Malaysia

Malaysia Parliament votes to scrap mandatory death sentences

Malaysia's Parliament on Monday approved a bill that would scrap mandatory death penalties and limit capital punishment to serious crimes as part of wide-ranging reforms, bringing possible reprieves to more than 1,300 prisoners on death row. While the death sentence remains, courts will now be given the option of imposing jail sentences of up to 40 years, Deputy Law Minister Ramkarpal Singh said. Previously, courts had no choice but to mandate hanging as punishment for a range of crimes including murder, drug trafficking, treason, kidnapping and acts of terror. The reforms include abolishing the death penalty for some offenses that don't cause death that fall under kidnapping, terrorism and certain firearm crimes, officials said. Singh called the reforms a significant step forward for Malaysia's criminal justice system. He said 1,318 people are on death row in the country, including 842 who have exhausted all avenues of appeals. Most cases are linked to drug trafficking. Once the

India and Malaysia can now use Indian rupee to settle trade, says MEA

India and Malaysia can now use the Indian rupee to settle trade in addition to other currencies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. The move follows the decision by the Reserve Bank of India in July last year to allow settlement of international trade in Indian currency. "Trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in Indian Rupee (INR) in addition to the current modes of settlement in other currencies," the MEA said. "This follows the decision by the Reserve Bank of India in July 2022 to allow settlement of international trade in Indian Rupee," it said in a statement. The MEA said the RBI's initiative is aimed at facilitating the growth of trade and supporting the interests of the global trading community in the Indian rupee. "India International Bank of Malaysia (IIBM), based in Kuala Lumpur, has operationalised this mechanism by opening a special Rupee Vostro account through its corresponding bank in India that is Union Bank of India," it said. Vo

Malaysia's central bank to maintain overnight policy rate at 2.75%

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on Thursday decided to maintain the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent.

9-yrs of MH370: Malaysia to consider search ops if viable info emerges

Malaysia will consider new search operations for Flight MH370 if "new and credible" information emerges about its location, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke said

Over 26,000 relocated as floods hit Malaysia, 25 rivers at dangerous levels

Rescuers in boats retrieved families trapped on rooftops and hauled others to safety as villages and towns in parts of Malaysia were submerged in floodwaters, leading to over 26,000 people being evacuated as of Thursday. One person died when his car was swept away by floodwaters. The southern Johor state, neighboring Singapore, was the worst hit with some 25,000 people moved to relief centers in schools and community halls. The figure more than doubled from Tuesday, officials said. Five other states were also hit by floods after incessant rain on Wednesday deluged the area. The country is experiencing its sixth episode of continuous heavy rain from the annual monsoon season that started in November, the Meteorological Department said, warning it could drag on until April. In December, tens of thousands of people were also evacuated due to flooding. The department warned that rain will persist in Johor and other parts of the country that could cause further flash floods ...

Malaysia raises development spending, taxes for rich in 2023 budget

Malaysia will raise development spending and plans new taxes for the wealthy in a smaller budget plan this year, as the new government seeks to balance between spurring economic growth and reining in the budget deficit. Three months after his election victory, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a 386.1 billion ringgit ($87 billion) national budget in Parliament on Friday that focuses on helping people grappling with the rising cost of living amid an economic slowdown. Fuel and other subsidies, along with cash aid for the poor, farmers and industries are being retained, and new incentives will aim to tackle youth unemployment and bolster foreign investment. Anwar said the income tax system will also be rejigged to lower taxes for some 2.4 million middle-income earners but raise taxes for those in the high-income group. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government plans to introduce a luxury goods tax this year and is considering a capital gains tax. The budget also .

