Edaran Terhad

●22hb Disember 2016●

Disusun oleh Perpustakaan, UPP

Berita B irin

2 2 DEC 2016

n f t a u i s s e nVJL- I I I I I 21 Disember 2016

J jarga di pasaran getah Ma- iaysia pulih daripada penu-

runan semalam untuk ditutup tinggi atas sokongan harga minyak yang bertam bah baik berserta kelemahan ringgit ber- banding dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang paeningkatkan per- mintaan terhadap komoditi itu, kata peniaga.

Momentum meningkat dalam pasaran tem patan itu sejajar dengan pasaran serantau lain;

Pada tengah hari, harga fizikal rasmi Lembaga Getah Malaysia bagi gred tayar SMR 20 meningkat 15 sen kepada RM8.82 sekilogram manakala susu getah pukal menokok satu sen kepada RM6.40 sekilogram.

Harga penutup tidak rasmi pada 5 petang bagi gred tayar SMR 20 naik 17.5 sen kepada RM8.86 sekilogram manakala susu getah pukal meningkat 4.5 sen kepada RM6.43 sekilogram.

BERNAMA

The Star

RUBBER 2 ? DEG 2016KUALA LUMPUR L -■

Prices on the Malaysian robber market reversed Tuesday losses to close higher on the back of better oil prices coupled with a weaker ringgit against US dollar that boosted demand for the commodity, a dealer said.

The upward momentum in the local market moved in tandem with the regional peers.

The benchmark rubber futures market on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange rose more than two

Ber cent today, contributed by a weaker yen against S dollar and firmer oil prices.On supply, the dealer said it would remain tight

in the coming weeks as output in major rubber pro­ducing countries was still disrupted by the pro­longed rainy season. ,

At noon, the Malaysian Rubber Board's official physical price for tyre-grade SMR 20 increased IS sen to 881.5 sen a kg while latex-in-bulk added, a sen to 640 sen a kg. The unofficial closing price at S pm for tyre-grade SMR 20 was 17.5 sen better at 885.5 sen a kg while latex-in-bulk gained 4,5 sen to 642.5 sen a kg. - BemamaSMR PRICES FROM MRS IN SEN A KILO: DEC 21_____________Offer Price Noon sell Closing sell

Sen/Kg US Cents/Kg Sen/Kg US Cents/KgSMR CV 989.00 224.05 993.00 224.95SMR L 950.50 215.35 954.00 216.15SMR 5 893.50 202.40 897.50 203.35SMR GP 890.50 201.75SMR 10 883.50 200.15 887.50 201.05SMR 20 881.50 199.70 885.50 200.60CENTRIFUGED LATEX - LOCAL PRICE (ISO 2004) IN MALAYSIANSENZKG(WET)Offer Price Noon sell Closing sellLatex in bulk 640.00 642.50Note: Effective from Jan 2, 2014, MRB will publish only the sellers'offer price.

FARM GATE LATEX PRICE:Latex CuplumpLow High Low High

(sen/kg) (sen/kg)Peninsular 680.00 800.00 344.00 382.00Sabah' 725.00 725.00 325.00 390.00Sarawak - - 250.00 378.00

US$Low High

Sabah 345,00 415.00Sarawak 310.00 585.00Source: Malaysian Rubber Board

AT A GLANCECOMMODITIES (DEC 21) _____________________________

Tin (per tonne) US$20,950 unchGold (per gramme) RM157.84 +RM0.06CPO Futures (per tonne) jan RM3.154 +RM31US$ CPO Futures (per tonne) US$704.00Rubber (per kg) SMR 20 881.50 sen +15 senLatex 640.00 sen +1 senDEC 20Nymex Oil jan (per barrel) US$52.23 +-US$0.11

EXCHANGE RATE The S tar 2 2 DEC 2015Bank Negara's best available quotations by commercial banks of Kuala Lumpur at 5pm on Dec 21, 2016 UNITS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY PER UNIT OF MALAYSIAN RINGGIT_______________________________________________

Buying OD Selling ODUS dollar: 0,2231 0,2234Sterling: 0.1809 0.1812Singapore dollar: 0.3223 0,3227Yen 100: 26.2405 26.2877Euro: 0.2145 0.2148Chinese Renminbi: 1.5504 1.5526Ringgit Malaysia per foreign currency

OPENING RATES BY MAYBANK ON DEC 21, 2016____________

SELLING BUYING BUYINGTT/OD TT OD

1 US Dollar............................... 4.5340 4.4190 4.40901 Australian Dollar.................... 3.305q 3.2020 3.18601 Brunei Dollar......... ................ 3.1460 3.0490 3.04101 Canadian Dollar....................... 3.3970 3.2990 3.28701 Euro...........................................4.7200 4.5830 4.56301 New Zealand Dollar................ 3.1620 3.0390 3.02301 Papua N Guinea K ina............. 1.5390 1.2860 1.27001 Singapore Dollar..................... 3.1455 3.0490 3.04101 Sterling Pound......................... 5.6010 5.4650 5.44501 Swiss Franc..............................4.4080 4,2950 4.2800100 UAE Dirham..................... 125.2600 118.5100 118.3100100 Bangladesh Taka................. 5.8220 5,4910 5.2910100 Danish Krone..................... 65.2500 59.9100 59.7100100 Hongkong Dollar............... 59,2400 56.0600 55.8600100 Indian Rupee....................... 6.8090 6.3800 6.1800100 Indonesian Rupiah...............0.0351 0,0316 0.0266100 Japanese Yen....................... 3.8610 3.7330 3.7230100 Norwegian Krone.............. 53.6500 49.2500 49.0500100 Pakistan Rupee................... 4.4200 4.1300 3.9300100 Philippine Peso.................... 9.2400 8.6800 8.4800100 Qatar R i y a l .................. 126.0100 119.8600 1 19.6600100 Saudi Riy a I ....................... 122,4400 116.2300 116.0300100 South Africa Rand............. 33.4300 30.7600 30.5600100 Sri Lanka Rupee.................. 3.1500 2.8700 2.5700100 Swedish Krona.................. 50.1600 45.5900 45.3900100 Thai Baht.............................13.4500 11,3900 10.9900

