Thailand's economy grew less than expected into the end of 2024, data showed on Monday, and analysts said hopes of an improving outlook for this year are clouded by concerns that the country's export engine could be hit with US tariffs.

Thai 4Q GDP growth misses forecast, US trade policy poses risks for 2025 

Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday agreed to levy a carbon tax of 200 baht (US$5.88 or RM26.20) per tonne of carbon emissions, a deputy finance minister said, as part of the country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Thai cabinet approves collection of carbon tax

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday witnessed the exchange of 31 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and documents covering various sectors of cooperation between the two countries.

Anwar, Xi witness exchange of 31 MOUs and documents to advance Malaysia-China cooperation

A company manager lost RM2.65 million after falling victim to a non-existent investment scheme advertised on the social media platform Facebook.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the 54-year-old local man was lured by an advertisement on Facebook and clicked a link that redirected him to the WhatsApp messaging platform.

Company manager conned of over RM2 mil in investment scam

Oil palm planter and property developer Golden Land Bhd (KL:GLBHD) is disposing of two Indonesian palm oil units PT SKMA and PT SBS for RM151.5 million.

In a filing, Golden Land said it has faced persistent challenges in its palm oil plantation segment, despite efforts to expand its footprint in Indonesia with the acquisitions of 95% stakes in the two companies in 2019 and 2020.

Golden Land exits two Indonesian palm oil units for RM151.5m after six years

Bina Puri Holdings Bhd (KL:BPURI) announced on Wednesday the retirement of its founder director Dr Tan Cheng Kiat, and deputy executive chairman Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, from its board.

Bina Puri announces boardroom changes, founder director Tan Cheng Kiat retires

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed a strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Malaysia.

China’s Xi vows deeper ties with Malaysia ‘for generations to come’

US mortgage rates jumped last week by the most since October on the back of heightened volatility in the Treasury market, causing a pullback in financing applications for home purchases and refinancing.

US mortgage rates jump most since October, denting home demand

Hextar Technologies Solutions Bhd (KL:HEXTECH) said the group is selling a three-acre industrial land together with a warehouse and office building in Pasir Gudang, Johor, for RM16 million.

Hextar Technologies to sell Johor warehouse, proceeds earmarked for fintech business

Malaysia is committed to working together with China in various fields of mutual interest encompassing the economy, trade, and investment, to new technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia committed to deepening ties with China in economy, trade and AI, says Anwar

ASML Holding NV reported orders for the first quarter that were almost €1 billion (RM5 billion) less than expected and warned that it doesn’t know how to quantify the impact from recent tariff announcements, which are threatening to upend the semiconductor industry.

ASML CEO warns US tariffs are creating chip sector uncertainty

Alphabet's Google is being sued in Britain for potential damages of up to £5 billion (US$6.6 billion or RM29.2 billion) in a class action alleging the company abused its dominant market position in the online search industry.

Google faces £5b UK lawsuit for abusing dominance in online search

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is offering up to 30% off on airfares for economy and business class on all Malaysian Airlines routes, domestic and international, in conjunction with Matta Fair 2025.

MAG offers up to 30% off for Malaysian Airlines tickets at Matta Fair

President Donald Trump’s administration has barred Nvidia Corp from selling its H20 chip in China, an escalation of Washington’s tech battle with Beijing that will cost the company billions of dollars and hamstring a product line it explicitly designed to comply with previous US curbs.

Nvidia warns Trump curbs on China chips to cost US$5.5 bil

China wants to see a number of steps from President Donald Trump’s administration before it will agree to trade talks, including showing more respect by reining in disparaging remarks by members of his cabinet, according to a person familiar with the Chinese government’s thinking.

China open to talks if Trump shows respect, names point person 

Chinese President Xi Jinping was given a state welcome at Istana Negara on Wednesday in conjunction with a three-day state visit starting on Tuesday at the invitation of the King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Chinese President Xi accorded state welcome at Istana Negara

The government will implement the diagnostic-related group (DRG) payment system only for new basic health insurance and takaful products, instead of changing the entire private healthcare payment model, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Govt to apply diagnostics-related group payment system to basic insurance only, private healthcare model unaffected — HLIB Research

Malaysian exports to the US were meant to be hit with a 24% tariff, effective April 9. Certain goods, such as semiconductors, were to be exempted. This was part of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade policy targeting countries that the US has large trade deficits with.

How much does Malaysia trade with the US?

Sapura Energy Bhd (KL:SAPNRG) has secured multiple contracts worth nearly RM100 million combined in Malaysia and Thailand to provide offshore support vessels.

Sapura Energy bags multiple contracts worth nearly RM100 mil

Malaysian banks, in spite of their domestic focus, will not emerge completely unscathed from the escalating international trade tensions, TA Securities flagged on Wednesday.

Malaysian banks, despite local focus, will suffer from trade tensions fallout — TA Securities

The King,&nbsp;Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has expressed his belief that Malaysia and China will continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, despite various geopolitical gaps around the world.

King confident Malaysia, China will continue to empower cooperation

Gold prices rose surpassed the US$3,300 (RM14,580) for the first time on Wednesday, as investors sought safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on US critical mineral imports.

Gold crosses US$3,300 as trade tensions fuel record rally 

The 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial, which has been on the 'tail-end' for months, seems to be protracted even longer with more contestations to subpoena possible witnesses.

1MDB-Tanore: Now, IGP contests defence’s subpoena

Chinese sellers of items from lunch boxes to appliances have taken to social media platform Rednote to generate sympathy purchases, telling domestic consumers they are offloading stock at bargain prices amid US tariffs.

Chinese exporters on Rednote ask local consumers to buy goods meant for US

China's first-quarter economic growth outstripped expectations, underpinned by solid consumption and industrial output, but analysts fear momentum could shift sharply lower as US tariffs pose the biggest risk to the Asian powerhouse in decades.

China 1Q GDP growth tops expectations, but US tariff shock looms large

Asian and European shares fell on Wednesday along with US stock futures as AI darling Nvidia took a hit from US restrictions on chip sales to China amid the intensifying global trade war, while gold climbed to a record and the dollar slid.

Shares skid as Nvidia hurt by US chip-sale curbs, gold hits record

The High Court here has given time for the lawyers of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to “consider his approach” in contempt of court proceedings that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has brought against him.&nbsp;

Zahid’s attempt to commit Mahathir for contempt postponed after court gives time for Dr M to 'consider his approach'

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday witnessed the exchange of 31 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and documents covering various sectors of cooperation between the two countries.

Shares of Aurelius Technologies Bhd (KL:ATECH) extended gains sharply, outperforming peers and the broader market on Wednesday, after announcing a bonus share issue.

Aurelius Tech's stock rises more than 4% after bonus share issue plan

Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd (Bank Rakyat) flagged that 2025 will be a challenging year for the group due to the turbulent global economic outlook and intensifying geopolitical tensions, particularly from the ongoing trade war among major economies.

Bank Rakyat flags challenging 2025, keeps 17% dividend for FY2024

President Donald Trump launched a probe into the need for tariffs on critical minerals, the latest action in an expanding trade war that has targeted key sectors of the global economy.

Orathai Sriring & Kitiphong Thaichareon