Corporate Economic Briefing: 17 April 2012

Corporate Economic Briefing: 17 April 2012

	17th Corporate Economic Briefing Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid
	Special Topic  Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid and Dr Khalid Abdul Hamid http://www.mier.org.my/presentations/archives/2012_04.html

BRACING FOR BETTER TIMES AHEAD

http://www.mier.org.my/csi/archives/2012_04.html

AN ASTONISHING REBOUND

http://www.mier.org.my/bci/archives/2012_04.html

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/17/business/20120417100734&sec=business

MIER: Business, consumer sentiment up in Q1 despite external headwinds

By Fintan Ng

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) said the business conditions index and consumer sentiment index increased in Q1 2012 despite the external headwinds.

MIER's executive director Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid said its survey of consumer sentiment index rose eight points to 114.3 in Q12012 from the previous quarter.

He added the business conditions index reversed from its downtrend in the previous quarter to 116.5 in Q1, 2012.

On the economy, Zakariah said it remained dependent on domestic demand to drive growth as external demand continued to drop especially in the first and last quarters of 2011.

He said GDP growth has been upgraded to 4.2% from 3.7% given the performance of macroeconomic indicators and the expected sustained spending stemming from the 10th Malaysia Plan and the Economic Transformation Programme projects.

MIER ups 2012 growth forecast to 4.2pc

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120417100906/Article/index_html

MIER ups 2012 growth forecast to 4.2pc


2012/04/17


The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) upgraded its 2012 growth forecast from 3.7 per cent to 4.2 per cent.


Malaysia's macroeconomic indicators and Tenth Malaysia Plan spending and implementation of ETP (Economic Transformation Plan) projects will prop up domestic demand this year. MIER executive director Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid said consumer sentiments and business conditions are both up on improving confidence.


Copyright © The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1/1 

Riz Khan - Rising anti-Muslim rhetoric?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkzDUJHEw8Q

Riz Khan - Hamza Yusuf - 13 Jun 07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve0Sgm0PFyk

Riz Khan - Islam in Malaysia - 08 Aug 07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L9i2EqnpJk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL7BA52167533F642F

Riz Khan - Professor Norman Finkelstein - 21 Jun 07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqT6uKxz_eQ&feature=relmfu

Riz Khan- Legacy of Muslim Scholarship- 11Jul07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEK16-7Qafw&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL7BA52167533F642F

Q&A: Yusuf Islam on music and faith

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/04/201241774025368229.html

Features

Q&A: Yusuf Islam on music and faith

Artist once known as Cat Stevens explains why he left music, why he returned and why his latest project tops the rest. Malika Bilal Last Modified: 18 Apr 2012 10:35 inShare14 Email Print Share Feedback

Yusuf is currently working on a musical featuring songs he wrote as Cat Stevens [GALLO/GETTY]

