Last Updated: 6:14pm, Jun 18, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR (June 18): Time's up for Lynas, said Himpunan Hijau chairman Wong Tack, announcing that a civil movement this Sunday plans to shut down the controversial rare earth plant for good.

"We have given Lynas six months to shut down and get out of Malaysia. This time the people will not compromise anymore," he said.

The organisation is expected to be joined by representatives from opposition parties, civil society and other environmental NGOs.

Wong Tack calls for Malaysians to gather outside the gates of the Lynas plant at Gebeng, Kuantan and block the plant's access roads, in the hope that logistical blockage will stall the daily operations.

more to come


For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.

Himpunan Hijau: Shut down Lynas on June 22

KUALA LUMPUR (June 18): YTL Power International Bhd said it is withdrawing from participating in the RM3 billion power plant project in Johor (Project 4A) to “dispel any misgivings over the government’s commitment to transparency and good governance”.

In a media statement, the company said: “In view of the misconception over the project, YTL Power has decided not to participate in the project under the present arrangement.”

The statement was issued after mounting criticism on the way the contract was awarded by the Energy Commission (EC) to a consortium, in which YTL Power is a member, through direct negotiation instead of competitive bidding.

Recently, YTL Corp Bhd Managing Director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh came under fire after he said Malaysia needed to do away with “crony capitalism”, although he was widely seen as a crony of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.


more to come...

#Update* YTL Power backs out of RM3b power project “to dispel misgivings”

Last Updated: 6:06pm, Jun 11, 2014

GEORGE TOWN (June 11): Penang's state executive councillor for Islamic Affairs, Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, today apologises for the "insensitive" manner in which the state Islamic authorities took away the body of alleged Muslim convert Teoh Cheng Cheng recently.

"As the executive councillor and on behalf of the Penang Islamic Affairs Department, I apologise to the family of the deceased, on the incident that occurred on June 9," he said after having offered condolences to the family following a state executive council meeting today.

He admitted the action of the JAIPP officer who led the operation lacked sensitivity towards the cultural practice, religion and feelings of Teoh's 64-year-old mother Tan Mah Suan and the rest of the family in their moment of grief.

Teoh, 38, had died in her apartment at the McCallum Street Ghaut area on June 7.

He said the officer should have taken into account the family's feelings and gotten the views of relevant parties suchg as the department's director, its enforcement division, the state Mufti and the district religious officer before taking action.

"This is the considerate practice observed by JAIPP while handling such cases before this," he said, reading from a prepared statement.

Malik also expressed regret that as the executive councillor, he only found out about the incident from reporters about 5pm,  after it had occurred earlier in the afternoon. Malik was then in a meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

"Even more regretful is that the relevant JAIPP officers whom I contacted did not know about the case clearly," he added.

"I promise and will ensure that such an incident does not happen again."

He added that the officer when queried about the matter said he was pressured by time and the police had insisted that he act on the matter immediately.

The department had received a call from an unidentified person about Teoh's supposed Muslim status at about 12.30pm.

"Pressure of time is not an excuse for not consulting his peers, seniors and for not consulting me," Malik said when asked to elaborate the matter.

He explained that the officer in charge of conversions had then looked up Teoh's name and found the document relating to her conversion. This document was later shown to her family, in the presence of the police, who then allowed her body to be taken away, thereby stopping the funeral.

Malik said in previous cases, the department had always exercise tact, sensitivity and professionalism when dealing with the family to reach an acceptable conclusion.

"The officer explained to me and apologised... But his good intention was spoiled by his action," Malik said, adding that the state is ready to extend compassionate aid to the family.

The state executive council had earlier in its meeting expressed sadness and disappointment over the way the matter was handled.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present, said it has embarrassed the state government and brought negative impact on a multi-racial society in which people have mutual respect for each other.

He added that the family has the right to seek compensation according to the law.

"We must respect the decision of the court," he said.

Meanwhile, Teoh's family is expected to arrive at the Penang High Court later this afternoon to file for a legal case against JAIPP.

more to come

 

For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.

#Update* Exco apologises to Cheng Cheng's family over 'insentitive' JAIPP action

Last Updated: 3:38pm, Jun 11, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR (June 11): Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's suggestion to keep children caught in custody battle following conversion of their parents at child care centres was "wrong and unacceptable", according to Ipoh Barat MP, M Kulasegaran.

He said as an enforcer of law, IGP should not overstep his boundaries in superceding the decisions made by the judiciary.

Kulasegaran is one of the lawyers for kindergarten teacher M Indira Gandhi currently embroiled in a custody battle with her estranged husband, Muslim convert Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah.

"The IGP is a law enforcer within the meaning of law. He cannot and should not question the Court's process," said Kulasegaran.

