MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:MSM) expects the 5% sales and service tax (SST) on raw sugar to pressure input costs, which could in turn push up prices of refined sugar for industrial buyers.

MSM flags cost pressures from 5% SST on raw sugar; still in talks with govt on price mechanism

A pioneering group of Indonesian nickel smelters with the world’s lowest production costs has been hit by a jump in the price of a key raw material, crimping their profitability just as the market is saddled with a glut.

The world’s most profitable nickel plants face cost challenge

China sent a rare shipment of at least three cargoes of coking coal to processors in Indonesia's Sulawesi in May, sources familiar with the matter said, encroaching on a market typically dominated by supplies from Australia and Indonesia.

China sells coking coal to Indonesia in rare trade — Reuters

A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the matter, as Beijing moves to secure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington.

China-backed militia secures control of new rare earth mines in Myanmar

Palm oil exports will pick up in the months ahead thanks to steady prices, partly helping to ease concerns over swelling inventory from rising output in Malaysia, analysts said.

Palm oil exports will pick up, slowing gain in inventory — analysts

The iron ore industry’s key pricing benchmark for seaborne cargoes could be lowered as the quality of supplies from the biggest exporter Australia worsens.

Falling Australian iron ore grades prompt benchmark proposal

Raw sugar climbed for a second day on optimism that recent declines would draw in buyers, while investors also monitored crude oil’s rise in countries that make sugar-cane ethanol.

Sugar extends gains as a recent price dip draws in buyers

The unrelenting expansion of Chinese copper processing capacity over the past few years has now become a global headache, as smelters scramble to secure the ore they need to produce the vital industrial metal.

China’s copper boom under threat as miners test bargaining power

Beijing said it had granted approval to some applications for the export of rare earths, a move that could ease tensions before trade negotiations between the US and China next week.

China approves some exports of rare earths ahead of US talks

China is willing to accelerate the examination and approval of rare earth exports to European Union (EU) firms, and will also deliver a verdict on its trade investigation of EU brandy imports by July 5, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Saturday.

China says it may speed up rare earth application approvals from EU

(June 6): Petrochemicals group ChemOne Holdings Pte Ltd is marketing a syndicated loan of over US$2.7 billion (RM11.42 billion) to fund the construction of a chemical processing complex in Malaysia, according to people familiar with the matter.

Singapore-based ChemOne seeks over US$2.7b loan for Pengerang chemical plant in Johor — Bloomberg

JAKARTA (June 4): An Indonesian nickel miners association is preparing a domestic metal exchange for futures contracts for nickel and other metals, aiming for a launch in the first half of 2026, its secretary general said.

Indonesian nickel miners working to launch local metal exchange in 2026

China’s wheat output could drop as much as 5% this year to the lowest since 2018, after recent drought in key growing regions stressed the crop.

China’s wheat harvest risks seven-year low as farmers battle drought

BAGAN SERAI (June 3): The government has allocated RM7 million for infrastructure upgrades to minimise drought impact on key rice production areas of Malaysia.

RM7m allocated for drought mitigation in Malaysia’s rice granaries, says deputy minister

Roughly one month ago, from the stage at an investment forum in Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran that would prove prophetic.

"We'll never allow America and its allies to be threatened with terrorism or nuclear attack," Trump told the crowd, sending a message to the leadership in Tehran.

Insight — How Trump, a self-proclaimed 'peacemaker', embraced Israel's campaign against Iran

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed disappointment and sadness with regard to the Federal Court's decision.

Selangor Sultan urges SIS to drop ‘Islam’ from name 

The Home Ministry (KDN) is reviewing various proposals to strengthen border security, including the construction of a wall along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan, which is deemed a high-risk area.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said border safety remains a top priority for the government, as such areas were frequently used for smuggling activities, particularly drugs, and might pose wider security threats if left unchecked.

Home Ministry reviews proposal to build wall along Kelantan-Thailand border

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he extended the June 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of short-video app TikTok for 90 more days.

Trump says signed order extending deadline for TikTok closing

man’s State Audit Institution (SAI) has expressed its intention to establish a strategic partnership with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to strengthen international cooperation in combating corruption and enhancing governance.

In a statement, the MACC said that the matter was conveyed by SAI deputy chairman for Audit on Authorities, Investment and Companies, Zahra Mohamed Al Lawati, during a courtesy call on MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Thursday.

Oman Audit Institution seeks strategic collaboration with MACC

The Swiss and Norwegian central banks became the latest European rate-setters to ease monetary policy on Thursday, citing a weaker inflation outlook that contrasted sharply with the Federal Reserve's warnings about higher US prices.

The Bank of England kept rates on hold as expected, while flagging that they would remain on a "gradual downward path" in a finely balanced statement that also acknowledged "heightened unpredictability" in the global environment.

As war and tariffs fog the outlook, some central banks trim rates

European officials are increasingly resigned to a 10% rate on "reciprocal" tariffs being the baseline in any trade deal between the United States and the European Union, five sources familiar with the negotiations said.

EU increasingly resigned to 10% baseline tariff in US trade talks, European sources say

Here is a brief recap of Thursday’s top local business news and corporate announcements.

