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

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the state government is offering free full-time higher education to Sarawakians, including those already employed but without the opportunity to pursue further studies.

Abang Johari announces free tertiary education for Sarawakians studying full-time

China on Sunday announced anti-dumping duties as high as 74.9% on imports of POM copolymers, a type of engineering plastic, from the United States, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan.

China slaps anti-dumping duties on plastics from US, EU, Japan, Taiwan

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) has officially named Datuk Muzaffar Hisham as its chief executive officer effective May 18.

Ex-Maybank Islamic chief Muzaffar Hisham appointed Bank Pembangunan group CEO 

A US sovereign downgrade by Moody's has exacerbated investor worries about a looming debt time-bomb that could spur bond market vigilantes who want to see more fiscal restraint from Washington.

Moody's downgrade intensifies investor worry about US fiscal path

A Mexican Navy sailing ship festooned with lights and a giant flag crashed into the landmark Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, shearing the top of its masts, killing two people and injuring 17 others, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

Mexican Navy tall ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge, killing two

When economists celebrate the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations next year, US President Donald Trump’s mercantilism will constitute an incongruous backdrop. After all, Trump’s obsession with bilateral trade balances, glorification of import tariffs, and ze...

Roads to Prosperity: Mercantilism Isn’t All Bad, but Trump’s Version Is the Worst

The timing for a nationwide housing market reform that would only allow developers to sell completed properties is “not mature,” according to China Real Estate Business, an outlet managed by China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Timing not right for China home-sales overhaul, state media says

In Putrajaya, even a whiff of deficit spending is enough to cause anxiety. Headlines scream. Fiscal hawks circle. Politicians promise discipline. Austerity is sold as virtue, and budgets are massaged to appear balanced — even when they are not.

Meanwhile, across the desert in Riyadh, Sa...

Future Tense: Deficits by design: What Saudi Arabia’s fiscal overreach can show Malaysia

Malaysia is strengthening its strategic trade ties with China through a week-long official mission led by Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, aimed at unlocking new market potential for palm oil and promoting innovation in downstream products.

Deputy minister leads delegation to China to boost palm oil ties

Nvidia Corp’s Jensen Huang headlines the 2025 edition of Asia’s biggest electronics conference, for years a showcase for his company’s cutting-edge AI chips and the companies lining up to buy them. This year, however, the spotlight may well be on another far bigger personality: US President Donald Trump.

Beyond Nvidia, four things to know at Asia’s biggest tech show

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) has officially named Datuk Muzaffar Hisham as its chief executive officer effective May 18.

At least five companies from mainland China or Hong Kong are planning IPOs, dual listings, or share placements in Singapore in the next 12 to 18 months, four sources said, as Chinese firms look to expand in Southeast Asia amid global trade tensions.

Some Chinese companies eye Singapore listings to expand markets amid trade war — Reuters

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Walmart should "eat the tariffs" instead of blaming duties imposed by his administration on imported goods for the retailer's increased prices.

Trump tells Walmart to 'eat tariffs' instead of raising prices

Israel and Hamas resumed ceasefire talks on Saturday in Qatar, both sides said, even as Israeli forces ramped up a bombing campaign that has killed hundreds of people over 72 hours, and mobilised for a massive new ground assault.

Gaza ceasefire talks resume as Israeli assault kills hundreds in 72 hours

Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) has been focusing on building a sustainable company in recent years. Its approach to sustainability goes beyond environmental, social and governance aspects, encompassing a broader commitment to long-term business and operational resilience.

Future-proofing the company

Reports in the coming week may give the fullest reading to date of how major economies are faring with trade disruptions, halfway through President Donald Trump’s 90-day hiatus on so-called reciprocal tariffs.

Midpoint of Trump tariff hiatus to reveal increasingly unsettled world

Nvidia Corp’s Jensen Huang headlines the 2025 edition of Asia’s biggest electronics conference, for years a showcase for his company’s cutting-edge AI chips and the companies lining up to buy them. This year, however, the spotlight may well be on another far bigger personality: US President Donald Trump.

Malaysia is strengthening its strategic trade ties with China through a week-long official mission led by Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, aimed at unlocking new market potential for palm oil and promoting innovation in downstream products.

When Louis Vuitton inaugurated its 4,000 sq m manufacture in October 2014, it did more than consolidate production and gather its artisans from La Chaux-de-Fonds under one roof. The facility now houses La Fabrique du Temps (LFDT), co-founded by master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini in 2007, and acquired by the maison in 2011. Here, complications are assembled to define designs such as the Spin Time, Tambour Minute Repeater and Escale Worldtime. In our cover story this week, Louis Vuitton’s timekeeper-in-chief, Navas, tells us more about how LFDT is advancing the brand’s journey from trunks to tourbillons, crafting timepieces with couture precision.

Minute maestro

The timing for a nationwide housing market reform that would only allow developers to sell completed properties is “not mature,” according to China Real Estate Business, an outlet managed by China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

China on Sunday announced anti-dumping duties as high as 74.9% on imports of POM copolymers, a type of engineering plastic, from the United States, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the state government is offering free full-time higher education to Sarawakians, including those already employed but without the opportunity to pursue further studies.

A US sovereign downgrade by Moody's has exacerbated investor worries about a looming debt time-bomb that could spur bond market vigilantes who want to see more fiscal restraint from Washington.

A Mexican Navy sailing ship festooned with lights and a giant flag crashed into the landmark Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, shearing the top of its masts, killing two people and injuring 17 others, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

Families of some of the 346 people killed in two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes plan to object to a tentative non-prosecution agreement between the planemaker and the US Justice Department, a lawyer said on Saturday.

Families of 737 MAX crash victims to object to deal allowing Boeing to avoid prosecution

In Putrajaya, even a whiff of deficit spending is enough to cause anxiety. Headlines scream. Fiscal hawks circle. Politicians promise discipline. Austerity is sold as virtue, and budgets are massaged to appear balanced — even when they are not.

Meanwhile, across the desert in Riyadh, Sa...

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said the recent rise of the euro against the dollar is a consequence of US President Donald Trump’s erratic policies and an opportunity for Europe.&nbsp;

ECB’s Lagarde says euro’s strength is counterintuitive, but justified

When economists celebrate the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations next year, US President Donald Trump’s mercantilism will constitute an incongruous backdrop. After all, Trump’s obsession with bilateral trade balances, glorification of import tariffs, and ze...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to agree a deal next week to strengthen the country's post-Brexit partnership with the European Union and to facilitate trade in some food products, his office said on Saturday.

Budget 2025

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