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☆ Malaysia Headed for Hung Parliament After Saturday’s Election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Feliz Solomon | Ying Xian Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Malaysia is heading for a hung parliament with none of the three main coalitions of political parties on course to secure the majority needed to form a new government, bringing more uncertainty after national elections on Saturday that were meant to put an end to years of political instability. A coalition led by veteran politician Anwar Ibrahim was in the lead with results announced for most of the parliamentary races, but it won’t be able to clinch a majority in the 222-seat lower house. Multiple opposing political camps will now have to negotiate and work together toward building a new governing coalition.

☆ Malaysia votes in general election, Anwar expected to lead tight race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Malaysians queue to cast their vote for the country's general election at Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia November 19, 2022. Without a clear winner, political uncertainty could persist as Malaysia faces slowing economic growth and rising inflation. “I don’t think it is possible for any coalition to win on their own,” said Sivamurugan Pandian, political analyst at Malaysia Science University. Anwar was the top choice for prime minister at 33%, followed by Muhyiddin at 26% and Ismail at 17%. Sheila Supramaniam, 30, said she will vote for Anwar as his coalition stood firmly against corruption and discrimination.

☆ Malaysia votes in general election, Anwar seen leading tight race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Malaysian Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stands in a line to vote during Malaysia's 15th general election in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia November 19, 2022. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s ruling Barisan coalition and another bloc led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin are other leading contenders. Muhyiddin’s alliance was a junior partner in Ismail’s coalition government, and the two could come together again to block Anwar. That was on par with turnout at the same time in the previous election in 2018, reflecting the increase in voters, political analyst Bridget Welsh told Reuters. Anwar was the top choice for prime minister at 33%, followed by Muhyiddin at 26% and Ismail at 17% in the Merdeka survey.

☆ Malaysia's ex-premier Muhyiddin claims win in general election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Malaysia's former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday said he has secured enough seats in a general election to form a government, though the latest results from the Election Commission showed a hung parliament. Muhyiddin said he was willing to work with any party to reach the numbers needed to form the government. Reporting by Angie Teo and Mei Mei Chu; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Malaysia's ruling coalition says it accepts election results
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition said it accepted the people's decision after an election on Saturday, but stopped short of conceding defeat, after early results showed the coalition was trailing behind two other contenders. The coalition said in a statement Barisan remains committed to contributing to the formation of a stable government. Early results from the Election Commission showed Barisan was trailing behind opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's coalition and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin's alliance. Reporting by Kuala Lumpur newsroom Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A new coalition led by former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was leading a hotly contested general election on Saturday, with opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim a close second, early results from the Election Commission showed. The other main contender - Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition - was losing ground in traditional strongholds to Muhyiddin's bloc, the results showed. As of 1630 GMT, the Election Commission had announced results for 123 of the 222 parliamentary seats. [1/6] Malaysian Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stands in a line to vote during Malaysia's 15th general election in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia November 19, 2022. The top issues are the economy, along with corruption, as several leaders from the Barisan Nasional coalition face graft accusations.

☆ Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir loses seat in first election defeat in 53 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Malaysia's veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad suffered his first election defeat in 53 years on Saturday in a blow that could mark the end of a seven-decade political career. Mahathir, 97, who served as Malaysia's prime minister for more than two decades in two stints, failed to retain his parliamentary seat in the Langkawi island constituency, coming in fourth in a five-cornered fight. The seat was won by Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, a candidate from the Perikatan alliance, which is led by another former prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin. It was Mahathir's first election loss since 1969. Mahathir leads a coalition that has vowed to take down the incumbent Barisan Nasional government over corruption allegations.

☆ Malaysia says back decision by Dutch court on MH17 sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Friday said his country supported the decision by a Dutch court to sentence three suspects for their role in the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. The court on Thursday handed down life jail sentences to thee suspects, and ordered them to pay at least 16 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation to relatives of the victims. Reporting by Mei Mei Chu Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Netherlands protests 'despicable' Russian response to MH17 verdict
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The Dutch government said on Friday it had summoned the Russian ambassador in the Netherlands over what it called Moscow's "utterly despicable" response to the verdict in the trial over the 2014 downing of Flight MH17. Russia said on Thursday the Dutch court's decision to convict two former Russian intelligence agents and a Ukrainian separatist leader for shooting down the Malaysian airliner "neglected impartiality". Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said these remarks by Russia, which invaded Ukraine nine months ago, were "utterly despicable" and totally removed from reality. We can't let this pass ... and have to show that we do respect the rule of law and do have an independent judiciary," Hoekstra told Dutch newspaper AD. Reporting by Bart Meijer and Stephanie van den Berg Editing by Mark Potter and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ MH17 verdict: 2 Russians, 1 Ukrainian convicted of murders
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A Dutch court on Thursday convicted two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian separatist in absentia of the murders of 298 people who died in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine. None of the defendants appeared for the trial that began in March 2020 and if they are convicted, it’s unlikely they will serve any sentence anytime soon. “The truth on the table — that is the most important thing,” said Anton Kotte, who lost his son, daughter-in-law and his 6-year-old grandson when MH17 was shot down. The most senior defendant convicted is Igor Girkin, a 51-year-old former colonel in Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB. Oleg Pulatovis the only one of the suspects who was acquited represented by defense lawyers at the trial.

