Malaysia Morning News For March 19

Digital economy and automation to impact Malaysian labour market
AMBANK Research believes that upward pressure on the labour market in Malaysia could be brought about by the growing digital economy, while automation could contribute to unemployment.
— Digital News Asia

What new trade pacts mean for Malaysians
An economist has welcomed Putrajaya’s signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and its decision to pursue the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement to its conclusion.
— Free Malaysia Today

PNB: Our investments in local equities worth RM200 billion now
Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) said its investments in the local stock market are now worth RM200 billion, accounting for more than 10% of the total market capitalisation.
— The Sun Daily

Ringgit to trade higher against greenback next week
The weakening sentiment for the US dollar will likely help to boost the demand for the ringgit next week, to trade between 3.88-3.92 against the greenback, a dealer said.
— The Sun Daily

Gaining altitude in the Malaysian aerospace
The sky’s the literal limit for Malaysia’s aerospace industry, being designated by the government as a strategic sector with high growth potential in the country’s industrialisation and technological development programmes.
— The Borneo Post

BToto registers RM59m in net profit, revenue up to RM1.4b in Q3
Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd’s (BToto) net profit increased 23.6 per cent to RM59.23 million in the third quarter ended January 31, 2018 from RM47.94 million, due to improved results registered by its subsidiaries, Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd and H.R. Owen Plc.
— New Straits Times

4.75% of N2N Connect’s shares traded off-market
ACE Market-listed N2N Connect Bhd saw 22.59 million shares, representing a 4.75% stake in the company, traded off-market today.
— The Edge Markets

Top Glove to launch own condom brand by year-end
The world’s largest glove manufacturer Top Glove Corp Bhd plans to launch its own condom brand Top Feel by year-end and will emulate its glove business model for its condom business, where 80% will be catered for original equipment manufacturers.
— The Sun Daily

Switzerland won’t return 1MDB profits to Malaysia
Switzerland’s parliament rejected a bid to amend the law handling ill-gotten bank profits seized by authorities that had aimed to return funds linked to scandal-hit sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB, to Malaysia, Reuters reported.
— Investvine

Analysts say Hindustan Aeronautics IPO, opening March 16, is attractively valued
The initial public offering (IPO) of India’s largest defence public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) which opens on Friday is attractively valued, analysts said.
— DealStreetAsia

DNeX Partners APMEN to energise Malaysia-China trade
Dagang NeXchange Bhd (DNeX) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Asia-Pacific Model E-Port Network (APMEN) Operational Centre to work together towards more efficient cross-border trade between Malaysia and China.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s opposition in all-out bid for Johor
Johor has emerged as a key battleground for Malaysia’s political future, with opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan (PH) making an all-out bid for the Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold of Ayer Hitam, where it will field – and risk the defeat of – its rising star Liew Chin Tong.
— The Straits Times

Penang – An administration ‘plagued by controversies’
Barisan Nasional in Penang is in high spirits to meet the challenges in the 14th General Election.
— New Straits Times

Malaysian wealth fund Khazanah announces senior management changes in China, North Asia
Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd has announced changes to its senior management team in China and North Asia, which also includes Korea and Japan.
— DealStreetAsia

PNB has come a long way in four decades
Four decades after it was established, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) has emerged as one of the largest investment management company in Malaysia with total funds amounting to RM279 billion.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia not alone in Fake News laws
The proposed Fake News Act by the government should be supported by all, said Umno Pensiangan Chief, Senator Datuk Abdul Ghani Yassin, Saturday.
— Daily Express

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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.