2 2 DEC 2016

CUEPACS terus perjuang isu kos sara hidup

A z i h o leh Mohd Zulk ifli hidup yang semaMn meningkat. Pada konvensyen itu, Azih ber-Z a in u d d in “Kalau mereka beli rumah, ke- I T Ip} jaya mengekalkan kerusi Presiden

m e n e u k u h k a n mohd,zulkifli@bh.com.my reta atau motosikal, kadar upah CUEPACS untuk penggal kedua ba-yang diteiima mereka tidak men- B a n y a k k o m it m e n y a n g S* sesi 2016-2019, selepas mene-

iP \ A / 3 t 3 n P r p c i r i p n * Kuala Lumpur cukupi termasuk perbelanjaan isi ___ t _____________i„t_ ^ waskan bekas Setiausaha AgungJd W d ld l I Itb lU C I I ----------------- ------------------------ n mr i i. perlu dltanggung oleh CUEPACS, Ahmad Shah Mohd Zinc p | p p j n c r j p Q p t ■ su kos sara hidup terus men- “Banyak konutmen yang perlu k a k i ta n g a n a w a m dengankelebihan694undi.

' S ■ jadi perjuangan Kongres Ke- ditanggung oleh kakitangan awam , tp r r n n s u k d a r i S a b a h Keputusan rasmi itu diumum-f ) Q A k P I p h i h p n ™ satuanPekerjaDalamPerkhid- termasukdari Sabah Sarawak, per- . . ... .. kan oleh Pengerusi Jawatankuasa

m matan Awam (CUEPACS) bagi me- lu dikaji semula kerajaan. Begitu S a r a w a k , p e r il ! d lk a jl Tetap Pengiraan Undi, Rohaizati j p r j ] m astik an k a k ita n g a n aw am jugaelaun merekakerana kos sara s e m u la k e r a ja a n . B e g ltU Hashim selepas pengundian dila-

dapat keluar daripada kumpulan hidup pada 14 tahun lalu banyak ■ . r. kukan lebih 1,201 perwakilan, kel-mudah miskin. , berubah berbanding sekarang. “ IdUn m e re K d marin.

Presidennya, Datuk Azih Muda, “Malah, semakan gaji penjawat k e r a n a k 0S S a ra h id u p Azih berkata, CUEPACS akan te-berkata dalam usaha itu, Majlis awam juga sudah lama tidak di- n a d a 1 4 t a h u n la lu 1115 menJadi entiti yang berbezaPerundingan Gaji Sektor Awam buat sejak 2005. Semakan ini pen- j' . , , , berbanding entiti lain dan akanperlu dibentuk supaya wujudnya ting kerana negara berhadapan pe- D3 n y a K D e ru b a h bergerak mengikut lunas tanpa di-sistem tawar-menawar antara pe- ningkatan kos sara hidup yang ke- b e r b a n d in g s e k a r a n g ” pengaruhi unsur luar.keija dan majikan berdasarkan tara sedangkan gaji kakitangan “Saya berharap perwakilan da-pencapaian mereka. awam masili pada tahap lama,” Azih Muda, lam kongres kali ini melihat secara

Katanya, kadar upah penjawat katanya selepas Konvensyen Kong- Presiden CUEPACS telus dan lebih mendalam menge-awam ketika ini dilihat sudah tidak res Tritahunan CUEPACS Ke-27 nai setiap isu yang dibincangkanseimbang dengan suasana kos sara yang berakhir semalam. bersama,” katanya.

2 2 DEC 2016

Transformasi baharu gerakan sekerja penjawat awami P'l — ."U *■ % [. *.11 .... Hl jt W-^T-^F^Pp^ HI . J j .II IL I Jt »'«.»**>*■* MU I I. JI) .4,. II 11-!■ I ll|H V.'Al U. M IJ J IJ .,. I P»1 III) KyUT t,"-!l \ ■' W> fl -# ■'M I J .^T1 ■?■• .■?»*■ ^ ■ 'J l-. mf» ». J lgJ»l l^-lJJ. . " ^ l1!. IJ IH.IJU LJU.I W {ft I fJim P.IHJ|. ■ ,MJ IH)»I| »«ft* , PW-f.* 'H "FlU j.l'U I ,P I -.1 ■ M ,» >

5 SC M sS icS Il Kejayaan Datuk Azih Muda mengekalkan kerusi Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja Daiam PerkhidmatanAwam (CUEPAC5) menunjukkan penyokongnya terus mengharapkan lebih banyak perubahan dan perjuangan yang dibawa kepada kakitangan awam seluruh negara. W artaw an BH, M a h d ZuSikifli

m (F,... ' Xaim idciln m e n g a ju to i Sima sra ia is kepada A z ih mengenai perancangannya daiam menerajuir ' i CUEPACS untuk penggal kedua.

" ^ - S: Bagaimana Datuk melihat supaya konsep ‘collective bar- j ini penting kerana negara berha- } yang perlu dibuat untuk mem-ifC, . iV /._ kejayaan dan sokongan yang gaining5 (tawar-menawar) dapat j dapan peningkatan kos sara hi- j baiki kadar upah kerana haki-' 4^: ''. diterima mengikut pencapa- dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan, j dup yang ketara sedangkan gaji ! kat sebcnarnya ketika ini, kita

