KUALA LUMPUR: About RM18 billion or 93% of the RM19.4 billion input tax credit under the goods and services tax (GST) system since 2015 has gone missing, alleged Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“According to records of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department on the GST input tax, there wa...

RM18b or 93% of GST refunds missing

KUALA LUMPUR: The African market is capable of filling the void created by the European Union (EU) market if the bloc’s parliament carries on with the ban on palm oil biofuels from 2021.

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA grains and oilseeds senior analyst Vito Martielli said Africa is the third-...

Africa can easily fill EU’s void if palm oil ban enforced

KUALA LUMPUR: Leading vegetable oil analyst Thomas Mielke of Oil World has raised concerns about the declining yield trend in the palm oil industry here for the past 10 years, reducing the annual palm production and exports of Malaysia, the second-largest palm oil producer in the world.

‘Declining yield a concern’

KUALA LUMPUR: Two leading vegetable oils analysts, Thomas Mielke and James Fry, have a rather bearish outlook on palm oil this year. Mielke forecasts that average crude palm oil (CPO) price could fall to as low as RM2,350 per tonne in six months. Fry predicts a low of RM2,200 per tonne for palm o...

Mielke, Fry bearish on palm oil this year

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): The benchmark crude palm oil (CPO) price is expected to rise briefly to the RM2,600 per tonne level as stocks fall, but would then come down to near RM2,300 by July before Malaysian export taxes are restored, says industry analyst James Fry.

"At this point, the B...

Benchmark CPO to fall near RM2,300 by July after rising to RM2,600, says James Fry

KUALA LUMPUR: Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong is encouraging oil palm players to be more active in hedging their produce with crude palm oil (CPO) futures contracts on Bursa Malaysia.

“I hope there will be more liquidity to help the players of th...

Planters told to hedge more with futures contract

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could see its current B7 biodiesel mandate rise to 10% for the transport sector after the 2018 elections, said Malaysian Biodiesel Association president U R Unnithan.

Speaking at a plenary session of the 29th Palm and Lauric Oils Conference and Exhibition yesterda...

‘B10 biodiesel roll-out requires political will’

KUALA LUMPUR: Industry expert Dorab Mistry said the recent hike in India’s import tax on palm oil may not last long, with a possible reduction by May due to inflation and high cost of living.

Dorab said the Indian government raised the duty as a panic reaction or a temporary solution in...

Expert sees cutback in palm oil duty by May

KUALA LUMPUR: Palm oil would be at the top of Malaysia’s agenda on its free trade talks under the Asean with the European Union (EU).

“It (palm oil) is our most important export. In this free trade agreement (FTA), this must be resolved first. There will be no conclusion on EU trade tal...

Palm oil issue must be resolved ahead of Asean-EU FTA, says Mah

KUALA LUMPUR: The benchmark crude palm oil (CPO) futures are expected to rise to RM2,700 per tonne by June from RM2,500 per tonne in March, while CPO in Rotterdam may rise to US$750 (RM2,925) a tonne, according to Godrej International Ltd director Dorab Mistry (pic).

Dorab, who has a bu...

Dorab: CPO futures to rise to RM2,700 per tonne by June

Lawmakers in some of Asia’s key digital-assets markets are warming to the industry as Donald Trump’s pro-crypto agenda in the US ripples through the region.

Crypto fears ease in Asia as officials aim to keep up with Trump

Meta Platforms' former chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, was sanctioned by a judge on Tuesday for deleting emails related to litigation over Facebook's Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, despite being told to preserve the messages.

Ex-Meta COO Sandberg sanctioned in investor lawsuit for deleting emails

Netflix reaffirmed its dominance of the streaming video market on Tuesday, as its mixture of live sporting events, popular returning series — and singular moments, such as a football halftime performance by Beyonce — helped attract a record number of subscribers over the holiday quarter.

Netflix shares soar on price hikes and record subscriber gains

Three companies developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Texas and Louisiana said they will move full speed ahead with their plans after US President Donald Trump lifted the previous administration's freeze on export permits.

LNG companies hail Trump decision to lift freeze on export permits

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was serving a life sentence after being convicted of running an underground online marketplace that was used by thousands of drug dealers and others to conduct over US$200 million (RM892.2 million) worth of illicit sales using bitcoin.

Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ulbricht for online drug scheme

President Donald Trump said he would be open to billionaire supporter Elon Musk or Oracle Corp chairman Larry Ellison purchasing social video app TikTok as part of a joint venture with the US government.

Trump says he’s open to Elon Musk or Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok

MrBeast, the internet’s most-followed and highest-earning content creator, has joined a new bid to buy TikTok.

MrBeast, internet’s top creator, joins new bid to buy TikTok

Australia’s corporate regulator is investigating allegations that ANZ Group Holdings Ltd miscalculated interest on thousands of customer savings accounts, the Australian reported.

ANZ faces investigation over savings accounts, Australian watchdog says

MORNING CALL: 22/1/25

(Jan 22): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a private sector investment of up to US$500 billion (RM2.23 trillion) to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology.

