Still, Zafrul rightly added that Malaysia needs to be prudent on finances and rein in debt according to what the country can realistically afford. Sri Lanka’s debt service ratioData on Malaysia’s net debt to GDP is not available on the IMF or World Bank’s public databases. Topping the list is Sri Lanka, which saw 71.4% of its revenue going to interest payments on debt in 2020. Debt service charges were pencilled in at RM43.1 billion in 2022 and could reach RM46 billion in 2023, our back-of-the-envelope calculations show. As debt needs to be repaid, Malaysia must learn to spend within its means and save for a rainy day.

SINCE 1997, a claim has floated online that three Yemeni men tried to sue the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) in the United States for landing a probe on Mars. All three claimed in the suit that Nasa had trespassed on their property by sending the Pathfinder probe and Sojourner lander to Mars without their knowledge or permission. "Sojourner and Pathfinder, which are owned by the United States government, landed on Mars and began exploring it without informing us or seeking our approval," the men said. In the suit, all three demanded the immediate suspension of all operations on Mars until a court delivers a verdict. Just because we land on Mars first doesn't mean the United States owns it."

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 9.84 points or 0.66% higher to finish at 1,502.07 from Friday’s close of 1,492.23. Total turnover was declined to 2.38 billion units worth RM1.49 billion from 2.79 billion units worth RM1.98 billion last Friday. Sector-wise, the Plantation Index climbed 120.84 points to 7,119.18, the Industrial Products and Services Index ticked up 1.66 points to 186.03, the Energy Index increased 4.77 points to 676.01, while the Financial Services Index edged up 18.42 points to 16,663.81. Main Market volume slipped to 1.60 billion shares worth RM1.24 billion against 1.86 billion shares worth RM1.65 billion last Friday. ACE Market volume slid to 496.33 million shares worth RM199.01 million from 590.81 million shares worth RM263.41 million previously.

"[As such,] that (no agreement to arbitrate) should have been the end of matter [in Malaysia's dispute with heirs of the late Sultan of Sulu]," Thomas told reporters here on Monday. Thomas had earlier spoken at a forum on the claims by the heirs of the late Sultan of Sulu. It was reported that the arbitration subsequently proceeded in France, which ruled in March 2022 that Malaysia must pay the claimants US$14.9 billion based on the 1878 Grant of Lease. That should have been the end of matter," Thomas said. Read also:Explaining the Sulu claimParis Court allows Malaysia’s bid to temporarily stop Sulu Sultanate’s ‘heirs’ from enforcing US$14.9b arbitration winPetronas’ Luxembourg units seized by Sultan of Sulu 'heirs' — report

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1): Bursa Malaysia opened marginally higher but retreated thereafter, as profit-taking emerged against selected heavyweights following recent gains, a dealer said. At 9.10am on Monday (Aug 1), the FBM KLCI had fallen 0.52 of a point to 1,491.71 from last Friday’s close at 1,492.23. The benchmark index opened 0.44 of a point firmer at 1,492.67. Of the actives, CSH Alliance Bhd was half a sen higher at 7.5 sen, and Metronic Global Bhd rose 1.5 sen to 15.5 sen, while Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd fell half a sen to 10 sen, and both Compugates Holdings Bhd and Ta Win Holdings Bhd were flat at one sen and 8.5 sen respectively. Sector-wise, the Plantation Index strengthened 27.93 points to 7,026.27, the Industrial Products and Services Index inched up 0.33 of a point to 184.70, and the Energy Index expanded 6.10 points to 677.34, while the Financial Services Index eased 25.34 points to 16,620.05.

TDM Executive Director Najman Kamaruddin said the CSPAs involved a cash consideration of RM115 million. “With the significant cost savings and capital generated from the disposal, TDM can focus its resources and attention on the company’s operations in Malaysia. Najman said TDM owned 93.8% of RKA, which was incorporated in 2007; and 95% of SRA, which was incorporated in 2011. He said RKA had suffered losses since its incorporation until financial year ending Dec 31, 2020, while SRA had suffered losses since its inception. “The remaining RM8.5 million will be used for expenses related to the disposal exercise.

In line with this, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) launched its second #SediaPayungKewangan financial resilience campaign and its microsite, as well as PIDM’s good financial management icon, Chief BerUang’s Instagram handle @chief.beruang. The public can expect various on-ground and digital activities as the campaign goes hybrid until Sept 30. PIDM executive vice-president Wan Ahmad Ikram Wan Ahmad Lotfi said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, amid other economic uncertainties, had highlighted financial literacy as a necessary survival skill in building resilience. “The public can also follow Chief BerUang on his new Instagram account @chief.beruang for financial tips and easy-to-consume financial literacy content,” added Wan Ahmad Ikram. As part of on-ground activities, PIDM will organise roadshows in four areas, starting with the Klang Valley on Aug 6, followed by Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor to cover 25 locations over 21 days.

