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Barnama
3 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 30
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen urged the public to remain calm and trust the government and the armed forces to resolve the recent border clash through negotiation. He also warned of fake news that could incite tensions between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia will host the 2nd Badminton Asia Southeast Asia Regional Championships 2025 from July 7 to 12. The tournament includes double and single categories in the U15, U17 and U23 age groups. It will be held at the Morodok Techo National Stadium. The government has pushed back against reports that Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has backed out of an advisory role at Indonesia's state asset fund Danantara and said it remained in contact with the United States hedge fund titan's team. 2. NORTH SUMATRA TAKES ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF FOUR ISLANDS FORMERLY UNDER ACEH -- JAKARTA GLOBE The central government has officially reassigned four islands previously under Aceh's jurisdiction to the administrative authority of North Sumatra Province, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution confirmed on Thursday. LAOS 1. HARSH PENALTY TO CURB ILLEGAL SURROGACY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Anyone involved in surrogacy in Loa will be punished with a 19-year prison sentence and fined up to 400 million kip (RM79,000). The warning comes after advertisements promoting illegal surrogacy were discovered. Hiring a surrogate mother needs a government doctor's approval. 2. PNEUMONIA TOPS LIST OF ILLNESS THREATENING KIDS -- VIENTIANE TIMES The Children's Hospital in Vientiane is strengthening paediatricians' skills to improve the health and mortality rate of newborns and infants. Pneumonia remains a leading illness at the hospital, followed by diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infections and malaria. MYANMAR 1. ETHNIC ARMED GROUPS TOLD TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government has urged all ethnic armed organisations and relevant parties to respect the temporary ceasefire to ensure rehabilitation works are carried out smoothly. Besides, addressing the current risks being faced by the nation, it is imperative to consider potential future dangers. 2. TAPPING OIL, GAS, SOLAR TO POWER THE NATION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Ministry of Energy is launching new offshore oil and gas projects to strengthen the energy sector. The government is also considering the import and installation of solar panels as they are key for power production for the country. SINGAPORE 1. 47 COUNTRIES TO ATTEND 22ND SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE IN SINGAPORE -- THE STRAITS TIMES Forty-seven countries, including 40 minister-level delegates, will attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), which takes place at the Shangri-La Hotel from May 30 to June 1. UNDERREPORTED PROBLEM? SURVEY FINDS 30% OF SINGAPORE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN BULLIED -- CNA A survey by CNA's Talking Point programme has found that student bullying could be more pervasive than official figures suggest, with about 30 per cent of secondary school students in Singapore claiming they have been bullied. THAILAND 1. SOMSAK VETOES MEDICAL COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION ON DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST -- DOCTORS THE NATION Public Health Minister Somsak vetoes Medical Council's disciplinary action against three doctors over Thaksin's hospital stay opinion. 2. FLOOD THREAT GROWS ALONG CHAO PHRAYA -- BANGKOK POST Bangkok is on heightened alert for potential flooding as high sea levels threaten low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River through to Sunday, with temporary and permanent flood protection measures underway. VIETNAM 1. PROPOSAL TO BUILD RM2 BILLION CASINO IN QUANG NINH -- VIETNAM NEWS The Ministry of Finance is seeking the government's approval to build a tourism complex in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh province, including a luxury RM8.5 billion (US$2 billion) casino. The casino will be built on 244 hectares of land. 2. TRADE FAIR IN SOUTHERN CITY EYING GLOBAL SUPPLIERS -- VIETNAMPLUS Ho Chi Minh City will host the Vietnam International Hardware Expo 2025 and the Home Show Vietnam 2025 from June 4-6. The business-to-business trade fair, aimed at connecting global suppliers, will showcase hardware, household products and gifts. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
PetChem faces near-term headwinds, recovery likely in second half
KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's (PetChem) earnings are expected to remain subdued in the second quarter of financial year 2025 (2QFY25), with a significant recovery anticipated only in the second half of 2025 (2H25). Urea and methanol prices, which had earlier contributed commendably to the group's performance, have eased going into 2Q25 as earlier supporting factors, including stronger feedstock prices and supply constraints, have gradually dissipated. As such, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB Research) expects the group's fertilisers and methanol segment to record softer earnings in the coming quarter. The research house also expects the olefins and derivatives (O&D) division to remain under pressure in 2Q25, as ongoing feedstock disruptions at Petrochemicals Company Sdn Bhd (PPC) and utility supply issues in Kertih continue to weigh on the segment's profitability. In addition, polyolefin prices are expected to trend lower, amid a potential demand slowdown triggered by the United States' sweeping tariffs and a recent decline in oil prices that has reduced naphtha feedstock costs. "In light of the operational hiccups in Kertih and PPC, we expect PCG's bottom line to stay depressed in 2QFY25 and will only stage a meaningful recovery in 2H25," it noted. HLIB Research has maintained a 'Sell' call on PetChem, with a lower target price of RM2.50. The firm expects the petrochemical sector to remain challenging on the back of China's aggressive capacity expansion drive, coupled with unexciting demand outlook from the downstream sectors. "Not helping is PCG's PPC operations, which contribute a substantially higher depreciation and interest cost base that is not covered by PPC's negative earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation contribution, thus resulting in significant earnings dilution going forward," it said. In line with this, HLIB Research has also lowered its FY25 and FY26 earnings forecasts by 38 per cent and six per cent, respectively, and introduced an FY27 forecast of RM1.8 billion. PetChem recorded subdued 1Q25 core earnings of RM79 million which came in below HLIB Research's and street estimates at five per cent of FY25 forecasts. Core earnings dropped 84 per cent year-on-year (YoY) as O&D business slipped into negative territory. The earnings shortfall was attributed to extensive operational disruptions in the O&D segment, affecting both PPC and Kertih.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang tunnel MoU didn't require open tender process
