Former Malaysian spy chief arrested over missing election funds

A former Malaysia intelligence chief has been arrested by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in probes into the misappropriation of funds meant for the 14th General Election (GE14).
Former Malaysian spy chief arrested over missing election funds ảnh 1Former director-general of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation Hasanah Abdul Hamid is escorted to the court. (Photo: NST/VNA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – A former Malaysiaintelligence chief has been arrested by the country’s Anti-CorruptionCommission (MACC) to assist in probes into the misappropriation of funds meantfor the 14th General Election (GE14).

Former director-general of the Malaysian ExternalIntelligence Organisation Hasanah Abdul Hamid was taken into custody when shewas called to the MACC’s headquarters on August 28.

According to MACC, after the National Front (BN)coalition of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak lost in the 2018general election in May, her officers were order to transfer around 400,000 USDfrom the GE14 funds to a location. In the process, they took part of the money.

The officers work in a research unit under the Prime Minister’s Office. TheMACC hopes Hasanah will help the investigation agency to clarify the case.

Also related to the case, the MACC arrested sevenofficers from the research unit when they were summoned to the MACC’sheadquarters on August 27. Among them was a deputy chief.

The MACC believed the arrest would help shed light on howthe money was missing. –VNA 
VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.