KUALA LUMPUR (July 23): Supporters of forest-based carbon markets will point to the continual improvements made to methodologies as science advances, the increasing use of precision technologies to monitor impacts, and the opportunity they provide for transfering climate finance from the global north to the global south, as among reasons to use high quality credits as one of a package of tools to drive climate, biodiversity and local community gains.

Improving carbon markets can help finance large-scale climate action; rejecting them outright means potential is lost

Malaysia’s new vehicle registrations eased in August, despite the highest monthly sport utility vehicle (SUV) sales recorded so far this year.

Malaysia’s vehicle sales down in August despite record SUV demand

Malaysia’s public institutions collectively control significant national resources. Across federal agencies, state-linked foundations, statutory bodies, government-linked companies and educational institutions, extensive land bank, facilities, infrastructure and strategic assets have been accumulated over decades.

My Say: From ownership to outcomes: Why public institutions must measure productivity

Indonesian tycoon Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad agreed to acquire a major stake in miner PT Bayan Resources, setting the stage for him to become one of the biggest players in the global coal industry.

Indonesian tycoon close to Prabowo creates coal mining giant

Thirty-three areas across the country woke to unhealthy air on Friday morning, with the air pollutant index (API) crossing into unhealthy territory in several states as of 9am.

Haze worsens as 33 areas nationwide record unhealthy readings

Malaysia’s overnight policy rate (OPR) could rise by 25 basis points (bps) in 2027 amid expectations of further increases in global interest rates, according to MBSB Research.

Malaysia’s OPR could rise by 25 bps in 2027 — MBSB Research

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday he had no intention of seeking a second term in office, which is barred under the current constitution.

Lee says not eyeing second term barred by South Korea's constitution

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday in a widely expected move to forestall risks of inflation overshooting its 2% inflation target.

Japan's central bank raises interest rates to 31-year high in widely expected move

New Zealand has not had any discussions with the European Union (EU) about becoming an associate member, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Friday, after the bloc said it is considering such a proposal for Canada.

New Zealand says no associate-member talks with EU

Japan's core consumer inflation held steady near the central bank's 2% target in August, data showed on Friday, highlighting mounting price pressures that solidify the case for a near-term interest rate hike.

Japan's core inflation holds near central bank's target

Waymo plans to offer its robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028, the latest in a string of domestic and international expansions by the Alphabet Inc unit.

Waymo plans to offer paid robotaxi rides in Singapore in 2028

The Negeri Sembilan state administration said it will not gazette or take any action to implement a proclamation seeking to remove Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir from office, after accepting advice from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

Negeri Sembilan state secretary’s office will not act on proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz

Police will submit the investigation papers on Selangor delegate Datuk Noorazli Said’s speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly on Sunday to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on Friday.

Police to submit investigation papers on Umno delegate’s speech to AGC on Friday

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

Binastra, Reservoir Link, Batu Kawan, MKH Oil Palm, Cuscapi, Glomac, Bintulu Port, Enproserve

AirAsia Group Bhd (KL:AAGB) has sold six newly-delivered aircraft since the start of last year, including two in July, in an unusual about-face that points to the financial strain gripping the airline.&nbsp;

Cash-strapped AirAsia takes unusual step of unloading new planes

Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir expressed his appreciation for the support shown by over 200 members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who gathered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 here on Thursday night to welcome his arrival.

Tuanku Muhriz expresses gratitude to supporters upon return at KLIA

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Sept 18, 2026 

Oil dropped for a third day on Friday as supply concerns eased and traders looked to the next round of diplomacy that will shape the US-Iran war.

Oil drops as supply concerns ease and Iran diplomacy picks up

Keyfield International Bhd (KL:KEYFIELD) slid to a one-year low amid softer accommodation workboat demand and charter rates.

Kenanga says sell-off unjustified after Keyfield hits one-year low

Asian stocks and bonds rose on Friday tracking a rally on Wall Street as a pullback in oil prices eased inflation concerns. The yen was mostly steady ahead of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ)&nbsp;interest-rate decision, with traders expecting a hike.

Asian stocks, bonds gain as oil extends decline

Budget 2027 could see further sales and service tax (SST) exemptions to reduce costs embedded in businesses, alongside possible personal income tax relief for middle-income taxpayers, according to CIMB Securities.

Budget 2027 may bring SST exemptions, income tax relief for middle-income earners — CIMB Securities

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis exchanged fresh strikes across their border on Thursday and Yemenis took to boats in the Red Sea to escape fighting, as the spreading Middle East war created new threats to global oil supplies.

Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes, Yemenis flee by boat as Middle East war spreads

Binastra Corporation Bhd (KL:BNASTRA) eked out a new all-time high in Friday trading while analysts raised their outlook after the construction firm’s latest results.

Binastra shares eke out new record, analysts raise outlook after results

China is establishing a vast airspace security zone roughly the size of Italy around Beijing, barring all but commercial, approved business and emergency flights, months after a small aircraft crashed into the capital's tallest building.

A permanent 600-kilometre-wide circle of "Special Restricted Area" centred around Beijing will take effect from September 20, an aviation notice attributed to Beijing airspace control authorities and available through the US Federal Aviation Administration's public NOTAM search system reviewed by Reuters showed.

China creates Italy-sized no-fly zone around Beijing after rare crash

The Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday in a widely expected move to forestall risks of inflation overshooting its 2% inflation target.

DoubleLine Capital chief executive Jeffrey Gundlach warned that the next US downturn could trigger a debt crisis that sends long-term Treasury yields sharply higher — defying decades of conventional wisdom that bonds will always serve as safe haven during times of economic strife.

DoubleLine’s Gundlach warns of fiscal crisis in next recession

Malaysia has been elected to serve on the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2026-2028 term.

Malaysia elected to International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors for 2026-2028 term

Nvidia Corp chief executive officer Jensen Huang expects to sell twice as many chips in the coming year, fuelled by the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) across different industries.&nbsp;

Nvidia expects to sell twice as many chips next year

Stocks joined bonds higher as falling oil prices lent support to optimism that inflation can be kept under control a day after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.

US stocks, bonds rise after Fed-day drop as oil falls

The US Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday unveiled its long-awaited exemption that will allow companies to offer trading in blockchain-based or "tokenized" stocks and other securities, in a major move that could integrate digital assets more deeply into traditional markets.

The agency is offering a five-year exemption to platforms that facilitate trading of tokenized stocks — digital tokens that represent a stock and can be traded on a blockchain similar to a cryptocurrency — from many of the rules that apply to the Nasdaq, NYSE and other stock exchanges.

US securities regulator rolls out five-year exemption for tokenized stock trading

Options markets are anticipating few fireworks in 10-year Treasury trading even as the benchmark yield has risen steadily this year to 5%, underscoring the role of strong US economic growth in driving rates higher and tamping down volatility.

Ivy Wong Abdullah & David Stone

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Ivy Wong Abdullah & David Stone

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