Growth is still expected for Malaysia’s economy in 2026, albeit at a slower pace, as key indicators do not point to any imminent recession in the near term despite persistent global uncertainties, according to economists.

Economists rule out global recession but warn of rising risks

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 27): A World Bank economist said on Thursday that Malaysia should reduce tariffs for all trading partners, not just major ones like the US, because selective cuts can distort trade and reduce overall welfare.

World Bank economist urges Malaysia to cut tariffs for all trading partners, not just US

HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) has secured a second-time contract extension for the provision of maintenance services for the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs), valued at RM28.26 million.

HeiTech Padu, Datasonic awarded fresh contracts for immigration system maintenance

The government’s proposal to make it compulsory for all foreign workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) could impose additional cost pressures on Malaysia’s planters, according to Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir.

Planters concerned about impact of compulsory EPF contribution for foreign workers, says MPOB

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expanding its pilot programme for the Qualified Resident Investor (QRI) to accept applications from eligible resident corporations who have outstanding direct investment abroad (DIA) assets of RM1 billion and above.

BNM to expand Qualified Resident Investor programme

A comprehensive pension framework that includes multiple programmes providing layered income and wide coverage are required to safeguard the retirement of future ageing populations, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) said on Tuesday.

Comprehensive pension framework needs layered programmes for wide coverage, says EPF chairman

The World Bank said on Thursday that Malaysia's education system still has areas for improvement, particularly in addressing learning challenges faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to its 29th Malaysia Economic Monitor report for April 2024 entitled 'Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundational Skills' students, especially those in early childhood education, often lack school readiness skills.

World Bank: Imperative for Malaysia to narrow early childhood educational gaps to improve children's school readiness

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is targeting a minimum 8 to 10% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in total approved investments for 2024, according to its Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Miti targets minimum 8%-10% increase in total approved investments in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21): Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd has teamed up with Pos Malaysia Bhd to launch its new Visa Credit Card-I on Wednesday, targeting over 30,000 sign-ups of the new card across the country by the end of this year.

Bank Muamalat targets 30,000 sign ups of new visa credit cards by end 2024

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johani Abdul Ghani said his ministry is considering incorporating oil palm fruit harvesting into technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.

Plantation Ministry mulls including oil palm fruit harvesting in TVET programmes to cut foreign labour dependence

More than three-quarters of data centres set to be built around Australia’s biggest cities are at risk from stretched power grids and local opposition, threatening the country’s ambition to become an artificial intelligence (AI) hub for the Asia Pacific region.

AI data centre backlash threatens Australia’s US$70 bil dream

UK regulators plan to spare 139,000 bank executives from yearly checks under the senior managers and certification regime in an effort to spur growth and save firms almost £2 billion (US$2.7 billion or RM10.9 billion) over a decade.

UK set to ease up on senior bankers in bid to save firms £2 bil

Affin Group has appointed Doreen Choo Choy Wan as group chief executive officer (CEO) of Affin PHEIM Asset Management Group, effective Friday.

Affin appoints Doreen Choo as Affin PHEIM Asset Group CEO

Volvo Car AB plunged by about 30% to a record low after the Swedish automaker’s chief executive officer said the market for Western-developed cars in China is disappearing fast, prompting it to cut 2,500 more jobs.

Chinese market is gone for Western automakers, says Volvo CEO

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will field a mix of new faces with capable and experienced leaders for the upcoming Sarawak State Election, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The GPS chairman said the coalition’s final list of candidates will be determined during a special meeting before being officially announced to the public in the near future.

Sarawak polls: GPS to present a blend of new faces and experienced leaders — Abang Johari

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm, heavy rain and strong winds warning for several areas in 11 states and three Federal Territories until 6pm on Friday.

Thunderstorm, heavy rain expected all over Malaysia until 6pm

Oil prices rose on Friday, with Brent crude touching a more than five-month high, after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia stoked concern over further disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East.

Brent crude hits more than five-month high on concern over Middle East escalation

British consumers reined in their shopping in September as a warm start to the autumn hurt clothing sales and higher fuel prices ate into household budgets, while separate data showed confidence levels plunged in October.

UK retail sales fall as consumer confidence tumbles

Elon Musk has made a roughly US$1 billion (RM4.08 billion) investment in Skydance, CNBC reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Elon Musk invested about US$1 bil in merged Skydance, CNBC reports

Claude Monet's Iris was sold late on Thursday for €50 million (US$56.05 million or RM228.9 million), becoming the most expensive work of art sold at auction in France, Sotheby's said.

