Category: General

Millions of packages of small, low-value items that are crossing the border into Vietnam daily should be subjected to VAT, special consumption and environmental taxes, according to industry experts and domestic e-commerce sellers. During a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee in Hanoi, Le Quang Manh, Chairman of the NA’s finance and budget committee, proposed the Government to consider removing the current tax exemptions on imported goods with low value. According to the chairman, in the past the number of small, low-value items was not as significant to warrant a tax. However, with the explosion of cross-border e-commerce in recent years, both their volume and value have increased manifold.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Mekong Delta is the largest area for rice, fruit and fisheries production in Vietnam but has also been hit hard by climate change. Various solutions are being taken to cope with its impacts, including the worsening drought and saltwater intrusion. The Water Resources Institute (WRI) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment estimated that losses caused by saltwater intrusion in this region stand at almost 70.17 trillion VND (2.7 billion USD) per year. Meanwhile, clean water demand here will reach 2.5-2.7 million cu.m. per day by 2030 and 3-3.2 million cu.m. per day by 2040, the WRI said.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Muslim World League’s (MWL) secretary-general, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Issa, has refuted allegations of having any ties with Israel, stressing that his involvement is solely with fellow believers of the Jewish faith.

Speaking to the media after the 2024 Asian Ulama Council meeting here today, the Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars reiterated his rejection of anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation, who supports the wrongful actions and wars perpetrated by Zionists in Gaza.

“We engage with individuals of all faiths who advocate for the greater good of this world. We welcome and support the efforts of followers from various faiths who work towards global peace.

“We do not involve ourselves in Israeli politics. There are Jewish individuals who oppose the policies of Israel, and they have issued clear and transparent statements to this effect. Therefore, it is not logical for us to reject everyone, including those who advocate for peace.

‘We cannot condemn an en
tire faith or religion that calls for peace simply because of the actions of a few politicians. Even though the religion itself rejects the actions of these politicians, we must not overlook the broader message of peace,’ he said.

Sheikh Mohammed was asked about a media report alleging that the Muslim scholar is pro-Zionist and that his visit to Malaysia might provoke criticism from the Malaysian public.

On the Asian Ulama Council, Sheikh Mohammad emphasised moderation and peace as the core values of Islam. He also pointed out that extremism and violence are not exclusive to any particular religion.

“Many followers of other faiths have shown tendencies toward extremism and terrorism, and this is not exclusive to Islam. However, many people tend to overlook historical events and the history of wars,” he said.

The Asian Ulama Council 2024 was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The event was organised by the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religio
us Affairs) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in collaboration with MWL.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Link Station, one of the IT companies in Japan’s Aomori prefecture, has an ambitious plan to develop its branch in Vietnam into one of its central offices in Southeast Asia. In recent years, many foreign companies, including Japanese IT enterprises, have shown significant interest in Vietnam – a dynamic and potential market that is expected to help them expand their business in Asia.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia’s acquisition of three ANKA Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems (MALE UAS) from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), signed last year, is advancing smoothly and scheduled for delivery within the agreed timeframe.

Turkiye’s deputy defence minister Dr Celal Sami Tfekçi told Bernama that there will be no delay in the delivery date of ANKA MALE UAS to Malaysia, which will be operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

‘I don’t know the exact date but it will be delivered. It is now in the process of some (installation) special requirement from Malaysia as well as training for the (Malaysian) personnel,’ said Tfekçi during the interview held on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024 exhibition, here today.

Previous news reports stated that Malaysia was expected to receive the ANKA MALE UAS drones next year.

Malaysia is the first country in the region to employ the battle-proven ANKA MALE UAS drone after the Defen
ce Ministry and TAI inked a contract to procure the system and its support equipment in May last year during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.

The Ministry of Defence advertised an international tender to acquire three MALE UAS, along with all related systems such as ground stations and other equipment, in August 2020.

An additional three MALE UAS systems will be acquired under the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030).

Malaysia reportedly planned to deploy its Turkish-made drones at a strategic air base on the island of Labuan, to facilitate the monitoring of any breach of its waters in the South China Sea.

Former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stressed the importance of equipping the country with comprehensive surveillance capabilities, stating the necessity for “eyes to see and ears to hear” everything unfolding within its waters, particularly in the South China Sea.

