This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on September 28 - October 4, 2015.

Cover Story: The merits of scrapping

Cover Story: The Proton conundrum

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on September 28 - October 4, 2015.

 

AT least three carmakers — Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi — are expected to increase prices any time now, with some looking to do so as early as Oct 1. Other brands such a...

Cover Story: Auto sector in a state of flux

Malaysia will focus on five main priority areas under the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) pillar during the Asean chairmanship period in 2025 in efforts to strengthen regional unity through social and cultural cooperation.

Asean chairmanship 2025: Malaysia to focus on five main social and cultural priority areas

The staff responsible for the gaffe involving the Jalur Gemilang that was published in the Sin Chew Daily front page on Tuesday will be subjected to disciplinary action.

Sin Chew to take disciplinary action against staff over flag gaffe

Abbott Laboratories will make new investments in US manufacturing, with the impact of tariffs on medical devices and diagnostics looming over the industry.

It expects to spend US$500 million (RM2.2 billion) on two facilities, located in Illinois and Texas, Abbott said in a statement on Wednesday.

Abbott to expand US manufacturing as tariffs loom

The Bank of Canada on Wednesday held its key policy rate at 2.75%, its first pause after seven consecutive cuts, and said the uncertainty around US tariffs made it impossible to issue regular economic forecasts.

Bank of Canada holds rates, says tariffs could cause deep recession 

European gasoline shipments to the Americas, mainly the US, jumped this month, consistent with seasonal trend and a moderate improvement in market sentiment after the initial chaos brought about by US tariffs.

Europe boosts gasoline flows to Americas as tariff turmoil eases

The recent reminders by the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 2025 Malaysia on Jan 8, 2025 and at the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta on April 8, 2025, as well as the statement by the Malaysian Bar dated April 14, 2025, of the importance of and necessity for an independent Judiciary and for the continuous strengthening of its independence are timely and ought to be supported.

Judicial independence — The fundamental truths

US factory output rose at a modest pace in March, a month ahead of President Donald Trump’s announcement of more sweeping tariffs that pose at least a short-term risk for manufacturers.

US factory output increases at modest pace ahead of tariffs 

Wall Street fell on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq leading declines after Nvidia flagged steep charges from new US controls on chip exports to China, the latest flashpoint in an escalating global trade war.

Wall Street falls, Nvidia drops after new US chip export curbs

The World Trade Organization slashed its forecast for merchandise trade this year as soaring US tariffs and broader uncertainty hammer international commerce.

WTO slashes outlook for global trade on Trump tariff disruptions

The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) is working closely with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to develop an affordable basic insurance plan to ensure that existing policyholders, especially retirees and lower-income groups, continue to receive adequate coverage.

Life Insurance Association of Malaysia to collaborate with BNM, MOH for affordable basic insurance plan

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

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

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 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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

SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD) is acquiring a freehold plot in Mont Kiara measuring 3.032 acres for RM110 million, to develop high-end residential properties.

SkyWorld buys three-acre Mont Kiara land for RM110m

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

Sapura Industrial Bhd (KL:SAPIND) has launched its new corporate identity with a new logo, as it seeks to step away from being associated with the Sapura Group of companies.&nbsp;

‘No connection’ between Sapura Industrial and Sapura Group, says MD 

PwC&nbsp;has shut down operations in more than a dozen countries that are deemed too small, risky or unprofitable, as the Big Four accounting firm aims to prevent repeats of scandals that have affected it, the Financial Times&nbsp;(FT) reported on Wednesday.

Stories by Jose Barrock and Izatun Shari