Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition helps you connect the dots on the biggest stories playing out in Malaysia every week. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox.
Economic issues take centre stage in our offerings this week, with Singapore and Malaysia slated to ink a memorandum of understanding on the Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ) on Jan 11.
The Malaysian government is also getting its finances in order, to tackle mounting debt which has climbed past RM1.5 trillion (S$430 billion), and still retain a social safety net for lower income earners. Its latest moves however, have been panned – a central database to implement more targeted subsidies contained security flaws while a new online shopping tax has drawn flak for burdening the average Malaysian.
Meanwhile smugglers have been touting duty-free alcohol and cigarettes out of Forest City, the property development on reclaimed islands in Johor that’s been proposed as a special financial zone and could form part of the SEZ.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments and thank you for reading The Straits Times.
Johor state govt proposes Iskandar Malaysia be designated special economic zone with S’pore
A memorandum of understanding on the SEZ is expected to be inked by both sides on Jan 11.
Purge data and restart: Experts urge Malaysia govt to fix security flaws in new central database
Accounts could be registered for others using their IC numbers, postcodes, raising identity theft fears.
Mixed reactions as Malaysia’s shoppers pay new sales tax on overseas goods bought online
The move is aimed at boosting demand for local products and levelling the playing field for local retailers.
‘Agents’ touting to smuggle duty-free alcohol, cigarettes out of Malaysia’s Forest City: Report
‘I didn’t think twice’: Malaysian man jumps into flooded drain to save woman clinging to car
3-hour power outage at wedding banquet ruins Malaysian couple’s big day
“Not only did my guests have to eat in darkness, they were also sweating buckets,” the groom said on Facebook.
