This study attempts to analyse the determinants of inward FDI in the electrical and electronic (E&E) industry in Malaysia using bounds test approach for the 1980-2008 period. It is found that GDP, real exchange rate, financial development, corporate income tax, macroeconomic uncertainty and social uncertainty factors significantly affect inward FDI in E&E sector in Malaysia. Empirical results indicate that GDP, real exchange rate, financial development and macroeconomic uncertainty are positively related to inward FDI in E&E sector in the long run. However, corporate income tax and social uncertainty have a negative impact on inward FDI in E&E sector. Furthermore, the Granger causality results also indicate that all explanatory variables Granger-cause FDI in the longrun, but in the short-run only macroeconomic and social uncertainties Granger-cause FDI. The impact of social uncertainty is found to be greater than macroeconomic uncertainty. Thus, foreign investors in E&E sector seem to be more concern about the level of social security and safety when choosing their investment destination.

Purpose This paper aims to construct a model procedure to mitigate housing glut by using both qualitative and quantitative approach. The model applied in the Malaysian context analyzes the following: information contained in media articles and reports issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on the housing market to extract the true picture of the housing glut issue; the relative impact (effectiveness) of housing affordability, housing prices and economic growth in influencing housing glut, and how it can be overcome so that appropriate preferential policies can be taken to mitigate the problem. Design/methodology/approach This study uses quarterly data from 2000 to 2017 to conduct economic analysis, economic theory analysis and cointegrating regression, whereas information from media-published housing articles and reports issued by BNM are examined and interpreted to draw the true picture of housing glut. Findings The results obtained from quantitative analysis show that housing affordability exerts very mild relative effect (0.0097) negatively on housing glut, whereas economic growth and housing price produce a relatively mild positive impact of (0.020) and (0.022), respectively, conflicting to the common consensus that the two factors have a significant effect on housing glut. Qualitatively, the results of this study show that housing glut seems to be relatively larger for affordable housing, which is contrary to the quantitative results, pointing to the existence of other influencing factors. Research limitations/implications There is an imperative need for a third-party survey to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market conditions and buyers’ sentiment and preference. Originality/value This study compares both quantitative and qualitative results with expected housing market movements and responses based on conventional wisdom.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of crime risk on housing prices at a national level in Malaysia during the period from 1988 to 2016. Design/methodology/approach A hedonic regression approach was used to estimate the Malaysian households’ valuation for crime risk. Specifically, the state-level property index on the state-level reported crime rate was regressed while controlling for state-level socioeconomic variables. The macroeconomic panel nature of the data set provides the merit to use a panel dynamic model instead of the traditional static panel data techniques (fixed effects or first difference). Findings Panel dynamic estimators consistently show a negative impact of crime risks on housing prices. The estimated elasticity of housing prices with respect to crime risks ranges from −0.141 to −0.166, in line with existing literature using micro level data. In fact, householders in crime hotspot states are willing to pay more for crime reduction compared to householders in non-hotspot states. The willingness to pay has also increased since the implementation of nationwide crime reduction plans in 2010. Research limitations/implications This is the first study that has examined the Malaysian people’s willingness to pay to reduce crime. This information is important in determining the optimal level of government expenditures for public safety. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the relationship between crime rates and housing prices in Malaysia. This study contributes to the literature by examining the impact of crime rates on housing prices at a national level by using panel dynamic models. The macro level data results are consistent and complement the existing literature based on micro level data.

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This study uses Phillips, Shi and Yu's (2015) bubble detection method to examine housing bubbles in Malaysia. We documented five positive bubbles and one negative bubble from 1988 to 2015, including the well-known 1997 Asian real estate bubble. The bubble that originated in April 2010 is the most prominent. It peaked in 2013. Since then, it has been exhibiting strong signs of gradual collapse but was still persisting up to the end of the study period in September 2015. Some of these bubbles preceded financial crises, a phenomenon which is consistent with the findings of contagion channels between real estate and financial markets in the literature.