'Sick' projects: Strict vetting process for rescue contractors, says Fadillah
KUCHING: The selection of rescue contractors to complete 'sick' projects that are late or fail to be completed on schedule, is done through a strict vetting process by the Works Ministry. The Works Minister stressed that among aspects included in the vetting process are financial strength, experience, and technical capabilities as well as the assets of the company. Fadillah explained that currently the hiring of rescue contractors is implemented through an open application. "We hire them by open application and from there we do the vetting process. "There are many who apply to be the rescue contractors, but only a few get it (due to strict vetting),” he said.
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 22:26 UTC
Mercedes-Benz recalls nearly 12,000 luxury S-class vehicles in China
BEIJING (Nov 14): German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has begun recalling 11,997 S-class vehicles in China over safety concerns, reported Xinhua, quoting China's top quality watchdog. The recall, filed by Mercedes-Benz (China) Automotive Sales Co, involves 755 imported vehicles manufactured between June 9, 2021 and July 6, 2021; 118 imported cars manufactured between Oct 7, 2020 and Feb 11, 2021, and 11,124 imported vehicles made between Aug 3, 2020 and March 15, 2021, according to a statement issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation. The three batches of luxury vehicles recalled by the company feature different flaws in the production process, according to the statement. For those vehicles manufactured between June 9, 2021 and July 6, 2021, the suction jet pump in the fuel tank may have a loose or missing nozzle, which can cause the pump to fail, resulting in an engine stall. The carmaker promised to inspect and replace or upgrade the defective parts free of charge.
Source:The Edge Markets
November 14, 2021 15:02 UTC
Mondelez sees online snack-shopping boom lasting beyond pandemic
In China, e-commerce comprised 20% of total sales, helped by partnerships including with TikTok and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, which gave consumers wider online access to its products. Growth in digital sales is expected to continue at these levels, even as the pandemic wanes, as customers have shifted toward at-home consumption, he said. In China, consumers are using e-commerce platforms to shop for biscuits and gum, Indian consumers sought out chocolate and Australians opted for healthier, low-sugar snacks, both online and in stores. “People were forced to buy online during the pandemic, and then they continued to buy online,” Brusadelli said. Mondelez has the biggest chocolate market share in India, Malaysia and Australia, company data show.
Source:The Edge Markets
November 14, 2021 11:45 UTC
Selangor DAP to request more seats in GE15, says Gobind
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor DAP will ask for additional seats at the state and parliamentary levels in the next general election. Incumbent state chief Gobind Singh Deo said the request will be made given the increase in the number of seats at Pakatan Harapan's disposal. The DAP intended to vie for the Semenyih and Selat Kelang state seats and the Tanjong Karang parliamentary seat. To a question if the request for the three "traditionally" Malay seats meant there was an increase in Malays joining the party, Gobind said the numbers were promising. Earlier in his speech, Gobind said the DAP was strong because of the party's varied membership.
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 11:42 UTC
Scammers in their sights
Greed + Fear = ProfitsThe pandemic has been a very profitable time for scammers. DCP Sasikala notes that the pandemic brought very real financial fears and that scammers have capitalised on that. No one can work alone.”Beware mule account holdersBeing the common link between victim and suspect, mule account holders are among the first to come on the police radar. That’s why we constantly put out this message to the public to not become mule account holders. You can check mule accounts at abm.org.my/mule-account, the website of the Association of Banks in Malaysia.
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 11:18 UTC
Soccer-Onana back from drugs ban and thrust into big World Cup clash
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the suspension https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-onana-ban-idUKKCN2DM1NO to nine months following an appeal. He will be thrust further into the thick of things on Tuesday when Cameroon meet the Ivory Coast in their decisive Group D qualifier in Yaounde. Onana has been rated among football’s top goalkeeping talents, and Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao had no hesitation picking him to play despite the risk of being rusty. Onana tested positive for the banned substance furosemide in his urine after an out-of-competition check in October last year. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 10:48 UTC
Lexus tournament back on the road
THE Lexus Golf Invitational returns this year with two rounds scheduled for Kota Permai Golf & Country Club and Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club this Thursday and Dec 2, respectively. Each venue is set to welcome 100 amateur golfers who, as Lexus owners, will enjoy added privileges at this annual event as owners of the brand. For the remainder of the field, there will be the lucky draw to look forward to. Commenting on the event, Lexus Malaysia deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said: “Lexus owners are used to being in an environment where excellence is expected. And we look forward to rewarding them for their steadfast loyalty by delivering a golfing experience unlike any other in our 2021 tournament series.”
