There is a well-known judicial maxim that “a company has no soul to be damned nor a body to be imprisoned”.

When a corporation can be held criminally responsible

The judicial management scheme, introduced by Malaysia's Companies Act 2016 (CA 2016), represents a significant shift in the nation’s corporate rescue framework. The scheme presents a new way to help financially-distressed companies rehabilitate without going into liquidation. Rooted in Singaporean and UK laws, the scheme is detailed in sections 403 to 430 of CA 2016 and is regulated by the Companies (Corporate Rescue Mechanisms) Rules 2018. The law on judicial management became effective in Malaysia on March 1, 2018.

Judicial management as a corporate rescue tool: A call for balance between secured and unsecured creditors

The Malaysian oil palm industry stands as a cornerstone of our economy, driving rural development, alleviating poverty, generating employment and contributing significantly to government revenues.

Oil palm industry’s future hinges on urgent replanting thrust in Budget 2025

Social enterprises (SEs) are more than just a business model — they are a movement. Globally, their significance is undeniable.

According to the World Economic Forum, SEs generate a staggering US$2 trillion in revenue and are responsible for creating nearly 200 million jobs.

Even more striking is the fact that half of these enterprises are led by women, underscoring the pivotal role SEs play not only in driving economic growth but also in promoting gender equality and empowering communities across the world.

Catalysing an inclusive, resilient and impactful social enterprise movement: Key priorities for Malaysia’s Budget 2025

US Vice President Kamala Harris released a detailed policy book at end-September. The words “national debt”are mentioned only once. At this month’s US presidential debate, the word “debt” was not mentioned once. Neither were the words“revenue,”“spending,” and “budget.”

To be fair, Harri...

The Policy Puzzle: The Debt That Shall Not Be Named

It is now conventional wisdom that global capital flows to the developing world are pro-cyclical, increasing when advanced economies ease monetary policy and retreating when their interest rates rise. A case in point is the growing number of developing countries experiencing liquidity and solvenc...

The Frontiers Of Growth: The World Needs Bigger and Better Financial Firefighters

The outcome of November’s US presidential election will have profound consequences for democracies worldwide and for geopolitical flashpoints like Ukraine, the Middle East, and Taiwan. But the potential economic fallout could be equally far-reaching. In today’s interconnected global economy, with...

Real World Economics: Economics, Empathy, and the US Election

We live in a time where the price of being cheap is too high and being less bad does not create value anymore.

Abating climate change or weaning societies off fossil fuels is a noble mission, which should be pursued albeit pragmatically. However, policy makers, activists and, for that matter, journalists should also not be allowed to turn this mission into a quixotic crusade where we, like lemmings, are expected to jump off a cliff focusing entirely on optics and less so on real outcomes.

The high price of idealism: Why pragmatism must lead the climate fight

In normal circumstances, wars are launched with total stealth to maximise the element of surprise. It is one of the most important dimensions of warfare, whether it is staged by the states or sub-state groups.

Strategic realism in the Israeli-Iranian war

To Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the dominant political figure in Malaysia for much of the country’s life, currency traders had accrued way too much power. They were prone to charge from one direction to another with a herd mentality and little regard for who got trampled.

Malaysia loses its FX rebel tag — and wins

The Malaysian government established the windfall profit levy (WPL) to tax what it deemed excessive profits from oil palm growers. This is governed under the enactment of the Windfall Profit Levy (Oil Palm Fruit) Order 2023, which stems from the Windfall Profit Levy Act of 1998, originally introduced in 1999 as response to the Asian Financial Crisis.

Decoding the windfall profit levy conundrum in the palm oil industry 

Western observers often view China as either a rising superpower on the cusp of global dominance or a fragile country on the brink of collapse. These contradictory takes amplify only one side of China’s economic trajectory: a tech boom alongside a growth slump.

This paradox can be attri...

The New Global Economy: China’s Economic Paradox

On the morning of July 13, 2022, nothing seemed certain about Sri Lanka.

Just two months prior, the country had declared bankruptcy and defaulted on more than US$50 billion of sovereign debt. Its self-styled ‘patriotic’ president had just fled the country, cowering in the back of a cargo plane. For several days, it was not clear who was running Sri Lanka.

