KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Malaysia’s ringgit, already one of the best performing currencies in Asia, could get a further boost from US monetary policy easing, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Finance Ministry sees ringgit gaining more ground

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that the upcoming Capital Market Master Plan 4 (CMP4) will facilitate capital mobilisation for a just transition, climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

Capital Market Master Plan 4 to drive just transition, climate mitigation, says MOF

The government is making a big cut to its agriculture allocation, as it shifts development focus to areas with higher economic impact. Allocations are also cut for education and training, albeit at smaller degrees, as well as security.

Agriculture takes backseat as Malaysia shifts focus to high impact sectors

Malaysia will take a “prudent yet expansionary” approach to Budget 2026, aiming to rebuild its financial strength while supporting the economy, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Malaysia plans 'prudent yet expansionary' Budget 2026 to rebuild fiscal buffers

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Malaysia is counting on stronger revenue collection and steady economic growth to shrink the budget gap, as the government plans to raise spending further next year.

Malaysia to further rein in overspending in Budget 2026

Imported fully-assembled electric vehicles (EV) will no longer be duty-free starting next year, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Excise duty exemptions on completely-built-up (CBU) EVs will be removed beginning 2026, the MOF said in its Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

No more tax holiday for imported fully-assembled EVs from 2026, says MOF

The government’s debt service charges (DSC), which are the second-largest part of its spending, are expected to grow more slowly next year due to reduced borrowing, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Malaysia’s debt service charges to grow slower in 2026

Malaysia’s economy is expected to grow between 4% and 4.5% in 2026, supported by strong domestic demand, a healthy job market and government reforms, according to the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) Economic Outlook 2026 report.

Malaysia’s economy set to stay strong in 2026 with 4%-4.5% growth, despite tariff risks

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Malaysia’s debt service charges (DSC) are expected to rise at a slower pace of 7.6% in 2025 to RM54.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Fiscal Outlook 2026 report.

Debt service charges rise at slower pace in 2025 as long maturities, domestic funding keep risks in check

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), the government has set a target for the compensation of employees (CE) to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to reach 40% by 2025. While progress has been made, the share still lags behind the target, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring that economic gains are more evenly distributed among workers.

Labour market stays robust, but labour income shares need more meaningful boost

Weaker earnings from government-linked companies (GLCs), driven by reduced global oil and gas prices, are expected to compound the financial challenges for the wider public sector, which is estimated to record a larger overall deficit in 2025.

Weaker oil prices to drag overall GLC earnings in 2025

Malaysia expects revenue measures introduced since last year to deliver a boost to the government’s coffers in 2026, even as the growth in receipts will still trail the broader economy.

Govt expects revenue boost in 2026, still trails economic growth on narrow tax base

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The federal government anticipates that growth in emoluments expenditure, which consistently makes up the largest part of its operating expenditure (opex), will remain high next year due to the upcoming phase of the civil service salary hike.

Civil service salary hikes to keep emoluments growth elevated

Malaysia’s debt ratio could surge to almost 97% of gross domestic product (GDP) if government-linked guarantees materialise, according to stress tests in the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) Fiscal Outlook 2026 report, although baseline projections show a gradual improvement in the country’s debt trajectory.

MOF’s stress tests show Malaysia’s debt could hit 97% of GDP if govt guarantees materialise 

The government is developing a sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) cloud to ensure the country’s classified information remains secure and beyond the reach of foreign laws and policies, said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

Sovereign AI cloud crucial to protecting country's digital sovereignty — Fahmi

Discussions on the list of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates for the Melaka state election are over 95% complete, said PH Communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said PH has scheduled its candidate announcement for Oct 24, with the venue to be confirmed later.

Melaka polls: PH candidate list discussions more than 95% complete — Fahmi

Chinese automakers looking to expand production capacity in Europe have ruled out Italy because of a lack of suitable factories, Italian industry minister Adolfo Urso said on Wednesday.

Chinese producers are looking to establish manufacturing plants inside the European Union as Brussels works on rules that will set minimum local content limits for electric vehicles sold in the bloc.

No auto plants available in Italy for Chinese purchase, Italian minister says

A total of 27 data centre projects with an estimated investment of RM225.97 billion have been approved under the data centre task force (DCTF) up to July 2026, according to the Digital Ministry.

Twenty-seven data centre projects worth RM226b greenlit by task force — Digital Ministry

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made headlines on Wednesday:

EcoSys, Gamuda, Epicon, AWC, JAG, Genting, Infomina, Bus Cap, IHH Healthcare

EcoSys (Malaysia) Bhd's (KL:ECOSYS)  shares almost tripled in value on its first day of listing on the ACE Market amid strong demand for a piece of the semiconductor services firm.

EcoSys shares almost triple in value on ACE Market debut

Wall Street's main indices edged lower on Wednesday after a hotter-than-expected inflation report boosted bets of an interest rate hike this month, while investors parsed more big bank earnings.

Wall Street slides as hot CPI data fuels rate-hike bets; chips, banks weigh

Yields on US Treasuries climbed across durations on Wednesday after consumer prices accelerated in September ramping up expectations that the Federal Reserve will have to increase interest rates to try to tame stubborn inflation.

US yields jump as hot consumer inflation boosts rate hike bets

Lembaga Tabung Haji is proposing amendments to the Tabung Haji Act 1995 to bar active politicians from its board.

