<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): The opposition's move to introduce a debate to ban the "Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism" comic has been rejected.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof rejected the opposition's motion to the debate a ban on the controversial comic book.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Leader of the Opposition Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the book had to be banned, because it "promoted communism and socialism", while adding that the book should not be distributed in schools, which he said should be "free of political inference and interests".</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan called Mohamad Ariff's decision to decline the opposition the chance to debate a ban on the comic in Parliament unfair.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Meanwhile, former education minister Datuk Seri Madzir Khalid said the book should be banned and that the book violates the Education Act 1996.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The politicians alleged that the book was DAP propaganda, highlighting Finance Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's forward in the comic book.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The comic book was produced by former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau — also known by his moniker Superman Hew — who is also chief executive of the Malaysia-China Business Council.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The book was released in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.</p></div>


The opposition's move to introduce a debate to ban the "Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism" comic has been rejected.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof rejected the opposition's motion to the debate a ban on the controversial comic book.

Opposition's move to debate ban on Belt and Road comic dismissed

The World Bank on Friday said that 11 countries have pledged to contribute over US$11 billion (RM52.62 billion) to new hybrid capital and portfolio guarantee instruments designed to expand the bank's financing capacity by US$70 billion over a decade to tackle climate change, pandemics and other global challenges.

World Bank wins US$11b in pledges to boost lending for climate, global crises

Shareholders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed this week on the importance of addressing challenges faced by low-income countries, many of which are facing unsustainable debt burdens, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

IMF concerned about debt, fiscal challenges facing low-income countries

The ringgit is likely to trade in the same range of around 4.78 against the US dollar next week, as the situation in the Middle East will continue to be under scrutiny by investors, said an analyst.

Ringgit likely to trade around 4.78 versus greenback next week

Attention this week will be on the March inflation rate, with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) slated to put out Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the key gauge for inflation — data on Thursday.

Inflation edged up by a higher-than-expected 1.8% i...

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Persistent inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates were cited as key risks to financial stability in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest survey of US central bank contacts, with geopolitical troubles and the 2024 US presidential election also mentioned as "a potentially significant source of shocks".

Fed survey cites inflation, US election as key financial stability risks

Former inspector general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar died at 2.15am on Saturday. He was 85.

Former IGP Tun Hanif Omar passes away

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 closed sharply lower on Friday and Treasury yields dipped as investors juggled lacklustre earnings, uncertainties surrounding central bank policy and geopolitical strife.

Nasdaq tumbles, Treasuries dip amid earnings, geopolitical crosscurrents

Oil settled slightly higher on Friday, but posted a weekly decline, after Iran played down a reported Israeli attack on its soil, a sign that an escalation of hostilities in the Middle East might be avoided.

Oil settles slightly higher as Iran plays down reported Israeli attack

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 ended lower on Friday as Netflix shares weighed, but American Express (AmEx) kept the Dow afloat after quarterly earnings from both companies, while growing pessimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would cut interest rates soon also dented sentiment.

Nasdaq, S&P tumble as Netflix, chip stocks drag; AmEx boosts Dow

The long-awaited Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem) has finally been introduced, along with guidelines on cross-border electricity sales announced by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) last Monday for exports of green electricity from Malaysia to Singapore and Thailand.

Enegem: Malaysia edges closer to RE exports

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:</p>

<p>Shares of <strong>Sapura Energy Bhd</strong> have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement. The suspension took effect from 2.30pm onwa...

Sapura Energy, PIE Industrial, LSH Capital, YX, Westports, Yinson, Sime Darby Property, MISC, Meta Bright, EG Industries, Hextar, Uzma, Nova MSC and Iconic Worldwide

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): M&amp;A Equity Holdings Bhd announced that an individual by the name of Siti Nur Aishah Ishak has become a substantial shareholder of the stockbroking firm, after acquiring a 0.13% stake in the company.</p>


Siti Nur Aishah emerges as substantial shareholder of M&A Equity

<p>The mandatory general offer (MGO) for the remaining 34.1% stake in Pan Malaysia Holdings Bhd (PM Holdings), launched by property developer Exsim Group's founders, the Lim brothers, concluded on Friday with acceptances for only 35,997 shares received.</p>


No change in Lim brothers' stake as Pan Malaysia Holdings' MGO concludes

<p>Former inspector general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar died at 2.15am on Saturday. He was 85.</p>


<p>The long-awaited Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem) has finally been introduced, along with guidelines on cross-border electricity sales announced by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) last Monday for exports of green electricity from Malaysia to Singapore and Thailand.</p>