☆ 3 men were just given life sentences over the downing of passenger jet MH17 and the murder of 298 people, but they may never be caught
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Dutch court sentenced three men to life in prison over the downing of passenger jet MH17 in 2014. The plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made missile, and nearly 300 people were killed. Two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian separatist were convicted, but they're fugitives. Given that the convicted are currently fugitives, the three men may never be apprehended and serve their time in prison, the report said. The missile was provided by Russia's military to pro-Moscow separatist forces, the Dutch court confirmed.

☆ Young Malaysians urged to 'get mad' and vote to end political merry-go-round
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Ebrahim Harris | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The infighting has exhausted voters, with two local elections held in the past year seeing lower than average turnout. Young voters form a sizeable portion of the six million people newly eligible to cast a ballot, following reforms that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and allowed automatic registration. Some voters, however, remain turned off by the constant political wrangling, believing that their choices will have little impact. "I'm scared to vote because whoever you choose will be part of a weak coalition," Eddie said. "They have to form alliances with parties who were rejected in the elections, and will end up forming the same type of government."

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Anwar Ibrahim has ramped up campaigning this week to be Malaysia's prime minister, buoyed by polls putting the veteran opposition leader ahead in a closely fought contest. Rival alliances, including those run by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin, could come together to clinch the required numbers and deny Anwar the top job. "This election is not about changing the prime minister," Anwar said in an address on Thursday. "This election is the best chance to save the country and make sweeping changes to restore our beloved nation." In an interview with Reuters this month, Anwar ruled out working with Ismail and Muhyiddin's coalitions, citing "fundamental differences" over race and religion.

☆ Dutch court convicts 2 Russians, 1 Ukrainian of murder in 2014 Malaysian jet downing over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

President of the court Steenhuis (2ndL) talks prior to verdict in the trial of four men prosecuted for their involvement in the MH17 downing case, in Badhoevedorp on November 17, 2022. A Dutch court on Thursday convicted two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian separatist in absentia of the murders of 298 people who died in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Outside the court, planes could be heard taking off and landing nearby on a cold, gray day. Oleg Pulatovis the only one of the suspects who was acquited represented by defense lawyers at the trial. They accused prosecutors of "tunnel vision" in basing their case on the findings of an international investigation into the downing while ignoring other possible causes.

☆ Judges to rule in murder trial for 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MH17 was a passenger flight shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew. At the time, the area was the scene of fighting between pro-Russian separatist and Ukrainian forces, the precursor of this year's conflict. Moscow denies any involvement or responsibility for MH17's downing and in 2014 it also denied any presence in Ukraine. They were charged with shooting down an airplane and with murder in a trial held under Dutch law. Judges will begin reading the verdict at 1:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT) at the high-security court next to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

☆ Malaysia court dismisses govt bid to forfeit millions in assets linked to ex-PM Najib
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Reuters) - A Malaysian court on Monday struck down a government bid to forfeit millions of dollars in luxury goods seized from jailed ex-premier Najib Razak, finding insufficient evidence linking the assets to unlawful activities, a lawyer for Najib said. Najib was voted out in 2018 amid public anger over his alleged involvement in a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Following his election loss, police seized cash and assets including handbags and jewellery worth nearly $300 million in raids on several properties linked to Najib. Some 114 million ringgit ($24.86 million) was returned to Najib last year after the court dismissed a separate forfeiture bid on the seized cash. The alliance made its way back into power last year under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, after two previous administrations collapsed amid political turmoil.

☆ Malaysia Q3 GDP up 14.2% y/y, beats forecast
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Malaysia's economy grew 14.2% from a year earlier in the third quarter, boosted by rising domestic demand and robust exports, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said on Friday. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected gross domestic product to jump 11.7% in the July-September period, accelerating from the 8.9% annual growth seen in the second quarter. Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da CostaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Growth came in above the 11.7% growth forecast in a Reuters poll and the 8.9% annual rise in the previous quarter, the central bank said. It surpassed third-quarter growth in many of its regional peers including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. But BNM said the outlook was clouded by the risk of a global economic slowdown, forecasting economic growth to slow to 4.0%-5.0% next year. “We acknowledge there are still some spots in our economy that have yet to return to pre-pandemic condition," Nor Shamsiah said. Nor Shamsiah said the ringgit currency will adjust to reflect Malaysia's economic fundamentals once uncertainties caused by the U.S. rate moves recede, without elaborating further.

