State may consider special financial zone to cement status as regional business hub, says Penang CM Posted on 29/11/2024 GEORGE TOWN, Nov 28 — The Penang government is still studying the feasibility of establishing a special financial zone (SFZ) in the state, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told the state legislative assembly today. He said Gurney Bay and Andaman Island were identified as potential locations during a public engagement workshop held in September. “The prospect of setting up the SFZ as an engine of growth for the state is still in the research stage by Penang Institute,” he said during his winding-up speech. Chow said 100 participants from the logistics, commerce, and finance industries took part in the workshop, and 93 per cent of them supported the SFZ proposal. He added that the SFZ could create more job opportunities for young graduates, boost funding models to advance the local manufacturing sector, and attract foreign investors to Penang, strengthening its position as a regional business hub in Southeast Asia. “The financial services subsectors Penang can focus on include fintech, startups, equity crowdfunding, corporate finance, maritime, and cryptocurrency commerce,” he said. However, he noted that challenges such as traffic congestion, talent shortages, and low wages must be addressed before the SFZ can be implemented. “Penang Institute conducted a roundtable session with experts in finance, banking, insurance, fintech, and wealth management on November 27,” he said. He added that a framework for the SFZ will be presented to the state executive council once the Penang Institute’s study is completed. “The state government will need to carefully review the findings before finalising the implementation of the SFZ in Penang,” he said. News
Wanted: 200 male volunteers for National Service 3.0 trial run Posted on 16/11/2024 SEREMBAN, Nov 16 — The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) will carry out a 14-day trial run for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 involving 200 male volunteers from January 12 next year. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the trial run will be held at the 515th Territorial Army… Read More
Anger, pain in Turkey as ‘newborn deaths gang’ trial opens Posted on 19/11/2024 Activists chant slogans during a protest outside the courthouse in Istanbul where dozens of Turkish healthcare workers including doctors and nurses go on trial for fraud and causing the deaths of 10 infants. (AP pic) ISTANBUL: Dozens of suspects went on trial in Istanbul Monday over the deaths of at… Read More
Meritokrasi ketat tak akan berkesan di Sarawak, kata senator PKR Posted on 09/11/2024 Senator Abun Sui Anyit kata pendekatan meritokrasi secara ketat tidak akan berkesan di Sarawak berikutan ketidakseimbangan dalam pengagihan kekayaan. (Gambar Parliament of Malaysia) PETALING JAYA: Seorang senator PKR menolak penggunaan meritokrasi secara ketat di Sarawak selepas ia memutuskan untuk menghapuskan kuota kemasukan di lima universiti milik kerajaan negeri. Senator Abun… Read More