Malaysia’s construction industry may be growing at a healthy clip, but many contractors, particularly the smaller ones, may not be receiving their payments quickly enough.

This was the message of a panel discussion titled “Liquidity or liquidation: High-stakes construction projects in a...

When contractors function as banks

The industrial property markets in the Klang Valley and Penang continued to be resilient in the first half of 2026, although buyers and occupiers were more selective amid economic uncertainties, higher development costs and changing business requirements.

The two property markets share ...

The Edge Malaysia | CBRE | WTW Industrial Property Monitor 2Q2026: Industrial property markets remain resilient amid more selective demand

It has been almost four months since the LRT Shah Alam line officially started operating. Some commuters have since taken to social media to voice their woes, not about the train service itself but about the lack of surrounding infrastructure.

In Malaysia, stepping off a train line does...

The walkability gap around Malaysia’s train stations

Defusing the capex time bomb

For more than two decades, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) precinct has been synonymous with prime city-centre living. Anchored by the PETRONAS Twin Towers and Suria KLCC, the precinct has grown from a landmark development into an established luxury residential market, surrounded by offices, ...

Cover Story: Prime address continues to evolve

Can common property be turned into an accessory parcel? Common property refers to shared areas in a stratified development collectively owned by all parcel owners, whereas an accessory parcel is a designated private space, such as a parking bay, assigned to a specific owner.

So, is such...

When common property is sold off

Gombak is entering a new phase of growth, with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal expected to enhance connectivity and strengthen the district’s residential and commercial prospects. Property consultants discuss the renewed attention to the area’s commercial potential, surrounding property market and prospects for transit-oriented developments.

Gombak picks up speed for next growth cycle

About 63%, or 114, of the 181 respondents in the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia’s (Rehda) latest Property Industry Survey said they had no plans to launch residential projects in the second half of 2026, while the remaining respondents planned to unveil 18,696 units. The...

More than 60% of Rehda members hold off on 2H2026 residential launches

Mitraland Group is expanding its signature Quartz series by rolling out the third and largest collection so far: Bayou Quartz in Kota Bayuemas, Klang, Selangor, on Oct 10. 

Spanning 52 acres of freehold land, Bayou Quartz has a gross development value of RM800 million. It comprises...

Mitraland’s new 52-acre gem in Kota Bayuemas

Capital investment in technology is surging but workforce readiness remains a challenge, leaving enterprises short of the returns they expect.

Personalised upskilling key to job readiness

Not every photo needs to end up on a social media feed. Some are simply reminders of an ordinary day, whether it is a meal between classes, a funny moment with friends or a quick snapshot taken on the way home.

In response to the curated, polished feeds encouraged by mainstream social m...

Listicle: Apps for the moments you don’t post

Here’s a set of seven skills for you to consider cultivating to get and retain a job in the AI era

 

Human resources (HR) launches an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to analyse employee engagement. The AI reads 15,000 comments and p...

Econ 4.0: AI is here. Which skills matter more now?

Conversations around social entrepreneurship often focus on funding, but a bigger challenge for founders is moving from building businesses that look for customers to creating products and services that customers are actively looking for, says Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin, CEO of Satu Creative Services ...

Beyond Grants: Helping social enterprises build a stronger business case

IIMMPACT Sdn Bhd began in 2018 as a consumer app that allowed users to pay different bills through a single platform, but the business changed direction after struggling to retain customers as larger e-wallet operators expanded.

CEO and co-founder Alex Tan says fewer than 20% of users w...

Platform-as-a-service: IIMMPACT builds bill payment business after consumer app pivot

Alphaswift Industries Sdn Bhd is the only drone maker among the Malaysian companies given access to British chip architect Arm Holdings plc’s chip design technology, and it plans to design its own chip as it builds towards passenger flight.

The local drone industry has come a long way, ...

Cover Story: Betting on chip design for long climb to passenger flight 

Mall developers need to incorporate telecommunications infrastructure at the planning stage as growing demand for digital payments, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and 5G services puts greater pressure on indoor connectivity, says EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd.

Planning fibre pathw...

Infrastructure: Mall developers urged to plan early for 5G-ready connectivity

NEWS

Malaysia’s daily multimodal AI use to reach 43% by 2030

Malaysia’s daily use of multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to reach 43% by 2030, exceeding the global estimate of 30%, according to new research by Erics...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

The Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) and IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd plan to establish the Sarawak Quantum Safe Centre, an innovation hub that will help organisations prepare for cybersecurity risks posed by advances in quantum computing.

