The Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) enacted in 2023 forms the centrepiece legislation for fiscal reforms by the government. It is groundbreaking because at its heart is the dilution of the enormous powers of the minister of finance. It removes the minister’s discretionary power...

My Say: Fiscal reforms and the 13th Malaysia Plan

Mariana Mazzucato’s latest book, co-authored with Rosie Collington, has an eye-catching title — The Big Con: How the consulting industry weakens our businesses, infantilises our governments, and warps our economies. The University College London economist, whose earlier book, The Entrepreneurial ...

My Say: De-infantilising politics and government

Vision 2020, launched by then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1991 at the start of the Sixth Malaysia Plan, was a comprehensive and ambitious development policy document. Positioned as a vision — an outcome to be achieved in a 30-year time frame — it was simple enough to be widely understood a...

My Say: Lessons from visions unrealised

The government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not quite a unity government, but it was formed by uniting parties that contested against each other during the 15th general election. It is a governing coalition of rivals and, in that sense, it is a unity government. The Perikatan Nasional coali...

My Say: A hopeful agenda

When this essay is published, it would be the eve of voting day for the 15th general election. While we are uncertain at this point as to who the winners will be, one thing is for sure: governing Malaysia in the coming five years will not be easy. How the government performs will be crucial in de...

My Say: (Whoever wins) it will not be easy

Cynicism is ironically an important commodity in politics, although politics is supposedly about trust. Cynicism is about mistrust, a jaded point of view about most things formal or institutional. However, a second, possibly longer reflection about it explains how mistrust can actually be an effe...

My Say: Reject cynicism and political exceptionalism

The anticipated monetary policy tightening in developed economies is happening and it will continue until inflationary expectations are sufficiently tempered. The lesson learnt on the application of monetary policy is that if the trigger is pulled, it has to achieve the objective of dampening inf...

My Say: Potential time bombs on the horizon 

The World Bank summarises Sri Lanka’s economic woes this way: “Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic challenges are linked to years of high fiscal deficits, driven primarily by low revenue collection, and erosion of export competitiveness due to a restrictive trade regime and weak investment climate.” T...

My Say: Bad politics and bad economics

News coverage of the prime minister’s recent visit to Indonesia highlighted that the two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the protection of migrant workers. Even if the news was not an accurate reflection of the scope of discussions, it is obvious that it was deemed to ...

My Say: Need for a trade boost, and reversal of the insular mindset

Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and following the repercussions since, the International Monetary Fund expected global growth to moderate from 5.9% in 2021 to 4.4% in 2022. This was despite the overall improvement in the state of the Covid-19 pandemic. Expected tightening of monetary polic...

My Say: Disruptions, normalisation and real reckonings

A total of 8,000 businesses in Kuala Lumpur renewed their business licences within two months after a new multi-year renewal initiative was introduced in July.

A total of 8,000 businesses renew DBKL licences in two months — Hannah

Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with options being considered including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or an assault on multiple fronts, regional and Western officials told Reuters.

The operation, expected to be launched in the coming weeks, will by led by Yemeni forces on the ground, which are overseen by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi air strikes, according to six people with knowledge of the preparations.

Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) said its wholly‑owned Indonesian unit, PT Perindustrian Sawit Synergi (PT PSS), has received the arbitral award in a dispute involving the termination of a gas supply agreement.

KLK says arbitral award received in gas supply dispute in Indonesia, won't have material impact on earnings

Malaysia is exploring cooperation with Embraer Defense & Security of Brazil to join the company's regional and global supply chain.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by the company’s chief commercial officer, Frederico Lemos, at Wisma Pertahanan on Friday.

Malaysia explores opportunities to join Embraer aerospace supply chain

Construction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) Multi-Purpose Mission Ship 1 (MPMS 1) is progressing smoothly and ahead of schedule, with the vessel expected to begin its voyage home in late January next year.

Multi-Purpose Mission Ship 1 construction ahead of schedule, voyage home in January

Group of Seven countries agreed on Friday on the release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from emergency reserves in a move cheered by US President Donald Trump as he seeks help to cool off surging fuel prices linked to the Iran war.

G7 countries agree on release of diesel and oil stocks after US pressure

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 2): PMCK Bhd (KL:PMCK) has proposed to diversify into the import and supply of medical consumable products by acquiring Derberg Sdn Bhd and Marpoliq Sdn Bhd for RM52.77 million in cash.

In a Bursa filing on Friday, the healthcare services provider said it had entered i...

PMCK to diversify into import and supply of medical consumables with RM53m acquisitions 

Builder Inta Bina Bhd (KL:INTA) has launched its second property development project — a 499-unit serviced apartment project — in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, with a projected gross development value of RM290.96 million.

