The government has pledged to continue its financial commitment to national strategic projects in transport such as the light rail transit and the mass rapid transit, according to the revised 2023 Economic and Fiscal Outlook report.

Putrajaya pledges continued financial support in strategic transport projects in 2023

The Malaysian economy is expected to grow by 4.5% to RM1.57 trillion this year, supported by stable domestic demand, mainly from household spending, in line with the recovery in the labour market, according to the government’s revised 2023 Economic and Fiscal Outlook report.

Malaysia’s 2023 GDP growth seen moderating to 4.5% amid softening global economy

The government said it is exploring options to efficiently manage future pension obligations, including introducing defined contribution schemes.

Given that Malaysia is now an ageing nation by the United Nations definition, pension obligations are expected to continue to increase, according to the Finance Ministry's revised 2023 Economic and Fiscal Outlook report.

Govt exploring defined contribution scheme to manage future pension obligations

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): The Federal Government’s debt is estimated to reach around 62% of gross domestic products (GDP) by end-2023, up from 60.4% or RM1.08 trillion last year, as Putrajaya continues to borrow for the financing of development programmes and projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, and also as the redemption of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) bonds mature in March.

Fed govt debt likely to rise to 62% of GDP by end-2023 on higher borrowings to fund 12MP, 1MDB bond redemption

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is expected to pay about RM40 billion in dividends to the government in 2023, slightly higher than the previous Budget 2023's headline RM35 billion.

Petronas to contribute RM40b dividend payout to govt in 2023

The government has estimated that operating expenditure (OE) in 2023 will decline by 1.2% to RM289.1 billion from RM292.7 billion in 2022, primarily due to lower subsidy allocations as commodity prices are expected to moderate while the targeted subsidy mechanism is gradually implemented.

The RM289.1 billion estimated OE is 15.3% of the gross domestic product, according to the Finance Ministry’s revised 2023 Economic & Fiscal Outlook report.

Govt operating expenditure falls 1.2% to RM289 bil in 2023 on lower subsidy allocations

The government expects to be able to generate higher revenue of RM291.5 billion this year, mainly supported by a further growth of 6.9% in direct tax collection, thanks to improved corporate earnings prospects and “continuous efforts in enhancing auditing and tax compliance”.

With a budgeted expenditure of RM386.14 billion, the government is expecting a fiscal deficit of RM93.94 billion, equivalent to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, down from RM99.48 billion (5.6%) in 2022 and RM98.74 billion (6.4%) in 2021, according to the revised 2023 Economic and Fiscal Outlook report.

Govt sees higher direct tax collection supporting 2023 revenue, expects 5% fiscal deficit

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): Malaysia’s inflation rate is expected to rise to between 2.8% and 3.8% in 2023 amid slower economic prospects and stable commodity prices, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF)’s revised Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2023 report.

Malaysia’s 2023 inflation seen at 2.8%-3.8%

The government has budgeted a slightly smaller amount for operating expenditure (OE) in 2023 due mainly to the expectation of less money required for subsidies.

Some RM272.34 billion has been allocated for 2023, which is 4.3% lower compared with RM285.7 billion in 2022 while it was RM231.5 billion in 2021. The 2023 OE is 15% of GDP.

Govt operating expenditure falls 4.3% despite 'subsidies & social aid' allocation shrinking by 28.7%

The labour market is anticipated to improve in 2023, with the unemployment rate forecasted to reduce to 3.5%-3.7%, according to the Economic Report released by the Ministry of Finance.

Unemployment in 2023 seen lower at 3.5%-3.7%

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The Malaysian government will still spend more than it earns in 2023 due partly to higher emolument for civil servants and debt service charges, expecting a budget deficit of RM99.07 billion, or 5.5% to gross development product (GDP).

Budget deficit in 2023 only about RM400 mil less than record high in 2022

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The government has reduced the allocation of subsidy and social assistance to RM42 billion in Budget 2023 compared with RM58.9 billion in 2022.

However, the Ministry of Finance has revealed over the months that the country’s susbidy bill has ballooned to RM77 billion in 2022.

Lower subsidy and social aids at RM42 bil in 2023 amid expectation of lower oil prices

Malaysia’s economic growth in 2022 could land higher than initial estimates at 6.5%-7%, before slowing to 4%-5% in 2023, said the Ministry of Finance in its 2023 Economic Outlook report.

Malaysia’s economic growth expected to ease to 4%-5% in 2023

The Ministry of Finance has said investors are expected to remain cautious following the US Federal Reserve's indication of further interest rate hikes to curb high inflation.

MOF: Fed's hawkish stance may undermine Malaysian equities

The government successfully saved almost RM1 million in flight costs for the recent official visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his delegation, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi: Govt saved nearly RM1 mil in Anwar's official flight costs

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approved a stimulus package that’s slightly bigger than last year’s, as he followed up on a pledge to ramp up support for households and businesses struggling to cope with higher costs.

Japan’s Cabinet approves stimulus in show of progress for Ishiba

Amazon.com Inc is investing an additional US$4 billion (RM17.87 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, boosting its stake in one of OpenAI’s chief rivals.

Amazon invests additional US$4b in AI firm Anthropic

The corporate earnings reporting season for the July-September quarter comes to a close this week. Among the companies slated to announce their financial results are banking groups Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) and Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) as well as utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

The Week Ahead: Spotlight on corporate earnings of banks, Tenaga and Opec+ meeting

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate prominent investor Scott Bessent as the US Treasury secretary, a key Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs.