☆ ASEAN summit begins with Myanmar likely to dominate agenda; 'little progress expected'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cambodian Prime Minister and ASEAN host Hun Sen addressed Friday's opening ceremony with a call for vigilance and wisdom during times of economic and geopolitical turmoil. The junta has blamed a lack of progress on the pandemic and obstruction from armed resistance movements that it calls terrorists. James Crabtree, Executive Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia, said ASEAN was struggling to cope with internal divisions over Myanmar and other issues. One Western diplomat who will attend the meeting said that while the bloc may try to make the Myanmar peace plan more action-oriented, "little progress is expected". G20 leaders are meeting in Bali next week and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will take place in Bangkok after that.

[1/5] Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview with Reuters in Putrajaya, Malaysia November 8, 2022. In what he said would likely be his final election foray, Mahathir vowed to fight "against bad Malays, criminal Malays… against the Malays who had destroyed this country." "We don't agree that any one person should, even before the results come in, claim that he is the candidate for prime minister," Mahathir said. He was pardoned in 2018 after the election win that removed UMNO from power for the first time in Malaysia's post-colonial history. The nonagenarian said he had no desire to be prime minister but would do so if asked to serve again.

☆ Analysis: Brazil's Lula hopes to unite rainforest nations, tap funding at COP27
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Michael Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

read moreIn the run-up to the COP27 U.N. climate summit, taking place in Egypt from Nov. 6-18, green groups urged Brazil and other forest nations to team up to increase their bargaining power during talks with potential donors over rainforest protection. Brazil was the climate-change success story of the early 2000s when its government - led then by Lula - slashed deforestation rates in the Amazon, she said. But enforcing forest protection laws in remote areas is a problem for all three, conservationists said, while Bolsonaro's allies form the largest bloc in Brazil's Congress, which could hinder Lula's policy push. Other forest nations - like Colombia - could also take part in talks and join any new alliance at COP27 to create a "more robust and effective" coalition, he added. "Done right, collaboration and exchange of experience between rainforest countries can help in tackling deforestation," Jaeger said.

[1/5] The supporters of The National Front coalition, Barisan Nasional, shout slogans outside a nomination centre on nomination day in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Lai Seng SinKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Malaysian political leaders began their election campaigning on Saturday for what is set to be a close race, with incumbent Prime Minister Ismail Sabri facing off with veterans Anwar Ibrahim and Muhyiddin Yassin. The election comes as the Malaysian economy is expected to ease due to a global slowdown, impeding a recovery from a pandemic-induced slump. Inflation is also rising, with the Malaysian central bank increasing interest rates this week for the fourth straight time. The leaders are not working together in this election.

☆ Miners lift FTSE 100 on China reopening optimism
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 0.9%, FTSE 250 adds 0.5%National World exploring Reach buyoutKuala Lumpur Kepong considers raising stake in SynthomerNov 4 (Reuters) - UK's export-oriented FTSE 100 rose on Friday as miners jumped on hopes that China would relax its COVID-19 restrictions, setting up the index for gains for the week that saw major central bank meetings dictating the market's moves. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) climbed 0.9%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTSE) added 0.5% 9:39 GMT. As the week of central bank tightening ends, investors are looking toward the new budget announcement on Nov. 17. National World Plc (NWOR.L) jumped 2.4% after it said it was exploring a cash offer for Daily Mirror-owner Reach Plc (RCH.L). Reach rose 4.3%.

☆ Tiger seizures up in parts of Asia despite conservation efforts -report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Wildlife authorities in some Asian countries are seeing an increase in seizures of tigers and tiger parts despite efforts by conservationists to protect the endangered animal, according to a report by wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC. Tiger numbers globally have been decimated by poaching, trade, and habitat destruction in the past century, though more recent conservation efforts in some countries have stabilised overall population numbers. Since 2000, an average of 150 tigers, both dead and alive, have been seized per year from 50 countries and territories worldwide - equivalent to a total of around 3,377 tigers, TRAFFIC said. The group urged countries party to CITES, a United Nations treaty aimed at regulating the international trade of wildlife, to prevent tiger parts from captive facilities entering the illegal trade chain. TRAFFIC also identified 675 social media accounts involved in trafficking of tiger and tiger parts in Southeast Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Malaysian state energy firm Petronas said on Tuesday it was studying the damage to interconnecting pipes caused by a fire last week at its refinery and petrochemical joint venture with Saudi Aramco. Petronas said last Thursday a fire and explosion occurred at the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) located in the southern Malaysian state of Johor. "The damage to the interconnecting pipes caused by the recent incident at Pengerang Integrated Complex is currently being further assessed for rectification," the company said in an emailed statement to Reuters. A spokesperson at Pengerang Refining Company and Pengerang Petrochemical, collectively known as PrefChem, said the affected portion of the plant is currently shut down because of a disruption in nitrogen supply. On Monday, Petronas Chemicals Group (PCGB.KL) said in a statement that the interconnecting pipes in the incident were not within the petrochemical facilities in which PCG has 50% direct equity.

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