In a statement, the group said its revenue jumped by 48.56% to RM1.65 billion from RM1.11 billion a year ago, as higher average selling prices for crude palm oil and palm kernels offset lower sales volumes and yields from its plantations. Meanwhile, the group had also processed 1.42 million tonnes of FFB and 295,747 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO). This translated into one of our best financial results to date, despite sub-optimum production and yield," said Kulim MD Mohd Faris Adli Shukery. The group said it also aims to build a robust and thriving agri-food portfolio to contribute positively to the national food security agenda. “Our ultimate objective is for Kulim to become a flagship company that can enhance the state and national food security agenda.

He said despite losing the previous general election, Selangor Barisan will never surrender. ALSO READ: Selangor BN convention kicks off, with focus on recapturing Selangor"Strength does not come solely in physical form – but in spirit that will never to give up. ALSO READ: Selangor BN convention: We are 'tired' of being the opposition in Selangor, says Najib"There is only one mission. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will officiate the one-day convention. Other Barisan leaders who will speak at the event are Barisan advisory panel member and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Selangor Barisan coordinatin committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has urged students to carefully plan for their future and choose subjects that they are familiar and interested in. The MCA president paid a visit to the Yong Peng service centre in Johor and met with students who obtained excellent results for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) recently. Together with Johor state executive councillor Ling Tiang Soon, who is Yong Peng assemblyman, the Transport Minister presented the students with gifts to boost their spirits. Dr Wee also advised the students not to forget the sacrifices made by their parents after they become successful. He also hopes the students will contribute back to the local community especially in Ayer Hitam and Yong Peng.

Of all those firsts, the one for which I had to summon the greatest courage was as director-general (DG) of the Ministry of Higher Education. It was a huge responsibility, having to steer the direction of higher education, knowing that the well-being of Malaysia’s future generations was at stake. Drastic steps were taken to intervene with the implementation of the then higher education blueprint midway, something that had never been done before. You keep what is good, stick to the core values of higher education and change only what will improve the whole. With this mindset, I co-helmed the development and implementation of the new Malaysian Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025.

JAKARTA (July 29): IHH Healthcare Bhd and PT Prodia Widyahusada Tbk have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide options for comprehensive healthcare services to Prodia customers seeking medical treatment in Malaysia. IHH’s partnership with Prodia, Indonesia's largest laboratory chain, is expected to optimise the management of patients who require clinical laboratory examination services before and after consulting a doctor. Prodia president director Dewi Muliaty said the partnership is expected to make it easier for patients from Indonesia to obtain referrals for advanced laboratory examination services such as health check-ups, disease development monitoring, diagnosis, and other examination services. “We believe this collaboration can make it easier for Indonesian patients who perform integrated medical services with IHH Healthcare Malaysia to get more comprehensive clinical laboratory examination services,” she said. The council expects the arrival of Indonesian medical tourists into Malaysia to return to the pre-pandemic level by 2025.

With little sign that authorities are planning to go big on policy support, doubts are rising once again about whether a bottom has yet to be seen for the market. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of stocks slumped 2.8% on Friday, taking its July loss to over 10% — its worst monthly performance in a year. Tech and property shares led the broad sell-off after a lack of fresh stimulus at the China’s Politburo meeting left markets disappointed. The crisis in the property industry also escalated this month as more buyers revolted against mortgage payments on unfinished homes. Country Garden Holdings Co — China’s largest builder, and Alibaba are among the worst performers on the HSCEI gauge this month.

IPOH: About 85,000 entrepreneurs in state are registered in the Perak Entrepreneur Information System or Perak SME D-Base which qualifies them for assistance or incentives from the state government. State Rural Development, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said the system also served, among others, to collect data on entrepreneurs, such as business type, entrepreneur category, product and location. "This system enables coordination of aid by the state government for entrepreneurs to be made more easily and transparently. "It (system) will be enforced for a certain period, which will be announced, for entrepreneurs to apply for assistance such as working capital and machinery," he said when met after attending the Perak Young Entrepreneur Meet-Up programme at the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk) Entrepreneur Development Centre here. The Perak Young Entrepreneur Meet-Up programme, organised by the State Youth Council and Pertubuhan Usahawan Kini Kinta in collaboration with the Perak State Entrepreneur Secretariat (STeP), is aimed at bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and the entrepreneur development agency, as well as the state government.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lalamove, the leading 24/7 on-demand delivery platform, has partnered with Chubb Insurance Malaysia Bhd (Chubb) to offer free personal accident insurance coverage for all Lalamove delivery partners. This scheme will benefit 50,000 Lalamove delivery partners behind the wheels of motorcycles, cars, vans, 4 x 4 pickups and lorries in Lalamove’s coverage areas in Klang Valley, Penang, Johor, and Malacca. According to Lalamove Malaysia’s managing director, Jane Teh, this complimentary personal accident insurance coverage will provide its delivery partners with a means of financial security in the event of an adverse situation. “Our on-demand delivery services would not be possible without our delivery partners' dedication and hard work. The personal accident insurance coverage will come into effect when a Lalamove delivery partner logs into the Lalamove Driver app and accepts a delivery order.