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2021-03-07 12:37 | Report Abuse

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2021-03-07 12:37 | Report Abuse

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Stock: [AIRPORT]: MALAYSIA AIRPORTS HOLDINGS BHD

2021-03-07 11:59 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Democrats held together to reject Republican amendments on limiting state and local aid; restricting abortion funding; banning aid to schools that have transgender athletes or fail to open 5 days a week; and ending aid to minority farmers, among others

Cont...

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

Stock

2021-03-07 11:58 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Cont......

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

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Stock: [CIMB]: CIMB GROUP HOLDINGS BERHAD

2021-03-07 11:57 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Democrats held together to reject Republican amendments on limiting state and local aid; restricting abortion funding; banning aid to schools that have transgender athletes or fail to open 5 days a week; and ending aid to minority farmers, among others

Schumer said the vote showed Republicans that if they don’t negotiate, Democrats are prepared to act on their own.

Cont...

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

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Stock: [MPI]: MALAYSIAN PACIFIC INDUSTRIES

2021-03-07 11:56 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

Cont......

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

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Stock: [PBBANK]: PUBLIC BANK BHD

2021-03-07 11:54 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Cont...

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

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Stock: [MAYBANK]: MALAYAN BANKING BHD

2021-03-07 11:53 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Democrats held together to reject Republican amendments on limiting state and local aid; restricting abortion funding; banning aid to schools that have transgender athletes or fail to open 5 days a week; and ending aid to minority farmers, among others

Schumer said the vote showed Republicans that if they don’t negotiate, Democrats are prepared to act on their own.

Cont....

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

Stock

2021-03-07 11:52 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Democrats held together to reject Republican amendments on limiting state and local aid; restricting abortion funding; banning aid to schools that have transgender athletes or fail to open 5 days a week; and ending aid to minority farmers, among others

Schumer said the vote showed Republicans that if they don’t negotiate, Democrats are prepared to act on their own.

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

Stock

2021-03-07 11:51 | Report Abuse

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill After Marathon

(March 7, 2021, 1:24 AM GMT+8 Corrected March 7, 2021, 11:41 AM GMT+8)

President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid.

The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said a vote will be held Tuesday. Although some House progressives have complained about changes made by the Senate, none so far have threatened to withhold votes. Democrats aim to have it signed into law next week.

Enactment of the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history would hand Biden his first legislative victory and set the stage for work this spring on a massive infrastructure and manufacturing recovery bill that he wants.

“As tough as this moment is, there are brighter days ahead -- there really are,” Biden said at the White House after the Senate acted. “It’s never been a good bet to bet against America.”

The bill would provide the biggest health-care expansion since the Affordable Care Act, a temporary plan to slash the child poverty rate and send $1,400 payments soon to millions of Americans. In addition, state and local governments are set to get more than $350 billion in aid and schools would get an infusion of funding, all of which Democrats hope will propel a faster economic recovery long before they face voters in 2022.

It would deliver $300 a week in extra unemployment assistance through Sept. 6 and make the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance benefits non-taxable for households with incomes of less than $150,000. The legislation includes $160 billion for vaccine and testing programs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate also adopted a bipartisan amendment from Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia to direct $800 million toward alleviating youth homelessness.

Overall, the legislation is double the size of the Obama-era stimulus and exceeded many earlier Wall Street estimates for how big a package could Democrats pass with the thinest margin of control. It is eclipsed in size only by the $2.2 trillion pandemic aid plan passed a year ago.

The Democratic drive in the Senate stalled out for nearly 12 hours on Friday after Manchin -- a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate -- balked at an amendment to extend supplemental unemployment benefits into October.

As Republicans tried to lure Manchin to vote for a proposal by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that would extend the benefits only through July 18, Democrats from Biden on down furiously lobbied Manchin and reworked their earlier plan to get his support.

Negotiations on that amendment caused a separate vote on minimum wage that set a record for the longest vote in Senate history, dragging on for nearly 12 hours as Democrats tried to keep their caucus united. In the end, the provision was left out of the legislation because of arcane Senate budget rules.

