Malaysia’s corporate sector is embracing digital tools at impressive rates. CPA Australia’s Business Technology Survey 2025 shows 87% of businesses use data analytics and 85% have adopted artificial intelligence (AI), figures nearly on par with global averages.

Opinion: Pervasive digital adoption by corporate Malaysia masks serious issues

Budget 2026 will be tabled at a time when Malaysia is navigating a complex set of challenges. The government faces the dual task of sustaining economic growth while implementing fiscal reforms that are necessary for long-term resilience.

Rising living costs, tighter credit conditions and global uncertainties are already weighing on households and businesses. At the same time, subsidy rationalisation, an ageing population and evolving global tax practices demand decisive action.

Opinion: Fiscal reforms must be decisive to keep the economy competitive

According to SME Corporation Malaysia, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute 38% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and account for about 48% of total employment. Boosting the productivity of small businesses and enhancing their competitiveness should therefore be key ...

My Say: Increase funding for SMEs to enhance digital capabilities

Bilateral trade relations between Malaysia and China continue to demonstrate strong momentum with deepening economic and global supply chain cooperation.

Malaysia-China trade ties remain robust, Matrade explores new opportunities in Linyi

The seat allocation issue within Barisan Nasional (BN) involving component party MCA for the upcoming Melaka state election has been resolved, says Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Melaka polls: BN seat allocation settled, MCA's participation to be refined — AB Rauf

he Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still investigating Retirement Fund Incorporated’s (KWAP) investment in Indonesian aquaculture technology company eFishery, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Wednesday.

MACC still investigating KWAP's investment in eFishery — MOF

Pakatan Harapan (PH) is maintaining its decision to contest 21 seats in the Melaka state election for now, with any changes subject to a final decision by the coalition's top leadership.

PH maintains 21-seat contest in Melaka polls for now — Fahmi

US stocks were choppy on Wednesday as weakness in megacaps such as Tesla and Apple offset chipmaker gains sparked by SK Hynix's bumper results, while investors awaited hyperscaler earnings and the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision later in the day.

Wall St treads water as chips rise, megacaps fall ahead of Fed, Big Tech earnings

The UK government decided to stick with a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers, dismissing the industry’s calls to end it next year.

UK sticks with North Sea windfall tax despite industry outcry

At least 68 people died when two Spanish high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, with rescuers scouring the wreckage for more bodies after Spain's second deadly rail accident this year and Europe's deadliest since 2013.

At least 68 dead in Spain's second major train crash this year

The average size of monitored wildlife populations worldwide declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) “Living Planet Report 2026: The Science of Hope”, released on Oct 8.

Monitored wildlife populations shrink by 73% on average over five decades

With the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) preparing to mandate recycling facilities across all shopping malls, retail operators must begin investing substantial time and capital into recycling initiatives, mainly centred on waste separation at source systems and logistics partnersh...

Circular Economy: Malls taking the lead to promote recycling

Six youths looking to sue the government in their bid to enforce Malaysia’s 50% forest cover pledge will know on Dec 9 whether their case can proceed further, their lawyer Lim Wei Jiet tells ESG.

The six applicants are Abe Lim, Sitti Fatimah, Winona Elisha Jemak, Lee Yu Dong, A...

Action: High Court to rule on ‘Mana Hutan Kami’ suit on Dec 9 following AGC objection

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has paid a visit to Zetrix AI Bhd’s (KL:ZETRIX) headquarters in Petaling Jaya as part of an investigation involving the company, according to sources familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

SC visits Zetrix AI headquarters amid probe, sources say

Israel's currency, stocks and bonds came under pressure on Wednesday as election results showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc performing more strongly than expected, but still falling short of a parliamentary majority.

Israeli stocks fall, shekel weakens as Netanyahu bloc beats election forecasts

The Malaysia Competition Commission is investigating 510 firms over suspected bid-rigging in tenders worth more than RM3 billion across the public and private sectors.

Malaysia Competition Commission probes 510 companies for potential bid-rigging

Opcom Holdings Bhd, now known as Hextar capital Bhd (KL:HEXTAR), co-founder Eric Chhoa Kwang Hua is seeking to list fibre-optic cable protection materials manufacturer Unigel Global Bhd on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market to fund its Malaysian expansion.