The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens is starting a new chapter - one that has been in the making since the day he first picked up a microphone. Rock icon Yusuf Islam - who goes by the single name Yusuf these days - is putting the finishing touches on what he calls a lifelong dream, Moonshadow: A Musical Fantasy. Set to premiere in Australia on May 31, the production is a mix of the artist's hits from the 1970s with a string of fresh songs penned for the play. The musical represents a summit of sorts - topping a storied and at times controversial career that has seen Yusuf go from triple-platinum award winning musician to a man on the verge of abandoning his craft forever.   Yusuf spoke to Al Jazeera about that journey during a stop in Doha, Qatar following his first concert in the Middle East. Al Jazeera: You’ve talked before about your journey through music, saying that you put down the guitar after converting to Islam and then picked it back up again. What is your view on the intersection of faith and music? Yusuf Islam: At one point, perhaps music was my religion. For a lot of us growing up in the West in the early '60s and then '70s, music was a way of life. It was a way to express ourselves. I was a serious dreamer and I was looking for the truth. It was only when I finally bumped into Islam through a gift of the Quran that I realised that all the answers I needed were there. I was still making records, but I lost my interest. I found something that was so much more pure and sacred, so I asked the imam at the mosque in London about music and he said 'there’s no problem’. But I had some doubts, because there were other brothers who quoted opinions that 'there’s a consensus that music is haram (forbidden)'. When you’re a new Muslim, you’re very careful of what you do. So I tread very carefully. I decided because of the almost insulting approach that the media took to me upon embracing Islam that I had had enough of that, so I didn't bother to continue. After [the 2001 attacks of] September 11, there was a serious crisis. We were facing Armageddon almost and it seemed that now we needed to build bridges back to our middle ground, because the extremes had been exposed. Therefore I sang Peace Train again. It was just a cappella, but that was the beginning. It was my son who finally brought guitar back into the house. When I picked that up, I suddenly realised: I've got another job to do. Yusuf Islam speaks to Riz Khan on how the Arab uprisings helped inspire his art [Al Jazeera] AJ: What was it that your son said that made you want to pick up the guitar again? YI: He didn't say anything. He just left it, and I was surprised that I remembered where my fingers should go. AJ: What would you tell other Muslims who have a passion for music but are also trying to walk this line - this schizophrenia of sorts that oscillates between 'music is good' and 'music is forbidden'? YI: As far as sacred texts are concerned, they cannot be ambiguous. There are no gray areas. When it comes to music, there is no word 'music' in the Quran. Obviously there are insinuations and implications and situations where music is being played and its haram because there’s drinking and fornication - well that’s sex, drugs and rock and roll. But in the end, it is the interpretation. So yes, I believe there isharam music and yes, I believe there is halal (permitted) music. AJ: Is there an over-arching theme in your music or an outward meaning of your songs you want to convey? YI: I tell stories. I try to tell true stories. It's about how people live and what their problems are - how we love and fall into trouble and bleed and laugh. That’s ended up being the theme of the musical that I'm writing and that I’m going to put on in Australia at the end of May. It's all to do with journey. There are only two types of stories: those about leaving home and those about coming back. AJ: Where did the idea for your musical Moonshadow come from? YI: I grew up on the West End of London surrounded by theaters and musicals and I always dreamt of writing a musical. It happens that now I have the perfect opportunity, after having written so many songs. It's a story about a world where there’s no sun and no day, only night. There's only one moon providing natural light. That means everybody has to work extra hard to buy these embers to keep their houses warm. In the middle of all this, there's a boy who has a dream about another world - the World of the Lost Sun, called Shamsiya. He meets his moon shadow and he decides to go on a journey to find that World of the Lost Sun. AJ: What is your creative process like and where do you get the inspiration for your songs? YI: That’s a difficult question. I’m unscientific about it all. There’s a mood and I catch the mood. I entertain myself. I’m the first one to hear the song, and if I like it, perhaps others will like it too. There was a great philosopher who once said 'there's nothing more joyous than the joy of that child who creates something and then shows it to others'. It’s being gifted. AJ: What happens when you give that gift and it is not received in the way you want it to be? Particularly after your conversion, and after you starting making more Islamic-themed songs, was there a backlash? YI: You go through various phases. Living up to your ideas is not an easy job and when other people have ideas of you that you have to live up to as well, it's even harder. That’s why we have a clear direction from our Lord as to how to live. As long as you keep your focus on God and his prophet I dont think you can be diverted. It's all down to that intimate and direct relationship and that's what you maintain in your prayers. So yes, it was difficult. But I always had my prayers. AJ: Let's talk about your song "My People". You’ve said before that you were looking at the events of Cairo's Tahrir Square [during the Egyptian uprising]. What was the greater inspiration and what did you hope the song would do? YI: There wasn't much we could do sitting and just watching [the uprising] on television. We wanted to contribute and that was the best way I knew how - to write a song. We got people from around the world to contribute their voices to the cause and we put out a call on Facebook. I sang a demonstration of what the key should be and they sang the chorus and sent it back. We got all the voices on the track and then made it for free. AJ: To what extent does music have the ability to change people's perceptions and the lens through which they see? YI: I don't focus on that and I think that’s important, because if a person thought he had control over others' lives that would be frightening. Everybody has a part to play and if I've got a song to sing, I sing it. If it affects people, now I just say alhamdulilah (praise is due to God). But it does go two ways. When you do finally break through the wall of the business and reach people - which is what everyone wants - they have an effect on your direction. AJ: What advice do you have for young people starting out and looking at art as a way to contribute to civilisation? YI: It is a high wall to climb. It was probably shorter in my day. It's not an easy world right now for any profession. But if you can, then try. As I once wrote - 'if you want to sing out, sing out; if you want to be free, be free; if you want to be me, be me'. Well (laughing) - you can’t really do that last one. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Follow Malika Bilal on Twitter @mmbilal

