This year, we saw the wider Asean tourism ecosystem take bold efforts to make a post-Covid comeback. In Malaysia, we witnessed the government issue a digital nomad visa and put emphasis on cultural and heritage tourism in the recent Budget 2024 announcement. These efforts will improve Malaysia’s attractiveness to global travellers.

Tourists want short-term rentals — why the tourism economy should too

Of the three million international tourists who visited Malaysia in 2022, it is no surprise that many flocked back to Penang, breathing new life into the F&B and tourism-related businesses decimated by the pandemic. Many of those would have also taken to online travel platforms like Agoda, Airbnb, Booking.com, or Expedia to plan and book their vacation stays.

Penang’s short-term rental limits will backfire

Malaysia will fortify its position as a centre of competitive trade, finance, and technology amid global changes, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia to fortify position as centre of competitive trade, finance and technology — Anwar

The legal practitioner arrested over corruption related to birth registration is suspected of processing birth certificate applications after receiving payment from applicants.

According to a source, applicants were required to make a payment before the legal practitioner processed documents related to birth certificate applications.

Op Birth: Detained legal practitioner assisted syndicate in registering birth

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened two investigation papers on the alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds involving Sapura Energy Bhd.

MACC opens two investigation papers involving Sapura Energy

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had two choices as the clock ticked down to the government funding deadline: drop his threat to block the Republican bill or force a disruptive March 15 shutdown.

Schumer retreats on shutdown threat, enhancing bill’s prospects

US stocks rose on Friday after a broad selloff on Wall Street during the week as investors assessed the fallout of tariff policies on economic growth, while new data signalled deteriorating consumer sentiment and a surge in inflation expectations.

Wall St climbs after string of sharp losses as investors weigh tariff impact

US consumer sentiment fell to a more than two-year low and long-term inflation expectations jumped by the most since 1993, illustrating growing apprehension about the economic impact from tariffs.

US consumer sentiment drops, price expectations soar on tariffs

US President Donald Trump appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops he said were in a “very bad and vulnerable position” and avoid what he said would be a massacre unlike anything since World War II.

Trump asks Russia to spare Ukrainian troops in ceasefire push

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Friday.

Pertama Digital, MAG, Axiata, HHRG, KJTS, TT Vision, Catcha Digital

President Donald Trump's administration is expected on Friday to move ahead with a second wave of mass firings and budget cuts across the US federal government even as two federal judges ordered it to reinstate thousands of federal workers.

Trump looks to press ahead with more lay-offs even as courts order some reinstatements

Tin prices extended gains to hit the highest in more than two years, as a halt to production at a major mine in Africa that’s threatened by insurgents continues to fan this year’s biggest rally on the London Metal Exchange (LME).

Tin extends LME’s biggest rally as Congo halt deepens shortage

(March 14): Malaysia’s Petronas is evaluating a sale of its shale oil asset in Argentina, a move that would complete its exit from the country’s booming Vaca Muerta fields as several international drillers also look to divest from the region.

Petronas has begun a process that may result...

Petronas evaluating exit from Argentina shale oil venture, Bloomberg reports

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): GXBank Bhd and Grab Malaysia have shortlisted eight startup companies to participate in a six-month-long TeXnovasi Accelerator Programme, aimed at driving innovation within Malaysia’s fintech ecosystem.

GXBank, Grab Malaysia shortlist eight startups to drive fintech innovation

Khazanah Nasional Bhd-backed TT Vision Holdings Bhd (KL:TTVHB) said it is not aware of any reason for the sharp rise in the price and volume of its shares which led to an unusual market activity query by Bursa Malaysia on Friday.

Khazanah-backed TT Vision Holdings says not aware of reason for unusual market activity

Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing has raised Beijing’s ire by agreeing to sell its control over ports in Panama to appease President Donald Trump. But there may be little the Chinese authorities can do to punish him for it.

Li Ka-shing has little to lose as China threatens Panama deal

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive despite global economic uncertainties stemming from escalating trade tensions and US tariff threats, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd head of research Kenny Yee Shen Pin.

Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive amid Trump-driven global uncertainties — Rakuten

HHRG Bhd’s largest substantial shareholders, Ch’ng Chen Mong and Tan Poh Cheng, have disposed of their entire 17.77% stake in the Penang-based biomass material manufacturer at a steep discount.

HHRG’s largest shareholders dispose of entire stake at a steep 94% discount

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) neither denied nor confirmed news that it is evaluating the sale of its shale oil asset in Argentina, but said that it continuously reviews its business portfolio in all countries where it has investments.

Petronas keeps mum on news of its possible exit from Argentina

Government e-services provider Pertama Digital Bhd (KL:PERTAMA) plans to acquire 80% stakes in two companies, D-Ron Singapore Pte Ltd (D-Ron SG) and D-Ron Malaysia Sdn Bhd (D-Ron MY), for RM106.12 million in cash.

Pertama Digital acquires 80% stakes in two companies for RM106m as part of its regularisation plan

Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City will have a dedicated 25km fibre trunk linking it to Cyberjaya, enhancing regional data centre connectivity and reinforcing its status as a key digital infrastructure hub.

Dedicated fibre trunk to link Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City and Cyberjaya

Tesla will make a lower-cost version of its best-selling Model Y in Shanghai, three people with knowledge of the matter said, aiming to regain ground lost during a price war in its second-largest market.

Tesla plans Model Y costing at least 20% less to produce to defend China share — Reuters 

The slump in US stocks is a technical correction rather than the beginning of a new bear market as it’s likely to prompt policy intervention, according to Bank of America Corp’s Michael Hartnett.

BofA says US stocks rout is correction, not start of bear market

Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, reported a 13% drop in fourth-quarter profit as weak performance in its consumer electronics division offset strength in its AI server segment business.

World's top electronics maker Foxconn 4Q profit drops 13%

Malaysia’s central bank on Friday announced the appointment of Aznan Abdul Aziz as deputy governor following the retirement of Jessica Chew Cheng Lian.

BNM names Aznan Abdul Aziz as deputy governor as Jessica Chew retires

BENGALURU (March 14): The US&nbsp;and Israel have contacted officials of three East African countries to discuss using their territories for resettling Palestinians from Gaza, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Friday, citing US and Israeli officials.

US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza, AP reports

A full-scale global trade war would hurt the United States in particular and could re-energise Europe's push towards unity, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said on Friday.

Trump's trade war a 'wake-up call' for Europe, Lagarde says

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): BRDB has acquired land at Wisma Damansara, Kuala Lumpur&nbsp;for a mixed-use development and will partner with British design firm Heatherwick Studio to design the integrated residential, retail and community spaces project that will promote a people-centred living environment.

BRDB, Heatherwick Studio partner on community-centric development in Damansara Heights

A retiree was left devastated after losing RM2.3 million to a bogus investment scheme that promised lucrative returns.

Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said police received a report on the scam from the 62-year-old man on Thursday.

Retiree loses RM2.3 mil to share investment scam

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Friday.

FBM KLCI up 0.14% to 1,512.15 on March 14, 2025

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR (March): Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) and its subsidiaries will be closed next&nbsp;Tuesday, March 18, for the Nuzul Al-Quran public holiday, which is observed in several Malaysian states and federal territories. &nbsp;

Chris Kerin

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Chris Kerin

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