Some Memories

The real danger comes when business and consumer confidence start taking a hit, economists added. CIMB Private Banking economist Song Seng Wun said even though prices of goods and services have been rising, pent-up demand and "revenge spending" have so far helped to sustain consumer demand. But if prices continue rising - fuelled by the war in Eastern Europe or further supply chain snarls due to lockdowns in China - to the point where people feel that living costs have outpaced wage growth, they may become more cautious and pull back on spending. Likewise, businesses have been able to pass on rising costs to consumers and keep on hiring on the back of continued demand. But once the latter wanes, firms worried about the future may turn to cost-cutting measures, such as paring back investments, hiring or worse, layoffs. This spiral down in economic activities is "when things start to get serious", Mr Song said. "This is where we may see the start of slow...

The interest rate is raised by half percentage point (0.5%) on 5 May 2022. Increased of 0.25% in Mar. The next increase expected in Jun. US Fed makes biggest rate increase since 2000 to fight inflation - CNA To achieve that aim, he said "additional 50-basis point increases should be on the table at the next couple of meetings", however, a more aggressive three-quarter point hike is not under consideration. The Fed's goal is to engineer a "soft landing", reining in inflation while avoiding a contraction in economic activity, and Powell said that outcome is likely. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/us-federal-reserve-biggest-rate-increase-fight-inflation-2664736

"The wearing of masks outdoors is optional, but is still encouraged," he said during a press conference on Wednesday (Apr 27). The minister said that people are also encouraged to wear masks outdoors in crowded places such as at Ramadan bazaars, stadiums and night markets. Mr Khairy also announced that all testing protocols for travellers into the country - pre-departure and on-arrival tests - will be dropped for those who are fully vaccinated, those who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection six to 60 days before their date of departure, as well as travellers aged 12 and below. However, those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 still must undergo these tests and observe a five-day mandatory quarantine, said Mr Khairy. He added that travel insurance will no longer be a prerequisite for foreigners to enter the country. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-lifts-outdoor-mask-mandate-drops-covid19-tests-fully-vaccinated-travellers-khairy-2...

KUALA LUMPUR: His own team of coaches and support service, choosing the tournaments he wanted to play in and acquiring his own sponsors. These were the three "unrealistic" requests made by world No. 7 Lee Zii Jia that Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) could not meet and which eventually led to his decision to quit the national team. The BAM deemed these requests as "impossible to fulfil" and eventually turned him down. "Since he handed his resignation letter (on Jan 11), many concerted efforts were made by us through several informal discussions with Zii Jia to reconsider his decision. "However, it was not successful," said BAM deputy president II Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos, who's also the chairman for the legal advisory committee. "Zii Jia stood by his decision and he gave the following reasons. "Firstly, he said that he cannot stand the pressure in the national squad, and that the l...

50% more bus tickets for quarantine-free travel between S'pore and JB from Dec 20 One of the designated bus operators, Causeway Link, announced on Tuesday that it will operate 10 more services in each direction between Larkin Sentral in Johor Baru and Queen Street in Singapore. The increased frequency will kick in from Dec 20. The operator currently operates 16 services in each direction daily. Tickets have been available for purchase at the operator's website since 8am on Wednesday. A spokesman for Causeway Link, which is also known as Handal Indah, told The Straits Times that its quota for tickets for land VTL travellers has been increased by 50 per cent. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/50-more-bus-tickets-for-quarantine-free-travel-between-spore-and-jb-from-dec-20

S'pore sets up Vaccinated Travel Lanes with 9 more countries: What's the Covid-19 situation there? On Saturday, Transport Minister S Iswaran said vaccinated travellers will also be able to fly to Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain and the United States from Oct 19 And South Korea too slightly later.  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-sets-up-vaccinated-travel-lanes-with-9-more-countries-covid-19-situation-there

Employment, economic sectors to enjoy several relaxations of regulations from Friday (Sept 17), says PM