Malaysia Morning News For February 12

Malaysia needs structural reforms says global investor
A renowned global investor has called for structural reforms in Malaysia, saying that the country faces “very real” structural issues.
— The Star Online

EPF’s 2017 investment income tops RM53b on improved market conditions
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) saw investment income hit RM53.14 billion in 2017, driven by improved market conditions across both global and domestic markets in 2017, leading it to declare a dividend rate of 6.9% for the conventional scheme, its highest since the 1990s, and 6.4% for its maiden payout under the syariah scheme.
— The Sun Daily

Foreign buying of Malaysian bonds to continue
Yield differentials between Malaysian government securities (MGS) and US treasuries (UST) is set to narrow supported by healthy foreign buying of Malaysian bonds amid the country’s positive economic fundamentals.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s digital trade booms as nearly 60,000 online businesses registered
Malaysia’s digital economy has seen exponential growth, with 58,824 online businesses registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, according to International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.
— Free Malaysia Today

Govt approves RM107 million in loans to 588 SMEs under Kojadi
The government has approved RM107 million in loans to 588 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through its Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia (Kojadi) SME Loan Scheme since 2016.
— New Straits Times

BN, PH have no will to support political financing, says don
An academic has claimed that both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan coalitions have no political will to support change in political financing.
— Free Malaysia Today

Malaysia Airlines likely to be profitable in Q1 of 2019
Malaysia Airlines will likely be profitable by the first quarter of 2019 (1Q19), says chief executive officer, Izham Ismail.
— The Star Online

2,000 SMEs to benefit from imSME financing reference platform
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will now be able to utilise the country’s first financing reference platform, the imSME, which has the capabilities to shorten the timespan of documentation processing.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia in the age of disruption
INDUSTRIALISATION is the process of transformation from a primarily agrarian economy to one based on the manufacturing of goods. This process fosters development in aspects beyond economic fundamentals such as social, demography, and politics.
— The Star Online

Malaysia says China seeking extradition of Uighur detainees
China has asked Malaysia to extradite 11 Uighur Muslims detained in the Southeast Asian country after their escape from a Thai detention center last year, Malaysia’s deputy prime minister said on Saturday.
— Business Insider

No dog in Malaysia’s Lunar New Year decorations
The Lunar New Year celebrated by Chinese around the world is a week away but in Malaysia, the zodiac symbol of the dog is conspicuously missing in many commercial displays.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Indonesia Eyeing Warship Markets in Malaysia, Africa
PT Penataran Angkatan Laut (PAL) Indonesia plans to export warships to countries in Southeast Asia and Africa in 2018 and 2019.
— Tempo

Malaysia, Netherlands to intensify discussion on palm oil: Mah
Bilateral discussions between Malaysia and the Netherlands needs to be intensified to ensure only accurate facts concerning the oil palm industry is propagated, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
— New Straits Times

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