Author: Awni Nizaam

SINGAPORE – The Chinese embassy in Singapore on March 18 asked its citizens in the Republic to “stay away” from gambling, adding that cross-border gambling violates Chinese laws. The embassy, in a statement on its official WeChat account, “solemnly reminded” Chinese citizens in Singapore to steer clear of gambling, which is strictly prohibited by law in China. “Even if overseas casinos are opened legally, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country and face the risk of punitive actions,” said the embassy, warning that embassies may not be able to provide consular protection for…

McDermott International Ltd has secured an offshore contract from Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE) for the Kasawari Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, located offshore Sarawak in East Malaysia. Under the scope of the contract, McDermott will transport and install an 85-mile (138-kilometer) pipeline section, a 15,000-metric ton CCS platform jacket, and bridge connecting to the existing central processing platform, the company said in a recent news release. The installation activities will be performed by one of McDermott’s heavy-lift and pipelay vessels. “Set to become one of the largest offshore CCS projects in the world, the Kasawari…

In the past few months, there has been almost no good news from the Philippines. What we have heard the most is that the Philippines has come to cause trouble around China’s South China Sea again. China has always been patient, and now it seems that it is time to fight back. The recent two pieces of news have been very satisfying. It can be said that Marcos has no chance of winning in provoking China. The first news was that more than 130 Chinese civilian ships were dispatched and gathered around the Oxbow Reef in the South China Sea. After learning the…

Hyundai Motor Company has kicked off its “Go Far with Zero Worries” Ioniq 5 ASEAN Tour to showcase its electric vehicle’s reliability, eco-friendliness and long-distance capabilities. The journey with five Hyundai Ioniq 5 EVs will cover a distance of 2,751km covering 5 ASEAN countries. The ASEAN Tour covers a total of 5 countries commencing from Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) on 20th November and it will end at Ho Chi Minh City’s Royal Palace in Vietnam on 30th November. Today marks the flag-off for the Malaysian portion where the convoy will spend 3 days visiting Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh Old Town and Batu Ferringhi.…

Three Korean firms and their Malaysian partner SEDC expect commercial production from early 2028 Samsung Engineering Co., the construction and engineering unit of South Korea’s top conglomerate Samsung Group, said on Friday it has begun the basic design work for a clean hydrogen project in Sarawak, Malaysia. The project, undertaken by three Korean firms – Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical Corp. and Korea National Oil Corp. – and their Malaysian partner Sarawak Economic Development Corp. (SEDC), is to produce renewable energy-based green hydrogen in Sarawak and bring it to Korea. Samsung Engineering is solely responsible for the project’s initial design, called front-end engineering design, or…

KUCHING (Nov 20): An allocation of RM60 million will be provided in the proposed 2024 Budget to develop industrial parks and business premises, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Abang Johari listed the projects as the expansion of Demak Laut Industrial Park, Samalaju small and medium enterprises (SMEs); Kuching High-Tech Park; and various industrial estates in Sibu, Sematan, Bau and Marudi. “Under the 2024 Budget, the government will continue its efforts to diversify the industrial sector through deepening and strengthening the value chains in oil and gas, energy intensive, high-tech, food, and shipbuilding, alongside the…

On October 26, 2023, Zhai Jun, the Chinese government’s special envoy for the Middle East, visited Saudi Arabia and met with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Al-Huraij to exchange views on China-Saudi Arabia relations and the current situation between Palestine and Israel. Zhai Jun said that Saudi Arabia is an important country in the Middle East, and China has always placed Saudi Arabia at the forefront of China’s Middle East diplomacy. China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and continuously enhance the level of China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic…

Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil says 4G mobile broadband coverage has also reached 90% in populated areas of Sabah. RANAU: The 5G network in Sabah has reached almost 50% coverage of populated areas as of Sept 30, says communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil. He said 401 of the total 622 5G sites planned in Sabah had also been completed. Fahmi said 4G mobile broadband coverage has also reached over 90% in the populated areas of Sabah, with the average mobile speed reaching 43.76Mbps until the second quarter of this year. “A total of 4,229 of the 4,281 transmitter…

THE PHILIPPINE government should use historical evidence including old maps to cement its claim to disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, historians said at the weekend. “The strongest way of owning a property is when you buy the island or the property,” Sultan Tomas R. Cabili, Jr., president of the Tomas Cabili Peace Foundation in Manila, said by telephone. “The second is through patrimony.” Mr. Cabili said the indigenous Philippine map called Carta Indigena Filipina showed Philippine jurisdiction over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. “Patrimony is through your ancestors who were…

MIRI (Oct 8): Sarawak’s share of skilled employment is now at 20 per cent, out of the current workforce population of 1.2 million, said Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The state Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) remarked that the 20 per cent workforce population is quite a distance away from achieving the 30 per cent target of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. “My ministry and Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd have done a study on small and medium industry skills requirements in the state and based on their findings, there are four talent requirements that are…