Malaysia Morning News For February 6

Guan Eng confident 2019 beginning of economic development for Malaysia
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is confident 2019 will see the beginning of economic development for Malaysia, given the country’s fiscal position which has begun to consolidate and the impressive increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country since 2018.
— The Sun Daily

MIDF: Inflation down, Producer Price Index at three-year low
Malaysia’s Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures changes in prices from a sellers’ perspective, is currently at a three-year low, according to MIDF Research.
— FMT

MAHB confirms AirAsia the only one flouting passenger fee
LOW-COST carrier AirAsia and its sister airline, AirAsia X, are the only airlines operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) not to have complied with the revised passenger service charge (PSC) as it continues to collect the old rate, the New Straits Times reported Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) as saying.
— The Malaysian Insight

MEF calls for transparency in employing foreigners
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged the government to be more transparent with the hiring process of foreign workers.
— The Star Online

Malaysia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki vows to show proof of his Cambridge degree
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya says he would leave it to the police to investigate a claim by a Facebook user that he had deceived the people by saying he had a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Cambridge.
— Eleven Myanmar

Umno sec-gen: ‘Game over’ for PAS and Sarawak Report, no point pursuing lawsuit
PAS was right to settle its suit against Sarawak Report (SR) editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown out of court as pursuing the matter would only hamper the Islamist party due to the exorbitant costs, Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa has said.
— Malay mail

Malaysia Ready To Host Dialog Between Thailand And MARA Patani
Should talks between Thailand and the Majlis Syura Patani, also known as MARA Patani, push through, Malaysia recently confirmed that it is ready to facilitate it. Malaysia’s recent stance came in as part of a concerted effort in order to bring peace to the southern region of Thailand.
— Business Times

Malaysia’s Petronas raises Jan crude oil official selling price
Malaysia has raised the official selling price (OSP) of a basket of January-loading Malaysian crude oil grades OSP/MY to $64.96 a barrel, the country’s state-owned Petronas said in a document reviewed by Reuters on Monday.
— Hellenic Shipping News

How Hadi Contradicted Himself And PAS Officials During Court Case
As PAS president Hadi Awang and his team of senior party advisors contemplated the opening of his libel claim against Sarawak Report in London on April Fool’s Day, they must have realised there would be some very tough questioning in store.
— Sarawak Report

Uncertainty over Malaysia’s smoking ban
It is over a month since the Health Ministry’s no-smoking ban kicked off on Jan 1, but there is still uncertainty over some of the nitty-gritty involved.
— Eleven Myanmar

How Malaysia can transform from a global kleptocracy…
Malaysia has many national holidays that provide Malaysians more opportunities for reflection and review as to why one or the country failed to achieve greater goals or achievements.
— Malaysiakini

How Malaysian start-ups are enhancing life through tech – Part III
Recently, a report noted that Malaysia’s homegrown innovators are cultivating tech-driven ecosystem, thereby pushing the nation’s Industry 4.0 agenda.
— OpenGovAsia

MCA’s first CNY open house as opposition a quieter affair
COMPARED with the fanfare and extravagance of years past, MCA’s first Chinese New Year open house as an opposition party was a quieter affair this year, with markedly fewer people in attendance.
— The Malaysian Insight

These wellness activities in Malaysia will rejuvenate your senses
Here are some wellness-based services and activities that are available in Malaysia for travellers and locals alike.
— Star2

Education Ministry confirms Malaysian students not affected by floods in Australia
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that no Malaysian students are affected by the devastating floods in northern Queensland, Australia.
— Malay mail

No plans for cabinet reshuffle, says Wan Azizah
DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says she has not heard of any plans for a cabinet reshuffle after Chinese New Year, or that she will be replaced by Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.
— The Malaysian Insight

What is real property gains tax?
REAL property gains tax (RPGT) is a tax charged on gains arising from the disposal or sale of real property or shares in a real property company (RPC).
— The Star Online

Malaysians in flood-hit Aussie city safe, says Wisma Putra
THE 50 Malaysians in the flood-ravaged coastal city of Townsville in Queensland, Australia, are reported to be safe.
— The Malaysian Insight

Malaysian palm oil price edges higher on easing stocks outlook
Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Monday, charting a third session of gains in five, on the back of expectations of easing inventory levels.
— The Star Online

Feature photo Shahir Ramlan

This week’s Malaysia morning news feature photo acknowledges Chinese New Year, 2019.

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.