Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysian authorities said yesterday, they had seized 528 kg of drugs worth 19 million ringgit (4.06 million U.S. dollars) hidden in a forest reserve in Perlis state, near the border with Thailand.

Four suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, with four vehicles and seven motorcycles seized as well, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director, Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (NNN-Bernama) — The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Malaysia this year holds more significance than merely a numerical milestone.

Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Emir Salim Yuksel, emphasised that it stands as a solid reaffirmation of both countries’ dedication to expanding cooperation in various areas.

SEPANG (Malaysia), Jan 5 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s aviation industry is expected to see stronger growth this year, supported by the government’s ongoing initiatives to boost the sector, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He cited the increase in both domestic and international travel, attributed to the government’s strategic steps particularly the relaxation of visa requirements for Chinese and Indian tourists, as a boon to the sector.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Reuters) - McDonald's Malaysia has sued a movement promoting boycotts against Israel for "false and defamatory statements" that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million).

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (NNN-Bernama) — The flood situation in three Malaysian states — Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang — continued to worsen, with more evacuees placed in temporary relief centres this morning compared to Monday night.

In Kelantan, the number of flood victims rose to 12,572 people from 3,860 families as of 8 am Tuesday compared to 9,721 people from 2,962 families Monday night.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (NNN-Bernama) — The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) should vote to suspend Israel for its ongoing war on Gaza and the decades long Apartheid policies against the Palestinian people, an analyst said.

Director of Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies at Universiti Malaya Assoc. Prof Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail said the UNGA had taken a similar decision to suspend the South African Apartheid regime in Nov 1974.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (NNN-Bernama) — The ringgit continued to trend higher as it strengthened against the US dollar in the early session on Friday following weaker US economic data, an economist said.

At 9 am, the ringgit climbed to 4.6300/6380 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.6525/6565.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the final third quarter (3Q) 2023 US gross domestic product (GDP) estimates came in lower than expected at 4.9 per cent against consensus survey of 5.2 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (NNN-Bernama) — Egypt is grateful to the people and government of Malaysia for their unwavering support in helping the Palestinians in Gaza with humanitarian aid.

Following the October 23 meeting in Cairo between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the presidential directive to promptly send humanitarian aid from Malaysia to Gaza as soon as possible was issued, according to Egypt’s ambassador to Malaysia, Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr.

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Dec 16 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Saturday reaffirmed the urgent need to reform the United Nations (UN) to strengthen its functions.

In a joint statement following their bilateral meeting in Tokyo, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, both leaders said this reform should includes the Security Council, ensuring it reflects the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian ringgit opened marginally lower Friday despite a falling US Dollar Index (DXY) as market expectation for an interest rate cut in 2024 supersedes statistical releases, including the better-than-expected US retail sales and initial jobless claims statistics, said an analyst.

At 9.01 am, the ringgit eased to 4.6700/6740 against the greenback from Thursday’s close of 4.6695/6745.