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

Technology company Green Packet Bhd (KL:GPACKET) said its wholly owned Packet Interactive Sdn Bhd (PISB) has obtained a digital lending licence from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

Green Packet secures digital lending licence from Housing and Local Govt Ministry

The government will not disclose details of the minutes of the Pardon Board meeting of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya that discussed the pardon of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to the public.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who is also a member of the Pardons Board, said the minutes of the meeting were confidential.

Govt cannot reveal minutes of Pardons Board meeting — Zaliha

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 9): Two company directors and an officer from a ministry agency have been remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of being involved in corruption to obtain approval letters for commercial vehicle licences without meeting the required conditions....

Company director duo, govt officer remanded in vehicle licence bribery probe

Opportunities arising from the nation's shift towards higher value industries make this the ideal time for Malaysian technology talent abroad to return, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

Now’s the best time for Malaysian tech talent abroad to return, says minister

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (KL:TENAGA), Malaysia's largest utility company, views data centres as highly attractive customers for its infrastructure projects, offering excellent returns on investment (ROI).

TNB: Data centres 'best customers' for infrastructure investment

Dubai property billionaire Hussain Sajwani — who this week stood alongside US President-elect Donald Trump to pledge a US$20 billion (RM90 billion) investment in US data centres — is likely to lean heavily on banks and other financial institutions for much of that investment.

Dubai property billionaire Sajwani to lean on banks for US$20b investment in US data centres

Global decoupling presents a major disruption but also offers a significant opportunity for Asean to position itself as a key player in a fragmented global economy.

Asean Business Advisory Council (BAC) Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak expressed his optimism that Asean, now becoming more realistic, will achieve its objectives, especially in achieving its targets and goals.

Global decoupling offers significant opportunies for Asean — Nazir Razak

The Dutch government said it is holding talks with Nvidia Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc regarding support for the construction of an artificial intelligence (AI) facility in the Netherlands.

Netherlands holding talks with Nvidia on Dutch AI facility

China's auto exports are estimated to slow notably this year after holding the export crown for a second year in 2024, with no growth predicted for electric vehicle exports, an auto association official said on Thursday.

China's EV exports seen stalling in 2025 

Standard Chartered has formed a new entity in Luxembourg to offer crypto and digital asset custody services in the European Union, as the global lender looks to cash in on the growing demand for digital security.

StanChart forms new entity for digital assets custody services in EU

There is a possibility for Public Bank Bhd (KL: PBBANK) to offer "more than biannual" dividend payments, despite not having the highest dividend yield, according to Kenanga Investment Research.

Kenanga sees possibility for Public Bank offering 'more than biannual' dividends, cites synergies from LPI acquisition

Malaysia’s technology stocks broadly fell on Thursday following news reports that the US is planning to impose further export curbs on artificial intelligence (AI) chips to keep them out of the hands of China and Russia.

Malaysia's tech stocks broadly lower amid news of US export curbs on AI chips

The worst is over for Malaysian banks’ asset quality, and investors should take the opportunity to buy during near-term profit-taking for their solid loan growth and dividend yields, said MIDF Amanah Investment Bank.

Worst is over for banks' asset quality, buy into selldown — MIDF

Some European firms are sacrificing efficiency and losing their global edge as they wall off their operations in China and come under pressure to produce more locally, according to a business group whose members include many of the continent’s biggest companies.

European firms say China’s pressure to go local is raising costs

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, expects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda to be hindered by ongoing signs of friction between the component parties of the unity government.

BMI: Political tensions within unity govt may slow down Anwar’s reform agenda

President Joe Biden’s administration plans one additional round of restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence (AI) chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp just days before leaving office, a final push in his effort to keep advanced technologies out of the hands of China and Russia.

Biden to further limit Nvidia AI chip exports in final push

Palm oil could hit as high as RM5,000 per tonne over the next few months, though the high prices are unlikely to be sustained beyond the first quarter, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) flagged.

