Heavy rains, floods force manufacturers to halt production

Heavy rains and flash floods in Malaysia have forced home appliances maker Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd and automobile firm Daihatsu Motor Kyushu Co. Ltd. to temporarily suspend operations, Nikkei Asia reported. Panasonic halted production of vacuum cleaners and fans on Dec. 22 for at least a week at its factory near Kuala Lumpur, while Daihatsu suspended production at two plants belonging to joint venture Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.