Najib challenges Ramkarpal, other 'haters' to debate SRC International case
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has challenged Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and other "haters" to an open debate on the RM42mil SRC International case. "We invite Ramkarpal to a televised open debate with a representative from our side on the subject," said Najib in a post on his official Facebook page on Sunday (Feb 4). He added that should Ramkarpal decline, other recent "haters" such as Tony Pua and Hanipa Maidin can take his place. It is now time for an open forum to be held to better inform the public and to help them draw their own conclusions based on facts," added Najib. He said that many do not understand the facts of the case and did not follow the court proceedings.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2024 18:05 UTC
Salary trends
THOSE who intend to stay in their current jobs can possibly expect salary increments hovering around 4% this year, same as in 2023. Those who want to move within the sphere of emerging technologies can expect substantial salary increases, ranging from 15% to 35%, depending on their skills and experience. In its “2024 Job Market Outlook and Salary Guide Report”, Randstad said soft skills are more important than ever as digital transformation moves tech from the server room to the boardroom. It said communication and problem-solving skills are in demand and those who excel can generally command a premium salary. The four most in-demand careers in human resources include labour law compliance, human resources information systems, compensation and benefits as well as organisational design.
Source:The Star
February 04, 2024 02:48 UTC
Bullish outlook for CTOS
KUALA LUMPUR: The outlook remains bright for CTOS Digital Bhd as analysts anticipate rapid expansion for the credit reporting agency. Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research said CTOS's growth is underpinned by a defensive business model and resilient revenue streams. Separately, it said CTOS is now looking to raise its dividend policy higher to more than 60%. HLIB, which has a "buy" call on CTOS, maintained its target price at RM1.75. On Wednesday, CTOS announced its FY23 net profit grew to RM118.37mil from RM71.72mil previously, while revenue rose to RM261.44mil from RM194.78mil a year earlier.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2024 16:42 UTC
CNY food price controls in place from Feb 6 to 14
PETALING JAYA: With the approaching Chinese New Year (CNY) festivities, price controls for certain food products will be implemented from Feb 6 to 14. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry said the price control scheme will be implemented on 11 food products. These are white prawns, white pomfret, live pigs, pig intestines, pork (meat and fat), imported cabbage from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing, imported potatoes from China, garlic, imported ginger, imported white radish and red radish. "The maximum price control scheme for CNY will be enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 which enables price determination on producers, wholesalers and retailers," Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said in a statement Friday (Feb 2). He said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will continuously monitor the situation to ensure sufficient supply.
Source:The Star
February 02, 2024 14:39 UTC
OKU cardholder claims trial to raping teenage daughter
SEREMBAN: A 47-year-old man who holds a person with disability (OKU) card from the Social Welfare Department has pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping his underaged daughter. The man claimed trial after the charge was read to him before Sessions judge Datin Surita Budin on Thursday (Feb 1). "I hope the court offers me bail as I have to take care of my father and three children. Police arrested the suspect on Jan 24 after a clip showing a man hitting a young girl went viral. However, in June 2022, she moved in with her father and his 44-year-old girlfriend and continued her secondary education in Tampin.
Source:The Star
February 01, 2024 21:11 UTC
Minetech gets RM230mil contract extension
PETALING JAYA: Minetech Resources Bhd has entered into an agreement with Able Return Sdn Bhd and Damar Consolidated Exploration Sdn Bhd to renew its Selinsing Gold Mine Project contract for a further 36 months, valued at RM230mil. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Minetech said the project consists of waste removal, ore deliveries and associated works for open pit mining. The company said the contract is from Jan 1, 2024 until Dec 31, 2026. “The contract is expected to contribute positively to the revenue, earnings and net assets of the company and its subsidiaries for the financial year ending March 31, 2024 onwards to March 31, 2027,” it said. “We are committed to leveraging our expertise and capabilities to further contribute to the success of the Selinsing Gold Mine Project, ensuring value creation for all stakeholders involved."
Source:The Star
January 31, 2024 16:01 UTC
QuickCheck: Are jellybean shells made of bug secretions?