. ian menggalas jawataji Presi- m ajikan dan pekerja. Akhirnya j kakitangan awam masih pada ta- j masih berada daiam keadaans f e den penggal lalu? kita akan dapat kebaikan her- \ hap lama. ' berpendapatan rendah. RakyatV - - . ■ -S^ v k Dengan m ajoriti 694 undi j sama. j di seluruh negara tidak mampu

berbanding tiga tahun lalu di- Kedua untuk memperjuangkan i S: Misi terpenting Datuk? | m em beli rumah. Kita nak pen-lihat pengiktirafan ahli dan | kadar Upah penjawat awam te- j 1: Misi kami adalah untuk mem- j jaw at awam meningkatkan pro-perwakilan CUEPAGS terhadap i rutama daiam berdepan suasana I bawa semua perkara yang di- | duktiviti dan prestasi tapi padausaha keras dilakukan kepada j kos sara hidup yang semakin me- ! rancang itu daiam tempoh tiga j masa sama, kehidupan merekamereka yang diberi m andat da- j ningkat dan cabaran sama ada ia j tahun supaya kerajaan boleh . kita bela.lam sesi lalu sehingga banyak j (kadar) mampu dibawa masuk ke j mendengar, beri perhatian danperubahan berlaku. Kejayaan j tahun 2020 apabila negara di- j paling penting bukan setakat j S: Nasihat kepada penjawatini adalah transformasi baharu [ jangka mencapai tahap negara j berurusan tapi kita m ahu du- awam?kepada gerakan sekerja dan ke- ] maju. S duk dan m em buat keputusan I J: Kita nasihatkan penjawatm atangan ahli serta kepimpi- Ketiga, kita minta kerajaan \ bersam a berkaitan Majlis Pe- j awam supaya fokus kepada tu~nan kita daiam m enentukan j melihat banyak perkara komit- j rundingan Gaji sektor awam j gas dan tanggungjawab mereka.wadah dan hala tu ju bagi me- j men yang perlu ditanggung oleh I ini. Seperti m ana dasar peru- j Apa yang berlaku daiam per-m astikan mereka m endapat j kakitangan awam, termasuk Sa- j mahan, kita m ahu kerajaan | khidmatan awam. tidak bolehpem belaan pada masa akan da- j bah dan Sarawak. Begitu juga ki- j campur tangan daiam m enentu j dibawa keluar, atau membocor-taijg, ta m elihat daii segi elaun yang ; harga rumah. Ketika ini, harga j kan rahsia kerajaan. Jika ia ber-

sudah lama tidak dikaji kerana j rum ah ditentukan pasaran. j laku. kita anggap integriti me- S: Apa perancangan baharu kos sara hidup 14 tahun lalu ba- j Oleh itu, sudah tiba masanya I reka sudah tercemar. Disebab-Datuk selepas ini? j nyak berubah berbanding seka- j kerajaan campur tangan me- j kan itu, kita minta merekal: Daiam masa terdekat, CUE- rang. j nentukan harga supaya rumah | menjaga integriti supaya akhir-PACS memfokuskan beberapa Terakhir, adalah semakan gaji j mampu dibeli oleh penjawat j nya menjadi pekeija cernerlang.perkara utama yang m enjadi yang sudah lama tidak dibuat. Se- awam. j Kalau keija ‘cernerlang, mudah-harapan penting kepada kera- j hingga kini, tiada lagi skim ba- | lah CUEPACS membawa isu

j jaan . Pertama kita sudah beri- j ham untuk menggantikan gaji 5: Apa lagi yang kerajaan be- j penjawat awam kepada keraja-tahu kerajaan supaya Majlis Pe- j yang dicadang daiam skim Saraan j Ium laku kan kepada kakita- j an supaya mempertimbangkanrundingan Gaji sektor awam di- j Barn Perkhidmatan Awam (SBPA) j ngan awam? j mana-mana tuntutan pekeijabentuk kerana kita harapkan j yang sudah dibatalkan. Semakan. j J: Banyak lagi penam bahbaikan j awam.

Befits Hariftn

2 2 DEC 2016

Terbitan sekuriti kerajaan 2017 diunjur RMllObR A M Rating Services Bhd (RAM “Jumlah terbitan kasar korpo- baharu ke dalam pasaran dan babitkan hala tuju kadar faedah mencerminkanjumlah pengaliranRatings) m enjangkakan terbitan rat pula RM81.4 bilion bagitempoh institusi sedia ada, terutam a en- Amerika Syarikat (AS) apabila keluar bagi bulan berkenaan.sekuriti kerajaan bagi tahun depan Januari hingga November 2016 dan titi berkaitan utiliti dan pengang- pelabur terpaksa memilih antara Sejak pengumuman BNM, kata-berjum lah antara RM100 bilion ia menepati unjuran kami antara kutan membabitkan jum lah lebih meraih pulangan atau mengelak nya, tim bul spekulasi mengenaihingga RMllO bilion. RM75 bilion hingga RM85 bilion besar sepanjang tahun ini. risiko. kemungkinan kecairan pasaran

Dalam kenyataan sem alam , pada tahun ini. Ia juga menjangkakan terbitan Pasaran bon Malaysia turut hadapan tukaran asing dalamagensipenarafanituberkata,unju- "Kami dapati terbitan tahun kasar korporat bagi tahun penuh menyaksikan pengaliran keluar negara akan dipertingkatkan. ran itu mengambil kira keperluan ini lebih m em berangsangkan, akan mencecah RM75 bilion dan bersih RM19.9 bilion pada Novem- “Semua langkah ini, sebaha-pembiayaan kerajaan bagi tahun didorong oleh kedua-dua entiti RM85 bilion, berdasarkan terbitan ber lalu susulan kem enangan giannya bagi memperkukuhkandepan. swasta dan separa kerajaan de- yang dirancangkan. Presiden Donald Trump yang di ringgit, terbukti berjaya. Bagaima-

