Malaysia Morning News For August 14

Malaysia eyes more than 10-fold hike in Singapore water deal
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Monday he is seeking to hike the price of water sold to the neighbouring country of Singapore by more than 10 times as Malaysia searches for ways to pay off massive debts.
— The Star Online

Malaysia remains attractive to foreign investors
Malaysia has remained attractive for foreign investors despite concerns over international crises, including the collapse of the Turkish lira by up to 20 per cent against the US dollar, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
— The Edge Markets

Trade wars to hit Malaysian steel sector
The Malaysian steel sector will be affected negatively in 2018 and 2019 due to the trade wars on the external front, said MIDF Research.
— The Sun Daily

75% of airports in Malaysia not commercially viable
More than 75 per cent of airports in Malaysia are not commercially viable and are managed on a cross-subsidisation model to provide the Malaysian people with the required connectivity among its smaller towns and rural outposts.
— The Star Online

Malaysia threatens to nix Chinese projects
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad commented on lopsided China-backed projects, treatment of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims, the South China Sea furor, a water deal with Singapore and the country’s financial mess in an interview Monday with The Associated Press.
— Navy Times

Comparing KLIA and Changi International Airport is not apple to apple: MAHB
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has deemed comparing Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Singapore’s Changi Intenational Airport as not an “apple to apple” comparison.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia seeks $35 million private jet linked to 1MDB scandal
Malaysia is seeking to repossess a $35 million private jet owned by financier Low Taek Jho as part of investigations into a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday.
— CNBC

Should Malaysia ratify the CPTPP deal?: The Star columnist
One of the most important decisions the Pakatan Harapan government has to make is whether Malaysia will ratify the trade agreement known as the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership).
— The Straits Times

Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng says amount missing from GST refunds is larger
Malaysia’s Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng not only stands by his allegations that the previous government had falsified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit refund, but also claims that the missing amount is even larger than what he had declared in Parliament last week.
— The Straits Times

In new Malaysia, Malays still worry over race and religion
The survey by Ilham Centre among Malays in June, a month after the new government came into power, found that they can be provoked by racial and religious issues played up by Umno and conservative Islamists in PAS.
— The Malaysian Insight

Petronas makes an entry into Senegal
Petroliam Nasional Bhd has acquired 30 per cent stake in Senegal-based Rufisque Offshore Profond Block, marking its entry into the country.
— New Straits Times

Najib: Yes, debt increased, but Malaysia averted economic crisis
Najib Razak today defended some of the economic policies he executed when he helmed the country, claiming it had prevented Malaysia from experiencing one of the worst financial crises in the nation’s history.
— FMT

Kok Chi slams ‘foreign experts’ who let down Malaysia
Malaysia have many sport personalities who can helm the Podium Programme, especially in management, and there is no need for foreign help.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia abolishes national service programme, civics bureau
The Malaysian government has abolished the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) and the National Civics Bureau (BTN), youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq announced on Monday (Aug 13).
— Channel NewsAsia

Melaka posts second-highest GDP growth in Malaysia
Melaka recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.1% last year, the second highest in the country after Sabah.
— FMT

Exim Bank placed under MITI
Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (Exim Bank) will soon be placed under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) along with SME Bank Malaysia.
— New Straits Times

Separating Najib from Umno can merely do some good, analysts say
Umno may not win future by-elections or the 15th general election just by distancing itself from former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, political analysts have said.
— Malay Mail

Panasonic Malaysia shows how air pollutants can put a twist to iconic Malaysian cuisine
Panasonic Malaysia has partnered with Naga DDB Tribal to launch a campaign that aims to highlight the dangers of indoor air pollutants.
— Marketing-Interactive

Economists bullish on Q2 growth
Malaysia’s economy is expected to grow as much as 5.8 per cent in the second quarter of the year, from 5.4 per cent in the first three months, economists said.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia aims to be the cleanest at this year’s Hajj
Malaysia’s Hajj Pilgrimage Fund, Tabung Hajji, has decided to kick-start a massive cleanliness campaign among Malaysian pilgrims during Hajj, as a step to ensure the tents in Mina are “the cleanest among other nations.”
— Arab News

Bank Muamalat plans for a new income stream with Islamic Premier Banking
Islamic lender Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd has ventured into its first lslamic Premier Banking entity aimed at generating a new income stream, setting a target of 22 per cent of its total wealth management business for the full-year ending March next year.
— New Straits Times

Mixed reactions from constructors following SST announcement
The prices of construction-related stocks saw mixed performance yesterday following the Finance Ministry’s announcement on the tax exemption of some construction materials.
— The Borneo Post

Commentary: Mahathir’s 100 days in office and the extended honeymoon period in Malaysia
This week marks the first 100 days of regime change in Malaysia. And the verdict? It’s all good.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia’s CPO production to continue improving in 2H18
Malaysia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production has been forecast by analysts to continue improving in the second half of 2018 (2H18), but at a lower growth rate.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia kindergarten teachers detained over abuse of children
Two kindergarten teachers have been detained to assist with investigations into the abuse of four children at a nursery, Malaysia authorities said on Monday (Aug 13).
— Channel NewsAsia

OCBC Bank rolls out savings account with FD-type interest rate
With rates similar to that of fixed deposits (FD), OCBC Bank (M) Bhd’s freshly-minted Booster and Premier Booster savings accounts are set to become the new benchmark for flexible high-interest-yielding savings accounts.
— The Star Online

No internet for Malaysian teens from 12am to 6am daily?
The government is looking at emulating Japan and South Korea by preventing internet access for those under 17-years-old, between 12am and 6am.
— New Straits Times

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