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

IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL:IHH) outperformed on Tuesday as Macquarie flagged an improving earnings trajectory across the hospital operator’s portfolio.

IHH Healthcare rises 5% as Macquarie flags strong earnings outlook

Apple Inc is developing a screenless health and fitness tracker similar to Whoop Inc’s wrist-worn device, part of an effort to rethink its smartwatch lineup and add new wearable technologies.

Apple developing new fitness tracker aimed at rivalling Whoop — Bloomberg

The Nasdaq hit an intraday record high on Tuesday, underpinned by gains in heavyweight technology stocks and potential negotiations over the Iran conflict, while declines in big banks limited broader market gains.

Nasdaq hits intraday record high as tech stocks regain footing

The European Union (EU) preliminarily agreed to remove sanctions on two Russian billionaires following pressure from France and Luxembourg, making the concession in order to preserve other penalties before they expire.

EU to exempt two Russian tycoons in sanctions renewal deal — Bloomberg

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday delivered three unanimous rulings in the ongoing marital dispute between Supermax Corp Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) founders Datuk Seri Stanley Thai and his wife Datin Seri Cheryl Tan Bee Geok.

Stanley Thai cleared of contempt as wife succeeds in lifting asset freeze, winding-up ban

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for complete economic isolation of Iran, showing no intention to resume talks at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly but saying he believed a deal would be done after the US midterm elections in November.

Trump urges complete isolation of Iran, expects deal after election

US President Donald Trump criticised Cuba as a failed state and said freedom will be coming to the Communist-run island in an United Nations (UN) address on Tuesday that touted greater US involvement in the region.

Trump says freedom coming to Cuba in UN speech

The Attorney General's Chambers has stated that the Negeri Sembilan state executive council has no legal authority to suspend the duties of the state secretary and state legal adviser.

No legal authority for Negeri Sembilan exco to suspend state secretary, state legal adviser — AGC

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would argue for Britain to be a "trusted partner" to the European Union's (EU) "Made in Europe" scheme, saying they should not be pitted as enemies on a policy that has the potential to hammer the UK's car industry.

UK's Burnham wants to work with EU on 'Made in Europe' plan

Wendy’s Co said it terminated the rights of one of its largest US franchisees to continue operating its 314 locations, which the burger chain said could be taken over by corporate or new operators.

Wendy’s says bankrupt franchisee lost brand rights to stores

A top executive at ASML Holding NV, Europe’s most valuable company, said it isn’t selling any of its chipmaking machines on the continent and that the region risks getting left behind as the US, China and India invest heavily in developing their domestic semiconductor industries.

ASML executive says no chipmaking machines sold in Europe, region risks getting left behind

Land &amp; General Bhd (KL:L&amp;G) plans to launch the first phase of its Lembah Beringin industrial park in Selangor in the first quarter of next year, with an estimated gross development value of RM1.5 billion.

Land & General upbeat on prospects, targets RM1.5b industrial launch in 1Q 2027

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 22): A forced auction of Country Heights Holdings Bhd’s (KL:CHHB) land in Kajang, Selangor was cancelled due to absence of bidders.

Forced auction of Country Heights land cancelled due to lack of bidders

Cuscapi Bhd (KL:CUSCAPI) has proposed a private placement of up to 94.49 million new shares to raise up to RM4.55 million for working capital, making it the second company linked to businessman Wong Thean Soon, better known as TS Wong, to announce a share placement this week.

Cuscapi seeks RM4.55m via private placement, second TS Wong-linked firm to tap equity market this week

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) managing director Wong Thean Soon's stake in the company has now dropped to 11.06% from 11.97% last Friday, as Wong continued to pare his direct and indirect stakes in the company.

TS Wong further trims Zetrix AI stake; investment vehicle exits substantial shareholder list

Mr Chan is part of a company’s senior management. In the course of his role, he came upon information and a lucrative commercial opportunity that the company could exploit. He neither disclosed this nor obtained the company’s consent. Instead, armed with that information, he resigned, set up his own company and exploited that opportunity.

Opinion: The director as a fiduciary: The ‘no-profit’, ‘no-conflict’ and ‘misuse of trust and knowledge’ rules

IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL:IHH) outperformed on Tuesday as Macquarie flagged an improving earnings trajectory across the hospital operator’s portfolio.

Loss-making MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG),&nbsp;a company which counts NexG Bhd (KL:NEXG) as a substantial shareholder, has proposed a RM130 million share capital reduction to wipe out part of the company’s accumulated losses.

MMAG proposes RM130 mil capital reduction to pare accumulated losses

The Negeri Sembilan executive council on Tuesday unanimously decided to suspend the state secretary and state legal adviser, said Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim.

Negeri Sembilan exco suspends state secretary and state legal adviser 

THE semiconductor industry in Penang is facing shortages in several areas, including engineering talent, factory floor space and production capacity. However, a lack of client orders is not one of them.

In fact, global customers are working closely with local manufacturers to ensure the...

Penang E&E players face capacity crunch amid influx of orders

BlackRock, Capital Group and Schroders are among investors poised to buy into the initial public offering of the company behind the Philippines’ top mobile wallet, GCash, which is telling investors it’s on track to price the deal below the maximum, according to people familiar with the matter.

BlackRock said to buy into GCash owner IPO priced below maximum

WHEN the semiconductor cycle turned sharply lower after its 2022 peak, UWC Bhd (KL:UWC) could have taken the conventional route: preserve cash, defer investment and wait for demand to recover.

Instead, the Penang-based integrated engineering solutions provider did the opposite. It inves...

UWC’s downturn bet puts it in pole position for semiconductor front-end boom

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

Cuscapi, Zetrix AI, Sunway Healthcare, Eco World, SD Guthrie, MMAG, NexG, Country Heights, OGX, Maybulk & Oriental Interest

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday delivered three unanimous rulings in the ongoing marital dispute between Supermax Corp Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) founders Datuk Seri Stanley Thai and his wife Datin Seri Cheryl Tan Bee Geok.

Tremors from a weak magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck the waters off Batu Pahat, Johor, at 4.55pm on Tuesday were felt across four states, as well as Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur.

Quake off Batu Pahat: Tremors felt across Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 22): OGX Group Bhd (KL:OGX) has ventured into the renewable energy (RE) industry, targeting opportunities in Malaysia’s growing data centre market through battery energy storage systems (BESS).&nbsp;

OGX Group ventures into renewable energy, targets data centre market

Property developer Oriental Interest Bhd (KL:OIB) has applied to withdraw its draft circular and listing application filed more than a month ago for its proposed RM280 million share‑based related party acquisition that would have marked its entry into the motorcycle financing and retail business.

Oriental Interest applies to withdraw draft circular, listing application for RM280m related party deal to make ‘essential updates’

Several Asian refiners have been told informally by Saudi Aramco they will soon be able to pick up oil from the Red Sea port of Yanbu, according to traders familiar with the matter.

Saudis tell Asian refiners they can soon pick up oil from Yanbu

A weak earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale was detected in the waters off Batu Pahat, Johor, at 4.55pm on Tuesday.

Weak 4.4-magnitude earthquake detected in waters off Batu Pahat

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 22): Yes Group Management Bhd has inked an&nbsp;underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd for its&nbsp;initial public offering (IPO), in conjunction with the company’s&nbsp;upcoming listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Budget 2025

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