Bagi tempoh tahun ini setakat ngan peningkatan tahun ke ta- Iuar jangkaan serta mencetuskan napun, sehingga pasaran tukaranNovember lalu, terbitan kasar seku- bun masing-masing sebanyak Prestasi 2016 ketidaktentuan. asing dalam negara lebih kukuh,riti kerajaan mencecah RM92 bilion 9.1 peratus dan 83-3 peratus,” kata- Mengulas prestasi bagi 2016, RAM Malah, menurut RAM Ratings, kami menjangkakan penyertaan dan RAM Ratings m enjangka- nya. Ratings menyifatkan pasaran pen- langkah Bank Negara Malaysia pelabur asing dalam pasaran bonkan terbitan tahun penuh dalam RAM Ratings menyifatkan pe- dapatan tetap Malaysia sebagai (BNM) baru-baru ini untuk me- akan berkurangan bagi tempohlingkungan RM90 bilion hingga ningkatan mendadak terbitan lemalp sebahagiannya dipenga- ngekang dagangan ringgit di luar sekurang-kurangnya satu lagiRM100 bilion. separa kerajaan kepada terbitan ruhi oleh sentimen pasaran mem- pesisir juga berkemungkinan turut suku,” katanya. BERNAMA

TheStw 2 2J)EC 2016 -

Cl MB Research upgrades glove makers to 'overweight'Sector set for stronger earnings from favourable environmentPETALINGJAYA: Glove makers are poised to to strengthen further given the potential of three years is a concern, glove makers have record sequentially stronger earnings on further US Fed rate hikes and bond fund out- committed to taking preventive actions to improved supply-demand dynamics and a flows. mitigate any oversupply situation,more favourable operating environment due ‘This will lead to a more conducive envi- For instance, Top. Glove Corp Bhd, and to the weak ringgit. ronment for glove makers to operate in, in Hartalega Holdings Bhd have highlighted

CIMB Equities Research, which has upgrad- our view,” it said. plans to begin commercial production fromed the glove manufacturing sector to “over- The sharper depreciation of the ringgit their new lines on a more gradual basis, weight” as its risk-reward profile improves, against the US dollar compared with other depending on market supply-demand dynam- said the external environment with the glove producing countries will increase the ics.strengthening US dollar favours glove manu- competitiveness of Malaysia's glove sector. As for Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, itfacturers. “Hence, we expect a pick-up in glove may revamp its older lines, offsetting its new

“Ramp-up in capacity still a concern, but exports, leading to better supply-demand incoming capacity if the price competition glove makers have collectively stepped up dynamics,” it said. persists.efforts to stagger incoming new capacity to CIMB Research pointed out that after three ‘We believe the worst is over for the sector alleviate price competition. consecutive quarters of decline in average as the glove makers are poised to record

“Upgrade to ‘overweight’ on better sup- selling prices (ASPs) due to pricing competi- sequentially stronger earnings. Given the ply-demand dynamics and favourable US tion, ASPs for glove makers have started to improved supply-demand dynamics and a dollar,” it said in a report yesterday.. stabilise, with promising signs of a gradual more favourable operating environment due

CIMB Research said following the US presi- increase. to the weak ringgit, we upgrade the sector todential elections on Nov 8, the ringgit has “Although the bulk of the ASP increase ‘overweight’.significantly underperformed most regional from the recent uptick in latex prices, we “We think investors should focus on corn- currencies. expect glove makers to record margin expan- panies that are key beneficiaries of a strong

Overall, this is positive for glove manufac- sion as the net impact from the strengthen- US dollar, like Top Glove, turers given the export-orientated nature of mg US dollar offsets the increase in latex “We also like Supermax Corp Bhd for its the business and that over 90% of their prices.” relatively cheaper valuations versus its peers,receipts are in US dollar. It noted that although the sector’s aggres- Key downside risk to our call is the sharp

“Moving into 2017, we expect the US dollar sive capacity ramp-up over the next two to strengthening of the ringgit,” it added.

NUT

Rubber exporters laud assurance from JohariBOOST: Govt, private sector urged to work together to maintain competitiveness

new measures but assured that the central must use the same rate on spot or forward KUALA LUMPUR bank was seeking to facilitate capital flow and basis entered on the same day when ex-

not curb it. porters convert 75 per cent of their export

RUBBER exporters are relieved by Sec- “Bank Negara is flexible as far as the foreign earnings to ringgit and reconvert to US dollarond Finance Minister Datuk Johari Ab- exchange policy is concerned. If companies to fund their imports, dul Ghani’s assurance that Bank Ne- feel they are affected by these changes, Bank The central bank had also informed ex-

gara Malaysia will address exporters5 con- Negara is capable of handling them on a case- porters with open contracts denominated in cerns on a case-by-case basis. by-case basis,” the minister reportedly said foreign currencies to settle them by end-

“We are encouraged by the minister’s as- two days ago. March next year,surance that the central bank is taking a pro- “In the spirit of Malaysia Incorporated, "There is a misconception that-these fine-active stance and is open to constructive en- both the government and private sector must tuning measures mean that Bank Negara is gagement with exporters,” said Malaysian work together to remain competitive,” Low rolling back its new foreign exchange mea- Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association added. sures” said VCB Capital chief executive Mo-(Margma) president Denis Low Jau Foo yes- The central bank announced measures to hamad AmirMokhtar. “This is not true as theterday. enhance demand for the ringgit in the market measures are still intact and these are mere

“We look forward to Bank Negara lessening that became effective on December 5. fine-tunings steps.”the paperwork and the hassle that goes with Since then, several sections of the business Rubber glove manufacturers are key for-it. The international business environment is community have raised pertinent concerns eign currency earners for Malaysia as they very challenging,” said Low. on the implementation. collectively supply up to two-thirds of the

Johari reportedly said he anticipated an Following a series of meetings, Bank Ne- global supply. Last year, they raked in RM13.1 administrative impact with Bank Negara’s gara had clarified to exporters that bankers billion for the country.

San

'RCEP talks going well but there are challenges'- ^ ■ ■ ■ n C O iin tr l€ S m 20I7- Pressure onus t0 workharder.

