Malaysia Morning News For April 5

Malaysia set to become world’s 24th largest economy by 2050
Malaysia, a medium-sized economy, is expected to improve its ranking to be the 24th largest in the world by 2050.
— New Straits Times

No major impact on Malaysia from US tariffs, says RAM Ratings
RAM Ratings does not expect the hefty 25% and 10% import tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US to exert a major impact on Malaysia’s export performance.
— The Edge Market

Report ATM difficulties promptly: Bank Negara
Bank Negara Malaysia has advised members of the public who have any difficulties with their respective Automated Teller Machines (ATM) transactions to lodge complaints promptly with their respective issuing banks.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia Airports to upgrade baggage system
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is working on upgrading Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2 to address problems in the baggage handling system at these airports, the Dewan Negara was told today.
— Malay Mail

Top Glove completes acquisition of Aspion
Top Glove Corp Bhd has completed the acquisition of Aspion Sdn Bhd, an exercise which will see the company emerge as the world’s largest surgical glove manufacturer, as well as solidifying its leadership position as the world’s largest manufacturer of gloves.
— New Straits Times

Malay tsunami at GE14 unlikely, says Najib
It is unlikely that there will be a Malay tsunami in the 14th general election, according to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
— The Star Online

Manufacturing FDI in Malaysia totalled RM141 billion in last five years, says Minister
The Malaysian manufacturing sector enjoyed some RM141 billion worth of foreign direct investments (FDIs) between 2013 and 2017, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— The Edge Markets

KLCI tumbles 1.9% on trade war fears
China’s retaliatory measures against US tariff move led to a heavy sell-off in the local stock market just an hour before the closing bell today, plunging as much as 39.22 points or 2.12% to 1,811.56 points, wiping off RM48 billion market capitalisation.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia PM Najib announces additional annual increment for civil servants
Prime Minister Najib Razak promised on Wednesday (Apr 4) RM1.46 billion (US$378.04 million) in salary hikes to Malaysia’s civil servants, a key vote bank for the ruling coalition in a looming general election.
— Channel NewsAsia

Developers launched the highest number of properties in recent times, in 2H17
Malaysian property developers have launched 15,082 units in the second half of 2017 (2H 2017), the highest number for the same period in the last few years surveyed by Rehda.
— The Sun Daily

Hilton Kuala Lumpur wins ‘Best 5 Star Hotel’ category for Going Places Magazine
Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s upper upscale 5-star hotel once again is honored to win the ‘Best 5 Star Hotel’ category for the second year in a row.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Malaysia: School for macaques
Over the past four decades, thousands of monkeys have been taught how to harvest fruit by a man known as Grandfather Wan in a small village in the north of Malaysia.
— Fresh Plaza

Huawei P20 Malaysia: Here’s all you need to know
The Huawei P20 and P20 Pro are officially launched in Malaysia. These are their latest flagship smartphones with an advanced camera setup that’s co-developed with Leica. The P20 and P20 Pro will be available in Malaysia starting this Friday, 6 April 2018.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia to expand halal exports to Japan ahead of 2020 Tokyo Games
Malaysia is seeking to expand halal product exports to Japan ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, encouraging local businesses to capture growing demand for food and daily necessities permissible under Islamic law in line with the rising number of Muslim tourists traveling to the country.
— The Japan Times

Think tank: Axing Chinese projects will send out negative signals
A think tank has panned the idea of calling off Chinese infrastructure projects which have already commenced, saying this will send negative signals to investors and give them a sense of uncertainty.
— Free Malaysia Today

BPHB recorded 8.2 pct increase in throughput in 2017
Bintulu Port Holding Berhad (BPHB) handled a throughput of 50.28 million tonnes of cargo last year compared to 46.45 million tonnes in 2016, an increase of 8.2 per cent.
— The Borneo Post

Boat carrying Rohingya refugees reaches Malaysia
After weeks at sea, a boat carrying nearly 60 refugees was intercepted by coastguards on Tuesday in waters off Langkawi island in northern Malaysia.
— Aljazeera

British envoy to Malaysia: British food takes influence from all over the world
As the debate rumbles on over two celebrity chefs’ dubious assessment of Malaysian rendang, it is worth remembering that the British too have an interesting cuisine of their own, with a wide selection of it imported to Malaysia.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian university contest to ‘convert’ gay students sparks anger
A Malaysian university has come under fire for holding a contest to “convert” gay students.
— Sky News

Feature photo Jakub Michankow

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.