MONTHLY NEWS SCAN Tinjauan Berita Bulanan - Institute For Development Studies Sabah
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MONTHLY NEWS SCAN
Tinjauan Berita Bulanan
Compiled by IDS
Vol. 25 Issue 1 IDS Online http://www.ids.org.my 1 – 31 January 2020
HIGHLIGHTS National Statistics. Growth was push by President Moon Jae-in's
FOCUS slightly stronger in September and government and a jump in factory
October than previously thought, but investment that included spending on
fell 0.3% in November, dragging equipment for making
•Global economy snapback to prove down the three-month figure. The semiconductors. (23 January, The
elusive despite market joy: ONS said growth in the economy Straits Times)
Reuters polls year-on-year was at its lowest since
•OPEC aims to extend oil output the spring of 2012. Growth in French economy shrinks in fourth
cuts through June, alarmed by construction was offset by a quarter as strikes bite: The French
China virus weakening service sector, while economy unexpectedly shrank in the
•Boost to Malaysia’s GDP manufacturing was “lacklustre”. (13 final quarter of 2019 as manufacturing
•MITI welcomes US-China phase
one trade deal, positive for open January, BBC News) output slumped in the face of strikes
economies over an unpopular pension reform,
•Sabah-S’wak link road Japan warns about risks to putting more pressure on President
construction to start June economy from China virus Emmanuel Macron. Macron has so far
•RM3 mln to upgrade basic outbreak: Japanese Economy been able to point to resilient growth
facilities in 10 villages Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura warned and job creation to justify his pro-
recently that corporate profits and business reforms. But he faced a wave
INTERNATIONAL factory production might take a hit of protests over the last year, first from
from the coronavirus outbreak in the “yellow vests” movement and now
ANTARABANGSA China that has rattled global markets from those opposed to his plans to
and chilled confidence. Asian stocks streamline the French pensions
Global economy snapback to prove extended a global selloff as the scheme. (31 January, Reuters)
elusive despite market joy: Reuters outbreak in China, which has killed
polls: A significant global upturn will 106 people and spread to several Australia jobless hits nine-month
remain elusive this year as many countries, fuelled concern over the low, analysts give up on February
economies still face an array of damage to the world’s second largest rate cut: Australian employment
daunting risks, despite improved economy - an engine of global growth. outpaced forecasts for a second month
sentiment from an initial U.S.-China (28 January, Reuters) in December pushing the jobless rate
trade deal and ebullience in financial to a nine-month low, a much-needed
markets, Reuters polls showed. The Singapore’s free trade deal with EU improvement that could forestall a
global economy in 2019 may have will apply to Britain during Brexit near-term cut in interest rates. The
been near its weakest since the transition period: MTI: A free trade local dollar climbed 0.47% to
financial crisis thanks to trade deal between Singapore and the $0.6874 as the market sharply scaled
protectionism and political European Union will continue to back the chance of an easing from the
uncertainty, but world stocks had a apply to Britain during its 11-month Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) at
blowout year with several indexes Brexit transition period starting on its policy meeting on Feb. 4. Analysts
repeatedly setting record highs. (24 Saturday, the Ministry of Trade and at several major banks, including
January, Reuters) Industry said on Friday (Jan 31). CBA, ANZ and Citi, threw in the
Singapore and the UK meanwhile are towel on a February cut though they
OPEC aims to extend oil output cuts working on an agreement to maintain still expect a move at some point. (23
through June, alarmed by China trade continuity after the transition January, Reuters)
virus: OPEC wants to extend current period ends and the EU-Singapore
oil output cuts until at least June, with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) no China posts weakest growth in 29
the possibility of deeper reductions on longer applies to Britain. (31 January, years as trade war bites, but ends
the table if oil demand in China is The Straits Times) 2019 on better note: China’s
significantly impacted by the spread economic growth cooled to its
of a new coronavirus, OPEC sources South Korean economy ends bad weakest in nearly 30 years in 2019
said. The quick slide in oil prices over year with stronger-than-expected amid a bruising trade war with the
the past few days has alarmed OPEC growth: South Korea’s economy United States, and more stimulus is
officials, the sources say, as the new finished its slowest year of growth expected this year as Beijing tries to
virus found in China and several other since the global financial crisis with a boost sluggish investment and
countries raised concerns about a hit spurt that suggests the worst may be demand. But data on Friday also
to economic growth and oil demand. over for the Asian bellwether of global showed the world’s second-largest
(28 January, Reuters) tech trade. Gross domestic product economy ended the rough year on a
expanded in the fourth quarter at its somewhat firmer note as a trade truce
Weak November weighs on UK fastest pace since 2017, the Bank of revived business confidence and
growth: The UK’s economy grew by Korea (BOK) said recently. The earlier growth boosting measures
just 0.1% in the three months to stronger-than-expected growth was finally appeared to be taking hold. (17
November, according to the Office for fuelled by an aggressive spending January, Reuters)
1 – 31 January 2020 MONTHLY NEWS SCAN (Tinjauan Berita Bulanan) 1
recording a 2.2% growth in October round of disruptions for global trade
NATIONAL 2019. (10 January, The Star) flows. (31 January, The Star)
NASIONAL Malaysia achieves 2019 fiscal
deficit target of 3.4%: The 12th Malaysia Plan to crystallise
Boost to Malaysia’s GDP: Bank government has achieved its fiscal SPV2030 execution: The 12th
Negara appears to be focused on deficit target for 2019 of 3.4% of gross Malaysia Plan (12MP), covering three
boosting gross domestic product domestic product (GDP), says development dimensions - economic
(GDP) growth with the surprise cut in Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. “We empowerment, environmental
the overnight policy rate (OPR) reached the target 100%, we achieved sustainability and social re-
recently. This is attributable to the a fiscal deficit of 3.4% of GDP. We engineering - will further crystallise
downside risks to growth that are still definitely achieved it,” he said. Lim the implementation of the Shared
present globally with the ongoing was speaking to reporters after the Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV2030).
