The recent announcement to revise the export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) is aimed at enhancing downstream refining operations in Malaysia's palm oil industry, Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said.

Higher CPO export tax to encourage local downstream refining, says Johari Ghani 

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

Alliance Bank, Press Metal, WMG, Pertama Digital, Pharmaniaga, Fajarbaru, Steel Hawk, Petronas Gas, Barakah Offshore, Gadang, Kerjaya Prospek, Yong Tai 

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has maintained its headline inflation forecast for 2024 in the range of 2.0% to 3.5%, even after accounting for the effects of fuel subsidy rationalisation.

BNM keeps 2024 inflation forecast at 2.0%-3.5% despite fuel subsidy rationalisation

Malaysia’s economic growth accelerated faster than expected in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q2024), thanks to stronger household spending, business investments and exports.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.9% year-on-year in the April-June quarter, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced on Friday. The reading is higher than the median estimate of 5.8% growth in a Bloomberg survey, as well as the official flash estimate of 5.8% expansion.

Malaysia's 2Q economic growth at 5.9%, faster than expected

Malaysia should reevaluate the retirement age in light of rising life expectancy, said Retirement Fund (Inc) (KWAP) chief executive officer Datuk Nik Amlizan Mohamed.

Malaysia should re-evaluate the retirement age as its people are living longer, says KWAP CEO

Malaysia must prioritise investments in critical sectors, such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure conducive to active ageing, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Malaysia must prioritise investments in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure supporting active ageing — PM

The government’s move to introduce a pilot phase of the progressive wage policy is the right approach towards achieving the intended target to boost labour productivity growth in Malaysia, according to a World Bank economist.

World Bank economist: Boosting labour productivity by reduction in skills-related underemployment to increase wages

ACE Market-bound HE Group Bhd has priced its shares at 28 sen apiece for its initial public offering (IPO), and will have a market capitalisation of RM123.2 million upon listing, with an enlarged share capital of 440 million.

ACE Market-bound HE Group sets IPO price at 28 sen apiece, to raise RM24m

Malaysia’s palm oil inventory level is expected to fall by 14.8% to 1.95 million tonnes in 2024, from 2.29 million tonnes in 2023, in anticipation of better exports, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir.

Higher exports may cut palm oil inventory level by 14.8% in 2024, says MPOB DG

The government will look into more details before reviewing the rate of the windfall profit levy (WPL) imposed on the palm oil industry, according to Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johani Abdul Ghani.

Govt to look into further details before reviewing windfall profit levy, says Johari Ghani

Leapmotor has struck a deal with Chinese state-owned automaker FAW to deliver an electric vehicle platform that will be used to drive overseas sales for Hongqi, an emerging national champion, executives from both companies said.

China's Leapmotor to supply EV platform to Hongqi, also in talks with Ferrari

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.

YTL Hotels opens Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh

Norway's US$1.7 trillion (RM7.4 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, reported on Thursday a quarterly loss of 415 billion Norwegian crowns (US$39.72 billion) for the January to March period, largely driven by negative returns in the tech sector.

Norway wealth fund posts US$40b first-quarter loss on tech weakness

Singapore equities were set for an eighth straight session of gains on Thursday, marking their best winning streak since November 2022, as cooling inflation and demand for defensive stocks supported the benchmark index.

Singapore shares set for an eight-day rally; Asian FX muted 

Gucci sales tumbled in the first quarter as efforts to revive Kering SA’s biggest brand again failed to yield signs of a turnaround amid a tough period for the luxury-goods industry.

Gucci sales drop as Kering label struggles to revive demand

Abandoned housing has been a long-standing problem in Malaysia. According to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute in its recently released “Abandoned Housing — Challenges, Insights & Solutions Research Report”, the number of abandoned housing projects has been...

Stakeholder action needed to address abandoned housing issues, says Rehda Institute

China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng urged countries to help maintain confidence in the global economic system on a trip to the US, reiterating Chinese opposition to tariffs as American President Donald Trump signals a shift toward de-escalating tensions.

PBOC chief warns trade frictions threaten trust in world economy

Adidas AG reported better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter as consumers continue to snap up retro sneakers like the Samba in the face of growing economic uncertainty.

Adidas earnings bolstered again by retro sneaker craze

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The special sitting of Dewan Rakyat on May 5 to discuss the impact of the United States’ actions on the Malaysian economy will be held at the request of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Dewan Rakyat special sitting on May 5 held at PM’s request — Parliament

Rising tariffs and the weakening dollar are casting a shadow on companies’ profit guidance this earnings season, with more damage seen unfolding over the coming quarters.

US dollar’s slide raising red flags for corporate earnings

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Ministry of Education issued an apology for an incorrect depiction of Malaysia’s national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, on an exam results analysis report distributed on Thursday.

