KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): A total of 460,031 people had sought financial advice from Bank Negara Malaysia's Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency as at July 2016.

The figure had risen from 32,157 participants in 2007, according to the Finance Ministry's 2016/2017 Economic Report.

Malaysia tackles rising consumer debt defaults

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The Government's 1Malaysia People’s Aid disbursement amounted to RM5.4 billion as at September 2016 to offer financial help to low-income households and single individuals.

The programme is also known as Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M). The scheme is among measure...

RM5.4b in BR1M distributed to bottom 40% households in 2016

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Houses in Malaysia are considered "seriously unaffordable" based on the International Housing Affordability Survey standards.
 
According to the Finance Ministry's 2016/2017 Economic Report, the survey states that an affordable housing market is one with ...

Malaysia's housing market 'seriously unaffordable'

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The Government's 1Malaysia People's Aid programme had increased private consumption by an average of 7.1% between 2012 and 2015 as lower-income households' higher disposable income allowed them to consume more.

The 1Malaysia People's Aid is also known as Bantuan R...

Malaysia's BR1M increases private consumption

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Malaysia's fiscal deficit is projected to fall to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017, in line with previous official guidance.

"The government through various fiscal consolidation measures has successfully reduced the fiscal deficit from 6.7% of GDP in 200...

Malaysia commits to 3% fiscal deficit target for 2017

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The cost of servicing Malaysia's federal government debt is estimated to rise to RM28.87 billion in 2017 or 13.1% of projected government revenue and 13.4% of operating expenditure next year.

Debt service charges which "must be served before all other commitments"...

Debt service charges rise to RM28.9b or 13.1% of govt revenue

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Malaysia's domestic demand is expected to expand 4.9% in 2017 from a year earlier, mainly on private-sector spending as government spending slows.

According to the Finance Ministry's 2016/2017 Economic Report, private sector spending is expected to increase 6.2% o...

 Private sector to drive domestic demand

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Malaysia's domestic demand is expected to expand 4.9% in 2017 from a year earlier, mainly on private-sector spending

as government spending slows.

According to the Finance Ministry's 2016/2017 Economic Report, private sector spending is expected to incre...

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): High-end manufacturing is expected to spur Malaysia's manufacturing sector to account for a larger portion of the country's economy and workforce. A move towards high-end manufacturing is crucial as the nation faces competition from low-cost producers like China and Vietnam...

Malaysia to move towards high-end manufacturing

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

CIMB, Berjaya Corp, Mitrajaya, HeiTech Padu, Datasonic, Petronas Gas, Dialog, Hong Leong Bank, JF Tech, Cosmos, MYMBN, Homeritz 

US President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed trade, TikTok and fentanyl on Friday in a pre-inauguration conversation that could set the tone for relations between the world’s two largest economies and main geopolitical rivals.

“I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China,” Trump posted on social media. “The call was a very good one for both China and the USA.”

Trump and China’s Xi discuss trade, TikTok ahead of inauguration

Chrystia Freeland, the former Canadian finance minister who helped bring Justin Trudeau’s political career to an end when she resigned in December, has joined the race to replace him as prime minister.
 
Freeland, 56, announced her candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party in a social media post on Friday, betting that she can reverse the downward trend in opinion polls that has put the governing party on course for defeat in an election this year.

Chrystia Freeland joins contest to replace Canada’s Trudeau

US industrial production rose in December by more than forecast, helped by a pickup in factory output that indicates manufacturing is stabilising after two years of weakness.

US industrial production tops forecasts after Boeing strike ends

Housing starts in the US climbed in December to the fastest pace since early 2024, reflecting a surge in multifamily projects and a more modest advance in one-family homes.

New residential construction increased nearly 16% to an annualised rate of 1.5 million, rebounding after a three-month slump, according to government data released on Friday.

US housing starts top all forecasts on multifamily construction

TikTok fans in the US are racing to secure alternatives and safeguard their digital empires ahead of a looming shutdown on Sunday, evoking the chaos of India's 2020 ban that erased the app from the lives of 200 million users overnight.

While the US ban has been debated for months, India acted swiftly in June 2020 to block TikTok and nearly 60 other Chinese apps over national security concerns, stripping many creators of their main source of income and shattering a digital community.

US TikTok ban could echo India chaos as users seek options

The International Monetary Fund on Friday raised its forecast for global growth in 2025 by one-tenth of a percentage point, with stronger-than-expected growth in the US offsetting downward revisions in Germany, France and other major economies.

IMF lifts US outlook, warns countries against protectionism, subsidies

Upholstery furniture manufacturer Homeritz Corp Bhd (KL:HOMERIZ) said on Friday that the fire at one of its production facilities in Muar, Johor, has been confirmed to result in an estimated loss of RM3 million, and will be recognised in the company’s financial results for the quarter ending Feb 28, 2025 (2QFY2025).

Homeritz hit by RM3 mil loss in Muar facility fire, no insurance coverage

US auto safety regulators are probing General Motors Co over concerns that more than 870,000 of its full-size pickup trucks and SUVs face the risk of engine failure.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary evaluation into possible issues with V8 engines in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, as well as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs.

GM faces US probe for engine failure risk on over 870,000 trucks

Ancom Nylex Bhd (KL:ANCOMNY) will likely improve its earnings as the exchange rate stabilises, analysts said, following the agrochemical company’s weaker than expected quarter.

