The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged the government to delay by two years its plan to implement mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) coverage for foreign workers in the country, to allow sufficient time for stakeholder consultations.

FMM wants govt to delay mandatory EPF coverage for foreign workers

The Budget 2025 announced last Friday (Oct 18) has highlighted efforts to strengthen the Madani Economy framework; however, it does not provide the necessary boost required by the oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) sector, said the Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Services Council (MOGSC).

MOGSC sees lack of support for O&G sector in Budget 2025, seeks more tangible support measures

While the newly announced Budget 2025 is not a “property budget”, property consultants applaud the introduction of tax relief for housing loan interest payments up to RM7,000, which is expected to encourage first-time homeownership.

In the Budget 2025 tabled last Friday, the government announced individual tax relief for housing loan interest payments to encourage first-home ownership. Tax relief of as much as RM7,000 will be provided for homes worth up to RM500,000, while tax relief of up to RM5,000 will be provided for houses priced between RM500,000 and RM750,000.

Consultants see tax relief for housing loans supporting first-time buyers amid limited property measures in Budget 2025

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Full Budget 2025 speech

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 19): The upward adjustment to the windfall profit levy (WPL) threshold for crude palm oil (CPO) announced in Budget 2025 “does not address the financial burdens” posed by the mechanism, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said.

Upwards adjustment to palm oil windfall profit levy threshold not sufficient, says MPOA

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 19): Malaysia’s smaller budget deficit for 2025 reflects the government’s continued commitment to gradual fiscal consolidation, S&P Global Ratings said on Saturday.

Malaysia’s smaller budget deficit reflects govt’s commitment to gradual consolidation — S&P

Tax leaders at the Big Four accounting firms and other tax experts said measures proposed under Budget 2025 would dovetail with the government’s fiscal consolidation plan though more clarity is required.

Big Four, tax experts say Budget 2025 measures fit into fiscal consolidation goal

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said it will provide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with affordable and holistic financing with a fund size of RM3.8 billion.

Speaking on its initiatives under Budget 2025, the central bank said the RM3.8 billion will go towards supporting MSMEs' move towards digitalisation and automation, embracing sustainable and low carbon practices, and agrofood production.

BNM to support MSMEs with RM3.8 bil in holistic financing

Malaysian banks have expressed support for Budget 2025, which aims towards fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Malaysian banks laud Budget 2025 for promoting sustainable, inclusive economic growth

Malaysia’s Budget 2025 sees more small steps being taken towards supporting the ordinary Malaysians folks, particularly the low-income groups. The government is riding the positive economic growth enjoyed this year, introducing more measures to redirect wealth to the needy.

More, but not bold, steps towards reform as Budget 2025 unveiled

The government has extended the exemption from individual income tax for foreign-sourced income for 10 years until Dec 31, 2036, as part of a slew of income tax exemptions and reliefs for individuals, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in his Budget 2025 speech on Friday.

Govt extends individual income tax exemption for foreign-sourced income for another 10 years, plus other tax reliefs

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has voiced its disappointment with the government’s decision to increase the excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages under Budget 2025.

FMM disappointed with sugary drink tax, calls for holistic approach

More details on the mechanism for targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol should come in the coming months as the government is still in the process of reviewing it, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

One of the proposals under discussion, he said, is the introduction of an identification system at retail stations, where eligible Malaysians would need to use their identity cards to verify eligibility before the subsidised price is displayed.

More details on targeted RON95 subsidies expected in coming months, says Loke

The government is prioritising future development efforts on essential infrastructure that benefit the people and support industrial developments, rather than mega projects.

Govt prioritising essential infrastructure over mega projects

Big US bank stocks are teetering in correction territory as the group kicks off earnings Tuesday, heightening the focus on executives’ outlook for the American consumer with long-term borrowing costs the highest in decades.

Bank stocks mired in correction into earnings as yields rise

A selloff in chipmakers left stocks wavering ahead of the earnings season, with traders also gearing up for this week’s inflation data that will be key in shaping the Federal Reserve outlook.

US stocks waver on slowest trading day in 2026

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will recommend absorbing contract dental and pharmacy officers into permanent positions for the consideration of the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet, in an effort to ensure the future and welfare of these groups are safeguarded.

MOH will recommend absorbing dental and pharmacy officers — Dzulkefly

US stock indices were mixed on Monday, with tech heavyweights facing heat as oil prices touched their highest in about two weeks ahead of big bank earnings and inflation data due later in the week that couldpotentially steer the Fed's policy path.

Oil rally pressures S&P, Nasdaq; Microsoft, Salesforce buoy Dow

The absence of accurate numbers of individuals without identification documents poses a challenge for the National Registration Department (JPN) in identifying the Orang Asli and indigenous communities who are still left out of the national registration system.

JPN faces challenge in identifying affected groups due to lack of identification documents

LVMH’s biggest division posted a slump in sales last quarter as its key Louis Vuitton brand suffered from a boycott in China.

