DAVOS, Switzerland (Jan 19): Economic fears have escalated into grievances among 60% of people, with many believing hostile actions such as violence can be necessary to bring about change, according to a global poll by communications firm Edelman.

The survey of the 33,000 respondents ac...

Economic grievances fuel support for hostile actions, Edelman global survey shows

Turnkey contractor Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd (KL:FAJAR) has signed the master purchase and development agreement with Penang Development Corp (PDC) for the first phase of the Penang Medi-City project in Batu Kawan, set to position the state as a regional medical tourism hub.

Fajarbaru Builder to lead Medi-City project in Penang

JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 20): The tourism ministers of Asean member countries have agreed on the need to promote secondary and tertiary tourism locations to combat overtourism, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) secretary general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said.

Asean tourism ministers agree to promote secondary, tertiary locations to combat overtourism

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will keep its key policy rate unchanged at 3.00% for the 10th consecutive meeting on Wednesday and maintain it there throughout this year as economic growth remains strong and inflation stays under control, a Reuters poll found.

While Malaysia's economy is expected to post strong growth of 5.1% last year, inflation — 1.8% in November — has remained largely subdued, suggesting BNM will be in no rush to cut rates as it aims to avoid further weakening of the ringgit.

BNM expected to hold key rate at 3% through end-2025 — Reuters poll

The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) secured RM13.4 billion in realised investments in 2024, a 56% growth from 2023’s RM8.6 billion.

East Coast Economic Region records RM13.4b realised investments in 2024

The government is not hastily pursuing developed nation status, but the country's improving economic growth has put Malaysia on the right track to achieve this status by 2028 to 2029, said Economy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli.

Malaysia on track to achieve developed nation status by 2028-2029, says Rafizi

Malaysia is facing three major paradoxes, which present significant challenges to the country’s labour market, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.

Steven Sim says Malaysia's labour market faces significant challenges posed by three paradoxes

DAVOS, Switzerland (Jan 20): As the chair of Asean in 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to amplify the 10-member bloc’s collective voice on the global stage, during his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 in Davos.

Anwar to lead Asean’s collective voice at World Economic Forum Annual Summit 2025 in Davos

TOKYO (Jan 20): The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to raise interest rates on Friday, barring any market shocks when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, a move that would lift short-term borrowing costs to levels unseen since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Bank of Japan poised to raise rates to highest in 17 years

Malaysia’s exports continued their expansionary trajectory in 2024, driven by strong performances in both manufactured and agricultural products, official data on Monday showed.

Malaysia's 2024 trade jumps 9.2% to record high; exports top RM1 tril for fourth straight year

SEOUL (Jan 20): South Korea pledged on Monday, a record amount of financing support for exporters to mitigate any negative impact from changes in US trade policies, as Donald Trump was poised to be sworn in for his second presidency.

South Korea braces for Trump's policies with biggest-ever export finance support

TOKYO (Jan 20): Japan's core machinery orders rose 3.4% in November from the previous month to beat analysts' forecast, government data showed on Monday, signalling a recovery in capital expenditure, ahead of a central bank interest rate review later this week.

Japan November machinery orders beat forecast on strong factory investment

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): Malaysia can generate potential investments of RM11 billion and potential exports of RM500 million, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

Malaysia attracts potential investments of RM11b, RM500m potential exports to UK

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): Malaysia is the perfect gateway into Southeast Asia, especially with the participation of the United Kingdom in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Malaysia is also a member.

Zafrul: Malaysia is perfect gateway into SE Asian market

Outgoing Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Monday emphasised the importance of judicial leaders maintaining courage and staying steadfast in their pursuit of justice.

Chief justice urges judicial leaders to uphold courage in championing justice

Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA), the consortium of three entities offering to take Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) private at RM11 per share, revised one of the conditions for the offer on Monday.

It dropped the acceptance level to 85%, from the 90% stated in the offer document that was issued on Dec 6, 2024.

What Gateway Development Alliance’s revision in terms means to MAHB’s privatisation

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd (KL:CHINTEK) posted a 56.66% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit, lifted by higher prices and share of results of associates and joint ventures (JVs).

Chin Teck Plantations' 1Q profit up 57% on higher prices, share of JV results

The federal government and five others have filed a prohibitory and gag order barring the public from discussing openly the purported addendum seeking to allow former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his six years' jail sentence under house arrest.

Govt files application for a gag and prohibitory order on purported addendum for Najib's house arrest

Timber firm Maxland Bhd (KL:MAXLAND) has inked a formal deal to collaborate with data processing services provider GDC Data Sdn Bhd to jointly venture into data centre development in Kulim, Kedah.

Maxland inks deal with GDC Data for data centre development collaboration

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

EVENING 5: Khazanah-led consortium lowers acceptance term for MAHB takeover

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met leaders of the European Union (EU) at the Europa Building here on Monday.

Upon arriving at the seat of the European Council and Council of the European Union, Anwar, who is here on a two-day working visit to Belgium, met with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy cum Vice-President of the European Commission.

Anwar meets EU leaders to strengthen Malaysia-EU ties, regional cooperation

Tex Cycle Technology (M) Bhd (KL:TEXCYCL) said it is collaborating with waste management and recycling company Xantara Sdn Bhd to enhance scheduled waste management capabilities and expand business opportunities.

