Malaysia Morning News For April 24

Go Auto to invest RM2bil to strengthen position in Malaysia, Asean
Go Auto Group of Companies (Go Auto) and its Chinese partner, Great Wall Motors Company Ltd (GWM), are allocating up to RM2bil investment until 2021 to upgrade its assembly and production facilities in Gurun, Kedah.
— The Star Online

Malaysia Reaches Deal on $2.5 Billion of 1MDB Bonds
The battle over the repayment of 1MDB bonds may be coming to an end. Malaysia has reached an agreement to pay Abu Dhabi $2.5 billion as partial debt settlement for embattled government fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., according to a person familiar with the matter.
— Bloomberg

Push for Islamic law extends Najib’s hold on power
Ongoing attempts to expand Islamic law in Malaysia have changed its political landscape, and may be the most important factor in maintaining the Najib Razak administration’s grip on power.
— The Straits Times

Planters target existing oil palm plantations
There is increasing appetite for local plantation companies to acquire existing oil palm plantations to expand their hectarages.
— The Star Online

Mier: Consumer sentiment still weak
Recent surveys conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (Mier) have found that although Malaysian manufacturers are highly optimistic about the year ahead, consumer sentiment has remained weak despite a slight improvement.
— The Star Online

EU-MCCI CEO hails Malaysia’s strengths
MALAYSIA has a strong business ally in European Union-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (EU-MCCI) new chief executive officer (CEO) Roberto Benetello.
— New Straits Times

Petronas seeks to develop field
PETROLIAM Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is in the process of selecting a partner to co-develop its SK316 gas field in Sarawak and not wanting to sell it as reported by some media, said its president and chief executive officer Datuk
Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
— New Straits Times

Report: How healthcare is boosting a ‘sick’ Malaysia
The Malaysian healthcare system has received much praise from a leading political analysis publication, in both the public and private sectors.
— Free Malaysia Today

Abu Dhabi Debt Deal to Help Clear Najib’s Path for Malaysia Vote
Barely two years after he was engulfed in a scandal over a Malaysia state fund, Prime Minister Najib Razak is set to clear another hurdle to putting the furor behind him and calling an early election.
— Bloomberg

Malaysia Needs Certified Financial Planners
Malaysia needs more certified financial planners to serve the growing demand for financial advice and financial planning in the country.
— finews.asia

Efforts to rein in Malaysian
DESPITE the various measures by the government to make housing more affordable, house prices continue to rise, although at a more gradual pace, participants at the “Post-Property Market Report 2016 dialogue” were told.
— The Nation

Malaysian govt committed to protecting local
DESPITE DIGITAL economy adviser Jack Ma bringing in 16 mega corporations to the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) in Malaysia, the Malaysian government would still ensure the interests of local corporations, encourage local corporations to work with foreign corporations and assist small and medium enterprises to have market share in DFTZ, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.
— The Nation/Sin Chew Daily

Automotive sector has bottomed out, is set for earnings recovery
Analysts are optimistic that the local automotive industry has bottomed out following three consecutive months of vehicle sales growth this year.
— The Star Online

Petronas selecting partner for gas field
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is in the process of selecting a partner to co-develop its SK316 gas field in Sarawak and not wanting to sell it as reported by some media, said its president and chief executive officer Datuk
Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
— The Star Online

Gas Malaysia virtual pipeline goes online
GAS Malaysia Bhd, via its subsidiary Gas Malaysia IEV Sdn Bhd (GMIEV), has formally launched its virtual pipeline business following the officiation of its compressed natural gas (CNG) facility in Gebeng.
— New Straits Times

Teachers under extreme stress need counselling: Malaysia deputy minister
Teachers who experience ”extreme stress” while performing their duties are encouraged to seek counselling at the education ministry”s psychology and counselling division.
— Channel NewsAsia

Support grows for Sabah English schools
A federal minister from Sabah has backed a colleague’s proposal to re-establish English-medium government schools in the state.
— Malay Mail Online

Minister says constitutional monarchy ensures stability, inspires confidence in Malaysia
Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy has ensured stability which brings confidence to the country, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
— Malay Mail Online

Penang plans to increase water conservation surcharge
The Penang government plans to increase the Water Conservation Surcharge for domestic use to ensure the precious commodity is used wisely.
— Malay Mail Online

Malays are ‘masters’ in Malaysia, deserve special privileges: Umno member
An Umno Supreme Council member rejected Saturday (April 22) any suggestion that the quota system is insulting to the Malay community in Malaysia.
— Today Online

Feature photo Mohamed Shaaz
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