Despite that stumble, passage was a major victory for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who aimed to show that Democrats could wield power despite the 50-50 Senate split.

The deals he brokered on stimulus payments and unemployment aid, as well as the addition of a dozen smaller changes, ensured that moderate Democrats like Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema were on board along with progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden. That may also help in the House, where progressives were already angered over the loss of the minimum wage provision.

Democrats held together to reject Republican amendments on limiting state and local aid; restricting abortion funding; banning aid to schools that have transgender athletes or fail to open 5 days a week; and ending aid to minority farmers, among others

Schumer said the vote showed Republicans that if they don’t negotiate, Democrats are prepared to act on their own.

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-06/senate-passes-1-9-trillion-relief-package-after-marathon-votes?srnd=premium-asia

-------------Further great boost market news ahead------------------------------

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2021-03-07 11:18 | Report Abuse

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Stock: [TOPGLOV]: TOP GLOVE CORPORATION BHD

2021-03-07 11:16 | Report Abuse

Aiyo...Why you all still serving this Karma + retribution coward street beggar....

Why so worry for fake & nonsense comments given !!!...

This Karma + retribution coward street beggar already knew did the wrong decision then right now keep on begging others to donate to this iddiot mahhh....

Keyman188 really pity for those newbies listen to this Karma + retribution coward street beggar.....

End up unable to enjoy the fruition profits....wkwkwk...kekeke....

Keyman188 really happy boombeebee...

Keyman188 always like to share fantastic news to all...

Keyman188 had received dividend twice last year by...

6.00 sen @ 27/07/20

6.50 sen @ 01/10/20

So going to receive again by 8.50 sen @ 08/04/21

All total dividend receivable by 21 sen within 12 months....

If based Keyman188 average cost about 3.36 then dividend yield become 6.25%....

Fantastic.........Cheers..............

Posted by InvisibleHand > Mar 7, 2021 8:06 AM | Report Abuse

@ATK save your breath. I’ve given up on that one. So bitter, not just on this channel but across all counters. It’s a true hater account. And without rationale. I’ve started to be charitable and begun to feel sorry for such beings. Life must’ve dealt him/her an unfortunate turn.

Posted by AngTayKor > Mar 7, 2021 12:38 AM | Report Abuse

Posted by shareinvestor88 > Mar 6, 2021 9:23 PM | Report Abuse

BYE BYE NOW CAN BUY BACK LATER AT 3.50 ESP GHK coming for funding
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Don't spread fake news. You got any official news on this matter? Later you kena so better don't talk rubbish.

I duno why you so anti- genting... be reasonable lah... You lost your shirt at their casino?

Stock

2021-03-06 20:07 | Report Abuse

Covid-19: 1,680 new cases reported today, four new clusters detected

(March 06, 2021 19:06 pm +08)

## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/covid19-1680-new-cases-reported-today-four-new-clusters-detected

^^^ Foresee very very soon dip below 1,000 cases

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Stock: [SUPERMX]: SUPERMAX CORPORATION BHD

2021-03-06 20:04 | Report Abuse

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Stock: [MYNEWS]: MYNEWS HOLDINGS BERHAD

2021-03-06 20:03 | Report Abuse

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2021-03-06 20:00 | Report Abuse

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2021-03-06 19:58 | Report Abuse

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2021-03-06 17:23 | Report Abuse

Disneyland, Stadiums Can Begin Reopening in California April 1

(March 6, 2021, 6:30 AM GMT+8 Updated on March 6, 2021, 8:00 AM GMT+8)

California officials said theme parks and stadiums can reopen as soon as April 1 provided they meet local requirements and take precautions against the coronavirus, marking a key milestone for the most populous U.S. state.

Ballparks and venues for live outdoor performances can reopen on that date, but will have to limit crowds to 100 -- and keep concessions closed -- if the caseloads in their counties keep them in the strictest, purple tier, state officials said Friday. That will expand to 20% when cases fall further.