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 09:39 UTC
Yinson secures Parque das Baleias FPSO contract from Petrobras
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Yinson Holdings Bhd has secured the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel contract for the Parque das Baleias field, offshore Brazil, from Petrobras. The charter and service contract will have a duration of 22 years and six months, counted from the final acceptance of the unit, said Petrobras. The Parque das Baleias area is formed by the Jubarte, Baleia Anã, Cachalote, Caxaréu, Pirambú and Mangangá fields. The first field, Jubarte, was discovered in 2001. Read also:Yinson back in the bidding for Parque das Baleias FPSO contract
Source:The Edge Markets
November 14, 2021 05:01 UTC
A ‘healthy lifestyle intervention is needed’
LIKE many Malaysians, Meor Mohamad Tahar Meor Abu Bakar loves food, and it’s tough to say no to mouthwatering dishes. Meor Mohamad Tahar later went through surgery to help him reduce the size of his stomach. A healthy lifestyle intervention is needed to ensure this problem does not become worse, says Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Koh Kar Chai. “Healthy habits must be adopted by the population as a whole. This includes access to health education, self-monitoring equipment, healthy food and safe spaces to exercise.
Source:The Star
November 14, 2021 01:59 UTC
Time to recalibrate NEP
The NEP, a product of the post-May 13 racial riots in 1969, was formulated to eradicate poverty and restructure society. No doubt, the NEP has produced many Malay tycoons, but in the 1970s and 1980s, many non-Malay tycoons had also emerged. The big names include Tan Sri Azman Hashim of Ambank, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, Ananda Krishnan, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, and then there are newer ones like Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, Tan Sri David Kong and Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai. “Even if Malay capitalists are created but Malay poverty persists, the problem of national unity will remain. For in such a situation, the question of Malay poverty can still be exploited to bring about ethnic conflict,” he added.
Source:The Star
November 13, 2021 23:19 UTC
Sunzen Biotech on track to return to the black
It also aimed to break even in its manufacturing and trading of animal health product business. For the first half of financial year ending Dec 31, 2021 (FY21), Sunzen’s revenue from its animal health product segment increased almost 10% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM7.37mil. “Hopefully, our health product segment can break even soon. “Now, we want to focus on businesses where the market demand fundamentals are strong – which are the traditional Chinese medicine and the loan financing segments. On its animal health product segment, Sunzen told Bursa Malaysia that it plans to launch new products targeting the immune system for swine next month.
Source:The Star
November 13, 2021 16:26 UTC
Malaysian Family capable of making country competitive, says King
His Majesty said the spirit of the Malaysian Family could also foster unity in a country like Malaysia, which is diverse. “The Malaysian Family initiative introduced by the government recently attracted my attention. True to the saying, we are all like a family,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah at His Majesty’s 2021 official birthday celebration at Istana Negara here on Saturday (Nov 13). Al-Sultan Abdullah said the implementation of programmes under the Malaysian Family concept must be scrutinised, refined and improved from time to time. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's official birthday was celebrated on June 7, but no celebration was held then following the spread of Covid-19.
Source:The Edge Markets
November 13, 2021 15:44 UTC
Ethnic Chetty residents want more effort to preserve village
According to her, the village was given protection as a heritage site since 2000 similar to those given the Portuguese Settlement or Kampung Morten. "So we want to see what was carried out in Kampung Morten or the Portuguese Settlement, taking place here. Most importantly there is only ethnic Chetty here, no other communities, ethnics or races. 'This is important to preserve the uniqueness of the community which is the only such village in Malaysia and the world. For senior citizen, K. Suppiah Pillay, 72, a community hall is very much needed here to continue the cultural heritage of ethnic Chetty especially the dance and food.
Source:The Star
November 13, 2021 12:44 UTC
MSC posts jump in Q3 net profit on record high tin prices
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd’s (MSC) net profit more than doubled in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2021 (Q3’2021) to RM28.94mil, against RM12.54mil in the same quarter last year thanks to record high tin prices. The group’s tin smelting operations recorded a net profit of RM4.9mil in the third quarter mainly due to lower smelting capacity as the group gradually restarted its operations following the implementation of phase two of the National Recovery Plan. Additionally, the ageing furnaces at the Butterworth smelter were undergoing restoration, which led to lower furnace days and lower tin yields, he said. “Tin has been the best-performing base metal in 2021 as prices hit a record high, following the tin supply deficit and robust consumption,” he added. In tandem with the high tin prices, the group’s revenue expanded 41% year-on-year to RM821.5mil in the first nine months of this year, against RM580.8mil in the same period last year.
Source:The Star
November 13, 2021 12:14 UTC
Programmes focusing on financial planning to be intensified, says Tengku Zafrul
He cited the example of the BNM-organised Financial Literacy Month in October to increase the financial literacy of people from all walks of life, saying that it allows the community to get financial planning consultation from licensed financial planners for free. According to Tengku Zafrul, the government is putting an emphasis on the financial well-being of youth, especially in Budget 2022 tabled on Oct 29. Among the factors that would determine their success is financial literacy, apart from financial socialisation, self-control and financial technology (fintech), he said. He said the strongest emphasis should be given on positive financial behaviour, which is the most critical determinant of financial well-being. “Therefore, financial literacy will help them in making the right decisions to ensure their financial well-being,” he added.
Source:The Edge Markets
November 13, 2021 11:28 UTC