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

Chinese chipmaker CXMT Corp reported a surge in preliminary profit and sales during the first nine months of the year after global demand for memory sent prices of the components soaring.

China’s CXMT swings to profit after memory chip prices surge

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

Zetrix AI, Genting, Genting Plantation, IOI Properties, Public Bank, RHB Bank, Cape EMS, Turiya, EGH International, Westsports Holdings & Cosmos Tech 

ExxonMobil Holdings Corp is the latest oil supermajor to signal soaring third-quarter refining profits as wars in the Persian Gulf and Russia crippled fuel-making facilities causing prices to surge.

Exxon signals record refining earnings on soaring diesel prices 

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) said its board has yet to deliberate on the potential acquisition of Singapore properties mentioned by its chief executive officer in a media report.

IOI Properties board yet to deliberate on potential Singapore acquisitions

Shipping estimates for Apple Inc’s first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, slipped into December and beyond within minutes of the company opening pre-orders on Friday.

Apple iPhone Duo orders slip into 2027 amid pre-order frenzy

The benchmark S&P 500 was muted on Friday as worries about cracks in the AI trade pressured semiconductor stocks, while gains in banks limited overall declines.

S&P 500 subdued as gains in banks offset AI jitters; Dow at one-month high

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took aim on Friday at US President Donald Trump's diesel deal with Russia and welcomed the prospect of European allies stepping up their role in talks, calling Moscow's stance a "parody" of peace negotiations.

Zelenskiy blasts Trump's diesel deal and calls Russian peace moves a 'parody'

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the party has been allocated eight state legislative assembly (DUN) seats to contest in the Melaka state election (PRN).

Amanah allocated eight seats in Melaka polls — Mohamad Sabu

The US is on track to install record amounts of clean energy this year and next as developers race to claim expiring federal tax credits and as soaring data-centre electricity demand stimulates growth.

US clean energy set to reach new highs as tax-credit cliff looms

US factory production increased in September, but lost considerable momentum in the third quarter amid headwinds from the Middle East conflict, which has snarled supply chains and raised energy prices.

US manufacturing output rises in September

Genting Bhd (KL:GENTING) executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay’s private investment vehicle, Kien Huat Realty Sdn Bhd, has acquired additional shares in the group as its stock hovers near its two-decade lows.

Genting chairman buys more shares as stock nears two-decade low

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) faces potential sukuk payment obligations of RM2.16 billion if it fails to resolve a covenant breach by Oct 22, which could trigger a payment default.

Zetrix on the hook for RM2.16 bil as sukuk holders sound alarm bell  

Two Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) workers were rushed to hospital after a fire broke out at &nbsp;a major electricity substation in Johor Bahru on Friday, causing power outages across large parts of the state capital.

Two TNB workers rushed to hospital after JB power substation fire  

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has maintained additional capital buffer requirements for the country’s three biggest banks: Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) and Public Bank Bhd (KL:PPBANK).

Bank Negara keeps Maybank, CIMB and Public Bank on systemically important banks list, with capital buffers unchanged

PETRONAS and Vietnam National Industry–Energy Group (Petrovietnam) have signed a strategic alliance agreement to strengthen their 35-year partnership and advance energy security, sustainability and long-term growth.

PETRONAS, Petrovietnam sign strategic alliance to deepen 35-year energy partnership

Datuk Vijayasundaram Jeyabalan has emerged as a substantial shareholder in Turiya Bhd (KL:TURIYA) after acquiring 22.872 million shares, representing a 9.091% stake in the company, through a private placement.

Vijayasundaram Jeyabalan emerges as Turiya’s second-largest shareholder with 9.09% stake via placement

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

Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) could see its consolidated net assets and earnings per share reduced by four sen, following an expected HK$1.964 billion — or about RM1.1 billion — goodwill impairment at its Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, Public Financial Holdings Ltd (PFHL).

Public Bank’s HK unit to take HK$1.9b non-cash impairment, trimming parent’s net assets and earnings by four sen per share

RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) said on Friday it has applied to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for more time to conclude negotiations with Tokio Marine Asia Pte Ltd on the proposed merger of their insurance business in the country.

RHB Bank seeks more time to conclude insurance merger with Tokio Marine

For a decade, Southeast Asia has sold a rather attractive story about the US–China rift: let the giants throw furniture at each other; we will take the factory bookings.&nbsp;

Opinion: China’s export boom has a hidden bill; Asean is already paying

Chinese chipmaker CXMT Corp reported a surge in preliminary profit and sales during the first nine months of the year after global demand for memory sent prices of the components soaring.

Shipping estimates for Apple Inc’s first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, slipped into December and beyond within minutes of the company opening pre-orders on Friday.

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) said its board has yet to deliberate on the potential acquisition of Singapore properties mentioned by its chief executive officer in a media report.

The benchmark S&amp;P 500 was muted on Friday as worries about cracks in the AI trade pressured semiconductor stocks, while gains in banks limited overall declines.

CoreWeave's shares and bonds were headed for steep weekly losses on Friday, as investors grew uneasy about the debt financing behind the AI build-out in the face of rising borrowing costs.

CoreWeave shares, bonds headed for steep weekly losses as AI borrowing concerns mount

China proposed adding advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to its export-control list, potentially restricting overseas transfers of AI models and chip designs in an effort to keep closer control over homegrown advancements in a strategically important sector.

China plans AI tech export curbs to manage security risks

Many workers in Malaysia earn too little. In 2023, about 30% of employees earned less than two-thirds of the median earnings, a common benchmark for low wages, compared to 13.5% of the OECD average.

Opinion: Raising minimum wage exposes policy flaws

Electronics contract manufacturer Cape EMS Bhd (KL:CAPE) is collaborating with Taiwan-listed FIC Global Inc (FICG) to serve as its strategic partner in the latter’s optical transceivers manufacturing expansion in Johor.

Cape EMS partner FIC Global unit for Johor expansion, proposes RM50 mil RCPS issuance

Five Malaysians arrested for concealing 5kg of cocaine in their shoe soles at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct 10 are believed to be drug mules paid RM8,000 each.

Malaysian drug mules paid RM8,000 each to smuggle cocaine in shoes to Japan — police

Malaysia's still-robust growth is handing its central bank strong leverage to manage rising inflation risks in the final quarter of the year, economists said.

Doris Liew

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Doris Liew

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