Theme parks can resume operations when their counties hit the red tier, the second-strictest level. They’ll have to observe a 15% capacity limit. All of the venues will require masks and limit guests to in-state visitors, officials said.

With cases falling, the announcement provides a path to normalcy for companies like Walt Disney Co., SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. and concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment Inc., which have suffered during the shutdown. It also means a few fans can return to baseball stadiums from Oakland to San Diego for the start of the season that day.

“California feels well equipped to take these small but meaningful steps,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said on a conference call. “We will, as I said yesterday, keep our foot on the brakes and not on the gas.”

Outdoor Shutdown
Much of the state’s outdoor-entertainment industry has been shut since last March under Covid-19 protocols that were among the strictest in the nation. But California Governor Gavin Newsom, who faces a recall effort tied in part to complaints over business closures, has been moving more swiftly to reopen the state’s economy.

The Major League Baseball season starts April 1. Of the state’s teams, the Oakland A’s, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are scheduled to play at home on that date. The Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning world champions, open their season on that date in Colorado, and the San Francisco Giants start their season in Seattle.

Before Friday, the state had said theme parks couldn’t reopen until falling virus caseloads put counties in the lowest, yellow tier. Currently, Los Angeles and Orange counties, home to Comcast Corp.’s Universal Studios and Disneyland, remain in the purple tier, three rungs above that. But both could be days away from reaching the red tier if cases continue to drop.

“This gives some of the bigger employers time to ramp up, to get ready for April 1 and to begin to move forward based on the data and the science,” said Dee Dee Myers, a senior adviser to Newsom and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

Disney shares rose as much as 3.6% in after-hours trading.

Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland resort, said he looks forward to reopening this spring and getting thousands of employees back to work. Andrea Zinder, president of the union local that represents retail workers at the Disney parks, said her members too were looking forward to returning after a year on furlough.

The restraints are set to relax further as Covid-19 infections fall. In the red tier, ballpark capacity will start to increase. Concession sales will be primarily in-seat, with no concourse outlets open. In the orange tier, capacity will be limited to 33%, and in the yellow tier capacity will increase to 67%. Attendance will be limited to in-state visitors in all three tiers.

Visiting a theme park will require reservations. There won’t be indoor dining, and capacity restrictions will be in place on indoor rides. Visitor limits will rise to 35% in the least-restrictive, yellow tier, though still limited to in-state guests.

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/california-theme-parks-stadiums-can-begin-reopening-april-1?srnd=premium-asia

--------------------Is it further boost great news!!!----------------------

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2021-03-06 17:23 | Report Abuse

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2021-03-06 17:19 | Report Abuse

California Hits Vaccine Landmark; U.S. Eases Curbs: Virus Update

(March 6, 2021, 6:37 AM GMT+8 Updated on March 6, 2021, 5:11 PM GMT+8)

Over 10 million vaccine doses have been administered in California, the state’s governor Gavin Newsom said in a Twitter post, while the mayor of Los Angeles announced that the city has given half a million shots.

Theme parks and stadiums in California can begin reopening as soon as April 1. Theaters in New York City, the nation’s second-largest movie market, reopened after a yearlong hiatus. Oregon ordered a full return to classrooms, and Arizona said it will ease virus restrictions.

The New York legislature approved a bill to repeal pandemic-era emergency powers afforded to the scandal-plagued Governor Andrew Cuomo. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made a surprise announcement reflecting his doubts about Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine -- and then reversed himself after getting a call from the White House concerned he was off-message.

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/curbs-ease-across-u-s-nyc-movie-theaters-reopen-virus-update?srnd=premium-asia

--------------------Is it further boost great news!!!----------------------

Stock

2021-03-06 17:19 | Report Abuse

Stock

2021-03-06 17:14 | Report Abuse

Really street beggar...street beggar...

Really pity unstoppable begging others...

Kesian...kesian...

Stock

2021-03-06 17:13 | Report Abuse

OMG...still strong holding above 2.50 liao...

Aiyo... this karma + retribution so-hai dumb coward + beggar suddenly turn up again!!!

