Malaysian ringgit slips at start of trading, FOMC minutes in focus

By Nurul Jannah Kamaruddin KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian ringgit slipped further against the US dollar on Wednesday as investors waited for more clarity about the United States (US) interest rate outlook. At 9 am, the ringgit fell to 4.6205/6250 versus the greenback from Tuesday’s close of…

Osaka aims to be Asia’s no. 1 city for tourism, culture

By Christine Lim OSAKA (Japan), Jan 3 (NNN-Bernama) – The city of Osaka, with its history of over 1,500 years as a commercial capital of Japan, aspires to be Asia’s number one city for international tourism and culture. One of the key events poised to transform this dream into reality…

2024 to be a ‘take-off’ year for Malaysia’s economic transition, GDP firmer at 4.4 pct – Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — The year 2024 should be a ‘take off’ year for Malaysia’s medium to long-term economic transition outlined in last year’s blueprints, masterplans, roadmaps and legislations, with the economic growth expected to be firmer at 4.4 per cent this year, Maybank Investment Bank said. It…

Malaysian drug kingpin arrested in Laos

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — A Malaysian fugitive wanted in Thailand for drug smuggling was arrested during a Thai-Lao joint operation last week. The 39-year-old Malaysian, an alleged drug dealer and key member of a drug syndicate had been in hiding in Laos, according to…

Malaysian ringgit off to weak start on first trading day of 2024, sentiment remains strong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian ringgit opened lower in early trade on Tuesday, the first trading day of the new year 2024, but sentiment for the local note remains strong. It had closed the last trading day of 2023 higher by a marginal 0.3 per cent. At…

Bursa Malaysia opens mixed on first trading day of 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — Bursa Malaysia, the stock exchange of Malaysia, opened mixed on the first day of trading week for 2024 despite Wall Street performing lower amid the festive season rally recently, said a dealer. At 9.06 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was down…

Malaysian PM Anwar, wife express sympathies over earthquake in Japan

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, expressed sympathies to the people of Japan in the Ishikawa region that was struck by an earthquake Monday. Anwar said on Facebook that the Malaysian government, through the Foreign Ministry and…

No Malaysians affected by earthquake in Japan

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Jan 2 (NNN-Bernama) — As of the most recent report, no Malaysians have been reported to be involved or affected by the earthquake in Japan on Monday, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ministry, via the Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo, is closely monitoring developments in the aftermath of…

Malaysians flock to Hatyai this festive season, contributing 2 billion baht to local economy

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Jan 1 (Bernama) — Visitors from Malaysia to Hatyai, the vibrant southern Thai city, doubled to 20,000 daily during the Christmas and year-end holiday season, contributing more than 2 billion Baht to the local economy in two weeks before the year ended. Hatyai Songkhla…

Malaysians usher in New Year 2024 with religious activities, family outings

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 (NNN-Bernama) — New Year 2024 was ushered in moderately in Malaysia after the government decided not to hold any official celebrations as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians suffering at the hands of the Israeli regime as well as out of respect to the flood victims…