LVMH sales at key unit fall as China woes hurt Louis Vuitton

The government is confident it can spend the RM510 billion allocated in Budget 2027 without introducing any new taxes, says Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Budget 2027: Govt confident of RM510 bil expenditure without introducing new taxes — Amir Hamzah

The iron and steel sector is among those frequently facing pressure from dumped imports of intermediate goods, with eight of Malaysia’s nine existing anti-dumping measures covering products in the sector.

Eight of Malaysia’s nine anti-dumping measures cover iron, steel products — Miti

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

AirAsia, IJM, Zetrix AI, IOI Properties, MN Holdings, Swift Energy, Kinergy, iCents, Infomina, LAC Med 

Malaysia will raise the issue of transboundary haze at an Asean foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the bloc’s 49th Summit in Manila, the Philippines, next month to discuss more effective regional mechanisms to tackle the problem.

Malaysia to raise haze issue at Asean foreign ministers’ meeting — Tok Mat

Zetrix AI Bhd’s (KL:ZETRIX) managing director Wong Thean Soon, better known as TS Wong, has continued to sell down his shareholding, further reducing his stake in the company.

TS Wong’s stake in Zetrix falls further, independent director Mohd Mokhtar resigns

IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has secured a RM1.23 billion contract from AT&amp;S Austria Technologie &amp; Systemtechnik (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to construct semiconductor manufacturing facilities at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah.

IJM bags RM1.23 bil contract to build AT&S semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Kedah

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

MN Holdings Bhd (KL:MNHLDG) has secured a RM293.88 million contract to build two high-voltage power facilities for a data centre development in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia. 
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MN Holdings bags RM294 mil job to build power facilities for a data centre

The government is in discussions with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) and the Energy Commission (EC) on measures it can take to subsidise households’ electricity next year, as fuel costs are expected to remain elevated.

Govt in talks with TNB, regulator on electricity subsidy measures for 2027

Steel manufacturer Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (KL:MASTEEL) on Monday announced the acquisition of a&nbsp;51% stake in a high-voltage electrical engineering firm for RM12 million&nbsp;to expand into power infrastructure and data centre construction,&nbsp;as well as a proposed placement of nearly 4% of its issued share base to raise up to&nbsp;RM5.78 million for working capital.

Masteel announces 51% stake buy in power infra firm and private placement to raise working capital funds

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) is eyeing a 50% stake in One Raffles Place, an integrated commercial development in Singapore’s central business district.

IOI Properties looking to take 50% stake in Singapore’s One Raffles Place

Just over a year after completing a private placement, Edelteq Holdings Bhd (KL:EDELTEQ) plans to undertake another private placement seeking to raise up to RM26.75 million.

Edelteq plans another private placement to raise up to RM27 mil

LVMH’s biggest division posted a slump in sales last quarter as its key Louis Vuitton brand suffered from a boycott in China. 
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HSBC Holdings Plc will phase out fixed-pay allowances for its senior staff and instead hand out a greater proportion of its compensation in the form of bonuses, becoming the latest UK lender to switch to Wall Street-style remuneration to better align with performance. 
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HSBC moves to Wall Street bonus model, cuts fixed-pay deals

US stock indices were mixed on Monday, with tech heavyweights facing heat as oil prices touched their highest in about two weeks ahead of big bank earnings and inflation data due later in the week that couldpotentially steer the Fed's policy path.

Medical technology solutions provider LAC Med Bhd (KL:LACMED) has secured a seven-year contract worth up to RM20 million to supply medical imaging equipment and related services to an upcoming specialist healthcare centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

LAC Med bags RM20m imaging equipment supply contract for new PJ medical centre 

Power distribution outfit Swift Energy Technology Bhd (KL:SET) said it has secured a contract to engineer and supply a 11kV substation for a gas compression plant in Johor, marking its first engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) project. 
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 Swift Energy in first substation EPCC for gas compression plant in Johor

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Monday.

FBM KLCI up 0.59% to 1,618.01 on Oct 12, 2026

Middle-income earners (M40) are among those benefitting from Budget 2027 through an increase in the individual tax relief limit to RM12,000 from RM9,000, alongside RM100 under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) Madani assistance to be disbursed twice next year to eligible adult Malaysians.

M40 to benefit from Budget 2027 tax relief, Sara aid — Treasury secgen

The High Court here on Monday ruled that contempt proceedings brought by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission against blogger Papagomo should proceed before a hearing to extend court curbs (inter partes injunction) on his social media use.

High Court to hear MCMC’s contempt proceedings against Papagomo before deciding on social media curbs

Several top energy executives were dropped from the schedule of the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, as Saudi authorities pressed ahead with the event despite deadly attacks on the capital claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

Top oil executives dropped from event schedule after Riyadh attacks

Malaysia and Jordan are seeking to expand strategic cooperation in high-tech industries, particularly semiconductors and advanced technical education and training, to develop more engineers and skilled workers for future industry needs.

Malaysia, Jordan eye stronger high-tech cooperation to develop more engineers — Anwar

A surge in travel fuelled by Taiwan’s artificial intelligence (AI) boom is driving record results at Formosa International Hotels Corp, highlighting the technology sector’s growing impact beyond the island’s chip industry.

Tycoon says Taiwan’s tech boom is filling up his luxury hotels

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer on Monday called for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to be charged again in the Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.

Budget 2025

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