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- The Star
Japan's factory activity extends declines in August, PMI shows
Workers assemble Honda Motor Co. North America-bound Fit vehicles on the production line at the company's Suzuka factory in Suzuka, Mie, Japan. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg TOKYO: Japan's manufacturing activity contracted for the second month in August as U.S. tariffs weighed on overseas demand, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday. The S&P Global flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) increased to 49.9 in August from July's final 48.9, but it remained below the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction for two straight months. "The recovery in manufacturing output may be hard to sustain unless we see an improvement in sales in the near-term," said Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the survey. Manufacturing output showed a modest recovery, with the output index rebounding to the growth from a contraction logged in July. However, new orders continued to decline, reflecting weak demand both domestically and internationally. Foreign orders for Japanese goods fell at the fastest pace in 17 months, underscoring the fragility of the export-reliant manufacturing sector. Official trade data showed on Wednesday Japan's exports in July posted the steepest drop since February 2021 given the intensifying impact of U.S. tariffs. The U.S.-Japan trade deal reached last month would lower Trump's tariffs on Japanese goods to 15%. Some manufacturers grew more confident about business conditions but overall remained cautious, a Reuters poll found earlier this month. For manufacturers, input costs also edged up, while selling price inflation eased to its lowest in more than four years, the PMI data showed, indicating higher pressure on profit margins. In the services sector, activity continued to expand but at a slower pace, with the flash services PMI falling to 52.7 in August from July's final 53.6. The composite PMI output index, which aggregates manufacturing and services, rose to 51.9 in August from 51.6 in July to mark the fastest expansion in six months. - Reuters
The Star
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- The Star
RM72mil in tourism-related projects approved during 12MP, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM72.052mil worth of tourism infrastructure development and maintenance projects was approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from 2021 to 2025, the Dewan Rakyat was told. According to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, this figure also includes RM7.75mil to finance four development and maintenance projects in Semporna, Sabah during that period. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry was responding to Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna), who asked about the amount of tourism infrastructure projects that have been constructed in Sabah, in light of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026. According to the Ministry, it is actively conducting promotional campaigns by introducing interesting destinations in Sabah and Sarawak through social media, digital media and collaborations with social media influencers. 'The Ministry is also introducing tourism industry grant initiatives that are aimed at stimulating the creation of attractive tourism packages to Sabah and Sarawak, particularly involving family holiday packages, community-based tourism packages, eco-tourism and homestays,' it added.
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Countering espionage threats, F1 return among highlights in Dewan Rakyat today
KUALA LUMPUR: Government efforts to counter espionage threats that could jeopardise national security and Malaysia's ability to host Formula 1 (F1) again are expected to be in the spotlight in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 21). According to the Order Paper on Parliament's portal, Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) will ask the Home Minister to outline prevention and intervention measures to address espionage activities that threaten national security during the Minister's Question Time. At the same session, Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) is set to ask the Youth and Sports Minister whether Malaysia can host F1 again, and the steps to maximise utilisation of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) so it delivers contributions and benefits to the nation. Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) is expected to seek clarification from the Prime Minister on whether direct-negotiation procurement is still being practised by Lembaga Tabung Haji, a statutory body under the purview of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs). During the oral question and answer session, Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) is expected to ask the Agriculture and Food Security Minister about plans to position Sarawak as a food security hub under the new policy, in line with the successful implementation of the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030). Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) is set to ask the Works Minister about measures to address serious damage along key roads in the area - including links to factories and the access route to Northport - caused by frequent heavy-vehicle movements and indiscriminate roadside parking. Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) will ask the Health Minister about the current threat level of Covid-19 variants to high-risk groups, noting the country recorded 57 deaths last year. After the Q&A session, the sitting is scheduled to proceed with the first readings of the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, the Urban Renewal Bill 2025 and the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2025. The House is then set to continue the winding-up of the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) motion by the relevant ministries. The current Dewan Rakyat meeting is scheduled to run for 24 days until Aug 28. - Bernama