Maybank says no impact from subscription to Adani's share offering

Subscriptions to Adani Enterprises' offering were client subscriptions and fully funded by client funds, the bank told Reuters in an emailed statement

Egg prices jump on winter demand, high feed cost and exports to Malaysia

Traders see feed costs continuing to drive egg prices even in summer, when demand usually tapers

Malaysia's egg shortage sets Indian hatcheries on path to record exports

India shipped 5 million eggs to Malaysia in December and will ship 10 million in January and up to 15 million in February, according Kumar

Malaysian businessman jailed for 36 yrs for mkt manipulation in Singapore

The Malaysian mastermind behind Singapore's biggest stock market manipulation, which wiped out nearly SGD8 billion in market value in October 2013, was sentenced to 36 years in jail while his co-conspirator was handed a 20-year jail term by a court here on Wednesday. John Soh Chee Wen, a 62-year-old prominent Malaysian businessman, and his ex-partner and accomplice Quah Su-Ling, 58, were found to have manipulated the share prices of Blumont Group, Asiasons Capital and LionGold Corp (collectively known as BAL) between August 2012 and October 2013, the Straits Times newspaper reported. They did it through 187 trading accounts held with 20 financial institutions in the names of 58 individuals and companies. Both are appealing their sentences, the report said. Wen and Su-Ling had been convicted of 180 and 169 charges, respectively, in a long-running trial spanning almost 200 days and involving close to 100 prosecution witnesses, Channel News Asia reported. Wen was additionally found .

Final death toll in Malaysia's Selangor campsite landslide stands at 31

The final victim of last week's landslide in Malaysia has been recovered, leaving the final death toll at 31, the authorities have said

Toll in Malaysia landslide rises to 21, search for 12 missing still on

PM Anwar Ibrahim announced financial aid for victims after visiting the rescuers conducting the search and rescue operation

16 dead, 17 missing after landslide hits Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur

Seven people have been hospitalised with injuries and rescuers were searching for the estimated 17 missing people

Malaysia's unemployment falls to lowest in Oct since Covid-19 pandemic

Malaysia's unemployment fell to the lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic in October, reaching 602,000 persons, official data showed

Malaysian PM to use targeted subsidies to address high cost of living

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday that his government will review its use of subsidies to better help those most in need

New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim vows to heal divided nation, economy

Long-time reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister Thursday and vowed to heal a racially divided nation, fight corruption and revive an economy struggling with the rising cost of living. His rise to the top a was a victory for political reformers who were locked in a battle with Malay nationalists for days after a divisive general election on Saturday produced a hung Parliament. Anwar took his oath of office in a simple ceremony at the national palace that was broadcast on national television. Malaysia's king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, named Anwar, 75, as the nation's 10th leader after saying he was satisfied that Anwar is the candidate who is likely to have majority support. In his first news conference, Anwar said he would form a unity government comprising his Alliance of Hope that won 82 seats, the National Front with 30 seats and a bloc from eastern Sarawak state with 23 seats. He said that would give him a majority of 135 seats, with ..

Anwar Ibrahim of PH coalition named Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister

Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, has been named as the 10th Prime Minister of the country, the National Palace said on Thursday in a statement.

Malaysia king names reformist oppn leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister

Reformist opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim edged closer to become Malaysia's new prime minister after a political party agreed Thursday to support a unity government following inconclusive general elections. Any agreement must still be approved by Malaysia's king. Last Saturday's divisive election led to a hung parliament that renewed a leadership crisis in Malaysia, which had three prime ministers since 2018. Police have tightened security nationwide as social media warned of racial troubles if Anwar's multiethnic bloc wins. Anwar's Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, topped the race with 82 parliamentary seats, short of the 112 needed for a majority. Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin's Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, won 73 seats. The alliance led by the United Malays National Organization, which has 30 seats, hold the key that will tilt the balance. UMNO reversed its decision to remain in the opposition, saying it will heed the king's proposal for a unity .

Malaysian king meet lawmakers in continuing search for PM to end deadlock

Malaysia's king met lawmakers on Wednesday in a continuing search for a prime minister with majority support after inconclusive general elections that saw the rise of Islamists sparked anxieties in the multiracial nation. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, topped Saturday's poll with 82 parliamentary seats, but failed to reach the 112 needed for a majority. Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin's Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, won 73 seats. The hung parliament renewed a leadership crisis in Malaysia that saw three prime ministers since 2018. The biggest winner was the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, the hard-line ally in Muhyiddin's bloc, with 49 seats more than double what it won in 2018. Known as PAS, it backs Islamic Shariah law, rules three states and is now the single largest party. As the contest for the top job drags on, police have tightened security as posts on social media warned of racial troubles if Anwar's multieth

NDTV puts on hold proposed sale of 20% stake in Astro Awani Network

Says CBI approval for the transaction has been withheld; exploring legal options