The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.

Manufacturers seek one-year deferment of 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers 

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

Sapura Energy, Jati Tinggi, Keyfield, Bursa Malaysia, KPJ, Al-Aqar REIT, LSH Capital, HHRG, Cypark, Crescendo, Malakoff

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees the US economy shifting into a lower gear this year as President Donald Trump pushes forward with aggressive tariffs but doesn’t see a recession on the horizon.

IMF says US economy slowing but count out recession

E-commerce platform TikTok Shop said it will launch to users in France, Germany, and Italy on Monday, expanding its reach further into Europe even as TikTok faces being shut down in the US if Chinese owner ByteDance does not find an American buyer.

TikTok Shop steps up Europe expansion with US future unclear

NexG Bhd (KL:NEXG), formerly known as Datasonic Group Bhd, is now a substantial shareholder of MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG) with a 9.53% stake.

NexG emerges as MMAG's substantial shareholder with 9.53% stake

Germany is getting €1 trillion (RM4.77 trillion) in additional funding virtually for free after bond markets reacted positively to its “historic” spending bill, Deutsche Bank AG chairman Alexander Wynaendts said.

Germany got €1 tril for free, says Deutsche Bank chairman

Transboundary haze, a recurring issue in the region, is expected to be one of the key topics discussed at the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit (KLSS) from Oct 14 to 16, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

KL Sustainability Summit to tackle transboundary haze, says Nik Nazmi

US corporate profits rebounded sharply in the fourth quarter, but an uncertain economic outlook due to tariffs is creating a challenging environment for businesses in the first quarter.

US corporate profits surge in fourth quarter

The chief of Myanmar's ruling junta vowed on Thursday to hold a free and fair election in December, as he urged armed opponents in a widening civil war to renounce violence and pursue dialogue.

Myanmar junta preparing for December election, says top general

The US Department of Health and Human Services will cut about 10,000 full-time jobs and close half of its regional offices, it said on Thursday, a major overhaul of the department under Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

US health department cutting 10,000 workers under Kennedy 

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): A lawsuit has been filed by the former operator of KL Tower against Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd's (KL:LSH) subsidiaries and the Malaysian government, challenging the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd.

The former operator of KL Tower — ...

Former KL Tower operator sues LSH Capital, govt over concession award

Former Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) group president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Abdul Farid Alias, currently an independent director of Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA), has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the stock exchange operator by the Minister of Finance, effective May 1.

Former Maybank CEO Farid Alias redesignated as Bursa non-executive chairman from May, replacing Abdul Wahid who is retiring

Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), a wholly owned unit trust company of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), has declared a total income distribution payout of RM2.18 billion for the financial year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2025).

ASNB declares RM2.18b distribution for FY2025, with ASB 2 at 5.50 sen per unit, ASM at five sen

Shares of Pos Malaysia Bhd (KL:POS) jumped on Thursday to their highest in more than three months&nbsp;in highly active trade.

Pos Malaysia's shares surged by as much as 36% or seven sen to 26.5 sen. The stock pared some gains to settle at 25.5 sen at market close, still up 30.8 sen or six sen after&nbsp;25.71&nbsp;million shares changed hands. The trading volume was its biggest in a single day since November 2020.

Pos Malaysia’s stock surges 36%, trading volume rises to over four-year high

Microsoft Corp&nbsp;has walked away from new data centre projects in the US and Europe that would have amounted to a capacity of about two gigawatts of electricity, according to TD Cowen analysts, who attributed the pullback to an oversupply of the clusters of computers that power artificial intelligence (AI).

Microsoft abandoned data centre projects — analysts

(March 27):&nbsp;Indonesia is betting on tiny bugs from Africa to help boost its palm oil production, as the broader sector grapples with tightening supply that threatens to keep prices elevated and add to food inflation.

Indonesia to use one million African weevils to spur palm output

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): AMMB Holding Bhd (KL:AMBANK) may pay out higher than expected dividends when the sixth-largest Malaysian bank by assets announces its strong results for the current financial year.

AMMB may pay higher than expected dividend, analysts flag

(March 27):&nbsp;Foreign investors sold Malaysian stocks for a 29th-straight session on Wednesday (March 26), the longest selling streak since June 2018, amid concerns over the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI)&nbsp;projects, as the US seeks to control advanced chip technology transfers.

Malaysian stocks record longest outflow streak since June 2018

Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&amp;E), rubber, furniture and optical and scientific equipment exports are the most vulnerable to tariffs the US is expected to impose on the “dirty 15” countries next week, according to UOB economists.

Malaysia's electronics, rubber, furniture exports most at risk from Trump's potential tariffs on 'dirty 15' — UOB

FROM a 10-storey blue-domed office building that overlooks a scenic lake in Jalan Tasik, The Mines Resort City, in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, oil and gas outfit Sapura Energy Bhd (KL:SAPNRG) — a Practice Note 17 company — has moved into the much older 40-storey Menara PNB in Jalan Tun Razak, which...

Cover Story: Is the worst really over for Sapura Energy?

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): Petroliam Nasional Bhd, also known as Petronas, said on Thursday that it has issued a US$5 billion (RM22 billion) senior multi-tranche bond and proceeds would be used for general corporate purposes.

Petronas raises US$5b from its first dollar bond in four years

Sapura Energy Bhd (KL:SAPNRG) posted a net profit of RM405.68 million for its fourth quarter compared to a net loss of RM728.44 million a year earlier, helping the troubled oil and gas services group return to profitability for the full year.

Sapura Energy back in the black with RM190 mil full-year net profit  

Financial influencers, also known as finfluencers, will be subject to the guidelines on advertising for capital market products starting Nov 1.

Financial influencers will be regulated as capital market advertisers starting Nov 1

KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KL:KPJ) has proposed to inject two hospital properties into Al-'Aqar Healthcare Real Estate Investment Trust (Al-Aqar REIT) (KL:ALAQAR) for a combined consideration of RM241 million via a sale-and-leaseback arrangement.

KPJ to inject two hospital assets into Al-Aqar Healthcare REIT

PERTH (March 27): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is targeting to bring in more long-haul operations from Europe and other regions.

MAHB targets long-haul operations from European air carriers

Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera aims to trim its strategic assets to 35% of its total holdings over the next three years under the Project Earth restructuring plan.

LTAT to pare strategic assets to 35% of holdings in three years, says CEO

A retired police officer who was previously the investigating officer of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case, agreed with a question put to him in court on Thursday that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was involved with&nbsp;the investment fund from as early as May 2009.

1MDB-Tanore trial: Retired investigator agrees Najib's involvement can be traced to 1MDB's origin as TIA in 2009

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): Oasis Home Holding Bhd, which sells consumer products through livestream commerce, signed an agreement for MIDF Amanah Investment Bank to underwrite its Bursa Malaysia ACE Market initial public offering (IPO).

Oasis Home gets MIDF to underwrite ACE Market IPO, listing aimed for May

AirAsia has confirmed that there was no engine fire on flight AK128, which performed a safe air return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on Thursday morning, approximately two hours after takeoff.

AirAsia confirms no engine fire on flight AK128

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): A lawsuit has been filed by the former operator of KL Tower against Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd's (KL:LSH) subsidiaries and the Malaysian government, challenging the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd.

The former operator of KL Tower — ...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the National Cyber ​​Security Agency and the National Security Council to work closely with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), following a cyberattack on MAHB's digital system.

Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid & Nur Athirah Mohd Shaharuddin