Over the past decade, more than 50% of fresh graduates had been drawing a starting salary of below RM2,000 a month, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in the Economic Outlook Report 2025.

Majority of fresh graduates entered job market with insufficient earnings

The Madani economy framework has set targets for compensation of employees (CE) to GDP at 40% by 2025 and 45% by 2033. This was 33.1% in 2023.

Low average wage growth highlights need for meaningful hikes  

The federal government's debt is projected to rise at a slower pace of 6% in 2025 compared with 7.5% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in its Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

Federal govt debt growth seen slowing to 6% in 2025, still within 64% of GDP — MOF

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The federal government’s committed guarantee, which forms its debt and liabilities exposures, increased to RM231.4 billion as at end-June 2024, against RM227.4 billion in 2023.

Federal govt’s committed guarantees rise to RM231.4b as at end-June 2024, lifting total to RM407.8b

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The federal government plans to rein in its development expenditure in 2025 with more “strategic” spending, putting a cap on the rise in spending over the past decade.

Development expenditure to plateau with ‘strategic’ spending after peaking in 2023

In anticipation of a better economic outlook on both domestic and external fronts, Malaysia's labour market is poised to remain stable in 2025. The unemployment rate is expected to drop further to 3.1%, reaching its lowest point in a decade as the economy gains momentum and structural reforms take effect.

Unemployment rate to hit decade low of 3.1% in 2025

The federal government expects to hit a fresh record high of RM339.71 billion in 2025, up 5.5% against a revised estimate of RM322.05 billion in 2024, driven by an increase in both direct and indirect tax collection, according to the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) 2025 Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates.

Public revenue seen reaching record RM339.7b in 2025, but only 16.3% of GDP

As of the end of August 2024, the number of registered low-skilled foreign workers accounted for 2.5 million persons, nearing the allowable threshold of 15% of total employment, according to the Ministry of Finance in its 2025 Economic Outlook report.

Number of low-skilled foreign workers near allowable threshold at end-August 2024

The federal government's debt service charges (DSC) are expected to reach RM54.7 billion in 2025, a 7.7% rise from RM50.8 billion projected in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance's (MOF) Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

Debt service charges to rise to RM54.7 bil in 2025, up 7.7% y-o-y

Malaysia's headline inflation may accelerate in 2025 to its fastest in eight years as the Ministry of Finance (MOF) flagged potential price pressures from subsidy rationalisation and external shocks.

Inflation in Malaysia may hit eight-year high in 2025 as MOF flags subsidy rationalisation

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will cover an area governed by six local authorities in Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The sites in southern Johor proposed by the state government would span an area about five times larger than Singapore, the ministry said in the 2025 Economic Outlook report.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to cover Iskandar Malaysia, Pengerang

Malaysia’s economy is projected to expand steadily as household spending picks up while business investments and exports continue to rise, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Malaysia's economy to expand steadily after 2024 forecast revised up — MOF report 

Malaysia’s current account balance will improve this year as well as in 2025 after hitting a 26-year low in 2023, thanks to exports, tourism activities, and investment, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said.

Malaysia’s current-account surplus will widen further after 26-year low in 2023

The government will implement the global minimum tax (GMT) on multinational enterprises (MNEs) in as early as January 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen the country's tax base, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in its Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates Report.

Global minimum tax on multinational enterprises to start as early as January — MOF

The director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) said new tariffs announced by the US along with those introduced at the start of the year could lead to a contraction of around 1% in global merchandise trade volumes in 2025.

WTO says tariffs could bring contraction of 1% in global merchandise trade volumes

Suppliers to Apple Inc are following the iPhone maker lower on Thursday, as the Trump administration’s tariff announcement spurs widespread selling.

Apple is seen as especially vulnerable to the tariffs given it counts China as a major manufacturing hub, and Trump’s country-specific levies included a sharp hike on China.

Apple suppliers tumble as tariffs hit iPhone supply chain

Fitch Ratings downgraded China’s sovereign rating on concerns over weakening finances and rising public debt, just one day after the US imposed higher tariffs on the country. 

The cut takes China’s long-term foreign currency default rating to "A" from "A+" with a stable outlook, Fitch said in a statement on Thursday. China’s Finance Ministry responded with a strong rebuke, describing the decision as biased and not reflective of reality.

Fitch cuts China rating on weakening finances, debt concerns

Wall Street economists said the US risks a recession this year and inflation could return to pandemic levels following the Trump administration’s announcement of major tariffs on global trading partners.

Economists slash US growth, boost inflation forecasts on tariffs

Heavyweight technology stocks led a broad selloff on Wall Street on Thursday after President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on major trade partners ignited fears of an all-out trade war and raised the risk of a global economic recession.

Wall Street plunges as Trump tariffs trigger recession fears

World cocoa and coffee prices fell on Wednesday as investors fretted that President Donald Trump's move to slap punishing tariffs on US imports would damage chocolate and coffee demand in the world's top consumer of the products.

Coffee and cocoa slide as Trump tariffs spark demand worries

The US stock market is down almost 10% since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking the worst 10-week start under a new president since George W Bush in 2001 during the height of the dot-com selloff.

Trump’s second term brings worst stock market start since 2001

French President Emmanuel Macron urged companies to pause investments in the US after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on the European Union (EU) and other regions.

