Fiscal and monetary measures needed to fight the economic downturn, largely due to Covid-19 policy responses, require more government accountability and discipline to minimise abuse. Such measures should ensure relief for the vulnerable, prevent recessions from becoming depressions and restore pr...

my Say: Urgently needed deficit financing no excuse for more fiscal abuse

The recent explosion of private finance has nursed the hope, dream or illusion that it can be mobilised for the public good, for example, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, associated with Agenda 2030. Such hopes ignore, however, how changes in financial investing have deeply transform...

My Say: Can private finance really serve humanity?

Historically, most social security systems have developed in the formal sector of rich economies. However, most of the poor and hungry in the world live in rural areas, surviving in the informal economy.

Meanwhile, the world economy continues to struggle to recover following the 2008 fi...

Social protection necessary to quickly end poverty and hunger

Industrial policy refers to the promotion of new investments and technology by governments to encourage the growth and development of specific economic sectors. However, scepticism persists about the feasibility and desirability of using industrial policy, especially of the ability to “pick winne...

Industrial policy still relevant

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) secretariat published its proposed “unified approach” to reform international tax rules to address tax challenges posed by digitalisation on Oct 9.

Under the current rules, there is little chance of a company being taxed ...

OECD tax reform proposal could be better

The harmful effects of falling corporate tax rates have been acknowledged in a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) research paper. This trend, since the early 1980s, has been especially detrimental for developing countries, which rely on direct taxation much more than developed economies.

Beggar-thy-neighbour policy advice

According to their own internal evaluations, both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have huge credibility deficits due to the policy conditionalities and advice they have dispensed to developing countries in recent decades.

Taking advantage of the debt distress in...

Bretton Woods institutions: Enforcers, not saviours?

On June 17, a Facebook white paper proposed a new global digital currency that it plans to launch in the first half of 2020. The Libra will be managed by a “not-for-profit” Swiss-based Facebook-led consortium of “for-profit corporations”, with Uber, eBay, Lyft, Mastercard and PayPal among its fou...

Facebook and friends threaten to Libralise the world

Economic inequality — involving both income and wealth concentration — has risen in nearly all world regions since the 1980s. Gross economic inequalities moderated for much of the 20th century, especially after World War II until the 1970s, but has now reached levels never before seen in human hi...

My Say: Inequality undermines democracy

A new United Nations report warns that the potential benefits of digital technologies to developing countries are likely to be lost to a small number of successful first movers who have established digital monopolies.

According to the Trade and Development Report 2018 (TDR 2018), subtit...

Developing countries losing out to digital giants

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): A new analysis on the impact of the recent changes in US tariffs on the national economy will be presented at the National Geo-Economic Action Council (NGCC) meeting on Monday (April 14), said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Miti to present new analysis on impact of US tariffs at National Geo-Economic Action Council meeting on Monday

WASHINGTON/WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (April 13): US President Donald Trump's administration granted exclusions from steep tariffs on smartphones, computers and some other electronics imported largely from China, providing a big break to tech firms like Apple that rely on imported products.

Trump spares smartphones, computers, other electronics from China tariffs

Situated just a stone’s throw away from the trendy commercial and retail offerings of bustling Mont’Kiara and Dutamas lies Miranda Hill — an exclusive low-density residential development perched on one of the highest points in North Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

A new standard of urban elegance in North Kiara

Growing up in a rubber estate in Teluk Intan, Perak, Giva Kuppusamy developed a fascination for freshwater prawns thriving in nearby rivers. Today, that childhood curiosity has blossomed into a mission to make udang galah, as they’re known locally, more affordable for and accessible to Malaysians...

Start-up: Making freshwater prawns affordable

Ever played a game that just feels like a warm hug? While some gamers thrive on competition and high-stakes action, others find comfort in laid-back social games for a chance to unwind, connect and take a breather from the chaos of everyday life.

Cosy games are generally identified as c...

Listicle: Escape to cosy town

Being an angel or venture capital investor, especially in start-ups, is often seen as glamorous. The media tends to romanticise VC investors who pour millions — sometimes billions — into chasing the next unicorn (a company valued at over US$1 billion). Every time a unicorn is announced, everyone ...

The Pitch Deck: How not to lose money investing in new tech

Facing increasing challenges with internal communication in the mid-2010s, ByteDance sought a more effective solution. Despite experimenting with various collaboration tools, the company struggled to overcome productivity-sapping silos and improve workflow efficiency.

Realising it neede...

Productivity: Fostering efficient communication

Let’s start with an April Fool’s fable: A group of lifelong friends debated where to meet for their reunion dinner. In their 40s, they chose the Bay Hotel for its attractive wait staff. A decade later, at 50, they returned for the excellent food and wine. At 60, the hotel’s quiet ambience and oce...

Econ 4.0: April Fool fables?

Earned wage access (EWA) can improve workers’ financial well-being, with 80% of users reporting a better quality of life and 78% using it for household expenses, according to a survey by 60 Decibels and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The findings, released on March 24, wer...

