Malaysia Morning News For January 3, 2019

RM1,100 minimum monthly wage comes into effect
The Minimum Wages Order (Amendment) 2018 came into effect nationwide yesterday (Jan 1).
— The Borneo Post

#DestinationGOOD: AirAsia helping refugees in search of home (HD video)
Often seen as “people with no choice and no voice”, refugees have been granted some valuable airtime in a new video production from low-cost regional carrier AirAsia.
–– AEC News Today (video)

Public holidays and long weekends in Malaysia 2019
If there’s anything Malaysians love more than a public holiday, it’s a public holiday that falls near the weekend. 2019 is already here and it’s never too early to start planning your leave for those long holidays and quick weekend getaways.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s first ever robotics centre of excellence to set up in excellence
According to recent report, the Advanced Technologies Innovative Alliance Sdn Bhd (ATIA) will be collaborating with three local companies to set up the first Centre of Excellence For Robotics in Malaysia, which will be based in Cyberjaya.
— Opengov Asia

Malaysian stocks region’s fifth best performer in 2018
Malaysian stocks ended 2018 lower but managed to outperform most regional markets for the year.
— The Edge Markets

Malaysia authorities seize 20 tonnes of fireworks, firecrackers
Twenty tonnes of fireworks and firecrackers have been confiscated in the Malaysian state of Perak in what’s believed to be the biggest such seizure by the customs department there in 2018.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia’s manufacturing hits six-year low in 2018
Manufacturing suffered the worst business conditions in the last month of 2018, which saw an industry-wide slowdown extended into its fourth consecutive month, the latest Nikkei Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) released today showed.
— Malay Mail

Malaysian developer launches KYC compliant blockchain
According to a recent report, a Kuala Lumpur-based group has launched a blockchain service that aims to help businesses cut time and cost involved in carrying out Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.
— Opengov Asia

Give Mahathir space to lead Malaysia as interim prime minister: Anwar
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday (Jan 2) that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad must be given the space to lead the government for the duration that had been agreed upon.
— Channel NewsAsia

Labour supply to Malaysia yet to resume despite bilateral pact
Though it has been more than two months that Nepal inked the labour agreement with Malaysia, the outflow of Nepali migrant workers to the Southeast Asian nation is still uncertain.
— Himalayan Times

Dr M: Malaysia may resume ECRL project, but on smaller scale
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which was suspended last July, could resume on a smaller scale if China agrees to the move, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was reported by Malaysian media as saying.
— The Star Online

Nestlé Malaysia doubles sales on e-commerce space
Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd said its sales have doubled on Shopee Malaysia e-commerce space within a year of its partnership with the online marketplace.
— The Edge Markets

Teething problems reported in enforcing Malaysia smoking ban
Teething problems have been reported in enforcing Putrajaya’s smoking ban in food establishments, with some still puffing away in violation of the new rules.
— Channel NewsAsia

StanChart Malaysia appoints new country head of retail banking
Standard Chartered Malaysia has appointed Lai Pei-Si as its country head of retail banking for Malaysia.
— The Star Online

Singapore raises concerns with Malaysia over establishment of permanent restricted area over Pasir Gudang
Singapore has raised concerns over Malaysia’s establishment of a permanent restricted area in the airspace over Pasir Gudang with effect from Jan 2, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Tuesday (Jan 1).
— Channel NewsAsia

Why TAR UC should still receive government funding
I read with sadness that this year, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) will not be getting some of the financial assistance it received over the past 50 years.
— FMT

Weakening ringgit a boost to Malaysia’s healthcare tourism
The ringgit’s weakening has played a part in contributing to the growth of the healthcare travel industry in the country, says Malaysia Healthcare Tourism Council (MHTC) Chief Executive Officer, Sherene Azli.
— Malaysian Reserve

Developer: Wrong to blame us for oversupply of unsold units
A developer has dismissed criticism that property developers are “partly” at fault for the oversupply of unsold properties due to a lack of understanding of the needs of the market, saying this was “absolutely not true”.
— FMT

iflix sells off Africa business to refocus on Malaysia and Indonesia
Online content streaming site iflix has let go of its stake in the Africa market, selling its business to Econet Global.
— Marketing Interactive

Malaysia is a Leader in Islamic Finance, But Why Not Islamic Fintech?
Malaysia was named a leader in Islamic finance, producing 26% of the world’s Shariah-compliant financial assets by the end of 2017—amounting to US$528.7 billion (RM2.05 trillion). The study proclaimed Asia as the largest market for both sukuk and Islamic funds.
— Fintech

Ekuiti launch RM1b funds under management
Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) announced the launch of a RM1 billion Ekuinas Direct (Tranche IV) Fund with an option to increase to RM1.5 billion.
— New Straits Times

No new ventures, focus on Indonesia and Philippines – Fernandes
AirAsia Group Bhd will focus on its businesses in Indonesia and the Philippines this year to make them very profitable, says group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
— The Borneo Post

Money politics rearing its head in PPBM, says official
A high-ranking PPBM official says a “loud minority” of division leaders in the party want Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman ousted following his statement against members who demand contracts and concessions.
— FMT

XingHe’s unit acquires prawn farm in Sabah to diversify income stream
Xinghe Holdings Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, XW Aquaculture Sdn Bhd, is acquiring a 97.9 ha prawn farm, related facilities and assets in Tawau, Sabah from Pegagau Aquaculture Sdn Bhd for RM100 million cash.
— New Straits Times

Senai Airport to manage Kertih Airport operations
Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB) has entered into a contract with Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) subsidiary Sanzbury Stead Sdn Bhd to manage the operations and maintenance services of Kertih Airport for three years, effective Jan 1, 2019.
— The Sun Daily

How This Leading Telecom Firm From Malaysia Is Embarking On AI Journey
Maxis is a leading communications provider in Malaysia for mobile, home and business needs on 4G and fibre, and providing easy ways to own the latest smartphones.
— Analytics India Mag

Feature photo Mohammad Firdaus Mokpink

This week’s morning news photo focuses on the death, pain, and loss that typically occurs at this time of year on Asean roads due to drunk driving, speeding, and a failure to wear protective helmets when travelling on motorbikes.

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.