The opposition failed in its attempt to thwart Budget 2021 as it was passed in the final approval stage in the Dewan Rakyat today via an en bloc vote.

The vote ended with 111 Members of Parliament (MPs) in favour and 108 MPs against the passing of the budget.

Budget 2021 passed in Dewan Rakyat despite opposition's last-ditch efforts to stymie bill

Budget 2021 was formulated with a balancing act in mind, a treasury official said today, adding that it is important for the government to spend on development expenditure to stimulate new growth in the country.

Budget 2021 formulated with balancing act in mind — MoF

The crucial vote on Budget 2021 is scheduled for today in the Dewan Rakyat amid uncertainty as to whether it will garner sufficient support from lawmakers.

Several MPs have threatened to withhold support for the Budget unless their concerns are addressed. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Pejuang-Langkawi), for one, has said that he and “his friends” have decided to reject the Budget

Parliament to decide on the National Budget today

As for now, the schedule for the crucial Budget 2021 vote set for tomorrow is on track, according to a source familiar with the matter.

“Ministers have also been reminded to stick to their 20-minute allocation and not exceed it — as what happened on Monday and Tuesday. Questions that can’t be answered due to time constraints will be answered in writing,” a government source familiar with the scheduled budget vote told The Edge, adding that at present, the budget voting is still “confirmed” for tomorrow as scheduled.

Schedule for budget voting on track — source

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will not be participating in the Budget 2021 debate as long as the legitimacy of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Cabinet is not tested.

Ku Li to abstain from Budget 2021 debate as long as no-confidence motion not allowed

Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal today criticised the government’s controversial decision to allocate RM85.5 million to the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) during the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it unnecessary.

Following a growing number of lawmakers who have voiced their dissatisfaction at this move, Shafie echoed their calls to use the RM85.5 million in combating Covid-19.

Shafie joins growing list of politicians questioning RM86m allocation for Jasa

While the Budget 2021 has been touted to be the largest budget in Malaysia, four associations have jointly urged the government to revise the national budget to provide “sustainable and meaningful” assistance.

The four associations are Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), SME Association of Malaysia, Bumiputra Retailers Organization and Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK).

SME, retail and mall associations urge govt for more aid in Budget 2021

The V-shaped recovery that has been attained at this point will be derailed if Budget 2021 is not passed by Parliament, according to EMIR Research.

V-shaped recovery will be derailed if Budget 2021 not passed — EMIR Research

Construction companies are set to benefit greatly from the projects and expenditure outlined in Budget 2021, with the Mass Rapid Transit 3 and the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail viewed as being big opportunities.

Builders the key beneficiaries of Budget 2021, but little interest seen

The recently tabled Budget 2021 was "supersized but spread too thin", said Affin Hwang Capital Research, noting that the measures announced were not sufficient to assist the sectors that are badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Budget 2021 has something for everyone but ‘spread too thin’, says Affin Hwang

Pejuang says the government had used Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s decree as a “blank cheque” to propose a Budget which is populist and does not take into account the interests of the people.

Pejuang: Budget 2021 populist, does not take into account public interest

Human capital management solution provider RAMSSOL Group said employee engagement is key in digital transformation.

Employee engagement key in digital transformation, says RAMSSOL

BIMB Holdings Bhd's Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has welcomed the enhancement made to the targeted repayment assistance in Budget 2021, saying that the measure addresses the difficulties of most vulnerable groups and provides an opportunity for them to recover from the economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bank Islam welcomes enhancement to targeted repayment assistance

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has refuted allegations that the government has drastically reduced its public health allocation in Budget 2021.

Tengku Zafrul refutes allegations of reduction in public health allocation in Budget 2021

India's palm oil imports in August fell more than a quarter from a month ago, primarily driven by sufficient domestic stocks and negative margins that discouraged refiners from purchasing more of the tropical oil, a leading trade body said on Thursday.

India's palm oil imports plunge as buyers shift to soyoil

BlackRock Inc and Partners Group Holding AG are teaming up to offer retail investors access to a variety of private markets through a single portfolio, tapping into rising demand for alternative investments.

BlackRock, Partners Group to offer retail investors ‘one-stop’ access

Standard Chartered has created a new banking team in its corporate and investment banking division, as a reorganisation of the unit aimed at boosting cross-border business continues, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Thursday.

StanChart creates new banking team as it bids for big cross-border deals

NEXTDC Ltd, an Australian data-centre operator, is seeking a A$2.9 billion (US$1.9 billion or RM8.38 billion) syndicated loan from banks to expand its operations in Asia.

NEXTDC seeks US$1.9 loan to expand data centres in Asia, including Malaysia

South Korea’s top financial regulator said it plans to lift the ban on short selling at the end of March, and will ensure that necessary rule revisions are in place by then.

South Korea aims to end short-selling ban on all stocks in March

SUBANG (Sept 12): SIA Engineering Co Ltd (SIAEC), the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) arm of Singapore Airlines Ltd, said less than 10% of its new hires in the country came from Malaysia Airlines’ engineering arm.

Less than 10% of Malaysia Airlines’ technical staff joined us, says SIA’s engineering unit over poaching its staff

The Philippines will stick to its position on Sabina Shoal, it said on Thursday, even while exploring ways to ease tension in the area during "frank and candid" talks with China on managing disputes in the key waterway of the South China Sea.

Philippines stands firm on Sabina Shoal but looks to ease tension with China

Oil and gas exploration and production group Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd (KL:HIBISCS) is proposing an additional one sen dividend per share for the financial year ended June 30, 2024 (FY2024).