Tex Cycle partners with Xantara to enhance scheduled waste management capabilities

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): A proposal to convert private lease scheme land to freehold status in Medini Iskandar in Johor, will significantly boost Sunway Bhd’s (KL:SUNWAY) land value and gross development value, according to an analyst.

Sunway to get significant boost from Medini land conversion offer, HLIB says

Convenience store chain operator 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:SEM), in which Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan&nbsp;Chee Yioun owns a 28.07% stake, said on Monday it is setting up 100 original cash recycling machines (CRMs)&nbsp;at its outlets across Malaysia.

7-Eleven Malaysia to set up 100 Seven Bank cash recycling machines at its outlets

AHAM Asset Management Bhd (AHAM Capital) has declared a total income distribution of RM1.11 billion for the financial year 2024 (FY2024), covering 89 wholesale and retail funds.

AHAM Capital declares RM1.11b income distribution for FY2024

Malaysia’s exports continued their expansionary trajectory in 2024, driven by strong performances in both manufactured and agricultural products, official data on Monday showed.

WHILE it’s hard to say if the worst is over for a number of beaten-down blue chips, market experts believe it is a matter of time before things look up on the back of strong investment flows.

In fact, some fund managers and analysts are of the view that some of the stocks’ undemanding v...

Better days ahead for beaten-down big caps on Bursa 

Turnkey contractor Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd (KL:FAJAR) has signed the master purchase and development agreement&nbsp;with Penang Development Corp (PDC) for the first phase of the Penang Medi-City project in Batu Kawan, set to position the state as a regional medical tourism hub.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB&nbsp;(KL:AIRPORT),&nbsp;which&nbsp;is in the midst of&nbsp;a privatisation exercise, said that the group is “almost there” for the resumption of its aerotrain services at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), following a near two-year suspension.

‘We are almost there’ for aerotrain op resumption, says MAHB amid delays

Jendela Pinggiran Sdn Bhd (JPSB) — a subsidiary of SRC International Sdn Bhd allegedly set up to carry out corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and received RM43.96 million of SRC funds in 2015 — was used as former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “slush fund”, the High Court heard on Monday.

SRC's sham CSR subsidiary used as Najib’s RM43.96 mil slush fund, court hears

President-elect Donald Trump is poised to invoke emergency powers as part of his plan to unleash domestic energy production while seeking to reverse President Joe Biden’s actions to combat climate change, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

Trump to declare national energy emergency, unlocking new powers — Bloomberg

SRC International Sdn Bhd’s lawsuit against Umno went to trial on Monday after both parties failed to reach an out-of-court settlement.

SRC and Umno fail to reach settlement in RM19.5 mil civil suit, trial starts

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) will likely report a 37%-39% net profit growth for 2024, even as earnings may decline in the final three months on a quarter-on-quarter basis, CIMB Securities said.

Bursa Malaysia to report 37%-39% net profit growth in 2024, CIMB estimates

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): The US’ restriction on artificial intelligence (AI) chip exports is expected to have a limited impact on Malaysia’s semiconductor companies, which are primarily involved in assembly and testing, according to Nomura Asset Management Malaysia managing director and country head Leslie Yap.

Impact of US chip curbs on Malaysia’s semicon sector minimal, says Nomura’s country head

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): ACE Market-bound Northern Solar Holdings Bhd is expected to continue delivering its above-average net profit margin on lower global solar-panel prices, said PublicInvest Research.

ACE Market-bound Northern Solar’s fair value at RM1, margins above average — PublicInvest

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he did not intimidate KPMG’s ex-managing partner Datuk Johan Idris to close the pending audit of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in 2013.

1MDB-Tanore: Najib says didn't intimidate KPMG auditor

CBH Engineering Holdings Bhd, a mechanical and electrical (M&amp;E) engineering services provider for substations, is expected to make its debut this Thursday (Jan16), which would make it the second company to list on Bursa Malaysia this year.

The ACE Market-bound company's initial publ...

IPO Watch: CBH Engineering rides on data centre boom, IPO to raise RM83 mil

Dialog Group Bhd’s (KL:DIALOG) proposed subscription of a 27.78% stake in Regas Terminal Sdn Bhd (RGTP), which has an air separation unit (ASU) project in Pengerang, is expected to raise its associate contribution by RM5 million to RM10 million a year, said Maybank Research.

Dialog to see up to RM10m in annual earnings from Pengerang ASU venture — Maybank

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak reiterated in court on Monday that he did not take instructions from fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low).

Najib says he did not follow Jho Low's instructions

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak testified in court that he didn't report the purportedly forged signatures on documents related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Najib agrees no report lodged on purportedly fake signatures on 1MDB documents

SEREMBAN (Jan 20): The previously terminated high-speed rail (HSR) project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore can only proceed with full participation from the private sector and minimal government funding, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook reiterated on Monday.

Minimal govt funding for HSR, revival hinges on private participation, says Loke

Donald Trump's newly-created cryptocurrency soared on Monday to nearly US$12 billion (RM54 billion) in market value, drawing in billions in trading volume, while bitcoin hit a record high just hours ahead of the US President-elect's return to the White House.

Economic Focus

‌
‌

Economic Focus

‌‌

‌
‌