Trump taps tax reform, deregulation advocate Scott Bessent for Treasury

US bank Citigroup has received approval to establish its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Friday.

Citi granted licence for regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, memo shows

Global stocks registered a strong weekly gain on Friday, while US Treasury yields slipped as markets eyed President-elect Donald Trump's likely policies and their impact on the US economy, even as bitcoin traded near the US$100,000 (RM446,800) threshold.

Stocks notch strong weekly gain, US yields slip as markets eye Trump policies

When Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) was established in 2007, with an initial fund of RM41.9 billion, the federal government’s pension and gratuity obligations stood at a mere RM8.25 billion, just 6.7% of its total operating expenditure (opex).

The pension conundrum: KWAP pushes for thoughtful reform amid growing charges

UK retail sales declined more than expected in October, as uncertainty over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves first budget prompted consumers to hold back spending.

UK retail sales fell more than expected amid budget anxiety

The banks most reluctant to tap the US central bank's discount window to shore up their capital are in fact those who face the highest failure risk, according to new research from the New York Federal Reserve (Fed) that turns the notion of bank emergency borrowing stigma on its head.

New York Fed paper challenges notion of discount window stigma

Vizione Holdings Bhd (KL:VIZIONE) said its unit has served a notice to Inspirasi Langkawi Sdn Bhd to terminate its employment as main contractor for the development of a 14-storey hotel in Langkawi, claiming it had not been properly paid for its works so far.

Vizione quits RM116 mil hotel construction job over alleged unpaid works

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

Allianz Malaysia, Bumi Armada, Bintulu Port, D&O, Sarawak Plantation, Favelle Favco, CSC Steel, BM Greentech, SkyWorld, Lagenda Properties, Solarvest, SMI, Icon Offshore, Top Glove, MNRB, Chin Hin Group Property

Global investment conglomerate Bin Zayed International Group of Companies (BZI) has committed to investing US$2 billion (RM8.93 billion) in Malaysia over the next five years.&nbsp;

Bin Zayed International (M) Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Dr Shamir Kumar Nandy said as part of its strategic expansion plan, the group would tap into real estate, renewable energy and financial services to attract investments into the country.

Bin Zayed International commits US$2 bil investment in Malaysia over next five years

A record-high US$7 trillion (RM31.28 trillion) of cash is currently sitting "on the sidelines" in money market funds (MMFs). Anyone hoping to see a significant chunk of this flooding the wider investment field in the coming months may be disappointed.

America's US$7 tril cash stash isn't going anywhere

When Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) was established in 2007, with an initial fund of RM41.9 billion, the federal government’s pension and gratuity obligations stood at a mere RM8.25 billion, just 6.7% of its total operating expenditure (opex).

French defence and technology firm Thales said on Friday it was denying unspecified allegations after Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced a joint investigation with French authorities into suspected bribery and corruption.

Thales denies wrongdoing as Anglo-French bribery probe hits shares

Cboe Global Markets Inc. said it is set to list the first cash-settled index options related to the spot price of Bitcoin, marking the latest addition of cryptocurrency-related securities to traditional exchanges.

Cboe to launch cash-settled Bitcoin ETF options as crypto booms

The corporate earnings reporting season for the July-September quarter comes to a close this week. Among the companies slated to announce their financial results are banking groups Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) and Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) as well as utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate prominent investor&nbsp;Scott Bessent&nbsp;as the US&nbsp;Treasury secretary, a key Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs.

The banks most reluctant to tap the US&nbsp;central bank's discount window to shore up their capital are in fact those who face the highest failure risk, according to new research from the New York Federal Reserve (Fed) that turns the notion of bank emergency borrowing stigma on its head.

The S&amp;P 500 and the Dow touched over one-week highs on Friday after data showed a still robust economy, while small-cap stocks outperfomed large-cap indexes.

The S&amp;P flash PMI showed manufacturing activity stood at 48.8 in November, in line with estimates from a Reuters poll of economists.

S&P 500, Dow touch over one-week highs after business activity data

UK retail sales declined more than expected in October, as uncertainty over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves first budget prompted consumers to hold back spending.

Global&nbsp;stocks registered&nbsp;a strong weekly gain on Friday, while US&nbsp;Treasury yields&nbsp;slipped as&nbsp;markets&nbsp;eyed President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump's likely policies&nbsp;and their&nbsp;impact on the US&nbsp;economy, even as bitcoin traded near the US$100,000 (RM446,800) threshold.

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (Nov 22, 2024)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: Nov 22, 2024

Amazon.com Inc&nbsp;is investing an additional US$4 billion (RM17.87 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, boosting its stake in one of OpenAI’s chief rivals.

As the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) chair for 2025, Malaysia has a key role in strengthening the Asean community and tackling complex regional challenges, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.

Malaysia to strengthen Asean community, tackle regional challenges as Asean chair 2025 — Mohamad

US&nbsp;bank Citigroup has received approval to establish&nbsp;its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Friday.

A measure of US business activity raced to a 31-month high in November, boosted by hopes for lower interest rates and more business-friendly policies from President-elect Donald Trump's administration next year.

US business activity gauge rises to 31-month high in November

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approved a stimulus package that’s slightly bigger than last year’s, as he followed up on a pledge to ramp up support for households and businesses struggling to cope with higher costs.

Economic Report 2022/2023

‌
‌

Economic Report 2022/2023

‌‌

‌
‌