Over the past decade, scholars and journalists have been writing about what the march of digital technology means for humanity with a mixture of hope and anxiety: hope because of the rise in living standards that the digital revolution has made possible, and anxiety because it has deepened social...

Real World Economics: How to Stop the AI-pocalypse

When President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington last week, AI governance was expected to be at the top of the agenda. The United States and China have been racing to develop increasingly powerful AI systems, and neither has shown much appetite for slowing down. But ...

Sinonomics: Preventing an AI World War

The prime minister’s pre-Budget 2027 remarks have put practical support for smallholders and agro-commodity businesses in the spotlight. The government is considering RM425.65 million for agro-commodity initiatives, including RM280.03 million for oil palm smallholder replanting, RM100 million for farm roads, RM28.57 million for disaster and disease control, and RM17.05 million for downstream agro-commodity entrepreneurs. These are proposals under consideration, not confirmed Budget allocations.

Opinion: Budgeting beyond the harvest

Malaysia has spent years laying the foundations for a modern industrial economy. Budget 2027 should now focus on a different challenge: lifting productivity across the economy.

Opinion: Malaysia needs greater productivity, not more programmes

Based on the government’s pre-budget statement, recent comments from the finance minister and current tax-industry expectations, the following areas would be most closely watched, in all likelihood.

SST reform — probably the biggest tax story

The government has explicitly sa...

Opinion: Budget 2027 expectations 

ORLANDO, Florida (Oct 1): Wednesday closed the books on an extraordinary quarter. A 40% rebound in Brent crude oil, record-high diesel prices, bond yields at 20-year highs and AI's threat to wipe out

Opinion: If a bruising third quarter can’t halt Wall Street, what can?

In his second administration, Donald Trump has injected the federal government deep into private markets and undermined the independence of government agencies and institutions. Most notably, he repeatedly and publicly pressured the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. In a sharp departure fr...

Making Globalisation Work: Trump’s 21st-Century Mercantilism

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) recommends. The board approves. Liability stays human.

Opinion: Directors’ fiduciary duty of care redefined in the age of AI

MALAYSIA has seen the weapon. It has not measured the wound.

Opinion: They knew our fault lines. We still do not know our voters.

Two lawsuits filed within days of each other in late July and early August have renewed a question that matters to every investor. When financial statements rest on estimates that could go either way, what does a “clean” audit opinion actually guarantee?

Opinion: When audit opinions meet uncertain numbers

NEW YORK (Sept 30): Cost of living concerns in the US are very real, but the debate about affordability involves statistics that often aren’t as straightforward as they seem.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data released on Wednesday showed that inflation rose by 0.3% o...

Opinion: What do US politicians agree on? Inflation is the other party’s fault

LONDON (Sept 30): If you think all the new investment spending pouring into the world economy right now is solely targeted at Big Tech and AI, you're only half right. According to some estimates, the planned increase in Group of Seven (G7) defence spending over the next ​decade may match it ...

Opinion: The $8 trillion arms surge fuelling AI — and spooking bonds

THIS commentary attempts to answer this question.

Opinion: Can the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan revoke the appointments of the members of the State Executive Council?

“At the pleasure of the King” — what if the King is displeased?

The phrase is not what it seems.

Many have misinterpreted it. And a great many have given the phrase its literal meaning, forgetting and, in some cases, even in ignorance, that it is a legal phrase that has its ow...

Opinion: At the pleasure of the King

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards turns 17 this year. The trust, support and goodwill — accumulated since 2010 — have helped make our simple desire to recognise, honour and celebrate the biggest and the best of Corporate Malaysia into a tradition, perhaps more. The Edge Media Group chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong thinks we can safely call the Billion Ringgit Club an institution. I agree.

Institutionalising excellence

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards 2026 brought together Corporate Malaysia’s leaders and top-performing companies on Sept 23 for an evening of celebration and recognition.

An evening of corporate excellence

Speech by Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, Chairman of The Edge Media Group

Let the winners emerge through competition and merit

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) winning the grand award — Company of the Year — at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards 2026 marks another milestone for the construction arm of Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY), as the group continues to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive industry.

Building resilience in an age of disruption

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) garnered yet another recognition at The Edge Billion Club (BRC) Awards this year. But what makes this year’s achievement special is that it took home the grand award — Company of the Year — recognising its strong performance not only financially, but also in corporate responsibility.

Built for growth

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), the only Malaysian company listed on the Fortune Global 500, took centre stage at the height of the fuel supply crisis in early 2026, when it was tasked with helping to coordinate and secure the country’s fuel supplies, going beyond its normal business activities amid disruptions in West Asia.

More than  Malaysia’s oil-and-gas steward

Growth and responsibility need not pull in opposite directions. Corporate Malaysia’s leading companies are showing that the two can go hand in hand by focusing on environmental, sustainability and governance issues most material to their businesses and stakeholders, and measuring the outcomes to continuously realign their efforts.

Doing what matters, touching lives

As private hospital operators grapple with rising medical costs, KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KL:KPJ) continues to chart a steady growth path.

