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 increase in allocation for the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) to RM10 million this year underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening trade unions in the country, say union leaders.

Union of Pos Malaysia Bhd Uniformed Staff Peninsular Malaysia (UPUS) president Ismail Ali described the allocation as the highest to date and said it would help produce quality leaders for the future.

Trade unions welcome enhanced govt funding for leadership training and development

The Nasdaq led gains among Wall Street's main indices on Wednesday, as investors cheered streaming giant Netflix's strong quarterly performance and President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar support to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The benchmark S&P 500 was just shy of surpassing its all-time intra-day high hit in early December.

Nasdaq leads Wall St higher helped by Netflix results, Trump's AI investment plans

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over weakening demand from India due to cheaper alternatives, a trader said.

CPO futures close lower on concerns over weakening demand from India

Netflix Inc shares soared to a record high on Wednesday after the streaming giant reported its biggest quarterly subscriber gain in history, buoyed by its first major live sporting events and the return of Squid Game.

The company added 18.9 million customers in the fourth quarter, according to a shareholder letter on Tuesday.

Netflix shares soar to record following huge gain in subscribers

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a vape smuggling syndicate operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Centre; its activities resulted in an estimated RM8 million tax loss.

MACC busts KLIA vape smuggling syndicate, 14 arrested, RM8 million unpaid taxes

The Kedah state government is terminating the contractor's services for the Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant project in Baling because the contractor failed to complete the project within the set timeframe.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all government projects must adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations stipulated by law.

Kedah fires water treatment plant project contractor over delay

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

Sunway, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust, Sentral REIT, AME REIT, Jentayu, Power Root 

Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but for Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the agony is not over. He is desperately searching for the bodies of his wife and five children trapped under the rubble of his house since the early months of the war.

Abu Dalfa's wife and children were among 35 of his extended family who were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the building in Gaza City's Shejaia suburb in December 2023, he said.

Bereaved Gazans dig out bodies from city ruins, give them graves

All travel agencies, particularly Umrah operators, must have a bank guarantee of RM250,000 to ensure the quality of the services offered and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

Malaysia Association Tour Agency (Mata) president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said this is in line with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (Motac) proposal to require Umrah operators to possess a minimum bank guarantee of RM250,000.

Travel agencies must have bank guarantee of RM250,000 to operate — Malaysia Association Tour Agency

The Selangor government will hold the 2025 Chinese New Year state-level celebration on Feb 8 at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple grounds in Jenjarom here.

State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, are scheduled to grace the event, which is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors.

Selangor state-level CNY celebration in Jenjarom on Feb 8

Malaysia's currency hit a six-week high and stocks advanced for a fourth straight session on Wednesday ahead of a central bank policy decision, while a gauge of emerging Asian equities reversed course weighed by China on US tariff plans.

Ringgit extends gains as BNM holds rates; China stocks drag 

Arina, Sime Darby Property Bhd’s (KL:SIMEPROP) first single-storey linked homes in Bandar Ainsdale, achieved full take-up of all 118 units within hours of its launch on Saturday, Jan 18.

Sime Darby Property’s Arina single-storey homes in Bandar Ainsdale fully taken up within hours of launch

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): TechStore Bhd, which provides hardware and software to businesses, has fixed its initial public offering (IPO) price at 20 sen per share ahead of its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Enterprise hardware and software firm TechStore sets IPO price at 20 sen

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) has filed a lawsuit against instant coffee manufacturer Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), seeking RM7.39 million over an alleged loan default.

According to Power Root’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, EXIM Bank is demanding repayment of RM675,509.22 for funds disbursed to its subsidiaries, namely Power Root (M) Sdn Bhd (PRM), Power Root Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PRMFG) and Power Root ME Free Zone Company (PRME).

Power Root sued by EXIM Bank over RM7.4 mil loan default

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd has officially opened its flagship wealth centre in&nbsp;Menara IQ at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s international financial hub,&nbsp;to serve its high-net-worth clients.