Malaysia is believed to have opted for the Anka-S variant which can fly for 24 to 30 hours non-stop, at
an altitude of 30,000 feet and carry a payload of between 250-350 kilogrammes.

Besides performing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance tasks, the Anka-S drones are also capable of carrying four MAM Smart Micro guided missiles developed by another Turkish defence company, Roketsan, for ground strike missions.

The MAM-guided missiles also come in several variants: MAM-L (thermobaric), MAM-C (high explosive), and MAM-T (long-range attack).

The Anka-S drones are also equipped with an electro-optic/infrared camera for capturing high-resolution images and videos in all weather conditions, an Identification Friend or Foe system, a laser target designator, and a laser range finder.

It is further equipped with a high-powered ViaSat VR-18C airborne satellite communications (SATCOM) antenna, providing safe beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communication.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, Describing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of the Perak-Penang Water Project as the best news for Penang in five decades, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) chief executive officer, K. Pathmanathan said that the state stood to gain significant benefits if it is executed.

He stated that the project will ensure water sufficiency beyond 2030, considering the projected increase in demand, expected to reach 1,532 million litres per day by 2030 and 1,844 million litres per day by 2040, respectively.

He noted that the project would also enhance water supply capacity to support socio-economic advancement, thereby boosting the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

“Penang’s remarkable GDP growth since the 1970s proves its unlimited socio-economic potential. However, limited land area has constrained its water resources. To continue progressing over the next 20 years, the state needs to harness major secondary water sources, such as the Perak-Penang Water Project.

“Th
e execution of the project will facilitate direct water distribution to consumers in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), as water from Perak will be pumped to the southern areas of the mainland. This will enhance and stabilise water supply for approximately 79,956 consumers in the region,” he stated in a press release.

Pathmanathan explained that if the project is implemented, PWSC may no longer need to pump water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) to SPS. Instead, the excess treated water can be redirected to approximately 491,153 consumers in SPU, Seberang Perai Tengah as well as the Barat Daya, and Timur Laut districts.

With SPS’ access to water from Perak, he said they could pump more water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant to the island to maintain the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam reserves, which can only be replenished by rainwater.

Furthermore, he mentioned that purchasing conventionally treated river water from Sungai Perak would be cheaper compared to ca
rrying out seawater desalination or wastewater recycling projects.

The last major Federal government water supply project for Penang was the Sungai Muda Water Scheme in 1973, inaugurated by former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. Over the past 51 years, the state has relied solely on Sungai Muda as its primary raw water source.

On May 5, Anwar announced that Perak had agreed to supply water to Penang via the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park to Seberang Perai, endorsed by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Turkish shipbuilder, Turkiye Savunma Teknolojieri Muhendiskil (STM) is optimistic about sealing the Littoral Mission Ships Batch 2 deal to supply the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) with the Ada-class Corvette.

STM general manager Ozgur Guleryuz said discussions with RMN and the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (Mindef) have been going smoothly for nearly two years.

‘Insya-Allah we hope to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (with RMN) soon,’ he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024 exhibition, here today.

Guleryuz noted that the Ada-class corvettes are now serving in the Turkish Naval Forces, as well as the Pakistani and Ukrainian navies.

‘There will be a Malaysian version (if the agreement is successful). We will try to come up with solutions that fit RMN’s requirements,’ he added.

According to a statement by Mindef in a written response in Parliament on March 13, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued to STM on Feb 5, and the Tur
kish company responded on Feb 8 to initiate negotiations.

The ministry added that the detailed discussions on the specifications and price negotiations are being handled by RMN.

The Ada-class Corvette is a type of patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare vessel which is equipped with advanced anti-aircraft missiles.

It has a displacement of approximately 2,400 tonnes, is 99.44 metres in length, with a 14.42-metre beam, and a draft of 3.59 metres, powered by a 31,640 kW (42,430 hp) Renk Codag engine.

With a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of 6,500 km at 15 knots, it accommodates a crew of 93 and boasts a maximum endurance of 21 days.

The vessel is also equipped with a helipad and a hangar to store and operate a medium-sized ASW or transport helicopter as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency