Malaysia

SEREMBAN (Malaysia), July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — South Korea’s battery and electronic materials manufacturer Samsung SDI Co Ltd, through its unit Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SDIEM), is developing a RM7 billion (US$1.57 billion) plant in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state to pioneer the electric vehicle (EV) battery cell industry in the country.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new factory, which is expected to start operating in 2025, will create 1,300 job opportunities for the locals.

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian public university, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has been selected to join the establishment of the Osaka University (OU) ASEAN Campuses and as a host in Malaysia, as both universities embark on a new level of partnership. 

In a statement, USM said both parties have officially affirmed the partnership through a virtual Signing Ceremony of Addendum on July 14, which also indicated USM and OU’s commitment to strengthen their relationship beyond research laboratories.  

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Google has launched a new digital training programme, known as “Gemilang”, to help Malaysians develop digital skills and gain access to high-demand jobs. 

Google Malaysia managing director Marc Woo said under the programme, 31,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships will be offered through local partners including education institutions, industry partners and non-profits to earn a certificate at no cost. 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (NNN-Bernama) — The uncertain outlook for the economy in 2023 magnifies risks across all sectors, says Moody’s Analytics. 

In a report on the global debt themed “A threat to government fiscal stability”, it said a weaker economy with higher inflation and interest rates would jeopardise government fiscal space and revenue sources.

“Household financial conditions could weaken as rising rates make adjustable-rate debt more expensive, jeopardise the value of housing assets and weaken real income growth.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (NNN-Bernama) — The number of Malaysia’s new COVID-19 cases in the 28th epidemiological week (ME 28/2022), from July 10 to 16, has increased by 23.4 per cent to 26,355, compared with 21,355 reported in the previous week.

Health director-general, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, said local COVID-19 cases in ME 28 also jumped by 23.4 per cent to 26,317 cases, from 21,325 cases reported in the previous week, while imported cases increased by 26.6 per cent to 38 cases, compared with 30 cases recorded in the previous week.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (NNN-Bernama) — Ukraine remained steadfast in its commitment to pursue truth, justice and accountability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, said its Foreign Ministry.

The ministry, in a statement Sunday, said the country has full confidence in the independent, open and impartial criminal proceedings against the alleged perpetrators in the Dutch National Prosecution and the state responsibility proceedings in the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), July 17 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysians living in Sri Lanka are advised against participating in any rallies or protests, especially ahead of the presidential election.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said although the situation in Sri Lanka now was under control, Malaysians still needed to take care of their safety.

“Malaysians (in Sri Lanka) are also advised to be constantly in contact with Malawakil (the Malaysian Representative Office) and not to easily believe in rumours they heard.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin confirmed that so far no Malaysian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have been infected with monkeypox.

Speaking to reporters here Friday, Khairy said as far as the MOH knew, the Malaysian pilgrims in the Holy Land were in good health.

On smallpox cases in neighbouring Singapore, Khairy said the information received by the MOH found three cases of local infection were detected in Singapore with one of them having a history of travel to Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia reported 3,934 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight, bringing the national total to 4,604,670, according to the Health Ministry.

There are seven new imported cases, with 3,927 cases being local transmissions, data released on the ministry’s website showed.

Nine new deaths have been reported, pushing the death toll to 35,828.

The ministry reported 2,747 new recoveries, bringing the total number of cured and discharged to 4,531,948.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (NNN-Bernama) — The Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has announced that the 1444 H umrah visa application for foreign pilgrims will open from Thursday.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the ministry’s statement on Wednesday as saying that umrah pilgrims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia will perform umrah and pilgrimage to the Prophet’s Mosque from July 30.

Check for umrah visa application criteria via the ministry’s portal by clicking the following link: https://haj.gov.sa/en/InternalPages/Umrah.