The government is planning several megaprojects in the agricultural sector, including the first phase of a large-scale paddy cultivation initiative, with a total project value of RM5 billion, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

RM5b project to transform agriculture, enhance rice production, says Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is optimistic that Malaysia’s agricultural landscape will undergo a major transformation within the next one or two years.

Major agricultural transformation in two years — PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday stressed that cartel practices in the country’s agricultural sector must and will be stopped.

Cartel practices in agricultural sector 'must and will be stopped' — PM

A proposed minimum wage increase will raise the Malaysian plantation sector’s operating cost and push the companies to spend more on automation, Public Investment Bank said.

Proposed minimum wage hike could raise palm oil companies' costs, spur automation push

Real estate developers in Malaysia are more positive about the country's property industry outlook for the first half of 2025 (1H2025) compared to the second half of 2024 (2H2024), according to Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia during a media briefing of its Property Industry Survey 1H2024 and Market Outlook for 2H2024 and 1H2025 held at Wisma Rehda, Petaling Jaya on Thursday.

Property developers more optimistic on 1H2025 than 2H2024 — Rehda survey

Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) advised investors to refocus on property stocks with solid fundamentals and proven execution capabilities amid enthusiasm around the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Refocus on property stocks with strong fundamentals amid Johor-Singapore SEZ excitement — Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): BIMB Securities has maintained its “underweight” call on the rubber glove sector, citing challenges from strict European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and persistent overcapacity in the industry.

BIMB Securities flags challenges in rubber glove sector amid EU deforestation rules

In the second quarter of 2024 (2Q2024), Malaysia's retail sales growth decelerated to 0.6%, falling short of market expectations, according to Retail Group Malaysia (RGM).

In June, members of the Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) projected a growth rate of 1.7%, making the actual result 65% below the estimate.

Malaysian retailers say 2Q sales disappoint as prices climb, sentiment weaken

A proposed new tax on sugary drinks in the upcoming Budget 2025 will affect manufacturers, including Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:NESTLE) and Berjaya Food Bhd (KL:BJFOOD), CIMB Securities said.

High-sugar drinks may cost more under proposed Budget 2025 measure

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Moody’s Ratings expects this year’s global sukuk issuance volumes to exceed last year’s, reaching between US$200 billion (RM870.29 billion) and US$210 billion, surpassing 2023’s total of just under US$200 billion.

Moody’s expects global sukuk issuance to surpass US$200b this year

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Consumer stocks are expected to post softer quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) results in 3Q2024, as weak consumer sentiment seen in 2Q2024 is expected to persist, said CIMB Securities.

Softer 3Q for consumer stocks as weak 2Q sentiment to persist, says CIMB Securities

RHB Research downgraded the Malaysian transportation sector from ‘overweight’ to a ‘neutral’ call, as key players Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (KL:AIRPORT) and Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) hit fair valuations, signalling limited upside.

RHB downgrades Malaysian transportation sector to 'neutral'

KAJANG (Sept 9): Malaysia’s property transaction value soared to RM105.65 billion in the first half of 2024 (1H2024), marking a 23.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase — the highest in five years — according to the National Property Information Centre (Napic).

Malaysia’s property sales surge 23.8% y-o-y to RM105b in 1H2024, says Napic

RHB Research has upgraded the basic construction materials sector to 'overweight' from 'neutral', amid a positive outlook on aluminium and cement companies under its coverage.

RHB upgrades basic construction materials to 'overweight', Cahya Mata Sarawak the top pick

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 16): The death of a doctor stationed in Lahad Datu, Sabah, must be thoroughly investigated, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Death of Lahad Datu doctor must be thoroughly investigated — health minister

(Sept 16): Singapore is prepared to make “bold changes” to regulatory structures in an attempt to revive its languishing stock market, according to its second minister for finance.

Singapore ready to make ‘bold changes’ to revive stock market

KUANTAN (Sept 16): The Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Monday said that he does not want any teaching that deviates from the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (ASWJ) Islamic faith to gain a foothold in the state.

Don’t let deviant teachings gain foothold in Pahang — Al-Sultan Abdullah

(Sept 16): The yen advanced past the key psychological level of 140 against the dollar, as the Japanese currency extended its rally from the weakest point in nearly 38 years in July.

Yen strengthens beyond 140 per dollar for first time since 2023

(Sept 16): A brief recovery in Singapore new home-sales ran out of steam, as transactions fell to its lowest level since February.

Singapore home sales plunge again due to lack of supply

ALOR SETAR (Sept 16): Dozens of Malaysian holiday-goers wishing to go to Thailand over the long weekend had their dreams crashed at the border gate due to passport issues, income tax arrears, customs tax, and unresolved old criminal cases.

Dozens of Malaysian holiday-goers can’t cross to Thailand due to passport issues, tax arrears — Kedah Immigration director

(Sept 16): Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe on Sunday, after the Secret Service foiled what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump safe after new assassination attempt thwarted at Florida golf course

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 16): The report on the proposal for mandatory halal certification is nearing completion and is set to be presented to the Cabinet this Wednesday, according to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

Halal certification report to be presented to Cabinet this Wednesday — minister

SINCE 2021, Malaysia has experienced a significant surge in total approved investments, mainly driven by foreign direct investment (FDI).

