Malaysia Morning News For March 22

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.

RUU 355: Politics, Not Religion Fuelling Increasing Malaysia Islamisation
The February 18, 2017 rallies for and against the bill to amend the 1965 Criminal Jurisdiction Act, known as RUU 355, have opened yet another political and social schism in Malaysian society.
– AEC News Today

Lazada M’sia is Asean’s fastest-growing e-commerce platform
Lazada Malaysia has overtaken Lazada Singapore to become the fastest-growing e-commerce platform for the past nine months in Southeast Asia.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia ranked second in Asean for intellectual property protection
Malaysia ranks second in Asean and 19th in the world in terms of intellectual property (IP) protection for countries assessed in the latest US Chamber International IP Index.
— Malay Mail Online

TNB soars in Brand Finance’s Global Top 50 utility brands
Tenaga Nasional Bhd has risen 15 spots to be ranked at 24th among Brand Finance’s Global Top 50 utility brands (Utilities 50) this year.
— New Straits Times

Public Bank launches credit cards to cater to younger generation
Public Bank Bhd has launched PB Quantum Visa and PB Quantum MasterCard Credit Cards as part of its initiative to offer cards that cater to the lifestyle of younger generation.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s aerospace industry set to soar with 7% growth
The aerospace industry in the country is expected to grow by 7% this year with the aerospace manufacturing sector contributing 55% to industry revenue, according to International Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
— The Star Online

US authorities preparing to charge financier Jho Low in Malaysian 1MDB scandal — WSJ
US authorities intend to file criminal charges against flamboyant financier Jho Low, according to people familiar with the investigation, but haven’t disclosed the potential timing, The Wall Street Journal reported.
— The Edge Markets

The U.S. Is Preparing to Charge Financier Jho Low in Malaysian 1MDB Scandal
U.S. authorities intend to file criminal charges against a financier in connection with an international scandal rooted in Malaysia that they believe could be one of the largest financial frauds ever, according to people familiar with the matter.
— The Wall Street Journal

‘Gay moment’ stays put as Malaysia to release ‘Beauty and the Beast’ without cuts
Walt Disney blockbuster “Beauty and the Beast” will be released in Malaysia this month without any cuts, the company said on Tuesday, after censors had earlier asked for the removal of a “gay moment” in the movie.
— Reuters

Power Rangers next to be banned in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz on Tuesday (Mar 21) slammed the local censorship board after rumours swirled that the Power Rangers movie would be the latest reboot to face the chopping board.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia cannot arrest spies unless they break the law: Minister
Malaysia cannot take action or arrest foreign spies unless they have broken the law, said Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed on Monday (Mar 20).
— Channel NewsAsia

‘Beauty and the Beast’ to be shown in Malaysia without cuts
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday its movie “Beauty and the Beast” will open in Malaysia on March 30 without the cutting of a gay scene as had been ordered by film censors.
— ABC News

Merger talks between Malaysia lenders AMMB and RHB resurface: Report
The talks of a possible merger between Malaysian lenders AMMB Holdings and RHB Bank have resurfaced, according to a report in The Edge.
— Deal Street Asia

Malaysia to trump other countries
MOODY’S Investors Service expects Malaysia to grow faster than all other “A-rated” countries through 2020.
— New Straits Times

Ringgit continues uptrend against US dollar
The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar again this morning, as the greenback remained under pressure after a hawkish stance by the Federal Reserve on interest rate increases.
— New Straits Times

Malaysian palm oil price rebounds on stronger soyoil, weaker output forecasts
Malaysian palm oil futures rebounded on Tuesday from a three-day low to chart their strongest daily gain in a week, tracking stronger soyoil prices and supported by forecasts of weaker output.
— The Star Online

Malindo Air to get new Boeing planes
Lion Group is spending US$23bil to buy new Boeing 737 Max and Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft for Malindo Air.
— The Star Online

Minister: Upgrade of 424 telecommunication towers in Sarawak by year-end
Upgrading works on 424 existing telecommunication towers in Sarawak to provide better 3G or LTE coverage are expected to be fully completed by year-end.
— Malay Mail Online

PM to unveil Digital Free-Trade policy tomorrow, minister says
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to unveil the Digital Free-Trade Policy when he launches the first Digital Free-Trade Zone tomorrow, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— Malay Mail Online

LIMA 2017: Ukraine looks to boost presence in Thailand and Malaysian
Ukraine’s state-owned defence holding company Ukroboronprom is looking to boost its presence in the Malaysian and Thai defence markets through government-level commitments to support the growth of the two Southeast Asian country’s respective defence industries.
— IHS Jane’s 360

Feature photo: John Walker

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).

Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App

In an era of hectic schedules where time is precious, the AEC News Today mobile app enables you to stay up to date with the latest Asean news on governance and policy issues affecting the Asean Community while you are on the move and whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App

Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.