Malaysia’s newly-minted Pakatan Harapan government may appear at times to be dysfunctional – but robust arguments between politicians are a sign of democratic progress, says Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“This is a new government, and with a new government comes a new practice where we air our opinions and we can agree to disagree,” Saddiq told the South China Morning Post.
Saddiq was commenting on remarks he made last December demanding the…
Future of payments examined in Australia
Alternatives to cash, including digital currencies, could be explored more closely in Australia under plans to modernise the payments system in the country.
The real reason Dyson’s swapping Brexit Britain for Singapore
The decision by British technology firm Dyson to move its head office to Singapore has prompted a predictable backlash in its home country.
The British press seized upon Tuesday’s announcement as further evidence of hypocrisy on behalf of the firm’s founder, James Dyson, who has been vocal in support of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit), yet – according to some – appears to have hedged his bets when it comes to his own business. Dyson’s…
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un tells of ‘great satisfaction’ at plans for second summit with Donald Trump, praising US leader’s ‘positive way of thinking’
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed “great satisfaction” over results of recent talks with US officials to discuss a second summit between him and US President Donald Trump, speaking highly of the American leader, state media said on Thursday.
“Kim Jong-un said that we will believe in the positive way of thinking of President Trump, wait with patience and in good faith and, together with the US, advance step by step toward the goal to be reached by the two countries of…
FCA proposes exempting legal heads from senior managers regime
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed to exempt heads of legal at regulated firms from the requirement to be approved as a senior manager under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) in response to concerns that doing so would conflict with legal privilege rules.
Malaysia’s next king: Islam’s defender, political tightrope walker (just ask Mahathir Mohamad)
Malaysia’s nine hereditary Malay rulers will elect their new king, or Yang di Pertuan Agong, tomorrow – just weeks after the previous king, Sultan Muhammad V, stepped down in an unexplained shock resignation following weeks of speculation. It was the first time a Malaysian head of state had abdicated. Experts and insiders believe the new agong will be the Pahang state ruler, Sultan Abdullah, but just why is the monarchy so important to Malaysia?
1. WHAT POWERS DOES THE AGONG HAVE?…
UK vacuum giant James Dyson is moving headquarters to Singapore, citing Chinese market and Asian production
James Dyson, the billionaire Brexit supporter who revolutionised vacuum cleaners with his bagless technology, is moving his head office to Singapore from Britain to be closer to his company’s fastest-growing markets.
Dyson’s company said the move to Singapore, where the firm had already announced it would build its new electric car, was not driven by Britain’s looming departure from the European Union or tax implications, with much of its product development remaining in south…
Mastercard hit with €570m fine over interchange fees
Mastercard has been fined more than €570 million after conditions it imposed on retailers over the fees they had to pay for the processing of some card payments were found to have breached EU competition law.
Former Philippine president Benigno Aquino slams joint deal on South China Sea, cites different numbers from Duterte government
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino, known for his hardline views on China, on Tuesday appeared to contradict the terms of a deal his successor Rodrigo Duterte is making with China, as he sharply criticised plans for joint energy exploration in the disputed South China Sea.
The Duterte administration has previously said it was open to cooperation on the basis of a 60/40 revenue-sharing formula skewed in its favour – yet according to Aquino, it is China that is going to get the lion…
Secret North Korean missile base Sino-ri found – and there could be 19 more, say researchers
Researchers have uncovered another secret operational ballistic missile base in North Korea – one of approximately 20 undeclared missile sites in the country – according to a new report released on Monday.
Beyond Parallel, a research project conducted by the Washington-based think tank Centre of Strategic and International Studies, identified the site as Sino-ri, a missile operating base that houses a regiment-sized unit equipped with Nodong-1 medium-range ballistic missiles.
CSIS…