trade negotiations between the United Kuala Lumpur Customs Department’s The SPV2030 - unlike the National
States and China, according to Meet the Customer Day recently. Lim Economic Policy (NEP), which is a
economists. “The adjustment in the also announced that the government policy prescription - is a new initiative
OPR is a pre-emptive measure to collected RM27.6bil in Sales and providing a 10-year development
protect growth, given the escalating Service Tax (SST) revenue, roadmap and framework for the
growth risks. “Of particular concern is surpassing the target of RM22bil in country’s economic restructuring to
the uncertainty caused by the ongoing the budget. He said it showed that the benefit all Malaysians, regardless of
trade negotiations and the delay in the economy is still sustainable. (10 race and ethnicity. Measures and
implementation of certain projects,” January, The Star) courses of action to achieve the
Public Invest Research said in its SPV2030 goals would be incorporated
report. (24 January, The Star) Macroeconomic stability drives in the 12MP, which is expected to be
Malaysia's economic growth: tabled in Parliament in the third
MITI welcomes US-China phase Macroeconomic stability will drive quarter of this year. (30 January, The
one trade deal, positive for open Malaysia’s economic growth this year Star)
economies: Ministry of International with Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Trade and Industry (MITI) lauds the growth of between 4.4 per cent and Govt determined to drive digital
recent agreement between the United 4.9 per cent easily achievable, said IQI economy growth in 2020: The
States of America and China Global chief economist Shan Saeed. government is determined to drive the
following the phase one trade deal The country he said, will continue to development of digital economy to
signed on January 15. Deputy be on the global investors’ radar due boost the nation’s economic growth,
Minister Dr. Ong Kian Ming said the to its solid economic position and said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
trade agreement would be ‘good’ for importance in the Belt and Road He said the digital economy could also
all open trading economies such as Initiative (BRI). Shan even predicted attract investors and encourage human
Malaysia. “It gives more certainty and the ringgit to improve to RM3.97 capital development as well as
stability to the international trading against the US dollar this year. “The research. "Malaysia’s transformation
landscape. That is something we global economy is heading for a major towards digital economy could only
welcome. “We hope this (outcome) slowdown but despite this, Malaysia’s be realised if the people immerse
will stabilise the global value chain, economy would demonstrate themselves in the digital culture and
which many Malaysian companies or economic confidence due to strong take part in digital transactions in a
multinational companies are base in productivity,”. (17 January, Business move towards becoming a cashless
the country,” he said on the sideline of Times) society,” he said. (27 January, The
MITI Seminar on Industry4WRD Star)
Incentives held in Kuala Lumpur. (20 RAM Ratings sees RM9.5b trade
January, Business Times) surplus in December: RAM Inflation up 1% in Dec, within
Ratings expects a trade surplus of forecast: Malaysia’s inflation rose
November industrial output up RM9.5bil for December as its imports by 1% in December last year, in line
2%, nearly double forecast: and exports see a turnaround. In its with a Bloomberg forecast,
Malaysia’s industrial production report issued on Friday it expected underpinned by higher food prices,
index (IPI) grew at a much faster pace Malaysia’s imports to expand by 3.9% with Kuala Lumpur exceeding the
of 2% in November 2019 from a year and exports by 1.7% in December national average. According to the
ago, which was nearly double a 2019. “This contrasts against Statistics Department, the consumer
Bloomberg survey of a 1.1% increase. respective declines of 3.6% and 5.5% price index (CPI) increased by 1% in
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd the preceding month. The better December to 122.3 compared with
Uzir Mahidin said the growth in showing was achieved despite 121.1 a year ago. Chief statistician
November was driven by the increase subdued global demand, which has Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin
in the index of manufacturing (2.5%), been affecting Malaysia’s trade said that of the 552 items covered in
electricity (1.6%) and mining (0.5%). performance,” it said. However, RAM the CPI, 360 items showed an increase
On a year-on-year basis, the pointed out the “phase one” trade deal in December 2019 from a year ago. He
manufacturing sector output rose by signed between the US and China on added that 137 items declined while
2.5% in November 2019 after Jan 15,2020 could trigger another 55 items were unchanged. (23
January, The Star)
1 – 31 January 2020 MONTHLY NEWS SCAN (Tinjauan Berita Bulanan) 2
(Medical), Dr. Abd Kahar Abd Azis selepas merasmikan Jelajah Cuti Cuti
and Deputy Director of HDOK Malaysia sempena Tahun Melawat
LOCAL (Medical), Dr. Mohd. Fahmi Othman. Malaysia 2020 (VM2020), di Sekolah
(4 January, Daily Express) Menengah Kebangsaan Bongawan II.