We all so long didn't heard "are you creating panic"...."please don't spread panic"...."No hope , sell"...."BUY BUY or BYE BYE"...."Buy bye"...

Hello unexpected you still alive !!!....Don't be coward hiding again......

Genting Group shareholders need you now to give more & more speech...

A lot of members here still not enough accumulation QUOTA......

Where is your tp 1 / 1.50 !!!......Ooh..so sorry, this karma + retribution so-hai coward had changed tp again to 2.00.....kesian...kesian...

We all long long waiting until the neck longer than giraffe......

kekeke...kekeke...

Stock

2021-03-06 17:12 | Report Abuse

Really street beggar...street beggar...

Really pity unstoppable begging others...

Kesian...kesian...

Stock

Stock: [AMBANK]: AMMB HOLDINGS BHD

2021-03-06 17:11 | Report Abuse

OMG...still strong holding above 4.50 liao...

Aiyo... this karma + retribution so-hai dumb coward + beggar suddenly turn up again!!!

We all so long didn't heard "are you creating panic"...."please don't spread panic"...."No hope , sell"...."BUY BUY or BYE BYE"...."Buy bye"...

Hello unexpected you still alive !!!....Don't be coward hiding again......

Genting Group shareholders need you now to give more & more speech...

A lot of members here still not enough accumulation QUOTA......

Where is your tp 2 / 2.50 !!!......Ooh..so sorry, this karma + retribution so-hai coward had changed tp again to 3.00.....kesian...kesian...

Ooh..no...this karma + retribution so-hai dumb coward + beggar had changed tp again to 3.50....wkwkwk...kekeke...

We all long long waiting until the neck longer than giraffe......

kekeke...kekeke...

Stock

2021-03-06 17:10 | Report Abuse

Really street beggar...street beggar...

Really pity unstoppable begging others...

Kesian...kesian...

Stock

Stock: [AMBANK]: AMMB HOLDINGS BHD

2021-03-06 17:09 | Report Abuse

OMG...still strong holding above 2.70 liao...

Aiyo... this karma + retribution so-hai dumb coward + beggar suddenly turn up again!!!

We all so long didn't heard "are you creating panic"...."please don't spread panic"...."No hope , sell"...."BUY BUY or BYE BYE"...."Buy bye"...

Hello unexpected you still alive !!!....Don't be coward hiding again......

Ambank Group shareholders need you now to give more & more speech...

A lot of members here still not enough accumulation QUOTA......

Where is your tp 1 / 1.50 !!!......Ooh..so sorry, this karma + retribution so-hai coward had changed tp again to 2.00.....kesian...kesian...

We all long long waiting until the neck longer than giraffe......

kekeke...kekeke...

Stock

Stock: [GTRONIC]: GLOBETRONICS TECHNOLOGY BHD

2021-03-06 10:58 | Report Abuse

Globetronics on course for a strong 2021

UOB Kay Hian Research maintained a “buy” rating on Globetronics with an unchanged fair value of RM4.40

## https://focusmalaysia.my/markets/globetronics-on-course-for-a-strong-2021/

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Stock: [GTRONIC]: GLOBETRONICS TECHNOLOGY BHD

2021-03-06 10:52 | Report Abuse

Business continues for electronics firms

Monday, 18 Jan 2021

GEORGE TOWN: Companies in the country’s electronics manufacturing sector will carry out their business strategies as planned despite the movement control order (MCO).

“We are all familiar with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19, which don’t interfere with the production process.

“The requirement for only 30% of the management staff to be allowed at the office doesn’t slow down production, as the supervision and management could also be done virtually and remotely, ” Globetronics Technology Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Heng Huck Lee said.

Heng, however, said the prolonged closure of the borders was a concern because it would deter new investments from entering the country.

“We already have a customer from China delaying their project with us.

“If the borders open up soon, we plan to allocate up to RM65mil to expand our operations this year, ” he said.

According to Heng, the group’s business plans for 2021 would carry on as planned.

“We have four new projects for this year and beyond, which will boost our growth and bottom line starting from the first half, ” Heng said.