Source: Al Jazeera

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/steve-jobs-billion-dollar-hippy/

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/steve-jobs-billion-dollar-hippy/


http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/steve-jobs-billion-dollar-hippy/

SEVENTEENTH CORPORATE ECONOMIC BRIEFING

SEVENTEENTH CORPORATE ECONOMIC BRIEFING 

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Vanda 2, Level 2)

http://www.mier.org.my/pdf/17CEBbrochure.pdf

MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH

The Malaysian Economy: More Speed Bumps Ahead?

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook Update, January 2012, notes that the global recovery is threatened by intensifying strains in the euro area and fragilities elsewhere. It projects global output to expand by 31⁄4 per cent in 2012, a downward revision of about 3⁄4 percentage point relative to the September 2011 World Economic Outlook. It also expects growth in emerging and developing economies to slow because of the worsening external environment and a weakening internal demand.

Against such a backdrop, what are the prospects for near- term growth of the Malaysian economy? Will domestic demand be able to continue to buffer the Malaysian economy from the headwinds of global economic developments? Will the expected slowdown in Malaysia’s GDP growth be mildly uncomfortable, or painful? What are the chances of inflationary pressures building up? What about unemployment?

MIER’s Corporate Economic Briefing is a forum for discussing these and other issues of concern to the Malaysian economy. We will be presenting the results of the first quarter 2012 Business Conditions and Consumer Sentiment Surveys during the briefing. The results of MIER’s other four industry surveys covering automotive, residential property, retail trade and tourism will also be presented.

Targeted at senior management and industry captains, the briefing provides a platform for frank discussions and debates. Come join us and keep abreast of the latest happenings in the Malaysian economy. Attendance is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

08.30 a.m. 09.00 a.m.

10.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m. 12.00 noon

Registration

Briefing by

Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid

Executive Director, MIER RefreshmentOpen Discussion

Lunch

Registration Fees: RM400.00 per person for MIER Members RM500.00 per person for Others

Fees

SEVENTEENTH CORPORATE ECONOMIC BRIEFING 17 April 2012, Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

REGISTRATION FORM

• *  RM400.00 each for MIER Members
• *  RM500.00 each for Others
  The fees include presentation material, refreshment and lunch.
  All registration must be received by MIER not later than 13 April 2012. Cancellations and refunds will not be made after that date. However, substitution will be allowed if made at least 72 hours before the Briefing.

Name:  Mr  Miss/Mrs/Madam ___________________________________________ Designation: ____________________________________________________________________ Organisation: ________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Contact Person: ________________________ Tel No/Fax No: ____________________________ e-mail: _______________________________

(If there are more than one participant from the same organisation, please attach a separate list). Please tick ( √ ) at the appropriate box

 MIER Member  Others

Enclosed is a cross-cheque (No.) _____________________ for the amount of MYR _____________

made payable to the MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH. ______________________ _______________________________________

Date Signature of contact person and company stamp

(RSVP 22725895/22725897)

Fax: 03-22730197, e-mail: faizah@mier.po.my Faizah by 13 April 2012

Malaysian Institute of Economic Research Level 2, Podium City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, P O BOX 12160 50768 Kuala Lumpur

http://economics.about.com/

http://economics.about.com/

What Is Quantitative Easing and Why Should We Care?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jodi-beggs/what-is-quantitative-easi_b_774941.html

Warning Graphic Content!: Economists Do It With Models!

