Malaysia Morning News For December 25

Malaysia’s economy likely to grow in February-April 2019: DoSM
Malaysia’s economy is likely to grow in February to April 2019, says the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
— The Edge Markets

Malaysia sees soft power sector growth in 2018
Due to adequate reserve margin at 30 per cent and flat economic fundamentals, the power sector does not see much growth in 2018 even though the distribution side is still keeping pace with supply connections to new areas and new demands.
— The Star Online

AirAsia sells Merah Aviation Asset for RM3.22b
AirAsia Group Bhd is disposing of its entire stake in Merah Aviation Asset Holding Ltd to AS Air Lease Holdings 5T DAC for US$768 million (RM3.22 billion).
— The Sun Daily

Report: Nearly 50pc increase in unsold residential properties in Malaysia
The property market is facing a 48.35 per cent increase in unsold completed residential units as of September 30 compared to the same period last year.
— Malay Mail

Recalibrate 2019 budget only if oil price hits US$30
The government still has room to breathe and will only recalibrate the 2019 Budget if Brent crude oil prices dip below US$30 per barrel, suggests Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid.
— The Star Online

SME sector robust amid growth of IR4.0
Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remained robust in 2018 as the sector braced for the adoption of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), with strong and encouraging support from the government.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia Airports: Connecting travellers to local brands
Airports play an important role in promoting local brands to international and local travellers alike, and at Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, the organisaion sees its network of airports as a strong platform to stimulate interest and encourage purchase of locally made products to the thousands of people that throng through its airports on a daily basis.
— Malaysian Reserve

Petronas curtails LNG Canada production due to low prices
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has been curtailing production by between 50 and 200 million cubic feet per day (cf/d) from wells in northeastern British Columbia capable of producing 700 million cf/d, due to low prices of liquified natural gas (LNG).
— New Straits Times

Realme Malaysia Now Offers 360 Degree After Sales Service Support
Realme, one of Malaysia’s rising smartphone brands with an emphasis on providing high quality smartphones at youth-friendly prices, announced that it now offers 360 degree after sales support.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Shift in taxation flaunts focus in 2018
The shift in taxation in 2018 left many perplexed when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government who took power upon winning the 14th General Election on May 9, to be replaced by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) in September.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia still investors’ favourite emerging mart: Academician
Malaysia is still the favourite emerging market choice of investors despite the current slow pace of foreign net inflow, says an academician.
— Daily Express

Malaysia says ready to add more counters, use technology to tackle congestion at borders
Malaysia’s immigration department on Monday (Dec 24) said it was ready to add more counters and use technology to tackle congestion at the country’s border entry points.
— Channel NewsAsia

International Compliance Association opens Malaysia’s office
The International Compliance Association (ICA) has set up an office in Malaysia to grow its global compliance community.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia 2018: Courage to change
Coming into 2018, Malaysia was convulsed by chaos and labelled a kleptocracy. Against all the odds, there is now a feeling of hope for the future. The old order has been toppled, the powerful hauled up and the days of casual crookedness over.
— UCA News

Fresh At Heart secures RM1.15m from equity crowdfunding
Fresh At Heart, a Pontian-based online fresh food retailer, has secured RM1.15 million from 22 individual investors through its equity crowdfunding (ECF) round on Ata Plus platform.
— New Straits Times

Belfrics Group announces the launch of its KYC compliant Blockchain – Belrium
Belfrics Group, a global blockchain technology firm that runs Fiat-crypto exchanges and blockchain development solutions across 10 countries, today announced the global launch of Belrium Mainnet – a first of its kind KYC compliant blockchain.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Promoting Malaysia as eco-tourism destination
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is actively promoting Malaysia as an eco-tourism destination, especially among visitors who love the environment.
— Daily Express

PublicInvest is positive on DKSH’s proposed acquisition of a high-margin FMCG player
DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd’s proposed acquisition plan of the entire stake in Auric Pacific Sdn Bhd for RM480.9 million is a positive move.
— New Straits Times

M’sia’s medical devices industry gaining global recognition
Malaysia’s innovation prowess, flanked by a well-established infrastructure, in the medical devices sector has caught the eye of international importers.
— Malaysiakini

Feature photo Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad Facebook page

This week’s morning news photo features a defining moment, event, or situation from 2018 for each country as chosen by our editors.

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).

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. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.