TEMPATAN (13 Januari, New Sabah Times)
Shafie launches plan to boost
Sabah-S’wak link road Kadamaian socio-economic Upgrading of all Sabah road
construction to start June: development: The Kadamaian infrastructures soon – Peter: All
Construction of the Sabah-Sarawak Development Plan 2020-2035, which road infrastructures throughout Sabah
link road, which will connect the most aims to boost the socio-economic are expected to be upgraded around 50
remote areas of both states, is development in the constituency to be per cent by 2021 to 2022.Sabah
expected to begin in six months, says on par with other developed Infrastructure Development Minister
Baru Bian. The Works Minister said constituencies, was launched at Datuk Peter Anthony said that the
the first phase of the project would Kadamaian Square Hall in State Government is always
cost RM2bil from Lawas to Pa’ Taginambur, about half-an-hour drive committed and concerned about the
Berunut in Sarawak, a distance of from town. Chief Minister, Datuk Seri people’s problems, especially in rural
about 90km. “We expect work to start Mohd Shafie Apdal, who officiated areas. “As the minister who is
by the middle of this year,” he said the launching of the plan, also responsible for the infrastructure
after a briefing on the latest Pan approved a RM1 million additional around Sabah, we will make sure that
Borneo Highway development at the allocation for the implementation of all roads connecting the city or rural
Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal. Under the Taginambur Tamu Development roads will be repaired. “I have
the previous alignment, road users Phase 2 project, which is part of the directed the Public Works Department
travelling from Sabah to Sarawak or Kadamaian development initiative. that we will ensure that at least 50 per
vice versa have to go in and out of The Kadamaian Development Plan, cent of the roads throughout the state
Brunei eight times. (18 January, Daily an initiative by Rural Development either in the city or villages will be
Express) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick as improved by the year 2021 – 2022,”
Kadamaian Assemblyman, was based he said. (3 January, New Sabah
RM3 mln to upgrade basic facilities on a study done jointly by the Institute
in 10 villages: The Rural Times)
for Development Studies (IDS), Kota
Development Ministry (KPLB) has Belud District Office, Kadamaian
provided an allocation of RM3 million RM4.2 mln spent on welfare aid in
to upgrade the basic infrastructure UPPM Office and Kadamaian Membakut – Wan Azizah: The
facilities in 10 villages throughout Assemblyman’s Office, using the Government spent RM4.2 million last
Sabah this year. Its minister, Datuk Assemblyman touchpoint allocation year on welfare assistance in the
Ewon Benedick, said the first village of RM68,000. (21 January, Daily district alone, said Deputy Prime
chosen under the program as the Express) Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah
Kampung Sejahtera this year is Wan Ismail. Speaking to reporters
Kampung Tiong Baru Membakut, Kalabakan set to become food hub after her unexpected visit to the
which was selected based on basic of Sabah: A 1,200 hectare land in Membakut Welfare Department
development needs of the village that Luasong will be developed with office, she said the visit was to see the
is still facing various issues including mixed crops in efforts to make operation and implementation of
no electricity and treated water Kalabakan the food hub of Sabah. government initiatives in the sub-
supply. He added, as per the target of “The development plan for the land district. “The RM4.2 million amount
10 villages under the Kampung which has been identified by the State spent in 2019 helped 8,717 senior
Sejahtera program annually, Ewon Government is expected to start June citizens (totalling RM3 million),
said the other nine villages identified this year,” Kalabakan Member of 3,011 needy children (totalling
are located in Kota Belud, Keningau, Parliament, Ma’mun Sulaiman, said. RM883,880), 349 chronic patients
Nabawan and Paitan. (5 January, The He said the proposal was mooted by (totalling RM112,150), 268 disabled
Borneo Post) Agriculture and Agro-based Industry workers allowance (totalling
Minister, Salahuddin Ayub and had RM107,020) and 234 people with
RM10.6m medical equipment for been given the nod by the Government disabilities totalling (RM58,500). (5
Sandakan hospital: The RM10.6 but how the implementation and the January, The Borneo Post)
million allocation for Duchess of Kent type of crops would be looked into.
