Author: Pei Ling

Malaysia To Liberalize 30% Rice Supply Chain Next Year To End Bernas’ Monopoly-Minister

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© Nikkei Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17) — Malaysia plans to liberalize next year 30% of the rice supply chain that will be the first step to break the monopoly of Padiberas Nasional Bhd, or Bernas, the federal agriculture minister said Wednesday. 

“This is a soft landing strategy so that we can end the monopoly by 2021,” Salahuddin Ayub said in parliament. 

According to a concession agreement Bernas remains the sole importer and supplier of rice until 2021. 

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay

Malaysia Received 14 Proposals For Third National Car Project-Deputy Trade Minister

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© Nikkei Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17) — Malaysia’s federal government has received 14 proposals for its third national car project, the deputy trade minister said Wednesday.

The project will be entirely driven by private players, Ong Kian Ming said in parliament. 

Earlier this month, the government said it will support the proposed national car project – guided by the trade ministry – with licensing, and the scope of help will expand if the project aims to deliver a car that could be targeted at the entire Southeast Asian region, or ASEAN markets. 

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay

Malaysia Johor Seeks To Revive Croooked Bridge Project To Link Singapore-Chief Minister

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© Nikkei Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16) — Malaysia’s southern Johor state seeks to revive a so-called crooked bridge project to link Singapore, its Chief Minister Osman Sapian said Tuesday. 

The project, first proposed by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 2003, was junked by his successor Abdullah Badawi. Now, after the nonagenarian Mahathir wrested power in a shock May electoral outcome, talks of reviving the project has gathered pace.

“We will try to build a third bridge,” Osman said. “During a meeting with the Prime Minister last month, he quite agreed.”

Osman’s comments were in response to a query whether Johor is lobbying for federal funding for major development projects ahead of the national budget announcement due on Nov 2. 

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay

Malaysia Aiming At Digital Identification System To Curb Fraud – Minister Deo

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© Nikkei Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11) — Malaysia aims to introduce a national digital identification system to curb fraud, the federal Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Thursday.

“The national digital ID would allow for trusted eCommerce transactions where both the seller and buyer are verified using a secure national digital ID system, eliminating elements of fraud and cheating,” Deo said at an e-commerce summit in Selangor.

The ministry is developing the system with the Communication and Multimedia Commission and Malaysia Digital Economy Corp.

Financial institutions and other stakeholders will be consulted soon, he added.

“I hope we can get something out by next year,” Deo said.

E-commerce contributed to 6.1% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product in 2016, according to official data. 

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay

Malaysia’s Works Ministry Lacks Funds To Maintain Federal Roads-Minister Bian

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KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 09) — Malaysia’s works ministry lacks funds to maintain the federal roads as budget allocations typically sharply lagged requirements, the minister said Tuesday.

The lack of funds have resulted in a 30% backlog of the maintenance work, Baru Bian said at an investor conference in Kuala Lumpur.

“Every year we get less than 50% of the budget we need,” Bian said. While the annual budget requirement is 2 billion ringgit, allocated sums have ranged between 600 million ringgit and 800 million ringgit, Bian said.

He said the funds are needed to maintain 19,950 km of federal roads and highways.

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay

Malaysia’s Data Protection Laws To Be At Par With Global Standard-Minister Deo

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© Nikkei Markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 04) — Malaysia’s data protection laws must be at par with global standard, the federal communications and multimedia minister said Thursday.

“We need to put in place a system to ensure data breaches don’t happen, and find ways to stop a breach immediately before it gets out of hand,” Gobind Singh Deo said at a digital advertising conference. “We have to reinvent departments that work with these regulations.”

His comments were in response to queries on when Malaysia would update its data protection laws to prevent breaches, and to be on par with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation enforced in May. 

– By Gan Pei Ling
– Edited By Abhrajit Gangopadhyay