Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities resumed search for a third day Friday for three Europeans, including two teenagers, who disappeared while diving off a southern island.

Authorities had expressed hope for finding them after Norwegian diving instructor Kristine Grodem was rescued Thursday. She told authorities the four surfaced safely Wednesday afternoon but they drifted away from the boat and were separated by the strong current.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s e-commerce income is again expected to surpass the RM1 trillion (US$237 billion) mark this year, after hitting RM1.1 trillion (US$260.7 billion) last year.

The chief executive of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Mahadhir Aziz said the projection is in line with the country’s aim of achieving an e-commerce market size worth RM1.65 trillion (US$391.1 billion) by 2025.

IPOH (Malaysia), April 5 (NNN-Bernama) — The government is in talks with big countries to recognise its COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates, as done by the European Union (EU), to facilitate the movement of Malaysian travellers abroad.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the decision of the European Commission on the recognition effective Monday would allow travellers from Malaysia to venture abroad without too much hassle.

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 April (NNN-Bernama) — Asian refining margins will remain buoyant in 2022 as easing movement restrictions boosts demand for transportation fuels, while uptake for Asian fuels from Europe has increased due to international sanctions on Russia, according to Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) Monday.

It noted that at the same time, supply has fallen due to significant refinery closures last year, coupled with decreased fuel exports from China.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — Malayan Banking Bhd has endowed RM21 million (US$5 million) to the Asia School of Business to establish the Maybank ASEAN Research Center (Maybank ARC), aimed to be a centre of intellectual activity in Southeast Asia conducting research on topics surrounding emerging markets in the region.

The Asia School of Business is a collaboration between the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Sloan School of Management and Malaysia’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — More than 1,000 international tourists are expected to arrive in Malaysia on the first day of the country’s transition to the endemic phase on Friday.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Nancy Shukri said the arrivals will mostly be from Singapore via various international air and land entry points, with several preparations in place to welcome them.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said Malaysia is ready to help and cater the needs on sustainable palm oil to substitute the sunflower oil amid an acute shortage in Iceland supermarket.

“Sustainable palm oil is a viable substitute for sunflower oil, and while the war in Ukraine impacts supply and inevitably food prices, Malaysia stands ready to help,” MPOC chairman Larry Sng Wei Shien said in a statement Wednesday.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (NNN-Bernama) — Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen has called upon ASEAN member states to strengthen cooperation to combat cyberterrorism in the region.

Speaking to Putrajaya Forum 2022 participants here Tuesday, he noted that cyber attacks are a constant threat despite border restrictions due to COVID-19 and multi-lateral efforts by all countries are needed to tackle this issue.

“Despite COVID restrictions, terrorist groups are still active in organising, instigating and conducting attacks including in our region. 

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (NNN-Bernama) — Airbus is well placed to offer an A400M-C295 strong mixed fleet solution to support both strategic and tactical requirements for Malaysia’s defence needs, said its head of Asia Pacific Airbus Defence and Space, Johan Pelissier. 

He said Airbus is awaiting the government’s decision for the acquisition following its participation in the country’s maritime patrol aircraft tender.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia and Indonesia will be the focus of international oils and fats trade this year, supported by the projection of four per cent world economic growth and higher demand for vegetable oils, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Chief executive officer Wan Aishah Wan Hamid said demand for vegetable oils is growing in tandem with the economic recovery but supply disruption has caused vegetable oil prices to record high levels, especially over the past few months.