Monitoring minimum wage - The Borneo Post Online Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak |
- Monitoring minimum wage - The Borneo Post Online
- RTM mengkang pilih rayat ngulihka <b>berita</b> enggau penerang <b>...</b>
- Can BURSA sustain its momentum to move higher in 2014 <b>...</b>
- Enda ngeleda udah bekau bebadi ngena mutosikal – BorneoPost <b>...</b>
- Festive joy in the rain - The Borneo Post Online
- Elderly pedestrian killed while crossing road - The Borneo Post Online
| Monitoring minimum wage - The Borneo Post Online Posted: 14 Dec 2013 02:41 PM PST Human Resources Ministry to look into suggestion on minimum wage tripartite committees KUCHING: Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said yesterday a cabinet paper on the suggestion to set up tripartite committees to keep tabs on the minimum wage implementation within all the 72 Manpower offices nationwide, can only be prepared upon the agreement of his ministry and National Wages Consultative Council. He said the all ministry's agencies, including the Industrial Relations Department (JPPM), had been asked to be prepared for the impact of the minimum wage implementation, which would be fully enforced by January 1 2014, especially during the first quarter of next year. "The suggestion by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) to set up a committee, comprising government officers, employers and worker representatives, is a good one because being a big country, it is better to have smaller committees which tackle cases step by step. "But I have to bring it up first," he told Bernama after officiating at the JPPM directors conference here. On Friday MTUC vice-president, A Balasubramaniam had said that such a committee could be effective as it could deal with the situation at the local level and solve any problem that might arise besides doubling up as a one-stop centre to solve grievances of both local and migrant workers. Riot said his ministry, which had already received a number of complaints from employers who would not be able to pay the minimum wage of RM900 per month in the Peninsula and RM800 per month in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan, would review its implementation after studying its impact on all sectors across the board. However he was confident of the implementation's positive outcome that was part of the government's economic transformation programme to generate a high income economy by 2020. Earlier he said lauded the department in Sarawak for its efficiency and role in maintaining industrial harmony to come up with a win-win stituation that saw 876 workers being retrenched by Sanmina Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd here a few months ago being paid a total sum of RM2.8 million in compensation by the management. He said the impact of the global economic crisis had forced some big multinational companies to take drastic measures by closing down their business in the country in order to reduce their operating costs. Currently Malaysia registered a workforce of about 14 million, with nearly 800 trade unions, including 1.1 million workers in Sarawak, he said. — Bernama  To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.  |
| RTM mengkang pilih rayat ngulihka <b>berita</b> enggau penerang <b>...</b> Posted: 11 Dec 2013 01:41 PM PST SIBU: Pemansang teknologi pemadah enggau penyambung (ICT) kemaya hari tu enda nekul RTM mengkang dipilih rayat kelebih agi ba menua pesisir ngulihka penemu tauka berita enggau penerang ke baru. Sekretari Politik Kepala Menteri Abu Seman Jahwie madah, RTM megai tanggungpengawa ke besai nyadika jematan nyadung sereta ngerekaika program enggau pelin pemansang perintah ngagai rayat. "Mensia mayuh mengkang ngandalka RTM alai ngulihka berita nyengkaum berita ari serata dunya," ku iya madah ngagai pengarang berita ba RTM Sibu ditu, kilah ensana. Abu Seman ti mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Jemoreng ngarapka RTM ulih ngangkatka agi tikas pemanah servis ngagai rayat menua pesisir. Pekara tu ku iya beguna bendar ngambika rayat ba menua pesisir enda tinggal penerang, penemu tauka berita baru. Ba pengerami nya, Abu Seman bisi nyuaka pemeri RM2,000 ngagai Kelab Rekreasi RTM Sibu dikena bejalaika program sida. Berebak enggau nya, manijar RTM Sibu Albert Menteri Tudin madah, RTM semampai bekunda deka ngenyemakka diri enggau rayat menua pesisir ngambika sida semampai nitihka berita ninting hari. Sebedau nya, Abu Seman begulai enggau raban RTM Sibu besaup meresi laman RTM Sibu. RTM Sibu deka ngintu penumbuh Ke-39 kena 13 enggau 14 Disember tu enggau macham bengkah program pemerindang. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Can BURSA sustain its momentum to move higher in 2014 <b>...</b> Posted: 14 Dec 2013 01:44 PM PST by Adrian Lim bizhive@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 15, 2013, Sunday