SAIC, IBM plan Sarawak quantum-safe centre to address post-quantum cyber risks

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): Consumer finance group Skyro has received approval from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to conduct online moneylending in Malaysia, marking its second Southeast Asian market after the Philippines.

Philippines’ Skyro gets approval to offer online moneylending in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): Lestari Cooling Energy Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between KJTS Group Bhd (KL) and infrastructure-focused investment firm Stonepeak Partners, aims to use its capital expenditure (capex) model to adopt new energy-efficient technologies as they become commercially viable.

...

Preparing district cooling systems for future technologies

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 8): Malaysia’s ambition to transition towards a low-carbon, sustainable and green economy requires a whole-of-nation commitment, with the government, industries, financial institutions, research institutions, state governments and local communities playing their respective roles, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.

Whole-of-nation commitment needed to drive Malaysia’s green transition, says Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 8): Malaysia has made significant early headway in its energy transition journey, having reached a 33% renewable energy (RE) capacity mix by mid-2026, placing the nation comfortably within reach of its 35% target by 2030 and its ultimate goal of
70% by 2050.

Grid upgrades, green sukuk and bankability key to next phase of energy transition

The National Climate Change Bill (Ruupin) could be tabled during the current parliamentary sitting, subject to Cabinet approval, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Climate Change Bill could be tabled in current parliamentary sitting, says minister

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched the Lestari: Sustainability Framework and Roadmap 2030 (SFR2030) for the sectors it oversees — telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal and courier.

MCMC launches Lestari roadmap to cut emissions and e-waste

PERAK (Sept 24): About 100 residents of Kampung Sat, an Orang Asli village in Sungkai, now have a reliable source of electricity for home lighting and mobile charging after 10 portable battery energy storage systems (BESS) were deployed to households on Sept 3.

Solar batteries bring power to Orang Asli village in Perak

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): The Malaysian Constitution, shaped by the realities of 1957 and 1963, needs to be revisited if the government is to take greater responsibility for climate action today, said former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Constitution must reflect today’s climate demands, says Nik Nazmi

The 30% Club has done something important: it put a number on the table. But I want to challenge the number itself. If women are competent, the right target is not 30%. It is 100%. Boardrooms are not Spartan battlegrounds where gender earns entry. They are environments that reward critical thinki...

Views: The case for moving beyond the 30% Club target

Climate scientists have rung the alarm bells: El Niño is underway, with a "super" El Niño developing in the coming months, bringing intensified drought, heatwaves and heavy rainfall. We’re already seeing the effects of it across the world. In Spain, Italy and France, sweltering summer temper...

Views: El Niño: Who is to blame?

Cutting carbon is particularly difficult for a chemical company because many of its products rely on fossil-based raw materials while lower-carbon alternatives often cost far more than buyers are prepared to pay.

That leaves companies with a few broad options, such as investing in activ...

Industry: Petrochemical companies decarbonisation journey still challenging

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2026

The Edge ESG Awards 2026

The Edge Centurion Club Corporate Awards 2026

The Edge Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2026

The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2026

Sarawak is due hold its next state poll soon, with the state assembly set to be dissolved on Oct 26. More in our quick round-up of some today’s biggest stories on theedgemalaysia.com

E5: Sarawak assembly to dissolve next Monday

In this Jalan-Jalan video, City & Country explore PARC – a community-driven venue – in Taman Subang Ria, Subang Jaya and speak with the people behind PARC.

A green haven in Subang Jaya

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 23, 2026

The government is prepared to absorb an increase in fuel subsidy costs, which could reach RM45 billion annually amid a surge in global crude oil prices, rather than pass the burden on to the people through higher fuel prices.

Anwar: Govt ready to absorb fuel subsidy costs of up to RM45 bil a year

Shares of Switzerland’s ultra-defensive big companies are a bright spot in a tumultuous period for European equity markets.

Swiss stocks becoming a haven from AI fears roiling markets

Emergency crews scrambled on Saturday to restore power to tens of thousands of homes in Taiwan after Typhoon Champi's fierce winds battered the island, with the storm moving towards China and Japan.

