NATION GRIEVES: (Oct 20) The Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood succumbed to breast cancer after a long battle. Endon, 64, breathed her last 18 days after returning from treatment for breast cancer in Los Angeles, the United States. Tens of thousands – from dignitaries to the common folk – paid their last respects at her funeral.
BEING COMPETITIVE: (Oct 18) The Government unveiled the National Automotive Policy Framework to promote a dynamic and globally competitive local automotive industry. Incentives and support will be given to automotive manufacturers and existing assemblers, and investments that will make Malaysia a regional hub for manufacturing, assembly, and distribution of automotive vehicles will also be encouraged. Bumiputra-controlled public-listed companies which are currently exclusive franchise holders of certain vehicle brands can also import vehicles directly instead of via intermediaries.