Ancom Nylex's earnings to improve in following quarters, analysts say after disappointing 2Q

Malaysian stocks tied to the data centre investment theme face further downside risks, JPMorgan warned and downgraded Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) and Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA).

Malaysia data centre plays face further risks, JPMorgan warns as it downgrades Sunway Construction, Gamuda

U Mobile Sdn Bhd is confident it will be able to roll out the second 5G network without the need for&nbsp;government funding or new local partners,&nbsp;according to its chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun.

Vincent Tan: U Mobile to launch second 5G network without new local partners, IPO by year end

Shares of Salutica Bhd (KL:SALUTE) fell to their lowest in nearly two years after the company lost its suit against Apple Malaysia Sdn Bhd in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Salutica falls as much as 45% after losing Apple suit in KL High Court

Malaysian construction stocks fell further on Friday, as investors further cut their exposure to data centre plays, amid lingering fallout from intensifying US controls on advanced chip exports. &nbsp;

Construction stocks slip further as investors continue to cut exposure to M'sian data centre plays

LONDON (Jan 16): Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (KL:TENAGA) is propelling Malaysia’s rapid expansion in the global renewable energy (RE) market&nbsp;with the launch of the 102 megawatt&nbsp;(MW) Eastfield and Bunkers Hill solar farms in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;

Anwar launches TNB’s renewable energy ventures in UK

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) on Friday announced a restructuring of its senior leadership team, marked by the departure of key executive Effendy Shahul Hamid and the decoupling of its consumer and digital banking business. The changes, to take effect on Feb 1, aims to sharpen focus on strategic business areas and ensure operational efficiency.

CIMB makes key leadership changes, decouples consumer and digital banking business 

The long-awaited transformation of Johor into a key investment hub is “finally happening” after a couple of “false dawns”, says Jefferies.

In a note on Friday, the rapid development of the data centre industry, coupled with strategic infrastructure projects, is now placing Malaysia back on the radar of dedicated emerging market (EM) investors.

Malaysia back on EM investors’ radar on data centre play, and as Johor story is 'finally happening', says Jefferies

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have teamed up to jointly launch a centralised dispute resolution centre to safeguard the interests of financial consumers and investors in the country.

BNM, SC launch centralised centre to solve financial disputes up to RM250,000

A large majority of data centres planned in Malaysia are likely to pass through the tightening US restrictions, limiting the potential impact on power demand growth, CGS International said.

Malaysian power demand growth intact as data centres will sail through US curbs — CGS

Despite growing unease regarding Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak didn't distance himself from him but chose to leave it to the investigation agencies to continue with their investigations on the now-fugitive.

Najib says didn't distance himself from Jho Low because already ordered probes into 1MDB

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): UEM Lestra Bhd, the green investment arm of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, said it will invest some RM2.5 billion for the first phase of a solar project, and has secured offtakers for the power plant in Johor.

UEM Lestra to invest RM2.5b in Johor solar project, signs offtakers

Berjaya Corp Bhd (KL:BJCORP) remains committed to participating in the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project. However, the project’s progression depends on the government's decision-making process and financial conditions, said the group's founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun.

Berjaya still eyeing KL-S'pore HSR, awaiting Putrajaya's decision, says Vincent Tan

(Jan 17):&nbsp;Palm oil extended its decline for a fourth day, as traders remained concerned about weaker demand in January.&nbsp;

Palm hits three-month low as worries persist over low demand

KUALA LUMPUR&nbsp; (Jan 17): Malaysia’s economy may have expanded a tad slower than expected in the final quarter of 2024 (4Q2024), as services picked up, while growth of manufacturing and construction activities eased, official flash estimates showed.

Malaysia’s economy may have expanded 4.8% year-on-year in 4Q, advance estimates show

The Selayang Sessions Court on Friday acquitted four company directors and a factory manager of discharging hazardous waste from their workshop, Yip Chee Seng &amp; Sons Sdn Bhd, into Sungai Gong, Selangor, that then flowed into water treatment plants and resulted in a major disruption in water supply in 2020.

Selayang court frees five in Sungai Gong pollution case

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd has launched Malaysia’s first crude palm oil (CPO) futures structured warrant on Bursa Malaysia.

Affin Hwang launches Malaysia’s first CPO futures structured warrant

HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) has secured a second-time contract extension for the provision of maintenance services for the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs), valued at RM28.26 million. &nbsp;

HeiTech Padu, Datasonic awarded fresh contracts for immigration system maintenance

State-owned public transportation operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd saw a 24% increase in the average daily number of passengers using Prasarana services last year, beating its target of 20% growth for the year, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Prasarana's 2024 public transport ridership up 24%, eyes nearly 20% jump this year

（吉隆坡17日讯）吉隆公司（Salutica Bhd）（KL:SALUTE）在吉隆坡高庭败诉苹果马来西亚私人有限公司（Apple Malaysia Sdn Bhd）后，股价跌至近两年来的最低点。

在高庭败诉苹果大马 吉隆公司狂泻45% 

Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) said on Friday it has signed an agreement to cooperate with WeBank Technology Services, a subsidiary of WeBank, China's largest digital bank.

Economic Report 2016/2017

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Economic Report 2016/2017

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