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☆ Malaysia Arrests Armed Man Suspected of Being an Israeli Spy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia has arrested an armed man at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, its top police official said, describing the 36-year-old as a suspected Israeli spy. The suspect turned over an Israeli passport upon questioning by police, Razarudin said. Razarudin said police was investigating the possibility that the man could be a member of Israeli intelligence, though the suspect told authorities he had entered Malaysia to hunt down another Israeli citizen due to a family dispute. Police were also investigating how the suspect obtained the weapons, which were purchased in Malaysia and paid for with cryptocurrency, Razarudin said. Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians and has criticised Israel's actions in the Gaza war.

Persons: Police Razarudin Husain, Razarudin, Anwar Ibrahim, Rozanna Latiff, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Reuters, United Arab Emirates, Police, Malaysia . Police, Authorities, Israel Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Malaysian

☆ Analysis-For Malaysian Filmmakers, Censorship Stifles Optimism After Overseas Glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"This is a very good time ... where people around the world are really looking into Malaysian filmmakers. "Mentega Terbang" follows a teenage Muslim girl exploring different religions while dealing with grief. Online platforms are not covered by film censorship rules in Malaysia. Khairi and others involved in "Mentega Terbang" even received death threats at the time, media reports show. CENSORSHIPUnder Malaysian law, films intended for public viewing must be approved by the Film Censorship Board.

Persons: Oscar, Michelle Yeoh, Khairi Anwar, Malaysia's, Khairi, Badrul Hisham Ismail, Pagi Ke, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Zabidi Mohamed, Amir Muhammad, Brenda Danker, Danial Azhar, Rozanna Latiff, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Cannes, Cannes Film, Malay, Academy, Malaysian, Film, YouTube Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Malaysian, Viu, Terengganu, Malay

☆ Malaysia's Top Court Declares Several Islamic Laws in Kelantan State Unconstitutional
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Rozanna LatiffKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's top court on Friday declared more than a dozen Islamic laws enacted by the northeastern state of Kelantan as unconstitutional, in a decision that could affect the legality of sharia in other parts of the Muslim-majority country. Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims, running alongside civil laws. Islamic laws are enacted by state legislatures while civil laws are passed by Malaysia's parliament. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who delivered the majority judgement said the state had no power to enact the laws, as the subject of the legal provisions were covered under parliament's law-making powers. "We therefore allow the petition's application for a declaration that (these laws) are void and invalid," she said.

Persons: Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Muhyiddin Yassin, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Federal, PAS Locations: Latiff KUALA LUMPUR, Kelantan, Malaysia, Malaysia's

☆ Malaysia Pardons Board Halves Jail Sentence of Jailed Ex-Pm Najib
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A Malaysian pardons board on Friday said it has decided to halve the jail sentence of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was convicted of graft and money laundering related to the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal. Najib, who is serving a 12-year jail term, will be released in August 2028 and fines imposed on him reduced to 50 million ringgit ($10.59 million) from 210 million ringgit, the board's secretariat said in a statement. Najib was jailed for graft linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), from which U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate $4.5 billion was stolen and more than $1 billion channeled to accounts linked to the former premier. ($1 = 4.7220 ringgit)(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Martin Petty)

Persons: Najib Razak, Najib, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Malaysian, 1Malaysia Development Locations: KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Malaysia Cabinet Discusses Najib Pardon Bid, but Won't Announce Outcome - Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

It will be at the discretion of the Pardons Board to announce its decision, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said at a press conference on immigration and labour issues, which was packed with media seeking news on Najib's clemency bid. Najib requested a royal pardon shortly after beginning his sentence in 2022 and after exhausting all other appeals. Najib's lawyer and representatives, as well as Malaysia's attorney-general, a member of the pardons board, did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. "Let us not jump the gun, let us wait for an official statement to be made," Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said at a separate press briefing. U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate around $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, with more than $1 billion channeled to accounts linked to Najib.