HSBC Malaysia opens flagship wealth centre at TRX to serve high-net-worth clients

Analysts are positive on Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust’s (KL:SUNREIT) acquisition of AEON Mall Seri Manjung in Perak, prompting revisions of their earnings forecasts.

Analysts raise Sunway REIT earnings forecasts after AEON Mall acquisition in Perak

SRC International Sdn Bhd’s former director Datuk Suboh Md Yasin told the High Court on Wednesday that he signed four blank cheques that led to RM19.5 million going to Umno and Umno Selangor.

Former SRC director says he signed blank cheques, didn’t know payments were to Umno

A fugitive banker accused of orchestrating a US$1 billion (RM4.45 billion) fraud in Moldova appears to be helping Russian lenders and businesses to continue conducting foreign trade amid payment problems caused by sanctions.

Fugitive banker may be helping Russian firms beat US sanctions

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on Wednesday kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged as widely expected, comfortable with its outlook for sustained economic growth and manageable inflation.

BNM keeps OPR steady, takes comfort in sustained growth

The public portion of ACE Market-bound Northern Solar Holdings Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 73.2&nbsp;times.&nbsp;

Northern Solar's IPO oversubscribed by 73.2 times

Datuk Seri Najib Razak denies seeking royalties from the Middle East to help stepson Riza Aziz over his alleged entanglement with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds, the court heard on Wednesday.

Najib says stepson was already servicing loan from Emerati prince, phone call only to formalise agreement

The&nbsp;industrial subsector&nbsp;is expected to continue&nbsp;its positive trend&nbsp;in 2025,&nbsp;according to&nbsp;Henry Butcher Malaysia&nbsp;chief operating officer Tang Chee Meng. The Henry Butcher Perspective — Malaysia Property Outlook 2025 report, which was&nbsp;launched&nbsp;on Wednesday, noted that&nbsp;the&nbsp;volume of industrial transactions in the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024)&nbsp;increased by 6.5%, while the value rose 22.8%.

Henry Butcher: Malaysia's industrial subsector to continue strong performance

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Mah Sing Group Bhd’s (KL:MAHSING) proposed acquisition of land in Sentul, its first deal of the year, is being done at fair and attractive&nbsp;valuations, analysts said.

Mah Sing's first land deal in 2025 is fair and attractive, analysts say

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that he was being prosecuted for "being transparent" on how he spent the purported donation from the Middle East.

The now-imprisoned 71-year-old, said that he could have easily utilised the donation monies in the form of cash but did not do so and specifically used cheques because he knew it would be documented.

1MDB-Tanore trial: Najib denies abusing funds, says used cheques to be 'transparent'

President Donald Trump faces a host of headwinds that could thwart his ability to generate a boom for the US economy, according to Harvard University professor Ken Rogoff.

Trump’s plan to trigger boom risks coming undone, Rogoff warns

Malaysia’s international reserves fell by US$700 million by mid-January this year, from a fortnight earlier, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

BNM: Malaysia’s international reserves down to US$115.5b as at mid-January

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he did not interfere with the attorney general’s (AG) prosecutorial discretion while he was prime minister.&nbsp;

Najib claims he was mindful not to interfere in AG's prosecutions 

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 22): Penang International Airport recorded 51.43% higher year-on-year tourist arrivals from India in 2024, reflecting the state government's successful tourism strategies in this market.&nbsp;

Penang Int’l Airport records 51.43% higher tourist arrival from India in 2024

Inflation in Malaysia eased slightly and was marginally slower than expected in December as prices of non-food items and services rose at a more moderate pace, official data released on Wednesday showed.

Malaysia’s inflation in December slows as non-food price pressure eases, official data shows

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The risk of overbuilding of residential properties would become more apparent in the coming years, particularly in high-growth cities, according to JLL Appraisal &amp; Property Services Sdn Bhd (JLL Malaysia).

Budget 2024

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