Malaysia sees 20 new COVID-19 cases

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The number of new COVID-19 cases in Malaysia increased to 20 today, with 10 cases involving the Tawar Cluster in Baling, Kedah, and another from the Muda Cluster in the same state. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said took the total number of positive cases recorded…

Singapore court dismisses appeals by two Malaysians on death row

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Two Malaysian inmates on death row failed in their appeals for a stay of execution pending a probe on allegations that “brutal and unlawful methods” used in judicial executions in the republic. “We dismiss the appeals,” according to judges of Singapore’s Apex Court, Andrew Phang, Judith Prakash,…

Malaysia sees highest Q2 GDP contraction of 17.1 percent in Asean

By Nurul Jannah Kamaruddin & Zufazlin Baharuddin KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The massive 17.1 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) contraction in the second quarter (Q2) 2020 has so far made Malaysia the worst-performing economy in ASEAN. For Malaysia, the figure is the worst double-digit quarterly contraction since 1998, or about…

Haze in Miri caused by several fires in the state

MIRI, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Several fires which broke out in this northern city of Sarawak recently here have contributed to the hazy conditions here. State Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is in charge of the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) today said the Fire and Rescue Department…

Logging project: Three nabbed for alleged RM3 million bribery

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Three individuals have been detained on suspicion of giving and accepting bribes amounting to RM3 million in relation to a logging project worth more than RM27 million in Pahang, five years ago. The suspects aged between 39 and 73 were arrested after they were called to…

Najib fails in bid to quash 1MDB audit report tampering charge

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The High Court here today dismissed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s application to strike out the charge of tampering with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) final audit report, that he is facing with 1MDB former chief executive officer, Arul Kanda Kandasamy. Judge Mohamed Zaini…

Higher debt is temporary, manageable – central bank

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – The plan to increase the country’s statutory debt limit to 60 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 55 per cent is temporary and can be managed by the government. Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said increasing the…

Malaysian medical students in Indonesia to sit for exit exam in UPM

By Mohd Shukri Ishak JAKARTA, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Final-year Malaysian medical students studying in Indonesia will sit for their  Medical Profession Programme Student Competency Test (UKMPPD), better known as the Exit Exam, in Malaysia, on Aug 16. In June this year, Bernama reported that Malaysian medical students applied to the…

Govt aims to launch Digital Economy Masterplan in Oct 2020 – Mustapa

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The government is expected to launch the Digital Economy Masterplan in October 2020 as an initiative to expand all sectors, including the non-manufacturing sector in the country, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. He said last year, the Ministry…

Malaysia continues to use diplomatic channels to defend its territorial claims – Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia takes constructive measures and uses diplomatic channels in line with international law to defend its territorial claims, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Hence, the country has consistently submitted protest notes to countries whose vessels were discovered to have encroached into…