Opcom co-founder Eric Chhoa’s Unigel Global seeks ACE Market listing to fund Malaysian expansion

Steelmaker Ann Joo Resources Bhd (KL:ANNJOO) has secured a RM61.89 million subcontract to undertake electrical infrastructure works at a large-scale solar power plant in northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Ann Joo secures RM62 mil subcontract for solar power project

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

Maxis, Zetrix AI, Bursa Malaysia, CTOS Digital, CIMB, Jati Tinggi, Oriental Interest, Pantech Group, Berjaya Property, Titijaya, T7 Global & Kanger International

Thousands of Indonesians protested in Jakarta and other cities on Wednesday against economic hardship, graft and the government's handling of devastating wildfires emitting a toxic haze that has made thousands ill.

'Eat the rich': Indonesians protest against graft, wildfires

CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) reported a 11.5% year-on-year increase in net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (3QFY2026), supported by higher revenue and contributions from associate companies, despite disruptions to some of its credit reporting services following a cybersecurity incident.

CTOS 3Q net profit rises 12% despite cybersecurity disruption

PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk, the 91.45%-owned Indonesian subsidiary of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB), reported a 14.7% year-on-year decline in net profit for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2026 (9MFY2026), weighed down by narrower lending margins and higher provisions for potential loan losses.

CIMB Niaga's nine-month profit falls 15% on margin pressure, higher provisions

Pantech Group Holdings Bhd (KL:PANTECH) on Wednesday reported a 33.1% rise in second-quarter net profit on stronger contributions from its manufacturing division.

Pantech 2Q net profit rises 33% on stronger manufacturing performance

US stocks were choppy on Wednesday as weakness in megacaps such as Tesla and Apple offset chipmaker gains sparked by SK Hynix's bumper results, while investors awaited hyperscaler earnings and the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision later in the day.

Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY) has secured bondholders’ approval to replace Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd (MARC) with RAM Rating Services Bhd as the credit rating agency for its sukuk programme.

Sunway gets bondholders’ nod to replace rating agency for sukuk programme

Oriental Interest Bhd (KL:OIB) has called off its proposed RM280 million acquisition of two motorcycle financing and retail businesses, as the group reported a near 36% drop in fourth-quarter net profit amid lower progress billings from its property projects.

Oriental Interest scraps motorcycle business acquisition as 4Q net profit falls 36%

The IPO of Mi Material, which raised a total of S$294 million (RM935 million) at S$1.80 each, was 2.1 times subscribed.

IPO of Mi Technovation's Singapore unit 2.2 times subscribed

Jati Tinggi Group Bhd (KL:JTGROUP) on Wednesday reported a more than two-fold increase in quarterly net profit from a year earlier, driven by higher revenue from power infrastructure and underground cable projects, particularly those linked to data centres.

Jati Tinggi 3Q net profit more than doubles on stronger data centre project contributions

At least 68 people died when two Spanish high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, with rescuers scouring the wreckage for more bodies after Spain's second deadly rail accident this year and Europe's deadliest since 2013.

Investing giant Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco) helped supercharge the artificial intelligence (AI) debt boom with billions of dollars in lending in 2025 — and has cut positions just in time to skirt losses and eke out a profit.

Pimco offloads billions in AI debt just in time to skirt losses — Bloomberg

Private healthcare group Asia OneHealthcare Bhd (A1H), whose portfolio includes Subang Jaya Medical Centre and the Columbia Asia network, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on Bursa Malaysia to fund hospital expansion, maintenance capital expenditure and debt repayment.

Asia OneHealthcare files for IPO to fund hospital expansion, repay debt

The prices of non-subsidised RON95 and RON97 petrol will rise by 10 sen per litre each, while unsubsidised diesel will increase by 20 sen from Thursday (Oct 29) to Nov 4 amid higher global oil prices.

Unsubsidised fuel prices rise 10 sen, diesel up 20 sen for Oct 29-Nov 4

Perikatan Nasional (PN) is seeking leave from the High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over the move to deregister the opposition coalition, saying it was done while related court proceedings were pending.

Priya Terumalay

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Priya Terumalay

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