Welcome to the Malaysia morning news roundup by AEC News Today, your one stop for Malaysia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.
RM500mil investment for Johor
A local public-listed manufacturing company has agreed to pour in RM500mil worth of investments in Johor.
— The Star Online
Malaysia, Thailand eye bilateral trade boost
Malaysia and Thailand are determined to see bilateral trade achieve the US$30 billion (RM133 billion) target by next year, with border trade set to play greater role in the coming years.
— Malay Mail Online
Malaysian PM chides North Korea, as ‘rude’ envoy sent packing
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak rebuked North Korea on Monday as his government expelled its envoy for casting doubt over the impartiality of the investigation into the bizarre murder of the North Korean leader’s estranged half brother.
— Reuters
North Korean Ambassador Leaves Malaysia
North Korea’s ambassador left Malaysia on Monday evening after he was ordered expelled for making disparaging remarks about the country and challenging its motives in investigating the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of North Korea’s ruler.
— The New York Times
Malaysia, North Korea expel ambassadors over Kim’s death
Malaysia is protecting its “sovereignty and dignity” by expelling the North Korean ambassador, the prime minister said Monday, as relations between the countries unraveled further over the poisoning of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korea’s leader.
— The Washington Post
Expelled North Korean envoy says Malaysia’s ‘extreme measures’ harmed ties
The North Korean ambassador expelled by Malaysia in a row over the investigation into the murder of the North Korean leader’s half-brother said on Monday (Mar 6) that the Malaysian government’s actions had harmed bilateral ties.
— Channel News Asia
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to get more details on recall exercise
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said today that it is waiting for more information from Daimler AG, in light of a recall of one million new models worldwide due to potential fire risk.
— New Straits Times
IMF proposes yearly fiscal risk list for Malaysia
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is expected to applaud Malaysia’s resilience against headwinds in an upcoming report, has suggested that the government publish an annual list of potential risks to the nation’s finances.
— New Straits Times
No place for terrorism in Malaysia — Najib
Malaysia has adopted a very tough stand on extremism and terrorism and has refused to make any concessions or tolerance on the matter, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak said.
— Borneo Post Online
Malaysian florist BloomThis bags $600k seed funding from Reapra
Singapore-based VC firm and business builder Reapra Pte Ltd has provided seed funding of $600,000 to Malaysian florist BloomThis Flora Sdn Bhd, a company started by husband and wife duo Giden Lim and Penny Choo.
— Deal Street Asia
Corporate credit likely to improve in 2017, says MARC
Corporate credit is likely to improve this year supported by the steady pace of economic growth and improving outlook for some key sectors.
— New Straits Times
Ringgit opens slightly lower against US dollar
The ringgit opened slightly lower against the US dollar on better demand for the greenback, as some traders were still cautious ahead of the next US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting on March 14-15.
— New Straits Times
M’sian O&G services, equipment firms’ combined profit down 52% in FY15
Giving the data on how bad the Malaysian oil & gas (O&G) sector was hit following the crude oil price crash, Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corp (MPRC) disclosed that overall profit for O&G services and equipment (OGSE) companies here slumped by more than half to RM3.1bil in financial year 2015 (FY15) from RM6.5bil the previous year.
— The Star Online
CIMB Research retains Reduce call on Hovid
CIMB Equities Research is retaining its Reduce call on Hovid and sum-of-parts based target price of 30 sen after the manufacturing licence for the Chemor plant was reissued on Monday.
— The Star Online
Malaysia joins chorus of protests against North Korean missile launches
North Korea’s launch of four ballistic missiles today has fuelled regional tensions and demonstrated the country’s disregard for the peace and security of the region and the world, says Putrajaya.
— Free Malaysia Today
Feature photo: Zashnain Zainal
The Malaysia morning news roundup is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.