Municipal bonds issued for riskier projects like charter schools and small colleges may break a 12-year record for distress as pandemic aid dries up and inflation raises the cost of labour and supplies.

Charter schools, colleges push muni debt distress near record

A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Wednesday.

FBM KLCI up 0.85% to 1,526.52 on April 2, 2025

The retail price of diesel and RON95 petrol will remain unchanged while that of RON97 will increase by five sen to RM3.33 per litre from Thursday until April 9.

Diesel, RON95 prices unchanged, RON97 up five sen — MOF

Myanmar’s military said it fired “warning shots” at a vehicle convoy from the Red Cross Society of China bringing aid to the central areas of the country devastated by Friday’s earthquake, which has killed more than 2,800 people.

Myanmar military fires ‘warning shots’ at Chinese relief convoy

Xiaomi Corp shares suffered another sell-off Wednesday, signalling unabated investor concerns after Chinese police launched a probe into a deadly accident that involved one of its electric vehicles.

Xiaomi shares extend losses as police investigate EV accident 

US President Donald Trump's new tariff plan has the ocean shipping industry on edge as he stokes a trade war destined to stanch transport demand and send companies scrambling to manage the fallout.

Trump's reciprocal tariff plan amplifies risk of ocean shipping chaos, executives say

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a bold new initiative called Malaysia’s Silicon Vision, which aims to produce the first Made in Malaysia artificial intelligence (AI) chip. As he stated, the chip will be “designed, manufactured, tested and assembled here, and ...

My Say: Malaysia’s Silicon Vision: A huge leap in capability if it comes true

Gas Malaysia Bhd (KL:GASMSIA) on Wednesday said it has cut back on gas supply to several areas to manage supply disruptions brought about by the temporary closure of gas facilities due to the gas pipeline blaze incident in Putra Heights on April 1, assuring that it will not have a material impact on earnings this financial year.

Gas pipeline blaze: Gas Malaysia reduces supply to some areas, assures minimal impact on earnings 

As risk aversion rises, investors are increasingly seeking shelter in Malaysian bonds to weather the slump on Bursa Malaysia and other stock markets.

Investors turn to bonds amid Bursa rout

Sri Lankan renewable energy producer Vidullanka plc is planning to sell the nation’s first publicly listed sukuk bond in coming weeks after efforts by the local bourse to kick start an Islamic finance market.

Sri Lanka firm plans nation’s first listed sukuk in coming weeks

Just when the chapter on MBI was about to be reduced to a page in the history books of investment scams in Malaysia, the investigation into the money trail of one of the longest-running pyramid schemes in the country came back to life.

It restarted two weeks ago with the police summonin...

Alternative Views: Questions abound as the ghost of MBI walks again

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): An analyst has flagged a minimum RM18 million impact to Petronas Gas Bhd (KL:PETGAS) following a gas leak fire in Putra Heights on Tuesday. As a result, trading in Petronas Gas shares was halted for an hour until 10am on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Gas pipeline blaze: MIDF flags potential RM18m impact to Petronas Gas

Petronas Gas Bhd (KL:PETGAS) and Gas Malaysia Bhd (KL:GASMSIA) opened marginally lower after a trading halt on the shares were lifted, following the gas leak fire that occurred in Putra Heights, Selangor, on Tuesday.

Gas pipeline blaze: Petronas Gas, Gas Malaysia’s shares open marginally lower after trading halt 

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): T7 Global Bhd's (KL:T7GLOBAL) shares dropped to a two-year low on Wednesday, prompting a suspension of intraday short-selling after the oil and gas services firm announced the departure of its executive deputy chairman.

T7 Global drops to two-year low, triggers short-selling halt after deputy chairman's departure

Digital banks in Malaysia are increasing efforts to reach the underserved B40 group, especially those in rural areas, by integrating banking services into popular platforms and offering attractive incentives to encourage usage.