The RCEP initiative aims to However, we have missed the: i j,U -V :iLO|iriy be an Asean-led process B KaffllFV' ' target because the target was

IV; CT’cK jV 'C ]V5vi r: lS-BwOTIS through which the io-nation 1 WRgM '?-' ambitious,” he added.Southeast Asian grouping will On recent measures

¥. V L'IJ The Regional broaden and deepen its hitroduced by Bank NegaraComprehensive Economic Partnership economic engagements with its Malaysia to stabilise the ringgit,(RCEP) trade deal under negotiation among free trade agreement partners. Mustapa said the central bank16 Asian countries is progressing well with “The Trans-Pacific has taken a prudent step tomembers having come forward to improve Partnership trade agreement, encourage exporters to use thetheir offers for market liberalisation. involving 12 countries, entailed local currency for their

International Trade and Industry five years of negotiations, JBeH transactions.Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohanied RCEP involving 16 countries,, “Times are tough and we are(plx) said, however, there are still some therefore, is more challenging,” not in a state of denial followingchallenges that have to be dealt with. said Mustapa. the impact of the US interest

“There is progress as well as challenges. RCEP negotiations, involving Asean and rates hike on emerging markets, not justRCEP members are committed to bridge Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea Malaysia,” he added,the gap among the 16 countries,” he said and New Zealand, started in November Early this month, the central bankduring a media luncheon organised by the 2012. introduced a series of measures to enhanceministry here yesterday. To date, Mustapa said, only two chapters the liquidity of the foreign exchange

Mustapa said negotiations are expected out of the total 20 chapters have been market The measures included theto be concluded by end-2017. He noted that concluded, including one related to small requirement that payment by residentthe countries will try to bridge the gaps in and medium enterprises, exporters for settlement of domestic tradeseveral areas, including the movement of “The leaders set the target for us to in goods and services to be made hilly ingoods, during rounds of meetings scheduled conclude the negotiations and that has put ringgit. - Bemama

RCEP still ". . . . 2 2 DEC 2016

finding it hard to wrap up FTA

Crunch time: Mustapa briefing the media on the country's trade and investment climate.

Officials have until 2017 to conclude negotiationsBy MERGAWATI ZULFAKARm e r ga@the star, com. my

Yes there isKUALA LUMPUR: After four * _ u , r u , - .years of negotiations, the 16 progress DUl lliecountries in the Regional p £ m jg S t i l l b i t ! Comprehensive Economic o r * ®Partnership are still having diffi- b e t w e e n A s e a n cullies to bridge the gap to wrap . t h a i r c i vup the Asean-led free trade deal. 1111=11 » I a

International Trade and n a r t n p r s Industry Minister Datuk SeriMustapa Mohamed admitted it Da(uk Se ■ Musta Mohamedwas chailengmg and hoped nego- _____________________________tjations can be wrapped up by the end of next year.

The 16 countries - Asean 10 thesamelevelasAseanplusl,” he and its six dialogue partners - told the media yesterday.Japan, India, China, New Zealand, With the Tl’PA’s fate now hang-Australia and South Korea - ing in the balance after US missed the deadline twice in 2015 President-elect Donald Trump and this year, threatened to pull the US out from

At the Asean Summit hi Laos in die deal, officials are under a lot of September, the ministers and pressure to wrap the RCEP up. officials were given another year Formally launched in 2012, to conclude their negotiations by RCEP is aimed at consolidating the 2017. FTAs between Asean and its dia-

Mustapa said among the 20 logue.partners to ease trade pro- chapters in the FTA, goods and cedures and boost the flow of services, competition and intei- trade and investment within the lectual property were the issues Asia Pacific region, that were tough to iron out. The 16 economies' combined

“Leaders are always ambi- output stood at US$22.7tril tious, this is the target set by them (RM99,7tril) in 2014, representing and it is good that they put pres- 28% of the world trade, sure on us. I must say there are Mustapa stressed that while all many challenges. Yes, there is 16 countries were committed to progress but the gap is still big RCEP, some of the issues agreed between Asean and their six part- upon at the ministerial level were ners, not translated when it came down

“Some countries involved in the to the official level.Trans Pacific Partnership want So far officials have held 16 RCEP ambitions to be dose to rounds of negotiations with the TPPA. last one in Indonesia two weeks

‘The ministers want RCEP to be ago. in between Asean plus 1 and They are expected to meet TPPA. again in Japan next February.

“We want RCEP to be better Mustapa also said the Cabinet than Asean plus 1 and we want to in its meeting yesterday had raise the level of ambition, given the go-ahead to Miti to hold

“Some countries are drinking negotiations for an FTA with there is no point having one if it is Iran.

UtOBftB

Rundingan perdagangan Malaysia-iran lulusOleh FADZIL ZAINOL A ion (RM l.76 trilion) setakat tahunekonomi@utusan.com.my f* * . 2015--------------------------------------------------- Kerajaan Islam Iran pada Jelas Mustapa lagi, nilai per-■ k u a la LUMPUR21 d is . Q P d e rh n n a dagangan antara Malaysia dan

leulxl seaernana. Iran seh jngga tahun lalu hanya

KABINET meluluskan cada- Jalinan ekonomi berjumlah sekitar AS$700 jutangan Kementerian Perda- b e r c 3Tr,n n e g a r a i tn m e n (RM3.13 bilion) dan mengang-gangan Antarabangsa dan S I S gap njjaj jtu terlalu kecil, antara

Industn (MITI) untuk memula- merupakan antara usaha lain disebabkan sekatan ekonomi

untuk meningkatkan tal?P S6'setelah sekatan ekonomi terha- perdagangan dengan “Diharapkan FTA itu mampudap negara itu dihentikan sejak negara-negara Islam." meningkatkan perdagangan Ma-aw5* ta^un inL , laysia. Misalnya, eksport minyak

Menteri Perdagangan Antara- sawit Malaysia ke Iran ketika inibangsa dan Industn, Datuk Sen MUSTAPA MOHAMED dikenakan cukai yang cukup ting-Mustapa Mohamed berkata, FTA Merited Perdagangan gi Jika cukai itu dapat dikurang-dengan Iran dianggap penting me- Antarabangsa dan Industri kan, ia akan membantu sektormandangkan negara yang mempu- sawit negara,” katanya.nyai populasi seramai 80juta orang saya dapat melihat kerancakan Beliau berkata, Iran merupa- kim giat membangunkan semula ekonomi yang berlaku. Dasar kita kan antara pengeksport minyak ekonominya, terutama dalam sek- adalah mahu mempelbagaikan terbesar dunia dan beberapa tor minyak dan gas (O&G). perdagangan. syarikat minyak dunia sedang

