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

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday

Sunway Healthcare, Sunway REIT, Zetrix AI,Malakoff,  Capitaland Malaysia,Westports, AME REIT, Pantech Global, MHB, ES Sunlogy, Kerjaya Prospek & Mudajaya

Singapore's Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has rejected HB Global Ltd’s (KL:HBGLOB) application to change its financial year-end from June 30, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026, following the withdrawal of its auditor’s consent to act.

Singapore's regulatory authority rejects HB Global’s second year-end change this year after auditor’s withdrawal

Barisan Nasional (BN) will contest 21 seats while PAS and its allies will contest seven in next month’s Melaka state election, following the finalisation of negotiations between the parties.

Barisan finalises talks with PAS, to contest 21 seats in Melaka polls — Zahid

Berkshire Hathaway Inc investors are moving on after the departure of the firm’s legendary leader Warren Buffett, as shares hit a new high on Wednesday.

Berkshire stock hits new high, moving on from Buffett’s exit

Malaysia has continued to record encouraging trade performance despite facing global uncertainty which includes tariff revisions and international trade restrictions, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

Malaysia's trade performance remains encouraging despite global uncertainty — Miti

MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG) on Wednesday cited anticipated maintenance cost of over RM10 million as the reason it is willing to absorb a loss of RM12.69 million with the sale of a cargo plane it acquired less than two years ago.

MMAG cites expected RM10m maintenance bill, tough market conditions for selling cargo plane at a loss

The tech-heavy Nasdaq gained on Wednesday after quarterly results from SpaceX and Super Micro Computer improved appetite for AI-linked stocks, while Netflix slipped as its forecast failed to impress investors.

Nasdaq leads gains as SpaceX, Super Micro results improve AI appetite

Revenue IF Bhd (KL:REVENUE) has partnered with China’s WeSure, an online insurance subsidiary of China's Tencent Holdings, to develop cross-border payment and digital insurance solutions in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Revenue IF, Tencent’s WeSure partner on cross-border payments, digital insurance in four markets

Shares of Super Micro Computer Inc jumped after the company reported preliminary quarterly results that topped analysts’ estimates.

Super Micro jumps after positive preliminary results top estimates

Malaysia ranked 53rd out of 143 countries globally and seventh among 15 countries in East Asia and the Pacific in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2026, placing it among the minority of nations that recorded an improvement amid a global decline in the rule of law.

Malaysia ranks 53rd globally in World Justice Project

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Tan Sri Tan Kean Soon, the former deputy chairman of an oil-and-gas services firm, has been charged with fraud of over RM10 million.

Tan Kean Soon, former T7 Global deputy chairman, charged with RM10m fraud

Civil servants have been banned from using the Waze navigation app with immediate effect, following a decision by the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) at its meeting on Tuesday.

Malaysian civil servants banned from using Waze with immediate effect

Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd and GIC Pte Ltd denied claims by a former Indonesian trade minister that Singapore’s two biggest state-owned investors helped instigate Indonesia’s recent stock market collapse.

Singapore’s Temasek and GIC deny instigating Indonesian stock rout

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have obtained a stay on the Malaysian Bar’s judicial review&nbsp;challenging&nbsp;the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) that had been given to Zahid for 47 charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and corruption related to Yayasan Akalbudi.

AGC, Zahid obtain stay of Malaysian Bar judicial review challenge over DNAA

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) is exploring taking its Indonesian arm private as tough market conditions dim prospects for a potential secondary offering, analysts said.

CIMB weighs taking Indonesian unit private as potential secondary offering loses appeal — analysts

One of the strongest storms of the current season is set to bring heavy rain and roaring winds to parts of East Asia in the next week, with major cities in Taiwan and China bracing for impact within days.

Super Typhoon Champi poised to hit China, Taiwan within days

The smog blanketing parts of Southeast Asia is threatening an army of tiny-but-crucial workers in the region’s palm industry — beetles that pollinate the trees and help keep the world supplied with the most-consumed vegetable oil. &nbsp;

Indonesian haze threatens tiny bugs that power palm oil output

ASML Holding NV and other key providers of chipmaking machines have expedited supplies for Tesla Inc&nbsp;and SpaceX’s Terafab, Elon Musk said, signalling that the billionaire is making fast progress on an ambitious semiconductor project.

Musk says ASML, others expediting chipmaking gear for Terafab

Tourism operators are experiencing fewer bookings for this time of year — and even cancellations — as smog disrupts flights, obscures some of the country’s best-known attractions and threatens a key driver of the Southeast Asian economy.

Malaysia set for tourism fallout from Indonesian haze

Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission said on Wednesday it had blocked Grab's purchase of Delivery Hero's Foodpanda delivery business in Taiwan, citing competition concerns.

Taiwan regulator blocks Grab's purchase of Foodpanda delivery business

Police are awaiting further instructions from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on a probe into Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim’s claim that he was forced to sign a proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the state’s ruler.

Police await AGC instructions on probe into Negeri Sembilan MB’s ‘duress’ claim

Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) reported a record-high revenue from tariff increases and higher income from value-added services, boosting its earnings in the third quarter.

Tariff increase, extra services lift Westports revenue to new record, boost earnings

Boeing Co&nbsp;won US regulator approval for its 737 Max 10 jet, capping off a lengthy certification saga for the plane-maker’s family of narrowbody aircraft that was disrupted by two fatal crashes and a series of quality lapses.&nbsp;

Boeing wins US approval for largest variant of 737 Max jet

High capital requirements remain a major hurdle for Malaysian semiconductor design firms despite being granted subsidised access to UK-headquartered ARM Holdings plc's blueprints for chip components. &nbsp;

High capital requirements still hamper Malaysian semiconductor design firms, Johari tells Parliament 

Iskandar Regional Development Authority on Wednesday named career civil servant Datuk Ashari Kasnan as its chief executive officer.

Iskandar Malaysia development authority names Ashari Kasnan as CEO

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) is expected to report softer earnings for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2026, as higher funding costs and weaker trading income weigh on profitability, although its loan growth remains resilient, according to analysts.

CIMB's 3Q earnings expected to soften on weaker trading income, higher funding costs

ACE Market-listed Ramssol Group Bhd (KL:RAMSSOL) sees a business opportunity in allowing employees to draw part of their salaries before payday in exchange for a small fee multiplied across a sizeable workforce.

The human resources (HR) management solutions company charges RM5 each time...

Pay Day Now to offer Ramssol a pathway to recurring income

MALAYSIAN real estate investment trusts (M-REITs) have long been prized for their income-generating qualities. Listed REITs that distribute at least 90% of their total income qualify for a full tax exemption at the trust level, helping make regular distributions a central part of the asset class’...

Rougher waters for REITs amid surge in government bond yields

Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd (KL:SUNMED) and &nbsp;Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd have formalised a joint venture to develop a 325-bed private hospital in Putrajaya, with construction slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Sunway Healthcare, Putrajaya Holdings ink JV to build private hospital in Putrajaya

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL) managing director Wong Thean Soon's stake in the digital services firm has shrunk further, diminishing the prospect&nbsp;of fixing a breached sukuk condition that he remains the company's largest shareholder.

Budget 2021 Preview

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Budget 2021 Preview

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