KUALA LUMPUR: A former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) told the Sessions Court here today that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to the mega project involving the construction of main roads and an undersea tunnel in Penang did not state that the project would be carried out via open tender. Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, 66, however, said that in early May 2011, he was informed by Lim Guan Eng that the project would be implemented through open tender. 'Indeed, the MoU did not mention open tender, but three meetings we attended with the state government indicated that the open tender was staged for us to win the project, as the request for proposal (RFP) documents were prepared with us, giving us an advantage. 'When the RFP was opened to other bidders, they were only given a short time to prepare their submissions,' he said during re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat in the corruption trial of the former Penang chief minister, who is facing four charges related to the project. The 27th prosecution witness said that based on the state government's visit to Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) in China, the three meetings, and the signing of the MoU, it showed that the project was awarded to his company via direct negotiation. He said that as early as 2011, they were already informed about the project and were among the parties involved in preparing the RFP, in addition to having insider information. 'The trip to China was also made by Penang state executive councillors and it was only to CZBUCG, not to any other Chinese company that participated in the tender. So, I say the appointment of CZBUCG for the project was orchestrated,' he said. Zarul Ahmad also revealed that he received RM79 million from the sale of land known as 'Lot 702', part of which he cashed out and stored in a safe in his office. 'I kept part of the money in the safe to be used in case of emergencies, and considering that the general election was approaching. I intended to make contributions to those I supported,' he said. When asked by Mahadi whether there was still money in the safe when officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) came to the office, Zarul Ahmad replied, 'Yes, they came not to conduct a search, but only to collect documents.' He also said that Lim had instructed him to hold a press conference stating that his company was not involved in corruption related to the project, in order to clear the name of the former Penang chief minister and the company. 'I was instructed by YB Lim Guan Eng to hold a press conference to clear the name of the company, his name, and my name, as they were being attacked by the previous government before Pakatan Harapan, so I followed the order. 'MACC never threatened me; since I was one of the last individuals called to give a statement, I had no choice but to reveal the truth after the agency presented me with solid investigation findings,' he said. According to the first amended charge, Lim, 64, is accused, in his capacity as Penang chief minister at the time, of using his position to solicit a RM3.3 million bribe by assisting Zarul Ahmad's company to be appointed for the RM6.3 billion Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Construction Project between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister's Office. In the second amended charge, Lim is alleged to have requested a bribe of 10 per cent of the profits from Zarul Ahmad as a reward for helping his company secure the same project, near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, here, between 12.30 am and 2 am in March 2011. He also faces two charges of causing the disposal of two pieces of state land in Penang worth RM208.8 million to a developer related to the undersea tunnel project, allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office in Komtar on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi resumes on May 27.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MoU did not specify Penang road, tunnel project to be done via open tender
KUALA LUMPUR: A former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) told the Sessions Court here today that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to the mega project involving the construction of main roads and an undersea tunnel in Penang did not state that the project would be carried out via open tender. Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, 66, however, said that in early May 2011, he was informed by Lim Guan Eng that the project would be implemented through open tender. 'Indeed, the MoU did not mention open tender, but three meetings we attended with the state government indicated that the open tender was staged for us to win the project, as the request for proposal (RFP) documents were prepared with us, giving us an advantage. 'When the RFP was opened to other bidders, they were only given a short time to prepare their submissions,' he said during re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat in the corruption trial of the former Penang chief minister, who is facing four charges related to the project. The 27th prosecution witness said that based on the state government's visit to Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) in China, the three meetings, and the signing of the MoU, it showed that the project was awarded to his company via direct negotiation. He said that as early as 2011, they were already informed about the project and were among the parties involved in preparing the RFP, in addition to having insider information. 