Page 4 - Malaysia

Malaysian court orders ex-PM Najib to enter defence in his 2nd graft trial

Malaysia's High Court on Wednesday ordered imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to enter a defense in his second corruption trial over the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund. Najib set up the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund shortly after taking power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debt. Investigators allege more than USD 4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases. The prosecution established its case on four charges of abuse of power to obtain over USD 700 million from the fund that went into Najib's bank accounts between 2011 and 2014, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount, trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Wednesday. He said evidence showed Najib had a vested interest in 1MDB, and his pivotal role in all relevant transactions that eventually plunged the fund into debt. Testimony by witness

Jailed Malaysia former PM Najib apologises for mishandling of 1MDB scandal

1MDB, a sovereign wealth fund co-founded by Najib in 2009 while he was premier, has faced corruption probes over the alleged misappropriation of over $4.5 billion by high-level officials

Petronas' exploration in South China Sea to continue: Malaysian PM Ibrahim

This includes exploration activities in Petronas' Kasawari gas development off Sarawak state on Borneo, he told parliament

India key mkt despite import duty hike: Malaysia Palm Oil Council Chief

Malaysia remains optimistic about palm oil exports to India despite recent import duty hike, with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) Chairman Dato Carl Bek Nielsen emphasizing the long-standing trade relationship between the two countries. In an interview to PTI, Nielsen stressed that India, being the world's largest palm oil importer, continues to be an "incredibly important market" for Malaysian palm oil. He pointed out that such tariff adjustments have occurred in the past and are part of the normal trading relationship between the two countries. "This has been done before. Duties have been raised, and duties have been reduced, and we will see that this pattern will repeat itself in the future," Nielsen said. He said that the council's approach would be based on long-term partnership rather than "short-term knee-jerk reactions." He also added that the council is "not worried" about the tariff changes because there are other countries which would want to buy Malaysian palm oi

Malaysia Airlines to resume Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata flights on December 2

Malaysia Airlines will restart direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kolkata from December 2 as the carrier boosts its services to India. Currently, the airline connects Kuala Lumpur directly with nine Indian cities -- New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum and Ahmedabad. Five weekly flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata route starting from December 2, the airline said in a release on Tuesday. Malaysia Airlines stopped direct flights to Kolkata in 2006. With the recommencement of the Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata services, the airline will offer 76 weekly flights between India and Malaysia. Currently, the carrier operates 71 weekly flights to India. The flights to Amritsar were increased from four per week to daily in August. "India is a key market for us, and by continually enhancing our network and increasing frequencies, we aim to deliver exceptional travel experiences, complemented by Malaysia Airline

Malaysia terms India's import duty hike on palm oil a temporary aberration

Malaysia's Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani on Tuesday termed India's recent hike in palm oil import duty as a "temporary aberration", saying demand for the commodity remains steady. Ghani dismissed speculation about arrangements between Malaysia and India for palm oil supplies in exchange for fighter aircraft transfers. India, the world's largest edible oil importer, raised import duties on palm oil and other edible oils on September 14, 2023, increasing the effective duty on crude palm oil from 5.5 per cent to 12.7 per cent and on refined oils from 13.75 per cent to 35.75 per cent. "Any kind of aberration, for me, it is just temporary," Ghani said responding to a PTI query during a press conference on the sidelines of the Malaysia Palm Oil Forum. The recent tariff policy changes by India will not create any "issue", he added. The minister emphasised that India, with its population of 1.4 billion, has various options for edible oils, including pal

Malaysia hopes EU legislators will be accommodative on sustainable policies

n the engagements we have made with EU, we are ready to comply. We just need a little bit more time for our small holders... the government will assist them to comply

Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh today, focus on labour issues

Prime Minister Anwar is expected to meet with Yunus, where a broad spectrum of issues will be on the agenda

Palm oil loses position as world's cheapest edible oil as output shrinks

Key users such as cookie makers, restaurants and hotels in India are unlikely to look for substitutes immediately, even as some household consumption of palm oil may shift to its rivals

Malaysia generating enough energy for big development projects, exports: PM

The investment boost has helped propel Malaysia's economy this year, with growth beating expectations in the past two quarters

Malaysia announces tax breaks, incentives for Forest City development

Forest City, a joint venture between the embattled Country Garden and a private Malaysian company backed by the country's king, has been beset by problems