France’s Macron urges EU companies to pause US investments

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

Mayu Global, Tuju Setia, Iskandar Waterfront City, TNB, HHRG

The revival in small caps expected from Donald Trump’s America First agenda instead turned into a rout for shares in companies whose fortunes are most closely tied to the US economy.

The Russell 2000 Index plunged as much as 6.6% on Thursday and is now down more than 20% from its all-time high reached in late 2021.

Russell hits bear market with small caps buffeted by tariff wave

Microsoft Corp has pulled back on data centre projects around the world, suggesting the company is taking a harder look at its plans to build the server farms powering artificial intelligence and the cloud.

Microsoft pulls back on data centres from Chicago to Jakarta

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has issued a stark warning regarding the US' decision to impose a 24% reciprocal tariff on Malaysian exports from April 9, saying it could lead to significant reduction in export volumes, job losses and supply chain disruptions affecting both Malaysian producers and US-linked multinational operations here.

Malaysian manufacturers sound alarm over US tariff, call for strategic govt action

Steel products maker Mayu Global Group Bhd (KL:MAYU) said its executive director Tan Kim Hee has been detained by the police.

He was held by Bukit Aman police on April 2 to assist in an ongoing investigation, said the group, formerly known as Atta Global Group Bhd, in a bourse filing.

Mayu Global executive director Tan Kim Hee detained by police

The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) has called on the government to consider "emergency support measures" to help the industry weather the impact of the sweeping new duties imposed by the US.

Rubber glove makers urge govt to consider emergency support measures amid US tariffs

Rebuilding US infrastructure: Our picks of steel stocks. Read more in the Apr 7 edition of The Edge Malaysia Weekly. Pick up from the newsstands or subscribe at https://theedgemalaysia.com/subscription

Rebuilding US infrastructure: Our picks of steel stocks

Heavyweight technology stocks led a broad selloff on Wall Street on Thursday after President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on major trade partners ignited fears of an all-out trade war and raised the risk of a global economic recession.

Loss-making LYC Healthcare Bhd’s (KL:LYC) chief financial officer (CFO) Chong Sook Peng has resigned, with effect from May 30, 2025.

LYC Healthcare CFO resigns a little over a year into service

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

FBM KLCI down 0.5% to 1,518.91 on April 3, 2025

Southeast Asian nations reeled on Thursday as they were hit with some of President Donald Trump's heftiest tariffs, which now threaten the economies that have benefited from investment since he imposed levies on China during his first term.

Vietnam, slapped with 46% tariffs, said it would set up a task force and Thailand's prime minister said she would pursue negotiations to try to reduce the 37% rate her country faces - far greater than the 11% it had expected.

Southeast Asian nations, among hardest-hit by Trump tariffs, seek talks

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

Eight Opec+ countries unexpectedly agreed on Thursday to advance their plan to phase out oil output cuts by increasing output by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May, a decision that prompted oil prices to extend earlier sharp losses.

Opec+ unexpectedly speeds up oil output hikes, oil drops

Newly-listed HI Mobility Bhd (KL:HI) has secured a RM134.94 million contract to operate an intracity bus service in Johor Bahru, under the government’s Stage Bus Service Transformation programme.

Newly-listed HI Mobility secures RM134 mil bus services contract from APAD

Builder Tuju Setia Bhd (KL:TJSETIA) has bagged a contract worth RM264.07 million for the construction of serviced apartments in Cheras, Selangor.

Tuju Setia bags RM264 mil job from MKH to build serviced apartments

Loss-making Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd (KL:IWCITY) said it has been given a six-month extension until Sept 23 to submit its regularisation plan.

Iskandar Waterfront City gets six-month extension to submit regularisation plan

Businesses around the globe on Thursday faced up to a future of higher prices and reduced access to the world's largest market after US President Donald Trump confirmed their worst fears by&nbsp;instituting broad tariffs worldwide.

Trump's tariffs to push up costs and curb exports for companies

A total of 85 houses affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya have been confirmed safe, with residents allowed to return home starting from Thursday night.

Putra Heights fire: 85 houses declared safe, residents can return home — MB

Donald Trump’s decision to boost tariffs on almost every country will deal a blow to China’s economy. But it’s also handing Xi Jinping a rare opening to deepen relationships across the board, including with key US allies in Asia and beyond.

Trump gives China’s Xi a chance to win over world hit by tariffs

Stellantis NV said on Thursday it was temporarily laying off 900 workers at five US facilities after President Donald Trump's tariffs were announced, and temporarily pausing production at an assembly plant in Mexico and one in Canada.

Stellantis says will temporarily lay off 900 US workers following tariff announcement

Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd (KL:HOHUP) on Thursday said its subsidiary, Ho Hup Jaya Sdn Bhd, is offloading two floors in Ho Hup Tower to its substantial shareholder Insas Bhd, for RM13 million, with the proceeds to be used to repay borrowings and for general working capital.

Ho Hup sells Bukit Jalil office units for RM13 mil in related-party transaction

A massive arbitrage trade that has drawn tens of billions of dollars’ worth of gold and silver to the US came to an abrupt halt with Wednesday’s announcement that precious metals would be exempt from Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Economic Report 2024/2025

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Economic Report 2024/2025

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