Malaysia Morning News For February 18

Government opens tenders for RM2bil of large solar projects
Malaysia has opened bids to undertake RM2 billion of solar projects this year, a move analysts said will open up more opportunities to power sector incumbents and new entrants.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia mosque launches ‘rice ATM’ to benefit the needy
A mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Feb 15) introduced a new and novel way to offer rice to the needy – via a specially designed Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
— Channel NewsAsia

High foreign outflow due to recalibration of foreign investments, say experts
A high net foreign fund outflow of RM263.5 million was recorded between Monday to Thursday, a level last seen since the third week of December 2018, as investors recalibrated their investments due to periodic adjustment within the region this week.
— New Straits Times

EPF: 6.15pct dividend for conventional savings, 5.9pct for Shariah
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has declared a dividend rate of 6.15 per cent for Conventional Savings 2018, with payout amounting to RM43 billion and 5.9 per cent for Shariah Savings 2018, with a payout amounting to RM4.32 billion.
— New Straits Times

Lower inflation shows Pakatan can revive economy, says DPM
Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the nation’s inflation rate of 1% was proof the Pakatan Harapan government could revive the economy.
— FMT

Ecoworld to unveil Malaysia’s first robot hotel
Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld Malaysia) is set to introduce the country’s first robot guest registration and food delivery system in the third quarter of this year at its Eco Nest serviced apartments.
— The Sun Daily

Dr M: Tolerance is key to development and peace in Malaysia
Tolerance as practised by all Malaysians is the key to development and peace in the country, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian economy to continue on steady growth path: Analysts
Malaysia’s economy is expected to remain on a steady path in 2019 but with greater power due to the fiscal commitment to reduce wastages and improve the delivery system, an important ingredient to achieve a more efficient economy, according to PublicInvest Research.
— The Sun Daily

Estate owners demand WHO journal retract article against palm oil or apologise
The Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) has demanded that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Bulletin retract an article published last month which had painted the palm oil industry in a bad light.
— Malay Mail

Gas Malaysia’s Q4 earnings crimped by higher tax rate
Gas Malaysia Bhd’s earnings in the fourth quarter have been crimped by higher than expected tax rate, Affin Hwang Capital said.
— New Straits Times

M1 buyout bid finally goes through with Malaysia’s Axiata exiting Singapore investment
M1’s largest shareholder Axiata Group has accepted an offer for its stake in the Singapore telco that will see it exiting the local market and finally bring to close a buyout bid that began in September last year.
— Zdnet

RM10,000 reward offered for information on MRT robber in Malaysia
A reward of RM10,000 (S$3,322) has been offered for information that leads to the arrest of the man who brutally assaulted and robbed a woman at an MRT station in Malaysia’s capital, local media reported on Sunday (Feb 17).
— Channel NewsAsia

Local contractors not in ‘rail’ danger, say experts
Despite doubts over the proposed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) projects, analysts are upbeat that the continuation of other projects will keep local contractors afloat.
— FMT

Malaysia haunted by ‘fake’ degrees
WHEN the scandal linked to the use of bogus and unaccredited degrees by politicians in the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition was brewing, the image of my one-time boss – a tycoon in Hong Kong – immediately flashed through my mind.
— The Star Online

Shocking New Claim By PAS Leader – “I Haven’t Listened To Nik Abduh Recording”!
PAS leader Hadi Awang has today publicly told questioning media that he would not comment on the contents of the Nik Abduh tape (now acknowledged to be genuine) because he had not listened to it and does not apparently intend to.
— Sarawak Report

Ascend of the timber industry
As a country blessed with one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world – some saying it rivals that of the Amazon – it comes to sense that Malaysia’s forests make up a crucial pillar of the economy via the timber industry and wood-related products.
— The Borneo Post

Malaysia’s largest snack company moves KL office to Colony@Mutiara Damansara
Malaysia’s largest snack company, Mamee Double Decker (M) Sdn Bhd will be moving its Kuala Lumpur office to luxury coworking space Colony@Mutiara Damansara (pictured) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
— The Edge Markets

Did judicial scandals include Sarawak NCR land cases? Dayak group asks
Dayak National Congress (DNC) president Paul Raja today called for a setting up of Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate any allegation of wrongdoing in the judiciary.
— Malay Mail

‘Easy Drive’ via BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia
BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia on Friday introduced Easy Drive, an innovative and flexible financing solution “to make Sheer Driving Pleasure more accessible”.
— The Sun Daily

Saudi Arabian prince postpones visit to Malaysia and Indonesia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has postponed his working visit to Malaysia and Indonesia, a day before he was due to arrive.
— The Star Online

Singaporean tourists to Malaysia down 14% last year; non-Asean tourists increased 20%
Visits by Singaporeans, who used to be the largest group of tourists to Malaysia, were lower by 14 per cent last year while tourists from non-Asean countries increased by 20 per cent.
— The Straits Times

Dr M launches National Community Policy
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched the National Community Policy, an approach to mould a community that is more concerned towards social issues and create a more prosperous life.
— Malay Mail

Axiata disposed its unit, M1 Ltd for RM1.65 bil
Axiata Group Bhd’s subsidiary, Axiata Investments (Singapore) Ltd has disposed its entire stake in Singapore-listed M1 Ltd to Konnectivity Pte Ltd for RM1.65 billion.
— New Straits Times

Guan Eng: Govt practises prudent, responsible spending
The government is spending in accordance with the budget allocation and planning to avoid excessive spending, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
— Malay Mail

Malaysians detained in Cambodia arrive home
“I need to beg for water. Life in prison was tough. It’s a lesson to me and also for other Malaysians, to be wary and do not accept dubious job offers that promised lucrative perks and salary” said Ng Shing Long, 27, one of 47 Malaysians who were released by Cambodian government recently.
— New Straits Times

Women stamping their mark in new Malaysia’s politics
Women’s participation in politics has long been recognised as an important measure of gender equality in Malaysia.
— The Sun Daily

Explained: Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal
1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is a state investment fund that came under investigation for a multibillion-dollar global corruption scandal.
— South China Morning Post

Author blames racism for marginalisation of Indians
A researcher who has written extensively on the plight of Malaysian Indians has described marginalised members of the community as victims of a social and political system that places undue emphasis on racial differences.
— FMT

Annuar Musa: Umno must treat UEC as a Malaysian problem
Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the party must treat the issues surrounding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as a Malaysian problem instead of looking at it as an ethnic-centric problem.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia foreign minister to lead team for water talks with Singapore: Mahathir
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah will lead a team of Malaysian officials in renegotiating prices of raw water sold to Singapore, said Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Sunday (Feb 17).
— Channel NewsAsia

Reasons to fall in love with Malaysia
For some, February is the month of love, thanks to Valentine’s Day and (for this year, at least) Chap Goh Meh.
— Star2

Feature photo Pxhere

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.