Yesterday, the IGP said that he will not enforce the respective court rulings but rather to ensure fairness, the children in the custody battles will be placed in child care centres so both parents could visit them.

IGP said following the differing judgements meted out by the Syariah and the civil courts on child custody in the case where one parent had converted to Islam.

Kulasegaran went on that IGP should seek Attorney-General's advise on how to move forward as it was not his place to make the call over the legal battle.

"If he is unsure of what to do, he should get legal advice from the AG. For the IGP to suggest that the children to be kept in welfare home will not only be laughable, it is also beyond the duties and obligation of a law officer," he told reporters here today.


More to come

 

For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.

Kula: IGP not acting like law enforcer in custody battle case

Last Updated: 2:46pm, May 21, 2014

GEORGE TOWN (May 21): About a dozen people gatecrashed into the Penang state assembly today demanding explanation from RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) who yesterday riled up the opposition Barisan Nasional backbenchers by calling 'Umno celaka' (Damn Umno).


more to come


For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.

Uproar in Penang state assembly as mob enters hall

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Malaysia’s April 2014 palm oil stocks rose 4.6% month-on-month to 1.766 million tonnes, from March’s 1.688 million tonnes as output rose and exports slowed.

The total stocks level of the commodity was higher than market expectations.

While production rose 3.9% to 1.556 million tonnes from March’s 1.497 million tonnes, exports climbed only 1.18% to 1.260 million tonnes from March’s 1.245m tonnes.

More to come…

#Update* Malaysia’s April palm oil stocks, output higher than expected; exports lower than forecast

Last Updated: 5:07pm, Apr 30, 2014

PETALING JAYA (April 30): DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng today slammed PKR's Tian Chua for claiming that Pakatan Rakyat, including DAP had agreed to PAS's plan to implement hudud.

Calling Tian Chua a liar, he said it was wrong and unethical for the PKR vice president to claim that DAP had agreed to the implementation of hudud only in Kelantan and Terengganu but not other states.    

"DAP considers it irresponsible, wrong and unethical for Tian Chua to drag the party into adopting his stand of supporting PAS in implementing hudud within both states.

Following Tian Chua's statement, Guan Eng said he had personally spoken to Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the matter and conveyed DAP top leaderships' anger "at the lies spread by Tian Chua".

He said Anwar reaffirmed DAP's stance on hudud.


more to come

For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.

Guan Eng: Tian Chua spreading lies

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): New property player Eco World Development Bhd today announced a major corporate exercise that will turn it into an important property player in the sector.

The corporate exercise announced via Bursa Malaysia involves buying development rights of eight projects from the subsidiaries of its major shareholder, Eco World Sdn Bhd, with gross development value of RM30 billion.

The corporate exercise also involves:
• Proposed subscription of shares in EcoWorld Bhd by shareholders of EcoWorld Sdn Bhd to partially fund the acquisitions and ensure continuity of ownership.

• Proposed rights issue with warrants and up to 20% proposed private placement to raise funding for the acquisitions and as working capital for EcoWorld Berhad’s development activities.

Eco World Development Group, controlled by the son of SP Setia’s president/CEO Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, was formerly known as Focal Aims Holdings Berhad.

 

More to come….

#Highlight* Eco World announces major corporate exercise to turn it into a huge property player

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Shareholders of Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd are frustrated for not getting satisfactory answers to their queries at the company's on-going annual general meeting (AGM).

Several shareholders told reporters of The Edge Financial Daily that many questions had been raised pertaining to the valuation of properties in Kian Joo's books but answers given were not satisfactory.

"The property valuations are outdated and do not reflect the actual valuations. Why is the fair value not being used?" said one shareholder, who requested to stay anonymous, outside the AGM hall.

"The board was going in circles without actually addressing our queries," he added.

In addition, some shareholders also spoke up against the RM3.30 per Kian Joo share offer from Aspire Insight Sdn Bhd. However, this matter could only be addressed in the extraordinary general meeting on May 23.

At noon, matters or resolutions on the re-election of directors at the AGM today have yet to be addressed.

Interestingly, Chee Khay Leong, the chief operating officer cum executive director of Kian Joo, was not present at today's AGM and Box Pak's AGM yesterday.

The absence of this central figure, who has offered to take over Kian Joo, has puzzled many shareholders.

"Why is he not here at the AGM?" asked one.

In November last year, Aspire Insight Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Chee and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), made an offer to acquire the assets and liabilities of Kian Joo for a total of RM1.47 billion, valuing each share at RM3.30 each.

The EPF owns around 10% in Kian Joo and has been a long time shareholder of the company.

But some of the minority shareholders, such as the See family who is the founder, are not happy.

More to come…

#Hot AGM* Kian Joo's shareholders frustrated for not getting satisfactory answers from board

KUALA LUMPUR (Apr 15): AirAsia Bhd said that it has made all necessary preparations to move into klia2, and will be moving into the new low cost airport terminal by May 9, 2014.

