Day: September 11, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Kuala Lumpur shares continued their downtrend at mid-afternoon on selling pressure across the board, taking the cue from global stock markets. At 3 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dropped 15.77 points, or 0.95 per cent, to 1,644.58 from yesterday’s close of 1,660.35. The benchmark index opened 6.78 points weaker at 1,653.57. Across the broader market, decliners surpassed advancers 808 to 214, with 401 counters unchanged, 1,043 untraded and six suspended. Turnover amounted to 2.01 billion units valued at RM1.84 billion. Among the heavyweights, Maybank gained eight sen to RM10.72, but Public Bank fell nine sen

KUALA LUMPUR, The Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions (MATFA) has called for urgent reforms of the outdated Entertainment Tax Act 1953, which currently imposes a 25 per cent tax on entertainment activities. MATFA secretariat in a statement today, the association said it strongly supported the recent call made by the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to develop and encourage new investments into tourism assets, which include shopping malls, hotels and restaurants to boost the economy. Hence, it said a crucial step towards this goal is the removal of the outdated Entertainment Tax Act,

ALOR GAJAH, The government is committed to making the student exchange programme a platform of collaboration with foreign countries as part of the effort to enhance the quality and experience of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) participants in the country, said Manpower Department director-general Datuk Rospiagos Taha. He said this includes exchange programmes with developed countries such as Japan, China, and the United States, adding that this collaboration could have a significant impact on the country’s TVET students, ensuring that they keep up with rapidly advancing technologies. ‘Foreign countries have been very open to cooperate…and we will increase

KOTA BHARU, The Kelantan state government has allocated RM125.2 million this year to bolster educational sustainability, which will be channelled through the Kelantan Islamic Foundation (YIK). Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said the allocation covers the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) Excellence Programmes, as well as financial aid for students pursuing studies abroad. He said 82 out of 93 YIK schools would implement the excellence programmes, benefitting 5,162 SPM candidates and 1,024 STAM candidates. ‘This initiative aims to ensure that our students continue to excel and bring honour to the state on a national

QINGDAO, China, The Promotion Conference on Building World-Class Marine Port Cluster and International Logistics Corridors was held in Qingdao on August 27, 2024, during which the World-Class Marine Port Cluster Comprehensive Index 2024 was released. According to the World-Class Marine Port Cluster Development Index Report released by China Economic Information Service, China’s port clusters have emerged as leaders in the global industry. Based on comprehensive indicators, the Central Port Cluster of the Yangtze River Delta, the Port Cluster of Shandong Province, the Southern Port Cluster of the Yangtze River Delta and the Port Cluster of the Pearl River Delta have