Education Ministry apologises for Jalur Gemilang bungle in SPM results report

(April 24):&nbsp;Coffee shop operator Zuspresso Sdn Bhd&nbsp;plans to open nearly 200 new stores in Southeast Asia this year, after surpassing Starbucks as Malaysia’s largest coffee chain within five years of inception.&nbsp;

ZUS Coffee to add 200 Southeast Asia stores in Starbucks duel

ACE-market listed LYC Healthcare Bhd (KL:LYC) said it has been served with a winding-up petition by SOG Mummy &amp; Baby Centre Pte Ltd for allegedly failing to settle an outstanding amount of RM600,000.

According to the petition, the amount owed is related to instalment payments due under a settlement reached in December 2024, which was subsequently restructured by both SOG Mummy and LYC Healthcare.

LYC Healthcare gets winding-up petition

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Malaysia&nbsp;will need to mark down its growth forecast of 4.5% to 5.5% for the year, due to trade and tariff uncertainties, its central bank governor said.

Malaysia will need to revise down growth forecast, BNM governor says

IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has acquired a 50% stake in financially troubled UK-based construction firm JRL Group for £50 million, or about RM283 million.

IJM Corp acquires troubled UK builder for RM283m

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) disbursed US$4.9 billion (RM21.5 billion) to Southeast Asia in 2024, with Malaysia getting the smallest slice of the allocation, its latest annual report showed.

Asian Development Bank disbursed US$4.9b to Southeast Asia in 2024, Malaysia received US$1.7m

Stocks drifted on Thursday and a rebound in the dollar lost traction as investors tried to sift through the noise from the Trump administration and its fickle stance on tariffs and the Federal Reserve's leadership.

Relief rally fizzles out as traders try to grasp Trump's U-turns

Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:BURSA) net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025) is expected to decline year-on-year, weighed down by a weaker securities average daily value (ADV) amid cautious market sentiment, according to CIMB Securities.

Bursa’s 1Q net profit could decline as much as 27% amid weaker securities average daily value — CIMB

Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa said that he first met fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) almost 20 years ago, just as the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA)&nbsp;was about to set up.

1MDB-Tanore: Ex-Goldman banker Roger Ng says knew Jho Low around 2008/2009

The timeline for completion of the aerotrain project at the Kuala Lumpur&nbsp;International Airport (KLIA) is completely unrelated to the recent privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), said its chairman Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi.

Aerotrain completion timeline not affected by privatisation — MAHB chairman

RHB Investment Bank cautioned that inconsistent US trade policies could defer critical capital expenditure (capex) decisions and manufacturing reallocation timelines, pressuring technology sector earnings.

RHB cuts tech sector earnings amid volatile US trade policy that threatens capex, equipment demand

(April 24):&nbsp;Online merchants are being inundated with suspicious offers to help avoid paying US tariffs&nbsp;on goods made in China.

‘Made in Malaysia’: Online sellers bombarded with ways to evade tariffs

China demanded that the US revoke all unilateral tariffs and said there were no talks on reaching a trade deal, maintaining a tough stance despite President Donald Trump’s easing of criticism of the country.

China says US should revoke all unilateral tariffs, denies talks

Malaysia is positioning itself to become a key player in the rare earth elements (REE) value chain, amid a shifting geopolitical landscape and the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

Malaysia poised to capitalise on rare earth element opportunities amid trade war, says science minister

(April 24):&nbsp;Investors increasingly expect Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s last holdout against interest rate cuts, to give in to mounting economic pressure from the global trade war.

Bets on Malaysia’s OPR cut mount as tariff shock dims growth outlook

The new operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower, LSH Service Master&nbsp;Sdn Bhd (LSHSM), is working closely with the Ministry of Communications to determine a suitable date for the reopening of the iconic national landmark, following comprehensive maintenance and improvement works.

KL Tower reopening date to be set after major upgrade works, says LSH Service Master's CEO

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.&nbsp;

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will begin enforcing checks on trucks at federal ports across Peninsular Malaysia starting July 1, 2025, for overloading, as part of efforts to tackle the issue of overloaded heavy vehicles.

Ports to enforce overloading checks on trucks from July, says MOT

The US stock market is well past its best days and investors should be prepared to see further declines in the nation’s equities, Treasury bonds as well as the dollar, according to Christopher Wood of Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

Jefferies’ Wood says best over for US stocks, sees more losses

U Mobile Sdn Bhd, the telco spearheading the development of Malaysia’s second 5G network, announced&nbsp;on Thursday it had signed a term sheet agreement with Celcom Timur (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (CT Sabah) — a subsidiary of CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) — to deploy leased fibre circuits in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

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