Amid the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus, Malaysia’s economy is likely to have hit its bottom in the second quarter of this year (2Q20), contracting by a double-digit percentage, said the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

2Q likely the worst quarter with double-digit contraction — SERC

The local Chinese business community remains gloomy on this year’s economic outlook, but over two-thirds of them feel they can survive the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businesses confident of surviving Covid-19 despite negative outlook this year, says ACCCIM

KUALA LUMPUR, (March 16): PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced his candidacy on Sunday for the party’s vice-president post in the party elections in May.

Fahmi to contest PKR vice-president post

SINGAPORE (March 16): Singapore has established a taskforce to help Singaporeans and local businesses seize opportunities and reap the benefits of the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

Singapore sets up taskforce to seize opportunities from RTS Link

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the Economy Ministry to prioritise 10 key projects in Negeri Sembilan, particularly those related to flood mitigation.

Anwar urges focus on key projects in Negeri Sembilan, including Tuanku Jaafar Hospital 2

KUCHING (March 16): The interpretation of the law, including the quota of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak and the continental shelf, is expected to be finalised at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council  (MTPMA63) this May.

MA63: Interpretation of parliamentary seat quota, continental shelf to be finalised in May — Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): A civil servant was arrested in Ops Outlander, an operation targeting a syndicate involved in late birth registration, on suspicion of accepting bribes ranging from RM10,000 to RM15,000 for each birth certificate issued.

Ops Outlander: Civil servant held for receiving bribes of up to RM15,000 for birth certificates

PARIS (March 16): The stationing of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, as proposed by Britain and France as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia, is a question for Kyiv to decide and not Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview.

Not for Russia to decide on peacekeepers in Ukraine, Macron says

ATLANTA/BENGALURU (March 16): Tornadoes killed at least 33 people across several states in the US Midwest and Southeast on Saturday (March 15) night, CNN reported.

Tornadoes strike US South, killing 33 people amid rising risk, CNN says

3R issues: Police to submit investigation paper to AGC on Monday

3R issue: Police to submit investigation paper to AGC on Monday 

Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, TRX Residences is setting unprecedented standards for world-class, integrated urban living with a seamless blend of convenience, sustainability and connectivity.

TRX Residences: A masterpiece of integrated urban living in Kuala Lumpur

SHAH ALAM (March 16): DAP hopes that the government would amend the Federal Constitution within the next two years, to limit the tenure of the prime minister to 10 years.

Loke: DAP wants Federal Constitution to be amended to limit PM’s tenure to 10 years

SHAH ALAM (March 16): Bagan member of Parliament (MP) Lim Guan Eng has been named the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) adviser after securing a seat in the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) in what was widely regarded as one of the fiercest contests in the party’s history.

Guan Eng named DAP adviser, Gobind Singh appointed party’s national chairman

SINGAPORE (March 16): With the legal fight within the board of City Developments Ltd (CDL) put behind, the company will give shareholders a proper account, according to group chief executive officer Sherman Kwek.

CDL will give shareholders a proper account, says group CEO Sherman Kwek

WASHINGTON/ADEN, Yemen (March 15): US&nbsp;President Donald Trump launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, killing at least 31 people at the start of a campaign expected to last many days.

Trump launches large-scale strikes on Yemen's Houthis, at least 31 killed

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): The "major reshuffle" of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) was aimed at giving more leaders the opportunity to showcase their abilities, said party secretary general Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

DAP leadership’s 'major reshuffle' aims to showcase more party leaders, says Loke

SHAH ALAM (March 16): DAP&nbsp;hopes that the government would amend the Federal Constitution within the next two years, to limit the tenure of the prime minister to 10 years.

PARIS (March 16): The stationing of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, as proposed by Britain and France as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia, is a question for Kyiv to decide and not Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview.

ATLANTA/BENGALURU (March 16): Tornadoes killed at least 33 people across several states in the US&nbsp;Midwest and Southeast on Saturday (March 15) night, CNN reported.

FRANKFURT (March 16): The pay package of UBS chief executive officer&nbsp;Sergio Ermotti came in just above 15 million Swiss francs (US$17 million, or RM75.56 million) in 2024, Swiss daily Blick reported, not citing where it obtained the information.

UBS CEO Ermotti to receive US$17 mil paycheque for 2024, Swiss daily Blick reports

KUALA LUMPUR, (March 16): PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced his candidacy on Sunday for the party’s vice-president post in the party elections in May. &nbsp;

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the Economy Ministry to prioritise 10 key projects in Negeri Sembilan, particularly those related to flood mitigation.

3R issues: Police to submit investigation paper to AGC on Monday&nbsp;

SINGAPORE (March 16): Singapore has established a taskforce to help Singaporeans and local businesses seize opportunities and reap the benefits of the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): A civil servant was arrested in Ops Outlander, an operation targeting a syndicate involved in late birth registration, on suspicion of accepting bribes ranging from RM10,000 to RM15,000 for each birth certificate issued.

KUCHING (March 16): The interpretation of the law, including the quota of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak and the continental shelf, is expected to be finalised at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council &nbsp;(MTPMA63) this May.

Justin Lim & Chee Gee Ren