logo
Malaysia's ‘water bank' visits Star Media Group

Malaysia's ‘water bank' visits Star Media Group

The Star21-05-2025

(Front row) Chan (second from left), Zulkiflee, Wang (right) and Ng, posing for a group photo together with other personnel from Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd and Star Media Group at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya.
AN 11-member delegation from Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) paid a courtesy visit to Star Media Group (SMG) with the objective of strengthening ties.
PAAB chief executive officer Zulkiflee Omar said the company funds the building, upgrading and repairing of water assets nationwide.
'That's why we refer to ourselves as the country's water bank,' he said.
'We are wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Inc and our mandate from the government is to provide the most economic and sustainable funding to water operators across the country.'
Zulkiflee noted that among the major projects PAAB is involved in is phase two of the Langat 2 water treatment plant project.
PAAB is also finalising two key projects in Kelantan, including a water treatment plant (WTP) in Bukit Chupak, Gua Musang.
Zulkiflee said two WTPs were also underway in Penang, worth over RM1bil.
'We want the public to know what we are doing and hope SMG can help share our journey with the people,' he said.
At SMG headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Zulkiflee and his team also toured the studios of Malay radio station Suria FM and Chinese radio station 988 FM before adjourning for light refreshments.
SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said they would explore how both entities could work together more closely.
Also present were SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang and chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng. ― By ALISA IDRIS

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The lesson Asean must draw from the Trump-Musk quarrel
The lesson Asean must draw from the Trump-Musk quarrel

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

The lesson Asean must draw from the Trump-Musk quarrel

THE public spat between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk should be viewed with detached clarity by Asean policymakers and observers. It is neither a signal of a shift in American foreign policy nor does it foreshadow a major realignment in the global tech landscape. In his second term, Trump has doubled down on his view that the US must be ruled not by institutions but by personalities. He has no patience with those who challenge his centrality. Musk, once an object of Trump's admiration, has become a rival personality. The former's influence spans multiple domains — space, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and digital media. In the eyes of Trump, this influence must be subordinate to political loyalty. Musk's criticism of Trump, whether on policy, personality or principle, has thus drawn an inevitable response. Yet Musk is no innocent bystander. His relentless need to comment, provoke and insert himself into the political arena has increasingly eroded the neutrality that once insulated Tesla and SpaceX from partisan warfare. Since acquiring Twitter — renamed X — Musk has made the platform a personal amplifier of his views, often blurring the line between corporate strategy and personal vendetta. Just as Trump cannot resist attacking, Musk cannot help but respond. The result is a digital 'blood sport'. At a deeper level, Musk's recent provocations may be to deflect attention from his growing troubles. Tesla, long seen as the undisputed champion of electric vehicles, is now steadily losing global market share to China's BYD. Despite Musk's early-mover advantage, the Chinese EV juggernaut has surpassed Tesla in both unit sales and technological innovation, especially in markets across Asia and the Global South. This shift is not just commercial — it is geopolitical. China's industrial policy, from lithium refining to battery standardisation, has enabled firms like BYD to undercut and outpace American competitors. Tesla, by contrast, faces domestic regulatory scrutiny, investor fatigue and inconsistent leadership. Musk, who once rode the wave of futuristic optimism, is now increasingly seen as a mercurial figure whose ventures are overextended and reactive. While American media and pundits obsess about this feud, Asean must resist being distracted. The region is entering a critical decade in which its ability to lead on green transition, artificial intelligence governance and maritime security will define its global role. Whether Musk and Trump call each other names or trade blows on social media is irrelevant to the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, or to the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Moreover, if there is a lesson to draw from this spectacle, it is the danger of personalising power. Asean's strength has always rested in its ability to temper egos through consensus and consultation. That is not a flaw but a survival mechanism. The bloc should be wary of importing political styles rooted in personality cults, where institutions are hollowed out in favour of personal charisma and performative leadership. Musk and Trump are both creatures of the same American pathology: the belief that individual willpower, when fused with wealth or fame, is enough to override complex systems. But Asean is different. The region's success depends not on dominant personalities but on the patient weaving of trust, rules and interdependence. Ultimately, Asean must tune out the noise. There are far more pressing issues to confront — from resolving the Myanmar crisis and addressing climate-induced migration, to strengthening regional supply chains and ensuring cybersecurity. The Musk-Trump bust-up may dominate headlines in Washington, but it is only a sideshow to the real geopolitical currents shaping Asia's future.

US-China renewed dialogue seen lifting Malaysia's trade outlook
US-China renewed dialogue seen lifting Malaysia's trade outlook

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

US-China renewed dialogue seen lifting Malaysia's trade outlook

KUALA LUMPUR: Renewed trade talks between the United States and China are expected to boost investor confidence and strengthen Malaysia's trade momentum, an economist said. Putra Business School economist Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said any move to reduce tariffs between the two economic giants could steady the sails for Malaysia by boosting confidence and trade visibility. "If the US and China agree to resume talks and reach a deal to reduce tariffs on each other, Malaysia's trade environment and investor sentiment will become less volatile and uncertain," he told Business Times. "This would boost investor confidence and encourage continued investment in Malaysia," Razman added, noting that while tensions persist, Malaysia is taking steps to shield its economy. Razman also expects Malaysia's export markets and supply chains to remain competitive, although growth may moderate slightly. This, he said, is supported by ongoing efforts to diversify export destinations, grow the country's trading partnerships and enhance intra-Asean trade. Should US-China negotiations break down again, he said the impact on Malaysia would likely remain limited. "There will be some negative impact but it will be minimum as majority of Malaysia's products such as semiconductor will not be subjected to higher tariffs by the US," he said. Trump and Xi held a 90-minute phone conversation on Thursday, marking their first direct dialogue since Trump resumed office. The call, widely viewed as a positive step towards easing the prolonged trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, laid the groundwork for renewed bilateral cooperation and the resumption of high-level trade negotiations. Both leaders agreed to restart trade talks, with senior US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, expected to meet their Chinese counterparts. The timing and venue for these negotiations have yet to be finalised but are anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks. Although the call sparked market optimism, US stocks closed lower as a sharp decline in Tesla shares outweighed the positive momentum from progress in US-China tariff negotiations. Tesla shares plunged over 14 per cent in heavy trading as the escalating public feud between Trump and businessman Elon Musk rattled investors, wiping out about US$150 billion in market value. Razman downplayed concerns over the spat saying, "The impact on Malaysia will be minimal, as the fallout primarily affects the SpaceX program and Tesla production."

Trump says Xi to restart rare earth flows, sets date for talks
Trump says Xi to restart rare earth flows, sets date for talks

The Star

time5 hours ago

  • The Star

Trump says Xi to restart rare earth flows, sets date for talks

FILE PHOTO: Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to defuse growing tensions spurred by concerns over the flow of critical minerals needed by American firms.- Reuters WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had agreed to restart the flow of rare-earth materials, as negotiators from the two nations prepare to resume trade talks on June 9 in London. The developments come as the world's two largest economies look to resolve a simmering dispute over tariffs and technology that has unnerved markets. Trump and Xi held a 90-minute call on Thursday (June 5) that saw the two agree to defuse growing tensions spurred by concerns over the flow of critical minerals needed by American firms. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet Monday "with Representatives of China, with reference to the Trade Deal,' Trump said Friday on social media. "The meeting should go very well.' Earlier talks between the two countries in Switzerland in May resulted in a tariff truce between Beijing and Washington that set the stage for further discussions on trade. But negotiations between the rivals stalled after the Geneva meeting, with both sides accusing the other of violating the agreement that brought down duties from massive highs. The US expressed concerns over the lack of rare-earth magnets essential for American electric vehicles and defense systems, while China bristled at fresh US restrictions on artificial intelligence chips from Huawei Technologies Co., as well as other advanced technologies and crackdowns on foreign students in the US. Asked Friday if Xi had agreed to restart the flow of rare-earth minerals and magnets, Trump told reporters on Air Force One: "Yes he did.' China also approved temporary export licences to critical mineral suppliers to major US automakers, Reuters reported earlier. But questions remain about what Trump conceded to Xi in their call, which the US president had eagerly sought. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement said that Trump told Xi Chinese students are welcome to study in the US, and Trump later said it would be his "honour' to welcome them. The call between Trump and Xi generated some hope on Wall Street for lower duties between the US and China, although investor optimism was limited, citing the lack of details on key matters and the thorny issues that await negotiators. The inclusion of Lutnick in the new round of talks may signal that Trump is willing to reconsider some of the technology curbs that threaten to hobble China's long-term growth ambitions. - Bloomberg

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store