Zi Liang Wee
Hailing from the island of Penang, Zi Liang studied political economy at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a BA in 2014. He went on to earn the Master of Economic Management from Universiti Sains Malaysia. As a proud disciple of Daisaku Ikeda, Zi Liang firmly believes in the critical role of ASEAN and other multilateral organizations in advancing world peace and prosperity.
Vietnam’s GDP growth forecast robust for 2020
Vietnam could expect a GDP growth rate of 6.76 percent this year, according to the National Center for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast (NCIF) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. How much the Vietnamese economy could pull ahead, however, would largely depend on the global...
Moody’s assigns first-time issuer rating of B3 to Laos
American credit rating agency Moody’s has given a B3 rating with a positive outlook to the Government of Laos, citing the country’s high economic growth potential. However, the rating agency pointed out that the country’s weak executive institutions, limited transparency, and small economy could be...
MACC reveals audio recordings involving former M’sian premier Najib Razak
Last Wednesday (Jan 8), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) released nine audio recordings involving the nation’s former premier Najib Razak. MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya denounced the recordings as a “criminal conspiracy at the highest level.” The conversations in the 45-minute audio recordings took place...
Malaysia offers to help fight Australia bushfires
Malaysia has offered to help Australia combat its deadly bushfires, which have killed at least 24 people and a billion animals. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the assistance includes deploying the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance...
U Mobile and StarHub to conduct world’s first 5G SA roaming trials
Malaysia’s U Mobile and Singapore’s StarHub have announced on Monday (Dec 30) that they will be conducting one of the world’s first 5G standalone (5G SA) roaming trials. The 5G SA roaming trials will be carried out solely on 5G without relying on existing 4G...
IMF forecasts solid growth amid risks for Myanmar
Myanmar’s economy is thriving but curbed by uncertainty ahead of next year’s general elections and softer private demand, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF economists holding annual Article IV consultations in Myanmar reiterated warnings made last April that “risks are tilted to the...
‘Najib ordered me to kill Altantuya’
Convicted murderer Azilah Hadri claimed that he was ordered to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006 by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and the latter’s close associate Abdul Razak Baginda. Azilah filed a statutory declaration on Oct 17, and news site Malaysiakini reported it yesterday....
Philippine central bank pauses rate cuts on benign inflation
The Philippine central bank on Thursday held interest rates steady at its last monetary policy meeting for the year due to a positive domestic growth outlook and within-target inflation. The Monetary Board of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) maintained the interest rate on the BSP’s...
Goldman 1MDB fine could be below US$2 billion
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. could pay under US$2 billion to settle US probes over its role in raising money for scandal-plagued Malaysian investment fund 1MDB, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing three people familiar with the negotiations. The US Justice Department and other federal agencies are...
Thailand’s fragrant rice falls behind peers’
Failure to win the World’s Best Rice award for two consecutive years has jolted Thailand—the home of the Hom Mali (jasmine) rice—to overhaul its research and development to catch up with the changing global demand for fragrant rice. Having won the World’s Best Rice Contest...
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Philippine Air Force Pilots Undertake Blackhawk Helicopter Training in Brunei
Better be ready than sorry. The Philippine Air Force pilots are currently on rigorous flight training in Brunei. The exercise will enhance their skills...
Cambodia Human Trafficking: Job Recruitment Serves as Front to Lure Victims
Several people worldwide lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Due to this, there are also a lot of unscrupulous people who take advantage...
Indonesian Sanctuary Releases Saved Bottlenose Dolphins from Captivity
An Indonesian sanctuary released three bottlenose dolphins after rescuing them in 2019 from captivity in a resort hotel. Johnny, Rocky and Rambo swim into...