AirAsia launches live call, refund tracking features on Super App, website

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 ― Low-cost carrier AirAsia has launched a new live call feature to address urgent customer needs, in response to requests for real-time call assistance.

In a statement today, the airline said the feature allows guests to speak directly with a human agent during their “Ask Bo Live Chat” interaction for immediate resolutions.

The option to connect to a call will become available to guests at the end of their chatbot interactions if the situation is identified as urgent or critical, such as flights departing within 24 hours or sudden chang...

Cautious trading seen on Bursa Malaysia next week

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Bursa Malaysia is likely to trend at the current level next week on cautious trading amid uncertainties in the global market due to lingering banking stability concerns.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said bargain hunting activities was expected to emerge next week and anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the 1,400-1,415 level while immediate support would be seen at 1,400 followed by 1,370 with resistance at 1,420.

“Due to uncertain global and regional conditions, we expect short-term market...

Ringgit likely to be in tight range against greenback ahead of BNM annual report

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — The ringgit is likely to remain within a tight range against the US dollar next week ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) annual report on March 29, said an economist.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist and social finance Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said markets continue to expect BNM to deliver another 25 basis points (bps) rate hike in May.

“We believe the case for a 25 bps hike in the overnight policy rate (OPR) is still on the cards. We shall hear more next week from BNM when they unveil their annual report.

Stats Dept: Malaysia's CPI unchanged at 3.7pc in Feb 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — Malaysia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February 2023 remained unchanged at 129.8 or 3.7 per cent, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).

In a statement today, chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the increase in Malaysia’s inflation in February 2023 was still driven by restaurants and hotels (+7.4 per cent) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (+7.0 per cent).

Nevertheless, the slower increase in the transport group (+3.7 per cent) compared with January 2023’s 4.0 per cent had offset a furthe...

MAHB records higher passenger movements in February despite shorter month

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) registered 8.3 million total passenger movements in February, of which 3.9 million were international passengers while 4.4 million were domestic.

The airport operator said total passenger movements at MAHB’s network of airports continued to be buoyant and recorded higher daily average passengers of 1,400 last month despite it being a shorter month compared to January.

“This was driven by the school holidays in Malaysia and also the increased flight frequencies by airlines in Turkiye,”...

MIDF Research raises 2023 inflation forecast to 2.5pc due to higher food prices

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 ― MIDF Research has slightly raised its headline inflation projection by 0.2 points to 2.5 per cent for 2023, following a higher food price growth forecast of 4.5 per cent from 4.0 per cent previously.

In a research note today, the research house said that supply-push factors are expected to ease moving into 2023.

MIDF Research said the easing is attributable to, among others, the appreciation of the ringgit, mild correction in global commodity prices and better supply chain flow.

“Judging from the re-tabled Budget 2023, we believe...

Salahuddin Ayub: Three ministries to collaborate in open payment system on all highways in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 ― Three ministries will work together to implement the open payment system on all highways in the country, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

He said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) would hold engagement sessions with the Works Ministry (KKR) and Transport Ministry (MoT) to expand the open payment system to the North-South Expressway as a start.

“I was informed that many (industry) players are ready to offer this system, so highway users can choose the system they want (in the fut...

Bek-Nielsen is new Malaysian Palm Oil Council chairman effective May 1

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) today announced vice chairman and CEO of United Plantations Berhad Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen as its new chairman effective May 1.

Having previously served on the MPOC board, MPOC said in a statement that Bek-Nielsen is well versed with the challenges and issues that the industry faces as he has extensive experience in the Malaysian palm oil industry.

As chairman of MPOC, Bek-Nielsen will continue to focus on the sustainability of and social improvements in the Malaysian palm oil sector, it added.

Miti: 576 preferential certs of origin with free on board value of over RM200m issued under CPTPP

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has issued 576 preferential certificates of origin with free on board (FOB) value of more than RM226.6 million to local exporters under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as of March 10, 2023.

The ministry said the certificates, issued since the trade agreement came into effect on Nov 29, 2022, allow local exporters to enjoy preferential treatment through lower or zero import duties.

“This clearly shows that there is demand from local e...

Tengku Zafrul: Halal industry to expand to US$113.2b by 2030, GDP contribution 8.1pc by 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s halal industry is projected to expand to US$113.2 billion (RM502.3 billion) by 2030, with a gross domestic product (GDP) contribution of 8.1 per cent by 2025 through the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030).

International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the ministry is fully committed to continuing to enhance all components of the halal ecosystem towards elevating Malaysia’s position as a key player in the global halal market and capitalising on the two-billion-strong...