The escalation of the US-China trade war and shifts in the global supply chain have positioned Malaysia as a strategic hub, attracting increasing lev...

The State of the Nation: After a strong start, can Malaysia keep the investment flowing in 2H2024?

Recent rumours of buyers being required to sign sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) at the land office are just that, rumours. According to property consultants, there is no such requirement and SPAs can continue to be signed as per the normal practice.

Nevertheless, for property — inc...

No requirement to sign SPA at land office

COME Monday, Sept 9, Bursa Malaysia will see the listing of 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd (KL:99SMART) on the Main Market. The initial public offering (IPO) is the largest on the local bourse in seven years.

Priced at a finalised RM1.65 a share, the IPO exercise entails the public i...

IPO Watch: Minimarket chain 99 Speed Mart’s IPO anything but small

(Sept 16): Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe on Sunday, after the Secret Service foiled what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

SHANGHAI (Sept 16): Typhoon Bebinca made landfall in Shanghai on Monday morning as a Category 1 storm, the most powerful tropical cyclone to directly hit the Chinese financial hub in more than seven decades.

Typhoon Bebinca lands in Shanghai, strongest storm to hit city since 1949

JOHOR BAHRU (Sept 16): Forest City’s special financial zone (SFZ) will be launched this Friday (Sept 20), with various incentives and packages to stimulate investment, growth and economic activities in Johor.

Forest City’s special financial zone to be launched on Friday, incentives to be introduced — Johor state exco

KUCHING (Sept 16): The formation of Malaysia in 1963 is rooted in the constitutional documents which are already enshrined in the Federal Constitution and should remain undisputed, said Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Wan Junaidi: Don’t dispute constitutional documents that led to Malaysia’s formation

BENGALURU (Sept 16): Gold prices surged to record highs on Monday, driven by a softer dollar and expectations of a larger interest rate reduction by the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve this week.

Gold prices at all-time highs as traders eye deeper US rate cut

ALOR SETAR (Sept 16): Dozens of Malaysian holiday-goers wishing to go to Thailand over the long weekend had their dreams crashed at the border gate due to passport issues, income tax arrears, customs tax, and unresolved old criminal cases.

TO investors who have not followed the growth story of Padini Holdings Bhd (KL:PADINI), it may come as a surprise that the garment manufacturer’s current market capitalisation stands at above the RM2 billion mark, putting it in the same league as big-cap heavy industry players like WCE Holdings B...

Market contemplates Padini’s position as ‘value investment’

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 16): The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has successfully mapped around 70% of independent smallholders, as part of its project to chart oil palm plantation coverage across the country.

MPOB achieves 70% mapping of oil palm smallholders in nationwide plantation coverage project

JAPAN’s Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd, together with local institutional shareholders and a private equity fund, are said to be exploring an option to strengthen their grip on IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL:IHH) in a move to carve out better value for the healthcare group.

Sources say Mitsui, which holds...

IHH’s major shareholders mull corporate exercise to consolidate position

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 16): His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah are attending the 2024/1446H national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here.

King, Queen grace Maulidur Rasul celebration

HONG KONG (Sept 16): PwC is making "tangible investments" to ensure the Big Four firm has high quality and sustainable business in China, it said in a memo to staff after Chinese regulators on Friday hit the company's mainland unit with a record penalty.

PwC invests in 'high quality' business in China after record fine, internal memo says

SINCE 2021, Malaysia has experienced a significant surge in total approved investments, mainly driven by foreign direct investment (FDI).

The escalation of the US-China trade war and shifts in the global supply chain have positioned Malaysia as a strategic hub, attracting increasing lev...

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 16): The report on the proposal for mandatory halal certification is nearing completion and is set to be presented to the Cabinet this Wednesday, according to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

(Sept 16): Most Asian currencies and equities rose on Monday in holiday-thinned trading, with a focus on this week's US Federal Reserve policy meeting, where it is almost certain that the central bank will cut its key interest rate, the only question being by how much.&nbsp;

Asian equities, currencies gain, focus shifts to Fed's policy meeting

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on the occasion of Malaysia Day on Monday, called on Malaysians to embrace the true meaning of an independent and free Malaysia, while rejecting division and hostility.&nbsp;

Anwar: Uphold unity to unlock country’s full potential

SYDNEY (Sept 16): Asian stocks dithered and the dollar slipped on Monday in a week that is almost certain to see the start of an easing cycle in the United States, with investors flirting with the chance of an outsized move.

Stocks firm, dollar subdued as market flirts with outsized Fed cut

AFTER four years of serving on the boards of directors of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) and its parent Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG), Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin is retiring as non-executive group chairman, people familiar with the matter say. He is leaving the group as early as the middl...

Wan Zulkiflee said to be retiring as Malaysia Airlines chairman in mid-September 

(Sept 16):&nbsp;A brief recovery in Singapore new home-sales ran out of steam, as transactions fell to its lowest level since February.

(Sept 16):&nbsp;The yen advanced past the key psychological level of 140 against the dollar, as the Japanese currency extended its rally from the weakest point in nearly 38 years in July.

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