MSM, Malakoff, Astro, Cuckoo International, Oriental Kopi, Bank Islam, Ivory Properties, Petron Malaysia, Deleum, Advancecon, CTOS Digital, Infomina, Theta Edge, Agmo 

Flexidynamic Holdings Bhd (KL:FLEXI) said on Thursday it is acquiring a loss-making manufacturer of glove formers, Formtech Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd, for RM10.39 million.

Flexidynamic buys loss-making manufacturer of glove formers

Europe risks drifting into stagnation without urgent action to tackle slowing growth, weak investment and rising geopolitical threats, the International Monetary Fund warned.

IMF sounds stagnation alarm on eurozone economic growth

The country’s second waste-to-energy (WTE) plant&nbsp;costing RM660 million will be built in Sungai Udang, Melaka, and is expected to be fully operational by 2029.

Malaysia's second WTE plant costing RM660m to be built in Sungai Udang, Melaka, says Nga

Newly listed kopitiam chain operator Oriental Kopi Holdings Bhd (KL:KOPI) has entered into an agreement to acquire the premises it currently rents as its head office and warehousing facility in Puchong, Selangor, for RM23 million.

Oriental Kopi to acquire Puchong HQ and warehouse for RM23 mil

The government will review the implementation of the revision&nbsp;and expansion of the sales and service&nbsp;tax (SST) on several selected imported goods, including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

SST on imported goods including fruits may be reviewed, says Zahid

Shares of PPB Group Bhd (KL:PPB) fell below the RM10 mark on Thursday — a level last seen more than 16 years ago, on April 10, 2009.

Wilmar woes weigh on PPB, stock hits 16-year low

Living in a strata community is more than just sharing spaces — it involves common responsibilities, legal obligations and mutual understanding. A well-managed and harmonious strata community enhances quality of life and provides a support system in times of need. To achieve this, understanding t...

Strata Sense: The ins and outs of strata living — a legal perspective

The implementation of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment model in Malaysia is structurally negative for hospital operators due to its potential downward pressure on margins and hospitality, but the near-term impact will be minimal as the initial rollout will be confined to lower-value, lower-margin cases, like minor and mainstream illnesses, said CIMB Securities.

DRG: Long-term margin squeeze on private hospitals but near-term impact minimal; KPJ more vulnerable than IHH — CIMB Securities

IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts will open its first voco hotel in Malaysia, voco Kuching, next year.

IHG Hotels & Resorts to open first voco hotel in Malaysia next year

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given assurance that the government will not raise the price of RON95 petrol, even if there is a sharp increase in global crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Israel.

Govt won’t raise price of RON95 amid geopolitical tensions — Anwar

The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities has instructed for an immediate engagement session with palm oil industry players following concerns over the implementation of a 5% sales and service tax (SST) on the oleochemical sector starting next&nbsp;month.

Plantation ministry initiates urgent talks with palm oil industry over 5% SST on oleochemical sector

MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:MSM) expects the 5% sales and service tax (SST) on raw sugar to pressure input costs, which could in turn push up prices of refined sugar for industrial buyers.

Cuckoo International (MAL) Bhd, which is set to be listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on June 24, said its net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025) came in at RM27.86 million.

Cuckoo Malaysia reports RM27.9m 1Q net profit ahead of listing

Credit information provider CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) has entered into a strategic partnership with Infomina Bhd (KL:INFOM), one of only four authorised service providers for Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) data, to gain access to real-time corporate data.

CTOS partners Infomina to gain real-time access to SSM corporate data

Advancecon Holdings Bhd (KL:ADVCON) said the group has issued a notice of adjudication to China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCC) over a payment dispute relating to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

Advancecon initiates adjudication over ECRL project works payment dispute

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) will have a limited impact on house prices.

Works minister says SST expansion will have minimal impact on house prices

Here is a brief recap of Thursday’s top local business news and corporate announcements.

US oil major Chevron has sought non-binding bids for the sale of its 50% stake in Singapore Refining Company (SRC), including from joint venture partner PetroChina, eight sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Chevron seeks buyers for 50% stake in Singapore refinery — Reuters

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO) said it will continue to invest in expanding its content offerings in lower subscription tiers and lowering entry pricing for Astro and its over-the-top platform sooka to grow its customer base, as it reported a 20.8% drop in its first quarter earnings.

Astro to continue to prioritise local content, affordable tiers as 1Q profit drops 21%

MBSB Bank Bhd (KL:MBSB) said it has teamed up with Bayo Pay to digitise payroll disbursement for Malaysia’s construction sector, offering contractors "a safer and more efficient alternative to cash-based wage payments".

MBSB Bank partners with Bayo Pay to digitalise construction sector payroll

Fitch Ratings has maintained its “neutral” outlook on Malaysia’s banking sector for 2025 while adjusting the outlooks for several Asia-Pacific countries amid trade war exposures.

Fitch keeps 'neutral' outlook on Malaysia's banking sector, revises outlooks for some Asian countries

Petron Malaysia Refining &amp; Marketing Bhd (KL:PETRONM) said it has been sued by its former transportation services provider over alleged negligent misrepresentation.

Commodities

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