Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA, June 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s position regarding the South China Sea has been clear and consistent, with views it should remain a sea of peace and trade, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. 

“Malaysia holds the view that the South China Sea should remain a sea of peace and trade.

“Thus, matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully based on universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982,” he said. 

LANGKAWI, June 25 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The percentage of illegal immigrants, especially Rohingyas, who encroach into Malaysian waters is very high due to the proximity of the islands in Thailand’s waters where they come from, at only 2.5 nautical miles.

Royal Malaysian Navy Region Three Commander, First Admiral Abd Hamid Ali, said these islands include Pulau Tarutao, Pulau Koh Lipe and Pulau Koh Adang in Thailand.

“These islands are very close to Langkawi and it is believed to be where they wait out before encroaching into national waters.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia will detain and charge crew members of Vietnamese vessels caught illegally fishing in its waters instead of turning them away as authorities had done previously, the country’s coastguard chief said on Wednesday.

Vietnam and its neighbours have for years been involved in disputes over fishing in the resource-rich South China Sea, most of which is claimed by China. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

PUTRAJAYA, June 23 (NNN-BERNAMA) — There will be no new intake of foreign workers in all sectors until the year-end as locals will be given priority to fill up vacancies, said Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan.  

“We will not allow (new) foreign workers until year-end. They (foreigners) can come as tourists, if they are allowed,” he told a news conference after launching the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) initiative under the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA), at the Human Resources Ministry here Monday.

PUTRAJAYA, June 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) –The number of new COVID-19 cases in Malaysia returned to a single digit figure today, with just six infections reported, bringing the total number of positive cases to 8,535, while a new cluster was detected in Kidurong near Bintulu, Sarawak.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 70 patients have recovered and were allowed to be discharged today, bringing the cumulative figure to 8,070 cases or 94.6 per cent of the total cases.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Industry trade events organiser, Informa Markets has urged the government to consider reopening the borders for business travellers from countries which have managed to contain the COVID-19 spread.

Its ASEAN Business group managing director M Gandhi said the implementation of “travel bubble” for international business travellers will help to stimulate the Malaysian economy.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has extended its enhanced Economy Class flexible fare options across its entire network except for Malaysia to Japan and Japan to Malaysia, Jeddah and Madinah, beginning June 22, 2020.

The unique fare options — Lite, Basic, Flex was previously limited to domestic, ASEAN and South Asian destinations, offering unparalleled safety, security, flexibility and a completely hassle-free, premium experience based on the needs of each customer. 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Homegrown 24-hour mini-supermarket chain KK Super Mart is hoping to open more branches in India, as well as develop an e-commerce platform for consumers to purchase essential products online in view of the COVID-19.

KK Super Mart’s founder and KK Group of Companies’ executive chairman, Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai, said KK Super Mart will continue with its expansion plans in India by opening more branches in the republic in the future in addition to the three branches in Kolkata city, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been called in by Bukit Aman today to give his statement over an alleged seditious remark made in an interview with an international television station last March.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department assistant director (Prosecution and Legal) DCP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the Muar assemblyman was expected to present himself at Bukit Aman at about 2.30 pm today to facilitate in the investigation. 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia has given positive consideration to Kenya’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2021-22 term, says Kenya’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Francis Ndegwa Muhoro.

Muhoro said Malaysia and the East African country enjoys friendly and cordial relations dating back to the pre-independence times, and “given this great relationship, Kenya strongly believes that Malaysia’s vote is guaranteed.”