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☆ Malaysia says sultan's heirs withdraw claim on Paris buildings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Malaysia said the heirs of a former sultan have withdrawn their claims over three Malaysian-owned diplomatic properties in Paris, as part of a $15 billion arbitration dispute between the two sides. An enforcement judge in Paris on Nov. 9 "recorded the claimants' withdrawal from the proceedings they had initiated to seize the... diplomatic buildings," Malaysia's law ministry said in a statement issued late on Thursday. But in June, a Paris court upheld the Malaysian government's challenge against enforcing a partial award. In the statement, the law ministry said the enforcement judge also quashed an earlier order authorising that a statutory mortgage be registered on the three buildings. The judge asked the heirs of the sultan to pay 15,000 euros ($16,008) to Malaysia as costs, in addition to the 100,000 euros ordered by a Paris Court of Appeal earlier this year, it said.

Persons: Martin Petty Organizations: Malaysian, of, Paris, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Paris, Sulu

☆ Malaysia drops plans for proposed transborder haze pollution bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO:The sun rises above Kuala Lumpur's skyline on a hazy day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 9, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia will not proceed with a proposed bill to prevent transborder haze pollution, its environment ministry said, citing difficulties in obtaining the necessary information for prosecution purposes. "To enable the enforcement of a transboundary haze pollution bill, clear evidence that transboundary haze originates from neighbouring countries must be supported by sufficient data such as location maps, coordinates, landowner information and companies operating in the location of fires," the ministry said. It said such information was difficult to obtain as it involved matters of confidentiality, security and national sovereignty. Malaysia last month called on Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsened across the country due to fires in Indonesia.

Persons: Hasnoor Hussain, Danial Azhar, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur's, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Indonesia

☆ Jailed former Malaysian PM Najib in hospital with COVID-19
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak attends a news conference at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 16, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Malaysia's jailed former prime minister Najib Razak has been admitted to a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, his spokesperson said on Thursday. Najib, 70, is in stable condition and is undergoing quarantine and treatment at the hospital, his aide, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi, said. U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB - co-founded by Najib during his first year as prime minister in 2009 - and that more than $1 billion went to accounts linked to Najib. Since then, Najib has been in and out of hospital for several issues, including stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.

Persons: Najib Razak, Hasnoor Hussain, Malaysia's, Najib, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi, Rozanna Latiff, Robert Birsel Organizations: Malaysian, Federal, REUTERS, 1Malaysia Development, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Malaysia sultans to meet at 0200 GMT to pick next monarch - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has a unique system in which the heads of its nine royal families take turns to be monarch for a five-year term. The Southeast Asian country is a parliamentary democracy, with the monarch serving as head of state. Unlike other traditional Malaysian rulers, Sultan Ibrahim has been outspoken about politics and has said he has a good relationship with current prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. King Al-Sultan played an unusually active role in Malaysian politics, picking the country's last three prime ministers. King Al-Sultan used those powers during a period of political instability triggered by the defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had governed Malaysia uninterrupted since independence until 2018.

Persons: Bernama, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Abdullah, Jan, Sultan Ibrahim, Anwar Ibrahim, King Al, Sultan, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: United Malays National Organisation, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Johor, Al

☆ Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he delivers his speech during his visit at the Malacanang palace, in Manila, Philippines, March 1, 2023. Aaron Favila/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, amid widespread outrage over this month's deadly attack on southern Israel. Western and European countries have repeatedly asked Malaysia to condemn Hamas in meetings, Anwar said, without providing details. "As such, we don't agree with their pressuring attitude, as Hamas too won in Gaza freely through elections and Gazans chose them to lead." Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2013 defied Israel's blockade on Gaza, crossing into the Palestinian enclave following an invitation from Hamas.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Aaron Favila, Anwar, Gazans, Najib Razak, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty Organizations: Malaysian, Hamas, Israel, Former Malaysian, Israel's, Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Israel, Gaza

