Malaysia Morning News For January 9

Malaysia to suspend permanent restricted area over Pasir Gudang; S’pore to suspend new landing procedures for Seletar Airport
Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to “immediately simultaneously” suspend Malaysia’s permanent restricted area over Pasir Gudang as well as new landing procedures for Seletar Airport for at least a month.
— The Straits Times

Solar energy to be more affordable to consumers
The Government’s move to liberalise the energy sector and to promote renewable energy would make it more affordable for consumers to switch to renewable energy, especially solar energy.
— New Straits Times

Sabah yet to receive tourism tax revenue from federal govt
Sabah has yet to receive its 50 per cent share of the tourism tax revenue from the Federal government, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
— The Borneo Post

Govt’s openness and corruption fight, a boost to investors’ confidence
CIMB Asean Research Institute chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said the new government’s openess and conviction to combat financial fraud will help to boost investors’ confidence.
— New Straits Times

Pockets of opportunities in Malaysia property sector in 2019, says Knight Frank
Property consultancy Knight Frank Malaysia said the local property market has held up rather well in the second half of 2018 (2H2018) and more improvement is expected in 2019.
— The Edge Markets

New Malaysia King can assume duties immediately after swearing-in on Jan 31
The new King will take his oath of office on Jan 31, allowing him to carry out the duties of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong soon after, says the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
— The Straits Times

Malaysia’s mad at Europe for trying to save the rainforests
A European Union campaign to restrict the use of palm oil in biofuels could put the trading bloc’s relations with Malaysia in jeopardy, an official from the Southeast Asian nation said on Tuesday.
— Asia One

Pan Borneo Highway project only 10% completed in Sabah
Works Minister Baru Bian says only 10% of the multi-billion ringgit Pan Borneo Highway has been completed in Sabah so far.
— FMT

After maggots, AirAsia boss raises stink over beehive at KLIA2
AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes today took to social media today to highlight an apparent bee infestation at Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) in Sepang.
— Malay Mail

Business confidence drops to lowest level for 1H19
Greater concerns over the weak economic landscape has dragged down optimism among corporate and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the lowest level since the inception of the RAM Business Confidence Index (RAM BCI) survey two years ago.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia wants KFC’s written explanation for price hike
Malaysian authorities have called for a written explanation from QSR Brands (M) Holdings – the company that operates Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) – on the price increase of the fast-food chain’s dishes.
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore, Malaysia seek to ease sea, air tensions
Singapore and Malaysia sought Tuesday to ease airspace and maritime disputes that sent tensions soaring in recent weeks, the latest sign of deteriorating ties since a change of government in Kuala Lumpur.
— ABS-CBN

Malaysia’s critical role in a failed Muslim world
Could Malaysia be a credible leader for the Muslim world?
— FMT

Malaysia to scrutinise China contracts after report of inflated deals struck to cover 1MDB debt
The Malaysian government will scrutinise bilateral deals made with China under the previous government, finance minister Lim Guan Eng said on Tuesday (Jan 8).
— Channel NewsAsia

RM20 million is ministry R&D, not all for 3rd car prototype
Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof today said only part of the RM20 million fund, which is the existing allocation for research and development (R&D) for the ministry, will be used to develop the third national car prototype.
— New Straits Times

Minister: Malaysia launches ‘Love MY Palm Oil’ campaign
The Ministry of Primary Industries announced today a year-long “Love MY Palm Oil” campaign to fight anti-palm oil campaigns that are threatening the people’s livelihood,
— Malay Mail

EU’s moves against palm oil to hurt trade relations: Malaysian official
The campaign by European Union (EU) to ban palm oil products could jeopardize trade relations between its members and Malaysia, a major exporter of the commodity, a Malaysian official said Tuesday.
— Xinhua

CIDB’s measurement recognised as national standard
The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia’s (CIDB) standard of measurements to eliminate discrepancies and ambiguities in the bill of quantities has been recognised by the government as a Malaysian Standard.
— New Straits Times

Margin revision to benefit petrol station dealers
The government’s move to revise upwards the margin for petrol station operators regarding RON95 and RON97 products and diesel products has been viewed as beneficial to petrol station dealers.
— The Borneo Post

Political appointees in GLCs must be qualified, skillled: Azmin
Political appointees will only be considered for the board of government-linked companies (GLCs) if they have merits based on skills and qualifications, said Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
— New Straits Times

Labuan Corp officials visit Labuan Port for insights
Officials from the Labuan Corporation (LC) made an official visit to the Labuan Liberty Wharf yesterday, the island’s sole containerised port.
— The Borneo Post

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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.