Analysts and market observers have mixed reactions on the outlook for the equities market for next year but believe that there is still room for the FBM KLCI to move higher especially until the first quarter of 2014 (1Q14) amid a challenging and volatile market. However, the potential upside movement of the FBM KLCI could be limited due to several reasons which include among others quantitative easing (QE) by the US, rising interest rates environment and 'expensive' valuations of listed companies in the FBM KLCI. With the US widely expected to reduce its bond purchases, a process known as QE to stimulate the economy, as the economy is showing signs of recovery, US funds investing overseas especially in emerging markets might reduce their holdings of financial securities in emerging markets and shift their money back to the US economy. This could mean capital outflow from emerging markets, including Malaysia by US funds back to their home country to invest in US Treasuries or bonds in anticipation of interest rates going up. For the prospects of Bursa Malaysia in 2014, JF Apex Research head Lee Chung Cheng said "Basically, we are positive for 2014 market outlook amid volatility anticipated in the 1Q14 as we expect QE tapering to occur as early as March whereby portfolio rebalancing could unsettle emerging markets. "We believes investors will finally recognise that positive economic indicators shown by US which prompt the QE tapering is indeed 'good' news for the equity market. "Investors need to accept the fact that market will ultimately be propelled by fundamentals premised on improving US economy and corporate earnings instead of addicted to liquidity which finally leads to asset bubbles," he said. Hong Leong Investment Research in a report opined that investors should not fear the start of the QE tapering as it means there will be higher certainty of growth in the US. The research firm believed that the situation should benefit equity given that among the various investment classes, equity is by far still the best investment instruments riding on the economic growth. It said " Given our expectations of a synchronised global growth on the back of a more sustainable US recovery, we prefer growth stocks over yield and investors should look beyond the potential US 'noises' to position for 2014," the research firm said. The research firm advised investors to 'look' beyond the US 'noises' and take volatility created as opportunity. On the other hand, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd research firm's (MIDF Reseach) equity, strategy head Syed Muhammed Kifni Syed Kamaruddin said "For 2014, we expect earnings of companies in the FBM KLCI to grow by about 10 per cent year-on-year. "Nonetheless, we reiterate our 2014 year-end target for FBM KLCI of 1,900 points, which is mere 5.5 per cent higher than our current year-end target of 1,800 points. "This rather conservative upside target for next year is premised on the potential headwind from liquidity outflow pursuant to the upcoming QE3 tapering, with actual commencement anticipated in 1Q14," he said. Lee of JF Apex Research said "We opine that equity valuation will regress to mean (average) upon the start of QE tapering in 2014. "Thus, our end of 2014 FBM KLCI target of 1,890 points is pegged at 14.7 times forward price-to-earnings multiples, which is in line with it mean," he added. Hong Leong Investment Research forecasted that the FBM KLCI would reach 1,910 points by the end of 2014, deriving the figure using historical average one -year forward price over earnings of 14.71 times and assuming that the benchmark valuation is close to its historical average. Higher liquidity and foreign funds outflow in 2014 Meanwhile, MIDF Research in a 2014 Market Outlook report highlighted the significance of managing the risk of foreign capital outflow for next year. It observed that a substantial amount of foreign capital has been withdrawn from emerging markets in 2013. It said for Indonesia and Thailand, the amount of outflow for 2013 had exceeded the amount of inflow. "For Malaysia, an estimated (amount) of US$3.66 billion or more than RM11 billion had exited the stock market from March 21 to November 8 (this year). "Yet, the remaining amount of foreign liquidity in the system remained high," it said. The research firm estimated that the balance of foreign funds remaining in Malaysia to be about US$12.1 billion or RM37.9 billion as at November 8. It observed that the flow of foreign portfolio capital into Malaysia's equity market had peaked in early May 2013. Subsequently, it noted that there were two instances of sharp withdrawals of foreign funds, once in June, when the US Federal Reserve signaled that it might reduce its asset purchases and another in August, when Fitch Ratings downgraded the rating of Malaysia's sovereign debt outlook. MIDF Research observed that those two significant events have caused the FBM KLCI to pull back steeply. On hindsight, MIDF Research projected that in the event of a worst case scenario, a