Malaysia Morning News For October 17

Malaysia can build its own fighter jets by 2030, says Mat Sabu
MALAYSIA is capable of building its own fighter jets by 2030, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said, but the problem is money.
— The Malaysian Insight

Malaysia’s economic growth to slow to 4.7% this year
Malaysia’s economy is expected to grow at a slower pace of 4.7% in 2018 from 5.9% last year, according to Allianz Group.
— The Star Online

Hilton Kuala Lumpur Malayia’s best for fourth year (video)
For the fourth year in a row Hilton Kuala Lumpur has taken out the World Travel Awards (WTA) title of ‘Malaysia’s Leading Business Hotel’ and ‘Malaysia’s Leading Business Hotel Suite’.
— AEC News Today

Malaysia to raise cigarette prices, minimum age to buy alcohol
Malaysia will increase cigarette prices by the end of this month, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad on Tuesday (Oct 16).
— Channel NewsAsia

New businesses in Malaysia not innovating
New businesses in Malaysia are not innovating, says the State of Household 2018: Different Realities Report by Khazanah Research Institute.
— The Borneo Post

DPM: Malaysia has sent RM1.5m aid to Indonesian quake victims
The government has channelled RM1.5 million in aid to assist the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Sulawesi, and Lombok in Indonesia, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
— Malay Mail

Nestle’s massive Malaysia Milo move: Firm’s $24m production expansion plan
Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad will be investing over RM100mn (US$24mn) to establish the world’s largest Milo Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, but it will also lead to Milo production at one existing site halting.
— Food Navigator

Malaysia to reduce visa cost for China tourists
THE government will look at ways to reduce the cost of visa for Chinese tourists, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Star Online

Najib leaves anti-graft agency after six hours of questioning over ‘abuse of power’
Former Malaysian premier Najib Razak has left the headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after six hours of questioning on Tuesday (Oct 16).
— The Straits Times

Telekom upgrades nearly 50% of Streamyx customers
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has upgraded nearly 50% of the over 340,000 Streamyx customers residing in unifi coverage areas to unifi; at the same price of their current plan.
— The Star Online

Business leaders optimistic of Malaysia’s economic prospects
Top business leaders in Malaysia are optimistic of their operating environment and the nation’s economic prospects, according to a recent survey by Monash University Malaysia and CPA Australia.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia, Japan in talks on Asian aircraft project
Malaysia is in discussions with the Japanese government for an Asian aircraft project, which is still at the ideation stage, with Malaysia looking at possibly supplying components.
— The Sun Daily

Affin Bank to market PMB Investment’s six unit trust funds
Affin Bank Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an Islamic fund management company PMB Investment Bhd to distribute, promote and market the latter’s six unit trust funds through its branches nationwide.
— The Sun Daily

Why the GST Became Malaysia’s Public Enemy Number One
On September 1, 2018, the Sales and Service Tax (SST), the replacement for the Goods and services Tax (GST) in Malaysia, started to take effect. Currently, there are about 160 countries in the world implementing a GST, while the rest are struggling to conduct such tax reform.
— The Diplomat

Thailand, Southern Rebels Make Changes to Peace-Talk Teams
Thailand has named a new chief negotiator in stalled talks aimed at resolving a decades-long separatist conflict in its southern border region, while a panel representing insurgent groups has expanded, officials said Tuesday.
— Benar News

Sarawak to woo Middle Eastern visitors
Sarawak is seeking to tap the Middle Eastern market as Visit Sarawak begins in earnest in January next year.
— FMT

Improvement of container turnaround at Sapangar Bay Container Port by November
Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd wishes to assure members of the Kota Kinabalu Lorry Operators Association (PPLKKK) that Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB) will take action to improve the handling efficiency at Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) and expects the situation to improve by next month.
— The Borneo Post

SITA to deploy 15 more Scan&Fly units at KLIA2
Communications and IT solution provider SITA says it will deploy a further 15 Scan&Fly units at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 following the successful implementation of 15 units earlier this year.
— New Straits Times

‘Small changes’ coming to Forest City project, says Johor MB
Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian said the government is looking at “small changes” to the Forest City development project.
— FMT

Malaysia is among the first in the world to get the iPhone XR
When it comes to brand new iPhone launches, Malaysia is often left out from the the list of first wave releases. Apple’s first wave countries usually include the US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and it will take approximately a month before the devices go on sale in Malaysia officially.
— Soyacincau

Malaysia and ASEAN not dumping ground for advanced countries
The government has frozen permits for local operators to import plastic waste for recycling in the country.
— New Straits Times

Barakah secures restraining order against creditors
Barakah Offshore Petroleum Bhd and its unit, PBJV Group Sdn Bhd, have secured a court order restraining all proceedings and actions against the companies.
— The Star Online

Malaysian AIDS Foundation announces award, aims to raise RM2.5m
The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF)’s fundraising event is back after a six-year absence and hopes to raise RM2.5 million towards helping people living and affected by HIV/ AIDS in Malaysia.
— Malay Mail

Putrajaya urged to ratify UN declaration on religious freedom
A DAP parliamentarian today urged Malaysia to sign and ratify the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, which will allow for religious freedom in the country.
— FMT

One Medicare sets up 24-hour call centre
One Medicare Sdn Bhd (OMSB), one of five concessionaire companies in Malaysia providing healthcare facilities management, recently launched One Medicare Call Centre (Call Centre) to further boost its support services to all 23 government hospitals in Sarawak.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia Stadium Corporation racks up RM13 mil in deficit
The Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) accumulated a deficit of RM12.9 million from January till Sept 30 this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
— FMT

AGC rejects Farid Kamil’s attempt to get charges dropped
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has rejected Datuk Farid Kamil Zahari’s representation for the five criminal charges against him to be dropped.
— Malay Mail

Feature photo Dhrra Malaysia

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges World Food Day, October 16.

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.