datuk Seri Najib Razak were mere peanuts for him, the Court of Appeal was told on Wednesday (April 14). Sithambaram said the RM42mil was like “peanuts" for the former premier as he had earlier taken a RM2.6bil donation. "In this case, Najib had full control over the company (SRC) and whenever he needed money, he took it. My Lord, earlier, he had taken RM2.6bil, this is just a ‘kacang’ (peanut) for him, ” said Sithambaram with a sharp voice. Last year, Najib testified at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that he received RM2.6bil donation from the Saudi royal family, between 2011 and 2014.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 07:30 UTC
Maybank warns of new fake banking website created to steal customer details
PETALING JAYA: Maybank has issued a scam alert warning customers about a new fake Maybank2u website created by fraudsters to steal banking information. The company previously issued an alert about a fake Maybank2u website in February which was used by scammers for phishing attacks. Fake banking websites have been grabbing headlines lately: in March, a woman lost her savings after scammers sent her a link to a bogus Public Bank website via SMS. Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Asst Comm Muhammad Yazid Muhammad Yew said two cases involving fake bank website scams have been recorded in Selangor so far with losses amounting to RM33,500. He added that fake websites were a new tactic used by scammers to dupe victims.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 05:12 UTC
New MRT3 details could offer more upsides
KUALA LUMPUR: MRT Corp's new details regarding the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project could offer some upside surprises to the construction sector, said Kenanga Research. The research house said it is net positive over the new details as "behind-the-scenes progress" is picking up fast. "Reiterate Overweight on the sector," it said in its construction sector update. Kenanga said Kimlun being an IBS precast expert would benefit from the supply of segmental box girders used above ground and tunnel lining segment used underground for the MRT3 project. Article type: metered User Type: anonymous web User Status: Campaign ID: 46 Cxense type: free User access status: 3
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 01:01 UTC
Digital art buyer shines light on NFT boom
THE blockchain entrepreneur who paid a record US$69.3mil (RM286mil) for a digital artwork looks, at first glance, nothing like a wealthy collector. And maybe my watch, ” the Indian-born programmer, also known by his pseudonym MetaKovan, told media from his sparsely decorated flat. His unpretentious demeanour offers no clue that he is a multimillionaire investor financing a fund focused on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which use blockchain technology to turn anything from art to internet memes into virtual collectors’ items. Last month, Sundaresan purchased the world’s most expensive NFT – American artist Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5,000 Days”, highlighting how virtual work is establishing itself as a new creative genre. With NFTs, many see an opportunity to monetise digital art of all kinds, offering collectors bragging rights to ultimate ownership, even if the work can be endlessly copied.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 00:33 UTC
There’s assistance for companies
WE refer to the “Text Us!” message “Help for companies” (The Star, March 24) by Ashraf, who suggested that the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) introduce special measures to assist dormant companies especially in reducing the costs of auditing. For the purpose of audit exemption pursuant to section 267(2) of the Companies Act 2016, SSM issued Practice Directive No. 3/2017 (PD 3/2017) on Aug 4,2017, which sets out the qualifying criteria for audit exemption for different categories of private companies, namely Dormant Companies, Zero-Revenue Companies and Threshold-Qualified companies. Threshold-Qualified companies are companies having revenue of less than RM100,000 for three consecutive financial years and, in the preceding two financial years, having assets of less than RM300,000 and not more than five employees. The audit exemption criteria were introduced to ensure that dormant and smaller companies are not unduly burdened with high compliance costs while ensuring that the assurance provided by the auditing process would still be intact for larger companies.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 00:11 UTC
Malaysian writer Ling Low shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2021
The shortlist for this year’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize has been announced, and a writer from Malaysia has made the cut. “In Weeds, the old man finds himself envying the gardeners at his condominium because they are allowed to be outside. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is administered by the Commonwealth Foundation, through its cultural initiative Commonwealth Writers. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is in its 10th edition this year. The other panellists are Nigerian writer A. Igoni Barrett; Bangladeshi writer, translator and editor Khademul Islam; British poet and fiction writer Keith Jarrett; Jamaican environmental activist, award-winning writer and 2012 Caribbean regional winner Diana McCaulay and award-winning author and 2016 Pacific regional winner Tina Makereti from New Zealand.
