Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd (MARC) is expecting higher allocations in development expenditure (DE) and operating expenditure (opex) in the upcoming Budget 2021, although these allocations, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are expected to be lower at 4% and 18.7% respectively.

In a statement, the ratings agency said the budget balance should also moderate to between -5.5% and -5% of GDP, supported by the economic recovery as well as the fact that fiscal policy had done most of the heavy lifting in 2020. Meanwhile, debt should come in at between 55% and 58% of GDP.

MARC: Higher development expenditure, opex allocations in Budget 2021 expected

Grants and loans, support for marketing and promotion as well as job creation are the top three priorities on the Malaysian creative industries’ wishlist for the upcoming Budget 2021.

Creative industries seek continuation of govt grants in Budget 2021, says poll

The Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia (PEPS) has proposed that the government waive the real property gains tax (RPGT) across all property sectors involving transactions of less than RM10 million in 2021 to stimulate the property market.

Budget 2021: Waive RPGT on all properties below RM10m — PEPS

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said Budget 2021 is not the usual scheme as announced in previous years because the budget this time involves a combination of solutions to support citizens’ livelihoods and the country’s economic growth as it fights against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Budget 2021 unusual as Malaysia bucks economic theory amid Covid-19, says Tengku Zafrul

A windfall tax being imposed on the glove sector in Malaysia will be difficult to execute, opined CGS-CIMB Research, adding that should this materialise in the upcoming Budget 2021, it would likely be a one-off collection or payment to the government.

Difficult to execute windfall tax on glove players, likely a one-off payment to govt, says CGS-CIMB

The government can further encourage companies and institutions to tap into sustainable financing under the upcoming Budget 2021 that will be tabled this Friday (Nov 6), according to Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).

Govt should encourage more corporate players to tap into sustainable financing, says Maybank IB

Mobile food delivery marketplace foodpanda Malaysia is hoping to see digital tax waiver and gig economy worker benefits in the upcoming Budget 2021.

In a statement today, foodpanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das said elimination of digital taxes for 2021 would encourage consumer spending online and enable companies to reinvest in Malaysia.

foodpanda hopes to see digital tax waiver, gig economy worker benefits in Budget 2021

Last week, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for the government to work with the opposition to develop a bipartisan national budget to address the Covid-19 pandemic. If it materialises, it will be the first such budget in Malaysia’s history.

Should it be done? How will it work?

A bipartisan budget and the factors to consider

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to set aside their political differences and ensure Budget 2021, set to be tabled on Nov 6, is passed, saying the well-being of Malaysians should be put first in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

PM urges MPs to put aside political differences, ensure Budget 2021 is passed

Malaysia needs to deliver a more impactful social aid system, given that success in preventing long-term damage of the COVID-19 pandemic to the lives of the children in low-income families “depends on the quality of social policy responses to the particularly vulnerable group in society”, Stephen Barrett, UNICEF Malaysia’s chief of social policy said.

Budget 2021, 12MP need to lift children of the urban poor out of poverty

The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has urged government and opposition lawmakers to jointly urge the finance minister to reinstate the blanket moratorium on bank loans for at least six months through Budget 2021.

Union urges MPs from both sides to jointly seek reinstatement of loan moratorium via Budget 2021

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the government and the opposition should work together in developing an effective strategy in the upcoming national budget to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anwar calls for bipartisan Budget 2021 to be crafted and tabled to Parliament

The debt ceiling may be raised again to 65% to accommodate Budget 2021, as the level of federal government debt is expected to hit 63.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, said KAF Research.

Debt ceiling could be raised again to 65% to accommodate expansionary Budget 2021 — KAF Research

RHB Investment Bank Bhd said Budget 2021 will be expansionary, albeit at a lower magnitude.

In a Budget 2021 preview today, RHB projected an improvement in the fiscal deficit to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 from 6.5% in 2020, in line with the need for fiscal consolidation.

RHB expects spending on social assistance to remain significant

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the Madani government's commitment to prioritising the welfare of the people across all states, including those led by the opposition, by steadily increasing their allocations.

Govt committed to raising allocations to all states — PM

The founding family of Japan's Seven & i Holdings has approached KKR & Co and other investment firms about participating in the potential buyout of the retailer, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday.

Seven & i founding family sounded out KKR, others about buyout — Nikkei

The European Union (EU), US and other wealthy countries at the COP29 climate summit have agreed to raise their offer of a global finance target to US$300 billion (RM1.34 trillion) per year by 2035, sources told Reuters on Saturday.

Wealthy countries back raising COP29 climate deal to US$300b, Reuters reports

The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) is set to launch about 12 projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion in 2025, reflecting its commitment to advancing Selangor’s property market, said group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas.

