(Sept 27): South Korea’s excess tax revenue may exceed 50 trillion won (US$37 billion) this year, according to a Yonhap News report, reflecting factors including a stronger-than-expected semiconductor cycle.

South Korea tax windfall seen above 50 tril won — Yonhap

US consumer sentiment fell in September to a four-month low amid deepening worries about rising prices and the outlook for the economy.

US consumer sentiment falls on concerns about prices, economy

Moody’s Ratings has affirmed Axiata Group Bhd’s (KL:AXIATA) Baa2 issuer rating and baa3 baseline credit assessment, with a stable outlook, citing the telecommunications group’s diversified portfolio and resilient earnings.

Moody’s affirms Axiata’s Baa2 rating, keeps stable outlook

Sarawak Plantation Bhd (KL:SWKPLNT) is a standout dividend play, with maturing estates driving above-industry production growth and its Sarawak-only operations shielding it from Indonesian regulatory risks, according to BIMB Securities.

Sarawak Plantation stands out as dividend play with maturing estates, Sarawak-only ops — BIMB

UUE Holdings Bhd (KL:UUE) has limited near-term upside following a rally in its share price, RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) said as it downgraded the stock.

UUE has limited near-term upside after share rally, RHB IB says in downgrade

Sustained electrical and electronics (E&E) sector interest has put ViTrox Corp Bhd (KL:VITROX) in an upcycle that BIMB Securities Research says is more sustainable than its Covid-era boom, leaving room to grow — even after the stock soared 147% year to date.

ViTrox's AI-driven upcycle more durable than Covid boom, still has more room to rally — BIMB

Malaysian plantation companies with sizeable operations in Indonesia face greater regulatory uncertainty following the country’s new agrarian reform law, with SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), Genting Plantations Bhd (KL:GENP) and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KL:KLK) among those with the largest exposure, according to CIMB Securities.

Indonesia land reform raises uncertainty for Malaysian planters with exposure there — CIMB Securities

Malaysia and China have agreed on the proposed extension of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia, China agree on proposed ECRL extension to Rantau Panjang, says Anwar

Malaysia’s economy could expand by an average 5.7% in 2026, exceeding official forecasts, driven by stronger manufacturing, construction and investments, said two economists.

Malaysia’s 2026 GDP growth could hit 5.7% on stronger manufacturing, investments — economists

The Indonesian parliament's budget committee on Thursday approved total government spending of 4,106.3 trillion rupiah (US$231 billion or RM941.5 billion) in the 2027 budget, with the fiscal deficit forecast at 2.40% of GDP, the committee chair said.

Indonesia parliamentary panel approves 2027 budget with deficit at 2.4% of GDP

China plans to expand a major derivatives trading link with Hong Kong by granting global investors access to two onshore interest-rate products with standardised contracts, according to people familiar with the matter.

China plans inclusion of new products to expand derivatives trading link with Hong Kong

Chinese ports had their busiest week in history ahead of the approaching summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, extending a boom in shipments abroad in a possible sign exporters were rushing goods out of the country as uncertainty hovered over tariffs.

Busiest-ever week for China ports gives glimpse of tariff unease

Malaysia’s public finances are under rising pressure from elevated commodity prices and political uncertainty even as economic growth holds up, an economist flagged.

Malaysian govt finances under rising pressure even as growth holds up, ANZ flags

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): Financing for catalytic priority sectors has remained relatively modest despite strong policy ambitions in national master plans, with lending approvals continuing to be concentrated in services, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

BNM governor: Financing for priority sectors still modest despite policy ambitions

(Sept 27): Iran said it’s awaiting a definitive US response to a seven-day proposal for reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz but won’t soften its conditions, after President Donald Trump voiced his rejection.

Iran says won’t soften demands after Trump rejects Hormuz offer

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started an investigation into losses incurred by UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd in 2023.

MACC probes UiTM Holdings’ losses, RM42 mil solar project payment

BHUBANESWAR, India/KATHMANDU (Sept 27): Heavy rain and storms have triggered floods and landslides across parts of India and neighbouring Nepal, killing at least 19 people and leaving 10 workers missing as rivers rose above danger levels, authorities said.

Floods, landslides kill 15 in India, four in Nepal as rivers rise

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Barisan Nasional (BN) will finalise the form of political cooperation and the logo to be used for the Melaka state election after completing discussions with the relevant party leaders this week, said its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Melaka polls: BN to finalise political cooperation, logo this week — Ahmad Zahid

ZURICH (Sept 27): Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to approve a more restrictive form of neutrality that would block their ​country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with Nato.

Swiss vote on tightening neutrality rules, ending peacetime cooperation with Nato

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will hold a special meeting on Sunday night with assemblymen from the parties forming the Negeri Sembilan government to seek a solution to the political crisis in the state.

Zahid to meet Negeri Sembilan BN, PAS, Wawasan assemblymen tonight

BANGKOK (Sept 27): Floodwaters receded in many parts of the Thai capital Bangkok on Sunday after torrential rain eased, even as residents in some flooded neighbourhoods remained stranded in their homes.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) declared the capital a disaster-affect...

Bangkok floodwaters recede after torrential rain as residents count losses

TAIPEI (Sept 27): The US "very much" understands Taiwan's defence needs and the severe military threat it faces from China, a senior Taiwanese diplomat said on Sunday, following a Washington summit between the US and Chinese leaders.

