IRB denies any delay in payment to BPN applicants

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) denies that there is a late payment issue for applicants of the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) who have been approved and who have provided correct bank account numbers.  In a statement today, LHDN said all BPN payment were based on a…

India’s COVID-19 cases expected to peak in June or July – medical experts.

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) — India’s medical facilities are coming under growing pressure as coronavirus cases rise sharply despite a nationwide lockdown to contain the pandemic. The crisis has brought to the fore the issue of under-investment in the public healthcare system whereas private hospitals have…

Italy’s death toll from coronavirus rises by 262 to 31,368

ROME, May 15 (NNN-XINHUA) — A further 262 COVID-19 patients had died in the past 24 hours in Italy, bringing the country’s death toll to 31,368, out of total infection cases of 223,096, according to fresh figures on Thursday. The number of recoveries rose to 115,288, with an increase of…

RTD to resume full counter services from May 18 – Wee

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Road Transport Department (RTD) will fully open its counter services, including at Pos Malaysia branches, for all transactions from Monday (May 18), said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. He said that for now, RTD personnel nationwide were making final preparations…

COVID-19: Thailand prepares to reopen shopping malls, retail premises

By Linda Khoo BANGKOK, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Shopping malls and retail premises in Thailand have begun preparations for reopening which is expected to fall on Sunday as the COVID-19 situation in the kingdom continues to improve. Thursday, Thailand reported just one new COVID-19 case and zero fatalities, bringing the total…

SIA’s operating profit down 94.5 pct as COVID-19 hits aviation industry

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) group operating profit declined 94.5 per cent in the financial year ended March 31, 2020 to S$59 million, predominantly attributable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry in the fourth quarter. The Singapore national carrier’s revenue, meanwhile, fell…

COVID-19: Ministry to stick to 3-point screening strategy -Health DG

PUTRAJAYA, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Health Ministry (MOH) strategy on COVID-19 screening is through the use of its resources for high impact and high outcome with reasonable cost instead of screening every individual, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. He said MOH uses this three-point strategy rather than screen everyone as test…

Penang will be ready to welcome tourists by Q3 or Q4 2020 – State Exco

GEORGE TOWN, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Penang expects to welcome tourists by third or fourth quarter of this year following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Penang Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said despite Penang being a green zone state, the state is still working to rebuild the…

SMEs urged to adopt robotic automation

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Universal Robots, a Denmark-based collaborative robots (cobots) technology market leader, has urged Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate the adoption of robotic automation to remain competitive and efficient.  It said as companies faced rising costs for raw materials and a weak currency,…

Economic activity to improve in 2H 2020, says BNM Governor

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s economic activity is expected to gradually improve in the second half of the year (2H 2020) after COVID-19 containment measures are eased and the domestic Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). BNM governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said that would…