Malaysia Morning News For November 19

Malaysia did not fully benefit from rising oil prices due to gas supply disruption, says Finance Minister
Malaysia’s gas exports have been suffering from severe disruption since the second quarter of 2018 following a production breakdown in Kebabangan gas field in Sabah, according to the Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian PM calls for inclusive policies in coping with technological disruptions
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday called for better polices to prevent inequality from being widened due to the advance of new technology and automation.
— Fresh News

Budget 2019 Tax: How much is too much?
In a roundup of the new federal government’s Budget 2019, experts toe the line changes and how these affect individuals or businesses.
— The Borneo Post

Domestic demand, private sector to drive Malaysia’s growth
Despite recording a moderate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.4 per cent in the third quarter (3Q) of this year, analysts and economists remain confident of Malaysia’s future prospects, suggesting that domestic demand and the private sector will be the key drivers of economic growth, going forward.
— Borneo Bulletin

Malaysia will not ratify ICERD for now, says minister
PUTRAJAYA is in no hurry to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), said Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.
— The Malaysian Insight

Malaysia saw lower exports in 3Q18
The country’s exports grew 5.2 per cent to RM251 billion in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to 8.2 per cent with a value of RM245 billion in the previous quarter.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia’s external debt fell to 66.2% of GDP at end Q3 2018
Malaysia’s total external debt declined to 66.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) as at end-Q3, 2018 from a peak of 74.3% of GDP as at end-2016.
— The Star Online

As Jho Low Does Deals To Surrender Some Assets, Who Profits?
As the New York Park Lane Hotel goes on the market the sad reality is that it is unlikely to reach was was paid for it when Jho Low bought it mainly with 1MDB’s stolen money.
— Sarawak Report

Vehicle sales 0.5pc higher in October, says MAA
The sales of vehicles in Malaysia rose 0.5 per cent or 232 units to 47,273 units in October 2018 from the 47,041 units recorded in the same month last year.
— Malay Mail

BNM: Manufacturing, services continue to drive growth
Manufacturing and services sectors will continue to grow on a strong momentum for the rest of the year, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia will continue to fight for free and fair trade: PM
Malaysia will continue to fight for free trade that is fair in order to protect the interests of developing nations, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix).
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia government to adopt three-pronged approach to improve economy: Finance minister
Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will adopt a three-pronged approach in its efforts to improve the country’s economy, give confidence to investors and raise the quality of life of the people, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Sunday (Nov 18).
— Channel NewsAsia

Infobip Receives Best Messaging Solution Award by Mobile Business Excellence Awards in Malaysia
Infobip, global communications platform for businesses has received the recognition of the Best Messaging Solution by the Mobile Business Excellence Awards (MBEA).
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Global economic tensions to weigh on ringgit next week
The ringgit’s movement next week is expected to remain on a downtrend, in line with most Asian currencies, due to emerging tensions in the global economy, including Brexit.
— The Sun Daily

World listens to Malaysia’s disruptive age talk
The world actually listens when Malaysia speaks about the importance of education in the Age of Disruption.
— New Straits Times

Proposal for all-powerful cyber agency alarms businesses
A proposed cybersecurity law in Thailand would give a new government agency sweeping powers to spy on internet traffic, order the removal of content, or even seize computers without judicial oversight, alarming businesses and activists.
— The Borneo Post

Tackling food wastage with innovation
NOT many realise that World Food Day is celebrated on Oct 16. Organisations that mark the occasion include the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
— New Straits Times

Think tank calls for sacrifices to reduce reliance on oil
A think tank has called for urgency in instituting measures to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on petroleum revenues amid concerns over bearish crude oil prices.
— FMT

Malaysia’s economic prospects to remain firm next year
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) expects the country’s economic prospects to remain firm next year, and grow at 4.9 per cent, underpinned by continuous private sector activities, says its Governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.
— The Borneo Post

Can Malaysia save democracy?
Political revolts around the world have targeted what are widely seen as corrupt and unaccountable political and business elites – elites that pursue their own interests globally at the expense of ordinary citizens and regulatory regimes in nation-states.
— New Straits Times

Hospital employee in Malaysia attacks supervisor with machete over appraisal dispute
A 31-year-old hospital administrative assistant has been detained for attempting to attack his supervisor with a machete over a performance appraisal dispute.
— Channel News Asia

Malaysian Refining Company is the overall winner at APIC 2018
Malaysian Refining Company Sdn Bhd, last night, emerged triumphantly the overall winner of the TEAM EXCELLENCE NATIONAL CONVENTION, MITI Minister trophy organised by the Malaysia Productivity Corp.
— New Straits Times

NGOs are new opposition in Penang, says CM
Penang’s opposition may no longer be in the form of political parties, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
— FMT

Malaysia lauds UK regulator’s ban on Iceland Food’s anti-palm oil campaign
Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok lauded the UK’s advertising regulator Clearcast’s rejection of a supermarket chain’s anti-palm oil Christmas television advertisement.
— New Straits Times

The sky’s the LCCT limit
SOME of our airports are getting quite crowded due to the steady growth in air travel.
— The Star Online

Headed for Malaysia? Shop there using Nets at over 4,500 points
The next time you cross the border into Johor Baru to shop, you might not need to take cash along – but do not forget your Nets ATM card.
— The Straits Times

Sabah to face critical labour shortage: Tangau
Sabah will face a labour shortage 10 years from now as Indonesia, a major supplier of workers to Malaysia, begins to lure back its citizens working abroad, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau.
— New Straits Times

Lafarge to record improvements in cement production despite weak demand
Lafarge Malaysia Bhd’s (Lafarge) is expected to record improvements in cement production for the third quarter of 2018 (3Q18), despite demand for cement remaining weak.
— The Borneo Post

Now, temple faction plans Parliament protest
A group opposed to a Hindu temple committee’s agreement to move out of a land belonging to a developer is planning to gather outside the Parliament building next week, and wants Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to intervene despite a court judgment four years ago.
— FMT

Papua New Guinea ‘should learn from Malaysia’s Mahathir to avoid becoming a Chinese colony’
Papua New Guinea must learn from Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when it comes to countering China’s growing influence, a leading opposition politician has warned.
— Yahoo News

PM visit to Malaysia and higher education
Pakistani expatriates are happy to hear the news of Prime Minister Imran Khan upcoming visit to Malaysia.
— The Nation

Feature photo Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women November 25

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.