Katanya, walaupun Iran turut “Kerajaan Islam Iran pada berusaha untuk mendapat per- berdepan risiko tertentu tern- masa ini lebih sederhana. Jalinan niagaan di negara itu yang sepa- tama apabila berlaku peraiihan ekonomi bersama negara itu juga tutnyarnem beri peluang kepada tampuk pentadbiran Amenka merupakan antara usaha untuk Petroliam Nasional Bhd. (Petro- Syarrkat_ (AS), namun potensi meningkatkan perdagangan deng- nas).ekonomi negara berkenaan tidak an negara-negara Islam,” katanya “Sewaktu mengadakan per- boleh diabaikan kerana pelbagai $emasa sesi khasnya bersama me- jumpaan dengan m enteri-m en- negara dan syarikat kim berusaha dia tempatan di sini hari ini. teri mereka termasuk Menterimenembusi pasaran negara Asia Iran merupakan kuasa ekono- Minyaknya, Bijan Zanganeh,

. . . mi kedua terbesar di Asia Barat mereka memandang tinggi syari- Mesyuarat Kabmet han mi dan Afrika Utara (MENA) selepas kat Petronas yang sebelum ini

meluluskan cadangan MITI. Iran Arab Saudi. Menurut Bank Dunia, telah mempunyai operasi di Iran, mempunyai potensi yang besar, Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar Diharapkan Petronas kembali ke semasa ke sana pada Oktober Lalu (KDNK) Iran bernilai AS$393.7 bil- pasaran negara itu,” katanya.

U tu s a n

FTA Malaysia,Pakistan muktamad 2017Oleh NABILA YASMIN RAZIB stan telah ditandata-

KUALA LUMPUR 21D is. -^Maiay- dan ia merupakan per­

dagangan Bebas (FTA) antara. Pertubuhan Kerjasama

badanan Pembangunan Perda- I Malaysia terutamanyagangan Luar Malaysia (Matrade), fH B S B S t f " 3 H K 5 'daiam sektor pembi-Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud berkata, dzulkifli mahmud syeohassanraza naan, makarian danMalaysia dan Pakistan ketika ini . . ' minuman (F&B) sertasedang bem nding bagi pengu- tanya kepada pemberita pada perkhidmatan untuk menembusi rangan duti ke atas tarif .sedia ada majlis bual bicara perdagangan pasaran Pakistan, dan tarif tam bahan yang digaris- Matrade daiam menjalankan per- “PKS kita perlu memanfaatkan kan di bawah perjanjian tersebut, niagaan dengan Pakistan di sini perdagangan dua hala. Kami ber-

Beliau berkata, kedua-dua be- hari ini. _ harap untuk mengekalkan perda-lah pihak ingin m enam bah baik Yang turut hadir, Pesuruhjaya gangan antara kedua-dua negara perjanjian berkenaan dengan Tinggi Pakistan ke Malaysia, Syed di tengah-tengah cabaran ekono- mengambil kira beberapa elemen HassanRaza. _ mi sem asa ” katanya.baharu yang melibatkan perusa- Tambah Dzulkifli, lebih banyak Jum lah dagangan antara Ma- haan kecil dan sederhana (PKS). pengurangan duti ke atas tarif se- laysia dan Pakistan meningkat 6.2

“Sebagai contoh, bagaimana dia ada dan tarif-tarif tambahan peratus kepada RM5 bilion pada PKS tempatan boleh mengguna- juga dijangka dilaksanakan bagi 2015 berbanding tahun sebe- kan kelebihan yang ditawarkan memudahkan komuniti pernia- lumnya dengan eksport ke Pakis- dalam bidang pelaburan tertentu gaan Malaysia dan Pakistan. tan direkodkan sebanyak RM4.1di Pakistan dan sebaliknya,” ka- FTA antara Malaysia dan Paki- bilion.

Bciita Harlan

2 2 DEC 2016

Malaysia mahu meterai FTA dengan kerajaan Iran

© T i n d a k ^ n itu terhadap minyak sawit,” MengulasprestasidaganganOleh Ahm ad Fiesal katanya pada taklim at media secara menyeluruh, Mustapa

h p r i | H r lV r l Othm an mengenai tinjauan perdagan- berkata, 2016 terbukti menja-u K a ) a fsal@bh.com.my gandanpelaburanbagi2017,di di tahun getir bagi Malaysia

t l PI --------------------------------------------- Kuala Lumpur, semalam. dengan pertum buhan berke-Ltl l g r \ a L alaysia akan memu- Mustapa berkata, Iran ada- m ungkinan m enyederhanaH P e r a H CTOi n lakan rundingan per- lah pasaran terbesar dalam dan di bawah paras sasaranU cf g d I 1 g d I I ■ ™ M jan jian perdagangan kalangan negara Teluk dengan 2 hingga 3 peratus yang dite-H I IP h p Ip bebas (FTA) dengan Iran bagi 80 ju ta penduduk dan pena- tapkan bagi tahun itu.U u d I Id Id m em anfaatkan potensi per- rikan balik sekatan terhadap “Berdasarkan angka bagi

„ tum buhan perdagangan dua negara itu membuka peluang 10 bulan pertam a tahun ini,Ltrl U L a i l i d hala antara kedua-dua negara besar kepada banyak negara kita belum mencecah sasaran

■ I , •. sejak sekatan ke atas negara itu untukmenjalinhubunganper- 2 hingga 3 peratus berkenaan.m i n y a K S a w n ditarik balik, Januari lalu. dagangan. la (pertumbuhan) amat kecil.