India very important market, looking at more frequencies: Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is keen to expand its operations into India, which is a "very important market", according to a top airline official. The airline, which currently flies to nine Indian cities, is eyeing new destinations as well as looking to increase frequencies to Trivandrum and Ahmedabad. Part of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Malaysia Airlines operates daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi. It also has four weekly services from Ahmedabad and Trivandrum. "We continue to remain excited about the Indian market. It has been driven by robust economic movement," MAG's Group Managing Director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail told PTI in an interview. "We aspire to expand more into India... that will happen only next year... India is a very important market," he said and added that it will look at expansion once it gets more aircraft. Currently, Malaysia Airlines operates 71 weekly flights to India. The flights to Amritsar were increased from

Malaysia raises visa fees for foreign workers by 150%: Details here

Malaysia's fee hike will impact key visa categories like the Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, and Long-Term Social Visit Pass

Tech firms must comply with laws to continue operating: Malaysia's min

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government was ready to discuss with the AIC and other industry groups

Ex-Malaysian leader Muhyiddin charged with sedition for mocking former king

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged Tuesday with sedition over a speech he made that allegedly questioned the integrity of the country's previous king. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from March 2020 until August 2021, pleaded not guilty in a court in northeast Kelantan state. According to the charge sheet, Muhyiddin made the seditious remarks last month during a by-election campaign in Kelantan. Nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns as Malaysia's king for five-year terms under the country's rotating monarchy, which began when Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The monarchy plays a largely ceremonial role, but are revered by the nation's majority Muslims. In his speech on Aug. 14, Muhyiddin had questioned why then-King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah didn't invite him to be prime minister following a hung Parliament in November 2022. Muhyiddin had claimed he had the backing of majority lawmakers. Sultan Abdullah appointed then-opposition .

India, Malaysia elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Delhi for a state visit, his first visit to India as the Malaysian premier and he was warmly received by Union Minister of State, V Somanna at the airport

Will extends support to Malaysia's Asean 2025 Chairmanship: PM Modi

India attaches priority to ASEAN and will extend full support to Malaysia's "successful ASEAN chairmanship" in 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.PM Modi was holding a press briefing after his meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim."India attaches priority to ASEAN centrality. We agree that the review of FTA between India and ASEAN should be completed in a time-bound manner. India will extend full support to Malaysia's successful ASEAN chairmanship in 2025. We are committed to the freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law and peaceful resolution of all disputes," PM Modi said at the briefing.The Prime Minister further recalled the age-old ties between the two nations and said 'PIO Day' in Malaysia was a very successful and popular event last year.He also announced that 100 seats will be specially allocated for Malaysians under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme."India and Malaysia have been ...

Will continue to work with Malaysia for prosperous Indo-Pacific: Prez Murmu

India will continue to work with Malaysia and extend all cooperation in the pursuit of shared objectives of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday. Welcoming Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said the common cherished values of democracy, multiculturalism, pluralism and mutual respect have been the guiding force for India-Malaysia relations. This is Ibrahim's first India visit as the prime minister of his country. Murmu noted that both sides have decided to further intensify India-Malaysia relations by upgrading the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and are working towards an action-oriented roadmap for its implementation across various sectors of cooperation. The President said that India sees Malaysia as a strong partner in the Global South. Malaysia is also a key partner for India in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and an important country in the Act East

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to begin three-day visit to India on Monday

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's three-day visit to India will pave way for charting a multi-sectoral cooperation agenda between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday. Ibrahim, to be accompanied by a high-level delegation, begins the visit on Monday. It would be his first visit to India as the prime minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with his Malaysian counterpart on Tuesday following which both sides are expected to sign a number of agreements including one on recruitment of Indian workers. The decision to ink a pact on recruitment of Indian workers assumes significance as illegal immigration and human trafficking from India to Malaysia are among major concerns of the two governments. The MEA said Ibrahim will pay a 'State Visit' to India from August 19 to 21 at the invitation of Modi. On August 20, Ibrahim will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan and will visit the Raj Gha

Malaysian PM's posts on Haniyeh's assassination were removed in error: Meta

In a similar incident in May, Meta restored Facebook posts by Anwar over his meeting with Haniyeh, saying they were taken down in error