Malaysia Morning News For March 30

Malaysia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Malaysia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.

Malaysia may ease rules on short-selling of govt bonds
Malaysia is considering easing rules on the short-selling of government bonds to deepen domestic financial markets and revive interest in its debt.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s insurance sector likely to consolidate further
Further consolidation may be in the cards for the Malaysian insurance industry in the years to come as measures to strengthen local insurers and make them more efficient as well as resilient are implemented.
— The Star Online

US firms upbeat on Malaysia prospects
AMERICAN corporates are upbeat about their future investments in Malaysia, especially with the digital economy agenda, which they believe will lift the Malaysian economy to new heights.
— New Straits Times

Bison Consolidated in segment with less competition: Maybank IB Research
Maybank IB Research is keeeping its buy call on Bison Consolidated Bhd with a target price of RM2.25 as the firm has seen 1QFY17 revenue grow and is a player in the convenience retail channel space where there is less competition.
— New Straits Times

Parliament passes Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2016
The Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2016, which among others, protects social guarantors from being declared bankrupt, was passed by Parliament today.
— Malay Mail Online

Zahid: Over 1.8 million foreigners working legally in Malaysia
Malaysia deported 70,000 illegal immigrants in 2016 and now has over 1.8 million foreign workers legally here, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia’s DRB-Hicom says detailed evaluation of Proton bids underway
Malaysian business conglomerate DRB-Hicom is still evaluating all bids for a foreign strategic partner (FSP) to turn around its ailing automotive company Proton Holdings Bhd, a search that may end by first half of this year.
— Deal Street Asia

Exclusive: Malaysia inspects North Korean coal ship for possible U.N. sanctions breach
Malaysia briefly prevented a North Korean ship carrying coal from entering its port in Penang because of a suspected breach of United Nations sanctions, a port worker and Malaysian maritime officials told Reuters on Wednesday
— Reuters

Malaysia in ‘sensitive’ talks with North Korea after Kim Jong Nam murder: Najib
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday (March 30) his government was engaged in “very sensitive” talks with North Korea over nine Malaysians being prevented from leaving Pyongyang after the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam.
— Today Online

25 years’ jail for duo behind Malaysia terror act
Two men have been sentenced to 25 years in jail each for throwing a hand grenade and injuring eight people at the Movida nightclub in Puchong last year.
— The Straits Times

RM 55bil East coast rail kicks off
The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), estimated at RM55bil and the largest ever railway project to be undertaken by the private sector, is poised to kick off.
— The Star Online

Foreign funds invest RM4.7bil in Bursa Malaysia
Foreign investors have pumped some RM4.7bil into Bursa Malaysia year to date.
— The Star Online

Worldwide Holdings signs 10-year deal to rehabilitate, preserve landfill in Sabak Bernam
Worldwide Holdings Bhd (Worldwide Holdings), in a joint effort with Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) today, has signed a 10-year agreement to rehabilitate and preserve the existing non-sanitary landfill at Panchang Bedena in Sabak Bernam.
— New Straits Times

Ringgit opens weaker against US dollar
The ringgit opened weaker against the US dollar today on mild profit-taking and lack of demand for the local note.
— New Straits Times

UM aims to be among world’s top 100 universities by 2020
Now inside Asia’s best 100 universities according to Times Higher Education (THE), Universiti Malaya is looking to enter the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings in coming years.
— Malay Mail Online

Najib chairs BN Supreme Council meeting
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight chairs the Barisan Nasional (BN) meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn here.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia intercepts N. Korean coal ship
Malaysia briefly prevented a North Korean ship carrying coal from entering its port in Penang because of a suspected breach of United Nations sanctions, a port worker and Malaysian maritime officials told Reuters yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Malaysian PM highlights bilateral ties with China
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Wednesday highlighted his country’s relations with China, saying the bilateral ties are of strategic importance.
— Xinhua

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