Menteri Perdagangan Anta- “Pada awal tahun ini, kitarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Pengeluar terbesar menganggap sasaran itu seba-Seri Mustapa Mohamed, berka- Beliau berkata, negara itu gai paling sederhana, namunta langkah itu susulan keputu- juga adalah antara pengeluar (berpandukan perkembangan)san Kabinet memberi kebena- minyak terbesar dunia dengan setakat ini, kita berasakan sasa­ran kepada kem enteriannya pengeluaran mencecah kira- ran itu tidak mungkin dapatuntuk memulakan rundingan kira 3.8 ju ta tong sehari yang dicapai,” katanya.FTA berkenaan. berpotensi ditingkatkan seba- Mengenai pelaburan, Mus-

Beliau berkata, ketika la- nyak sejuta tong sehari dalam tapa berkata ju ran g ketarawatan Presiden Iran, Dr Hassan beberapa tahun akan datang. akan wujud tahun ini berban-Rouhani ke Malaysia pada Okto- Dari segi perdagangan dua ding 2015 apabila pelaburanber lalu, kedua-dua negara ber- hala Malaysia-Iran ketika in i berasas tinggi diperoleh dari-setuju untuk menggandakan adalah kecil iaitu kira-kira pada projek PETRONAS di Pen-perdagangan dua hala. AS$700 ju ta (RM3.14 bilion) gerang.

“Jika FTA dengan Iran di- pada 2015, tetapi berpotensi “Bagi prospek masa depan, m eterai, ia berupaya meni- m eningkat dan p enarikan kita optimis ekonomi globalngkatkan perdagangan dua balik sekatan itu juga membu- akan pulih sedikit pada 2017,hala, terutam a minyak sawit ka ruang untuk kepelbagaian sekalipun cabaran tetap adakerana sebelum ini ta r if 40 perdagangan yang boleh dijalin dan Malaysia tidak terkecualiperatus dikenakan oleh negara dengan negara itu, katanya. mengalaminya,” katanya.

Export growth expected to improve next yearCHALLENGING: Small increase in trade likely but not at 5-6pc level, says Mustapa

“The National Export Council has now targeted for conclusion by the alytics and was working with some KUALA LUMPUR been addressing the issues and has end of next year German companies in this area. In-

„ ,. . identified services, namely health- On investments, Mustapa said the vestments in medical devices are al-r r care, education and tourism, as ar- outlook for next year would see an so expected to improve.

eas of growth in this current en- increase in the manufacturing sec- As at last month, Mida had 258

MALAYSIA would miss its ex- vironment. In the case of tourism, tor. projects in-the pipeline with invest-port growth target this year the multiplier effect (of tourism re- “If oil prices remain at US$50 ments worth RMS 0.8 billion for the but will likely see a slight ceipts) is high and im- (RM223.50), we will manufacturing and services sectors

improvement next year on the back mediate.” see a pick-up in in- and was currently in negotiationsof a pick-up in the global economy, Trade divers if lea-'* . vestments, especial- which would lead- to another RM30said International Trade and Indus- tion will remain on ly in the oil and gas billion investments.try Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mo- the ministry’s agen- --.uSl, sector, which suf- For export promotion agency,hamed. da, and already Iran fered due to the Malaysia External Trade Develop-

Next year will remain challenging, and Sri Lanka feature slump in oil prices.” ment Corp (Matrade) CEO Datukunderpinned by the global phe- as new potential part- Approvals by the Dzulkfli Mahmud said the thrustnomenon from China’s rebalancing ners for bilateral free Malaysian Invest- would be in pushing services-basedpolicy as well as challenges in Eu- trade agreements. ment Development companies to go abroad,rope, including geo-political ten- The Regional Com- w S ' - A uthority (Mida) “If they can consolidate they cansions. prehensive Economic were lower this year seek to capture market share over-

“We.can expect to see a small in- Partnership (RCEP), due to last year’s seas.”crease in trade but not at the five to which is the Interna- hi gh bas e when Apart from helping mid-tier corn-six per cent level,” he said at a media tional Trade and In- S B B k :'B I H B h many projects were panies, Matrade is also promotingbriefing, here, yesterday. dustry Ministry’s fo- D atu k Seri M u stap a a n n o u n c e d f or small-and medium-sized enterpris-

The ministry’s two to three per cus now following the M oh am ed . Pengerang. es to take advantage of the Nationalcent projection for export growth Trans-Pacific Part- Mida deputy chief eCommerce Strategic Roadmap andthis year was initially thought to be a ' nership, looks to be delayed despite executive officer Datuk Phang Ah expand their export market share, modest target but it does not look U6 negotiation rounds. Thong said improvements would be On recent measures by Bank Ne-achievable based on the first 10 “We have progressed but there re- seen in the semiconductor industry, gara Malaysia to stabilise the ringgit, months’ performance. mains a big gap between Asean and led by “smart manufacturing”. Mustapa said the central bank had

h The government has projected our six partners in our ambition for “The focus will be on automotive been actively reaching out to the gross exports to grow at a faster pace zero tar i f f she said, adding that the electronics due to autonomous driv- affected market players of 2.7 per cent next year, spearhead- next round of talks would be in ing hybrid and electric vehicles,” he Times are tough and the United ed by a rebound in exports of com- Tokyo, Japan, in February. opined. States interest rate hike will have anmodifies and continued demand for Negotiations, which concluded Mida also expects machinery and impact on all emerging markets, not electrical and electronics products. only two out of the 20 chapters, are equipment to do well with data an- just Malaysia, he added.

The St«r 2 2 DEC 2010

Trade growth likely to miss target this yearBV IZWAN IDRISizwan@thestar.com. my

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is likely to miss its trade growth target this year because exports have not increased as fast as initially expected despite the weaker ringgit.

The Government had earlier predicted international trade to expand between 2% and 3% this year.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said trade expansion in 2016 would be "marginal’' com­pared with the previous year because of glob­al economic challenges.

Next year, the ministry (Miti) is predicting a more “modest” growth.

"We are not going to see big increases in exports because demand from major econo­mies like China and Europe is still very slow,” Mustapa told the media in his office yester­day.

