Thailand extends Songkran holiday with extra day to boost tourism

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand’s Cabinet, today, approved an additional public holiday on April 12 to create a five-day break for this year’s Songkran festival, with the aim to stimulate tourism and private consumption. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the Cabinet approved the proposal made by the Office of…

Laos meeting of economic ministers in March will discuss review of ASEAN-India pact

NEW DELHI, Feb 13 (NNN-Bernama) — The meeting of ASEAN economic ministers in Laos next month will discuss the review of a 15-year-old trade agreement with India. The review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) seeks to make it more relevant to the business community and companies. “We…

Bursa Malaysia opens higher in early session

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (NNN-Bernama) — Bursa Malaysia opened higher on Tuesday amid the absence of new catalyst and a subdued trading atmosphere during the Chinese New Year (CNY) season. At 9.05 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 5.19 points to 1,517.47 from last Friday’s close of…

Malaysian ringgit opens lower against greenback ahead of US CPI data

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian ringgit opened lower against the US dollar Tuesday as investors remain cautious ahead of the United States Consumer Price Index (CPI) data release Tuesday night, according to an analyst. At 9 am, the ringgit eased to 4.7610/7670 against…

Malaysia condemns massive Israeli attack in Rafah

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Feb 12 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale offensive in Rafah where millions of displaced civilians are seeking refuge. The Foreign Ministry stated that the inhumane assault will worsen the current humanitarian catastrophe, exacerbate tension in the region, and further derail efforts towards immediate…

WGS 2024 calls for tech collaboration to tackle challenges, seize opportunities

DUBAI, Feb 12 (NNN-Bernama) — The World Government Summit (WGS 2024) urges governments to address pressing issues and chart a path forward in an ever-changing landscape evolving around the artificial intelligence (AI) field. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Cabinet Affairs and WGS 2024 Chairman, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, highlighted…

Malaysia’s tax collection among the lowest in the region

By NurulJannah Kamaruddin and Nur Athirah Mohd Shaharuddin KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia is one of the lowest tax revenue collectors in Southeast Asia, with a tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 11.8 per cent. Malaysia University Science and Technology (MUST) economist Prof Emeritus Dr Barjoyai Bardai said…

Malaysia joins 15 nations in tech-driven labour market talks at 7th Abu Dhabi dialogue

From Nabilah Saleh DUBAI, Feb 12 (NNN-Bernama) — Representatives from Malaysia’s Human Resources Ministry were among the participants from 15 Asian nations at the Seventh Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) Ministerial Consultation meeting, held as part of the World Government Summit 2024 (WGS 2024) here on Sunday. The dialogue focused on…

Indonesian and Pakistan NGOs present plans to rebuild Gaza

SHAH ALAM (Malaysia), Feb 11 (NNN-Bernama) — The Aqsa Working Group (AWG) from Indonesia has ambitious plans to contribute to the post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza by rebuilding the Indonesian Hospital in north Gaza and constructing a specialised hospital for children and women in south Gaza. Nur Ikhwan Abadi, Chairman…

2024 General Election: Indonesians in Malaysia rally for home country’s future with massive turnout in early voting

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (NNN-Bernama) — Amidst the hustle of residing and earning a living in Malaysia, the Indonesian citizens did not let this prevent them from fulfilling their duty to their homeland by participating in early voting for the 2024 General Election on Sunday. The Chinese New Year public…