The national Budget 2024 tabled by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Dewan Rakyat last Friday (Oct 13) included allocations to support energy transition and biodiversity initiatives, and to spur the voluntary carbon market in the country.

Budget 2024: Support for energy transition, biodiversity and carbon markets

The government needs to provide a "clear mechanism" on the implementation of capital gains tax (CGT) on profits from the disposal of unlisted shares to avoid double taxation, said KPMG Malaysia executive director and head of tax Soh Lian Seng.

Govt needs to provide clear capital gains tax mechanism to avoid double taxation, says KPMG 

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in a statement on Monday expressed its support and confidence in Budget 2024, and reiterated its commitment to help members safeguard their savings.

EPF vows to fortify members' savings, retirement security

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Budget 2024, the second Madani Budget, reflects the government's determination to uplift the national economy and the people's well-being. (Read the full Budget 2024 speech here.Or go here for our comprehensive Budget 2024 coverage.)

Here are some of the national budget's key takeaways:

Highlights of Budget 2024

The government has announced several new tax reform measures in Budget 2024, which aims to broaden the country’s revenue base.

Budget 2024: More clarity needed for tax reforms — tax analysts 

The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) said certain measures introduced in Budget 2024 support the development and ongoing implementation of the institute’s competency framework (CFM).

MIA says Budget 2024 supports development of its competency framework

After years of spending more than it earned, the Malaysian government’s latest budget (Budget 2024) announcement reflected Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim administration’s cautious steps in navigating between pressure for more populist measures while maintaining a certain level of fiscal discipline.

Treading a fine line between fiscal discipline and populist measures

Budget 2024 strikes the right balance to bolster Malaysia’s resilience amid global headwinds, while advancing economic transformation and improving socio-economic outcomes for all, said Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir.

Budget 2024 strikes right balance to boost economic transformation, says Khazanah MD

Budget 2024’s focus on sustainability is welcomed by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), which also reminded that monitoring of budget allocations would be crucial to avoid leakages and achieve the desired outcomes.

Budget’s sustainability related measures welcomed, close monitoring needed — Consumers Association of Penang

Go here for our comprehensive Budget 2024 coverage.

BUDGET 2024 SPEECH

BY YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM
PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE

Full Budget 2024 speech

Tax leaders have lauded the proposed reforms of the tax incentive system under Budget 2024, which was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament on Friday.

Tax leaders laud incentive reforms as timely, promoting high-value growth

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) has expressed disappointment that its "carefully outlined" wish list for Budget 2024 did not make it into the government’s budgetary priorities.

MPOA disappointed as Budget wish list unfulfilled

The government will lift the price controls on chicken and eggs, as supply has stabilised and the retail prices now are below the set ceiling prices, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to lift price controls on chicken and eggs to allow market to function freely, says Anwar

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) is of the view that Budget 2024, which it noted was drafted against a still uncertain macro backdrop, is overall a "well-balanced, prudent and forward-thinking" plan that rightly focused on more concrete fiscal reforms, with a notable effort and step in the right trajectory to restore public finances and strengthen the nation's collective resilience.

FMM hails Budget 2024 as 'well-balanced, prudent and forward-thinking', but disappointed it did not address sluggish trade growth

The main US stock indices advanced on Monday, powered by gains in artificial intelligence (AI) firms, as Treasury yields eased and crude prices tumbled more than 3% to hit an 11-day low on the prospect of a breakthrough in Middle East talks at a United Nations meeting this week.

Wall St rises on AI gains as oil slides, Treasury yields retreat

Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) service providers are updating their systems to recognise the design and features of the new-generation MyKad for identity verification.

eKYC providers updating systems for new generation MyKad — NRD

Police are hunting the suspects behind arson attacks on two convenience stores in Kuching and Sri Aman on Sunday, in which objects believed to contain explosives or flammable materials were thrown into the premises.

Sarawak police hunt suspects in explosive attacks on two convenience stores

Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) shares jumped on Monday, putting the company on track to close above US$1 trillion (RM4.08 trillion) in market value for the first time amid renewed optimism for chipmakers necessary to power artificial intelligence (AI).

AMD set to top US$1 tril in market value as chip stocks soar

China is over halfway to meeting its pledge to buy 25 million tonnes of US soybeans this year, but progress on a separate commitment to spend billions of dollars more on American crops has largely stalled.

China’s selective crop buying tests US trade truce before summit

Vladimir Putin is set to travel to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit hosted by President Xi Jinping but is likely to skip the Group of 20 (G20) in the US with Donald Trump.

Putin plans to attend Xi’s Apec summit and skip G20 with Trump — Bloomberg

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued President Donald Trump and other members of his administration on Monday for banning them from White House grounds, saying it violated their rights to free speech and a free press under the US Constitution's First Amendment.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico suing Trump over White House ban

Ireland’s media watchdog has fined Alphabet Inc’s Google over how the tech company processed location data after complaints from several European consumer rights organisations.

