Malaysia Morning News For January 16

Mahathir struggles to unite Malaysia’s opposition
He remains Malaysia’s longest-ruling prime minister and was one of 20th Century Asia’s most outspoken political leaders. Now Mahathir Mohamad cannot even meet opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, a former colleague-turned-rival.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysian palm oil price rebounds on lower production outlook
Malaysian palm oil futures ended higher on Monday, recovering from an earlier more than two-week low, as traders forecast falling production in the coming weeks.
— The Star Online

Vegetable supply in Singapore, Malaysia affected by continuous rain
The prolonged rainy weather and overcast skies have affected the supply of vegetables on both sides of the Causeway, with one distributor saying that the supply from Malaysia has fallen by more than 20 per cent.
— Channel NewsAsia

Kinsteel says debt revamp key to revival, will involve ‘substantial haircut’
Ailing steel maker Kinsteel Bhd is betting on the successful implementation of its debt restructuring scheme, which is key to its revival plan.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian startup Zoom raises $1m in Gobi Partners-led pre-Series A
Malaysian on-demand delivery startup Zoom is set to expand its operations in the country after raising MYR 4 million ($1.01 million) in a pre-Series A round led by Gobi Partners.
— DealStreetAsia

Globaltec’s NuEnergy gets methane cert from Indonesia
Globaltec Formation Bhd’s subsidiary NuEnergy Gas Ltd has received the coal bed methane reserves certification from Indonesia for the Tanjung Enim production sharing contract (PSC).
— The Star Online

Demand for bigger aircraft would continue to grow: Airbus
Airbus believes the demand for bigger aircraft would continue growing healthily as air traffic would be doubled in 15 years.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia-Singapore ties tested by high-speed rail contract
The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore are expected to discuss plans for a high-speed rail project linking their countries during summit talks on Tuesday, as a deadline to award the multi-billion dollar project nears.
— The Star Online

Responsible finance: Malaysia leads the way with new guidelines
The Securities Commission Malaysia recently issued its ‘Guidelines on Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Funds’ to promote the growth of such funds in Malaysia.
— Eco-Business

Bank Muamalat joins GABV network
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd has joined The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of the world’s leading values-based banks.
— New Straits Times

Automation and IT are new jobs in banks
Many new jobs in the Malaysian banking sector are in the areas of automation and information technology (IT) following the emergence of financial technology and digitalisation.
— The Star Online

Luno scrutiny could be due to heavy transaction value
PinkExc, one of the active digital currency exchangers in Malaysia, believes heavy transaction value was the reason behind the Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB) move to freeze the bank account of its peer Luno on money-laundering concerns.
— The Sun Daily

CMS Opus Private Equity rebrands as COPE Private Equity
Malaysia-headquarted CMS Opus Private Equity Monday said it had rebranded to COPE Private Equity, and added that as it prepares for ‘next chapter of growth’, the name change would represent a ‘fresh identity and perspective’.
— DealStreetAsia

i-VCAP to roll out more, different types of ETFs
i-VCAP Management Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ValueCAP Sdn Bhd, plans to launch up to six exchange-traded funds (ETFs) this year, including in different currencies, to provide more options or investment alternatives for investors to boost ETF trading volume in Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia upholds death sentences for nine Filipinos over 2013 incursion
A Malaysian court on Monday upheld death sentences handed down to nine men from the Philippines in connection with an 2013 incursion into the Malaysian part of Borneo island by Philippine fighters seeking to stake an ancient claim.
— Reuters/Business Insider

T7 Global banks on oil & gas, aerospace for growth
Diversified group T7 Global Bhd which is looking to complete the construction of its aerospace manufacturing plant next year, will be banking on contracts won under its oil and gas segment as a main income stream for this year.
— The Sun Daily

Feature photo Bernard Spragg. NZ

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.