The escalation of conflict involving Iran has jolted global energy markets, pushing oil prices sharply higher on fears that supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted. Brent crude has surged in recent days and global analysts warn prices could climb further if the conflict spre...

My Say: Malaysia’s budget has to ride out oil price shock

Holidaymakers are rejoicing, importers suddenly see their balance sheets in the greenest shades ever and those sitting in the central bank can heave sighs of relief after spending months using varying monetary mechanisms to stabilise the ringgit.

The strengthening of the ringgit has bee...

My Say: The ringgit is strengthening, but real structural productivity gain is key

It is a beautiful morning. The sky is blue and the sun, hidden behind the towering Menara 101 in Kuala Lumpur, leaks golden rays to celebrate the start of a new day. The skyline of the city hums with Huntrix’s song Golden, as we’re going “Up, Up, Up” to have our moments, a Malaysian moment as we ...

My Say: Living beyond safe decibels

Malaysia’s Budget 2026 marks a notable shift in public investment strategy. For the first time since 2020, the government’s development expenditure (DE) is set to decline, even as the economy continues to recover and the state positions itself for a high-income transition. The timing has raised a...

My Say: Budget 2026: Retreat from development may signify discipline or premature austerity

IN a recent announcement, the prime minister unveiled a series of headline-grabbing relief measures: RON95 petrol is now capped at RM1.99 per litre, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash assistance has been expanded to 

RM15 billion to provide RM100 to ...

My Say: Fiscal prudence is much needed as global risks mount

Obesity is often framed as a public health concern or a lifestyle issue, but rarely is it viewed through an economic lens. Yet the rising prevalence of obesity in Malaysia carries profound implications not just for individual well-being, but for national productivity. Beyond the burden on healthc...

My Say: Weighing down the economy

First, let’s take a broad overview of the state of the economy in 2024.

All in all, Malaysia’s macroeconomic performance in 2024 has been impressive, although slowing in the fourth quarter. With gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates reaching 5.9% in the second quarter and 5.3% in th...

My Say: Sustaining Malaysia’s 2024 growth momentum in 2025

Malaysia’s economy is experiencing a robust recovery, marked by significant growth in key sectors and improvements in labour market indicators. The first half of 2024 has seen substantial economic expansion, with GDP growth rates of 4.2% in the first quarter and 5.9% in the second quarter. The Wo...

My Say: Let workers share in Malaysia’s economic success

In a period of global uncertainty, Malaysia’s economy is demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism. Along with the strong Q2 gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.9%, the surge in initial public offerings (IPOs) and strategic investments by government-linked investment companies (GLICs) is a c...

My Say: Malaysia sees economic optimism through increased IPOs and GLIC investments

The ringgit has depreciated against the US dollar in the run-up to 2024. In May last year, Bank Negara Malaysia raised interest rates to 3%, following the US Federal Reserve’s rate hike and to curb inflation. The central bank is expected to maintain this rate throughout the year to support the we...

My Say: Rethinking the case for a weaker ringgit

Malaysia must accelerate the modernisation of its agricultural sector and improve production efficiency to strengthen food security amid growing challenges, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Agricultural modernisation key to strengthening food security — Mohamad Sabu

Anthropic PBC’s initial public offering (IPO) plans ran into a punishing post-election selloff, prompting a rethink among prospective investors of the company’s expected valuation.

Anthropic IPO buyers see valuation as low as US$1.1 tril

A seafarer on a Greek-owned oil tanker was killed in an apparent missile attack in the Gulf, its owner said on Friday.

Company says sailor killed in Gulf tanker attack

Monster Beverage Corp shares fell as much as 8.2% on Friday, the biggest decline in over two years, after the energy drink giant’s weaker-than-expected margins underscored the impact of soaring costs in the beverage industry.

Monster shares fall as weaker margins highlight cost burden

Pakatan Harapan's (PH) track record as a key component of the federal government should serve as a yardstick for Melaka voters to assess the coalition's capabilities ahead of the 16th Melaka state election on Nov 14, said Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim.

Melaka voters urged to judge PH by federal govt's performance — Hassan Karim

Collaboration between plantation companies and oil palm smallholders to increase both parties’ yields and income will be raised at the Cabinet meeting next week, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Plantation companies-oil palm smallholders collaboration to be raised in Cabinet next week — Anwar

US consumer sentiment rose in November to a three-month high, bolstered by modest improvements in Americans' views of their personal finances and the economic outlook.

US consumer sentiment unexpectedly rises, fuelled by independents

The tech-heavy Nasdaq rose on Friday as chip stocks bounced off heavy losses posted in the previous session on fears that a Democratic-led Congress could result in tougher artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, even as the jobs report raised interest-rate hike concerns.

Nasdaq pares losses as chips recover, rate-hike fears linger

Treasuries dipped after an unexpected surge in US job growth led traders to add to wagers that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will raise interest rates when officials next meet in December.

US Treasuries stumble as strong jobs data backs Fed-hike bets

TikTok moved one step closer to a new European Union fine after regulators found its video-recommendation algorithm pushes users down “rabbit holes” of potentially harmful content, escalating an almost three-year probe into the video-sharing app.