Hospital (HDOK) from the Federal (23 January, New Sabah Times) Sabah Chief Minister to launch
Finance Ministry and Health Ministry state’s own cooking oil ‘Sabah Best’
in May, last year, was used for the Industri homestay Sabah catat soon: Chief Minister Datuk Seri
purchase of 26 high-value medical pendapatan lebih RM6 juta: Shafie Apdal will be launching the
equipment. Finance Minister, Lim Industri inap desa atau ‘homestay’ di
Sabah, mencatatkan perkembangan state’s own cooking oil product by this
Guan Eng was also pleased that the year. He said the name of the cooking
hospital management saved up to positif dan antara yang menghasilkan
RM200,000 through open tender, pendapatan tertinggi di Malaysia oil, ‘Sabah Best’, would be
which could also be used for the dengan kutipan lebih RM6 juta pada manufactured by Sawit Kinabalu in
purchase of other medical equipment tahun lepas, kata Menteri Sandakan and Tawau. Shafie said the
in the future. “The purchase of the 26 Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Datuk company’s factories in Sandakan and
medical assets will also provide Mohamaddin Ketapi. Katanya Tawau had been in operation but had
patients with amenities, including daripada jumlah itu, Homestay Seri not marketed the product yet. “It was
diagnosis machines and other needs,” Serbang yang terletak di Bongawan
mencatat pendapatan RM2,0267,612 supposed to be launched much earlier
he said following a visit to the hospital
recently. Also present were Tanjung dengan 68,269 penginap, termasuk but due to the Kimanis by-election we
Papat assemblyman, Datuk Frankie dari luar negara. “Di Sabah sahaja, will do it by this year,” he told
Poon Ming Fung, Sandakan Member terdapat 51 kampung mempunyai reporters after launching the Career
of Parliament, Vivian Wong, Elopura homestay dengan Papar dan Beaufort Carnival Kimanis 2020 in Membakut
assemblyman, Calvin Chong, Deputy sebagai kawasan terbesar terlibat yesterday. (12 January, The Borneo
Director of State Health Department homestay,” katanya kepada pemberita Post
1 – 31 January 2020 MONTHLY NEWS SCAN (Tinjauan Berita Bulanan) 3
SELECTED FACTS AND FIGURES
FAKTA MUTAKHIR
Malaysia’s Economic Indicators: Leading, Coincident & Lagging Indexes, November 2019
(Source: 24 January, Department of Statistics Malaysia)
Malaysia’s Monthly Rubber Statistics, November 2019
(Source: 15 January, Department of Statistics Malaysia)
Malaysia’s Producer Price Index, December 2019
(Source: 30 January, Department of Statistics Malaysia)
1 – 31 January 2020 MONTHLY NEWS SCAN (Tinjauan Berita Bulanan) 4
Malaysia’s Consumer Price Index, December 2019
(Source: 22 January, Department of Statistics Malaysia)
Australia Consumer Price Index, December 2019
Weighted average of eight Sep Qtr 2019 to Dec Qtr 2019 Dec Qtr 2018 to Dec Qtr 2019
capital cities
% change % change
All groups CPI 0.7 1.8
Food and non-alcoholic
1.3 2.6
beverages
Alcohol and tobacco 3.0 6.5
Clothing and footwear -0.3 1.4
Housing 0.1 0.2
Furnishings, household
-0.3 1.1
equipment and services
Health -0.3 3.2
Transport 1.5 2.8
Communication -1.0 -3.8
Recreation and culture 0.9 1.5
Education 0.1 2.9
Insurance and financial
0.4 0.7
services
CPI analytical series
All groups CPI, seasonally
0.6 1.8
adjusted
Trimmed mean 0.4 1.6
Weighted median 0.4 1.3
(Source: 29 January, Australian Bureau of Statistics)
1 – 31 January 2020 MONTHLY NEWS SCAN (Tinjauan Berita Bulanan) 5You can also read
