KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): As the global human population continues to grow, so does the demand for wood products. These products significantly contribute to Malaysia’s economy, amounting to RM21.844 billion in export earnings in 2023. The challenge that we face now is balancing the economic, social and ecological values of our forests. On the one hand, wood is a renewable resource that can help meet the increasing demand for building materials and various products. On the other hand, climate change and biodiversity loss necessitates coordinated efforts to ensure that our forests are protected, managed and utilised in the most equitable manner.

Conserving forests through innovative collaborations

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 9, 2026

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 9, 2026 

Oil fell after President Donald Trump said the US would not attack Iran ahead of November’s midterm elections. West Texas Intermediate dropped toward US$91 barrel after climbing 3.6% on Thursday, while Brent closed above US$104

Oil declines after Trump says no Iran attacks before midterm

Asian tech stocks are set to come under pressure, tracking a selloff in US chipmakers as speculation over OpenAI’s revenue revived concerns about the sustainability of the artificial-intelligence spending boom.

Asian stocks set to fall on tech, oil edges lower

A selloff in chipmakers weighed on stocks as speculation around OpenAI’s revenue revived worries that the artificial-intelligence spending spree is becoming harder to justify.

S&P 500 falls as reports on OpenAI sink chipmakers

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate annoucements that made the headlines on Thursday:

SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) has resolved its five-year legal dispute with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) involving the compulsory acquisition of...

SD Guthrie, DNeX, Batu Kawan, MKH, MISC, Exsim Hospitality, GDB, Cyberjaya Education, Life Water, MTAG, UWC & Al-‘Aqar Healthcare REIT

Emotions ran high in the Coroner’s Court here on Thursday as the cheerful voice of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, speaking affectionately to her mother, echoed through the courtroom during the inquest into the Form One student’s death.

Mother chokes up as Zara Qairina’s ‘voice’ fills courtroom during inquest

The US government is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and several large IT firms from a programme that allows skilled foreign workers to gain permanent residency, senior US officials announced on Thursday, citing alleged fraud, and as part of an effort to push companies to hire more Americans.

US suspends Microsoft, major IT firms from key green card programme

Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) has proposed reinstating rebates on interest or profit rates, as well as financial support for solar projects, under the upcoming Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) 6.0 for Budget 2027.

MGTC proposes rebate and financial support for solar for Budget 2027

All educational institutions under the Education Ministry (MOE) in areas recording air pollutant index (API) readings above 180, based on Department of Environment (DOE) readings, must be closed from Friday, Oct 9, amid the haze currently affecting the country.

Education minister announces school closures in four states, KL, Putrajaya and Rompin due to haze 

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate annoucements that made the headlines on Thursday:

SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) has resolved its five-year legal dispute with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) involving the compulsory acquisition of...

GDB Holdings Bhd (KL:GDB) is expanding its construction business through the proposed acquisition of two companies, while diversifying into property development to broaden its earnings base.

GDB buys two construction firms for RM82 mil, expands into property development

UWC Bhd (KL:UWC) has dropped its plan to use part of the proceeds of its newly proposed RM384.13 million private placement to pay off borrowings, choosing instead to redirect the amount towards factory expansion and working capital.

UWC drops debt repayment plan in proposed RM384 mil placement to focus on expansion, operations

Batu Kawan Bhd’s (KL:BKAWAN) unconditional mandatory takeover offer for MKH Bhd (KL:MKH) closed on Thursday with the group's stake in the property developer rising to 96.73%.

Batu Kawan's stake in MKH rises to 96.73% at close of takeover offer

Cyberjaya Education Group Bhd (KL:CYBERE) is acquiring 24,777 square metres of vacant freehold commercial land in Sepang for RM15 million in cash to support its university’s expansion and future student facilities.

Cyberjaya Education buys Sepang land for RM15m to support university growth

Asian countries are racing to raise their oil stockpiling capacity, complete a regional power grid and speed up renewables in response to supply risks laid bare by the Iran war.

Asia races to stockpile oil, speed up renewables in response to Iran war

Exsim Hospitality Bhd (KL:EXSIMHB) has secured a RM15.6 million subcontract from a unit of Nestcon Bhd (KL:NESTCON) for the supply and installation of building services and general building works.

Exsim Hospitality secures RM15.6m building works contract from Nestcon unit

The US government is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and several large IT firms from a programme that allows skilled foreign workers to gain permanent residency, senior US officials announced on Thursday, citing alleged fraud, and as part of an effort to push companies to hire more Americans.

US stocks edged lower on Thursday as soaring oil prices and Treasury yields near multi-year highs stoked inflation worries on the cusp of a critical earnings season expected to test recent market gains.

Wall Street slips as higher yields and oil prices flag inflation risk

Fitters Diversified Bhd (KL:FITTERS) is proposing to sell its wholly-owned palm oil unit to raise cash for redeployment into other core divisions.

Fitters Diversified eyes sale of palm oil unit to redeploy funds into core businesses

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) reported quarterly profit that topped analysts’ estimates, helped by cost-cutting measures and a gradually improving contract flow that helped drive growth at Asia’s largest IT services provider.

TCS profit beats estimates as IT deals start trickling in

Al-`Aqar Healthcare REIT (KL:ALAQAR) has lodged two sukuk programmes with a combined limit value of RM3 billion to fund investments, refinance Islamic financing and meet working capital requirements.

Al-‘Aqar Healthcare REIT lodges sukuk programmes with combined RM3 bil limit

The owner of Market Financial Solutions Ltd (MFS) is facing a growing barrage of lawsuits as creditors try to recover about £2.3 billion (US$3 billion or RM12.25 billion) of loans they had extended to the UK property company that collapsed amid allegations of widespread fraud.

UK’s MFS owner says he’s been harassed by lawsuits after US$3 bil collapse

Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) has proposed reinstating rebates on interest or profit rates, as well as financial support for solar projects, under the upcoming Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) 6.0 for Budget 2027.

Hong Kong’s financial watchdogs warned they may reverse a rule that allows listed companies to keep trading even when auditors cast doubt on their ability to survive.

Hong Kong regulators signal tightening for distressed listed stocks

The lower house of Parliament on Thursday passed the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026, paving the way for tighter food safety controls to better protect public health.

Tighter food safety controls by MOH with new bill passed in Dewan Rakyat

OpenAI opened ChatGPT advertising to Malaysian businesses on Sept 23, signalling a new channel for reaching customers. But with policies generally prohibiting financial services ads outside the US, local financial services providers are largely locked out of buying visibility.

Commentary: Who wins when customers turn to AI search?

&nbsp;Asian tech stocks are set to come under pressure, tracking a selloff in US chipmakers as speculation over OpenAI’s revenue revived concerns about the sustainability of the artificial-intelligence spending boom.

American Airlines Group Inc plans to extend Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to more than 1,000 mainline aircraft, as US carriers compete to offer faster in-flight WiFi.

American Airlines to expand Starlink WiFi across entire fleet

Starbucks has explored a takeover of Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

WWF-Malaysia, Malaysian Nature Society and Malaysian Timber Association

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WWF-Malaysia, Malaysian Nature Society and Malaysian Timber Association

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