News Nibbles

Treasury officer’s secretary held over RM1.5mil bribe 

PUTRAJAYA: A secretary to a senior Treasury officer was remanded for five days for allegedly soliciting and accepting a RM1.5mil bribe.

Magistrate Ahmad Afiq Hasan issued the order following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday.

A source said the woman, aged 39, was arrested at her office at 7pm on Thursday.

She is said to have solicited the money from a representative of a property company as an inducement for her to get her boss to approve a tender for the sale of a government property overseas last year.

It is learnt that the woman had received part of the payment. — Bernama

 PUMM aims to be main voice for SMEs

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association (PUMM) will continue to actively engage with relevant government ministries and agencies to further promote entrepreneurship development.

Its honorary treasurer Datuk Billy Goh said PUMM, representing close to 2,400 members mainly from small and medium entreprises (SMEs) nationwide, aimed to be the main platform to represent entrepreneurs in the country.

“We urge the government to help lessen the burden on SMEs due to the global economic uncertainties by focusing on two main areas – productivity and cash flow.

“The current economic and market sentiment in which entrepreneurs are facing an undervalued ringgit, weak commodity prices, soft property market, increasing cost of living, passive capital and funding support from financial institutions have resulted in a challenging business environment.

“Setting up of the Economic Action Council is a good start to address current challenging issues to spur economic confidence among investors and boost a sustainable economic growth,” he said after a dialogue with Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming.

Ban on Namewee film ‘Banglasia’ lifted

PETALING JAYA: The year is getting off to a great start for controversial Malaysian artiste Namewee, as the ban on his 2014 film Banglasia has finally been lifted.

Banglasia was originally scheduled for release in Malaysia on Jan 30, 2014, which was the lunar new year’s eve.

However, it ended up being banned after the Malaysian Film Censorship Board objected to 31 plot points, which amounted to 90% of the film’s content.

“I did not give up as I believe this movie is made for all Malaysians, telling a story of hope, love and sacrifice,” said Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee.

Namewee, who previously directed films like Nasi Lemak 2.0 (2011), Hantu Gangster (2012) and Kara King (2013), had put his filmmaking career on a hold following the ban.

 Three Abu Sayyaf hostages in good health

SANDAKAN: The three fishermen, kidnapped by members of Abu Sayyaf, near Kinabatangan in December are in good health, says Sabah police commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

Comm Omar said a source had informed the Malaysian authorities about the condition of the three men.

He said the case was still under investigations and efforts to track down the suspects were actively being carried out.

“The kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of RM4mil for their release.

“So far, we have not received any new calls,” he told reporters at a community walkabout programme yesterday.