☆ TikTok to take proactive steps to address issues in Malaysia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Short video app TikTok is committed to taking proactive measures to address issues raised by Malaysia, a spokesperson said, after its government said the app was not fully compliant with local laws. "TikTok respects local laws and regulations and is committed to taking proactive measures to address the issues raised," a spokesperson for the company said in an email on Thursday. TikTok has organised meetings with Malaysia's communications regulator next week to demonstrate its commitment, the spokesperson added. In a social media message posted after meeting TikTok representatives, Fahmi said TikTok also should address issues related to content distribution and advertising purchases following complaints from businesses, the public and media agencies.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, TikTok, Fahmi Fadzil, Fahmi, Danial Azhar, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Southeast Asia

Savings from subsidy cuts would be channelled to cash aid for the needy, which will now increase to 10 billion ringgit ($2.12 billion) from 8 billion ringgit, he added. A high-value goods tax of 5% to 10% would also be introduced, he said, without specifying the value of goods that would be subject to the tax. Amidst a global slowdown, Malaysia plans to spend 393.8 billion ringgit ($83.52 billion) in 2024, lower than this year's spending estimate of 397.1 billion ringgit. Malaysia is projected to spend 52.8 billion ringgit on subsidies and social assistance in 2024, down from the 64.2 billion ringgit expected this year. Revenue for next year is expected to jump to 307.6 billion ringgit from 303.2 billion ringgit.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Danial Azhar, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty, Susan Fenton Organizations: Revenue, Petronas, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, State

☆ Malaysia says TikTok fails to fully comply with local laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Printed TikTok logos are seen in this illustration taken February 15, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Reuters) - TikTok has not done enough to curb defamatory or misleading content in Malaysia, the communications minister said on Thursday, adding that the short video application had also failed to comply with several, unspecified local laws. In a social media message posted after meeting TikTok representatives, Minister Fahmi Fadzil said TikTok also had to address issues related to content distribution and advertising purchases following complaints. He said TikTok had assured him it would cooperate with the government and that its shortcomings were due to not having a representative in Malaysia at present. A spokesperson for TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the meeting or the minister's remarks.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Fahmi Fadzil, TikTok, Fahmi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Danial Azhar, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Facebook, Meta, Communications, Multimedia, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Vietnam

☆ Explainer: Goldman Sachs and its role in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. 1MDB was a sovereign fund set up in 2009 with the help of Malaysian financier Jho Low to promote economic development. The United States has said the 1MDB case was its largest ever kleptocracy investigation. Low, a fugitive, has been charged in Malaysia and the United States over his central role in the case. Goldman has been investigated by regulators in at least 14 countries for its role in underwriting the 1MDB bond issues.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Andrew Kelly, Najib Razak, Goldman, 1MDB, Jho Low, Najib, Low, GOLDMAN, Tim Leissner, Roger Ng, Goldman's, Anwar Ibrahim, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Goldman Sachs, Malaysia, Malaysian, 1Malaysia, U.S . Department of Justice, The United, DoJ, United Malays National Organisation, GOLDMAN, London Court, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, KUALA LUMPUR, The United States, Malaysia, United States, China, Beijing, MALAYSIA, Malaysian

☆ 'Haze Cannot Be the Norm': Malaysia Urges Indonesia to Take Action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Danial AzharKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia called on neighbour Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsens across the country due to fires in Indonesia, its environment minister told Reuters on Thursday. Air quality has hit unhealthy levels in several parts of Malaysia in recent days, with Kuala Lumpur blaming fires in Indonesia -- though Jakarta has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia. Fires that sent haze billowing across the region in 2015 and 2019 burned millions of hectares of land and produced record-breaking emissions, according to scientists. He called for joint action by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) either through legislation or agreement to prevent the yearly haze. He said Malaysia was still "seriously" considering a law similar to Singapore that holds companies liable for air pollution.

Persons: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, polluters, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singapore

☆ 'Haze cannot be the norm': Malaysia urges Indonesia to take action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Danial Azhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Malaysia called on neighbour Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsens across the country due to fires in Indonesia, its environment minister told Reuters on Thursday. Air quality has hit unhealthy levels in several parts of Malaysia in recent days, with Kuala Lumpur blaming fires in Indonesia -- though Jakarta has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia. Fires that sent haze billowing across the region in 2015 and 2019 burned millions of hectares of land and produced record-breaking emissions, according to scientists. He called for joint action by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) either through legislation or agreement to prevent the yearly haze. He said Malaysia was still "seriously" considering a law similar to Singapore that holds companies liable for air pollution.

Persons: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, polluters, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singapore

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the 26th ASEAN-China Summit at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6, 2023. Hassan Karim, a lawmaker from Anwar's People's Justice Party, said he felt "let down" by the premier, whom he described as a close friend. The AGC has said it dropped charges against Ahmad Zahid to review new evidence, and reiterated that its decisions were made independently. On Saturday, around 1,000 people turned up at a protest in Kuala Lumpur organised by Malaysia's opposition, calling for Ahmad Zahid to be prosecuted and chanting "reforms are dead." Najib has sought a royal pardon over his conviction and requested other charges that he faces to be reviewed.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Yasuyoshi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib Razak, Hassan Karim, Ahmad Zahid, Najib, MUDA, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Ahmad Zahid's, Wong Chin Huat, Wong, Rozanna Latiff, Danial Azhar, Hasnoor Hussain, Kim Coghill Organizations: Malaysia's, China, ASEAN Summit, 1Malaysia Development, People's Justice Party, Reuters, United Malays National Organisation, Malaysia's Sunway University, Thomson Locations: ASEAN, Jakarta, Indonesia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Seven years in, Country Garden has invested 20 billion ringgit ($4.3 billion) in the project, Forest City said, a far cry from the initial $100 billion plan. "Seeing is believing," Forest City said in an email response. "The land plot itself is valuable," a Singapore-based bondholder of Country Garden said, while highlighting the complications of dealing with a local government joint-venture. Last month, Malaysia's central bank said local banks had limited exposure to Country Garden amid concern about its financial stress. Anwar, Malaysia's prime minister, has designated Forest City a "special financial zone" to attract investment, which Forest City said would help with its marketing.

Persons: Foo Gee Jen, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Malaysia's, Yang Ming Han, Loh, Loh Wee Loon, I'm, Xinghui Kok, Xie Yu, Anne Marie Roantree, Lincoln Organizations: ISKANDAR PUTERI, Garden, Forest, Malaysian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, ISKANDAR, Malaysia, Garden's, City, Johor, Singapore, Forest City, Malaysian, Forest, Loh Wee, China, Johor Sultan, Iskandar Puteri, Kuala Lumpur, Yantoultra, Hong Kong

☆ Malaysia fails to appeal ex-PM Najib's acquittal in 1MDB audit tampering case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. Najib, 70, is serving a 12-year jail sentence for another corruption case linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The attorney-general's chambers was expected to appeal Najib's acquittal earlier this year of a charge of abusing his position as prime minister to amend a government audit into 1MDB . But Najib's lawyers at Shafee & Co said in a statement, "the prosecution evidently found no grounds for appeal" and did not file the petition. Anwar has maintained that the move to drop the case, which triggered a widespread public backlash, was made without his interference.

Persons: Najib Razak, Lai Seng, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Najib, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, REUTERS, 1Malaysia Development, Shafee, U.S . Justice Department, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, 1MDB

Anwar said the government would support the development of the rare earths industry in Malaysia and that a ban would "guarantee maximum returns for the country". The rare earth industry is expected to contribute as much as 9.5 billion ringgit ($2 billion) to the country's gross domestic product in 2025 and create nearly 7,000 job opportunities, Anwar said in parliament. "Detailed mapping of rare earth element sources and a comprehensive business model that combines upstream, midstream and downstream industries will be developed to maintain the rare earth value chain in the country," he said. The curbs triggered fears that China could also limit exports of other critical minerals including rare earths. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (LYC.AX), the biggest producer of rare earths outside China, has a plant in Malaysia to process concentrate that it gets in Australia.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Yasuyoshi, Anwar, David Merriman, Merriman, Mai Nguyen, Rozanna, Melanie Burton, Amy Lv, Edwina Gibbs, David Holmes Organizations: Malaysia's, China, ASEAN Summit, United States Geological Survey, Thomson Locations: ASEAN, Jakarta, Indonesia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, China, midstream, Malaysian, Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Mai, Hanoi, Melbourne, Beijing

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence for graft linked to the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB and faces more bribery charges. Ahmad Zahid had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and UMNO said he was a victim of political persecution. Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, a lawyer for Ahmad Zahid, said his team will ask the court for a full acquittal. The UMNO was voted out for power for the first time in Malaysia's history in 2018 due to widespread anger over corruption allegations against Najib and Ahmad Zahid. Despite the corruption charges, Anwar appointed Ahmad Zahid to the second-highest office in the country.

Persons: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid's, Najib Razak, Najib, Ahmad Zahid, General's Chambers, Bernama, Zahid, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Ahmad Zahid's United Malays National Organisation, UMNO, Court, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ China's Country Garden says $100 billion Malaysia project on track
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The company logo of Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured at the Shanghai Country Garden Center in Shanghai, China August 9, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Embattled Chinese developer Country Garden (2007.HK) said on Monday its $100-billion project in Malaysia was proceeding as planned and it had sufficient assets, despite concerns over its financial strength. Country Garden is building its largest overseas development, the massive Forest City project, across four reclaimed islands in the southern Malaysian state of Johor bordering the wealthy city state of Singapore. Malaysia's incentives should be "very positive" for Country Garden, said Steven Leung, Hong Kong-based director of UOB Kay Hian. Shares of Country Garden were up more than 8% on Monday.

Persons: Aly, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Loong Kok Wen, Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian, Clare Jim, Martin Petty, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Shanghai Country Garden, REUTERS, HK, Malaysian, . Forest, Esplanade, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Singapore, Forest, Malaysian, Johor, Forest City, Hong Kong

Malaysia's opposition bloc includes Islamist party PAS, which promotes a strict interpretation of sharia law and opposes LGBTQ rights. Another PAS leader urged the government to cancel a concert by Coldplay because the band supports queer rights. DISCRIMINATION, THREATSAnwar vowed this year that Malaysia would never recognise LGBTQ rights. His government has banned books for "promoting the LGBT lifestyle", detained demonstrators expressing support for queer rights and confiscated Pride-themed watches made by Swiss watchmaker Swatch. Asked about the government's position on LGBTQ rights, government spokesperson and communications minister Fahmi Fadzil told Reuters: "Whatever the prime minister has said is the position."

Persons: Carmen Rose, Hasnoor Hussain, Rose, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Anwar doesn't, James Chin, Rezki Rohaizad, Malaysia's, Fahmi Fadzil, Thilaga Sulathireh, Sulathireh, I'm, Rozanna Latiff, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, PAS, Coldplay, University of Tasmania, Swatch, Reuters, Sisters, Thomson Locations: Malaysian, Singapore, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Australia, Swiss

Second-quarter annual growth came in at 2.9%, central bank data showed. The economy is facing downside risks stemming from weaker-than-expected global growth, and a deeper or longer-than-expected technology downcycle," Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour told a news conference. While he does not expect a worldwide recession, the governor said global growth will be below the long-term average. Malaysian consumers are also likely to be cautious in their spending going forward, leading to slower economic growth in the second half, he said. On Friday, the central bank said while cost pressures have eased, headline and core inflation will moderate further in the second half partly due to a higher comparative base last year.

Persons: Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, El Nino, Abdul Rasheed, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Mohd Afzanizam, Alex Holmes, Holmes, BNM, Mei Mei Chu, Martin Petty, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: China, Reuters, Bank Negara, Bank Muamalat, Oxford Economics, U.S, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia, Bank Muamalat Malaysia

☆ Malaysia court throws out abuse of power charges against former PM Muhyiddin
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin speaks during an interview at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File PhotoKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A Malaysian court on Tuesday threw out charges of abuse of power against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, describing them as "vague, flawed and unfounded", state news agency Bernama reported. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, was charged in March with four counts of abuse of power. A Kuala Lumpur high court ruled those charges failed to specify details of the offences allegedly committed, Bernama reported. His lawyer, Hisyam Teh, said he was confident that the other charges would not hold ground based on Tuesday's court decision.

