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

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

Vantris, Insas, Inari Amertron, Teck Guan, Willowglen, TSH Resources, Yinson, MISC, Favelle Favco, Kinergy, Kawan Renergy, EWI Capital, Taghill 

Insas Bhd (KL:INSAS) is planning to dispose of its entire remaining 5.65% stake in Inari Amertron Bhd (KL:INARI), valued at roughly RM580 million, to raise cash for working capital and repay credit facilities.

Insas plans to sell entire remaining 5.65% stake in Inari Amertron worth RM580 mil

Manchester City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, The Athletic and The Times reported on Friday.

Man City found guilty on all but one of 115 charges, reports say

Wall Street's main indices inched higher on Friday as AI optimism buoyed sentiment despite elevated oil prices and rising Treasury yields, while investors watched efforts to secure a deal to end the Middle East conflict.

Wall Street edges up as AI enthusiasm eases worries over higher oil prices, yields

US consumer sentiment fell in September to a four-month low amid deepening worries about rising prices and the outlook for the economy.

US consumer sentiment falls on concerns about prices, economy

The United States is expected to release details on the outcome of trade negotiations with China on Monday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday.

Details on US, China trade talks to come on Monday, says Greer

Construction firm Taghill Holdings Bhd (KL:TAGHILL) signed a joint-venture agreement on Friday to develop a residential project on a Malay reservation land in Kelantan, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM191.7 million.

Taghill enters joint venture to develop Kelantan land with estimated RM192 mil GDV

Indonesia will establish a National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN) to strengthen efforts to prevent recurring forest and land fires, particularly in peatland areas.

Indonesia to establish new agency to curb wildfires 

Roofing and building material products manufacturer and supplier Astino Bhd's (KL:ASTINO) net profit rose 17.8% in the fourth quarter, helped by a higher-margin export sales mix, despite lower revenue.

Astino 4Q profit rises 17.8% on stronger export sales 

Touch ’n Go Group has called for stronger collaboration among mobility, financial services, technology and regulatory sectors to strengthen the resilience of services that Malaysians rely on to travel, make payments and access digital financial services.

TNG Group calls for stronger cross-sector collaboration to safeguard mobility, payment resilience

A pardon, reprieve or respite may be granted under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution following conviction. Neither a pardon, a reprieve, nor a respite, constitutes an exoneration of guilt or removal of wrongdoing. They do not “wipe the slate clean” of the prior conviction.

Opinion: Malaysian Bar to challenge Najib's second pardon

Two individuals being investigated over alleged misappropriation involving the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) project linked to Felda will be charged next week, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said.

Two former top Felda officials to face charges over KLVC case — MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has completed its investigation into the delayed supply of fertilisers in Kedah, with two individuals set to be charged soon in connection with the case.

Fertiliser supply issue: Two to face charges soon, says MACC

Yinson Holdings Bhd (KL:YINSON) and MISC Bhd (KL:MISC) said discussions on Yinson's potential privatisation are ongoing, with the indicative offer price maintained at RM2.35 per share.

Yinson privatisation talks ongoing, RM2.35 indicative offer unchanged

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

Plantation company TSH Resources Bhd (KL:TSH) said on Friday that its 90%-owned indirect Indonesian subsidiary, PT Sarana Prima Multi Niaga, has been fined 184.35 billion rupiah (about RM42 million) by Indonesia’s Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (FAC).

TSH Resources unit fined RM42 mil by Indonesia forest task force

Engineering services and renewable energy provider Kawan Renergy Bhd (KL:KENERGY) posted a 72.8% decline in third-quarter net profit due partly to cost overruns at its power plant project in Sabah. 
&nbsp;

Kawan Renergy 3Q net profit falls 73% amid cost overruns at power plant project

Touch ’n Go Group has called for stronger collaboration among mobility, financial services, technology and regulatory sectors to strengthen the resilience of services that Malaysians rely on to travel, make payments and access digital financial services. 
&nbsp;

Corporate failure is usually discussed as a problem for shareholders, lenders and suppliers. For employees, it becomes a household crisis when the next salary does not arrive. Rent, food, loan repayments and transport costs do not wait for a liquidator to determine the order of claims.

Opinion: Insolvency law gives workers priority but not a guarantee of pay

Insas Bhd (KL:INSAS) is planning to dispose of its entire remaining 5.65% stake in Inari Amertron Bhd (KL:INARI), valued at roughly RM580 million, to raise cash for working capital and repay credit facilities.

Microsoft Corp&nbsp;is merging the consumer and workplace versions of its Copilot artificial intelligence (AI) assistant into one product aimed at corporate customers,&nbsp;ceding the crowded market for personal chatbots&nbsp;to OpenAI, Alphabet Inc’s Google and, now, Meta&nbsp;Platforms Inc.&nbsp;

Microsoft abandons personal AI chatbot race with Copilot reboot

EWI Capital Bhd’s (KL:EWICAP), formerly known as Eco-World International Bhd, reported a wider net loss of RM13.23 million in the third quarter, from RM8.18 million a year ago, weighed down by higher impairment and finance costs. 
&nbsp;

EWI Capital posts fifth quarterly net loss of RM13.23 mil on higher impairment and finance costs

Energy and engineering solutions provider Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KL:KINERGY), formerly &nbsp;known as Kejuruteraan Asastera Bhd, plans to place out up to 10% of its issued shares to third-party investors to raise up to RM79.75 million to finance its Perlis power plant and repay debts. 
&nbsp;

Kinergy plans 10% share placement to raise RM79.8 mil for Perlis power plant, debt repayment

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday said there is currently no proposal to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak, contrary to a local newspaper report linking the matter to discussions on the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

EC: No proposal to increase Sarawak parliamentary seats

Bursa Malaysia Securities has publicly reprimanded Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (KL:AZRB) for failing to immediately disclose four winding-up petitions involving the construction group and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Bursa publicly reprimands Ahmad Zaki Resources over delayed disclosure of winding-up petitions

Construction firm Taghill Holdings Bhd (KL:TAGHILL) signed a joint-venture agreement on Friday to develop a residential project on a Malay reservation land in Kelantan, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM191.7 million. 
&nbsp;

Roofing and building material products manufacturer and supplier Astino Bhd's (KL:ASTINO) net profit rose 17.8% in the fourth quarter, helped by a higher-margin export sales mix, despite lower revenue. 
&nbsp;

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will resume recording the statement of Datuk Seri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad once the former chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) recovers from&nbsp;a medical procedure.

MACC to resume recording former Felda chairman Isa Samad's statement after recovery

Pantech Group Holdings Bhd (KL:PANTECH) said the High Court has granted the pipe-and-valve maker an interim stay on the payment of RM6.76 million in capital gains tax pending a decision on its bid to challenge the tax assessment. 
&nbsp;

Pantech Group gets interim stay on capital gains tax pending judicial review bid decision

Moody’s Ratings has affirmed Axiata Group Bhd’s (KL:AXIATA) Baa2 issuer rating and baa3 baseline credit assessment, with a stable outlook, citing the telecommunications group’s diversified portfolio and resilient earnings.

Doris Liew

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Doris Liew

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