Inside the enigma of Sri Lanka’s new leadership: Ranil's legacy and Anura's destiny

As Malaysia prepares for its future economic landscape, ensuring the development of a future-ready talent pipeline is essential. The country's focus on sectors like semiconductors, digital technology, and manufacturing demonstrates the need for a workforce equipped with both technical and soft skills. The challenge lies in aligning Malaysia’s workforce capabilities with industry requirements, while also addressing talent retention, underemployment, and job mismatches.

Building a future-ready workforce: Bridging economic demand and talent development

JAKARTA (Oct 13): Apple launched the iPhone 16 globally on Sept 10; however, its official marketing in Indonesia has been delayed due to pending permits from the Ministry of Industry.

Indonesia delays Apple’s iPhone 16 sale after shortfall in promised investment

(Oct 13): The European Central Bank will probably advance the global push for monetary easing in the coming week, with an interest-rate cut that policymakers had all but ruled out just a month ago.

ECB is set to deepen global easing with rate cut it didn’t expect

BEIJING (Oct 13): China's consumer inflation unexpectedly eased in September, while producer price deflation deepened, heightening pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus measures quickly to revive flagging demand and shaky economic activity.

China's deflationary pressures build in September, consumer inflation cools

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Oct 13): His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan on Sunday to begin a three-day state visit to Brunei.

Malaysian King, Queen arrive in Brunei for three-day state visit

SHAH ALAM (Oct 13): The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) will not hesitate to shut down any private religious school in the state found to be involved in abuse, sexual harassment, or actions that violate the fundamental principles of Islam.

Private religious schools involved in abuse face strict action — JAIS

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 13): Budget 2025 will take into account the views and recommendations of various parties, industries, and citizens across all walks of life, which had been put forth during the various engagement sessions held nationwide.

Budget 2025 takes into account proposals from industries, the people — Treasury sec-gen

WASHINGTON (Oct 12): Russia and China blocked a proposed consensus statement for the East Asia Summit drafted by Southeast Asian countries, mainly over objections to language on the contested South China Sea, a US official told Reuters on Saturday.

US official accuses Russia and China of blocking Asean leaders' statement

BENGALURU (Oct 12): More than a hundred Hilton hotel workers in Seattle have walked off the job, calling for higher wages, fair staffing and workloads, and the reversal of Covid-19 era cuts, the Unite Here union said on Saturday.

Hundreds of Hilton hotel workers walk off the job in Seattle

BEIRUT/CAIRO (Oct 12): Israel ordered more evacuations and targeted a new location in northern Lebanon on Saturday, as a third United Nations (UN) peacekeeper was wounded in Israel's escalating conflict with Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Israel orders evacuation of more southern Lebanese towns

HANOI (Oct 13): Vietnam and China agreed on Saturday to boost defence and security cooperation, the Vietnamese government said, despite their years-long maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

Chinese premier in Hanoi agrees to boost ties with Vietnam

BENGALURU (Oct 12): More than a hundred Hilton hotel workers in Seattle have walked off the job, calling for higher wages, fair staffing and workloads, and the reversal of Covid-19 era cuts, the Unite Here union said on Saturday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Avaland Bhd (KL:AVALAND) is unveiling the 13.4-acre masterplan of its integrated Avenue25 development in Subang Jaya on Oct 12. The project will feature various components, such as residential, commercial, retail and office, as well as a transport hub.

Creating a sustainable integrated development

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Poignant best describes the year 1948. It began with the assassination of Indian pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi by an extremist. Midway through, our tanahair (homeland Malaysia) was rocked by what would be the start of a guerrilla war between the military forces of the Federation of Malaya and the Communists, that would become known as the Malayan Emergency, or Darurat Tanah Melayu. Happening almost concurrently 8,000km away in the Middle East was what is now referred to as the Nakba.

Brave heart

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 13): Budget 2025 will take into account the views and recommendations of various parties, industries, and citizens across all walks of life, which had been put forth during the various engagement sessions held nationwide.&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (Oct 12): Russia and China blocked a proposed consensus statement for the East Asia Summit drafted by Southeast Asian countries, mainly over objections to language on the contested South China Sea, a US&nbsp;official told Reuters on Saturday.