According to Heng, the group will spend about RM11mil to build a 25,000-sq-ft of factory space, equipped with a clean room facility.

“Construction of the facility will start before year-end and it will support the production of advanced smart sensors.

“We are allocating RM34mil to upgrade our design and development and the digitalisation of our sensor operation with Industry 4.0 capabilities, ” he added.

## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/01/18/business-continues-for-electronics-firms

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Stock: [GTRONIC]: GLOBETRONICS TECHNOLOGY BHD

2021-03-06 10:45 | Report Abuse

Fundamental no doubt definitely strong...

Sales per share = RM 0.34

Gross profit margin = average by 35%

Net profit marging = average by 25%

Current Ratio = 9.12 times

Quality of Earnings = 1.74 times

Net cash position = RM 163 million cash

Dividend payout = average by 50% ~ 55%

** FY 2020 dividend payout almost 99% on the profit

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Stock: [SPSETIA]: SP SETIA BHD

2021-03-05 22:09 | Report Abuse

Really ridiculous for next week...

Really unstoppable to break 5.00 next week...OMG...

Really unbelievable to test 5.15 next week...

Really Really OMG next week...

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2021-03-05 21:37 | Report Abuse

CGS-CIMB: S P Setia plans to launch projects up to RM3.7b GDV in FY21

(theedgemarkets.com / January 07, 2021 13:01 pm +08)

CGS-CIMB has an add call for the stock with target price of RM1.06

## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/cgscimb-s-p-setia-plans-launch-projects-rm37b-gdv-fy21

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Stock: [SPSETIA]: SP SETIA BHD

2021-03-05 21:26 | Report Abuse

SP Setia has lower ESG concerns: Maybank IB

By Azanis Shahila Aman - February 8, 2021 @ 11:46am

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) is maintaining its earnings forecast and RM1.29 target price on SP Setia Bhd with a “Buy” call.

## https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021/02/664030/sp-setia-has-lower-esg-concerns-maybank-ib

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:19 | Report Abuse

1) Artificial intelligence (AI)

China plans to focus on specialized chip development for AI applications and developing so-called open source algorithms. Open source technology is usually developed by one entity and licensed by other companies.

There will also be an emphasis on machine learning in areas such as decision making. Machine learning is the development of AI programs trained on vast amounts of data. The program “learns” as it is fed more data.

AI has been a key field for Chinese companies and the central government over the last few years. Major companies such as Alibaba and Baidu have been investing in the technology.

China and the U.S. are competing for AI dominance. A group of experts chaired by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said China could soon replace the U.S. as the world’s “AI superpower.”

2) Quantum information

This is category of technology involves quantum computing. This is a totally different concept from the computers we use today and holds the promise of being able to aid in ambitious feats such as the creation of new medicine.

Quantum computing is seen as another area of competition between the U.S. and China.

3) Integrated circuits or semiconductors

Semiconductors are a critical area for China and one it has invested a lot in over the past few years but the country has struggled to catch up to the U.S., Taiwan and South Korea.

The problem is the complexity of the semiconductor supply chain. Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung are the two most advanced chip manufacturers but they rely on tools from the U.S. and Europe.

Washington has put SMIC, China’s biggest chip manufacturer, on an export blacklist called the Entity List. SMIC cannot get its hands on American technology. And the U.S. has reportedly pushed to stop Dutch company ASML from shipping a key tool that could help SMIC catch up to rivals.

Since China doesn’t have the companies that can design and make the tools that its chip manufacturers require, it relies on companies from other countries. This is something China wants to change.

In its five-year plan, China says it will focus on research and development in integrated circuit design tools, key equipment and key materials.

Chips are incredibly important because they go into many of the devices we use such as smartphones but are also important for other industries.

4) Brain science

China plans to research areas such as how to stop diseases of the brain.

But it also says that it plans to look into “brain-inspired computing” as well as “brain-computer fusion technology,” according to a CNBC translation. The five-year plan did not elaborate on what that could look like.

However, such work is already underway in the U.S. at Elon Musk’s company Neuralink. Musk is working on implantable brain-chip interfaces to connect humans and computers.

