• PM Anwar Ibrahim is slaying on the global stage
• The MRT3 Circle Line project may commence construction in 2027
• Singapore is rapidly expanding both its casinos and Thailand tak senang duduk

IN Malaysia

DC in Trouble in Johor

The southern state of Johor has started to vet data centre applications starting from June 2024, following concerns from the state government that the massive influx of data centres will strain the local resources – which are water and electricity. According to Johor state’s data centre development coordination committee vice-chair, Lee Ting Han, for the past five months, four out of fourteen data centre applications from overseas operators have been rejected, a staggering close to 30% rejection rate. The committee rejected those data centre applications mainly because the operators did not demonstrate sustainable practices to reduce water and power usage. At the moment, Johor state’s data centre capacity is at 1.3 gigawatts (GW). For your information, one gigawatt is enough energy to power about 750,000 to one million homes.

Perhaps, foreign and local data centre operators could look at another region within Malaysia to set up shop. Take Kedah for example, there is a special border development zone dubbed Delapan that is primed for investments, including data centres. Delapan has ample water and power supply, a soon-to-built solar farm and is flood resistant. Obviously, Johor cannot keep up with the pressure. So, just let its other siblings pick up the slack.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-rejects-nearly-30-per-cent-of-data-centre-applications-to-protect-local-resources

PM Anwar ‘Mendunia’

• PM Anwar Ibrahim met with France President Emmanuel Macron at the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. During the meeting, they discussed various topics including Malaysia’s role as Asean chair for 2025 and Macron’s strong support towards the Asean-France Development Cooperation. See below the ‘cute’ X posting by Macron in Bahasa Malaysia. At least Macron’s Bahasa is better than this one particular flavoured tea brand.

Bersama Perdana Menteri Malaysia @AnwarIbrahim, yang juga merupakan Pengerusi ASEAN.

Pertemuan pertama ini akan membolehkan kami mempererat hubungan antara negara kami, khususnya dalam bidang peralihan tenaga, salah satu keutamaan bersama kami. pic.twitter.com/eJScH4mJ6Y

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 18, 2024

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/11/19/anwar-meets-macron-on-cooperation-in-trade-ai/

• During his visit to Brazil, PM Anwar-led Malaysia delegation successfully secured RM6.8 bil in potential exports for the next five years. It was the result of a roundtable meeting between the Malaysian delegation and 58 captains of industry representing 28 major companies and business groups in Brazil. Brazil was Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America last year, with bilateral trade value between both countries recorded at RM14.83 bil from January 2025 until September 2025, a 19.8% jump from the same period last year.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1136478/malaysia-secures-rm68bil-potential-exports-brazil

Shorts

• Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that permanent forest reserves (PFR) the size of 400x of Titiwangsa Lake Gardens or equivalent to 38,376 hectares have been illegally encroached on as of the end of last year. To combat this unlawful activity, the authorities have been using technologies such as satellite imagery and remote sensing. RM100 mil has also been allocated for replanting activities. Is it enough though? There is a real concern that future generations may not be able to enjoy a virgin forest – we meant untouched forest, not the erotic Filipino movie with the same name.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/19/nik-nazmi-forest-reserve-equal-to-400-titiwangsa-parks-illegally-stripped/157315#google_vignette

• Tired of eating nasi kandar every day, now you can try authentic chapatti original from India as IndiGo Airlines has announced the launch of daily direct flights connecting Chennai and Penang, starting December 21, 2024. This direct flight to Penang could also further boost Penang’s medical tourism industry. At the moment, the island state has captured 45% of the market share and attracted medical tourists mainly from Indonesia and China.

Source: https://bwhotelier.com/article/indigo-launches-chennai-penang-direct-flights-539674

• MRT Corp CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim hinted that barring no issues, the construction of the MRT3 Project in the Klang Valley could kickstart in 2027 after the public inspection and land acquisition process has been concluded. The 50.8 km long circle line is expected to cost Putrajaya a whopping RM50.2 bil. A total of 39 km of the line is in KL, with the remainder in Selangor.

Source: https://paultan.org/2024/11/19/mrt3-circle-line-construction-only-starting-in-2027/

• Maaf abe-abe Kelate sekalian as Putrajaya has decided that those illegal jetty crossings at the Kelantan-Thailand border can no longer be used and there will be only three official entry points – the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complexes in Rantau Panjang, Bukit Bunga and Pengkalan Kubor. Talking about the Kelantan-Thailand border, the Kelantan Government recently mulled over the construction of a border wall to combat smuggling activities and address flooding issues. The land acquisition cost alone, to construct the 99 km wall is RM445.75 mil. A huge price tag to prevent budu from being smuggled to Thailand eh?

Source:https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/20/only-three-official-entry-points-at-kelantan-thailand-border-says-saifuddin

Around the S.E.A.

Casino Royale story in Singapore

• Marina Bay Sands is eyeing the largest financing from Singapore, amounting to around USD9 bil to fund the expansion of its casino resort. The loan will be syndicated among a few banks including Malaysia-based Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank). The expansion of the casino resort will include the construction of a fourth tower and a 15,000-seat arena that could double as a live entertainment arena and a conference space. Launched in 2010, Marina Bay Sands was then the world’s most expensive standalone casino property valued at USD6.88 bil.

Source: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/734444

• Another casino in Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa which is operated by Genting Singapore has just been granted a two-year renewal of its gambling license. Recently, Resorts World Sentosa also announced its own expansion program, to rival the Marina Bay Sands, which will cost Genting a mouth-watering USD8 bil. Argh pengsan berdiri!

Source: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/tourism/genting-singapore-receives-two-year-extension-its-casion-license?utm_source=WeekdayEDM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FREE

While Singapore’s casinos are thriving, Thailand is also slated to welcome its own casino as the country’s Cabinet could approve the entertainment-complex legislation by May 2025, opening the door to legal casinos by the end of the decade. Citigroup estimated that a mature gambling industry in the Land of Smiles could generate USD9.1 bil annually. With that number, Thailand could easily displace Singapore as the largest gambling market in Southeast Asia. Last year, both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa generated a combined USD3.8 bil.

For your EYES only

To Chagee fans, maybe you should reconsider your choices.

Never forget who you sleep with https://t.co/i1vE2BFs50 pic.twitter.com/DI9u9wcuWh

— Khairi Zulfadhli 𓂆 (@khairizulfadhli) November 19, 2024