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Here we are at the end of 2014 and it seems the year is reluctant to leave peacefully. 2014 has chosen to end with a massive splash as floods inundate most of Malaysia. To date, 90,000 people have been evacuated from states along the East Coast and the rains are still coming down. Last night the southern state of Johor was hit by floods along with the city of Kuala Lumpur.
It’s at times like this when things that matter truly come to the fore. Families band together and members of community reach out not only to aid one another but the animals that share their lives. Ties no longer matter and the focus is merely that we are all human and must stick together to save ourselves, those we love and those who depend upon us. It’s very heartening to see that even in these harsh economic times, people are more than willing to open their hearts and pockets to help those in need. It is very heart-warming to see rescuers putting their own lives on the line to rescue livestock, pets and shelter animals.
Perhaps Nature does this every so often not only to remind us of how powerful she truly is but also to remind us that we really are one family living on the same blue planet and must pull together in order to survive, progress and move forward.
This week would have been very busy with preparing to celebrate Christmas, welcome the New Year or simply trying to stay safe and keep tabs on those we love. Many of you would have missed the articles we put up and therefore, here is a compilation of the best we had for the week.
Pick 1 — Stock market outlook 2015: In a series of five articles, we looked at the state of Malaysia’s stock market in 2014 and what we might possibly expect in 2015. It is very likely that the economy will slow and there has already been sustained selling on Bursa Malaysia. The O&G sector has taken a beating with the fall in oil prices and analysts are finding that there is little to entice investors to the plantation as well as construction sections. Read all five parts here.
Pick 2 — Central Bank regulates payment cards: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) issued the payment card reform framework as it could foster an efficient, transparent and competitive payment card industry in the country. One result of this new reform is that debit cards are set to become a more popular form of payment at more retailers.
Pick 3 — In Asia, 2014’s biggest losers: As the year draws to a close, it’s time to name and shame the companies, politicians, and corporate emperors caught out looking distinctly undressed. To get a closer look at this very interesting article, all you have to do is click here.
Pick 4 — A managed float for petrol prices: A managed float system with prices for RON95 petrol and diesel changing monthly protects consumers against price volatility at the expense of lower pump prices when crude oil prices fall. However, the reverse is true when crude oil prices inch higher. However, Asia-Pacific airlines can look forward to a better 2015 as all airlines in the region are net beneficiaries of lower fuel prices. However, not all airlines are made the same and the effect of lower fuel is not even across the region’s airlines.
Pick 5 — Tales of 1MDB’s money & debt: The weakening ringgit adds a colossal RM4 billion burden on controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)’s tab, blowing up debt levels to RM25.7 billion. However, Finance Ministry-owned 1MDB has come in defence of its finances by pointing out that only a paltry RM1 million of its multi-billion ringgit portfolio came from the government.
Pick 6 — The best & worst investments of 2014: As the year comes to an end, Bloomberg.com tallied the year’s winning and losing investments. These are the bets that saved or ruined portfolios in 2014. Beware: There’s absolutely no guarantee they’ll do the same thing next year. All results reflect total returns as at Dec 21.
Pick 7 — Feeling the wealth: Even as the country charts all the right numbers on GDP, GNI and investment, some Malaysians do not believe change is real. So here’s the sock-in-the-gut question posed to listeners on the country’s economic direction – “the country is getting wealthier but are you feeling it?”
If you like these and want more, stay in touch with us on Facebook (click here) and Twitter (click here). We’ll keep you updated on the latest and breaking developments from the business scene.
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During the holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our success possible. It is in this spirit that we say thank you and best wishes for the holidays and New Year.
— by Nesa Sivagnanam, Executive Editor
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