Typhoon Champi knocks out power in Taiwan, one dead, over 500 injured

The RM851 million Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass project has reached 93.19% physical progress as of Sept 30 and is expected to be completed by April 2027.

Chow: Contractor financing keeps Air Itam bypass on track despite unsold Gurney Bay land

The younger brother of Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Baderul Zaman, son of the late Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, passed away at 1.20am on Saturday at Gleneagles Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. He was 51.

Sultan Mizan's brother passes away; Terengganu declares three-day mourning

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued notices to 10 Singapore-registered palm oil and forestry companies seeking information on their possible links to forest fires in Indonesia and transboundary haze pollution.

Singapore issues notices to 10 local firms over possible links to transboundary haze

A resurgence in oil prices dragged down stocks and bonds on Friday, stoking concerns about inflation just days ahead of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) decision on interest rates.

Stocks fall as oil rally keeps a lid on Treasuries

Ukraine and Russia said on Friday they had agreed on a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, brokered through US first lady Melania Trump, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said peace negotiators would meet next month for new talks.

Russia, Ukraine agree on ceasefire in embattled town, to hold peace talks next month

Zetrix AI Bhd’s (KL:ZETRIX) managing director Wong Thean Soon’s stake has fallen to insignificant levels of 1.84% currently from almost 30% a few weeks earlier, as a result of force selling by financial institutions he had pledged his shares to.

Zetrix AI — From hero to zero

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday

Zetrix AI, Astro, Maxis, CelcomDigi, Yinson, Malakoff, Solarvest, YTL Hospitality REIT, Hong Leong Capital, REDtone Digital, Affin Bank & Comfort Gloves

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has offered 788.83 million employee share options at a 28% discount to its Friday closing price, with recipients able to exercise them immediately, as the group faces cash flow pressures and a sukuk covenant breach.

Zetrix AI offers 789 mil share options at 28% discount amid cash flow, sukuk pressures

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO) is proposing to dispose of its broadband business to Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) for up to RM83 million in cash, as the group seeks to refocus resources on its core content, advertising and entertainment businesses.

Astro to sell broadband business to Maxis for up to RM83 mil

Comfort Gloves Bhd (KL:COMFORT) said on Friday it will settle a two-year tax dispute with the Inland Revenue Board for RM8.3 million.

Comfort Gloves reaches RM8.3m settlement with Inland Revenue Board over tax bill

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) said it will hold another sukukholders’ meeting after parties failed to reach a deal on Friday to address a covenant breach involving its RM2 billion sukuk by the deadline.

Zetrix AI sukukholders fail to reach deal, new meeting planned

Public confidence in Malaysia’s law enforcement agencies and institutions depends on the rule of law being applied fairly and consistently to all. This means allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated and tried without fear or favour. It also means every person charged is entitled to the pres...

Opinion: G25 statement on due process and public service

The number of Malaysians aged 65 and above crossed the one-million mark in 2002, accounting for 4.2% of the population. Back then, those aged 14 and below made up a third of the population.

Fastest ageing states as Malaysians grow older

Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, Malaysia is seen strengthening its position as a competitive and resilient investment destination.

Malaysia stays resilient as global investors seek new growth markets

From design to the finished device, a chip goes through four main stages. Global giants dominate each stage, but Bursa Malaysia–listed companies are strongest in assembly and test, and in the equipment, machined parts and automation segments that the entire chain depends on.

Where Malaysian players sit in the semiconductor value chain

Sarawak PAS is targeting to contest four seats in the 13th Sarawak state election, namely Beting Maro, Samariang and Sebuyau, while a fourth seat in the northern region of the state is still under consideration.

Sarawak PAS targets four seats in 13th state election

The government plans to establish Veterans' Day to honour the service and sacrifice of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans.

Govt plans Veterans' Day to honour Armed Forces sacrifice, says Khaled

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered a thorough, transparent and uncompromising investigation into the death of Noorizwan Zulkefly in police custody.

Anwar orders thorough, transparent probe into death in police custody

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) must ensure that approved investments are realised to create job opportunities for the people as well as benefit local businesses.

Zafrul: Mida must ensure approved investments are realised

Budget 2027 offers several welcome stamp duty measures. More importantly, developments over th...

My Say: The next frontier of Malaysian stamp duty

A total of 21 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality as of 9am on Saturday, with Seremban in Negeri Sembilan and Larkin in Johor registering the highest air pollutant index (API) readings at 169.

