KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): The FBM KLCI closed up 16.89 points or 1.15% at 1,490.14 today, while trading volume across Bursa Malaysia topped 10 billion securities for the second time in less than a month, as global investors cheered news on the less-drastic-than-expected US measures in response to China’s new security legislation in Hong Kong. In Malaysia, rubber glove manufacturers powered the KLCI’s rise, analysts said.

KLCI finishes up 1.15% as Bursa volume tops 10b units again

KUALA LUMPUR: Economists are neutral on the prospects of the consumer sector in 2020 as data shows Malaysians are becoming more cautious about their spending.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research’s (MIER) Consumer Sentiment Index contracted by nine points quarter-on-quarter to 8...

Thrifty spending to prevail in 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the government’s current development expenditure will spill over to next year and provide a good support for the country’s growth at a time when global economies are projected to slow.

The government has projected Malaysia’...

Govt’s ‘double-barrel’ spending more of a cushion than a catalyst

KUALA LUMPUR: The new 6% tax set to be imposed from Jan 1, 2020 on foreign digital service providers will be borne by the consumers, according to tax experts.

The digital service tax, they said, is a tax on consumers and not businesses, as it is looking to tax a particular service.
...

Experts say 6% digital tax will be borne by consumers from Jan 1, 2020

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned against any attempts to challenge the government by organising protests against the Urban Renewal Bill (URA).

PM warns against leveraging Malay identities to disrupt urban renewal efforts

South Koreans gathered in huge numbers in the capital Seoul on Saturday to support or oppose impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol before a court decides whether his short-lived declaration of martial law disqualifies him from office.

Supporters, protestors rally across South Korea ahead of President Yoon's impeachment ruling

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Western nations to ramp up pressure on Vladimir Putin, saying Russia’s president will “sooner or later” have to engage in serious discussions over a ceasefire in Ukraine.

UK urges pressure on Russia if Putin balks at truce, calls for 'coalition of the willing' to support Ukraine

The US announced visa restrictions on current and former Thai officials involved in the return of 40 Uyghurs to China last month, a setback for the Southeast Asian nation striving to strike a balance between its two largest trade partners.

US slaps visa curbs on Thai officials for Uyghur deportation to China

Thailand aims to slash electricity costs by more than 25% by next year to emerge as a hub for data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, according to Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto chief of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Thaksin vows cheaper power to turn Thailand into data centre hub

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Friday that Starship is set to depart for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Tesla humanoid bot Optimus.

Starship, carrying Tesla's bot, set for Mars by end-2026, says Musk

National energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) said on Saturday it is continuing discussions with multiple stakeholders, following a report that negotiations over the ongoing gas aggregator role with Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) have reached a deadlock.

Petronas says still in talks with Sarawak over gas aggregator role after media report on deadlock

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday launched the Mara Madani Waqf, aimed at strengthening the Malay and Bumiputera agenda in the country.

PM launches Mara Madani Waqf aimed at strengthening Malay, Bumiputera agenda

The Electric Train Service (ETS) has achieved another milestone in its effort to expand the country’s rail network, with the launch of operations between the Butterworth, Padang Besar and Segamat stations on Saturday.

KTMB launches ETS service to Segamat

The 46th Asean Summit is scheduled to take place from May 26 to 27, while the Asean Summit with Dialogue Partners is set for late October, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Tok Mat: 46th Asean Summit in May, Summit with Dialogue Partners in October

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (KL:CHGP) has big plans this&nbsp;year. It aims to achieve a sales target of RM2 billion and expand into Melaka and Johor this year. In this week's cover story, &nbsp;Chiau Haw Choon, the group managing director of its parent company, Chin Hin Group Bhd (KL:CHINHIN), talks about the encouraging sales of RM1.3 billion last year and his target this year.&nbsp;Of the RM2 billion sales target, RM1.4 billion will come from existing projects and the remaining RM600 million from new launches. In addition, he unveils the developer’s plan to venture overseas after establishing a firm foundation in the domestic market.

Upping its game

SHAH ALAM (March 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim&nbsp;attended the 18th DAP National Congress held at Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) here on Sunday, to elect the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC).

PM attends 18th DAP National Congress

HONG KONG (March 16): China's Baidu said on Sunday that it had launched two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, including a new reasoning-focused model that it said rivalled DeepSeek's model, as it vies to stand out in a fiercely competitive AI race.

China's Baidu launches two new AI models as industry competition heats up

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): While the Democratic Action Party (DAP) is a firm ally of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, party chairman Lim Guan Eng emphasised that it will never be a "yes-man" party.

DAP won’t be a ‘yes-man’ party, says Guan Eng

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida/WASHINGTON: (March 15): More than 1,300 Voice of America (VOA) employees were placed on leave on Saturday and funding for two US news services that broadcast to authoritarian regimes was terminated, one day after President Donald Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet's parent and six other federal agencies.

Voice of America staff put on leave, Trump ally says agency 'not salvageable'

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): The Democratic Action Party (DAP), the largest party in the country’s ruling coalition, has pledged its support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to remain in office after the 16th General Election (GE16).

DAP backs Anwar to stay as PM after GE16 — Loke

Those who spent a lot of time in the UK or have a soft spot for its produce allsorts would be well familiar with Vimto, the Mancunian mixed soft fruit drink that has ingrained itself in — pun fully intended — British pop culture.

Top of the pop

HAVANA (March 15): Cuba's capital Havana plunged into darkness for a second night on Saturday, as efforts to restore power proceeded in fits and starts, with setbacks slowing progress and leaving several million still without electricity across the island.

Cuba struggles to restore power to millions as night falls

CHENNAI (March 16): India's Zetwerk is considering a stock market listing within 24 months, at a time when the contract manufacturer is ramping up electronics production, its chief executive officer and co-founder said on Saturday (March 15).

India's Zetwerk mulls public listing within two years, co-founder says

TAPAH (March 16): Perikatan Nasional (PN) will announce its candidate contesting in the Ayer Kuning state by-election after a special meeting on Thursday (March 20).

Ayer Kuning polls: Perikatan Nasional to announce candidate after March 20 meeting

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): The government remains committed to implementing the institutional reform agenda, including a proposed amendment to the Federal Constitution to cap the prime minister's term at 10 years.

Syahirah Syed Jaafar & Justin Lim