5) Genomics and biotechnology

With the outbreak of the coronavirus last year, biotechnology has grown in importance.

China says it will focus on “innovative vaccines” and “research on biological security.”

6) Clinical medicine and health

China’s research will concentrate on understanding the progression of cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases.

The government also says that it will research some “cutting-edge” treatment technologies such as regenerative medicine. This involves medicine that can regrow or repair damaged cells, tissues and organs.

China says it will also be looking at key technologies in the prevention and treatment of major transmissible diseases.

7) Deep space, deep earth, deep sea and polar research

Space exploration has been a top priority for China recently. Beijing said it will focus on research into the “origin and evolution of the universe,” exploration of Mars as well as deep sea and polar research.

In December, a Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth carrying rocks from the moon. It was the first time China has launched a spacecraft from an extraterrestrial body and the first time it has collected moon samples.

And in July, China launched a mission to Mars called Tianwen -1.

## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/05/china-to-focus-on-frontier-tech-from-chips-to-quantum-computing.html

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:16 | Report Abuse

In battle with U.S., China to focus on 7 ‘frontier’ technologies from chips to brain-computer fusion

(PUBLISHED FRI, MAR 5 20213:11 AM EST)

~ China is looking to boost research into what it calls “frontier technology” as it competes with the U.S. for supremacy in the latest innovations.

~ In its 14th five-year plan, China laid out seven technology areas it will focus research on including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and space.

~ Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday that China would increase research and development spending by more than 7% per year between 2021 and 2025, in pursuit of “major breakthroughs” in technology.

GUANGZHOU, China — China is looking to boost research into what it calls “frontier technology” including quantum computing and semiconductors, as it competes with the U.S. for supremacy in the latest innovations.

In its five-year development plan, the 14th of its kind, Beijing said it would make “science and technology self-reliance and self-improvement a strategic pillar for national development,” according to a CNBC translation.

Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday that China would increase research and development spending by more than 7% per year between 2021 and 2025, in pursuit of “major breakthroughs” in technology.

China’s technology champions such as Huawei and SMIC have been targeted by U.S. sanctions as tensions between Beijing and Washington have ramped up in the past few years.

As such, China has concentrated on boosting its domestic expertise in areas it sees as strategically important, such as semiconductors. And now it has laid out seven “frontier technologies” that it will prioritize not just for the next five years, but beyond too.

Cont...

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:12 | Report Abuse

China Deals Fresh Blow to Tech Giants in Reach for Data

(Bloomberg News / March 5, 2021, 12:27 PM GMT+8)

~ Alibaba, Tencent control vasts amounts of consumer data

~ Beijing has stepped up antitrust regulation of tech firms

China called on its technology giants to share key data, dealing a further blow to the companies already reeling from heightened antitrust scrutiny.

Companies are encouraged to open up data related to areas from search to e-commerce and social media, in order to promote the healthy development of the sharing and online economies, according to a government report outlining the Communist Party’s top priorities for the next five years. Beijing is also establishing a platform for sharing public and government data.

While Xi Jinping’s government has long identified data as a key resource, it’s the first time that the opening up of data amassed by private-sector companies has been included in the country’s top economic guidelines. Beijing in November launched a sweeping crackdown on alleged monopolistic practices in its giant internet industry, worried about the growing influence of its largest private corporations thanks to the vast swathes of information they’ve hoovered up.

Industry behemoths Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. as well as up-and-coming competitors like ByteDance Ltd. and Meituan have at their disposal vast amounts of proprietary information, gathered from the hundreds of millions of consumers shopping on their platforms and using social-media apps like WeChat and Douyin. Surrendering that data could undermine their market-leading positions and deal a heavy blow to their ability to squeeze out smaller competitors.

Antitrust regulators in November unveiled new rules to stamp out monopolistic practices in its tech industry, cracking down on practices such as forced exclusive arrangements with merchants known as “Pick One of Two” to algorithm-based prices favoring new users. Beijing also intends to better regulate the collection and use of consumer data, according to a plan by the general offices of the powerful Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council, the cabinet.