Haze: Unhealthy air in 21 areas, Seremban, Larkin worst hit

Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will remain Melaka Chief Minister should Barisan Nasional (BN) and its strategic partners win the state election next month, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ab Rauf to remain Melaka CM if BN wins state polls — Ahmad Zahid

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the country's industrial sector to be more dynamic and creative in responding to rapid changes in the global economy, particularly through the mastery of new technologies, research and development (R&D), and innovation.

Anwar urges industry to embrace technology, innovation to stay competitive

Malaysia's success will depend on its ability to elevate many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into key industry players and help them penetrate international markets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Elevating SMEs to be global players key to Malaysia’s success — Anwar

Former Atlan Holdings Bhd (KL:ATLAN) CEO Datuk Lee Kok Khee has become a substantial shareholder in AWC Bhd (KL:AWC) through a share purchase by Mastrack Sdn Bhd, a company he owns.

Former Atlan CEO Lee Kok Khee emerges as substantial shareholder in AWC

More straightAs, less learning: What Malaysia's exams miss

Three of the nation’s leading dance schools are banding together for this culturally unifying production.

'Genggaman' embraces Malaysian diversity through traditional dance, music and collaboration

From pickled 'petai' to 'jeruk kedondong', its healthier artisanal products are handcrafted by a passionate father-daughter team.

Elevate your pantry with Pick A Pickle's bold flavour combinations

The 39mm annual calendar stands as one of the most compelling dress watches of the year.

Rolex's Perpetual Padellone honours a cherished collector moniker

Her mission has always been about sharing and sustaining dishes from her East Coast heritage.

How Norhelinda Daud is keeping family recipes alive at Rumoh Mekda

This production of the Puccini masterpiece is the first in Malaysia in over 20 years, introducing a whole generation to the opera that brought the famous 'Nessun dorma' aria to the world.

KL City Opera stages 'Turandot' in conjunction with the centenary celebrations of its premiere

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Two additional general partners (GPs) have been named in Jelawang Capital Sdn Bhd’s inaugural 2025 Emerging Fund Managers’ Programme (EMP) cohort, more than 15 months after the first three were announced.

Two more firms named in Jelawang’s inaugural Emerging Fund Managers’ Programme cohort

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Malaysia needs to ensure the investments it attracts translate into deeper local supply chains, higher-value jobs and greater participation by domestic companies, said UOB Malaysia CEO Datuk Ng Wei Wei.

Malaysia needs to turn foreign investment into stronger local supply chains

For much of the past two years, investors have asked when the US Federal Reserve would start cutting interest rates. After Jackson Hole, a gathering of central bankers, a more important question has emerged: are markets prepared for rates to remain higher for longer?

The message from Ja...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Rate uncertainty and your portfolio

There is a peculiar feature of modern wealth. Some of the biggest things we aspire to own make surprisingly little financial sense. Take a car. In a city where ride-hailing is readily available, the mathematics of ownership can be difficult to justify once you add the purchase price, depreciation...

Wealth, by Design: Lifestyle tax: The price of the life we choose

Income funds took the spotlight for the third consecutive month. Five of the seven new funds launched from mid-August to mid-September were income or income-related funds, according to the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia.

The seven funds were AHAM Shariah Gold Tracker Ringgit...

Funds: Seven funds launched from mid-August to mid-September

Tokenisation, the act of representing an asset or claim as a token on a distributed ledger or blockchain, has remained under the radar among local financial institutions. Until recently.

The catalyst, market observers say, came from Bank Negara Malaysia, when it launched the Digital Ass...

Cover Story: Banks shift tokenisation into higher gear

Transitioning from the entertainment industry to the food and beverage (F&B) sector is not easy, but when comedian Ajak Shiro heard his child express a desire to start a fried chicken business, he thought of making the idea a reality.

Ajak, whose real name is Mohd Hanaffi Razak, loo...

Private Deal: Celebrity-founded nasi padang restaurant chain Bumbu Babah aims to raise RM20 mil

Two veterans of Malaysia’s start-up and investment ecosystem — entrepreneur and investor Sivapalan Vivekarajah and former Pitch Platforms Sdn Bhd (pitchIN) chief operating officer Xelia Tong — are launching a RM50 million debut venture fund.

Main Market-listed automotive replacement-par...