Claude Monet's 'Iris' becomes most expensive artwork sold at auction in France, Sotheby's says

A former company director, Datuk Seri Liew Kok Leong, has been charged with criminal breach of trust (CBT) of&nbsp;RM5.5 million funds belonging to a private limited entity. In addition, Liew was&nbsp;charged for&nbsp;money laundering.

Former director charged with CBT for misappropriating RM5.5 mil of company funds

Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, the former head of Malaysia’s stock exchange, will join Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd as its managing director and chief executive officer.

Ex-Bursa chief Umar Swift to lead Hong Leong Investment Bank

Johor's booming data centre industry could consume more than 90% of the additional electricity generated in Peninsular Malaysia in the next five years, raising concerns over power supply and grid infrastructure constraints, according to a report by BMI, a Fitch Solutions company.

Johor data centres could consume over 90% of peninsula's additional power generation by 2031 — BMI

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to announce the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon, paving the way for a state election.

Abang Johari expected to announce Sarawak assembly dissolution this afternoon

The government does not rule out the possibility of completely banning the use of the Waze navigation application in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PM says could ban Waze entirely once alternative apps available, admits TuJu's shortcomings

Foodie Media Bhd (KL:FOODIE) rose on Friday to extend a rebound from all-time lows thanks to a set of stronger-than-expected results at the social media content company.

Foodie Media extends rebound from all-time lows after results beat

SYDNEY (Oct 23): A sell-off in global tech shares lost some steam in Asia on Friday, after concerns over the enormous funding needs of AI hammered Wall Street and led to the biggest daily rally in Treasuries in more than three years.

Tech sell-off slows in Asia as oil hits five-month high

Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd plans to set up a new sukuk programme worth RM11.64 billion to support its capital expenditure requirements over the next decade.

Malaysia’s state-owned water assets firm lines up RM11.64 bil sukuk

Property developer KEB Bhd has priced its shares at 35 sen apiece for its ACE Market listing.

Real estate developer KEB aims to raise nearly RM80 mil from ACE Market IPO

PETRONAS has signed a joint-venture agreement with French energy giant TotalEnergies and Japanese trading firm Mitsui to develop carbon storage areas offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

PETRONAS, TotalEnergies, Mitsui sign JV deal for carbon storage area

Comfort Gloves Bhd (KL:COMFORT) said on Friday it has reached a settlement with the Inland Revenue Board, ending a court battle that lasted over two years.

Comfort Gloves reaches settlement with Inland Revenue Board over tax bill

Indonesian authorities seized 1.16 tonnes of ketamine on a Mongolian-flagged vessel from Malaysia in the waters of North Sumatra province earlier this week, the country's national police chief Suyudi Ario Seto said on Friday.

Indonesia seizes 1.16 tonnes of ketamine on Mongolian-flagged vessel from Malaysia, police chief says

Mi Technovation Bhd (KL:MI) will report “stellar” third-quarter results following robust guidance from its soon-to-be-listed semiconductor material unit, its most bullish analyst said.

Mi Technovation’s most bullish analyst predicts ‘stellar’ 3Q

Bestari Food Bhd has received approval from the securities regulator for its proposed listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Bestari Food gets regulator’s nod, shariah status for Main Market listing

The Trump administration is seeking to restrict American investment in Chinese biotechnology companies, potentially complicating financial ties at a time when US drugmakers are increasingly turning to China for new medicines.

US proposes curbs on investment in Chinese biotech firms

The Sarawak assembly will be dissolved next Monday to enable the state election to be called, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Sarawak assembly to dissolve next Monday, paving way for state polls 

BENGALURU (Oct 23): Gold eased on Friday, headed for its steepest weekly decline in over four months as elevated oil prices bolstered higher-for-longer interest rate expectations, while investors awaited next week's Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Gold heads for steep weekly loss as oil prices fuel Fed rate concerns

Oil prices rose on Friday, with Brent crude touching a more than five-month high, after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia stoked concern over further disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East.

The 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution rate payable by employers for non-Malaysian workers is relatively low, the Finance Ministry (MOF) said.

MOF: 2% EPF contribution rate for foreign workers relatively low

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Citibank Bhd (Citi) have announced a US$75 million (RM306&nbsp;million) structured trade finance facility to improve working capital management, enhance liquidity and strengthen supply chain resilience to&nbsp;support MAG’s operational requirements across Asia.

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