The 14th Five Year Plan released on Friday didn’t provide specific details on how companies should share their data.

“China’s thinking on data policy has made a game-changing evolutionary leap,” Kendra Schaefer, head of digital research at Trivium China in Beijing, said before the National People’s Congress. “Increasingly, in the eyes of Chinese policymakers, creating the legal and technical infrastructure to support the marketization of data is not a nice-to-have, but an immediate economic imperative.”

Data ownership and security has long been a flash point between China and rival nations, especially the U.S. Under the Trump administration, Washington had sought to ban services by ByteDance and Tencent, arguing that the companies could allow Beijing to gather data from tens of millions of American users. Corporations are already required to provide access to their technology and assist with investigations involving crime and national security, under a 2017 Cybersecurity Law.

Beijing’s stance is echoed by at least one of its tech moguls. “To grab users, every app is spending huge resources in building up content that can only be viewed within the app,” Baidu Inc.’s Robin Li said in a proposal to China’s top lawmaker. The effectiveness of his company’s leading search engine relies on open online information. “They become ‘information islands’ separated from each other.” He suggested the government set up a pilot program to break up such barriers among internet services vital to daily lives.

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/china-deals-fresh-blow-to-tech-giants-in-reach-for-data

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:08 | Report Abuse

## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/chinese-premier-calls-for-major-breakthroughs-in-core-tech?srnd=premium-asia

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:07 | Report Abuse

It also pledged to develop its own advanced chip manufacturing technologies and key materials that comprise third-generation chips. The country aims to secure first-mover advantage in that nascent arena, involving compounds such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride and chips can operate at high frequency and in higher power and temperature environments, with broad applications in fifth-generation radio frequency chips, military-grade radar and electric vehicles.

While specifics of that endeavor won’t emerge for months, Friday’s documents provided important clues about the envisioned roadmap. That includes building more national laboratories and innovation centers, as well as ramping up efforts to implement a little-heard of program called the Sci-Tech Innovation 2030 Agenda. Beijing also revealed plans to try and entice more talent from abroad via a “technology immigration system,” likely targeting semiconductor hotbeds from Silicon Valley to Taiwan.

Open sharing of data will be key, according to the report. Beijing is establishing a platform for sharing public and government data, while simultaneously crafting policies to ensure the security of that information. In a related move, the five-year plan called on technology giants such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. to share key data, dealing a further blow to companies already reeling from heightened antitrust scrutiny.

“Basic research is the wellspring of scientific and technological innovation,” Li said. “So we will ensure the stable functioning of funding mechanism for basic research and boost spending in this area by a considerable sum.”

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:07 | Report Abuse

China pledged to boost spending and drive research into cutting-edge chips and artificial intelligence in its latest five-year targets, laying out a technological blueprint to vie for global influence with the U.S.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang singled out key areas in which to achieve “major breakthroughs in core technologies,” including high-end semiconductors, operating systems, computer processors and cloud computing -- areas in which American firms now hold sway. Beijing will also aim to get 56% of the country on faster fifth-generation or 5G networks. Nationwide R&D spending will increase by more than 7% annually, which “is expected to account for a higher percentage of GDP” than during the previous five years, he added.

China is moving quickly to cut its dependence on the West for crucial components like computer chips, an issue that became more urgent after a global shortage of semiconductors worsened during the pandemic. Beijing is also making big bets on emerging technologies from hydrogen vehicles to biotech while looking to ensure its own chipmakers can compete with the likes of Intel Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. That encompasses a new emphasis on silicon design software and so-called third-generation chipmaking -- two areas critical to Beijing’s drive to achieve technology self-sufficiency.

“Innovation remains at the heart of China’s modernization drive,” Li said in an address to the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Friday. “We will strengthen our science and technology to provide strategic support for China’s development.”

Li’s speech punctuated goals enumerated in China’s 14th five-year plan, also released Friday, which prioritized advances in younger spheres such as quantum computing, neural networks and DNA banks. The document enshrines a multi-layered strategy both pragmatic and ambitious in scope, embracing aspirations to replace pivotal U.S. suppliers and fend off Washington, while molding homegrown champions in emergent fields.

