Malaysia Morning News For February 26

Strength in Malaysia’s economy drawing factor for global investments
The current strength of Malaysia’s economy is the main factor drawing major global companies to invest in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
— The Sun Daily

Axiata launches cashless ecosystem through Boost e-wallet
AT THE inaugural Axiata Group townhall at the Axiata Arena with over 1000 Axiata and Celcom employees as well as partners, investees and beneficiaries, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witnessed the launch of the Cashless Ecosystem for Malaysia through Boost in conjunction with partners such as SME Corp, AmBank, PLUS, UTM and UiTM.
— Digital News Asia

Felda Global Ventures to dispose of more non-core assets
Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) plans to divest two or three non-core and non-performing assets or investments this year, which are valued at “a few hundred million ringgit” and add income to FGV this year.
— The Sun Daily

Naza to ink deal with France’s PSAGroup
Malaysia’s largest private automotive conglomerate, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd (Naza Group) would sign an agreement with world renowned car manufacturer, France’s PSA Group on Monday.
— New Straits Times

Vietnam Dealbook: Malaysia’s Yinson in JV with PTSC; State to sell VTRI stake
Malaysia’s Yinson Holdings and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation are setting up a $111.6 million joint venture while the Vietnamese government will continue to pare its stake at Vietnam Textile Research Institute which will conduct its IPO on March 12.
— DealStreetAsia

Penang Port to expand container handling capacity, cruise operations
Penang Port Sdn Bhd has allocated RM180 million capital expenditure (capex) this year, mainly for operations at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT).
— The Sun Daily

BN cronies distorting market, says Dzulkefly Ahmad
CRONIES are bad for the economy and create inequality through monopolies, Amanah strategy director and former Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad told a forum in Kuala Lumpur today.
— The Malaysian Insight

Mega First FY17 net profit jumps to RM157.71m
Mega First Corporation Bhd’s net profit for the financial year 2017 (FY17) ended Dec 31, 2017 jumped 36.5 per cent to RM157.71 million from FY16’s RM115.56 million on the back of a strong performance by its power division.
— New Straits Times

Throw away NEP crutches, urges ex-BNM exec
Retired Bank Negara deputy manager Rosli Yaakop said today it was time for the government to slowly phase out the New Economic Policy (NEP) and replace it with a merit-based system.
— Free Malaysia Today

BR1M is not to buy votes, says PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today shared with the people on the background of the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), following various allegations by the opposition, including that it is intended to buy votes.
— Malay Mail

Why Malaysians are slow to board their new trains
Prime Minister Najib Razak likes to show off his role in expanding Kuala Lumpur’s rail network, first launched by his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad in the 1990s.
— Today Online

Malaysian passport sixth most powerful globally
Malaysian international passport is in the top six of most powerful passports in the world based on the 2018 Passport Index developed by global financial advisory firm, Arton Capital.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia should be doing better, says economist
MALAYSIA has made significant progress in many aspects of development since independence but several persistent issues need to be addressed to further improve the people’s quality of life, particularly for low-income groups, said a prominent economist.
— The Malaysian Insight

Reserved parking bays only valid during business hours, says DBKL
Those renting reserved parking bays in front of their premises from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will face action from the local council if they refuse to adhere to the designated hours.
— Malay Mail

Rohingya refugees find uneasy solace in Malaysia
Every weekday morning, about 70 students stream into a house in a quiet neighborhood on Malaysia’s Penang Island.
— CNN

Sabah has ‘the best Malaysians’, tourism minister tells visiting Chinese
Sabah is leveraging on the closer bilateral ties between Putrajaya and Beijing to boost tourist arrivals from China to the state.
— Free Malaysia Today

Malaysia is 3rd laziest country In the world: Study
According to a new study conducted by Standford University, Malaysians walk an average of 3,943 steps a day.
— The Independent

Feature photo Jakub Michankow

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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.