Google fined €403 mil by Irish watchdog for breaching location data rule

Paramount Skydance Corp has reached a settlement with California and other states suing to block its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery Inc, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Paramount said to settle lawsuits, paving way for Warner Bros merger

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

Pekat, Gamuda, Southern Score Builders, Powerwell, Straits Energy, CTOS Digital, Dialog, Excel Force, M&A Equity, Winstar Capital & Inspace Creation

Bank Pertanian Malaysia (Agrobank) suffered losses of RM203.8 million from close to 3,000 unauthorised transactions carried out between Oct 28 and Nov 3, 2025, according to an affidavit filed in court.

How Agrobank lost RM203.8m from its settlement account through unauthorised payment instructions

The Sessions Court has ordered the return of RM1.505 million to Bank Pertanian Malaysia (Agrobank) from 60 mule accounts, marking the first recovery in a much larger online fraud case in which the bank lost more than RM200 million last year.

Court orders return of RM1.5m in first recovery from Agrobank’s RM203.8m fraud case

THE four-star Cititel Penang, a 19-storey hotel along Penang Road at George Town, is up for sale at RM163 million via an expression of interest (EOI) exercise. The hotel sits on three freehold parcels (Lots 832, 833 and 834), totalling nearly one acre.

Owned by Cahaya Utara Sdn Bhd, whi...

Cititel Penang on the market for RM163 mil

SOUTHEAST Asia’s (SEA) fintech space appears to be heating up.

TNG Digital Sdn Bhd, the operator of Malaysia’s most widely used e-wallet, TNG eWallet, recently sounded out several investment banks for a potential listing on Bursa Malaysia, sources say.

“[TNG Digital] invited a...

TNG Digital sounds out banks as GCash operator nears listing

Nearly two-thirds of Malaysia’s wage earners were in semi- and low-skilled jobs in 2025, with median monthly wages of RM2,223 or less, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Nearly two-thirds of Malaysians made RM2,200 or less a month in 2025 — official data

Singapore's retrenchment rate in the second quarter of 2026 hit its highest level since the height of the Covid pandemic in late 2020, driven by business reorganisation and restructuring, the manpower ministry said on Monday.

Singapore's retrenchment rate at highest level since 2020 in 2Q this year, ministry says

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): The Sessions Court judge who had presided over former Youth and Sports Ministry personnel Otman Arsahd’s criminal case, and found him guilty of 96 counts of corruption and money laundering, had failed to appreciate all the evidence before him.

Convicted ex-sports official appeals 15-year jail term, argues evidence wasn't fairly evaluated

Proton Holdings Bhd on Monday launched its own automotive financing arm in a move that will provide the national carmaker a powerful tool to drive vehicle sales.

Proton sets up its own automotive financing arm

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim left the Negeri Sembilan Palace in Changkat Persekutuan here on Monday after an audience of nearly an hour with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Anwar leaves Negeri Sembilan Palace after hour-long audience with Tuanku Muhriz

Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd (KL:HENGYUAN) hit a four-year high on Monday in a sudden spike in its share price, which came amid a slew of positive developments, including the renewal of a 10-year product supply deal with Shell Malaysia two weeks ago.

Hengyuan hits four-year high after slew of good news 

PINDUODUO’s growing presence in Malaysia has yet to leave a big dent in the earnings of major bricks-and-mortar retailers, but signs that consumers are becoming increasingly price-conscious as the cost of living rises could point to a more subtle challenge ahead.

The Chinese e-commerce ...

Will Pinduoduo eat listed retailers’ lunch?

Excel Force MSC Bhd (KL:EFORCE), one of the companies linked to businessman Wong Thean Soon, has proposed a private placement to raise up to RM10.98 million for working capital and free up funds for a software project.

Excel Force proposes RM11 mil placement for working capital after TS Wong sell-off   

The Malaysian REIT Managers Association (MRMA) hopes the withholding tax break on real estate investment trusts (REITs) dividends will be restored in Budget 2027.

Malaysian REIT managers call for return of withholding tax relief in Budget 2027

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 21): DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s offer to resign as transport minister was the final decision of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and must be respected.

Loke’s resignation offer: Central Executive Committee decision final, must be respected — Hannah

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

The Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve are asking global banks about their exposures to large trading firms after turmoil at hedge fund Situational Awareness caused large losses at Jane Street, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

US Fed, BOE step up scrutiny of bank exposure to trading firms after Jane Street loss — report

Powerwell Holdings Bhd (KL:PWRWELL) said on Monday it has secured two contracts worth RM190.42 million for the supply of low-voltage&nbsp;switchgear and related equipment for a data centre project in Johor.

Powerwell secures RM190m orders to supply low voltage switchgear for data centre in Johor

A minimum of 30% Bumiputera equity ownership is no longer a requirement for private limited companies operating private educational institutions (IPS) under the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Education Ministry relaxes Bumiputera equity requirement for private educational institutions

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): Pekat Group Bhd (KL:PEKAT) said on Monday that it will lease about 470 acres of land in Sungai Petani, Kedah for renewable energy activities, including the development of solar photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems.

Pekat unit to lease 470 acres in Sungai Petani for 24 years for renewable energy activities

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Budget 2024

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