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Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
DUN Speaker dismisses question on Premier, Cabinet's travel expenses
Mohamad Asfia stated that the costs involved were merely a 'pittance' and 'trivial' compared to the billions in foreign investments the state has successfully attracted. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 26): State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar has dismissed a question concerning the overseas travel expenses of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his Cabinet ministers. In delivering his ruling, Mohamad Asfia stated that the costs involved were merely a 'pittance' and 'trivial' compared to the billions in foreign investments the state has successfully attracted. In his proclamation, the Speaker cited Standing Orders 20(3), 20(4), and 20(6) to disallow the question submitted by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, as well as earlier remarks raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen. He ruled that the question was not admissible as it had either been previously declined, was prejudicial to the proceedings of the Dewan, or was deemed against public interests. He defended the necessity of official overseas travel by state leaders, arguing that the expenditure was justified by the outcomes achieved. 'The few millions you spend on travelling become pittance and trivial compared with the billions, multi-billions that Sarawak achieved,' he said. Mohamad Asfia further stressed that international engagements such as inspecting aircraft in France or infrastructure in Qatar could not be conducted online. 'If you do this transaction by email or online or Facebook, it will be catastrophic. The loses to Sarawak will be in billions,' he stated. He argued that overseas engagements were crucial to Sarawak's rapid development and investment inflow, highlighting that the state's revenue had increased from RM10.6 billion in 2020 to RM14.18 billion in 2024. 'Investment from overseas and foreign investments like Niagara Falls poured into Sarawak … RM54.35 billion. This is unprecedented in the entire history of Sarawak or any state in the nation,' he said. He also justified such expenditures by offering hypothetical scenarios saying those wanting to purchase an Airbus aeroplane would have to travel to France to verify the aircraft. 'You do not go alone. You cannot use email and online for this airport and seaport or the purchase of the latest aircraft from France,' he stressed. Warning against attempts to question the state's development strategies, Mohamad Asfia said such scrutiny could 'impede and jeopardise Sarawak's economic miracle and expansionist programme'. 'You do not question and impede Sarawak progress, economic miracle, and so forth. Question is disallowed,' he reiterated. Yong's question requesting a breakdown of overseas travel expenses incurred over the past five years was rejected on the first day of the DUN Sitting on May 19. Subsequently, during a press conference on May 23, Chong had criticised the decision to reject Yong's question. lead Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar overseas travel expenses
Malaysian Reserve
21-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Bursa Malaysia opens mixed
BURSA Malaysia opened mixed on Wednesday, amid a weaker Wall Street performance overnight. At 9.05 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.28 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 1,551.15 from Tuesday's close of 1,548.87. The benchmark index had opened 4.07 points higher at 1,552.94. However, 159 decliners outpaced 121 gainers, while 224 counters were unchanged, 1,914 untraded, and seven suspended. Turnover stood at 162.30 million shares valued at RM69.83 million. Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects the FBM KLCI to extend its consolidation as investors await fresh buying catalysts from upcoming corporate earnings releases, in the wake of a tariff-induced global economic slowdown that may dampen domestic economic activity and corporate earnings. 'This cautious outlook will likely persist until a permanent and mutually beneficial trade deal is reached between the United States (US) and key trading partners, including Malaysia,' the investment bank said in a research note today. Additionally, HLIB noted that persistent policy uncertainty from the US President Donald Trump administration and ongoing ambiguity surrounding the US Federal Reserve's rate trajectory would continue to weigh on market sentiment and business confidence. Among heavyweights, TNB and IHH Healthcare rose four sen to RM14.18 and RM6.99, respectively, CelcomDigi increased five sen to RM3.93, Hong Leong Bank advanced 12.0 sen to RM20.02, Press Metal and Petronas Gas were flat at RM4.96 and RM17.72, while Maybank and CIMB fell two sen each to RM10.02 and RM4.49. In active trade, Harvest Miracle, Alam Maritim and Velesto added half-a-sen each to 18.5 sen, 3.5 sen and 17 sen, respectively, Senheng advanced 3.5 sen to 27.5 sen, West River and Auro Holdings were flat at 34.5 sen and 15 sen, while Sarawak Cable shed 4.5 sen to 3.5 sen. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index bagged 12.95 points to 11,579.86, the FBMT 100 Index went up 12.38 points to 11,329.35, and the FBM ACE Index firmed 9.60 points to 4,663.14. The FBM Emas Shariah Index expanded 37.85 points to 11,500.73, and the FBM 70 Index inched up 0.99 of-a-point to 16,414.36. Across sectors, the Financial Services Index slipped 20.17 points to 18,295.75, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged down 0.28 of-a-point to 158.18, while the Energy Index added 3.33 points to 718.10, and the Plantation Index garnered 75.57 points to 7,356.50. — BERNAMA