Digital banks in Malaysia urged to re-examine strategies to better serve B40 segment

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): Yinson Holdings Bhd’s (KL:YINSON) slipped on Wednesday after the oil and gas services firm announced weaker than expected results, while analysts tamper their optimism for the stock’s upside.

Yinson's shares slip, analysts tell investors to look past underwhelming results

SINGAPORE (April 2): The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a street-hail service operator licence (SSOL) to GrabCab, a subsidiary of Grab Rentals and sister company of GrabCar, which holds a ride-hail service operator licence (RSOL) and a car-pool service operator licence (CSOL). &nbsp; &nbsp;

Grab obtains Land Transport Authority licence to operate taxis in Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): The police will look into allegations that the gas pipeline fire at Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights Subang Jaya, Selangor was caused by digging at the Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) reserve land.

Police to look into allegations that digging caused gas pipeline fire

Malaysia’s manufacturing conditions moderated slightly in March as new orders eased the most in a year and production fell, latest data showed.

Malaysia's manufacturing conditions moderate slightly in March amid muted demand, PMI data shows

KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): The scene at Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, resembled a war zone following a gas pipeline fire that broke out at 8.10am on Tuesday.

Putra Heights gas fire scene like a war zone

Professional bodies on Wednesday urged a comprehensive review of safety measures for fire-prone facilities near residential areas, following a Petronas gas pipeline breach that caused a massive blaze on Tuesday, injuring hundreds and damaging numerous properties.

Gas pipeline blaze: Professional bodies call for thorough review of safety measures, better risk management 

Just when the chapter on MBI was about to be reduced to a page in the history books of investment scams in Malaysia, the investigation into the money trail of one of the longest-running pyramid schemes in the country came back to life.

It restarted two weeks ago with the police summonin...

(April 2): China Inc’s outlook has brightened after a campaign to revive consumption delivered a strong earnings season, one that may offer local stocks a much-needed cushion as they brace for US tariffs.

China’s improving profits may help soften tariff blow for stocks

Palm oil prices are expected to stabilise in the near term, driven by a recovery in production and demand from key importing markets such as India, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

MPOC sees palm oil prices stabilising in near term amid rising demand from India 

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): The police will soon call in the contractor who is believed to have carried out development work near the site of the gas pipeline fire at Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on Tuesday, after confirming their identity.

Police to investigate contractor in connection with gas pipeline fire at Putra Heights

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged universities to seek greater research cooperation with partners outside the US following the Trump administration’s threat of funding cuts to the sector.

At least seven Australian universities are facing a potential reduction in funding after they received lengthy questionnaires from the US government asking how their projects aligned with President Donald Trump’s domestic and foreign policy priorities. Industry group Universities Australia said the change could affect as much as A$600 million ($377 million) in research funding.

Australia urges universities to diversify research away from US

KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has committed to working closely with relevant ministries and agencies to channel timely and meaningful support to the families impacted by the fire incident near Putra Heights, Puchong, Selangor.

Petronas to work with authorities to support those affected by Putra Heights fire incident

Stocks retreated on Wednesday, while safe-haven gold held near record highs as a nervous world awaited details of US President Donald Trump's tariff plans and investors fretted about the risks of an intensifying global trade war.

Stocks wince, gold firm ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs

(April 2): A rally in the world’s largest tech companies lifted stocks as investors brushed off weak economic readings to focus on prospects for interest-rate cuts ahead of US President Donald Trump’s tariff rollout.

US stocks get late boost from tech as tariffs loom

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): Rising United States&nbsp;tariffs are expected to affect growth across Asia Pacific (Apac), according to S&amp;P Global Ratings’ latest economic update.

US tariffs expected to affect Asia Pacific economic growth – S&P Global

KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): Telecommunications network solutions provider OCK Group Bhd (KL:OCK), whose share price dropped to its lowest in more than one year last Friday (March 28), said the recent earthquake in Myanmar has only caused limited damage to its tower network, with only four sites affected and no disruption to service.

Martin Z Braun