PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - Jan 19

Following are the main stories in Malaysian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE STAR (www.thestar.com.my)

-- Malaysia's medical devices market, including gloves and hospital support systems, is expected to expand at a slower rate this year due to weaker export markets, industry players said.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

-- Many findings from research and development activities in the biotechnology sector have failed to be commercialised, largely because researchers and industry players do not communicate with one another, Biomillennium Consultancy Sdn Bhd executive director Abdul Reezal Abdul Latif said.

-- The Malaysian automotive sector is bracing for a tough time this year with industry leaders saying sales of new vehicles may drop by between 20 percent and 30 percent, the Malaysian Automotive Association president Aishah Ahmad said.

NEW STRAITS TIMES (www.nst.com.my)

-- Barisan Nasional (National Front) and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) accept the decision of the voters in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election with an open heart and mind, Prime Minister Abudllah Ahmad Badawi said.

-- Malaysia is seeking to renew several bilateral agreements signed with Bahrain over the years to boost trade between the two countries, Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said.

THE EDGE FINANCIAL DAILY (www.theedgedaily.com)

-- Veteran emerging-market fund manager Mark Mobius dismisses the country's political uncertainties as a factor that would affect its stock market performance.

THE MALAYSIAN RESERVE (www.themalaysianreserve.com)

-- Alliance Bank Malaysia, the banking group held by listed Alliance Financial Group Bhd (ALFG.KL), is on track to achieve its targeted above-industry, double-digit loans growth in FY09 despite the recent slowdown, group Chief Executive Officer Bridget Lai said.

THE SUN (www.sun2surf.com)

-- About 45,000 workers face the prospect of being temporarily laid off during the Chinese New Year period due to falling demand, said Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam.

-- Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) (BGRO.KL) on Friday announced its inroads into the Vietnamese financial market by launching a joint-venture stockbroking firm known as SaigonBank Berjaya Securities Joint Stock Company, a newly licensed stockbroking company in Vietnam.

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