Malaysia Morning News For May 2

AllianceDBS: Govt needs PFIs for future big projects
Given the current state of government finances, it will have to resort to private financing initiatives (PFIs) or foreign-based funding for future big projects such as those in the infrastructure or construction space, said AllianceDBS Research in a report.
— The Star Online

More cargo, lower tariffs
The RM1.8bil Samalaju Industrial Port, which is slated to be fully operational in June, will impose port tariffs based on the cargo throughput of each customer.
— The Star Online

Malaysia: KWAP sells Sydney office tower for $246m
Malaysia’s second largest pension fund, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP), has sold a key asset, an A grade office tower in Sydney’s 20 Bridge Street, at about $246.4 million (A$340 million) to a Hong Kong-based wealthy individual.
— Deal Street Asia

AirAsia carried 15.23 million passengers in 1Q17
In its preliminary operating statistics report for 1Q17, AirAsia Bhd said the Group carried 15.23 million passengers and its fleet size is 176 aircraft-strong.
— New Straits Times

Ringgit opens marginally higher against US dollar
The ringgit opened marginally higher against the US dollar today on better demand for the local note as weak US economic data dampened investor sentiment towards the greenback.
— New Straits Times

Najib: Government agrees with RM70m provision to Socso for Employment Insurance System 2018
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced that the government agreed with a provision of RM70 million to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) for the payment of financial benefits relating to the Employment Insurance System (SIP) for next year (2018).
— Malay Mail Online

Ministry aims for 15pc of IPT students to become entrepreneurs while studying by 2020
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) targets that by 2020, 15 per cent of students will venture into entrepreneurship while they are still pursuing studies at institution of higher education (IPT), with five per cent of them having the primary goal to become entrepreneurs upon graduating.
— Malay Mail Online

Diary Malaysia 2017 corporate earnings
Following is a list of release dates for the quarterly earnings of some top Malaysia-listed companies.
— The Star Online

Malaysia reportedly recruiting rubber tappers from Kerala
Malaysian plantation companies are recruiting hundreds of rubber tappers from India”s Kerala state with better pay offers.
— The Star Online

AmBank Research places “buy” call on DRB-Hicom, Eita Resources, Prestar Resources, Mycron Steel
AmBank Research placed DRB-Hicom Bhd, Eita Resources Bhd, Prestar Resources Bhd and Mycron Steel Bhd on its ‘Stocks on Radar’ report, today.
— New Straits Times

MAMSB expects 5pc growth this year
THE Malaysian Association of Money Services Business (MAMSB) is expecting a five per cent expansion in the domestic money services business this year, in line with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
— New Straits Times

Report: One out of 20 domestic workers runs away
More than a thousand domestic workers in Malaysia leave their employers annually for better wages, a comfortable lifestyle, and to escape abusive situations.
— Malay Mail Online

Agong says Malaysia, Bahrain must seek opportunities to boost bilateral trade
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V says Malaysia and Bahrain should continue to explore opportunities and potential to increase bilateral trade in strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia sceptical over death of IS leader in Syria
Malaysian authorities are sceptical whether the country’s top IS operative in Syria, Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, is truly dead.
— Channel NewsAsia

Unequal treatment for non-Muslims, minorities, says US report
Malaysia is prioritising the Malay Muslim identity, often to the disadvantage of religious and ethnic minorities, says the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) 2017 report.
— Free Malaysia Today

Aims Group: Record year & award for Malaysian data center provider
2016 was a good year for the Aims Group – a carrier-neutral data center provider. This is apparent following the announcement from the company which states that Aims recorded a 24% growth in revenue in 2016.
— DataCenterNews Asia

Manulife Asset Management strengthens Malaysia leadership team
Manulife Asset Management has appointed Jason Chong as chief executive officer in Malaysia. As part of the announcement, Wong Boon Choy will stay on and transition to the role of adviser, as he retires from the full-time chief executive position.
— Hubbis

Feature photo Zashnain Zainal
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