Warning Graphic Content!: Economists Do It With Models!


http://www.economistsdoitwithmodels.com/about/




Two thumbs up for you Jodi --- you do it so well :)

About the Author

My name is Jodi Beggs, and I am in charge of this Economists Do It With Models thing. I am, in fact, an economist, and my overall goal is to present economics both in the media and in the classroom in a way that is informative, practical and, to the degree that it can be, fun. In a perfect world I would be some sort of odd hybrid of Steve Levitt (seeFreakonomics), Demetri Martin (seehere) and Jon Stewart (hopefully you don’t need any clarification on that one). Stated another way, I want to trick people into learning stuff and (mildly) entertain them in the process.

My overall aim is to be more of a writer and a teacher than a researcher, since my strength lies not so much in producing research but instead in explaining that research in a manner that makes people actually want to pay attention. (Also, the supply of passionate economic researchers is much larger relative to demand than the supply of passionate economics instructors, so I’m really just responding to market forces.) I am currently a lecturer at Northeastern University, where I teach graduate courses in macroeconomic theory and behavioral economics. In the past, I’ve spent my academic year working for Ec10, which is the introductory undergraduate economics course at Harvard University, and summers teaching midcareer masters degree students at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. I’ve even been known to teach an undergraduate economics tutorial entitled “Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll”, which those of you who read my site know is something that’s right up my alley.

In addition to classroom teaching, I write about economics for About.com as well as various other publications, and I am a content reviewer for an online learning company. I collaborated with a number of other academics on a book about the economic lessons in The Simpsons, due out later this year, and I am currently working on a book that explains the basic principles necessary for general economic literacy. In my free time (ha!), I do a bit of public speaking, consulting and tutoring. (Also, if the Daily Show calls and wants me to be its Senior Economic Correspondent, I probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity.)

My primary areas of interest are behavioral economics, incentives and consumer behavior, but I am also very interested in analyzing the impact of public policies and social programs, especially as far as education is concerned. (Studying incentives is really my true calling, as evidenced by this anecdote.) In addition, I am particularly interested in the economics of the music business and how consumer psychology affects the dynamics of the industry.

I am apparently somewhat good at being a student, though unfortunately that is not a marketable skill in and of itself. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Business Economics at Harvard University, where I currently have a masters degree in Economics. (I swear I will finish my Ph.D. eventually, though, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s not a particularly high priority.) As an undergraduate, I studied computer science and mathematics at MIT. I worked as a management consultant after graduation and also finished a masters degree in Computer Science at MIT, where I wrote a super nerdy thesis about the logistics of the container-shipping industry. Despite having minored in economics, I didn’t go full time in that direction until graduate school. Since then, I have truly developed a passion for the subject and really enjoy the opportunity to share that passion with others, especially those people who don’t generally like economics.

On a less boring note, random other things about me: I am obsessed with sports statistics, particularly as far as baseball is concerned. I am the marketing coordinator for a Boston-based band. I like karaoke and play the piano, so it’s only a matter of time until you get songs about economics. (Update: That ship has sailed.) I have a chihuahua named Gizmo that thinks he’s a tiger. I used to be a competitive figure skater. I will kick your ass at poker AND guitar hero. I run marathons. (Slowly.) I wear more hats than the average person. (A student put in an evaluation once that I wore cute hats, so now I feel obligated.) I was a mathlete, and am proud of it. I probably don’t provide much competition toMegan McArdle for the title of “the world’s tallest female econoblogger.” I love fashion and own more pairs of shoes than any reasonable person should.

In the old version of my bio, here is where I had a picture that none of my friends liked. In honor of that picture, I am replacing it with some close second choices for a bio picture:

(More- or less, depending on how you look at it- reasonable pictures can be found on my Facebook Page.)

