Ministry probing into alleged breach involving Nvidia's AI chips
In a statement today, the ministry said that servers using Nvidia chips and AI chips are not classified as controlled goods under the Malaysian Strategic Trade Act 2010 (STA 2010).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Rare earth magnet users jolted into paying premium prices for ex-China supply
FOR years, Rahim Suleman had reached out repeatedly to carmakers and other potential clients to market the rare earth magnets from the plant his company was building in Estonia, one of just a handful outside dominant producer China. But after April 4, when Beijing imposed new restrictions on the super-strong magnets used in electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines, Suleman retired his sales pitch. He didn't need it any more. Ever since China's export controls tightened some rare earth exports to a trickle in the midst of a trade war with the United States, causing chaos in supply chains and some auto plant shutdowns, "the phone is ringing off the hook", said Suleman. Companies starting new plants in Europe, the US and Asia had previously reported difficult talks on deals that embedded the higher costs to make magnets outside China, which benefits from cheaper labour costs and economies of scale as well as government support via tax refunds. But the crisis has led many customers to soften or drop objections about paying those premiums as they scramble to hammer out deals, according to a dozen industry participants, including carmakers, magnet makers, rare earth producers, consultants and government officials interviewed by Reuters. While rare earths magnets from China are flowing again, customers remain on edge about the threat of future shortages. Suleman's company, Neo Performance Materials, launched output of permanent magnets at its Estonia plant in May. Now, he said, "everybody wants to talk about how (they can) satisfy their demand out of our facility". He said he had no worries about lining up enough customers who would pay a premium — US$10 to US$30 per kg, with EVs typically holding 2kg to 4kg of magnets per vehicle — over the price they usually pay for Chinese magnets. Output at Neo's factory in Estonia is starting small, providing samples to its first customer, which Suleman declined to identify. German auto parts supplier Schaeffler said it was a customer of the plant, but declined to comment on how much it is paying. In South Korea, customers of NovaTech, which produced magnets in China, were prepared to pay 15 to 20 per cent more for magnets made in Vietnam, said a company source, adding that there was "a growing sense of crisis among customers". The company, which sells China-made magnets used in Samsung's phones and tablets, is investing at least 10 billion won in a plant in Vietnam launching early next year to make magnets using locally processed rare earths from a partner, said the person and another company official. Britain's Less Common Metals (LCM), one of the few firms outside China involved in a key step of rare earths processing — making rare earth metals and alloys — says it is battling to cope with new enquiries. "Now, post-April 4, it's like someone stuck a cattle prod into the whole industry," said Grant Smith, its chairman. He said LCM had held discussions with numerous companies that used magnets as they sought alternative supply sources, though he declined to name them. Despite the new willingness to pay a premium, it would take many years or even decades to build up production outside of China, which accounted for 90 per cent of global permanent magnet supply, said industry participants. And the question of how much more should be paid for rare earths and magnets outside of China is a tricky one. Too high a premium for mined rare earths could see consumers cutting down their use, while premiums that are too low would not be enough to allow construction of ex-China projects, say analysts and consultants. Carmakers are willing to pay more to guarantee ex-China supplies, but they are also in the midst of an EV price war that has left them with thin margins. One executive at a rare earths company said the firm had held discussions with carmakers that were prepared to pay US$80 per kg for neodymium-praseodymium oxide, a rare earth needed for magnets used in motors and generators — a figure Reuters has not independently verified. That is already a significant — near 30 per cent — premium over the Chinese price of US$62 based on data from price reporting agency Fastmarkets.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
John Lee vows to be ‘reformer' as Hong Kong shows benefits of security to world
Hong Kong's leader has vowed his team will be 'reformers' who rise to challenges rather than become 'complacent idlers', pledging to seize development opportunities to let the city showcase 'the certainties of safety and stability' the world needs in the face of geopolitical tensions, as he enters his fourth year in office. In a speech to mark the 28th anniversary of the city's handover to Chinese rule on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu laid down three governance priorities: boosting development backed by security; expediting the Northern Metropolis megaproject near the border with mainland China; and improving residents' livelihoods. The day's celebrations began with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in the morning, followed by a reception where Lee gave the keynote address. Throughout the day, residents and tourists took advantage of free museum visits, complimentary transport rides and discounted meals as part of the government-coordinated festivities. Authorities also adorned the city with 130,000 decorations, including national and city flags. But some residents chose to spend the public holiday in Shenzhen, disappointing some restaurants in Hong Kong. In his speech, Lee reaffirmed his determination to undertake reforms, pledging to fully seize opportunities to demonstrate 'the certainties of safety and stability' that the world needed. He cited a Chinese saying that described a hard task becoming easy through determined effort and an easy task growing difficult due to inaction. 'We would rather be reformers who rise to challenges than become complacent idlers,' Lee said at a reception held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. 