Malaysian Companies Seek Additional Data on Specific Areas
According to a World Bank Group report, the private sector in Malaysia wants more crime statistics, as well as additional data on public transport, health care, public safety and education. The Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) report also highlighted demands from businesses for more direct interaction and “data crunching” sessions with the Department of Statistics in order to better understand and trust the data. According to the report, data journalism in Malaysia seemed to be much less developed compared to online developers’ communities and certain civil society organisations (CSOs) like Sinar Project that is working on projects related to government accountability.
Wage Growth in Singapore slows down
The pool of Singapore firms turning in profits last year continued to shrink, resulting in workers’ wages growing more slowly at 3.6 percent, compared with 5.4 percent in 2015. The annual report on wage practices released by the Ministry of Manpower showed that the proportion of establishments that raised total wages fell from 64% to 58%. Companies that imposed a cut in total pay package also rose from 11% to 17%.
Increasing Regional Access to Financial Services a Priority When Singapore Takes Over ASEAN Chair
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said broadening access to financial services will be a key priority when Singapore assumes the chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. Managing Director, Ravi Menon said Asian banks have assumed a greater role in the region in recent years, even as global banks have retreated. He added that Asian banks now account for more than two-thirds of non-local lending to the region from just one-third in 2007 and the potential for growth is financial services is huge.
Japan Jobs Availability in April Highest Since 1974
Japan’s jobless rate held steady at 2.8% in April and the number of jobs rose to the highest since February 1974. The jobs-to-applicants ratio rose to 1.48 from 1.45 in March The number of new job offers fell 1.5 percent in May from the previous month and was up 4.0 percent from a year ago. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications was less than the median estimate of 3.6 percent. The reading of 3.5 percent was the lowest since December 1997.