'The trip to China was also made by Penang state executive councillors and it was only to CZBUCG, not to any other Chinese company that participated in the tender. So, I say the appointment of CZBUCG for the project was orchestrated,' he said. Zarul Ahmad also revealed that he received RM79 million from the sale of land known as 'Lot 702', part of which he cashed out and stored in a safe in his office. 'I kept part of the money in the safe to be used in case of emergencies, and considering that the general election was approaching. I intended to make contributions to those I supported,' he said. When asked by Mahadi whether there was still money in the safe when officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) came to the office, Zarul Ahmad replied, 'Yes, they came not to conduct a search, but only to collect documents.' He also said that Lim had instructed him to hold a press conference stating that his company was not involved in corruption related to the project, in order to clear the name of the former Penang chief minister and the company. 'I was instructed by YB Lim Guan Eng to hold a press conference to clear the name of the company, his name, and my name, as they were being attacked by the previous government before Pakatan Harapan, so I followed the order. 'MACC never threatened me; since I was one of the last individuals called to give a statement, I had no choice but to reveal the truth after the agency presented me with solid investigation findings,' he said. According to the first amended charge, Lim, 64, is accused, in his capacity as Penang chief minister at the time, of using his position to solicit a RM3.3 million bribe by assisting Zarul Ahmad's company to be appointed for the RM6.3 billion Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Construction Project between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister's Office. In the second amended charge, Lim is alleged to have requested a bribe of 10 per cent of the profits from Zarul Ahmad as a reward for helping his company secure the same project, near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, here, between 12.30 am and 2 am in March 2011. He also faces two charges of causing the disposal of two pieces of state land in Penang worth RM208.8 million to a developer related to the undersea tunnel project, allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office in Komtar on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi resumes on May 27.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
No open tender mentioned in Penang tunnel MoU
KUALA LUMPUR: A former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) told the Sessions Court that a memorandum of understanding for the Penang undersea tunnel and road projects made no mention of an open tender process. Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, 66, said that although the MoU was silent on this, Lim Guan Eng informed him in May 2011 that the project would be awarded via open tender. "Indeed, the MoU did not mention open tender, but three meetings we attended with the state government indicated that the open tender was staged for us to win the project, as the request for proposal (RFP) documents were prepared with us, giving us an advantage. "When the RFP was opened to other bidders, they were only given a short time to prepare their submissions," he said during re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat in the corruption trial of the former Penang chief minister, who is facing four charges related to the project. The 27th prosecution witness said that based on the state government's visit to Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) in China, the three meetings, and the signing of the MoU, it showed that the project was awarded to his company via direct negotiation. He said that as early as 2011, they were already informed about the project and were among the parties involved in preparing the RFP, in addition to having insider information. "The trip to China was also made by Penang state executive councillors and it was only to CZBUCG, not to any other Chinese company that participated in the tender. So, I say the appointment of CZBUCG for the project was orchestrated," he said. Zarul Ahmad also revealed that he received RM79 million from the sale of land known as 'Lot 702', part of which he cashed out and stored in a safe in his office. "I kept part of the money in the safe to be used in case of emergencies, and considering that the general election was approaching. I intended to make contributions to those I supported," he said. When asked by Mahadi whether there was still money in the safe when officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) came to the office, Zarul Ahmad replied, "Yes, they came not to conduct a search, but only to collect documents." He also said that Lim had instructed him to hold a press conference stating that his company was not involved in corruption related to the project, in order to clear the name of the former Penang chief minister and the company. "I was instructed by YB Lim Guan Eng to hold a press conference to clear the name of the company, his name, and my name, as they were being attacked by the previous government before Pakatan Harapan, so I followed the order. "MACC never threatened me; since I was one of the last individuals called to give a statement, I had no choice but to reveal the truth after the agency presented me with solid investigation findings," he said. According to the first amended charge, Lim, 64, is accused, in his capacity as Penang chief minister at the time, of using his position to solicit a RM3.3 million bribe by assisting Zarul Ahmad's company to be appointed for the RM6.3 billion Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Construction Project between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister's Office. In the second amended charge, Lim is alleged to have requested a bribe of 10 per cent of the profits from Zarul Ahmad as a reward for helping his company secure the same project, near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, here, between 12.30 am and 2 am in March 2011. He also faces two charges of causing the disposal of two pieces of state land in Penang worth RM208.8 million to a developer related to the undersea tunnel project, allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office in Komtar on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.