Persons: Muhyiddin Yassin, Hasnoor Hussain, Bernama, Muhyiddin, Muhammad Jamil Hussin, Hisyam Teh, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Nasional, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Malaysia charges opposition leader with sedition over remarks on royalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Reuters) - Malaysia on Tuesday charged opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor with sedition for allegedly insulting the country's revered sultans, state media Bernama reported. Negative remarks about its royalty can be prosecuted under a colonial-era Sedition Act, which has been used against people who criticise the sultans on social media. However, sedition charges against Malaysian politicians have been rare in recent years. Muhammad Sanusi's remarks, according to other media reports, questioned decisions taken by the royalty regarding the formation of government in the federal and state level. If found guilty, he faces up to three years in prison and a maximum penalty of 5,000 ringgit ($1,102.54).

Persons: Muhammad Sanusi Md, Muhammad Sanusi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Muhammad Sanusi's, Martin Petty Organizations: PAS, Malaysian, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kedah, Thailand

☆ Swiss watchmaker Swatch sues Malaysia for seizure of Pride watches
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In May, Malaysian authorities confiscated watches from Swatch's 'Pride collection' because of the presence of the letters 'LGBTQ' on the watches, the home minister said. Home ministry officials "illegally" seized 172 watches from 16 outlets, Swatch said in court documents seen by Reuters. The seizure notices served to Swatch described the watches as having elements of or promoting LGBTQ rights and potentially breaching Malaysian law, the company said. Most of the seized watches, which have a combined retail value of 64,795 ringgit ($14,250.05), did not contain the 'LGBTQ' lettering, Swatch said. He has also said LGBT rights will not be recognised by his administration.

Persons: Swatch's, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Rozanna, John Revill, Kanupriya Kapoor, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Swatch, Malaysian, Reuters, Malay Mail, Swatch Group, Malaysia, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Swiss, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian, Zurich

☆ Malaysia's Maxis agrees to use state-run 5G network
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian mobile operator Maxis Bhd (MXSC.KL) said it will sign an agreement to access the country's state-run 5G network, the last major carrier to get on board a contentious rollout. "(As of today), there is no alternative wholesale network providers undertaking the deployment of 5G infrastructure and network," Maxis said. The company expects to incur operating expenses of about 360 million ringgit ($79.59 million) per year for the access agreement. Signing of the access agreement with DNB is a crucial step to deploy 5G. DNB has defended itself from criticism over pricing, saying it will charge operators less to access its 5G network than their costs for 4G.

Persons: Michael Perry Organizations: Maxis, Nasional Berhad, 4G, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysian, Malaysia

☆ Malaysian PM Anwar discusses Tesla investment, Starlink with Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday he held a call with billionaire Elon Musk to discuss automaker Tesla's investment in the country and SpaceX's satellite communications service. "I welcome the company's interest and decision to invest in Malaysia, and Elon Musk's willingness to come to Malaysia," Anwar said in a statement. Anwar said Tesla's operations in Malaysia will begin this year. The two also discussed Starlink, the satellite communications service started by Musk and operated by his company SpaceX, Anwar said. Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Elon Musk, Elon Musk's, Anwar, Tesla's, Tesla, Mei Mei Chu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Musk, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

☆ ASEAN struggles for unity on Myanmar conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The cause of the delay was unclear but an ASEAN official said a communique was being finalised and would be released soon. ASEAN chair Indonesia on Wednesday urged the group's foreign ministers to remain united in tackling the escalating violence in Myanmar. Malaysia, a vocal critic of the junta, urged ASEAN to strongly condemn the junta's actions, including violence. RIFTS APPARENTRifts within ASEAN over Myanmar were highlighted when Thailand invited Myanmar military officials to a meeting last month aimed at "re-engaging" with the junta. Indonesia, as ASEAN chair this year, is working behind the scenes to bring all stakeholders in the Myanmar conflict together for informal talks, but diplomats say it is struggling to make headway.

Persons: Zambry Abdul Kadir, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Myanmar's, Aung San, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysia's Zambry, Suu Kyi's, Kate Lamb, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Rob Birsel, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Myanmar's, Association for Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Junta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Myanmar, Thai Foreign, National Unity Government, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Myanmar, Malaysia, United States, China, Russia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Aung San Suu, Naypyitaw

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