DE-CIX, a carrier- and data-centre-neutral internet exchange point headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, believes that the Malaysian government is becoming more committed to advancing its digital infrastructure and its economy.

Putrajaya more committed to advancing digital infrastructure and economy — DE-CIX

Revised Budget 2023: Full speech of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): RHB Investment Bank Research said consistent with its view, the revised Budget 2023 remains mildly expansionary with no major changes in the policies. The total allocation was revised upward to RM386.1 billion versus RM372.3 billion tabled by the previous government in October 2022.

No major surprises in revised Budget 2023, says RHB IB

Middle-income earners, more commonly known as the M40 group, were specifically mentioned in the revised Budget 2023, as they are also bearing the brunt of the rising cost of living, besides the B40 group.

Revised Budget 2023 offers various perks for M40 group

The revised Budget 2023 strikes a balance between the need to support the economy and the commitment on fiscal consolidation, said OCBC Bank.

Chief economist of OCBC Bank Selena Ling in a statement on Friday (Feb 24) said the budget tabled was in line with market and OCBC’s expectation, with a resolve to see the budget deficit reduced to 5% from 5.6% of GDP in 2022.

OCBC Bank: Revised Budget 2023 supports economy, prioritizes fiscal consolidation

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said that the revised Budget 2023 tabled on Friday (Feb 24) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lacked support for the manufacturing industry.

“We are disappointed that Budget 2023 has not provided any assistance to support trade for industries to expand their market access as many face severe impact to their existing markets due to the prolonged Ukraine-Russia conflict,” said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai in a statement.

FMM: Revised Budget 2023 lacks support for manufacturing

The revised Budget 2023 enables inclusive and sustainable economic growth, instils confidence through institutional and governance reforms, as well as advance social justice, said Khazanah Research Institute (KRI).

Revised Budget 2023 ensures inclusive growth for individuals and corporates, says KRI and ICDM

The government proposed another round of special voluntary disclosure programme (SVDP) with full penalty waiver starting June this year till end-2024.

The Inland Revenue Board and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department will be tasked to revive this programme again, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of revised Budget 2023 to Parliament on Friday (Feb 24).

Govt proposes new round of tax amnesty with full penalty waiver

Banks in Malaysia believe the Madani Budget has a good balancing act on improving the welfare of the rakyat while supporting the growth of businesses to move Malaysia forward, especially in the post-pandemic era and amid inflationary pressures.

Banks view Madani Budget as having fine balance to help businesses and citizens

The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) has called on the government to include imposing an excise duty on electronic cigarettes and vaping products that do not contain nicotine as part of the revised Budget 2023 proposals.

In welcoming the government’s move to impose an excise duty on e-cigarettes and vaping products containing nicotine, MCTC said: "The government must also acknowledge that a large part of the e-cigarette and vaping product market consists of products which do not contain nicotine, and the consumption of these products make up a large part of the purported RM2 billion per year income reported by the vape industry.

Consider imposing excise duty on no-nicotine e-cigarettes, vapes, MCTC tells Govt

The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) urged the government to implement the Mass Rapid Transit Circle Line (MRT3) project, which will allow the construction industry to benefit from the multiplier effect, following the government’s decision to review the project.

Revised Budget 2023: MBAM urges govt to commence MRT3 project to revive construction sector

Some government-linked companies (GLCs) and private companies will take over the Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) programme.

Among them are Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), DRB-Hicom Bhd, Sunway Bhd and Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his speech on the revised Budget 2023.

PM: GLCs and private companies to take over TVET programme

The roll-out of dual-class shares on Bursa Malaysia and capital gains tax on disposal of non-listed shares announced in the revised Budget 2023 may aid in reinvigorating the local capital market, MIDF Research said.

Touching on Putrajaya’s intent to review the implementation of a low-rate capital gains tax on the disposal of non-listing shares, the research house said the measure may attract more listings on the local bourse at the granular level.

Budget 2023 measures may aid capital market’s reinvigoration, says MIDF

The government’s plan to impose capital gains tax on disposal of non-listed shares in 2024 has caught the attention of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), which is concerned that it may eventually be widened to cover other asset classes.

Revised Budget 2023: ACCCIM concerned capital gains tax could be widened to cover other asset classes

The government is compiling data on refugee communities nationwide through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme under National Security Council (MKN) directive No 23, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Govt collecting data on refugees nationwide under MKN directive — DPM

Pakatan Harapan (PH) will implement a prudent campaign in the Melaka state election (PRN) by explaining the unity government's initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the rakyat.

PH to implement prudent campaign approach in Melaka state election — Saifuddin

(Oct 27): Commodity trader Mercuria Energy Group accused the Baltic Exchange of continuing to publish the world’s benchmark oil tanker rate, despite distortions caused by the Iran war, because it feared losing business to a competitor.

Lawyers for Mercuria kicked off a London trial clai...

Mercuria says rival fears drove disputed Baltic tanker rate

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were set for their biggest one-day gain in more than a month on Monday as tech stocks advanced after Anthropic's IPO filing put artificial intelligence (AI) back in focus at the start of a week packed with corporate earnings and the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision.

Wall St rises as Anthropic's IPO filing sharpens focus on AI trade

Brazilian stocks and the real currency posted historic losses on Monday after the surprise reelection of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reversed recent market bets on a right-wing ascent to power.

Brazil stocks, real tumble as Lula win shifts investor focus

Malaysia will seek clarification from Myanmar over reports that hundreds of migrants recently returned to the country are being held in military detention, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said on Monday.

