<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 5): Celcom Axiata Bhd said today the government's decision to exempt Malaysian users of prepaid telecommunication services from paying service tax will have a positive impact on many users of such schemes. This is because mobile tecommunication has become an integral part of daily life.&nbsp;</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>"Celcom welcomes the government’s decision of exempting the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on its prepaid services effective September 6, 2018. Mobile communications has become an integral part of daily life. As such, this decision will make a positive impact on many Malaysian prepaid mobile users," Celcom chief executive officer Mohamad Idham Nawawi said in a statement.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>"Celcom will also provide tax rebates to Malaysian customers who have purchased prepaid plans since September 1, 2018. Celcom is committed to provide customers with affordable packages, upholding the government’s aspirations and initiatives in further developing the welfare of Malaysians through our nationwide network," &nbsp;Mohamad Idham said.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>


KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 5): Celcom Axiata Bhd said today the government's decision to exempt Malaysian users of prepaid telecommunication services from paying service tax will have a positive impact on many users of such schemes. This is because mobile tecommunication has become an integral part of da...

Celcom : Service tax exemption to make positive impact on Malaysian users of prepaid mobile telecommunication

The Federal Reserve has spoken, and as far as investors are concerned, the message was clear - clearly hawkish. Now it's over to the Bank of Japan and Bank of England, the two biggest and most important of the clutch of central bank policy decisions on Thursday.

Fed's 'hawkish cut' slams markets, BOJ up next

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday the U.S. central bank has no desire to be involved in any government effort to stockpile large amounts of bitcoin.

"We're not allowed to own bitcoin," Powell said at a press conference following the Fed's latest two-day policy meeting, in which policymakers cut rates as expected while signaling a less certain path for monetary policy in the months ahead.

Powell says Fed cannot hold bitcoin, not seeking to change that

The U.S. central bank lowered interest rates on Wednesday, but Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said more reductions in borrowing costs hinge on further progress in lowering stubbornly high inflation, remarks that showed policymakers are beginning to reckon with the prospects for sweeping economic change under an incoming Trump administration.

Fed lowers rates but sees fewer cuts in 2025 due to stubbornly high inflation

The Federal Reserve did what markets expected Wednesday. But that didn’t stop investors from dumping risk assets in droves.

Stock sold off violently at the end of the session after the Fed cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, its third straight reduction, and Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the central bank will likely put further reductions on hold while inflation stays above its 2% target.

Wall Street pros say fears of fewer Fed cuts sparking selloff

The Federal Reserve’s waning enthusiasm for rate cuts jarred US markets Wednesday, sending stocks lower and pushing Treasury yields and the dollar sharply higher. It was the worst loss for the S&P 500 on the day of a rate decision since 2001.

S&P 500 sees worst Fed day since 2001; yields up

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Penang has arrested an enforcement officer for allegedly soliciting a bribe of around RM80,000 from a woman.

According to an MACC source, the 40-something male suspect contacted the woman on Nov 30 following the arrest of her husband and demanded a bribe, claiming it was to help release her husband, who was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA 2012).

Penang MACC arrests enforcement officer for soliciting RM80,000 bribe

China and India took a further step towards easing their long-running border dispute on Wednesday, with senior officials holding formal talks for the first time in five years and committing to finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Chinese, Indian officials in talks to ease dispute over Himalayan border area

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday.

MRCB, Berjaya Corp, YTL Power, SD Guthrie, EcoWorld, Supermax, Scientex, YNH Property, T7 Global, PTT Synergy, RHB Bank, Ge-Shen, Aeon, Pestech, Quality Concrete, Advancecon

South Malaysia Industries (KL:SMI) insisted again on Wednesday that no extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the company will take place on Jan 9,  amid ongoing clashes between two shareholder groups vying for control of SMI.

No EGM will be held until notice is issued and court rules on suits, says SMI

Wall Street's main indexes were subdued in choppy trading on Wednesday, as investors anticipated an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve in its final meeting of the year and awaited clues on what policymakers could do in 2025.