'Amid an ever-changing geopolitical landscape and constantly increasing uncertainties, Hong Kong is able to showcase exactly to the world the certainties of safety, stability and development opportunities. These are precisely what the world needs and seeks.' Hong Kong had been 'a place where national and global opportunities converge', he said, adding that the chances available to Hong Kong still outweighed the challenges it faced amid economic restructuring, thanks to the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' governing principle. 'As long as we are determined to fully seize the opportunities, keep enhancing our value and competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress and foster innovation, I am confident the wisdom and experience of the people of Hong Kong will help our 'Pearl of the Orient' shine brighter than ever on the world stage,' Lee said. Elaborating on his three priorities, Lee vowed to safeguard 'high-quality development' with 'high-level security', stressing the city would remain vigilant in safeguarding national security and fully seize national opportunities as it fostered economic growth. The government would also help companies upgrade their operations and expand in domestic and overseas markets, as well as introduce new technologies and industries to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, he said. 'We will deepen international exchanges and cooperation, explore new markets and opportunities, bolster the provision of extensive supply chain services, and expand and strengthen regional trade with the aim of offsetting the risk of over-reliance on a single market in business trade,' Lee said. Lee also pledged to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis, a project near the border with the mainland that aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) of land in the northern New Territories into an economic powerhouse and housing hub. 'By introducing new concepts and new methods, removing potential barriers and leveraging market forces, we aim to enhance the speed and efficiency of developing the Northern Metropolis, the San Tin Technopole and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone,' he said. The government would focus on attracting top scientific research talent from around the world in a bid to promote the city as a hub for high-calibre talent, he added. Lee also said his administration would in the coming years 'proactively' improve Hongkongers' livelihoods in areas such as housing, health, education, welfare and overall quality of life, while pressing ahead with various railway projects. 'We will remain committed to the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation, focusing on directing resources to those most in need,' he said. Looking back on his three years in office, the city leader said he had built a 'result-oriented' government and 'rebuilt a safe Hong Kong' by enacting the domestic national security law. He also said his team had attracted more than 210,000 high-quality migrants and 84 strategic enterprises to Hong Kong, enhanced the competitiveness of the financial sector and shortened the waiting time for public housing by more than nine months to 5.3 years, among other achievements. The event at the convention centre was also attended by the central government's top representatives in the city, including new liaison office director Zhou Ji, Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security head Dong Jingwei, and Cui Jianchun – the nation's top diplomat in Hong Kong. Police ramped up security at the site, as well as at some major tourist spots and in commercial districts. Other celebratory events included two major horse races at the Sha Tin Racecourse, which also featured live music, a fishing boat parade in Victoria Harbour and a fun run with participants carrying national and city flags. Since last Saturday, Lee has highlighted 'reforms' in all his speeches and social media posts marking the city's handover. Over the weekend, he posted two videos on social media, both using a metaphor 'from a cocoon to a butterfly' to underline the importance of seeking reforms. On Monday, he pledged to strive to reform for a more prosperous Hong Kong in a speech. On the same occasion on Monday, Zhou urged Hong Kong to further embrace reforms to broaden its economy. On Tuesday, Mao Ning, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posted two photos on X: one showing masked protesters brandishing umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas in the 2019 protests and another dated 2025 showing national and city flags hanging between commercial buildings. She wrote that Hong Kong was 'headed to a brighter future of stability and prosperity'. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Embrace AI as a tool to shape the future, Fadillah tells journalists
KUCHING: Journalists and mass media practitioners should not see artificial intelligence as a threat, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof told journalists attending the two-day Sarawak Media Conference here. He said they should instead embrace it as a tool to elevate their profession. "Let us walk forward with open minds and united purpose. AI is changing the world at lightning speed. "It touches everything — our food, our jobs, our homes, even our privacy and security. And yes, it is transforming journalism," he said at a dinner for participants of the conference themed "AI: Shaping the future of media and journalism". Fadillah said the question was not whether AI would shape the future as it definitely would. "The real question is: 'Will we shape AI or will AI shape us?'." Fadillah said he does not have all the answers about how AI will shape the future but he has faith in the power of dialogue, of collective wisdom, and of a media community that is not afraid to evolve. "I have no doubt: we can, and we will, rise to this challenge," he said. Fadillah also pointed out that the mass media was not a bystander in national development. "It is a vital strategic partner. Journalists are not just storytellers. "You are the eyes that witness truth, the ears that listen to the nation's heartbeat, and the pens that shape understanding," he said. He added that the mass media also gave voice to the voiceless and held power to account. Fadillah said, in this age of misinformation, the journalist's role becomes more crucial than ever.
