Malaysia Morning News For April 4

Malaysian PM Najib Razak pushes for conclusion of trade deal
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Monday called for the speedy conclusion of a free trade pact between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and six other countries including India, saying the regional partnership becomes all the more relevant after the US pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
— Livemint

M’sia regional favourite, gets the most from inflow of funds
Malaysia has emerged as the most favoured emerging market in South-East Asia year-to-date based on foreign liquidity flow in the local stock market, beating Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
— The Star Online

Malaysia among most attractive countries in retail development: Swiss DKSH
Malaysia is among the most attractive countries worldwide in retail development, Swiss market expansion services company, DKSH, said.
— New Straits Times

Petronas may consider Shell site for Canadian LNG project
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) may be looking at building a US$27bil liquefied natural gas export terminal in northwestern Canada on the site of an abandoned Royal Dutch Shell Plc energy project, according to the company’s chief executive officer.
— The Star Online

AirAsia’s Vietnam deal enhances its connectivity within ASEAN: PublicInvest
PublicInvest Research is unmoved by AirAsia Bhd’s 30 per cent joint venture (JV) with low cost carrier in Vietnam and issued a neutral call with a target price of RM3.19.
— New Straits Times

Najib invites Indian companies to invest in Malaysia
Indian companies have been encouraged to look to Malaysia as their preferred choice for investment, to expand, and take the opportunity to forge new partnerships.
— Malay Mail Online

Asean Lawmaker Group Slams Malaysia Over Migrant Detentions
A caucus of lawmakers from across Asean on Monday called for better treatment of undocumented migrants—and criminal charges against those who abuse them—in Malaysia, where at least three Cambodians have died in government custody over the past two years, according to a new report.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

POLL-Malaysia Feb exports seen surging at best pace in nearly 3 years
Malaysia’s exports likely expanded in February at the fastest pace for any month in nearly three years, a Reuters poll showed.
— Nasdaq

Now Indians don’t have to pay for visas to visit Malaysia
Najib Razak, who became Malaysia’s first prime minister to visit India, said his government will wave all visa fees for Indians travelling to his country.
— Zee News

FGV signs MoU with India’s Trimex Industries
Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Trimex Industries Pte Ltd, with the aim to explore the feasibility of supplying and distributing various palm oil products to penetrate India’s midstream and downstream market.
— The Star Online

AirAsia ‘buy’, Notion VTECH ‘outperform’, Yinson ‘buy’, GHL System ‘neutral’
ACTIS, a private equity firm, has proposed to acquire a 44.4% stake in GHL Systems to become the single-largest shareholder.
— The Star Online

Bursa Malaysia ends higher
Bursa Malaysia ended higher today lifted by buying interests in selected heavyweights led by Maybank and Genting Malaysia.
— New Straits Times

M’sia’s manufacturing PMI sees marginal improvement in March
Malaysia’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) saw a fractional improvement in March, and marked the best reading since May 2015.
— New Straits Times

BMW Group Malaysia introduces the all-new BMW 5 Series
Regas Premium Auto unveiled the all-new BMW 5 Series at an official launching on Saturday night.
— The Borneo Post

Singapore, Malaysia start June quarter on front foot
Shares in Singapore and Malaysia kicked off the quarter on a positive note, even as investor attention remained firmly on the outlook for U.S. economic and trade policies ahead of a meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia opens doors to Indian filmmakers
Malaysia has opened its doors to the world’s biggest film making nation to make the country their favoured location to produce more films and TV series.
— Malay Mail Online

Poor drain maintenance causing floods in the city
Poor maintenance of drains and irrigation canals has reduced the flow carrying capacity of the city’s drainage system triggering flash floods during thunderstorms.
— Malay Mail Online

Illicit cigarettes: Beef up enforcement first, Fomca tells Putrajaya
Strong enforcement is needed to ensure the effectiveness of any law aimed at curbing contraband cigarettes, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said today.
— Malay Mail Online

Feature photo Shahnoor Habib Munmun
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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