Wall Street muted as caution prevails ahead of Fed decision

<p>Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (KL:MRCB) has withdrawn from the Berjaya-led consortium bidding for the multi-billion-ringgit Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project, Berjaya Group announced on Wednesday.</p>


Berjaya says MRCB has pulled out of consortium vying for KL-Singapore HSR

<p>Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday.</p>


<p>Pestech International Bhd (KL:PESTECH), now a subsidiary of Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd, has proposed a scheme of arrangement involving a one-off upfront cash payment of RM65 million to settle its RM267 million outstanding debt.</p>


Pestech proposes scheme of arrangement to settle outstanding RM267m debt 

<p>T7 Global Bhd (KL:T7GLOBAL) has been appointed by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) as a panel contractor to provide integrated well continuity services for a five year term.</p>


T7 appointed Petronas panel contractor for well continuity services in sixth pan-Malaysia contract

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

<p>US authorities are considering a ban on China's TP-Link Technology Co over potential national security concerns after its home internet routers were linked to cyberattacks, <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.</p>


US mulls ban on China's TP-Link over national security concerns — WSJ 

<p>Transport Minister Anthony Loke has questioned the necessity of a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation into the proposed 30-year electric train lease project, valued at RM10.7 billion.</p>

<p>He clarified that the project is still conceptual and no contract has been finalised.</p>


Loke questions need for PAC to probe RM10.7 bil electric train lease

<p>The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended lower on Wednesday, said palm oil trader David Ng.</p>

<p>He said that CPO prices hit their lowest in a month due to mounting concerns over the implementation of the biodiesel B40 programme starting next month.</p>


CPO futures close lower amid concerns over B40 biodiesel implementation

<p>At a time when the American consumer’s resiliency has been questioned amid signs of a slowing economy, Walmart Inc has thrived. The world’s largest retailer, famed for its discount prices but increasingly known for its pursuits in advertising and an online marketplace, is headed for its best year since 1998.</p>


Walmart cements retail dominance with best year since 1998 

<p>Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) reported a 16.1% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic across its Malaysian and Turkish airport networks in November, reaching 11.2 million passengers compared to 9.6 million in the same month last year.</p>


Malaysia Airports reports 16.1% y-o-y passenger growth in November

<p>Aeon Co (M) Bhd (KL:AEON) plans to appeal the High Court's ruling that the department store and mall operator had breached a tenancy agreement it had entered into with Betanaz Properties Sdn Bhd, a 51%-owned subsidiary of Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (KL:AZRB).</p>


Aeon to appeal High Court's ruling in tenancy dispute with Ahmad Zaki's unit

<p>Wall Street's main indexes were subdued in choppy trading on Wednesday, as investors anticipated an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve in its final meeting of the year and awaited clues on what policymakers could do in 2025.</p>


<p>PTT Synergy Group Bhd (KL:PTT) is divesting its 70% stake in sanitary wares and tapware manufacturer Heap Wah Barakah Sdn Bhd (HWBSB) in a deal that is expected to result in a one-off loss of RM13.8 million.</p>


PTT Synergy hives off 70% stake in sanitary wares firm to fund working capital

<p>Malaysia will “double down” on its strategy of deepening trade and collaboration with other countries in 2025, guided by three fundamental tenets of how Malaysia deals with the world, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three fundamental tenets are breakout development priority, good neighbour principle and “beyond-trade thinking”.</p>


Malaysia to double down on collaboration, trade with other countries next year — Rafizi

<p>South Malaysia Industries (KL:SMI) insisted again on Wednesday that no extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the company will take place on Jan 9,&nbsp; amid ongoing clashes between two shareholder groups vying for control of SMI.</p>


<p>SD Guthrie will issue an official notice directing cattle farmers unlawfully occupying its land to relocate their livestock from the company’s plantation in Sabak Bernam by Jan 31.</p>

<p>Selangor Rural Development, Unity, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail said the decision was made during a meeting with SD Guthrie representatives on Tuesday.</p>


SD Guthrie to issue official notice to farmers to relocate livestock — Exco

<p>Distressed Hong Kong property firm New World Development Co is in talks with banks to extend the due dates of some bilateral loans, people familiar with the matter said, adding to concerns over its ability to service one of the heaviest debt loads of its kind.</p>


Hong Kong builder New World seeking banks' extension of due dates of loans — Bloomberg

<p>The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Penang has arrested an enforcement officer for allegedly soliciting a bribe of around RM80,000 from a woman.</p>

<p>According to an MACC source, the 40-something male suspect contacted the woman on Nov 30 following the arrest of her husband and demanded a bribe, claiming it was to help release her husband, who was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA 2012).</p>


<p>（吉隆坡18日讯）马资源（Malaysian Resources Corp Berhad）（KL:MRCB）退出了由成功集团（Berjaya Group）牵头参与隆新高铁（HSR）信息征询书（RFI）程序的财团，以寻求其他策略机会。</p>


成功集团：马资源退出竞标隆新高铁的财团

<p>The Federal Reserve’s waning enthusiasm for rate cuts jarred US markets Wednesday, sending stocks lower and pushing Treasury yields and the dollar sharply higher. It was the worst loss for the S&amp;P 500 on the day of a rate decision since 2001.</p>
