Despite global headwinds, the Malaysian economy has been an outperformer in the region. After a punchy growth of 8.9% in the second quarter (2Q2022), the economy is likely to have impressed again in 3Q (10%). Thanks to the reopening of borders and withdrawal of pandemic-related restrictions, private consumption has rebounded to be a key pillar of growth. Consumer and business sentiment has been upbeat, and the labour market is recovering at a swift pace. The unemployment rate is now at the lowest level since the pandemic started. Investment growth has also been resilient, with record foreign direct investment inflows in 2021. Moreover, a well-diversified export base has helped Malaysia to reap the benefits of elevated commodity prices and a global semiconductor shortage. While there are now clear signs of a slowing trade cycle, the domestic tailwinds may still be enough to offset the impact at least through 2022.

HSBC: Rising core inflation warrants BNM to continue OPR hiking cycle

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, a 33-year-old former minister of industry and minerals, was sworn in as the youngest prime minister of Greenland on Friday to face the challenges posed by US President Donald Trump's ambitions to control the Arctic island.

Greenland's new prime minister takes office facing challenge from Trump

Apple Inc and Meta Platforms Inc are set to be hit by fines under the European Union’s (EU) Big Tech competition rulebook towards the end of next week, with the iPhone maker facing the added threat of recurring penalties under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Apple, Meta face modest fines as EU seeks to avoid US spat

This year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season has seen smoother air travel, particularly for those returning to Sabah and Sarawak.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this was due to the absence of complaints from the public about difficulties in securing flight tickets to their hometowns.

Smoother air travel this Aidilfitri, no complaints over flight tickets — Loke

Traffic flow on several major expressways has been reported to continue to be moving slowly tonight due to a rise in the number of vehicles heading out of the city centre, as city dwellers return to their hometowns to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Slow traffic flow, vehicle numbers expected to increase on major expressways

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out into the fatal crash that claimed five lives on the North-South Expressway near Kluang, Johor on Thursday.

Loke assures thorough probe into Kluang fatal crash

Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to power last year promising a growth boost but ended up presiding over a slump. Nine months on, however, the British economy may finally be turning the corner.

The UK economy is starting to emerge from stagnation

China's three big state-owned airlines posted their fifth straight year of losses this week, citing domestic market competition, low international and business travel demand, supply chain problems and currency depreciation as challenges.

China's top airlines post fifth year of losses in 2024 in the face of domestic competition 

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

MN Holdings, Genting, MMAG, LSH Capital, Able Global, Kerjaya Prospek Property, Yinson, GUH Holdings, DNeX and Sarawak Cable

Huawei Technologies Co executives would likely have known about — and signed off on — alleged bribes to European Union (EU) lawmakers in 2021, according to Belgian judicial authorities.

Huawei bosses likely knew of alleged EU bribes, say Belgians 

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (March 28, 2025)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: March 28, 2025

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison will not sign a deal next week to sell its two port operations near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said, amid growing pressure from Beijing.

CK Hutchison will not sign deal to sell strategic Panama ports next week — Reuters

A powerful earthquake centred in Myanmar rocked Southeast Asia on Friday, killing several people and causing extensive damage, with rescuers in Bangkok searching for 81 people in the rubble of a collapsed building.

Powerful quake in Southeast Asia kills several, 81 trapped in Bangkok building rubble

Volatile stock markets, driven by global economic uncertainties and shifting policies, have unsettled investors, prompting a shift towards domestic money market funds in search of stability. &nbsp;

Challenging the perception that foreign investors have exited the domestic market, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said they are instead parking funds in safer assets while maintaining exposure to Malaysia. &nbsp;

Foreign investors shifting to safer Malaysian assets amid market volatility — analyst

The Magistrate's Court here have sentenced businessman Chung Chee Yang, 47, to six years and 10 months in prison, and a fine of RM22,000, after he was found guilty of hurting the religious feelings and criminally intimidating his two bodyguards by pointing a gun at them and admonishing them for fasting in 2021.&nbsp;

Businessman who assaulted bodyguards for fasting sentenced to six years and 10 months' jail

The government has released the guidelines for its latest solar programme, which allows energy companies to lease rooftop space from homeowners to install solar panels and sell the generated electricity to customers through third-party access to the distribution network.