Tabung Haji mulls legislative changes to ban politicians from board     

A week after a fellow backbender urged the federal government to reject any airline bailout requests, Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya called on Putrajaya to step in to help address AirAsia Group Bhd's (KL:AAGB) financial woes.

Sabah MP urges govt intervention over AirAsia woes just days after fellow MP warned Putrajaya against bailouts

Paper losses on Bank of America Corp’s bond portfolio rose past US$100 billion (RM408.2 billion), bringing the spotlight back on a pain point that was at the heart of the 2023 regional-banking crisis.

BofA’s bond portfolio surpasses US$100 bil in paper losses

United Malacca Bhd (KL:UMCCA) said on Wednesday that&nbsp; its executive director Datuk Seri Tee Lip Sin has died at the age of 55.

United Malacca executive director Tee Lip Sin passes away at 55

The High Court here on Wednesday refused to grant former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a stay of his jail sentence in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.

Najib fails to pause 15-year jail term, fine in 1MDB case

Operator of pharmacy chains Big Caring Group Bhd (BCG) has signed a retail underwriting agreement with Maybank Investment Bank Bhd, RHB Investment Bank Bhd and AmInvestment Bank Bhd ahead of its proposed listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.&nbsp;

Big Caring Group signs retail underwriting agreement with three banks for Main Market IPO; 1.9 bil shares to be issued

Genting Bhd (KL: GENTING) has earmarked RM280 million from its proposed RM1.25 billion rights issue to pay interest and other financing costs.

In a response to Bursa query, Genting says will use RM280m from working capital portion of rights issue for interest costs

A week after a fellow backbender urged the federal government to reject any airline bailout requests, Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya called on Putrajaya to step in to help address AirAsia Group Bhd's (KL:AAGB) financial woes.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday summoned Datuk Seri Nazir Hussin Akhtar Husin, his wife and an aide to its headquarters here to assist in an investigation into alleged misappropriation and abuse of position involving an investment deal worth about RM10 million.

MACC summons Nazir Hussin, wife, aide over RM10 million investment deal

THE 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal exposed failures that extended beyond the individuals accused of wrongdoing, raising questions about the effectiveness of the institutions and oversight mechanisms entrusted with safeguarding public funds.

The fallout has extended to auditors...

Where the buck stops when governance fails

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) said its joint venture has secured a contract worth RM3.7 billion to build the Keelung mass rapid transit system (MRT) and trackwork project in Taiwan.

Gamuda JV gets RM3.7b contract to build Taiwan urban rail system

More than a dozen US companies are exploring opportunities in Malaysia’s rare earths sector, including mining projects with local partners and processing facilities, according to the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

More than a dozen US firms explore rare earths opportunities in Malaysia — US embassy

The Malay Rulers have urged outsiders not to interfere in or politicise the dispute over the Negeri Sembilan throne, calling for the matter to be resolved by the relevant authorities through proper legal and customary channels.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad on behalf of the Malay Rulers, all parties involved were urged to exercise wisdom, patience and respect for adab, adat and the dignity of the royal institution.

Malay rulers urge outsiders not to politicise Negeri Sembilan throne dispute

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak intends to challenge the High Court’s decision on Wednesday, which had rejected his application to stay the 15-year prison sentence for his 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) conviction. The application to challenge this decision will be filed at the Court of Appeal, his lawyer said.

Najib to challenge rejection of stay bid at Court of Appeal

Bus Cap Bhd’s (KL:BUSCAP) share price jumped 22.61% on Wednesday, triggering an unusual market activity (UMA) query from Bursa Malaysia Securities.

Bus Cap jumps almost 23%, triggering UMA query

Former energy minister Yeo Bee Yin has sought government clarification on a reported increase in effective grid access charges under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) and warned that reversing last month’s announcement would undermine investor confidence.

Former energy minister seeks answer on reported CRESS charge reversal, warns of investor fallout

Malaysia and Indonesia have begun discussions to explore ways of working together to tackle forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra that have caused transboundary haze.

Haze: Discussions started with Indonesia to tackle forest fires, says Tok Mat

Kenanga Research has flagged that operational, regulatory and reputational risks have escalated at CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS), and that near-term earnings visibility has weakened amid the risk of customer attrition to rival bureaus.&nbsp;

CTOS cyber incident raises risks, weakens near-term earnings visibility — Kenanga

New Zealand’s exodus of citizens to Australia accelerated in the first three months of the year, reaching the highest in 13 years in a further blow to the government just weeks from an election, latest data show.

New Zealand exodus to Australia hits 13-year high as thousands leave

Selangor has attracted more than RM3 billion in potential investments from four foreign companies as the state seeks to strengthen its position as a regional investment and business hub.

Selangor draws over RM3 bil in investment interest from four foreign firms

US investors are favourably reassessing the traditional 60% stock, 40% bond portfolio ​strategy as a sell-off in government debt lifts yields to levels that offer more attractive income and potentially stronger future returns.

Higher yields revive the case for a new-look 60/40 portfolio

A Singapore gauge of air quality worsened to the highest category in parts of the city-state on Wednesday, as swathes of Southeast Asia choked on haze from wildfires raging in Indonesia.

Economic Report 2025/2026

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Economic Report 2025/2026

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