North Korea intelligence network active in Malaysia: Source

The presence of North Koreans in the country, masquerading behind careers in various fields, was all planned in order to form an organised intelligence network, a source told Bernama. KUALA LUMPUR: While Malaysia and North Korea are doing their best to solve the diplomatic spat between the two governments, attention is now focused on the presence of more than 1,000 North Korean citizens in Malaysia.

Malaysian mission in Pyongyang should be closed: ex-diplomat

A former ranking Malaysian diplomat has asserted that his country should shut down its embassy in Pyongyang as a countermeasure against North Korea’s alleged assassination of Kim Jong-nam, a half brother of the North’s leader Kim Jong-un, a US broadcaster reported Monday. The Pyongyang-based Malaysian mission which is virtually of no use should be surely closed as a strong message to the North that the acts it is now conducting can never be accepted, Dennis Ignatius was quoted as saying in a phone interview with Voice of America.

UPDATE 1-Hong Kong pins Aramco IPO hopes on China’s deep pockets

HONG KONG, Feb 27 Hong Kong’s stock exchange will bank on its role as a gateway to mainland China’s deep-pocketed investors to take on other leading venues and win the coveted $100 billion listing of Saudi Arabia’s giant state oil company, Aramco, it said on Monday. Charles Li, the CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing , said access to Chinese capital and China’s role as the world’s largest importer of oil made Hong Kong a viable contender in the frantic race between listing venues.

Police chief: Airport women smeared poison on Kim’s half-brother

Two women suspected of fatally poisoning the half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un were trained to coat their hands with toxic chemicals then wipe them on his face, Malaysian police have said. Inspector general of police Khalid Abu Bakar also announced authorities were now seeking a North Korean diplomat in connection with the attack on Kim Jong Nam on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur’s airport.

Sabah boat mishap: China satisfied with rescue efforts

Chen with Pang speak to the media after a press conference on Sunday over the boat mishap. – Bernama pic KOTA KINABALU: China’s Consul-General in Sabah Chen Peijie has expressed satisfaction with search and rescue efforts following the capsize of a boat carrying Chinese tourists off Sabah on Saturday.

6 Chinese tourists missing after boat sinks off Malaysia

Three people died, six are missing and nearly two dozen were rescued after a catamaran carrying Chinese tourists sank in Malaysian waters, officials said Sunday. The boat carried 31 people, including 28 tourists from China, and was sailing Saturday from Kota Kinabalu to Pulau Mengalum, a popular tourist island, some 37 miles west to Kota Kinabalu, according to the Chinese consulate in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.

Australia pushes for TPP without US after Trump exits deal

Australia is leading a push to salvage a Pacific trade deal after President Donald Trump formally withdrew as a signatory to the 12-nation accord. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he discussed the deal on Monday night with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, and held talks with the leaders of New Zealand and Singapore.

UPDATE 1-Allianz, Standard Chartered form bancassurance pact in Asia

FRANKFURT, Jan 19 German insurer Allianz and Standard Chartered Bank on Thursday announced a 15-year agreement to distribute Allianz’s general insurance products in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. The deal to distribute travel, personal accident, fire and motor insurance products to Standard Chartered’s retail banking clients will start in 2017, the companies said in a joint statement.