PKNS to launch property projects with RM1.5b GDV in 2025

The assistance provided to the people, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid, has increased during the first two years of the Madani government's administration, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Increased assistance provided to M'sians under Madani govt, says Anwar

The Madani government remains focused on initiatives to develop the country, and will not entertain "trivial" statements that do not contribute to such efforts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to disregard 'trivial' statements as it focuses on development — PM

The government is committed to ensuring that the implementation of Madani economic reforms has minimal or no impact on the people in general, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysians won't be burdened by economic reforms, says Anwar

The Adani Group will respond to bribery allegations levelled by the US after a detailed legal review and once it has secured approvals from its counsel to speak on sub-judice issues.

Adani to respond to US bribery allegations after legal review

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Saturday she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed, prompting Marcos' office to vow "immediate proper action".

In widening rift, Sara Duterte says she would have Marcos assassinated if she is killed

The Ministry of Transport has proposed the establishment of a dedicated logistics hub in Nilai or Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, to further bolster Malaysia’s logistics sector.

Loke proposes new logistics hub in Nilai or Enstek

The government has increased the rooftop solar capacity by another 300MW for the commercial and industrial segment, and by 50MW for households.&nbsp;

Additional rooftop solar quota for M'sian businesses, households

The Ministry of Transport has proposed the establishment of a dedicated logistics hub in Nilai or Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, to further bolster Malaysia’s logistics sector.

When Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) was established in 2007, with an initial fund of RM41.9 billion, the federal government’s pension and gratuity obligations stood at a mere RM8.25 billion, just 6.7% of its total operating expenditure (opex).

The pension conundrum: KWAP pushes for thoughtful reform amid growing charges

The corporate earnings reporting season for the July-September quarter comes to a close this week. Among the companies slated to announce their financial results are banking groups Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) and Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) as well as utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

The Week Ahead: Spotlight on corporate earnings of banks, Tenaga and Opec+ meeting

Keck Seng (M) Bhd (KL:KSENG) booked an unrealised foreign exchange (forex) loss of RM81.84 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024), which in turn dragged the group into the red.&nbsp;

Unrealised forex loss of RM81.8 mil pulls Keck Seng into the red in 3Q

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate prominent investor&nbsp;Scott Bessent&nbsp;as the US&nbsp;Treasury secretary, a key Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs.

Trump taps tax reform, deregulation advocate Scott Bessent for Treasury

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Saturday she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed, prompting Marcos' office to vow "immediate proper action".

Bitcoin touched a record high on Friday, with its sights set firmly on the US$100,000 (RM446,800) barrier, in a stellar rally for the cryptocurrency sparked by expectations of a more friendly regulatory environment under a&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;administration.

Bitcoin at record highs, sets sights on US$100,000

Nvidia&nbsp;chief executive officer Jensen Huang said on Saturday that global collaboration and cooperation in technology will continue, even if the incoming US&nbsp;administration imposes stricter export controls on advanced computing products.

Nvidia CEO says global cooperation in tech will continue under Trump administration

The Madani government remains focused on initiatives to develop the country, and will not entertain "trivial"&nbsp;statements that do not contribute to such efforts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Global&nbsp;stocks registered&nbsp;a strong weekly gain on Friday, while US&nbsp;Treasury yields&nbsp;slipped as&nbsp;markets&nbsp;eyed President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump's likely policies&nbsp;and their&nbsp;impact on the US&nbsp;economy, even as bitcoin traded near the US$100,000 (RM446,800) threshold.

Stocks notch strong weekly gain, US yields slip as markets eye Trump policies

Amazon.com Inc&nbsp;is investing an additional US$4 billion (RM17.87 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, boosting its stake in one of OpenAI’s chief rivals.

Amazon invests additional US$4b in AI firm Anthropic

The Selangor State Development Corporation&nbsp;(PKNS) is set to launch about&nbsp;12 projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion in 2025, reflecting its commitment to advancing Selangor’s property market, said group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas.

US&nbsp;bank Citigroup has received approval to establish&nbsp;its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Friday.

Citi granted licence for regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, memo shows

The assistance provided to the people, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid, has increased during the first two years of the Madani government's administration, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the Two Years of Madani Government (2TM) Programme and the 2024 National Convention on Public Service Reform in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Saturday.

PM to officiate 'two years of Madani govt' programme, national convention on public service reform on Saturday

The Adani Group will respond to bribery allegations levelled by the US after a detailed legal review and once it has secured approvals from its counsel to speak on sub-judice issues.&nbsp;

The government is committed to ensuring that the implementation of Madani economic reforms&nbsp;has minimal or no impact on the people in general, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;may have campaigned hard against high inflation, but by the time of his Nov&nbsp;5&nbsp;election victory&nbsp;financial professionals had moved on from rising prices and begun worrying about rising US&nbsp;debt, possible recession, and risks to global trade as among the top threats to the stability of the financial sector, according to a new Federal Reserve (Fed) survey released on Friday.

Fed survey finds inflation fading as a risk next to debt, trade wars

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approved a stimulus package that’s slightly bigger than last year’s, as he followed up on a pledge to ramp up support for households and businesses struggling to cope with higher costs.

Budget 2021 Preview

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Budget 2021 Preview

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