sudden withdrawal of RM38 billion of foreign funds might cause the FBM KLCI to lose 380 points. In addition, the research firm expected any major foreign selling in emerging markets to also happen simultaneously with some portfolio rebalancing and asset reallocation by funds. The research firm also noted that one of the most defining developments which it believes will shape up market trend is the recovering economies in the West. It expected the development to present more risk and greater volatility in the financial markets of emerging economies. Risks and the possibility of interest rates hike Besides the possibility of QE tapering by the US, emerging markets will also have to deal with an environment whereby interest rates are on the rise as a result of higher inflationary pressure from food and fuel prices. JF Apex Research Lee said "While we reckon that the low interest rate cycle might be over and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) would start to lift the overnight policy rate (OPR) in 2014, we do not expect the benchmark rate to spike up in a drastic manner, at most 25 to 50 basis points. "We believe BNM would still want to maintain an accommodative monetary policy for 2014 economic growth as well as monitoring the impact of rate hike in relation to alarming household debt, which is currently at 83 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), one of the highest in Asia," Lee noted. Hong Leong Investment Research economist Sia Ket Ee in a report said "The slightly better growth prospect coupled with the higher inflation will put BNM on tightening bias for 2014. "More importantly, the recent divergence between household loan and deposit growth already highlighted that interest rates on the ground are no longer in equilibrium (balance). "We believe that BNM's hands are tight now given the uncertainty of external outlook. "We expect BNM to hold OPR steady at three per cent in the first half of 2014 as it weighs the impact of a contractionary Budget (2014) against the pass-through effect from collective subsidy removals. "However, the monetary bias for the second half of 2014 is tilted towards slight tightening, with a hike of 25 basis points in the OPR to 3.25 per cent. "We believe that a mild hike of 25 basis points will still put the monetary policy in an accommodative mode," he said. Valuations of earnings for companies in the FBM KLCI at the high end? Apart from that, valuations of companies on Bursa Malaysia particularly in the FBM KLCI is considered 'expensive' and have reach the top end of the valuation cycle. Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd head Pong Teng Siew believed that the current price-to-earnings multiples of the FBM KLCI at 16 times is at the top end of the valuation. Contrary to the expectations of most analysts, he opined that the FBM KLCI has a higher chance of correcting as opposed to trend higher due to heightening level of risks. "Currently, the FBM KLCI is trading on price-to-earnings multiples of about 16 times. "That is not cheap. The more likely scenario for the movement of the FBM KLCI is bias towards the downside as valuations approach the far end of the range looking at the period of the cycle between 2006 to 2013," he said. Pong noted that if the FBM KLCI retracts, it will also affects second and third liners counters listed on Bursa Malaysia. He foresees that there are still risks to growth especially on the global economy with the US economy still in fragile condition and the European economies have yet to get out of the woods. Pong pointed out that the US economic data for the third quarter of 2013 which was released recently was not very impressive as the production of goods does not transfer into better consumption and sales. As for the outlook of 2014, he expects bond prices will fall and the long term yield to go up when the US begins its QE process adding that the US Dollar will also strengthen while emerging markets currencies are expected to weaken. As for the Ringgit, Pong observed that it is also expected to depreciate but, with Malaysia's exports competitiveness and trade accounts surpluses, these could provide support for the movement of the currency in the near term. Nevertheless, despite the higher risk, there are opportunities for investors and traders to make money in a volatile and challenging market conditions for next year. Sectors to focus in 2014 Generally, analysts are bullish on oil and gas, power and the construction sectors for next year. Hong Leong Investment Research opined that "Among sectors, with slower domestic consumption growth and rising cost (from subsidy reduction), oil and gas and gaming are the sectors with high growth certainty and positive outlook. "Other sectors which have growth potential are facing sector specific issues which may warrant a more neutral prospects," it said. JF Apex Research said "Currently, we are positive on sectors such as oil and gas and construction.