Inta Bina undertakes RM291m serviced apartment project in Bukit Jelutong

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

Gas Malaysia, PETRONAS Chemicals, TXCD, Berjaya Corp, Zetrix AI, Country Heights, Lim Seong Hai, Mah Sing, Kinergy Advancement 

SEPANG (Oct 2): The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has become a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class sporting events, as evident in the preparations for the hosting of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia which took less than 10 weeks to be completed.

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Sepang a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class events

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

Both the SME Association of Malaysia and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) have called on the government to defer any minimum wage increase for now, citing challenging operating conditions.

SME Malaysia, MRCA seek deferment of minimum wage review

Seal Incorporated Bhd (KL:SEAL) non-interested shareholders are advised to vote in favour of providing associate company MSR Green Energy Sdn Bhd (MSRGE) a corporate guarantee of RM58.72 million to help it complete several solar projects.

Seal Inc shareholders advised to back RM58.7m corporate guarantee for associate firm

Group of Seven countries agreed on Friday on the release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from emergency reserves in a move cheered by US President Donald Trump as he seeks help to cool off surging fuel prices linked to the Iran war.

China's antitrust regulator has asked Anglo American to commit to supply the country with a steady flow of copper concentrate as a condition for approving its proposed US$54 billion merger with Canada's Teck Resources, three people aware of the development said.

China demands copper supply commitments for Anglo Teck merger approval, sources say

The SME Association of Malaysia (SMEAM) and Malaysia&nbsp;Retail Chain Association (MRCA) have stressed the need for stronger enforcement of e-commerce and product regulations as the government prepares to revise the country’s e-commerce law, amid concerns over the influx of low-priced products through online cross-border e-commerce platforms.

SME, retail groups call for stronger enforcement amid revision of E-Commerce Act

SEPANG (Oct 2): The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has become a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class sporting events, as evident in the preparations for the hosting of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia which took less than 10 weeks to be completed.

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Malaysia is exploring cooperation with Embraer Defense &amp; Security of Brazil to join the company's regional and global supply chain.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by the company’s chief commercial officer, Frederico Lemos, at Wisma Pertahanan on Friday.

US stocks rose on Friday, pushing the Nasdaq Composite to a record high, after weaker-than-expected jobs data reduced odds of a near-term rate hike, driving Treasury yields lower, while lower oil prices added to the risk-on mood.

Nasdaq hits record high after softer jobs data cuts rate-hike bets 

A total of 8,000 businesses in Kuala Lumpur renewed their business licences within two months after a new multi-year renewal initiative was introduced in July.

US job growth slowed more than expected in September, but that likely does not signal a material shift in the labour market, with the weakness likely related to a calendar quirk.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 29,000 jobs last month after a downwardly revised 133,000 rise in August, the Labor Department's closely watched employment report showed on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls advancing 90,000 after a previously reported 162,000 surge in August.

US job growth slows sharply in September; unemployment rate rises to 4.2%

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) said its wholly‑owned Indonesian unit, PT Perindustrian Sawit Synergi (PT PSS), has received the arbitral award in a dispute involving the termination of a gas supply agreement.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 2): PMCK Bhd (KL:PMCK) has proposed to diversify into the import and supply of medical consumable products by acquiring Derberg Sdn Bhd and Marpoliq Sdn Bhd for RM52.77 million in cash.

In a Bursa filing on Friday, the healthcare services provider said it had entered i...

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison on Friday said upon closing the company's merger with Warner Bros Discovery, the combined entity will be called Skydance.

David Ellison says combined Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery will be named Skydance

Airbus delivered as many as 72 aircraft in September, almost matching 73 a year earlier and limiting the impact of a recent industrial quality flaw, industry sources said on Friday.

Airbus narrows delivery gap but faces new A330 quality checks

Builder Inta Bina Bhd (KL:INTA) has launched its second property development project — a 499-unit serviced apartment project — in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, with a projected gross development value of RM290.96 million.

An Opec+ review to help to determine members’ 2027 oil output quotas has been delayed after the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupted projects to expand capacity across the Middle East, throwing estimates of future production potential into uncertainty, said two sources close to the matter.

Opec+ delays oil capacity review after Iran war disrupts expansion plans — Reuters

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is set to secure European Union approval for its US$2.5 billion bid for German electronics retailer Ceconomy after it tweaked its remedies to address regulators' concerns, a person familiar with the matter said.

JD.com set to win EU approval for Ceconomy deal, source says

The SME Association of Malaysia (SMEAM) has called on the government to place greater emphasis on the outcomes of its assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Budget 2027, rather than on the amount allocated for various programmes.

SME association says govt assistance in Budget 2027 should focus on outcomes

President Donald Trump said on Friday that a US trade deal with South Korea now includes US$8.4 billion for an oil recovery project.

"The Republic of Korea Deal keeps getting BETTER! 8.4 Billion Dollars for an enhanced Oil Recovery Project. Producing more Oil and Gas means American Energy Dominance and Energy Security in the World for the Future!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Nungsari Radhi

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