News in brief

Reform of GLCs a good job

From MOHD IQBAL BAKAR of Petaling Jaya

Donations can be made online

Donations to The Star Myanmar Relief Fund for the victims of Cyclone Nargis can now be done online.

Barred from applying for ASN

From RAJAH, Malacca.

CAHB first quarter net profit doubles

COMMERCE Asset-Holding Bhd group (CAHB) reported yesterday net profit in the first quarter ended March 31 doubled to RM221.6mil from RM110.9mil in the corresponding period last year.

KL stock market falls 21.9 points

THE Kuala Lumpur Composite Index shed 21.93 points on Monday to 813.44, closing lower for the third consecutive trading day, as markets around Asia experienced the biggest plunge in two-and-a-half years.

Emerging economies still rely on the super powers

Emerging Asian economies like Malaysia are not fully decoupled from industrialised economies such as Japan, Europe and the US.

Strengthening domestic demand to sustain growth momentum

While current economic indicators show that Malaysia is unlikely to fall into a recession, policymakers still need to look at ways to strengthen domestic demand to ensure that growth momentum is sustained going forward.

Bursa weighs on market, volume at new low

Blue chips fell at midday on Monday, dragged down by losses in Bursa Malaysia and Tenaga while trading volume shrank to 179 million units done, the lowest in recent months.

Analysts positive on budget impact

Malaysia's budget falls short of a strong boost but should be good enough to lift the market.