"For plantation, we see limited downside risk to plantation counters with crude palm oil (CPO) prices expected to recover gradually towards the first half of 2014 and higher production upon 2014 from Indonesian estates. "We are cautiously optimistic on the property sector due to policy risk as we expect more property curbs coming on stream such as banning of Developer's Interest Bearing Scheme (DIBS), potential hike in Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) and restrictions on foreigners investing properties in Iskandar Malaysia by the Johor government. "Sectors to avoid are consumer and real estate investment trust (REIT). "We reckon that consumer sector would be negatively impacted by the lower disposable income of the 'rakyat' pursuant to the potential subsidy rationalisation, tobacco tax increase, electricity tariff hike and the introduction of goods and services tax (GST). "Whilst REIT offers average four to five per cent dividend yield, investors could view it unattractive as compared with rising yield of risk-free assets coupled with refinance risk as most of the Malaysian REITs are committed in short-term borrowings," it said. As for MIDF Research, it said the government forecasts construction GDP growth to be nine per cent in 2014, the highest among economic sectors. The research firm observed that from the private sector commitments and the budgets of the Federal and State governments, we expect job flow to remain strong in 2014, lifting contractor's orderbook. "We estimate a combined total projects to be awarded next year to be worth more than RM60 billion. "We also expect overseas jobs of more than RM6 billion next year," it noted. Stocks to Observe in 2014 As for stocks that are good for investment, MIDF Research favours a portfolio of stocks which has good earnings track records, good earnings growth potential and trading at attractive valuations. Therefore, it outlined 10 companies which meets its valuations criterias for investment in 2014. The research firm is positive on Faber Group Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Glomac Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd (SapuraKencana), Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), Sime Darby Bhd, TH Plantation Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd. For JF Apex Research, Lee said "Our top picks under coverage are SapuraKencana, IJM Corporation Bhd (IJM Corporation), TM, IOI Corporation Bhd and Pantech Group Holdings Bhd. "In respect of thematic trading, we prefer water-related stocks such as Engtex Group Bhd which could gain from the spillover effect of the resolution of Selangor water impasse and revival of pipe-laying programme to reduce non-revenue water. "As for timber players, we are bullish on Ta Ann Holdings Bhd, WTK Holdings Bhd and Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd as they are going to benefit from the recovery of the Japanese housing market," Lee observed. As for Hong Leong Investment Research, it prefers stocks specific which are able to stand out among its peers and have individual catalysts. Those include companies which focus on growth and budget beneficiaries as well as reforms or structural changes as well as companies that are able to gain from interest rate hike. The research firm said its selection for 2014 are Brahim's Holdings Bhd, DRB Hicom Bhd, Genting Bhd, IJM Corporation, Maybank, Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd, Pharmaniaga Bhd, Scomi Energy Services Bhd, SapuraKencana, Sunway Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and TM. Would large capitalisation listings in 2014 stir interest and lend support for Bursa Malaysia? The performance of majority companies which was listed on Bursa Malaysia in the fourth quarter of 2013 (4Q13) has far exceeded analysts' expectations. According to information obtained from Bursa Malaysia, most companies which was listed on Bursa Malaysia in 4Q13 have enjoyed double and triple-digits gains for their share prices except for Westports Holdings Bhd and Titijaya Land Bhd. For instance, the performance of the share price of Berjaya Auto Bhd (Berjaya Auto) which was listed on November 18 with an initial public offering (IPO) price of 70 sen per share has been the most outstanding listing of the year. The share price of Berjaya Auto has soared by about 140 per cent, closing at RM1.68 as at December 13 since its listing. Given the positive responses to new listings in 4Q13 and several large capitalisation listings coming up such as Medini Iskandar Malaysia Bhd, Malakoff Bhd, 1Malaysia Development Bhd's power assets and Icon Offshore Bhd, could the positive sentiments in 4Q13 spillover to next year and bring a vibrant market to Bursa Malaysia in 2014? HwangDBS Investment Bank Bhd director/equity capital markets head Sherilyn Foong believes that new listings next year will perform well if the equity market remains supportive. "The IPO market for next year could do well and the momentum could be sustained assuming the equity markets hold up as new listings are market and pricing driven," she said. She observed that new listings in 4Q13 performed well due to scarcity of primary listings for the year. Lee of JF Apex Research said "We also expect a more vibrant fund raising exercises especially in the second half of 2014. "This is due to improving market sentiment as few significant IPOs are lining up for listings next year as compared with 2013," he observed. In contrast, Pong is less optimistic for new listings in 2014 unless market players are able to attract large institutional funds to subscribe for the shares. "Normally, for large capitalisations listings, market players need to pull-in enough foreign interest and institutional investors for the floatation of shares. "As in the past several months, foreign funds have been net sellers on Bursa Malaysia," he observed. Therefore, with foreign funds gradually exiting the financial market in Malaysia and the possibility of US tapering next year, Pong is neutral for new listings in 2014. What to expect in 2014?
