Warisan rep demands proof of RM31b Esteel investment in Sabah
Wong (above), who is from the opposition party Warisan, said Sabah's Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe should stop making statements about the potential of the project unless he can prove its legitimacy.
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The Star
33 minutes ago
- The Star
Chinese-built Ethiopian Airlines headquarters building tops out
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The new Ethiopian Airlines Group headquarters building, which is under construction in Addis Ababa, the East African country's capital, has topped out, marking completion of its main structural works. The topping-out ceremony of the 45-meter-high structure was held on Monday, attended by representatives from the Ethiopian Airlines Group and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Mesfin Tasew, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines Group, expressed confidence that the project will be completed on schedule, meeting the long-awaited desire of the airline. "We want this headquarters to be completed as soon as possible. It is our expectation that this headquarters will be completed with the highest level of quality," said Tasew. Built by the CCECC on a total land area of over 33,560 square meters, the project consists of six different buildings with multiple facilities, including commercial, corporate, and customer services. Noting that Chinese construction companies have successfully accomplished different projects for the airline, Tasew expressed confidence in the CCECC to deliver the project to the airline's satisfaction. "Our decision to engage with CCECC shows our trust and confidence in the company to construct and deliver state-of-the-art facilities," the CEO reiterated. Chen Sichang, general manager of CCECC, vowed to deliver the project on time and with top quality. "Now, the main structure has been completed, our commitment to engineering excellence does not stop here. We pledge to our client and all stakeholders that we will continue to uphold our corporate motto of diligence, integrity, and perseverance," Chen said. Launched on Aug. 30, 2023, the Ethiopian Airlines Group headquarters building project is set to be completed in August 2026. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines, the flagship carrier of Ethiopia, has launched the construction of a new mega airport near Bishoftu town, about 42 km east of Addis Ababa. During the topping-out ceremony, the CEO invited CCECC to participate in the construction of the new mega airport.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Hong Kong arrests two over suspected US$6.7mil water scam
HONG KONG: Hong Kong police said Monday they had arrested two people over a suspected scam involving a water supplier that may have cheated the government in a contract worth nearly US$7 million. A company named Xin Ding Xin won a deal in June to provide 1.88 million bottles of water for dispensers in some government offices – the first time such a contract went to a Chinese brand, according to local media. But police said the firm was found to have relied on false documents during the tender process, claiming to source its water from another mainland Chinese supplier when in fact they had no business ties. Officers arrested a 61-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman for fraud on Sunday, seizing around 2,600 bottles of water in a warehouse along with documents and electronic devices. The arrests have prompted water-cooler discussions across the Chinese finance hub on how bureaucrats missed the tell-tale signs of a scam when awarding a 36-month contract worth HK$52.9 million (US$6.77 million). Payment for the delivered batches has not yet been settled, according to police. The Government Logistics Department said on Monday that it had terminated its bottled water supply contract with Xin Ding Xin, as well as "three other contracts for the supply of chemicals which were affiliated with XDX's owner." Christopher Hui, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, set up a dedicated task force following an urgent meeting on Sunday. Hui also ordered "remedial actions" and invited the Audit Commission to review the tender exercise. "The incident has raised concerns among government colleagues and drawn extensive attention from the public," he said in a press release. Aside from the two arrests on Sunday, one mainland Chinese man remains at large, police said.
The Star
3 hours ago
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Singapore prioritises jobs amid a fragmenting world and the rise of AI, says PM Lawrence Wong
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is delivering his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17. -- The Straits Times Photo: Gavin Foo SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said jobs for citizens will be the government's top priority as the city-state faces risks from rising global trade barriers and artificial intelligence. The impact of the US-China rivalry, President Donald Trump's tariff war and threats to workers from new technologies were the key challenges Wong highlighted in his annual National Day Rally speech on Sunday, marking the country's 60th year. "This next chapter opens in a more troubled and turbulent world,' Wong said. In his first major address since May's election, which extended the six-decade rule of the People's Action Party, Wong underscored plans to fortify the trade-reliant economy and strengthen social safety nets, as well as redevelop portions of the island and build new housing. Wong, 52, campaigned on the need to preserve stability amid slowing global growth and rising protectionism, arguing that the PAP was best placed to shield Singaporeans from economic shocks, including the impact of US tariff policies. "Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs and jobs - that's our number one priority,' he said. "We will do more to help Singaporeans seize new job opportunities.' Under Wong, the PAP had expanded social welfare policies, introducing the country's first unemployment benefits and channeling billions of dollars into subsidies for food, utilities and education. Of the country's roughly 6 million inhabitants, about 3.6 million are citizens. Singapore will "equip and empower every enterprise' to harness AI effectively, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, Wong said, adding that the island nation would launch a new job-matching initiative and a government-funded traineeship program for university graduates. Looking further ahead, Wong said the government will review its economic strategies "because the external shifts we see today are not temporary.' That will include how the country stays competitive, accesses green energy and helps its firms break into new overseas markets. "We need a new economic blueprint, to secure Singapore's future in a very different world,' Wong said. Last week, Singapore raised its growth forecast for this year after a better-than-expected performance in the first half, mainly on the back of front-loading ahead of US tariffs and easing trade worries. The government sees the economy expanding 1.5%-2.5% year-on-year, higher than an earlier 0%-2% outlook. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