<p>Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kota Kinabalu on Friday night for a one-day working visit to the state.</p>

<p>Anwar's plane landed at Terminal Two, Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.40pm, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.</p>


Anwar arrives in Kota Kinabalu for one-day visit

<p>All travellers entering or leaving Singapore carrying Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) that are valued more than S$20,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency, must submit the necessary declarations electronically with effect from May 13.</p>


Travellers to and from Singapore carrying over S$20,000 must submit online declaration from May 13

<p>SINGAPORE (April 19): Wilmar International Ltd’s board of directors has appointed former foreign minister George Yeo as a non-executive and independent director with effect from Friday.</p>


Wilmar appoints former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo as non-executive and independent director

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Ten individuals suspected of being involved in the case related to an&nbsp;Israeli man who was charged with possessing bullets and trafficking&nbsp;guns, were rearrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).</p>


Israeli man’s case: 10 individuals rearrested under Sosma

<p>The Nasdaq and the S&amp;P 500 ended lower on Friday as Netflix shares weighed, but American Express (AmEx) kept the Dow afloat after quarterly earnings from both companies, while growing pessimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would cut interest rates soon also dented sentiment.</p>


<p>Israel's apparent strike on Iran after days of vacillation was small and appeared calibrated to dial back risks of a major war, even if the sheer fact it happened at all shattered a taboo of direct attacks that Tehran broke days earlier.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said.</p>


Israel's Iran attack carefully calibrated after internal splits, US pressure

<p>The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended lower on Friday due to persistent weakness in the soybean oil market on the Chicago Board of Trade, said a dealer.</p>

<p>Palm oil trader David Ng noted that market sentiment has been influenced by concerns regarding the anticipated surge in output over the coming weeks, which is perceived as exerting pressure on the market</p>


CPO futures end lower due to weaker soybean futures

<p>CIMB Thai Bank PCL’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) dropped 24.6% year-on-year to 626.1 million baht from 830.1 million baht, as it reported lower operating income and higher expenses. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The group recorded an 8.4% drop in operating income and an 11.8% increase in operating expenses. The effects of these were partially offset by a 36.9% decline in expected credit loss, according to CIMB Thai president and chief executive officer Paul Wong Chee Kin in a statement. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has a 94.83% interest in CIMB Thai.</p>


CIMB Thai's 1Q earnings drop 24.6% as operating income falls while opex climbs

<p>Fitters Diversified Bhd has landed a subcontract worth RM26.1 million from a unit of IJM Corp Bhd for fire protection services at the compound of a four-storey logistics hub, including its parking and ancillary buildings, in Shah Alam, Selangor.</p>


Fitters Diversified bags RM26.1 mil fire protection services job

<p>HPP Holdings Berhad slipped into the red in the third quarter ended February 29, 2024 (3QFY2024) for the first time since its listing on the ACE market in January 2021, mainly due to commission payments of RM520,000 and a one-time compensation payment of RM400,000 million to foreign workers, in line with the group's adherence to its zero recruitment fee policy.</p>

<p>It posted a net loss of RM62,200 in 3QFY2024 compared to a net profit of RM1.53 million in the previous corresponding quarter, resulting in a loss per share of 0.16 sen for 3QFY2024 compared to earnings per share of 0.39 sen for 4QFY2023.</p>


HPP Holdings posts first-ever quarterly loss of RM62,200 since listing

<p>The Bank of Japan (BOJ) must tread cautiously in raising interest rates, as some indicators of inflation expectations remain short of its 2% target, the International Monetary Fund's Japan mission chief Nada Choueiri said on Friday.</p>


IMF urges Bank of Japan to tread cautiously in raising interest rates

<p>Parties in the Unity Government have their methods to ensure a win in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election next month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.</p>

<p>Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said this was discussed at the Unity Government secretariat meeting on Wednesday.</p>


Unity Govt parties have ways to ensure victory in Kuala Kubu Baharu polls — Ahmad Zahid

<p>(April 19):&nbsp;Oyo Hotels is in talks to raise up to US$450 million via dollar bonds, a person familiar with the matter said, as the once-high-flying Indian startup seeks to replace an existing high-cost loan amid delays in its stock-market debut.</p>


Softbank-backed Oyo eyes US$450 mil bond sale for refinancing

<p>Attention this week will be on the March inflation rate, with the <strong>Department of Statistics Malaysia</strong> (DOSM) slated to put out <strong>Consumer Price Index</strong> (CPI) — the key gauge for inflation — data on Thursday.</p>

<p>Inflation edged up by a higher-than-expected 1.8% i...