Chipmakers including Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. and China Resources Microelectronics Ltd. rose more than 3% on mainland bourses in the afternoon. But Hong Kong-listed Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., China’s largest chipmaker, slipped in tandem with a broader global tech-shares selloff.

At stake is nothing less than the future of the world’s No. 2 economy. Beijing is moving swiftly while the Biden administration escalates a battle against what it called “techno-autocracies.” That could extend or even expand blacklistings that banned key transactions with corporations from Huawei Technologies Co. to ByteDance Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

To a country that imports $300 billion of chips annually, a worsening global shortage drives home the risk of relying on potentially hostile suppliers for the building blocks of everything from AI to next-generation networks and autonomous vehicles. Friday’s report formalized China’s ambitions to develop its own software for semiconductor design -- supplanting tools from American firms Cadence Design Systems Inc. and Synopsys Inc.

Cont...

General

Technology Prospects Will Be Booming Another 5 Years Again ???

2021-03-05 17:06 | Report Abuse

China to Pour More Money Into Chips, AI and 5G to Catch U.S.

(Bloomberg News / March 5, 2021, 10:29 AM GMT+8 Updated on March 5, 2021, 2:23 PM GMT+8)

~ R&D spending to rise compared with previous five-year plan

~‘Innovation remains at the heart of China’s modernization’: Li

Stock

Stock: [MUHIBAH]: MUHIBBAH ENGINEERING (M) BHD

2021-03-05 15:10 | Report Abuse

Muhibbah business also involving energy sector....

1) EPCIC OF WELLHEAD PLATFORM FOR OPHIR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

2) TERENGGANU GAS TERMINAL PROJECT (TGAST)

3) RGT1 MINIMUM SEND OUT CAPABILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

4) PETRONAS LNG TRAIN 9, STEEL STRUCTURE ERECTION WORK, BINTULU, SARAWAK

5) EPCIC ALLIANCE FOR THE LNG REGASIFICATION UNIT, ISLAND BERTH AND SUBSEA PIPELINE LEKAS PROJECT, MALACCA

6) EPCC OF THE CENTRAL OIL DISTRIBUTION (CODT) TERMINAL AT TG MANIS MUKAH, SARAWAK

7) YEMEN LNG PROJECT

8) HORIZON BULK LIQUID PRODUCTS TERMINAL ON JURONG ISLAND, SINGAPORE

9) LIQUID BULK TERMINAL PROJECT, WEST PORT, MALAYSIA

10) MG3 LUBE PLANT PROJECT, MALAYSIA

11) LNG3 BERTH BINTULU PORT, BINTULU, SARAWAK

## http://muhibbah.com/main/4148/index.asp?pageid=139886

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2021-03-04 14:37 | Report Abuse

Great action taken by management to diversify into renewal energy...

Long term prospect very bright & optimistic......

Stock

2021-03-04 14:36 | Report Abuse

TNB enters Vietnam solar power market under Sunseap partnership

(theedgemarkets.com / March 04, 2021 14:18 pm +08)

KUALA LUMPUR (March 4): Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) wholly-owned subsidiary TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd will buy a 39% stake in a 21.6MW project comprising five rooftop solar power plants in Vietnam from Singapore's Sunseap Group in an acquisition, which will serve as a beachhead for TNB to establish a local presence in Vietnam and expand into the rapidly growing renewable energy (RE) and utility market there.

In a statement today, TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Baharin Din said the acquisition builds on TNB's earlier Malaysia-Singapore cross-border collaboration with Sunseap and demonstrates the Malaysian government-controlled utility's commitment to transforming TNB into a regional RE and utility player. TNB's statement, however, did not specify the acquisition price for the 39% stake in the 21.6MW project and where the solar power plants are located.

## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/tnb-enters-vietnam-solar-power-market-under-sunseap-partnership

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2021-03-04 10:40 | Report Abuse

Status Quo....

Stock