Source:The Star
April 14, 2021 00:00 UTC
Artificial hands, genuine caring
PETALING JAYA: A pair of latex gloves filled with warm water is tied to the hands of an unconscious Covid-19 patient, giving the impression that it is the touch of a loved one. The “warm embrace” of the plastic gloves is meant to imitate a family member’s hands clutching the patient’s hand, said the Public Health Malaysia page on Facebook. Family members are not allowed to look after the patients at the ward. “It is as if there is a strong grip of hope there, ” commented Facebook user Jacqualine Lawang, whose post received over 80 likes. We used to do this to all bedridden patients no matter young or old, ” Facebook user Cik Puan Nur Amirah wrote.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 23:15 UTC
Source of loss
Finding the leak: SPAN workers disconnecting an illegal pipe during an operation at a scrapyard in Teluk Panglima Garang, Banting. Kirupakaran said since 2008, SPAN has prosecuted and convicted offenders in 107 water theft cases, with more cases pending in court. Air Selangor is the country’s largest water operator, providing treated water to some 8.4 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Not limited to one industryBased on SPAN’s record, the main culprits of water theft include factories and farms, and they occur across various major industries. “Despite getting caught once, the operator has done it again, where a 32mm poly-pipe was connected directly to the main Air Selangor pipe that served the industrial area.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 23:14 UTC
Spinning a dark web of lies
PETALING JAYA: With high demand for Covid-19 vaccines worldwide, the dark web has become home to sinister syndicates peddling fake vaccines that could endanger lives. Cybersecurity firm LGMS founder Fong Choong Fook said he has spotted dark web marketplaces offering “early access” to Covid-19 vaccines, making false claims that they are safe and effective. As most financial transactions on dark web marketplaces are conducted through cryptocurrencies, Fong said it is not easy to determine the identity of sellers or buyers. He warned that fake vaccines could contain unknown substances that may be harmful if administered into the body. Last December, The Star reported on vendors peddling “Covid-19 vaccines” on dark web forums and chatrooms, with cybersecurity and health experts warning people not to register their interest and details to “purchase” these vaccines.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 22:41 UTC
PSG knock holders Bayern out of Champions League to reach semis
"Normally, my team has so much quality in the final third, but today they were lacking that final punch. Without the injured Marquinhos, Danilo started alongside Presnel Kimpembe in central defence for the French champions while Bayern were also without Leon Goretzka in the midfield. Bayern applied the pressure early on but PSG threatened on the counter with Mbappe and Neymar having the early chances in an error-strewn start. PSG came then close on a quick break as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied Neymar in a one-on-one after the Brazilian had been found unmarked by Mbappe. Flick's team created danger in the box repeatedly in the closing stages but the home defence held firm as PSG avenged last year's 1-0 final defeat by Bayern.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 21:06 UTC
Controversial Toshiba CEO steps down; shares jump on bidding war expectations
Satoshi Tsunakawa, who led the company before Kurumatani and until Wednesday was chairman, will once again assume the helm. The offer sparked a strong backlash from Toshiba managers, prompting them to lobby against it to the government, said one of the sources. Toshiba would consider setting up an independent committee of external directors after receiving a formal proposal from CVC, he added. The Toshiba shareholder vote last month for an independent probe was a watershed victory for corporate governance in Japan, marking the first time that a motion by an activist shareholder has won approval at a major company. Shares in Toshiba closed 6% higher at ¥4,860, which compares with the ¥5,000 per share level that a source has said was proposed by CVC.
Source:The Edge Markets
April 13, 2021 19:14 UTC
Police suggests issuing a fine to Neelofa and PU Riz for wedding SOP breach
The trouble surrounding the wedding between TV host and entrepreneur Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor and preacher PU Riz on March 27 is yet to be resolved. It was reported last month that the attendees of the wedding did not follow the Covid-19 standard operating procedure, and an investigation was underway on the alleged breach. mStar, The Star’s Malay portal, followed up on the matter and learned that the police had taken statements from the newly-weds. Family members of the couple who attended the wedding also aided in the police investigation. Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Zainal Abdullah told mStar: “We have handed over our report to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 11:54 UTC
Restaurants slapped with show-cause notices over high-priced plain water in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Fifteen out of 35 eateries checked here under Ops Catut 8.0 (Air Kosong) have been given show-cause notices to explain the high prices they charged for plain water. The eateries were given five days to justify their prices after the notices were issued under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. Penang Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said up to Monday (April 12), price surveys showed eateries selling plain water at an average price of 50 sen.“However, some businesses are selling a glass of plain water at RM1. “KPDNHEP will not compromise if any businesses are trying to profit from unreasonable means like selling plain water at a high price. Consumers may also e-mail their complaints to e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, whatsapp to 019-279 4317, or download the Ez ADU KPDNHEP on Google playstore.
Source:The Star
April 13, 2021 07:52 UTC