Issues: Early wage access linked to better financial health

Something big is taking shape in Puchong — a strategic initiative aimed at elevating Malaysia from a back-end player in the semiconductor supply chain to a force to be reckoned with in the global chip design arena. At the heart of this effort is the Puchong Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Park, a ...

Cover Story: Stepping into the IC design fast lane

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Several roads in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya will be fully closed or diverted in stages from Tuesday (April 15) to Thursday (April 17),&nbsp;in conjunction with Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia.

Road closures, diversions during upcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia

(April 13): Hanging precariously from the tops of towering date palms, farm workers painstakingly pollinate the trees by hand. With around 100,000 palms to fertilise in just days, the pressure is especially intense this spring.

Luxury confectioner looks to take LVMH-backed Saudi brand Bateel global

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have finally won their first ever Badminton Asian Championship (BAC) title, after beating Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi of China in Ningbo, China on Sunday.

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik claim their first-ever Badminton Asian Championship title

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli defended his position as PKR Pandan branch chief in the 2025 PKR election&nbsp;for the branch, Wanita branch, and Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) branch levels, which took place on Saturday (April 12).

2025 PKR election: Rafizi defends Pandan, Amirudin and Ramanan win unopposed

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, on Sunday extended the Vaisakhi and Tamil New Year greetings to the Malaysian Sikh and Tamil communities, respectively.

King, Queen extend Vaisakhi, Tamil New Year greetings 

TAPAH (April 13): The government is open to considering any proposals for improving existing laws, including those involving the appointment process of the chief justice (CJ), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

CJ’s appointment process: Govt open to proposals on improving laws — Fahmi

JOHOR BAHRU (April 13): BHPetrol, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd and the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT), plans to build up to 30 new petrol stations in rural areas nationwide.

BHPetrol to build 30 new stations in rural areas nationwide

KUCHING (April 13): Negotiations between the federal and state governments regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) can be resolved amicably without the need to bring the matter to court for legal interpretation, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

MA63: Legal interpretation issue can be resolved amicably without court intervention — Fadillah

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (April 13): Two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital on Sunday, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, medics said, in a strike which Israel said was against Hamas fighters exploiting the facility.

Israeli missiles strike Gaza hospital, patients evacuated

(April 13): The giants of private equity have spent years trying to cozy up to Middle Eastern wealth funds to secure massive cheques. US President Donald Trump’s burgeoning trade war just made those efforts even more critical — and asset managers have been forced to get creative.

Buyout firms get creative on Gulf trips in bid for bigger cheques

BEIJING (April 13): New bank loans in China rebounded more than expected in March, recovering from a sharp drop the previous month, as policymakers pledge to ramp up stimulus to buttress the world's second-largest economy against an escalating trade war with the United States.

China March bank lending beats expectations, more stimulus expected

BUKIT MERTAJAM (April 13): The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) plans to establish a one-stop centre for employee services, as a comprehensive facility in resolving labour-related issues.

Sim: One stop centre to resolve labour-related issues in the pipeline

(April 13): Six years after Argentina’s record financial bailout collapsed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is again putting billions of US dollars to backstop a similar rescue strategy for the troubled South American economy, this time under the leadership of President Javier Milei.

IMF bets billions on President Milei’s chainsaw to avert past Argentinian debacles

Something big is taking shape in Puchong — a strategic initiative aimed at elevating Malaysia from a back-end player in the semiconductor supply chain to a force to be reckoned with in the global chip design arena. At the heart of this effort is the Puchong Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Park, a ...

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): A new analysis on the impact of the recent changes in US tariffs on the national economy will be presented at the National Geo-Economic Action Council (NGCC) meeting on Monday (April 14), said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

HONG KONG (April 13): Hong Kong's last remaining major opposition party took a key step towards disbanding itself on Sunday after a special meeting approved arrangements to do so in the face of pressure from China, amid a national security crackdown.

Hong Kong's last major opposition party moves towards disbanding

LAHAD DATU (April 13): Former Silam (now known as Lahat Datu) member of Parliament (MP)&nbsp;Datuk Salleh Kalbi, 61, died at the Lahad Datu Hospital at about 4.40am on Sunday morning due to a lung infection.

Former Silam MP Salleh Kalbi passes away

BENGALURU (April 13): Clients of India's Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in the retail, travel and automobile sectors are more exposed to fallout from US tariffs, and they may resort to cost-cutting if uncertainty persists, the company's chief executive officer told Reuters.

India's TCS says retail, travel clients more exposed to US tariff turmoil

Facing increasing challenges with internal communication in the mid-2010s, ByteDance sought a more effective solution. Despite experimenting with various collaboration tools, the company struggled to overcome productivity-sapping silos and improve workflow efficiency.

Realising it neede...

Growing up in a rubber estate in Teluk Intan, Perak, Giva Kuppusamy developed a fascination for freshwater prawns thriving in nearby rivers. Today, that childhood curiosity has blossomed into a mission to make udang galah, as they’re known locally, more affordable for and accessible to Malaysians...

Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury

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Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury

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