Trump announces private-sector US$500 bil investment in AI infrastructure

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

MRCB, MNRB, CIMB, Pansar, Yinson, Mah Sing, YNH, Sunway REIT, Alpha IVF, KIP REIT, UOA REIT, Taghill, KTI Landmark 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held high-level meetings with business leaders from six multinational companies (MNCs) including AstraZeneca, Fortescue, DP World, Medtronics, Nestle and Google.

Arranged by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), the one-on-one meetings took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 at the Mountain Plaza Hotel, here, where Anwar, who is also the finance minister, led the Malaysian delegation.

Anwar meets six MNCs including Google, Nestle on the sidelines of WEF 2025

Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY) has started the ball rolling for the initial public offer (IPO) of its healthcare unit, sources told The Edge.

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd and AmInvestment Bank Bhd are said to be the front-runners as principal advisers for the IPO of Sunway Healthcare Group, the sources said.

Sunway shortlists bankers for healthcare unit's IPO 

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is one of a kind and a phenomenal move between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on Tuesday.

“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is one of a kind, phenomenal — Anwar

(Jan 22): US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday announced&nbsp;a&nbsp;private&nbsp;sector&nbsp;investment&nbsp;of up to US$500&nbsp;billion (RM2.23 trillion) to fund&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;for artificial intelligence (AI),&nbsp;aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology.

UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) posted a 8.55% increase in net rental income for the fourth quarter on improved occupancy.

Net rental income rose to RM20.36 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), from RM18.76 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the office and commercial property trust’s bourse filing. &nbsp;

UOA REIT's 4Q rental income rises 8.5% on improved occupancy, declares 3.24 sen DPU

EFishery Pte, one of Indonesia’s most prominent startups, may have inflated its revenue and profit over several years, according to an internal investigation triggered by a whistleblower’s claim about the company’s accounting.

SoftBank-backed fish startup allegedly faked most of its sales

Asian futures broadly pointed to gains after US stocks climbed as President Donald Trump struck a better-than-feared tone on global trade and speculation grew that his policies will further boost corporate America.&nbsp;

Asia stocks set to gain as Trump tariff fears ebb

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the provision of free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on toll highways.

He said it was important for road users to change their behaviour and plan their trips when the festive season arrives.

Free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on highways — Ahmad Zahid

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security. 
&nbsp; 
The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed US$1.3 billion (RM5.84 billion) to the organisation between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk.&nbsp;

WHO urges Trump to reconsider US exit

China is ready to collaborate with Malaysia to promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship 2025, China’s Consul-General in Penang, Zhou Youbin, said.&nbsp;

He stated that China is also willing to work with Malaysia to maintain the trend of regional development cooperation and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

China to work with Malaysia, promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration

The Sukhoi Su-30MKM Service Life Extension Programme (Slep) by local company, Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation (ATSC) will ensure the aircraft will operate well and be used for another decade.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said ATSC has conducted Service Life Extension and Preventive Restoration Works/Overhaul to ensure that aircraft could operate longer and would ensure that Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft were at optimum levels and reduce expenditure compared to sending the aircraft to Russia.

Service life extension programme ensures Sukhois will fly for next decade

For all the hand-wringing about the potential fallout of Donald Trump’s expansive, pro-growth policy agenda, the US treasury market has gotten off to a smooth start.

On day one, Trump appeases bond traders and pushes down rates

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has ample candidates to fill the vacancy of chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sports Institute (NSI) to replace Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli who will end his service on Feb 24.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that currently her department has received more than 19 applications for the position from government servants and the private sector.

More than 19 candidates vying for National Sports Institute CEO's post — Hannah

(Jan 21): Apple Inc&nbsp;has received a fresh pair of analyst downgrades, in the latest sign that soft iPhone sales are becoming an increasing concern for investors, as artificial intelligence fails to act as a hoped-for growth catalyst.

Shares fell 2% in premarket trading on Tuesday, e...

Apple’s tough January worsens as analysts cut on iPhone weakness

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is preparing to promote a slate of star executives to run its biggest Wall Street business lines, spotlighting the firm’s next generation of leadership.

Goldman picks leaders to run Wall Street engines in major revamp

Wall Street's main indexes edged up on Tuesday, as investors assessed President Donald Trump's executive orders after taking office, while awaiting his first move on trade policy.

Trump did not lay out any concrete plans on the universal tariffs and additional surcharges on close trade partners as previously promised, but said he was thinking about imposing duties on Canadian and Mexican goods as early as Feb 1.

Wall St edges higher with focus on Trump's trade policy

(Jan 21):&nbsp;Investor confidence in Germany’s economy fell more than expected before next month’s snap election, underscoring persistent doubts in the country’s ability to escape its current bout of stagnation.

The ZEW institute’s index of expectations dropped to 10.3 in January from ...

German investor outlook sours as economy fails to gain momentum

Travel data provider Hopper Inc, one of Canada’s largest closely held technology companies, is eyeing a public listing that its founder believes will value the business at as much as US$10 billion (RM44.75 billion).

Travel app Hopper eyes long-term IPO plan, US$10 bil valuation

The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has reminded the state government to remain attentive to the people’s issues, emphasising that every policy and decision made must be rooted in the interests of the community and environmental sustainability.

Sangeetha Amarthalingam & Wong Ee Lin

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Sangeetha Amarthalingam & Wong Ee Lin

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