05/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 5, 2025

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the directive mandating that all Domain Name System (DNS) traffic be redirected to local DNS services. The US had also prioritised stricter controls on export activities, particularly trans-shipment, to prevent tax avoidance through false declarations of origin. To address this, Malaysia has tightened the issuance of Non Preferential Certificates of Origin (NPCO). Effective May 6, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry will become the sole authority to issue NPCOs for all exports to the US. – Bernama RON95 subsidies to use Central Database Hub KUALA LUMPUR: The Finance Ministry will fully utilise data from the Central Database Hub in the mechanism for implementing targeted RON95 fuel subsidies, which is currently being refined. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who is also carrying out the duties of the Economy minister, said the database hub has compiled 30.4 million individual profiles to date. The data includes demographic details, locality, socioeconomic status, employment, income, education, vehicle ownership, poverty status and types of government assistance received. “MOF will use the database hub data as a reference point for identifying subsidy recipients. This will mark the first detailed use of the system,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. “The government is focusing on using up-to-date data to improve service delivery. “For example, validating and verifying applicant information is crucial for accurately identifying eligible recipients and reducing errors.” He was replying to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH–Sri Gading) on the Economy Ministry’s plans for the Central Database Hub, the volume of data collected as of June and the government’s readiness to conduct periodic audits of the system through an independent body to ensure transparency and good governance. Amir Hamzah said the data also allows the government to identify suitable intervention programmes for specific target groups. A total of 204 agencies are currently contributing data to the Padu system. “To promote data-driven decision-making, a Padu data sharing guideline was developed and distributed to all government agencies on Feb 25. Briefing sessions involving ministries, departments, state governments and local authorities were held between February and June this year,” he said. To date, nine applications for the use of Padu data have been approved to support more effective policy implementation and digital service innovation. – Bernama

King departs for historic state visit to Russia

SUBANG: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, departed yesterday morning for a historic state visit to Russia, the first by a Malaysian head of state since diplomatic ties were established in 1967. The special aircraft carrying His Majesty left the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base at about 8.55am. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof were among senior leaders present to bid farewell to the King. Also in attendance were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, RMAF commander General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris and Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail were also present. Before boarding, His Majesty received a royal salute from a guard of-honour mounted by the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, accompanied by a 21 gun salute and the national anthem. The five-day visit, from Aug 5 to 10, is at the invitation of Russian o Five-day trip to strengthen bilateral ties, trade and strategic partnerships

His Majesty bidding farewell before boarding the plane to Russia. – PIC COURTESY OF SULTAN IBRAHIM’S FACEBOOK

Tatarstan – where he will receive an audience with the Rais (head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the Kazan Kremlin. Discussions will focus on potential collaboration in trade, investment, the halal industry and agricultural technology. His Majesty will also attend a reception hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant, which manufactures civilian, defence and rescue helicopters. Russia is Malaysia’s ninth-largest trading partner in Europe and ranks 28th globally. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached RM11.46 billion in 2024. From January to June this year, trade volume stood at RM4.13 billion.

expected to discuss cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, higher education, technology, digital transformation, agriculture and food security as well as regional and international developments. “This visit will certainly boost momentum in Malaysia-Russia relations. It signals Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across key sectors, particularly strategic partnerships and people-to-people ties,” he said. While in Moscow, the King is scheduled to visit the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company and the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub, Bernama reported. On Friday, His Majesty will travel to Kazan – capital of the Republic of

President Vladimir Putin and will begin in Moscow with a state reception at the Kremlin tomorrow, followed by an official meeting with Putin and a state banquet in His Majesty’s honour. Malaysian Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai described the visit as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. “This is the highest-level visit ever undertaken and underscores the five decades of strong relations between Malaysia and Russia,” he said in Moscow. “His Majesty’s presence is a recognition of the diplomatic bond established since 1967, and it reflects the important role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Malaysia’s international relations.” Cheong said both leaders are

New chapter in Putrajaya-Moscow relations, says Anwar KUALA LUMPUR: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia marks a new chapter in Malaysia-Russia relations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. technology and innovation as well as people-to-people ties. “Malaysia has the potential to attract new investments and shared prosperity,” Anwar posted on Facebook yesterday. More significantly, he said the visit reaffirms the role of the monarchy as a respected pillar of national diplomacy, while reinforcing “This reflects His Majesty’s role as a symbol of national unity and a strategic contributor to strengthening Malaysia’s international relations,” he said. – Bernama US not given exclusive rights to rare earths, says minister The visit is expected to enhance strategic cooperation across various sectors, including bilateral trade, investment, higher education, advanced technologies from Russia, particularly in energy, aerospace, defence and smart agriculture – in line with the Madani Economy framework, which emphasises competitiveness, sustainability and Malaysia’s image as a neutral, open and progressive nation on the global stage. Anwar described the visit as a historic and significant event as Sultan Ibrahim is the first Malaysian head of state to set foot in Russia for a state visit since diplomatic relations were established in 1967.

KUALA Malaysia’s agreement not to impose export restrictions on the supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals to the US does not equate to granting the US exclusive rights over these resources, the government clarified. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the commitment was made as Malaysia currently imposes no such restrictions on any country. The agreement, reached under Section 5 – Economic and National Security – of the Malaysia-US reciprocal trade negotiations, also covered restrictions on the export LUMPUR:

strategic sectors. “Bumiputera equity requirements remain in place.” Addressing concerns over the Digital Services Tax (DST), Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia applies DST and similar taxation based on the principle of non-discrimination. As part of the agreement, Malaysia has also decided to abolish the requirement for social media platforms and cloud service providers from the US to contribute 6% of their total Malaysian revenue to the Universal Service Provision Fund. Additionally, Malaysia has repealed or permanently suspended

reduce or eliminate tariffs for 98.4% of total tariff lines. On sales tax, he said Malaysia agreed to exempt taxes that discriminate against agricultural products imported from the US, such as fruits and seafood, while retaining excise duties. “Malaysia has not relaxed any controls or conditions that would compromise the rights of the people or the survival of local industries,” he said. “There is no blanket exemption to importer licensing requirements for US goods, nor is there full liberalisation of foreign equity in

and transit of artificial intelligence chips from the US to certain countries. Under this section, Malaysia agreed to enhance enforcement of Section 12 of the Strategic Trade Act 2010 (catch-all control) beginning July 14. “The tariff reduction and elimination negotiations initially focused only on a specific list of requests from the US, but were later expanded to include all goods imported from the US,”Tengku Zafrul said during a ministerial briefing in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. As a result, Malaysia has offered to