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Bangkok – Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, Chairman of the Crime Victims’ Assistance Club, has filed a complaint against the President of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), Dr. Boon Vanasin, for allegedly sharing fake news of the THG’s Pfizer vaccine procurement. Atchariya reported to the CyberCrime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) that he personally believed that neither Dr. Boon nor the Thonburi Healthcare Group had contacted and negotiated with related Pfizer representatives to import 20 million doses of the mRNA vaccines. He told reporters: “I believed there was no negotiation because the Pfizer representatives would only make a trading agreement in the state-to-state condition and there were five government agencies that are allowed to do so. And many of these agencies have denied making any procurement contract of Pfizer Vaccines with Dr. Boon.” Additionally, the claimed price of 1,300 baht per dose of the vaccine was, according to his statement, a false incentive aimed to ... » Learn More about Thonburi Healthcare President accused of allegedly sharing fake news of Pfizer vaccine procurement

PETALING JAYA: The political temperature appears to have heated up after letters were sent to Umno MPs on Thursday (Aug 5), demanding them to declare whether they are together with the party in retracting support for the Perikatan Nasional government. It is understood that these letters were sent to all Umno MPs on Thursday (Aug 5) evening. Should the Umno MPs refuse to comply with the party's stance on retracting support for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister, action will be taken against them under Article 20 of the Umno constitution, which deals with party discipline. It is also understood that these letters were hand-delivered to Umno MPs on Thursday evening. Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (pic) , when contacted, confirmed that he received the letter at 6pm. "I will not be replying to that letter," he said briefly. Nazri reminded MPs that Muhyiddin's parliamentary majority will be determined in September, and the Prime Minister had said this was ... » Learn More about Letters sent to Umno MPs: State where you stand or face the music

KUALA LUMPUR: Popular food brand Tiga Budak Gemok (TBG) has filed a suit against an individual over misrepresentation and copyright infringement. Tiga Budak Gemok Sdn Bhd named Mohd Anil Mohamad and his two companies - MAAM Baraka Venture Sdn Bhd and Day Food Industry Sdn Bhd - as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively. The TBG food business is owned by three siblings who are directors in the company, namely Natasha Helwa Ramlee, Muhammad Rafeel Ramlee and Natalia Ramlee, and is famous for its sambal kicap (soy sauce sambal) chicken dish served with white rice. In its statement of claim, the plaintiff said Mohd Anil, who is Natasha's ex-husband, had opened a similar business and sold a similar dish of sambal kicap chicken. The plaintiff claimed that Mohd Anil was allowed to open a 3BG branch in Bangi by the directors, as he was one of the family members. However, after Natasha and Mohd Anil divorced, the branch was closed and Mohd Anil opened a new eatery ... » Learn More about Tiga Budak Gemok files suit over copyright infringement against rival business

Banglamung/Pattaya – Rattanakorn Market reopens this week after one week’s temporary closure to control the spread of the Covid -19 virus, according to Banglamung officials. The Banglamung District Chief Wuttisak Sainghadachoe ordered the temporary closure of several markets in Banglamung for seven days last week. Banglamung orders temporary closure of two markets The Banglamung District Chief ordered the temporary closure of Rattanakorn Market specifically from July 26 th to August 1 st for a big cleaning, staff Covid-19 testing, and sanitation and training measures. The training included teaching vendors how to take additional precautions against Covid-19 and how to help socially distance potential customers. The market is now reopened as normal. However, sellers have increased Covid-19 measurements with plastic screens in front of their shops as well as more spacing. Most vendors are also wearing two layers of face masks for protection, according to Wuttisak. ... » Learn More about Rattanakorn Market in Pattaya reopens after temporary closure to control Covid -19

