ASEAN Centre For Energy Receives NZ$200,000 Grant From New Zealand
The contribution marks the first direct partnership between ACE and New Zealand, commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-New Zealand relations and reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable energy development in the region.
ACE Executive Director Datuk Abdul Razib Dawood described the grant as a significant milestone in regional energy cooperation, expressing gratitude to New Zealand for its continued support.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
37 minutes ago
- The Star
Myanmar to offer low-interest loans to drive growth in agriculture, livestock sectors
YANGON (Xinhua): The Myanmar government will disburse low-interest loans from the State Economic Promotion Fund, aiming to promote the country's agriculture and livestock sectors, state-owned daily The Mirror has reported. At a Union Price Stability Committee meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday, Union Minister for Planning and Finance U Win Shein said the government plans to disburse 688 billion kyats (US$327.61 million) in agricultural loans for over 5 million acres of land in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the report said. The minister called for high production of foodstuffs to ensure proper prices, promoting agriculture and livestock-based manufacturing, and expanding the cultivation of edible oil crops, it said. The Union Price Stability Committee, formed on August 18, 2023, is working on basic food price stability, balancing between local needs and production, ensuring the proper flow of goods in and out and supervising matters that disrupt commodity price stability in accordance with the law, the report said. - Xinhua
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia should focus on critical economic sectors in tariff negotiations
IF there was ever any doubt that US President Donald Trump's tariffs were nothing but political, recent American actions have put it to rest. Early this month, Trump announced updated duties on imports from 25 nations through template letters that talked about everything but trade. Malaysia was not spared. Trump's letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raises Malaysia's tariff from 24 to 25 per cent. More worryingly, the revised rate now covers "any and all" of Malaysia's US$43 billion exports to the United States. This means critical exports like semiconductors are no longer tariff-exempt, at least unless a subsequent Truth Social post or amended executive order indicates otherwise. Previously, 45 per cent of Malaysia's exports to the US were explicitly excluded from Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, primarily in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. Barring any deal, about 13 per cent of Malaysia's total exports will become more expensive overnight. US demand for Malaysian goods will come up against intense competition from markets subject to lower tariffs, such as the Philippines and Singapore. Until July 7, US-Malaysia trade talks seemed to be progressing well. Negotiations had entered their second round. Trump's team boasted of signing "90 deals in 90 days". So, what happened? It is premature to conclude that the negotiations failed outright. Even close US allies like Japan and South Korea were targeted despite months at the negotiating table. Trump is raising the stakes out of frustration with the inevitably slow pace of talks. Malaysia has until Aug 1 before the updated tariffs kick in. In the meantime, Putrajaya's priority should be to secure tariff exemptions or reductions in key sectors, including E&E. A critical consideration is that US tariffs are likely to stay for some time. The UK, despite its bilateral trade deficit, could not push tariffs below 10 per cent. Tariffs on Indonesia and Vietnam still hover around 20 per cent. Rather than chasing marginal across-the-board cuts, Malaysia should focus on sectors most exposed to the US, both in dollar terms and as a share of exports. Machinery and E&E products should top the list, as they make up 55 per cent of Malaysia's US-bound exports. This is more important than dismantling all our tariffs and non-tariff measures in the hope of a deal. Such an approach sets a dangerous geoeconomic precedent, leaving Malaysia vulnerable if the US reneges on any deal later. Instead, Malaysia should address legitimate concerns in a calculated way without surrendering policy space. One step is to strengthen legislation against "origin washing", or the transshipment of foreign goods to circumvent US tariffs. Another is to increase imports of high-profile American products, such as aircraft and soybean, to signal goodwill. Domestic regulations no longer serving credible public policy objectives, such as Malaysia's 2022 ban on compliant US poultry imports, should also be revisited. Malaysia must continue to diversify trade, positioning itself as a bridge between the Global South and North. Washington's policies should not distract from the existential task of strengthening economic complexity and equitable growth at home. There is no quick fix to the challenges that the tariffs have created but a strategic, nuanced response will serve Malaysia better. The writer is an analyst at Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Anwar says will not step down unless proven guilty of misconduct
Anwar says he is firm on this and would continue to focus on fulfilling his mandate to develop the people and the nation. – Bernama photo BAYAN LEPAS (July 19): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today affirmed that he will not resign as demanded by certain quarters, as long as he has not committed any wrongdoing or abused his power. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said he is firm on this and would continue to focus on fulfilling his mandate to develop the people and the nation. 'Insya-Allah, I will not step down. If I had stolen public funds and people demand my resignation, then fine. But I did not steal anyone's money. I've been Prime Minister for nearly three years now, and I ask — where have we awarded projects through direct negotiation? All must go through the tender process. 'Use Parliament. Criticise if you must. If the opposition has the numbers, they can table a motion — that's the proper way. Persuade any MP to support you. If I lose, I will step down gracefully. That's the peaceful way,' he said. He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Teluk Kumbar Kompleks Madani near here today, which was also attended by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran. The Prime Minister, who is on a one-day working visit to Penang , said the Madani government under his leadership is working tirelessly to develop the nation, including addressing the rising cost of living. He noted that various initiatives are being implemented, including raising the minimum wage, providing assistance to poor padi farmers, expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, increasing affordable housing for the B40 group, and raising civil servants' salaries. Acknowledging that not all issues can be resolved within just three years of leading the government, Anwar said the administration is doing its utmost to support the people while pushing forward Malaysia's development. At the event, Anwar also announced an additional allocation of RM5 million for the development of Penang's Barat Daya district this year. – Bernama anwar ibrahim calls. resignation government parliament
