Fahmi: Asean Summit in KL to spotlight city's progress, global standing
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today defended the decision to host the 46th Asean Summit in capital amidst public complaints about anticipated traffic congestion, saying it is to showcase the city's progress and beauty.
Major roads around the Klang Valley will be closed for six days starting this Friday to facilitate travel for dignitaries attending the summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Authorities have advised the public to either avoid these roads or, if possible, stay at home during the event.
During a site visit to the convention centre today, Fahmi told reporters that this year's summit is unique as it marks the first time envoys from China and Gulf countries will participate.
'It is a choice where we hope we can entertain our guests, show them how wonderful Kuala Lumpur has become over the last many years,' he said.
'The last time we hosted was ten years ago. This is an opportunity to show how much progress we've made.'
Six expressways and 25 major roads in the Klang Valley will face closures or diversions from May 23 to May 28 in conjunction with the summit.
Bukit Aman's Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director, Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, announced today the deployment of 789 officers for various duties, from escorting VVIP motorcades to managing expected road congestion, The Star reported.
Private firms have been encouraged to allow their staff to work from home, while the Ministry of Education has announced that schools located along the affected major roads will implement remote learning.
'This is not an opportunity that comes often,' Fahmi said, as he reiterated the call for employers to allow remote work.
'This (summit) is especially important because it is under the leadership of a prime minister who is highly respected internationally.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 minutes ago
- The Star
High Court dismisses former KL Tower operator's committal bid
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has dismissed the leave application by the former operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower to commence committal proceedings against seven individuals and the government. The former operator, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd, and its parent, Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd, are seeking contempt of court action against the eight for allegedly disrupting the administration of justice amid ongoing legal proceedings. Judge Roz Mawar Rozain, who rejected the application, ordered the two companies to pay RM25,000 to the respondents, including Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Six other officials were also named as respondents, including Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, Federal Land Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain and Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. In her judgment on Monday (June 9), Judge Roz Mawar ruled that the court was not satisfied there was a prima facie case to warrant the granting of leave for contempt proceedings. She further held that the court was not persuaded by Hydroshoppe's assertion of encroachment on its properties, regardless of the manner, given that its contract with the government had lapsed on March 31. The court also dismissed the inter partes injunction application by Hydroshoppe and Menara KL, ordering both companies to pay RM20,000 each in costs to the government, as well as to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd. The court then fixed July 14 to hear the striking-out applications filed by Fahmi and the three companies. Hydroshoppe and Menara KL filed a breach of contract suit against the respondents, alleging that LSH Capital and its subsidiaries induced a breach of an agreement purportedly reached with the government during a meeting in August 2022. The plaintiffs further claimed that the respondents engaged in dishonest assistance and are seeking a declaration that the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master is void and unlawful. In addition, they are claiming an estimated RM1 billion in damages and are seeking the concession of the iconic Kuala Lumpur landmark to be transferred back to them. - Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
FBM KLCI edges up at midday amid cautious market sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session on a firmer note, with the FBM KLCI edging higher amid cautious market sentiment and lingering external headwinds. At the lunch break, the benchmark FBM KLCI rose 3.37 points, or 0.22%, to 1,520.16, after touching an intraday high of 1,521.64. There were 437 gainers, 370 losers and 425 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia. Turnover stood at 1.68 billion shares valued at RM888.4mil. TA Securities said immediate resistance for the FBM KLCI remained at 1,564, with stronger hurdles at the recent high of 1,586 and then 1,610. Immediate support is at 1,490, with firmer support at 1,465 and 1,444. 'As for stock picks this week, key gaming, banking, construction, and technology heavyweights and lower liners such as Genting, Genting Malaysia, Maybank, Public Bank, MRCB, WCT Holdings, Globetronics, and Inari should again attract bargain hunters looking for potential recovery at current oversold levels,' it added. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said the FBM KLCI may continue to trend sideways with a slight upward bias, supported by last week's constructive call between Trump and Xi and the commencement of the second round of US-China trade talks in London today. That said, it noted that broader market sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing foreign outflows, uncertainty over the US-Malaysia tariff deal, and June's historically weak seasonality. 'Concerns are further amplified by a weakening global trade environment, ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the Trump administration's unpredictable trade stance, and the potential for domestic subsidy rationalisation in 2H25 — all of which may cloud Malaysia's growth and earnings outlook,' it said. On Bursa Malaysia, Malaysian Pacific Industries led the gainers, climbing 70 sen to RM20.90. Ayer rose 36 sen to RM7.60, Chin Tek added 30 sen to RM9.10 and F&N climbed 26 sen to RM27.64. Meanwhile, the top decliner was Nestle, which lost RM2.48 to RM74.64. PETRONAS Dagangan fell 36 sen to RM20.64, LPI Capital eased 26 sen to RM14.64 and United Plantations gave up 22 sen to RM21.42. Hartanah Kenyalang saw active trading on its ACE Market debut, with 16.67 million shares changing hands as the stock eased 0.5 sen to 15.5 sen.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
No option to opt out of sharing mobile phone data, says MCMC
CYBERJAYA: Malaysians do not have the option to opt out of having their mobile phone data (MPD) shared with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said this follows Cabinet approval for MPD to be used as a new data source in the production of national statistics. He added that the use of MPD is not unprecedented, as many countries have already adopted similar practices. On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from mobile network operators does not involve the access, processing or disclosure of any personally identifiable information. MCMC said the mobile phone data will be used strictly to generate official statistics to support evidence-based policymaking in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and the tourism sector. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, on Sunday, said MCMC is not seeking any personal data of users from telecommunications companies. He said MCMC's recent request to telcos was for anonymised data to support evidence-based policymaking, including for network infrastructure improvements.