On July 16, 2021, Thailand issued its latest stimulus package valued at 42 billion baht (US$1.3 billion), which provides financial assistance to businesses and people located in the 10 provinces impacted by lockdown measures due to the unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases . From the 42 billion baht (US$1.3 billion), 30 billion baht (US$902 million) has been allocated for cash handouts, with the remaining budget being allocated to water and electricity subsidies. Moreover, employers and employees in the following sectors will receive financial aid: Construction; Hotel and food services; Arts, entertainment and recreation; Auto retail and repair services; Cargo transport; Management and support activities; Science and academic activities; News and information and communication; and Other types of service businesses. The World Bank predicts that Thailand’s economy will expand modestly for 2021 at 2.2 percent, revised from 3.4 percent, as the economy ... » Learn More about Thailand Issues Latest US$1.3 Billion Stimulus Package

PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur Intellectual Property High Court has declared that the sale, offer for sale, distribution and supply of TV boxes or illicit streaming devices (ISDs) that can provide unauthorised access to copyrighted works, constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act 1987. The action was brought by Measat Broadcast Networks Sdn Bhd, the service provider for Astro , against a seller of ISDs preloaded with applications which act as gateways to websites or content servers streaming pirated content. The historic judgment on Monday, considered to be the first by the court, was positively received by the authorities and industry players in their battle against digital piracy. Industry leaders including Astro lauded the High Court’s judgement as a bold step in the right direction against piracy in Malaysia. Astro regulatory director Laila Saat said this set a precedent for future civil claims on copyright infringement against ISD sellers in the ... » Learn More about High Court rules sales of TV boxes infringe on copyright

PETALING JAYA: Impiana Hotels Bhd has secured a five-year contract to manage Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) leadership centre in Bangi, Selangor. In a statement, the hospitality operator said its wholly owned subsidiary Impiana Hotels & Resorts Management Sdn Bhd has received a letter of award from Petronas’ wholly owned subsidiary, Petronas Management Training Sdn Bhd, for the provision of hospitality management services to manage the operational matters of Petronas’ new campus in Bangi. The contract period would be for five years, starting from Aug 1, 2021. The scope of work included general and administration matters, food and beverage services, housekeeping, room and banqueting services, finance and human resources management as well as other hospitality works. ... » Learn More about Impiana gets Petronas job

PETALING JAYA: Privasia Technology Bhd ’s unit has been awarded a contract to supply technology and managed services to Redberry Contact Center Sdn Bhd’s call centre operations. In a filing with the stock exchange, the company said the contract awarded to its wholly-owned subsidiary Privasia Sdn Bhd (PSB) yesterday came with a ceiling price of RM6.17mil. The duration of the contract is for one year and not subject to renewal, it said. Privasia said the contract was expected to contribute positively to its earnings and net assets for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2021 and beyond. ... » Learn More about Privasia unit gets contract from Redberry

KUALA LUMPUR: Privasia Sdn Bhd (PSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Privasia Technology Bhd, has secured two contracts from Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd worth RM46.49mil. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Privasia said the contracts were for the provision of information technology (IT) network, security and internet outsourcing and managed services for one year worth RM6.36mil, as well as IT outsourcing and managed services for five years worth RM40.13mil. It said both contracts commenced on July 1, 2021. According to the contracts, PSB is responsible for the purchase of new equipment necessary to provide the service as mutually agreed between Westports and PSB. “Subject to the change control procedures, PSB shall increase or decrease the amount of the services according to Westports’s demand for the services as agreed between Westports and PSB, which may necessitate an adjustment in the charges,” it added. — Bernama ... » Learn More about Privasia secures contracts from Westports

SINGAPORE: Singapore lenders Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) beat profit estimates, driven by recovery in core markets, but their sequential performance slowed sharply, underscoring challenges to maintain growth. Prospects in Singapore’s banking sector have improved as a rebounding economy has boosted demand for mortgages and loans, while booming markets bolstered the wealth management business. At the same time, OCBC and UOB joined global peers such as HSBC and Standard Chartered in signalling strong asset quality after last year’s huge provisions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. “The banks’ ample reserves and improved earnings provide them with very good buffers,” said Eugene Tarzimanov, senior credit officer at Moody’s Investors Service, who expected a moderate increase in the two banks’ non-performing loans over the rest of 2021 and 2022, particularly in foreign operations. OCBC, Singapore’s second-biggest bank, reported net profit ... » Learn More about Singapore banks signal growth slowdown