Analysts see palm oil production and exports, which suffered in 2016 due to reduced yields during the E( Nino weather cycle and weaker demand from China, recov­ering in 2017.

Meanwhile, liquefied natural gas exports should benefit from higher energy prices.

CIMB Research, in a note yesterday, also expects improved demand for manufactured goods, particularly electrical and electronic goods, on the back of higher global growth.

“A stabilisation of commodity and non-com­modity exports is expected to keep the cur­rent account in surplus in 2017,” CIMB said.

On another note, Mustapa also warned that the investment outlook for next year would be very “challenging."

He said foreign investors were seen adopt­ing a “wait-and-see” stance in their invest­ment decision-making because of policy uncertainties in major markets.

The lack of business confidence this year, official figures showed, had translated to more subdued plans for capital expenditures.

The total value of investments approved by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority during the first nine months of 2016 had amounted to RM150.8bO.

This is 3.7% lower compared with the same period last year.

One of the major challenges faced by the country is the unpredictable performance of tiie ringgit.

The local currency yesterday settled at 4.4792 against the US dollar, near its lowest level since the Asian financial crisis in 1998.

It has depreciated 4.2% so far this year, on track to its fourth consecutive year of losses against the greenback.

The pressure on the ringgit, analysts said, is unlikely to abate soon.

Recently, there has been a surge of outflow of funds from emerging markets into the United States, driven by optimism derived from president-elect Donald Trump's eco­nomic promises and expectations of further interest rate hikes in the US.

While the weaker ringgit has not translated into stronger exports, this is largely due to the fact that other currencies too are falling against the US dollar. There is growing con­cern about imported inflation.

According to Miti, the weaker ringgit’s exchange rate is affecting local industries such as carmakers, who import most of the components from overseas.

The automotive industry is bracing for another tough year after car sales figures in 2016 are projected to drop to their lowest in six years.

Oil production cuts (effective Jan 1,2017) The Star ' - D£C 2016

SAUDI ARABIA RUSSIA* IRAN IRAQ MALAYSIA*10.51 million 11.29 million 3.70 million 4.56 million 6 3 0 ,0 00

BARRELS/DAY BARRELS/DAY BARRELS/DAY BARREL5/DAY BARRELS/DAYPRODUCTION PRODUCTION PRODUCTION PRODUCTION PRODUCTION

^^41 > IT u t T i M

*Non-Opec producer

Petronas cuts outputNational oil company to reduce production by 3% in line with global initiative to stabilise prices

By AFIQ ISA and released in October that states Petronas could be negligible due to 98.2 million bpd in November,INTAN FARHANA ZAINUL Petronas’ estimated production at possible higher prices as well as its according to the Internationalstarbiz(a)thestar.com.my 648,000 bpd. current, drive to optimise operating Energy Agency (IEA) in a recent

Based on the current average expenditure. report. It added that global oilP E T A L IN G JA Y A : Petroliam Brent crude oil price of US$44.67, “This (impact) is yet to be seen, demand during the fourth quarterNasional Bhd (Petronas) will reduce the 20,000 bpd represents Operators are looking for stability is estimated at 96.95 million bpd. its output on a voluntary basis US$893,400 in foregone revenue on in oil prices, not so much on tempo- The IEA has projected that shouldbeginning next year in line with an a daily.basis for Petronas. rary price spikes. It has to be main- the producers stick to the proposedinitiative taken by members and MIDF Research analyst Aaron tamed at a certain level before they output cut, oil markets could show anon-memhers of the Organisation Lee believes the 3% production cut actually embark on new projects,” shortfall of 600,000 bpd early next of the Petroleum Exporting would not have a significant impact he explained. year due to the firm increase inCountries (Opec) to help improve on.the country’s oil and gas (O&G) Over the past two months, to the demand.prices. service providers. surprise of many, Opec has succeed- The stakes are high for oil pro-

The production cut is part of a “In the short term, we do not ed in securing commitments by its ducers globally, who are keen to see collective effort by major oil pro- think that there will be a reduction member countries - all of whom out a recovery in prices, but are ducers globally to ease the current in offshore activities due to the are heavily dependent on oil reve- wary of lower revenue as a result of supply glut of crude oil. reduction in supply in Malaysia as nue to finance their budgets - as an output cut.

In a statementyesterday, Petronas tire bulk of the ongoing offshore well as non-Opec producers led by After two. years of low prices,said that in light of the pact made in projects are currently maintenance Russia. which in turn sent many US shaleVienna, Austria, on Dec 10 between in nature, which need to be under- As part of a collective agreement, operators out of business due to Opec and non-Opec producers, it taken regardless of the crude oil Opec members agreed to reduce their high breakeven costs, conven- would make a voluntary adjust- price and production,” he said. output by 1.2 million bpd by next tional producers seem to be finallyment involving up to 20,000 barrels On the other hand, there is the year, while non-Opec members ready to work on raising crude per day (bpd) of crude from the possibility of higher overall crude pledged to reduce production by a prices.country’s 2016 average production. prices offsetting the revenue fore- further 558,000 bpd. Higher prices would also improve

The proposed cut of 20,000 bpd gone due, to lower production, Malaysia was among the 11 non- sentiment in the O&G sector andrepresents about 3% of the oil assuming Opec’s plan works out as Opec countries pledging to the cuts trigger new undertakings on drill- giant’s current daily output. This is intended. during the Dec 10 meeting in ing projects, thus improvingbased on the Finance Ministry’s An O&G executive said this meant Vienna. demand for offshore support ves-2017 Economic Report which was the impact on the bottom line for The total global oil output rose to sels globally.

The Star

2 2 DEC 2016

IN^ven^r inflatior^p 1.8% on food prices

^ This follows a 2.1% increase in January to Inflation rises: A woman trader looks at chickens for sale at a meat market in Kuala Lumpur. October 2016 and a 2.2% increase in the peri- The Statistics Department says November's CPI rose 1.8% to 116.9 from 114.8 a year ago. - od from January to September 2016. Reuters