Malaysia Morning News For January 11

In election mode, Najib bids to shine online
As Malaysia enters an election season, the long ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is fast bidding to burnish its online image through a new web portal, therakyat.com, launched last week by Prime Minister Najib Razak.
— Asia Times

4G+ connectivity is available in Malaysia
Malaysians could possibly enjoy download speeds of over 110Mbps on their smartphone, provided they subscribe to YES and that their gadget supports 4G+ connectivity.
— The Star Online

Malaysia launches fresh search for missing plane
The Malaysian government signed a “no cure no fee” deal Wednesday with U.S. exploration company Ocean Infinity in a final attempt to resolve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia’s December palm oil inventory tops 2-Year high
Malaysia’s palm oil inventory rose for the sixth straight month in December to more than two-year high as supply outstripped demand, pressuring shares of plantation companies.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia’s Equinas sells APIIT for $180m in KV Asia-backed management buyout
Malaysia’s state-owned private equity firm Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) has divested its entire stake in local education company APIIT Education Group for $180 million to a joint venture vehicle owned by its existing management team and private equity firm KV Asia Capital.
— DealStreetAsia

Malaysian travel trends a sign of good economy, report says
Over the years, the preferences of Malaysians travelling abroad have grown tremendously — from only aiming to visit Langkawi to now hunting the Northern Lights in Ireland.
— Malay Mail Online

Demak motorcycles enter Cambodian market
Demak, one of Malaysia’s fastest growing motorcycle brands, has entered the Cambodian market, its third major overseas market after Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
— New Straits Times

US interest rate hike impact on Malaysia is minimal
Malaysia’s exposure to the global economic vulnerability following the steep rise in US interest rates will be mitigated as the majority of the government and economy’s debt is financed domestically through stable sources.
— The Star Online

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia says sustaining sales growth a big challenge in 2018
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which chartered yet another round of record sales with 12,045 vehicles sold last year, said the “biggest challenge” for the brand this year will be sustaining its growth momentum.
— The Sun Daily

KTC’s units bags distributorship from five companies
Three subsidiary companies of Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Bhd’s (KTC) have been appointed as distributor for Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Heineken Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, L’Oreal Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Oriental Food Industries Sdn Bhd and Sincere Match & Tobacco Factory Sdn Bhd.
— New Straits Times

RM1000 to legally cross into Thailand
Malaysians need to possess at least RM1,000 if they want to legally cross into Thailand via the sea, land and air linkages.
— The Sun Daily

Matrade: Germany bought more Malaysian products in 2017
Germany, Europe’s strongest economy, bought more Malaysian products in the first 11 months of 2017 over the corresponding period of 2016, according to data provided by Malaysian External Trade Development Corp’s (Matrade)office here.
— Malay Mail Online

12 hours to extract bod of worker trapped in rubble (Updated)
The Fire and Rescue Department took 12 hours to remove the body of a Bangladeshi construction worker who was pinned under the rubble of a building under construction here at Jalan Cochrane.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Ah Wei (Lung Wei)

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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.