Persons: Danial Azhar, Najib Razak, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Najib, Prime Minister's Department Zaliha Mustafa, Najib's, Fahmi Fadzil, Jho Low, Nooryana Najwa Najib, pensively, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, 1Malaysia Development, Prime Minister's Department, Communications, Saudi Locations: KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Malaysia Installs Sultan Ibrahim of Johor State as New King
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Sultan Ibrahim from the southern state of Johor was sworn in as the country's new king on Wednesday, taking the oath of office in a ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur. The monarchy plays a mostly ceremonial role in Malaysia, but its influence has grown in recent years, prompting the king to wield rarely-used discretionary powers to quell political instability. Sultan Ibrahim, 65, succeeds Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is returning to lead his home state of Pahang after completing his five-year tenure as king. While the monarchy is largely seen as above politics, Sultan Ibrahim has been noted for his forthrightness and outsized personality, often weighing in on the country's political issues. Known for his large collection of luxury cars and motorbikes, Sultan Ibrahim has wide-ranging business interests from real estate to mining, including a stake in Forest City - a $100-billion China-backed land reclamation and development project off Johor.

Persons: Sultan Ibrahim, Yang, Al, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Rozanna Latiff, Danial Azhar, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Pahang, Forest City, China

☆ Malaysia to Review Migrant Labour Deals to Stamp Out Exploitation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia will review bilateral agreements with 15 nations from which it sources labourers in a bid to address exploitative practices and manpower imbalances that have left thousands of migrant workers stranded without jobs, officials said. The plight of the migrants coincided with concerns over workplace abuses in Malaysia, with several companies facing U.S. bans over the use of forced labour in recent years. They said Malaysia still had a shortage of workers in the agriculture and plantations sector, while quotas have been exceeded in other industries. Workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal account for over 70% of Malaysia's migrant labour, with the remainder coming from countries including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Thailand. Sim said 751 Bangladesh migrant workers had filed cases with the labour department to claim unpaid wages, involving a total of 2.2 million ringgit ($467,687).

Persons: Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Steven Sim, Sim, Rozanna, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Reuters, Workers, Human Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand

☆ French ministers head to Indo-Pacific, Australia in diplomatic push
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu leave following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 22, 2023. France, with overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean and 7,000 troops stationed there, considers itself an Indo-Pacific power. The loss of a major submarine deal with Australia in 2021 forced it rethink its strategy amid ongoing regional tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. Underscoring those efforts, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will host in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia between Dec. 4-8 the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting, the first time it has hosted the format since it was created in 2013. While it has diversified its ties across the Pacific, France has also worked on rebuilding its partnership with Australia.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, Sebastien Lecornu, Sarah Meyssonnier, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lerna, Sandra Maler Organizations: Foreign, French Defence, REUTERS, South Pacific, South Pacific Defence Ministers, South, Australia, Canberra, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, PARIS, Pacific, Ocean, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia, Britain, United States, South Korea, Spain, Manila, South China, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Malaysia Brings Home 121 Suspected Victims of Job Scams Trapped in Myanmar Conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A total of 121 people, mostly Malaysians suspected of being victims of job scams, were evacuated from Myanmar on Friday after being stranded by fighting between the military and rebel groups in the country's north, Malaysia's foreign ministry said. The mission came amid continuous fighting in northern Myanmar after an alliance of armed ethnic groups launched an offensive in late October. The groups have seized control of several towns and military outposts near the country's border with China, disrupting trade. Malaysia's deputy foreign minister Mohamad Alamin said the rescued group were among 128 people stranded in Laukkaing, a town in Myanmar's northern Shan state, state news agency Bernama reported on Friday. Hundreds of Malaysians have been rescued from cybercrime and job scam networks across Southeast Asia in recent years.

Persons: Mohamad Alamin, Bernama, Malaysia's, Mohamad, Rozanna Latiff, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Myanmar, Indonesian, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, China, Laukkaing, Shan, Southeast Asia

HANOI/KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Electronics worth a year-high $74 million, such as solar panels and microchips mostly from Malaysia and Vietnam, were denied entry in the United States in September or were checked for components from forced labour in China, official data show. In September alone, $82 million worth of shipments were either refused or were held for checks -- 90% of which were electronics -- a jump from less than $20 million in August. Over two-thirds of rejected or held cargoes came from Malaysia or Vietnam, which are major exporters to the United States of solar panels and semiconductors. Malaysia and Vietnam have had cargoes worth about $320 million each denied or held for checks since the new rules came into force, nearly three times more than China's. Washington has accused China of genocide against the Uyghurs, with rights groups denouncing a widespread use of internment camps and forced labour.