It just does not seem important compared to more crucial matters, such as how good the candy tastes. For example – is it true that the shiny coating of jellybeans is made from bug excretions? The ingredient that makes jellybeans hard and shiny is none other than shellac, a resin made from the secretions of the female lac bug as it feeds on tree sap. These secretions – which are not bug poop, mind you – have a variety of different applications. Lac bug secretions have been cultivated by humans for centuries and are simply one of the many insect by-products found in everyday food items.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2024 00:10 UTC
Three traffic cops nabbed for allegedly asking RM100 bribe from British couple
IPOH: Three traffic policemen have been arrested in connection to a viral video posted online by a British couple alleging that a policeman had asked for RM100 bribe to settle a summons issued for speeding. All three of them have been remanded for three days beginning Tuesday (Jan 30) under Section 384 of the Penal Code. The British couple famous on social media for their globe-trotting adventures in a campervan had posted a video online. In the recent videos during their trip to Malaysia, Chris and Marianne Fisher filmed a traffic policeman who had allegedly offered to settle a traffic ticket that he had just issued. In the video that was posted on Jan 28, a traffic policeman stopped the couple for allegedly speeding downhill along Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands in their campervan named “Trudy”.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2024 00:09 UTC
Beware the value trap
A value trap stock will not see its share price increasing for an extended period of time. Some examples of value traps on Bursa over the last few years are Chin Teck Plantations , Focus Lumber, Evergreen Fibreboard, KSL Holdings and Keck Seng. Value traps are not exclusive to companies. The same principle can be applied to value traps on Bursa. Some of these value traps do have great embedded value but nothing has been done to grow this value sustainably and allow it to translate into actual healthy returns for shareholders.The firms should maybe seek new income streams, get into M&As or expand in a big way to new markets.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2024 15:41 UTC
Stone of contention
MALAYSIA may never regain Batu Puteh following the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision in 2008 to award the islet to Singapore, but the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) will help answer some important questions. Top of the agenda is surely the decision of then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to drop a review application to the ICJ.
Source:The Star
January 28, 2024 15:12 UTC
Retired teacher loses more than RM440,000 through investment scam
IPOH: A 69-year-old retired teacher has lost over RM442,000 after investing in a non-existent scheme via a WhatsApp chat. Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the woman from Taman Bercham Jaya here was tricked into investing in the scheme via the non-existent “ACCERX" platform. Comm Mohd Yusri Hassan said in August last year, the victim was added into a WhatsApp group offering investment schemes. Comm Mohd Yusri said people can call the National Scam Response Centre hotline at 997 if they have been scammed or if they have conducted transactions to unknown accounts. The public can also check bank accounts and mobile numbers linked to fraud cases via https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.
Source:The Star
January 25, 2024 16:42 UTC
YTL Power data centre ‘underappreciated’
PETALING JAYA: YTL Power International Bhd ’s “underappreciated” data centre business fetches a valuation of RM6.3bil or one-fifth of the group’s total market value of over RM32bil. The estimate by Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research was based on a “conservative” 150 megawatt (MW) capacity of YTL Power’s data centre arm, YTL Data Center Holdings Pte Ltd (YTLDC). YTL Power made its maiden debut into the South-East Asian data centre landscape in 2021, after YTLDC acquired a 50% stake in Singapore’s Dodid. Through its 60%-owned YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, YTL Power is also collaborating with Nvidia for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) cloud and supercomputer infrastructure, to be hosted in YTLDC’s data centre park. Wessex Water, YTL Power’s water and sewerage operator in the United Kingdom, provides water and wastewater services to 2.9 million customers in the southwest of England.
Source:The Star
January 25, 2024 14:54 UTC
Woman charged with torturing and killing animals live on the Internet
UPPER DARBY: A Philadelphia-area woman has been charged with animal cruelty after police allege videos she posted show her torturing and killing animals while soliciting encouragement on social media. Anigar Monsee, 28, of Upper Darby, was charged with four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals - torture, according to Delaware County court records. Police alleged in a criminal complaint that in one video posted live involving a chicken, the woman "repeatedly commented on the number of viewers and likes, and solicited more, before she harmed the animal,” the newspaper reported. Detectives interviewed Monsee and confirmed that the kitchen in her apartment was identical to the kitchen in the most recent video, police said. Court documents don't list an attorney, and a listed number for Monsee couldn't be found.
Source:The Star
January 24, 2024 19:58 UTC
Dr M: I am being treated like a criminal for speaking my mind
PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has complained that he is being treated like a common criminal for voicing his own opinion. The former prime minister said he was a law abiding citizen who merely spoke his mind. "Over the last few years, I have had my statements recorded by police at least ten times. But when I say something, it cannot be accepted," he said while adding that he was informed 18 people had lodged reports over his recent interview with an Indian TV channel. ALSO READ: Dr M arrives to meet cops over 'loyalty' commentsDr Mahathir said during his session with investigators on Tuesday, he was asked a total of 19 questions.
Source:The Star
January 23, 2024 16:22 UTC
Programme launched to aid career transition of ex-servicemen
GEORGE TOWN: A programme has been launched to pave the way for new career opportunities for retired armed forces personnel. "We want to make sure they live with respect and dignity after retiring from the armed forces. The initiative was launched to pave sustainable post-retirement careers and upskilling for veterans in the armed forces, he added. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said some 3,000 to 4,000 retired armed forces personnel are currently unemployed and not entitled to. Adly said some 6,000 servicemen retire from the armed forces each year.
Source:The Star
January 22, 2024 23:59 UTC