Malaysian businesses are growing faster than most finance teams can effectively track.

The cost of growth: Why businesses are losing visibility of their own spending

Budget 2027: What does it mean for my wallet?

Budget 2027: What changes for my business?

US consumer sentiment slumped further in early October as the rising cost of living because of the Middle East conflict soured households' views of the economy, more bad news for President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov 3 midterm elections.

US consumer sentiment near record low as frustration over economy mounts

Tax experts said measures proposed under Budget 2027 provide targeted relief to the middle-income segment and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) but may increase the tax load on individuals earning above RM1 million.

Tax experts see targeted relief for middle-income taxpayers in Budget 2027

Malaysia’s government-linked investment companies see a boost to Bumiputera wealth, better workers’ livelihoods and capital mobilisation from Budget 2027.

Govt investment companies expect wealth creation from Budget 2027

After four years of asking Malaysians to endure subsidy rationalisation and other painful reforms, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is now loosening the government’s purse strings as his administration nears the end of the term.

After years of fiscal consolidation, Anwar loosens purse strings with Budget 2027

Budget 2027: The big picture

A brief recap of some business news and corporate annoucements that made the headlines on Friday.

Genting, IOI Properties, PMB Technology, Press Metal, Unisem, EP Manufacturing, Astral Asia, Avangaad, Kinergy, Hektar REIT, and Ahmad Zaki

Economists and research analysts have broadly welcomed Budget 2027’s tax relief, cost-of-living support and fiscal consolidation, but cautioned that delivery, subsidy reform and the risk of fiscal slippage will determine whether its targets are met.

Economists welcome tax relief and consolidation, but flag slippage and execution risks

Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd and its liquidator have filed another suit seeking to compel the government to sell the 263.272-acre prime "Duta enclave" land in Kuala Lumpur and hand over the proceeds to the company, subject to deductions for any compensation received through separate ongoing legal proceedings.

Semantan Estate and liquidator files another suit to compel govt to sell Duta enclave land, hand over proceeds

KLANG (Oct 10): Mitraland Group has officially launched Bayou Quartz, a landed residential development in Kota Bayuemas, Klang, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM800 million.

Occupying approximately 52 acres of freehold land, Bayou Quartz is the latest addition to the developer’...

Mitraland launches RM800 mil Bayou Quartz in Klang

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): A total of 33 areas recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels as of 10am on Saturday, with Batu Pahat, Johor, recording the highest reading at 190.

Haze: 33 areas record unhealthy API as of 10am

NEW YORK/BENGALURU (Oct 9): A contractor linked to Super Micro Computer has pleaded guilty in a scheme to illegally export computer servers containing advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, a federal court filing showed on Friday.

Super Micro contractor pleads guilty in scheme to divert AI servers with Nvidia chips to China

(Oct 10):&nbsp;Anthropic PBC said its Claude AI model carried out additional unintended actions on the digital systems of outside organisations, including some US government agencies’ websites, prompting a warning from the Trump administration for artificial intelligence companies to secure their systems.

Anthropic cites new AI misbehaviour, some on government sites

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) welcomes the increase in its financing fund to RM500 million under Budget 2027, up from RM350 million, to support Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

PUNB welcomes funding increase to RM500 mil under Budget 2027

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Two industry groups have expressed disappointment that Budget 2027 has fallen short of providing sufficient relief from rising business costs, warning that mounting operating expenses continue to squeeze profit margins and undermine the competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.

Industry groups say Budget 2027 falls short of addressing rising business costs

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 10): The Ministry of Education (MOE) will focus on the welfare of students and teachers, as well as school maintenance and the construction of new schools, utilising the allocation of nearly RM69 billion announced in the 2027 Budget.

Budget 2027: MOE allocated almost RM69 bil, with priority for students, teachers

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) said the RM1.7 billion allocation announced in Budget 2027 to address the financing needs of various target groups will provide momentum for it to&nbsp;reinforce its position as a leading microfinance institution in Malaysia.

Budget 2027: RM1.7 bil allocation to strengthen BSN’s microfinance role

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) plans to mobilise capital across private markets, strategic sectors and the domestic capital market to support Malaysia’s economic priorities, subject to its investment processes, risk-return considerations and market conditions.

Budget 2027: KWAP to mobilise capital across private markets, strategic sectors

SELANGOR (Oct 10): Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) and Thailand-based Dusit International officially opened its latest 280-room ASAI Gamuda Cove hotel, located in Persiaran Cove Sentral Bandar Gamuda Cove in Selangor on Oct 10.&nbsp;

Gamuda Land, Dusit International officially open 280-room ASAI Gamuda Cove

(Oct 10):&nbsp;European carmaking leaders are heading to next week’s Paris Motor Show after winning some breathing room from Chinese competitors.

Europe’s troubled carmakers get China boost on way to Paris show

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The RM1.21 billion allocation for the Foreign Ministry&nbsp;under Budget 2027 reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s diplomacy in navigating an increasingly dynamic and challenging global geopolitical landscape.

Wisma Putra: RM1.21 bil allocation under Budget 2027 a boost for Malaysia’s diplomacy

Budget 2027’s targeted tax measures are expected to support business competitiveness, encourage domestic investment and strengthen Malaysia’s economic resilience amid rising operating costs and global uncertainties, said tax experts.

Budget 2027 tax measures to support businesses, boost productivity — experts

Following repeated security debacles at OpenAI and Anthropic—both of which have developed agents that ended up hacking external systems—AI safety researchers within both firms have either announced their resignations or (finally!) conceded that the breathless race to advance the “frontier” is irr...

Economics For The Many: Distorted Intelligence at the AI Frontier

(Oct 10):&nbsp;Thailand’s stock exchange will roll out revised rules from Nov&nbsp;16, including changes to short-selling and high-frequency trading, as it seeks to improve market stability, liquidity and investor confidence, according to a filing.&nbsp;

Thai bourse revises short-selling, high-frequency trading rules

China’s passenger vehicle retail sales fell 24% in September from a year earlier to 1.702 million units, while new-energy vehicle sales declined 12% to 1.141 million units, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association.

China passenger vehicle retail sales drop 24% in September

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The Selangor government has committed RM50 million to the National Strategic Investment Fund, joining Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Penang government in a RM150 million initiative to accelerate the growth of Malaysian semiconductor and advanced technology companies.

Budget 2027: Selangor commits RM50 mil to National Semiconductor Fund

The Budget 2027 reinforces Malaysia’s ambition to build a more productive and resilient economy while ensuring that progress delivers meaningful benefits to businesses and households, according to Hong Leong Bank (HLB).

Budget 2027 to strengthen enterprises, productivity and household wellbeing — HLB

KUCHING (Oct 10): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressed his appreciation to the Madani government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for the increase in the federal allocation for Sarawak to RM16.2 billion under the 2027 budget.

Jenny Leonard & Mackenzie Hawkins

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Jenny Leonard & Mackenzie Hawkins

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