“Although there are still a few outstanding commercial issues, this should not hold back our operations at klia2 as planned,” said the low cost carrier in a statement today.

The group added that it is currently going through discussions with the relevant authorities, and hoped that the government would provide necessary mediation should any negotiations could not be concluded.

more to come....

AirAsia to move into klia2 by May 9, 2014

Taiwan has rejected Uber Technologies Inc’s plan to acquire Delivery Hero SE’s Foodpanda business in Taiwan for roughly US$950 million (RM4.26 billion), the official Central News Agency reported.

Taiwan blocks Uber purchase of Delivery Hero’s arm — report

RADIANT Globaltech Bhd (KL:RGTECH), an ACE Market-­listed technology firm, is in the midst of acquiring an 80% stake in Rymnet Solutions Sdn Bhd for RM52.5 million. This strategic acquisition is aimed at enhancing its existing IT solutions by integrating human resources (HR) management system mod...

Rymnet to drive half of Radiant Globaltech’s future profits

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated his view that the bank needs to carefully watch various risks without signalling the likelihood of an interest rate hike next month.

BOJ’s Ueda avoids giving clear hint on chances of January hike

Bangladesh authorities are investigating Singaporean billionaire Saiful Alam Masud for alleged financial crimes, including money laundering, the Straits Times reported on Wednesday. He denied wrongdoing.

Bangladesh probes Singaporean tycoon Saiful Alam — report

Amid escalating concerns about online harm in the country, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has introduced a regulatory framework for social media services and internet messaging service providers. This initiative signals a pivotal shift in digital safety, accountabil...

My Say: Navigating digital accountability and safety under a new licensing framework

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol did not respond on Wednesday to a second summons by anti-corruption authorities who, along with prosecutors, are investigating his short-lived martial law decree issued early this month.

South Korea's Yoon defies second agency summons over martial law

China approved a value-added tax (VAT) law on Wednesday to take effect on Jan 1, 2026, the official Xinhua said, bringing into one document previous regulations that have included exempting items from the tax.

China approves value-added tax law, taking effect in 2026

The new geopolitics after the first Cold War undermines peace, sustainability and human development. Hegemonic priorities continue to threaten humanity’s well-being and prospects for progress.

End of the first Cold War

The end of the first Cold War has been interpreted in va...

My Say: New geopolitics worse for Global South

President Joe Biden signed 50 bills into law on Tuesday that include making the bald eagle the country's official bird and one that stops members of Congress from collecting their pensions if convicted of crimes.

Biden signs 50 bills into law, makes bald eagle the country's official bird

China refrained from cutting the interest rate and drained the most cash since 2014 with a one-year policy tool, keeping its powder dry ahead of possible escalation in trade tensions with the US next year.

China keeps key rate steady as it withdraws most cash since 2014

Honda and Nissan expect big benefits from their potential merger to create the world's third-largest auto group but intense competition from China raises questions about whether they can make it work in time.

Honda, Nissan tie-up requires something neither can spare: time

China refrained from cutting the interest rate and drained the most cash since 2014 with a one-year policy tool, keeping its powder dry ahead of possible escalation in trade tensions with the US next year.

The government has initiated an administrative (sunset) review of anti-dumping duties on imports of cold rolled coils of iron, or non-alloy steel, and of width more than 1,300mm, originating or exported from China, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Govt initiates sunset review of anti-dumping duties for iron or non-alloy steel cold rolled coils

The King and Queen of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Raja Zarith Sofiah, have extended their Christmas greetings to all Malaysians who are celebrating.

King, Queen extend Christmas greetings

Apple has asked to participate in Google's upcoming US antitrust trial over online search, saying it cannot rely on Google to defend revenue-sharing agreements that send the iPhone maker billions of dollars each year for making Google the default search engine on its Safari browser.

Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

China approved a value-added tax (VAT) law on Wednesday to take effect on Jan 1, 2026, the official Xinhua said, bringing into one document previous regulations that have included exempting items from the tax.

President Joe Biden signed 50 bills into law on Tuesday that include making the bald eagle the country's official bird and one that stops members of Congress from collecting their pensions if convicted of crimes.

A leading indicator of Japan's service-sector inflation rose to 3.0% in November, accelerating for a second straight month, data showed on Wednesday, backing up the central bank's view that rising wages are prodding more firms to pass on higher costs.

Japan corporate service inflation rises, bolsters BOJ rate-hike odds

The new geopolitics after the first Cold War undermines peace, sustainability and human development. Hegemonic priorities continue to threaten humanity’s well-being and prospects for progress.

<h3>End of the first Cold War</h3>

The end of the first Cold War has been interpreted in va...