EU escalates TikTok probe over algorithmic ‘rabbit holes’

Authorities should investigate the source of the money raised to pay former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s fine, said DAP’s Tony Pua.

Investigate source of money raised to pay Najib’s fine, says Tony Pua

Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) saw its net profit drop 3.8% year-on-year in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (3QFY2026) on higher loans or financing impairment allowances.

Public Bank 3Q net profit slips 3.8% on higher loan loss charges

Imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's legal team has confirmed that the RM50 million fine has been paid and the court has subsequently issued an order for house arrest.

Court has issued Najib's order for house arrest

The grounds of judgement, for the decision that allows for the additional testimony of one of the prosecution’s star witnesses in Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's completed graft case, are still pending.

Grounds of judgement not ready, delaying additional testimony of key witness in Rosmah's completed graft case

Datuk Seri Najib Razak should remain in prison until the conditional pardon order on his house arrest is clarified, the Attorney General's Chambers said on Friday.

Attorney General: Najib should remain in jail until house arrest order clarified

Datuk Lee Yeow Seng has stepped down from the board of IOI Corp Bhd (KL:IOICORP) to focus on the conglomerate’s property arm, IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG), which is in the midst of listing IOIPG Malaysia Real Estate Investment Trust on Bursa Malaysia.

Lee Yeow Seng steps down from IOI Corp board to focus on leading IOI Properties

SoftBank Group Corp&nbsp;founder Masayoshi Son and other tycoons across Asia saw billions erased from their fortunes as a global tech sell-off rippled through their companies on Friday.

AI elite lose US$18 bil as chip stock rout spreads to Asia

A consortium comprising MISC Bhd (KL:MISC), Yinson Holdings Bhd's (KL:YINSON) founding Lim family and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has submitted a formal proposal to privatise Yinson at RM2.50 per share, valuing the energy infrastructure group at RM7.31 billion. 
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MISC, Lim family, EPF make RM4 bil offer to take Yinson private at RM2.50 a share

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest has yet to start despite paying the RM50 million fine required by the Federal Territories Pardons Board, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said on Friday.

Loke says Najib at hospital for checks, to quit as soon as ex-PM's house arrest starts

Bursa Securities has directed Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) to pay its delayed final dividend for the &nbsp;year ended Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025) by Nov 23. The bourse regulator also asked the company to disclose material information on its financial condition and several other developments which it views with serious concern. 
&nbsp;

Bursa directs Zetrix to pay FY2025 final dividend by Nov 23, disclose info on financial condition

The ringgit could possibly strengthen towards the 4.00 threshold against the greenback by year-end, CIMB Treasury and Markets Research opines, as it foresees electronics exports widen Malaysia’s trade surplus and exporters convert more of their overseas earnings into ringgit.&nbsp; 
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Ringgit could strengthen towards 4.00 per US dollar by year-end, says CIMB

Malaysia’s push to become a regional data centre hub is putting pressure on its energy infrastructure, as new power generation and grid capacity take much longer to build than the facilities they are meant to support, according to experts.

Energy capacity struggles to keep pace with Malaysia’s data centre ambitions

Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) international reserves rose&nbsp;to US$132.6&nbsp;billion as at Oct 30, 2026, from US$132.1&nbsp;billion as at Oct 15.

BNM international reserves hit US$132.6b as at Oct 30

South Korea’s government turned the world’s hottest stock market into a political trophy. Now, a reversal that’s wiped out more than a trillion dollars in value is stirring a retail investor backlash and testing public faith in its leaders.

South Korea’s US$1.7 tril rout burns day traders, challenges Lee

Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) on Friday reported a 8.5% increase in its net profit in the third quarter from a year earlier thanks to higher service revenue as well as lower costs.

Maxis earnings grow by 8.5% in 3Q, declares 4.5 sen per share dividend

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Semiconductor assembly and test services provider Unisem (M) Bhd (KL:UNISEM) saw its net profit jump 59% in the third quarter, thanks to higher sales volume and other operating income.

Unisem's 3Q net profit jumps 59%; declares one sen interim dividend

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed disagreement with Umno’s decision to pay the RM50 million fine on behalf of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, stressing that corruption and abuse of power must not be taken lightly in the name of friendship.

Anwar disagrees with Umno paying Najib's RM50 mil fine

Semiconductor support services firm Frontken Corporation Bhd (KL:FRONTKN) posted record earnings in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (3QFY2026), driven by stronger performance across its core businesses and effective cost controls.

Frontken 3Q earnings rise 25% on stronger core businesses, cost efficiencies

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

Unisem, Frontken, Public Bank, Maxis, Zetrix AI, TRC Synergy, IOI Corp, IOI Property, MISC,  Yinson, Microlink, APB Resources & Nestcon

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (KL:MHB) has completed the issuance of sukuk murabahah with an aggregate nominal value of RM350 million under its sukuk murabahah programme of up to RM1.0 billion.

Doris Liew

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Doris Liew

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