Hibiscus raises dividend payout for FY2024

Since gaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has undergone tremendous transformation in its built environment and infrastructure, evolving from a nation with basic essential amenities to one that boasts world-class architecture and shiny skyscrapers.

Through the decades, both local and ...

Malaysia’s architectural landmarks through the decades

(Sept 12): Apollo Global Management Inc said the evolving needs of “average savers” in Asia is helping drive fundraising and growth for its global wealth business.

Apollo’s fundraising grows as it targets ‘average savers’ in Asia

Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur "is not for sale" by its owners and shareholders, said Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohamed, chairman of its owner Ampang Hotel Sdn Bhd.

In a statement, Sallehuddin said the shareholders "are satisfied with our progress and the direction we are taking" for the hotel.

Concorde Hotel KL not for sale, says owner

Southeast Asian equities have cemented their position as a favourite play of money managers positioning for the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy pivot.

Four of the five best-performing Asian equity benchmarks this month are from the region, with Thailand leading the pack. The buying frenzy has put foreign inflows on track for a fifth consecutive week while the MSCI Asean Index is now trading near its highest level since April 2022.

Global funds rush into Malaysian, Southeast Asian stocks as Fed pivot play

A former aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with drug trafficking at the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who has an ongoing sexual assault suit against Anwar, was charged with one count of trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters' surau last Friday.

Anwar's former aide, who is suing PM for sexual assault, charged with drug trafficking

Sales of Mazda and Kia vehicles are expected to pick up in the months ahead as analysts shrugged off Bermaz Auto Bhd’s (KL:BAUTO) weaker-than-expected quarter.

Volume-heavy Mazda cars, 10% dividend yield set to prop up Bermaz Auto after weak quarter

China is turning up the heat on its army of 8,700 investment bankers.&nbsp;

After being forced to take big&nbsp;pay cuts&nbsp;and adhere to other belt-tightening measures under President Xi Jinping’s years-long common prosperity campaign, the country’s dealmakers are now in the crosshairs of the nation’s top graft buster.&nbsp;

China detains investment bankers, takes passports in corruption sweep

Any decision&nbsp;on the proposal to make&nbsp;halal certification mandatory for all restaurants and food operators is under the jurisdiction of the Conference of Rulers, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the&nbsp;issue should not be turned into polemics, as it is still in the proposal phase and had yet to become&nbsp;a permanent policy.

Conference of Rulers to have final say on mandatory halal certification, says Zahid

Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) advised investors to refocus on property stocks with solid fundamentals and proven execution capabilities amid enthusiasm around the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Refocus on property stocks with strong fundamentals amid Johor-Singapore SEZ excitement — Maybank IB

In the second quarter of 2024 (2Q2024), Malaysia's retail sales decelerated to 0.6%, falling short of market expectations, according to Retail Group Malaysia (RGM).

In June, members of the Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) projected a growth rate of 1.7%, making the actual result 65% below the estimate.

Malaysian retailers point to 2Q growth slowdown amid rising prices, weak sentiment

The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Registrar has been granted a stay by the High Court on Thursday from registering a 263.27-acre plot of land in the ‘Duta enclave’ to the liquidator of Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd.

High Court grants stay over registration of Semantan Estate

A rally in the world’s largest technology companies spurred a stock-market rebound in a volatile session that had Wall Street traders digesting faster-than-anticipated inflation data.

Stocks wipe out CPI-fuelled slide as Big Tech jumps

Selection of the technology provider for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) is still open, said MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal.

Selection still open for KL-Singapore high-speed rail technology provider — MyHSR CEO

Asian shares bounced on Thursday, tracking a tech-driven rally on Wall Street, while the dollar held onto gains after US&nbsp;core inflation surprised slightly on the upside and dashed hopes of a large rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) next week.

Asian shares up on Wall St tech boost; dollar extends gains on yen

Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao said it will focus on expanding further into established foreign markets in the coming years, notably the US, working to draw new customers as diners at home pull back on spending.&nbsp;

Chinese hotpot chain plans US expansion to escape slump at home

First-half earnings in Asia showed how the ripple effects of the Red Sea crisis will continue to be costly for companies that make goods for export, while those that transport their wares benefit from higher freight rates.

Red Sea crisis produces winners and losers in Asia as freight rates spike

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): BIMB Securities has maintained its “underweight” call on the rubber glove sector, citing challenges from strict European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and persistent overcapacity in the industry.

BIMB Securities flags challenges in rubber glove sector amid EU deforestation rules

China has strongly advised its carmakers to make sure advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology stays in the country, people familiar with the matter said, even as they build factories around the world to escape punitive tariffs on Chinese exports.

Chinese carmakers advised to keep key EV technology at home — Bloomberg

Grand Venture Technology (GVT) has confirmed that it is in discussions for a potential secondary listing of its shares on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Grand Venture Technology confirms plans for secondary listing on Bursa

The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-Tanore trial has been postponed yet again, as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is still nursing an acute knee inflammation in a hospital.

1MDB-Tanore trial postponed once again as Najib still unfit for court

WTEC Group Bhd, a foam and fabric products maker, filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market to raise funds for acquisition of a new, larger factory in Selangor.

Foam products maker WTEC Group files for IPO on ACE Market

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) is going to launch its IOI Industrial Park at Banting, Selangor by the second quarter of next year and is planning another one in Melaka that is expected to be launched two quarters later.

Budget 2021

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