Persons: Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Kim Coghill Organizations: Industry, Uyghur, Labor, Thomson Locations: HANOI, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Vietnam, United States, China, China's Xinjiang, U.S, Xinjiang, Washington

☆ Malaysia, Google announce strategic collaboration on skills opportunities - state news agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

An illuminated Google logo is seen inside an office building in Zurich, Switzerland December 5, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The Malaysian government and Google (GOOGL.O) announced a strategic collaboration to create inclusive growth opportunities for Malaysians and home-grown companies, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday. The collaboration, aimed at accelerating innovation domestically, is expected to help businesses of all sizes advance their digital competitiveness through skilling programmes, investment, responsible innovation on artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-first policies, Bernama said, citing Google and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Reporting by Rozanna LatiffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arnd, Bernama, Anwar Ibrahim, Rozanna Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Google, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Enovix Corp establishes $1.2 bln high-volume manufacturing facility in Malaysia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Enovix Corporation, a U.S.-based advanced silicon battery firm, will establish a 5.8 billion ringgit ($1.23 billion) high-volume manufacturing facility in Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said in a statement on Thursday. The investment, which will be spent over a period of 15 years, includes the first manufacturing line amounting to 315 million ringgit, MIDA said. The company's investment plan was disclosed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the United States, MIDA said. "Enovix's (investment)... promises significant local spillover impact, notably the creation of substantial high-quality job opportunities for Malaysians, and the enhancement of our nation's industrial landscape," Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said in the statement. ($1 = 4.7050 ringgit)Reporting by Rozanna LatiffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: MIDA, Anwar Ibrahim, Industry Ministry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Rozanna Organizations: Enovix Corporation, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Economic Cooperation, Trade, Industry Ministry, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, U.S, Malaysia, Asia, United States

Hadri and Umar on Thursday began their defence after being accused of murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu. Sirul was arrested on an Interpol notice and has been held in an Australian immigration detention centre since January 2015, after fleeing Malaysia shortly before the verdict was handed down. His release comes just days after a landmark ruling by Australia's High Court that outlawed indefinite immigration detention, leading to the release of dozens of asylum seekers. Malaysia's top police official Razarudin Husain confirmed news of Sirul's release from Australian detention and said police would discuss with the Attorney-General and the courts the possibility of seeking extradition. Sirul was serving as a member of Najib’s personal security detail at the time of the murder.

Persons: Azilah Hadri, Sirul Azhar Umar, Hadri, Umar, Bazuki Muhammad, Najib Razak, Sirul, Razarudin Husain, Sirul’s, Najib, Praveen Menon, Rozanna, Lincoln Organizations: Thursday, Mongolian, REUTERS, Rights, Australia's, Attorney, Thomson Locations: Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysian, Australia, Malaysia, Canberra, Malaysia’s, Sydney

☆ Malaysia says won't recognise unilateral sanctions on supporters of Palestinian groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at a press conference during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official visit, at Putrajaya, Malaysia, 05 November 2023. FAZRY ISMAIL/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Tuesday it will not recognise unilateral sanctions in response to a proposed U.S. law to level sanctions against foreign supporters of Hamas and other militant groups operating in Palestine. The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, aimed at cutting off international financing to the groups, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week and is awaiting voting by the Senate. "Any sanctions against Malaysia can also affect the assessment of the U.S. government and U.S. companies towards Malaysia, as well as affect U.S companies' investment opportunities in Malaysia," Anwar said in a written reply to parliament on Tuesday. Anwar previously rejected Western pressure to condemn Hamas and said the U.S. had raised concerns with Malaysia regarding its stance on Palestine.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Fumio, FAZRY ISMAIL, Anwar, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Malaysia, Japanese, REUTERS Acquire, U.S . House, Senate, Malaysian, Israel, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, U.S, Palestine, Israel

☆ Jailed Malaysia ex-PM Najib discharged from hospital after testing negative for COVID-19 - spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been discharged from hospital and returned to prison after testing negative for COVID-19, a spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. Najib, 70, is serving a 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty of graft and money laundering in a case related to a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal. He was admitted to hospital last week after testing positive for COVID-19. Reporting by Rozanna LatiffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Najib Razak, Lai Seng, Najib, Rozanna Organizations: Malaysian, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysian

☆ 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

☆ TikTok says Malaysia's claims it blocks pro-Palestinian content are 'unfounded'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Social media platform TikTok said on Friday allegations from the Malaysian government that it was blocking pro-Palestinian content were "unfounded". "Our community guidelines apply equally to all content on TikTok, and we're committed to consistently enforcing our policies to protect our community," a TikTok spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. Malaysia on Thursday warned of possible action against social media firms TikTok and Meta, saying their platforms had been accused of restricting content supporting Palestinians. Meta on Thursday said there was "no truth" to the claims, adding it was not deliberately suppressing voices on its Facebook platform.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, we're, Meta, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Reuters, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

☆ Malaysia to warn TikTok, Meta over alleged blocking of pro-Palestinian content
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Meta Platforms Inc FollowTikTok FollowKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Malaysia's communications regulator will issue a warning to social media firms Tiktok and Meta (META.O) for allegedly blocking pro-Palestinian content on their platforms, its communications minister said on Thursday. Without elaborating, Fahmi said many parties had urged the government to take firm action against social media platforms for allegedly restricting pro-Palestinian content. Representatives of Tiktok and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The concerns come two weeks after Fahmi said TikTok had not complied fully with Malaysia's laws and had not done enough to curb defamatory or misleading content.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Fahmi Fadzil, Fahmi, Meta, TikTok, Danial Azhar, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Tiktok, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Malaysia pulls out of Frankfurt Book Fair citing organisers' pro-Israel stance
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Visitors are seen at the world's largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, October 21, 2021. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Malaysia's education ministry has withdrawn from participating in this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, accusing the organisers of taking a pro-Israel stance, amid growing global divisions over the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces. The fair's organiser also said on Facebook it would be making Jewish and Israeli voices "especially visible" at this year's edition. "The decision (to withdraw) is in line with the government’s stand to be in solidarity and offer full support for Palestine." Muslim-majority Malaysia has long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim saying this week that he did not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Litprom, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Rozanna Latiff, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Facebook, Palestine, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, KUALA LUMPUR, Israel, Malaysia, Palestinian, Palestine, Gaza

☆ Malaysia Pulls Out of Frankfurt Book Fair Citing Organisers' Pro-Israel Stance
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's education ministry has withdrawn from participating in this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, accusing the organisers of taking a pro-Israel stance, amid growing global divisions over the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces. The fair's organiser also said on Facebook it would be making Jewish and Israeli voices "especially visible" at this year's edition. "The ministry will not compromise with Israel’s violence in Palestine, which clearly violates international laws and human rights," Malaysia's education ministry said in a statement late on Monday. "The decision (to withdraw) is in line with the government’s stand to be in solidarity and offer full support for Palestine." Muslim-majority Malaysia has long supported the Palestinian cause, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim saying this week that he did not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas.

Persons: Litprom, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Rozanna Latiff, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Hamas, Facebook, Palestine Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Frankfurt, Israel, Malaysia, Palestinian, Palestine, Gaza

☆ 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

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

☆ 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

☆ Malaysia says Goldman Sachs suit 'premature' amid dispute over 1MDB settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Olivia Harris/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Reuters) - A Malaysian government task force said on Thursday it viewed Goldman Sachs' (GS.N) filing of arbitration proceedings as premature, after the firm sued Malaysia in a British court this week amid an escalating dispute over a 2020 settlement deal. Goldman Sachs in 2020 had agreed to pay $3.9 billion to settle Malaysia's criminal probe over its role in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB corruption scandal. Malayia's 1MDB task force said Goldman Sachs had requested an extension on a Nov. 8 deadline for discussions to settle the dispute. Goldman Sachs lodged its suit less than two months after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim threatened to take the company to court. Goldman had helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion in two bond offerings, earning itself $600 million in fees, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Persons: Olivia Harris, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Malayia's, Johari Abdul Ghani, Johari, Anwar Ibrahim, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Development, Exchange, REUTERS, Malaysia, Malaysian, U.S . Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysian, U.S

☆ Malaysia's Petronas launches first commercial 5G private network - Deputy PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A logo of Petronas is seen at their office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 27, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Malaysia state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) on Friday launched the country's first commercial private 5G network, a deputy prime minister said. "The deployment of the PETRONAS 5G Private Network sets the stage for a dynamic partnership between the government, private sector, and academia," Fadillah Yusof said. Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hasnoor Hussain, Fadillah Yusof, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty Organizations: Petronas, REUTERS, Petroliam Nasional Berhad, Friday, PETRONAS 5G Private Network, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Petroliam

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