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 

Oil steadied after a four-day slump, as Middle East supply concerns eased and traders tracked diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war. West Texas Intermediate held above US$95 a barrel, after losing more than 9% over the four prior sessions, while Brent settled near US$100.

Oil steadies after four-day drop as traders look to Hormuz flows

Asian equities and Wall Street stock-index futures advanced after the US described talks with China as “very successful” ahead of a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping this week. Oil fell for a fourth day.

Asian stocks and US futures rise, oil extends drop

The last stretch of a busy week for markets saw stocks churning as bond yields rose, with investors also facing the expiration of a pile of options that spurred a surge in trading volume.

S&P 500 volume spikes on US$7 trillion options day

The main US stock indices advanced on Monday, powered by gains in artificial intelligence (AI) firms, as Treasury yields eased and crude prices tumbled more than 3% to hit an 11-day low on the prospect of a breakthrough in Middle East talks at a United Nations meeting this week.

Wall St rises on AI gains as oil slides, Treasury yields retreat

Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) service providers are updating their systems to recognise the design and features of the new-generation MyKad for identity verification.

eKYC providers updating systems for new generation MyKad — NRD

Police are hunting the suspects behind arson attacks on two convenience stores in Kuching and Sri Aman on Sunday, in which objects believed to contain explosives or flammable materials were thrown into the premises.

Sarawak police hunt suspects in explosive attacks on two convenience stores

Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) shares jumped on Monday, putting the company on track to close above US$1 trillion (RM4.08 trillion) in market value for the first time amid renewed optimism for chipmakers necessary to power artificial intelligence (AI).

AMD set to top US$1 tril in market value as chip stocks soar

China is over halfway to meeting its pledge to buy 25 million tonnes of US soybeans this year, but progress on a separate commitment to spend billions of dollars more on American crops has largely stalled.

China’s selective crop buying tests US trade truce before summit

Vladimir Putin is set to travel to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit hosted by President Xi Jinping but is likely to skip the Group of 20 (G20) in the US with Donald Trump.

Putin plans to attend Xi’s Apec summit and skip G20 with Trump — Bloomberg

CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued President Donald Trump and other members of his administration on Monday for banning them from White House grounds, saying it violated their rights to free speech and a free press under the US Constitution's First Amendment.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico suing Trump over White House ban

Nearly two-thirds of Malaysia’s wage earners were in semi- and low-skilled jobs in 2025, with median monthly wages of RM2,223 or less, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Nearly two-thirds of Malaysians made RM2,200 or less a month in 2025 — official data

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim left the Negeri Sembilan Palace in Changkat Persekutuan here on Monday after an audience of nearly an hour with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Anwar leaves Negeri Sembilan Palace after hour-long audience with Tuanku Muhriz

Excel Force MSC Bhd (KL:EFORCE), one of the companies linked to businessman Wong Thean Soon, has proposed a private placement to raise up to RM10.98 million for working capital and free up funds for a software project.

Excel Force proposes RM11 mil placement for working capital after TS Wong sell-off   

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

Pekat, Gamuda, Southern Score Builders, Powerwell, Straits Energy, CTOS Digital, Dialog, Excel Force, M&A Equity, Winstar Capital & Inspace Creation

A minimum of 30% Bumiputera equity ownership is no longer a requirement for private limited companies operating private educational institutions (IPS) under the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Education Ministry relaxes Bumiputera equity requirement for private educational institutions

Powerwell Holdings Bhd (KL:PWRWELL) said on Monday it has secured two contracts worth RM190.42 million for the supply of low-voltage&nbsp;switchgear and related equipment for a data centre project in Johor.

Powerwell secures RM190m orders to supply low voltage switchgear for data centre in Johor

Putri Norlisa Najib, the eldest daughter of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has joined CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) as an independent non-executive director.

CTOS appoints Najib's daughter Putri Norlisa as independent director

Dialog Group Bhd (KL:DIALOG) said its RAJA Cluster small field asset production sharing contract (PSC) has received approval from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) for an US$81 million (RM330.29 million) field development and abandonment plan.

Dialog gets PETRONAS approval for US$81m RAJA Cluster development plan

Former High Court judge Datuk Duncan Sikodol has been appointed to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Anti-Corruption Advisory Board for the 2026-2029 term.

Former High Court judge Duncan Sikodol joins MACC advisory board

M&amp;A Equity Holdings Bhd (KL:M&amp;A) said its non-executive director Thong Mei Chuen has been redesignated as non-executive chairperson, effective Monday.

M&A Equity Holdings redesignates Thong Mei Chuen as non-executive chairperson

Police and the Prisons Department held a coordination meeting on Monday to assess the security aspects of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s residence in preparation for the former prime minister's house arrest.

House arrest: Police, Prisons Dept meet to assess security at Najib's residence

China has expelled two top military officers, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, from the Communist Party and the military over "serious violations of discipline and law", the state-run Xinhua news agency said on Monday.

China expels two top generals from party and military, alleging disloyalty, corruption

The 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), opening at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) this Wednesday, is expected to attract 50,000 visitors from 45 countries.

Mihas 2026 expected to attract 50,000 visitors from 45 countries — Matrade

Every Sept&nbsp;12, the United Nations marks the International Day for South-South Cooperation. The language surrounding it centres on solidarity, mutual development, knowledge sharing, and cooperation among developing economies, presented as an aspiration. Some countries have taken this further, turning South-South cooperation into something decidedly commercial by bringing not just their products but also their capital, technology, expertise, and capabilities into new markets.

Opinion: The US$7.2 tril shift — What the Global South means for Malaysian business

The main US stock indices advanced on Monday, powered by gains in artificial intelligence (AI) firms, as Treasury yields eased and crude prices tumbled more than 3% to hit an 11-day low on the prospect of a breakthrough in Middle East talks at a United Nations meeting this week.

Winstar Capital Bhd (KL:WINSTAR) proposes to issue a RM300 million sukuk to finance investments and land acquisition, as well as to refinance existing loans.

Winstar Capital plans RM300 million sukuk for investments, land acquisition, refinancing

Straits Energy Resources Bhd (KL:STRAITS) has proposed a share capital reduction to eliminate RM90 million in accumulated losses.

Straits Energy Resources proposes capital reduction to wipe out RM90 million in losses

Malaysia is heading into a far more difficult economic environment in the final quarter of the year.

Opinion: War, oil and votes: Anwar’s triple budget dilemma

（吉隆坡21日讯）受一系列利好消息推动，恒源炼油（Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd）（KL:HENGYUAN）周一急升且涨停，创4年来新高。

利好消息推动 恒源创4年新高

Interior fit-out firm Inspace Creation Bhd (KL:INSPACE) has won a subcontract of RM34.75 million to undertake renovation works on commercial properties.

Economic Report 2025/2026

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Economic Report 2025/2026

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