If you have suggestions for post topics or other interesting reading, I can be reached at econgirl at economistsdoitwithmodels dot com.

If you’re still curious, here are some links for you:
My CV (read, really long resume)
My public Facebook Page- if you become a fan you can get blog posts and other random entertaining items in your News Feed
My Twitter feed, for those of you who like your economic (and other) musings in chunks of 140 characters or less
My (not very interesting) LinkedIn page, which gives info on my non-academic work experience
My Facebook search listing, if you know me and want to be my friend (be forewarned that you are in for a lot of puppies and bacon, so I recommend theFacebook page if you want econ-specific stuff)

Court orders AELB to explain Lynas TOL details

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/20/nation/20120320135655&sec=nation

Published: Tuesday March 20, 2012 MYT 1:44:00 PM

By M. MAGESWARI

 

KUALA LUMPUR: A High Court judge has ordered the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to explain details of the approval given for the Lynas Advanced Material Plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Rohana Yusuf on Tuesday asked AELB to file an affidavit to explain the approval.

She made the order after hearing submissions in chambers from lead counsel Tommy Thomas, acting for a group of 10 local residents who filed an application for leave for a judicial review.

The residents filed the application on Feb 17, challenging AELB's decision to grant a temporary operating licence (TOL) to Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd over the proposed construction of a rare earth processing plant.

Co-counsel K. Shamuga, who acted for the residents, told reporters that Justice Rohana has asked AELB to file the affidavit and explain what Lynas could do with approval of the TOL.

Shanmuga said they submitted that the residents did not need to appeal to the relevant minister over the proposed plant as the decision was irrational.

He said they told the judge that Malaysian Medical Association had also called for the Lynas plant to be scrapped unless it was shown to be fail-safe.

"We also submitted that there is a conflict of interest as Lynas has to pay certain percentage of revenue to AELB," he said.

He said that they also submitted that there was no dispute that Lynas had no detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

"We are saying that the entire approval (of TOL) is illegal. Therefore, you do not need to appeal to the minister and can come for a judicial review where the court can quash the TOL," he added.
The judge set April 4 to hear the Government's reply.

The residents named AELB, the director-general of Environment Quality and Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd as respondents. The applicants are asking for leave to quash AELB's decision, made on Jan 30, in granting the TOL.

Related Stories:
AG objects to judicial review over TOL
Lynas has yet to submit permanent disposal facility plan: AELB
Residents challenge TOL given to Lynas
AELB under fire over temporary licence for Lynas plant
AELB: All aspects considered before granting Lynas TOL
AELB grants Lynas Corp conditional TOL
Public feedback sought on Lynas

 

Sexy Israelis Girls In The IDF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=q6w_nNW-Mr0

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/17/nation/10938516&sec=nation

Govt nod for PSC to look into Lynas issue

Saturday March 17, 2012

Govt nod for PSC to look into Lynas issue

By SIRA HABIBU
sira@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed to set up a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to look into controversies surrounding the Lynas rare earth plant in Pahang.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the decision was made during the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“I have to prepare the terms of reference and procedure before announcing the details,” he said.
Nazri said he would call for a press conference in his Padang Rengas constituency in Perak today.
The Lynas issue has been in the news following concerns about the disposal of radioactive waste.
In an immediate reaction, MCA welcomed the establishment of the PSC, saying it showed the Government's willingness to listen to the rakyat.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the move also reflected the Government's concern over the issue.
“The Government is concerned about the welfare and health of the people but efforts to attract foreign investors are also important,” he said.
He also hoped that the Opposition would not use the committee as a platform to further politicise the issue.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Cabinet wanted PSC to look at the issue from all perspectives.
“So far, we have been getting assurances from Lynas.”
He said the ministry was also working closely with the Malaysian Medical Association to monitor the health situation in Kuantan.
Liow said the issue warranted scrutiny in view of the health issues pertaining to a rare earth processing plant in Bukit Merah, Perak, that was forced to close down in the early 1990s.