Sustainable Development and Worldviews

Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Bhd (PLUS) is owned by Khazanah (51%) and EPF (49%).[1] PLUS' 2018 revenue was RM3.83 billion, with after-tax loss of RM93.53 million. Even with debt of more than RM30 billion, PLUS' cash flow remains very strong and its operation profitable, so much so that 4 private companies have expressed interest to buy over PLUS. The bidders were very keen over PLUS that they were competing to outbid each other by raising their offering price, with some went as high as 30% more than the initial RM5.2 billion.[2] EPF's 49% share in PLUS also works out well for the pension fund, ensuring high dividends that benefit retirees. In 2017 and 2018, PLUS paid out a total of RM1.15 billion dividends to shareholders. Profit from the concessionaire had improved Rakyat's retirement security.[3]  With regards to the extension, EPF chief executive officer Tunku Alizakri Raja Muhammad Alias remarked, "This decision is a clear indication the g...

Earlier last year, 22 economists projected Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) to be 4.3%.[1] By the second quarter, our GDP hit 4.9%, surprising the market and outperforming economist expectation.[2] For the overall 2019 economic gain, the RAM Ratings fixed their estimation at 4.6%, corresponding to the projection by Malaysian Institute of Economic Research and the World Bank.[3] This number still outperformed the 4.3% projected by said 22 economists. For 2020, several readings indicate that Malaysia’s GDP will be in the realm of 4.3% to 4.8%.[4] Will Malaysia under Pakatan Harapan be able to pull through another economic surprise in 2020, outperforming expectation? Global economy is currently affected by the escalated tension in the middle east. Coupled with the uncertainty of US-China trade war, the market remains volatile and investors are cautious. Political instability stemmed from local racial unrest and rising extremist threat will further erode traders’ confidence in ...