US 'very much' understands Taiwan's defence needs, Taipei official says

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): A signalling system disruption between Kalumpang and Kuala Kubu Bharu on Saturday (Sept 26) left KTM Komuter and ETS services delayed by up to five hours.

Signalling disruption caused up to five-hour delays for KTM Komuter, ETS

(Sept 27): China and the US have the ability and responsibility to manage and develop artificial intelligence, according to a post published Sunday by Yuyuantantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster China Central Television.

China state media says US shares responsibility for managing AI

BANGI (Sept 26): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that the government abides by the spirit of the Federal Constitution and the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib's conditional pardon: Country cannot tolerate corruption or act of plundering national wealth, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): In this week’s cover story of City &amp; Country, we talk to Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV) executive director and chief of regional industrial business development Kevin Li and regional vice-president Syarul Izam Sarifudin on the latest update of Forest City, as well as the company’s future game plan for the 7,500-acre development in Johor.

Standing firm at Forest City

WE, the members of G25, are deeply disturbed by the unprecedented attempts to remove His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, and by the extraordinary events that have followed.&nbsp;

Opinion: G25 statement on the rule of law in Negeri Sembilan

BENGALURU (Sept 27): Boeing has identified a previously undisclosed 737 MAX software glitch that could cause an automated navigation feature to fail during landing, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing company documents.

The issue emerged from a cockpit software...

Boeing flags 737 MAX software glitch affecting landing navigation feature, WSJ reports

NEW YORK (Sept 27): The veto power of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must be challenged and ultimately abolished to address the Council’s failures, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.

He said expanding the Council’s membership alone would not be enough ...

UNSC veto must be challenged, abolished – Mohamad Hasan

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 27): Family members of the 55 Malaysians who remain missing following the glacial flash flood incident in Nepal arrived at Wisma Putra as early as 9am on Sunday to meet with government representatives regarding the latest updates on the search efforts for their loved ones.

Families of 55 missing Malaysians in Nepal attend Wisma Putra briefing

BUTTERWORTH (Sept 27): The police will summon former Negeri Sembilan state executive council (exco) members starting Monday (Sept 28) and the day after to record their statements, to assist the investigation into the administrative and royal institution crisis in the state following several police reports lodged regarding the matter.

IGP: Police to record statement of former Negeri Sembilan exco

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO (Sept 27): Iran on Sunday insisted that only diplomacy can solve its conflict with the United States and Israel after US President Donald Trump said he rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting.

Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Quill Group of Companies Sdn Bhd and China Mobile International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (CMI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly explore opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) digitalisation and data centres in Malaysia.

Quill Group, China Mobile International to explore AI, data centre opportunities in Malaysia

In keeping with the adage that history never repeats itself but often rhymes, I suspect that we could soon see developments in international macroeconomic policy for which there are clear precedents. As with the Plaza Accord in 1985, when the United States and four of its major trading partners agreed to coordinate policies to weaken the US dollar, a new agreement to address today’s global imbalances has become increasingly necessary.

The Emerging World: China’s External Surplus Makes a “Mandarin Accord” Inevitable

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The name John Heah might not instantly be on everyone’s lips when it comes to the topic of built spaces, but the designs dreamed up by the Penang-born, London-based principal and owner of architectural firm Heah &amp; Co have been bewitching jet-set travellers and luxury e...

Of space + style

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Six areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 9am on Sunday.

Six areas record unhealthy API readings at 9am, Johor worst hit

(Sept 27): Under the shadow of Beijing’s single-minded focus on artificial intelligence, China’s consumer stocks are trapped in a lost decade.

China’s consumer stocks face lost decade as AI steals spotlight

MELAKA (Sept 27): Pakatan Harapan (PH) Melaka has confirmed that it has completed seat allocations among its state-level component parties for the upcoming Melaka state election.&nbsp;

Melaka seat allocation completed, PH Presidential Council to finalise, says Adly Zahari

(Sept 27): Saudi Aramco has hired Evercore Inc&nbsp;to advise on a major restructuring that would create a standalone gas division and open the door to a potential future listing of the unit, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

Saudi Aramco said to work with Evercore on gas unit plans — Bloomberg

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27):&nbsp;A signalling system disruption between Kalumpang and Kuala Kubu Bharu on Saturday (Sept 26) left KTM Komuter and ETS services delayed by up to five hours.

NEW YORK (Sept 27): The Global South must have a meaningful role in shaping decisions on artificial intelligence (AI) rather than merely becoming a destination for data centres, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.

He said AI was transforming economies, societies an...

Global South must have greater say in AI governance, says Mohamad Hasan

(Sept 27):&nbsp;South Korea’s excess tax revenue may exceed 50 trillion won (US$37 billion) this year, according to a Yonhap News report, reflecting factors including a stronger-than-expected semiconductor cycle.

WASHINGTON (Sept 26): The US Transportation Department on Monday will finalise sharply lower vehicle fuel economy standards through 2031, reversing a push by the Biden administration ​to force automakers to build more electric vehicles, officials said on Saturday.

US to finalise sharply lower vehicle fuel economy standards

BANGKOK (Sept 27): Floodwaters receded in many parts of the Thai capital Bangkok on Sunday after torrential rain eased, even as residents in some flooded neighbourhoods remained stranded in their homes.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) declared the capital a disaster-affect...

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