Pm visit to japan

- A + A (May 17): President Joe Biden will launch a long-awaited economic initiative for increasing US involvement in Asia in the coming days during his trip to the region, according to one of the cabinet officials leading the initiative. The US and its partners will kick off the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework when Biden visits Japan on a May 20-24 trip that also will take him to South Korea, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. The Commerce Department is leading negotiation of pillars of the framework focused on supply-chain resilience; clean energy, decarbonization and infrastructure; and taxation and anti-corruption. The US Trade Representative’s office is leading the work on fair and resilient trade. The administration also has been working to include digital issues like data localization and cross-border data flows. The IPEF is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to counter China’s clout in Asia, following the US’s withdrawal from talks on the … [Read more...] about Biden to launch Indo-Pacific economic plan in next days in Japan

- A + A TOKYO (May 17): Japan's cabinet has approved a ¥2.7 trillion (US$21 billion) additional budget to help households and firms hit by higher prices, as the government looks to shore up support ahead of a key summer election. The budget is part of a package of measures announced by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month that aims to ease the impact of inflation, particularly from rising energy costs amplified by the slide in the yen to two-decade lows. The additional spending comes the day before the government announces growth figures for the first quarter that are expected to show Japan's recovery stalling. Analysts estimate the economy contracted at an annualised pace of 1.8% as consumer spending was battered by the Omicron wave and the renewed activity restrictions that it triggered. With the measures, Kishida is showing his willingness to act promptly to address rising discontent over soaring energy and food prices while demonstrating his desire to … [Read more...] about Japan approves US$21 billion extra budget to ease price pain

Superstitious Cambodian PM, Hun Sen, announced today that he will change his legal date of birth from April 4, 1951, to his actual date of birth on August 5, 1952. The 69 year old former military commander decided to change the date of his birth after his older brother passed away earlier this month from a heart attack. Cambodia’s longest-serving PM believes that having the wrong birthday is related to his brother’s passing because it conflicted with the Chinese calendar. Hun Sen says Chinese astrology “should not be ignored,” referencing his older brother’s wrong date of birth. He was originally born in the year of the cow but switched to the year of the tiger. The Cambodian PM admits he understands the problems of changing his date of birth as there are many things to deal with. Hun Sen is not the only Cambodian national to have two birthdays. A number of Cambodians aged over 50 have two birthdays because many of them lost their birth certificates during the brutal Khmer … [Read more...] about Superstitious Cambodian PM to change his date of birth

Samsung Electronics' chip manufacturing complex in Pyeongtaek, Gyoenggi [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS] U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit a Samsung Electronics chip manufacturing complex during his state visit to Korea this week. Representatives from the company, the country's largest, will be attending a session hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Korea's Industry Ministry. Other Korean companies invited to the business roundtable on May 21 include LG Electronics, SK Inc., Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Corporation, Naver, Lotte and OCI, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed. "The companies have received the invitation," said a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "But many of them haven't made a decision on a main attendee because it remains unclear whether the meeting will be hosted by the presidents or the Industry Minister and the Secretary of Commerce." President Yoon Suk-yeol and Biden will tour the Samsung Electronics complex in … [Read more...] about Biden to visit Samsung Electronics chip factory during visit

KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers are like candles that illuminate people’s lives for a lifetime despite challenges, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He hoped teachers would continue to serve with dedication and uphold the people’s trust in educating children of the “Malaysian Family”. In conjunction with Teachers Day yesterday, he said May 16 was a meaningful day for educators; for their services and sacrifices in educating the nation. “Happy Teachers Day to all educators who never get tired of being a beacon for the Malaysian Family,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday, Bernama reported. Ismail Sabri said this year’s Teachers Day celebration, themed “Guru Tunjang Sekolah Sejahtera”, coincided with their commitment to always give their best in producing the country’s future generation. The launch of the national-level 51st Teachers’ Day Celebration 2022 was held at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. … [Read more...] about Teachers are our guiding light, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob ( pic ) today congratulated the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail on the ruler’s official 79th birthday on Tuesday (May 17). "My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail in conjunction with the 79th birthday of the Raja of Perlis on 17th of May 2022 or 16th of Syawal 1443H,” he said in a posting on Facebook. In the posting, the Prime Minister also prayed for Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and Raja Perempuan Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid, to always be blessed and granted with good health to live a good life. A total of 325 individuals received the state awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the ruler’s birthday. - Bernama … [Read more...] about PM congratulates Perlis Ruler on birthday

