SIBU (May 13): Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has praised Rimbunan Hijau Group (RH Group) for its enduring contributions to both the state and national economies, as well as its strong alignment with Sarawak’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Abang Johari hails Rimbunan Hijau Group’s role in Sarawak’s development

Malaysians spent more in March ahead of Ramadan, thanks to government cash aid and festive deals — lifting retail, wholesale, and even car sales, official data showed.

Malaysia’s distributive trade — which includes wholesale, retail, and vehicle sales — grew 5.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) in March to RM154 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). This is the highest growth in three months and stronger than February’s 5.2% rise. On a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, trade increased by 3.7%.

Malaysia’s wholesale and retail sales grew faster in March, driven by festive season, cash aid — official data

Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) move to lower the statutory reserve requirement (SSR) has set the stage for a possible overnight policy rate (OPR) cut, but according to Moody’s Analytics, two key conditions must first be met.

Moody’s: BNM likely to hold OPR at 3%, September cut dependent on inflation and Fed's move

The Trump administration’s temporary trade deal with China didn’t arrive in time to prevent a slowdown in the US economy, forecasters say, even if it reduces the risk of a full-blown recession later this year.

Labor-market data could start to show the hit to employment by the end of May, they expect, while accelerating inflation should become evident in reports due next month.

US-China truce likely to avert recession but not coming slowdown

TOKYO (May 12): Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that the government was ready to take further steps to cushion the economic blow from higher US tariffs, but signalled caution on cutting the country's consumption tax rate.

Japan's Ishiba open to more stimulus but rules out sales tax cut

GENEVA (May 11): The US. and China ended high-stakes trade talks on a positive note on Sunday, with US officials touting a "deal" to reduce the US trade deficit, while Chinese officials said the sides had reached "important consensus" and agreed to launch another new economic dialogue forum.

US, China hail 'constructive' Geneva trade talks, details due Monday

TAWAU (May 11): The Madani Government has successfully implemented 144 development projects in Sabah to date, involving a total allocation of RM14 billion, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

144 projects worth RM14b implemented in Sabah — Anwar

The European Commission is considering changes that would make it more appealing for banks to hold asset-backed securities (ABS) as part of their emergency cash reserves.

The move is part of a broader plan to revive Europe’s €1.2 trillion (US$1.4 trillion or RM5.8 trillion) securitisation market, which politicians hope can play a key role in financing areas like housing, energy, and defence.

EU considers bank-liquidity tweak to bolster securitisation

Malaysia’s labour market continued to chart steady progress in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q2025), with key indicators showing growth in employment and labour force participation, coupled with a decline in the unemployment rate, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Malaysia’s labour market maintains upward momentum, official 1Q data show

Johor is optimistic about achieving foreign direct investment (FDI) of nearly RM60 billion by the second quarter of this year (2Q2025).

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said this optimism was based on the state’s achievement of RM27.4 billion in total investments during 1Q2025.

Johor optimistic about achieving nearly RM60b foreign direct investment by 2Q, says MB

The Bank of England cut interest rates by a quarter point to 4.25% as Donald Trump’s global trade war weighs on UK growth, in a decision that split senior officials into three groups and was made before the US president hinted at an imminent deal to lower tariffs on British exports.

BOE cuts rates to 4.25% in split vote as tariffs hit growth

Malaysia’s central bank said on Thursday the economy will continue to grow this year even as the outlook faces downside risks from external shocks.

Malaysia won't face recession even as outlook faces downside risks, says BNM

Malaysia’s international reserves expanded to US$118.7 billion as at April 30, 2025, from US$118.4 billion on April 15, 2025, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

BNM's international reserves rise to US$118.7b as at April 30

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced on Thursday a 100-basis-point cut in the statutory reserve requirement ratio (SRR), which stipulates the amount of cash that lenders must keep in reserve, from 2% to 1% — its lowest in 14 years.

BNM slashes reserve ratio to 1%, a 14-year low, releasing RM19b into banking system

Harvard University president Alan Garber has twice publicly rebuked the Trump administration for threatening the school’s independence. Both times the US government has punched back.

The latest missive came less than 24 hours after Garber wrote to Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday, denying allegations of partisan political bias and warning that government “overreach” is threatening key freedoms.

Harvard feud with Trump escalates as US punches back at Garber

Walt Disney Co said its new sports streaming platform will be called ESPN, the same as its popular cable-TV channel, and cost US$30 (RM128.81) a month.

Disney unveils new ESPN streaming service for US$30 a month

A brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Tuesday.

CelcomDigi, Maxis, YTL Power, DKSH, Kerjaya Prospek, Yong Tai, HLT Global, UEM Sunrise, Nestcon, DNeX, Nextgreen and OM Holdings

President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia would commit to investing US$1 trillion (RM4.29 trillion) in the US, a key goal of his first scheduled foreign trip since returning to office.

Trump says Saudi Arabia will boost US investments to US$1 tril

Egg prices pulled back 18% from a record high last month, offering some relief as supplies recovered from bird flu shock.

Shoppers paid US$5.122 (RM22) per dozen for large eggs on average in April, falling from two straight months of record highs that brought prices above US$6, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday.

US egg prices fall to US$5 a dozen from record highs

Pakistan said on Tuesday that it remains committed to the truce with India, agreed after four days of intense fighting last week, but vowed to respond to any future aggression by New Delhi with full resolve.

Pakistan says committed to ceasefire with India but vows to respond to aggression

The US took a fresh step seeking to curb Iran’s oil revenues with sanctions on an international network that it said facilitates the shipment of millions of barrels to China, an effort by the Trump administration to further pressure Tehran while negotiating over its nuclear programme.