Growth momentum faces new leadership test

Despite a complex reinsurance landscape marked by rising catastrophe risks, a softening pricing cycle and market volatility, MNRB Holdings Bhd (KL:MNRB) has managed to strengthen its earnings over the last three years, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of these challenges.

Record earnings despite headwinds

Solarvest Holdings Bhd (KL:SLVEST) made an emphatic debut at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards, sweeping all three trophies in the energy sector, as its rapid growth rides on Malaysia’s ambitious renewable energy (RE) goals.

Solar boom yields hat-trick wins

MARC Ratings has revised the MARCWatch status on Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) to “negative” from “developing”, citing heightened concerns over transparency, governance and “continued unavailability of material information required for an informed assessment of its credit profile”.

MARC Ratings revises Zetrix AI watch status to 'negative' on governance, disclosure concerns

The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven Iranian conditions set out in a June interim agreement with the US are met, state media reported Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying on Sunday.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until conditions are met

Malaysia’s semiconductor industry has asked Putrajaya to up reinvestment and research incentives, ease access to skilled foreign talent as well as reduce friction of doing business in Budget 2027 to enable the next phase of growth, as competition for investment intensifies globally.

Chip industry seeks bigger R&D, automation incentives in Budget 2027

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a chaotic rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday for his first victory of the season after the race start was delayed by more than 90 minutes due to treacherous conditions at the Sepang International Circuit.

Verstappen wins chaotic rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix 

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook is scheduled to speak on the suspension of My E.G. Sdn Bhd and Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) as the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) collection agents 11am Monday (Oct 5) morning.

Loke to address MyEG and Zetrix AI suspension as JPJ agents Monday

Opec+ has agreed in principle to keep oil production targets steady for November, three sources close to the matter said ahead of the group's meeting on Sunday.

Opec+ agrees in principle to keep November oil output targets steady — Reuters

Eastern &amp; Oriental Bhd (KL:E&amp;O) is on course to hit fresh record earnings this financial year ending March 31, 2027 (FY2027). The premier lifestyle property developer started the year on a strong note, driven by higher revenue recognition and sustained sales momentum despite rising raw material costs.

Looking beyond homes as healthcare adds to growth run

KSL Holdings Bhd (KL:KSL), one of Johor’s most established property developers, has quietly become one of the more compelling growth stories on Bursa Malaysia — driven by both favourable regional tailwinds and a second generation of family leadership stepping confidently into senior management.

Second generation takes the lead

As the backbone of the nation’s digital infrastructure, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (KL:TM) has been well positioned to benefit from the sustained growth in data consumption and the rising influx of data centre investments.

Connecting Malaysia’s digital transition

KLCCP Stapled Group (KL:KLCC) — Malaysia’s largest real estate investment trust (REIT) and custodian of the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Menara ExxonMobil, Menara 3 PETRONAS, Suria KLCC and Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur — has just wrapped up another year of record financial performance.

Staying robust on tourism push

Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) takes home The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) corporate award for highest return on equity (ROE) over three years this year — ending a five-year drought from the winners’ list.

Ending a five-year drought with maiden sectoral win

Returning to the winners’ list after a one-year hiatus, CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) takes The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) award for Highest growth in profit after tax over three years in the Telecommunications &amp; Media sector this year.

Seasoned player makes a comeback on winners list

Frontken Corp Bhd (KL:FRONTKN) is no stranger to The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards, having built a strong financial track record among Bursa Malaysia’s technology companies.

Disciplined growth keeps returns shining

Having marked its 40th anniversary in 2025 with another record financial performance and its first The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) corporate award, VSTECS Bhd (KL:VSTECS) has set a high bar for itself for the decade ahead.

Digital-future enabler seeking ‘optimum returns’

IGB Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:IGBREIT) has built a reputation for keeping its malls well occupied, growing rentals and continually refreshing its retail offerings to attract shoppers.

Mid Valley Southkey expands growth runway

It is the third consecutive year that Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd (KL:MATRIX) is taking home The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) award for Highest return on equity (ROE) over three years among property companies below RM3 billion market capitalisation, underscoring its consistency and strategic execution.

A strong boost from Vision Valley City

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) winning the grand award — Company of the Year — at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards 2026 marks another milestone for the construction arm of Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY), as the group continues to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive industry.

Spritzer Bhd’s (KL:SPRITZER) debut at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) has been a rewarding one. The bottled water producer clinched its first award for Highest returns to shareholders over three years in the consumer products &amp; services sector after its adjusted share price more than tripled during the award assessment period.

Making a splash with a maiden win 

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) garnered yet another recognition at The Edge Billion Club (BRC) Awards this year. But what makes this year’s achievement special is that it took home the grand award — Company of the Year — recognising its strong performance not only financially, but also in corporate responsibility.

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards turns 17 this year. The trust, support and goodwill — accumulated since 2010 — have helped make our simple desire to recognise, honour and celebrate the biggest and the best of Corporate Malaysia into a tradition, perhaps more. The Edge Media Group chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong thinks we can safely call the Billion Ringgit Club an institution. I agree.

Opinion

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