Palm oil could hit RM5,000 in next few months but unsustainable beyond 1Q — HLIB

Malaysia’s growth is set to sustain last year’s pace and exceed 5% in 2025, driven by foreign investments and government initiatives that can help shield the economy from global risks, two key cabinet ministers said in separate interviews.

Malaysia sees GDP growth above 5% despite Trump tariff risks

Malaysian construction stocks extended their decline on Thursday, amid wider market selldown sparked by worries of escalation in global trade tensions.

The retreat followed strong rallies of builders last year, which continued into the first week of 2025. “After having a good run, a healthy correction is expected, and any noise will trigger a pullback,” said Danny Wong, who manages assets worth over RM5 billion as the chief executive officer of Areca Capital.

Malaysian construction stocks extend decline on data centre concerns

Malaysia's neutral stance&nbsp;in the US-China tech cold war faces growing challenges moving forward, according to Professor Dr Chris Miller.

As the author of Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, Miller notes that Malaysia has benefited from trade diversion due to its neutrality, but sustaining this position will become more difficult.

Expert warns of rising challenges to Malaysia's neutrality in US-China tech conflict

Malaysia’s stock market will have little upside ahead following strong run-up even as economic growth remains intact, HSBC flagged on Thursday.

Valuations are not as appealing, especially when compared to elsewhere in Asean, HSBC said in a note.

Malaysia stocks have little upside ahead after recent rally, says HSBC

The takeover offer of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) by Gateway Development Alliance (GDA) marks a critical inflection point for Malaysia’s aviation sector and its future in the hyper-competitive Asean region. With GDA securing 84.1% of MAHB shares and extending the offer period to Jan 17, the stage is set for a seismic shift in how Malaysia’s airports are managed. If the consortium achieves the 90% threshold required for delisting, MAHB will transition from the scrutiny of public markets into the hands of private ownership, enabling GDA to execute a bold, long-term restructuring strategy without the burden of quarterly earnings pressures.

Can Gateway Development Alliance help MAHB take flight again?

Major shareholders of NPC Resources Bhd (KL:NPC) are in talks for a proposal that could lead to the&nbsp;Sabah-based palm oil producer being taken private at RM2.82 per share.

NPC Resources' major shareholders in talks that could lead to privatisation — statement

The 20-year Treasury bond offered a grim warning as a selloff fuelled by inflationary angst gripped global debt markets: 5% yields are already here.

Treasury market gets first 5% yield in sign of what could come

Malaysia’s upcoming five-year development plan, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), has been moulded in a “globalist lens”, according to Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi: 13MP will adopt globalist stance against protectionism, isolationism

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (KL:TENAGA), Malaysia's largest utility company, views data centres as highly attractive customers for its infrastructure projects, offering excellent returns on investment (ROI).

Malaysia's property sector will be mainly driven by the completion of mega infrastructure projects and the transition to new technologies this year, according to CBRE | WTW group managing director Tan Ka Leong at the media launch of the real estate consultancy's 2025 Market Outlook Report earlier on Thursday.

CBRE | WTW: Mega infrastructure projects, new technologies to shape Malaysian real estate industry in 2025

BIMB Securities expects Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) to report strong double-digit growth for its final quarter and FY2024 earnings, driven by a robust securities trading segment.

BIMB expects Bursa to report double-digit earnings for 4Q and FY2024

Malaysia aims to become the region's conduit for electricity, talent, and supply chain diversification, while also strengthening its position in oil and gas, semiconductors, and Islamic finance&nbsp;this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia aims to be conduit for electricity, talent, and supply chain diversification in 2025, says PM

Having successfully worked to get his candidate elected in the US, Elon Musk is setting his sights on Europe.

In a series of posts on his X platform in recent weeks, the billionaire backer of Donald Trump has honed in on Germany and the UK, criticised the respective governments, questioned laws they’ve enacted and cast doubt on their economic competence.

Budget 2021

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