Govt sets guidelines for rooftop solar leasing, landed households set to benefit

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on Friday released the finalised policy document on complaints handling by financial services firms, including banks, insurers and payment system operators.

Banks, insurers required to promptly resolve customer complaints under new BNM policy

Taiwan is investigating whether China’s leading chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC)&nbsp;illegally poached local engineers as part of an effort to access the island’s cutting-edge chip technology.

Taiwan probes Chinese chipmaker SMIC for allegedly poaching staff

Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (KL:LSH), which has been slapped with a lawsuit by the former operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower, said that the claim against its subsidiaries is without merit and cannot be established.

LSH Capital says former KL Tower operator’s lawsuit ‘without merit’, followed procurement process

MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG) on Friday announced that Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador has emerged as its largest shareholder, after acquiring a 20% stake or 462 million shares earlier this week.

Farhash Wafa emerges as MMAG’s largest shareholder, named chairman

Dagang Nexchange Bhd (KL:DNEX) said it is seeking a court order to set aside an arbitration ruling against its units, DNeX Semiconductor Sdn Bhd and SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd, in a dispute between the two firms and China-based Tethystronics Technologies Company Ltd (TTCL).

DNeX goes to court in bid to overturn arbitration ruling against its units

Residents in several areas in Penang on Friday also felt tremors due to a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook an area 16 kilometres northwest Sagaing, Myanmar.

Tremors felt in Penang after earthquake hits Myanmar

The Sarawak&nbsp;Cabinet&nbsp;has approved the proposal paper for the implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

Sarawak's Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development,&nbsp;in a statement on Friday, said the approval was given during the state Cabinet meeting on March 20.

Sarawak Cabinet approves free tertiary education for 2026 implementation

Able Global Bhd (KL:ABLEGLOB) said its executive chairman Ng Keng Hoe was charged with abetment of dishonest misappropriation on Tuesday.

Able Global chairman Ng Keng Hoe charged with abetment of dishonest misappropriation

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) will introduce a new Investor Pass for foreign investors starting April 1, enabling them to stay in the country for six months, with the option for a further six-month extension. &nbsp;

Malaysia launches Investor Pass to attract foreign investment effective April 1

Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to improve market access at a meeting with a group of global business leaders in Beijing, in an effort to boost investor sentiment as rising tariffs fuel uncertainty for the economy and international trade.

Xi woos global business leaders as Trump intensifies trade war

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

FBM KLCI down 1.44% to 1,513.65 on March 28, 2025 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday stressed that the proposed implementation of subsidy rationalisation for RON95 petrol will not affect the low-income group.

PM assures most will not be affected by RON95 subsidy rationalisation 

Malaysia’s external balance will likely face increasing headwinds in the coming quarters due to slower export growth, the Australia &amp; New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) warned on Friday.

The ringgit could come under pressure if the US imposes higher-than-expected tariffs on Malaysian exports at a time when foreigners have been recently selling Malaysian equities due to global growth concerns, the bank said in its Asia Economic Outlook report.

Malaysia's external balance faces headwinds, threatening ringgit — ANZ

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): Kenanga Research has adjusted its valuations for outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) players, citing a softening global semiconductor cycle.

In a sector update released on Friday, Kenanga Research announced a reduction in the price-earnings ratio (...

Kenanga lowers valuations for chip packaging, testing firms as semiconductor cycle softens

The powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar on Friday damaged buildings and public infrastructure and there are concerns for the state of large dams, the Red Cross said on Friday.

Six states and regions are most impacted — particularly in the northwest of the country, the Red Cross said.

Frederic Neumann

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