Venture Capital: Cypress Asia launches RM50 mil debut venture fund with New Hoong Fatt as anchor investor

Halogen Capital, the country’s first licensed digital asset fund manager, is in the process of launching Malaysia’s first digital currency exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Its founder and CEO Hann Liew says the firm is preparing a shariah-compliant Bitcoin ETF, potentially giving millions of...

TheWall: Halogen aims to go mainstream with ETF, starting with digital assets

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 25): Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s venture capital fund-of-funds, Jelawang Capital Sdn Bhd, has appointed Howard Soh as CEO, effective Oct 1.

Soh’s appointment comes about 15 months after former CEO Bryan Lim left Jelawang and its parent, Khazanah, at the end of June 2025, ...

Jelawang Capital appoints new CEO Howard Soh after long vacancy

The protracted demise of dollar-gold convertibility and associated fixed exchange rates did not end dollar hegemony. With crucial and timely help from political allies, confidence in the dollar system has persisted, albeit much diminished.

Contingency planning?

On Aug 15, 19...

My Say: Dollar system eroding slowly, but still dominant

In closing his Budget 2027 speech, the prime minister reflected on Homer’s Odyssey: O...

Trust In Resilience: Keeping on course for sustainable growth

THE energy transition is no longer just an environmental imperative but a question of energy security. As Malaysia seeks to attract investment in energy-intensive industries such as data centres and semiconductor manufacturing, securing reliable, competitively priced and low-carbon power is becom...

Bankability, not capital, is the hurdle in energy transition

BUDGET 2027 continues to balance fiscal consolidation with support for lower- and middle-income households. Measures announced under the budget include additional tax relief and a higher RM16 billion allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah assistance.

The governm...

Cover Story: Continuing the journey of fiscal consolidation and prudence

TAX INCENTIVES FOR INDIVIDUALS

• The individual tax relief threshold has been raised to RM12,000 from RM9,000

• Individual income tax rates have been reduced by 1% for two chargeable income bands: RM70,000 to RM100,000, with...

Cover Story: Budget 2027 Highlights

CONSUMER goods companies are looking to Budget 2027 for a lift in household spending, as highe...

Cover Story: A spending boost in store for consumer stocks 

President Donald Trump said on Friday the US may carry out another military operation against Iran just as the Iran war nears its eight-month mark and rising fuel prices weigh on the US midterm elections.

Trump says US may do another military operation against Iran

For most of the past four decades, China’s direction of travel was clear: everything was moving forward. The country’s per capita GDP was barely $300 at the start of the 1990s. But its cities would soon fill with skyscrapers, highways, and subways. Families that once worried about having enough f...

Sinonomics: Can China and America Handle Being Ordinary?

Apple Inc quickly sold out of its limited in-store inventory for the new iPhone Duo, underscoring the strong demand for a foldable device that starts at nearly US$2,000 (RM8,170).

Apple's iPhone Duo hits stores in face of short supply, high demand

OpenAI has begun cutting off internet access for its most capable artificial intelligence (AI) models during the training process in response to prior incidents in which its systems breached other companies.

OpenAI resumes training AI — without internet access

With an incumbent Maine US senator from his own party locked in a tight re-election battle, President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday to remove 50% tariffs on some Canadian agricultural and forestry products in a move that could benefit companies from the northern state.

Trump ends tariffs on some Canadian products as Republican Senator Collins faces close race

The tech-heavy Nasdaq edged higher on Friday, helped by signs of stabilisation in some tech stocks, while telecom shares tumbled on concerns that SpaceX's entry in the sector could heighten competition and threaten their market share.

Nasdaq ticks up as tech stocks steady; SpaceX worries hit telecoms

A NYSE options exchange has suspended trading, causing other exchanges to disregard quotes from the venue.

NYSE options exchange trading halted by ‘technical issue’

US consumer sentiment edged down to a five-month low in October as high prices and rising interest rates depressed morale.

US consumer sentiment slips to five-month low on inflation

Global data centre spending is expected to hit US$1 trillion (RM4.1 trillion) in 2026 and more than double to US$2.1 trillion by 2028, BofA Global Research estimated in a note on Friday, driven by growing demand for and development of AI services.

Data centre spending to more than double to US$2.1 tril by 2028

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 270 people each in the latest prisoner-of-war swap, following talks with US negotiators earlier this week.

‌‌

‌
‌