- A + A BANGKOK (May 17): Thai AirAsia Co Ltd (TAA) recorded an average of 73% load factor in the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 2022), following an easing of travel restrictions and the launch of more international routes. In a statement Tuesday (May 17), Asia Aviation Public Co Ltd (AAV), a major shareholder of TAA, said passengers served in Q1 2022 also rose by 48% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 1.45 million, propelling the average fare by 7% y-o-y to 1,018 baht (100 baht=RM12.70) per passenger. It said the cost of sales and services rose in line with the increase in flights, the average fuel price hiked by 61% y-o-y, and selling and administrative expenses increased by 21%, following commission fees and related fees stemming from the company’s fundraising. “Positively, passenger numbers have shown signs of a steady increase for Q2 as the government eases restrictions and entry requirements to sustain international tourist arrivals, allowing TAA to continue to add routes … [Read more...] about Thai AirAsia records average load factor of 73% in Q1

Azmin says Nextracker would strive to enhance products from Malaysia to penetrate not only the US market, but also globally. (Photo by Mohd Suhaimi Mohamed Yusuf/The Edge) - A + A SAN FRANCISCO (May 17): Ferrotec (USA) Corporation has committed to investing more than RM500 million in new investment in Malaysia to set up its first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia. Spanning 8.13 hectares that will include a 800,000 sq ft manufacturing plant in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, the facility’s construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks. Senior Minister and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the global supplier of materials, components and precision systems and a worldwide leader in quartz material fabrication for the semiconductor industry also committed to generating between 250 and 500 high-skilled jobs for Malaysians. “They are also committed to assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia in … [Read more...] about Malaysia secures over RM500m new investment from Ferrotec, says Azmin

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): CTOS Digital Bhd is extending its consumer services with the launch of CTOS Car Insurance, an online platform for car insurance and road tax renewal, through its collaboration with PolicyStreet.com. CTOS Digital in a statement said CTOS Car Insurance will provide customers with the easiest way to find the best deals in the car insurance market by comparing prices from more than 10 insurance providers in minutes. “By comparing quotes from a large range of insurers, consumers are able to find savings of up to RM1,000 from their current deals,” it said. “Consumers who successfully renew or purchase their insurance via the new platform will also be able to get a free MyCTOS Score Report to stay on top of their credit health ..including further discounts on car insurance quotes based on the value of premiums selected.” CTOS Digital chief executive officer Eric Hamburger said one of the company’s primary business objectives is to drive the … [Read more...] about CTOS Digital expands services to include car insurance

Ahmad Zahid (centre) was charged with committing all the offences at Seri Satria, Presint 16, Putrajaya and Country Heights, Kajang between October 2014 and March 2018. (Photo by Zahid Izzani Mohd Said/The Edge) - A + A SHAH ALAM (May 17): The High Court was on Tuesday (May 17) told that the minutes of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the contract of Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) to be extended as the sole operator of the foreign visa system (VLN) to Malaysia in China was not an order. UKSB director Datuk Fadzil Ahmad said even though Najib was the prime minister and the head of the Cabinet then, the power to approve the VLN contract was under the Home Ministry (KDN). “For me, the source and jurisdiction of authority [to extend the contract] of all my applications began only with KDN. It did not start at the PM’s office, so to me, the PM (Najib) can merely assist to expedite, not to give an order,” the witness … [Read more...] about Najib’s minutes to Zahid on visa contract not an order, says UKSB director