Given that the risk of investment has increased especially from the external environment, investors have been advised to focus on companies which have steady growth potentials and sound fundamentals. Sectors that are likely to benefit are oil and gas, power and construction. With more contracts awards in the oil and gas industry and various construction projects such as the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Line 2 and several highways projects in the pipeline, this will spur the earnings of the companies which will be given the contracts. Moreover, with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, some of the hospitality, consumer and aviation services providers are expected to benefit from more spending by tourists as the government embarked on several events to promote the tourism industry. Among them are Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and AirAsia Bhd. Towards the end of next year as the economy is on firmer footing with measures and policies in place to support growth, the FBM KLCI could see renewed interest and bargain hunting for undervalued stocks among institutional investors. Technically, TA Research chartist Stephen Soo in a report said, "Given the resilience of the current uptrend, we are upgrading our projections for the FBM KLCI to move higher towards a worse case upside of 1,891 points by February 2014 before reversing into a correction mode. "Our base case upside would be a peak of 1,995 points by July 2014 prior to pullback which may enter another wave of correction well into 2015. "We are neutral on the FBM KLCI and we retain 2014 year end target at 1,910 points based on 2015 price-to-earnings of 15.4 times," he said. Hence, the research firm recommended investors to buy on dips with a view to sell on strength as the FBM KLCI is expected to sustain the final leg of an uptrend prior to correction. Its top 10 preferable equities for 2014 are Maybank, Tenaga, Sime Darby, IOI Corp, AMMB Holdings Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, MISC Bhd, UEM Sunrise Bhd and Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Enda ngeleda udah bekau bebadi ngena mutosikal – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Posted: 15 Dec 2013 08:55 AM PST KUCHING: Seiku nembiak lelaki ke beumur 12 taun enda ngeleda setegalka bedarah dalam untak udah bekau labuh ari motosikal ke ditepan iya lemai ensanus semak Sungai Maong ditu. Nembiak lelaki nya nepan mutosikal enggau aya iya umur 20 taun urung pukul 7.00 malam. Lebuh penyadi nya seduai dalam pejalai ngagai kedai leban deka meli CD game. Tang enda memukai seduai dilantak sebuah kerita ke benung surut pansut ari tempat paking dia. Ku aya iya, lepas nya, anak buah nya madahka nadai nenama lalu seduai pulai di Taman Genesis di Matang ngena mutosikal nya. Datai di rumah tudah madahka deka ngenatka diri lalu terus tinduk ba peninduk iya. Beberapa jam udah nya seiku ari sida sebilik bisi nyenguk lalu tetemuka tudah pedis nyintak seput. Iya ditemu enda ngeleda ke alai sida lalu bekangauka ambulans ke mai iya ngagai Sepital Besai Sarawak (HUS) ngambika diperubat. Asil ari buntas tasat nya tetemuka untak iya bedarah setegal bebadi nya. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Festive joy in the rain - The Borneo Post Online Posted: 14 Dec 2013 02:39 PM PST Posted on December 15, 2013, Sunday
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| Elderly pedestrian killed while crossing road - The Borneo Post Online Posted: 14 Dec 2013 02:36 PM PST by Gary Adit, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 15, 2013, Sunday KUCHING: An elderly pedestrian was killed after he was knocked down by a van while crossing Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub from Kubah Ria in Petra Jaya yesterday. The deceased was identified as 67-year-old Leman Awi from Tabuan Foochow. The incident happened around 11am shortly after Leman, who was still in his guard uniform, had visited Kubah Ria to purchase fresh meat, fruits and vegetables to bring home to his family. He is believed to be making his way towards a bus stand located across the busy Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub when he was struck by a passing van and killed on the spot. Police personnel were on hand to control the flow of traffic which was reduced to a crawl following the accident. The body of the deceased was later sent to Sarawak General Hospital where family members and relatives were waiting to claim it for burial. << Previous Entry - Next Entry >> To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
As the movement of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) has been showing signs of continuous strength, staying above the 1,800 points level recently, will 2014 be a good year for investment?
"Neutral with positive bias on plantation, telecommunication and the property sector.
As a whole, 2014 could be a year of selective investment with increased risk and higher volatility in the equity market particularly in the first half of 2014.
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