Malaysia to seek clarification over reports of detained Myanmar returnees

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

Matang, PIE Industrial, GDB, Pansar, Aneka Jaringan, Berjaya Property, Citaglobal, SSF Home, KKB Engineering, Econpile, Malton, West River & T7 Global 

Accelerating the Asean Power Grid requires strong government-to-government cooperation to manage each country’s priorities, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) president and chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Ahmad.

G2G cooperation crucial to push Asean power grid, says Tenaga chief

Bitcoin retreated below US$80,000 (RM326,620) on as investors remained cautious while weathering big swings in tech earnings for clues on the outlook for the artificial intelligence (AI) trade.

Bitcoin dips back below US$80,000 while AI trade faces scrutiny

Wall Street strategists are warning that declines in shares of artificial intelligence (AI) cloud-computing providers will spill into other corners of the tech trade, potentially dragging the US stock market down to its June lows.

CoreWeave rout sends warning sign to rest of stock market

Matang Bhd (KL:MATANG) has suspended its chief financial officer and acting chief operating officer Tan Theng Hwee pending an internal investigation into governance, operational and management conduct matters.

Matang suspends CFO, acting COO Tan Theng Hwee amid internal probe

GDB Holdings Bhd (KL:GDB) has secured its largest job to date, a RM1.02 billion construction contract for a luxury residential development in Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur.

GDB lands biggest job to date with RM1.02 bil construction contract at Desa ParkCity

Tan Sri Tan Kean Soon, who was recently charged with cheating a businessman of more than RM10 million, has disposed of his entire direct stake of 74.18 million shares in T7 Global Bhd (KL:T7GLOBAL), with his wife, Puan Sri Shirley Law Siong Hiong, acquiring the same number of shares.

Tan Kean Soon sells 74.18 mil T7 Global shares to wife in RM8.53 mil deal

Lufthansa Airlines on Monday launched its non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt, Germany, restoring a direct air link between the two cities after nearly a decade.

Lufthansa resumes KL-Frankfurt direct flight service after nearly a decade

Datuk Ahmad Azman Abdul Manaf, a lifelong stockbroker and chief executive of SJ Securities Sdn Bhd, died over the weekend. He was 65.

Longtime CEO of SJ Securities Ahmad Azman Abdul Manaf dies

The Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) has sold a parcel of leasehold land in Ampang Hilir to the United States government for RM420 million through a tender process, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

Khaled: LTAT sold Ampang Hilir leasehold land to US for RM420m

The US$50 billion (RM204 billion) investment announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently includes strategic plans by a major international company to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Tanjung Embang.

US$50 bil AI investment: Tanjung Embang identified as strategic location, says Abang Johari

Malaysia is scheduled to receive its first two South Korean-made FA-50M Block 20 light combat aircraft this Friday, Oct 30, as part of a procurement of 18 such aircraft worth nearly RM4 billion.

Malaysia to get first two South Korean-made FA-50M aircraft on Friday — minister

Soybean futures fell to a two-month low in Chicago, while coffee and sugar slumped as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s surprise election win in Brazil hit the nation’s currency, boosting export prospects for the commodity powerhouse.

Soybeans hit two-month low as Lula’s win lifts China trade outlook

Malaysian plastic packaging firms’ earnings may have peaked in the second quarter and will moderate as costs rise and demand growth slows, said an analyst.

Plastic packaging firms' earnings likely peaked in 2Q — Kenanga

PIE Industrial Bhd (KL:PIE) is banking on growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) servers and higher production volumes to drive an earnings recovery in the second half of its financial year ending Dec 31, 2026 (FY2026), with full-year performance expected to improve from FY2025.

PIE Industrial banks on AI servers to drive earnings recovery as production ramps up

ACE-Market bound MyDCD Bhd is optimistic there is demand for its core engineering services outside the Klang Valley amid a data centre boom across the country. &nbsp;

ACE-Market bound MyDCD looks beyond Klang Valley amid data centre building boom

Berjaya Property Bhd (KL:BPROP) has proposed to raise its stake in Manjaran Sdn Bhd to 49% by acquiring Citaglobal Bhd's (KL:CITAGLB) entire 20% stake in the integrated logistics hub developer.

Berjaya Property plans to boost stake in Manjaran to 49% via acquisition of Citaglobal's 20% stake

Pansar Bhd (KL:PANSAR) has secured a letter of acceptance (LOA) from KKB Engineering Bhd (KL:KKB) for a RM170.9 million subcontract involving the second phase of water infrastructure upgrades in Samalaju, Sarawak.

Pansar bags RM170.9 mil subcontract for water infrastructure upgrade in Sarawak

A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Monday.

FBM KLCI ends four-day winning streak on Oct 26, closing down 0.45% at 1,604.36

Semiconductor equipment maker Edelteq Holdings Bhd (KL:EDELTEQ) plans to invest RM15.3 million for a controlling 51% stake in Nixma Technology (M) Sdn Bhd, as it seeks to expand its factory automation capabilities and diversify its earnings base across more industrial sectors.

Edelteq buys into factory automation firm to expand earnings base

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

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has extended the approval period for electronic trading platforms from three to five years and made it mandatory for operators to monitor trading activities and report suspicious patterns.

Bank Negara extends electronic trading platform approvals to five years, mandates monitoring

Mobilising private capital and preparing the national grid for more renewable energy are critical to meeting rising electricity demand while balancing economic growth, affordability and environmental protection.

Financing and grid readiness key to accelerating energy transition

Businessman Calvin Lau Chuen Yien has emerged as a substantial shareholder in Solution Group Bhd (KL:SOLUTN) after his investment vehicle Lavin Group Sdn Bhd increased its stake in the engineering solutions provider to 10.06%.

Revised Budget 2023

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