US slaps sanctions on network shipping Iranian oil to China

New Intel Corp chief executive officer Lip-Bu Tan is focused on improving the execution of the chipmaker’s existing strategy rather than making sweeping changes, according to his head of finance.

“The strategy is the strategy — we’ve got to execute better,” chief financial officer Dave Zinsner said at a JPMorgan Chase & Co technology conference.

Intel’s new CEO to focus on executing its existing strategy

Distributor of products for Fortune 500 companies, DKSH Holdings Malaysia Bhd (KL:DKSH) reported a net profit of RM48.17 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025), its second-highest quarterly profit.

DKSH posts RM48.2m profit in 1Q on record revenue and cost savings

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won an election last month promising to stand up to US President Donald Trump, unveiled a new cabinet on Tuesday that he said would help define a new relationship with the US.

Carney unveils cabinet aimed at resetting US-Canada ties

KUALA LUMPUR (May 13): The US-China tariff deal is seen as negative for Malaysian glove makers, as it makes Chinese gloves cheaper and more competitive, potentially hurting demand for local products.

Analysts say US-China tariff cuts are negative for Malaysian glove makers

KUALA LUMPUR (May 13): Starting May 11, 2025, Malaysia will impose five-year anti-dumping duties on flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, and tinplate from China and other Asian nations, following an investigation on the imports of the products.

Malaysia imposes anti-dumping duties on steel, tinplate from China and other Asian nations

As U Mobile Sdn Bhd has been appointed to roll out the second 5G network in the country, its stake in Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will be taken over by CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB), Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS), YTL Power International Bhd (YTLPOWR) and the Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc).

U Mobile stake in DNB to be taken over by CelcomDigi, Maxis, YTL Power, MOF Inc

When Lucas Silva Ferreira needed a new air conditioner to cool his Rio de Janeiro home in the sweltering February heat, he decided to go with a Chinese model instead of old standbys like LG or Whirlpool.

Half-price air conditioners are sparking frenzy for China brands in Brazil

The RM892 million Dawn KLCC, a development by Dawn Land Sdn Bhd, has achieved a take-up rate of 91% since its launch in April last year. The development is a 70:30 joint venture between Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (KL:CHGP) and Fiamma Holdings Bhd (KL:FIAMMA). Chin Hin Group Property and Fiamma s...

Dawn KLCC is 91% sold

AS geopolitical tensions between the US and China continue to disrupt global supply chains, Taiwan-based Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc (ASE Inc) — the world’s largest outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) player — is doubling down on Malaysia with the opening of its fifth pla...

Taiwanese OSAT giant ASE doubles down on Malaysia amid US-China trade war

HSBC Global Research has revised its year-end forecast for the ringgit from 4.45 to 4.20 against the US dollar, as the heightened external volatility has slightly tipped the balance in favour of the ringgit&nbsp;over the medium term.

HSBC raises year-end USD-MYR forecast to 4.20, citing external volatility favouring ringgit

Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) said an adjudicator has ordered Yong Tai Bhd (KL:YONGTAI) to pay the construction outfit RM75.46 million over an alleged unpaid contract for a mixed development project in Melaka, known as “The Apple”.

Kerjaya Prospek wins RM75.46m adjudication award in dispute with Yong Tai

CRUDE palm oil (CPO) exporter Pacific Inter-Link Sdn Bhd (PIL) expects the discount of palm oil to soybean oil to persist for the next six to 12 months, due to tight soybean oil supply from the US and South America and a gradual rise in palm oil production.

This will enhance palm oil’s ...

CPO discount to soybean oil seen lasting up to one year, says Pacific Inter-Link

Distributor of products for Fortune 500 companies, DKSH Holdings Malaysia Bhd (KL:DKSH) reported a net profit of RM48.17 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025), its second-highest quarterly profit.

Frozen and dried food distributor Guan Huat Seng Holdings Bhd is preparing to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia to secure funding for its expansion plans, according to its draft prospectus filed with the exchange.

Frozen, dried food distributor Guan Huat Seng plans ACE listing

Oxford Innotech Bhd, a Penang-based engineering solutions company, has received approval from Bursa Malaysia for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

Oxford Innotech gets approval for ACE Market IPO, plans new factory in Penang

Malaysians spent more in March ahead of Ramadan, thanks to government cash aid and festive deals — lifting retail, wholesale, and even car sales, official data showed.

Malaysia’s distributive trade — which includes wholesale, retail, and vehicle sales — grew 5.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) in March to RM154 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). This is the highest growth in three months and stronger than February’s 5.2% rise. On a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, trade increased by 3.7%.

An agreement between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Sarawak's state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) on the management of natural gas in the state would be announced in "two more days", according to Borneo Post, quoting Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Jo says Petronas-Petros agreement coming in 'two more days' — report

Sentoria Group Bhd (KL:SNTORIA) said its external auditor Messrs Kreston John &amp; Gan had expressed a disclaimer of opinion on the group's audited financial statements for the 15-month period ended Dec 31, 2024, due to insufficient audit evidence.

Sentoria’s external auditor issues disclaimer of opinion on financial statements; shares to resume trading on May 14 after filing annual report

Keyfield International Bhd (KL:KEYFIELD) has secured a contract from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd to provide an accommodation work boat for offshore activities. &nbsp;

Keyfield secures vessel charter job from Petronas Carigali

SIBU (May 13): Sarawak Premier&nbsp;Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has praised Rimbunan Hijau Group (RH Group) for its enduring contributions to both the state and national economies, as well as its strong alignment with Sarawak’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.

PUTRAJAYA (May 13): Police have not ruled out the possibility that Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh, reported as a kidnapping victim, may have fled abroad.

Police probing possibility of Pamela Ling having fled overseas

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

FBM KLCI closes over two-month high to 1,582.39 on May 13, 2025

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Economic Focus

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