GEORGE TOWN (Oct 2): Malaysia is still far from achieving its target of transforming 3,000 manufacturers into smart factories by 2030, with only 93 having successfully completed the transformation so far.

Sim: Malaysia still far from target of 3,000 smart factories by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Rising labour costs, potential expansion of sin taxes and subsidies tightening are expected to weigh on the consumer sector, said Apex Securities.

Rising labour costs, subsidies tightening to weigh on consumer sector — Apex Securities

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): Malaysia’s semiconductor companies could see their future earnings growth constrained by a shortage of skilled talent, according to MBSB Investment Bank.

Talent crunch could limit semiconductor earnings upside, says MBSB

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

Consumer and construction stocks could be among the key beneficiaries of the upcoming Budget 2027, as higher cash aid, potential tax relief and increased development spending are expected to support domestic demand and infrastructure activity, CIMB Securities said on Tuesday.

CIMB Securities: Consumer, construction stocks seen as key beneficiaries of Budget 2027

Rubber glove counters on Bursa Malaysia rallied broadly on Thursday, lifted by higher crude oil prices and a recent price hike by China's leading glove maker Intco Medical Technology Co Ltd.

Rubber glove stocks rally as Brent crude tops US$100

Malaysian data centre operators could turn to the offshore US dollar bond market for funding “quite soon” as local banks become increasingly selective in financing a sector where data centre deals continue to grow in size, according to S&P Global Ratings.

S&P sees Malaysian data centre operators tapping offshore US dollar bonds as local banks tighten financing 

Elevated crude palm oil (CPO) prices will persist through the second half of the year, backed by tightening supply conditions that are set to boost plantation companies' earnings, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

High CPO prices set to lift plantation companies’ earnings in 2H, says HLIB

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 7): Hotter and drier conditions from El Niño could put greater pressure on Malaysia’s electricity and water systems into 2027, according to CIMB Securities.

El Niño could worsen Malaysia’s power, water stress, says CIMB Securities

Malaysian banks may step up provisioning amid macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, limiting earnings upside ahead, an analyst said.

Malaysian banks may write down more assets, limiting earnings upside — analyst

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3): The S&P Global Asean Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged down to 52.3 in August from 52.8 in July, indicating a slightly softer but still solid improvement in the region’s manufacturing sector.

Asean manufacturing growth eases slightly to 52.3 in August — S&P Global

The billions of dollars being borrowed to fund data centers in Asia are pushing banks to their limits and making them more selective about which projects to finance, according to senior bankers at Barclays Plc.

Asian data centre debt binge hitting banks’ limits, Barclays says

Double-digit medical claims growth is expected to persist in the near term following a 12.28% rise in claims inflation in 2025, driven mainly by more insured individuals seeking treatment at private hospitals.

Double-digit medical claims growth set to continue in near term, say associations

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume warned on Friday that the car sector's problems would only intensify in the coming years, arguing deep cost cuts were needed to keep Europe's top automaker afloat as it gears up for weeks of crunch talks over a planned revamp.

Volkswagen needs deep cuts to remain competitive, CEO says ahead of crunch talks

A total of 8,000 businesses in Kuala Lumpur renewed their business licences within two months after a new multi-year renewal initiative was introduced in July.

A total of 8,000 businesses renew DBKL licences in two months — Hannah

Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with options being considered including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or an assault on multiple fronts, regional and Western officials told Reuters.

The operation, expected to be launched in the coming weeks, will by led by Yemeni forces on the ground, which are overseen by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi air strikes, according to six people with knowledge of the preparations.

Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) said its wholly‑owned Indonesian unit, PT Perindustrian Sawit Synergi (PT PSS), has received the arbitral award in a dispute involving the termination of a gas supply agreement.

KLK says arbitral award received in gas supply dispute in Indonesia, won't have material impact on earnings

Malaysia is exploring cooperation with Embraer Defense & Security of Brazil to join the company's regional and global supply chain.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by the company’s chief commercial officer, Frederico Lemos, at Wisma Pertahanan on Friday.

Malaysia explores opportunities to join Embraer aerospace supply chain

Construction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) Multi-Purpose Mission Ship 1 (MPMS 1) is progressing smoothly and ahead of schedule, with the vessel expected to begin its voyage home in late January next year.

Multi-Purpose Mission Ship 1 construction ahead of schedule, voyage home in January

Group of Seven countries agreed on Friday on the release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from emergency reserves in a move cheered by US President Donald Trump as he seeks help to cool off surging fuel prices linked to the Iran war.

G7 countries agree on release of diesel and oil stocks after US pressure

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 2): PMCK Bhd (KL:PMCK) has proposed to diversify into the import and supply of medical consumable products by acquiring Derberg Sdn Bhd and Marpoliq Sdn Bhd for RM52.77 million in cash.

In a Bursa filing on Friday, the healthcare services provider said it had entered i...

PMCK to diversify into import and supply of medical consumables with RM53m acquisitions 

Builder Inta Bina Bhd (KL:INTA) has launched its second property development project — a 499-unit serviced apartment project — in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, with a projected gross development value of RM290.96 million.

Inta Bina undertakes RM291m serviced apartment project in Bukit Jelutong

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

Gas Malaysia, PETRONAS Chemicals, TXCD, Berjaya Corp, Zetrix AI, Country Heights, Lim Seong Hai, Mah Sing, Kinergy Advancement 

SEPANG (Oct 2): The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has become a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class sporting events, as evident in the preparations for the hosting of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia which took less than 10 weeks to be completed.

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Sepang a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class events

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 2): Country Heights Holdings Bhd (KL:CHHB) said its 80.90%-owned subsidiary Golden Horse Palace Bhd (GHPB) has been served with a winding-up petition over two outstanding Industrial Court awards.

Palace of the Golden Horses operator served winding-up petition over industrial court award claim

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 2): Berjaya Hills Resorts Bhd has filed leave to appeal to the Federal Court, over the Court of Appeal’s decision on July 16, which had ruled that state governments have the authority to determine quit rent rates without having to obtain approval from the National Land Council (NLC).

Berjaya Hills obtains stay against Pahang govt’s land forfeiture, also lodges appeal to apex court

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will suspend MyEG Sdn Bhd and Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX), both under MYEG Group, as its collection agents effective 12.01am on Oct 5, 2026.

JPJ suspends MYEG Group’s services as collection agent from Oct 5

Berjaya Hills Resort Bhd, part of Berjaya Corp Bhd (KL:BJCORP), said the enforcement on its properties by the Pahang authorities was “unconscionable and totally unacceptable”.

Berjaya calls enforcement on its hill resort ‘unconscionable and totally unacceptable’ amid quit rent hike dispute

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR has lost another member of Parliament after Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung announced his resignation from the seat on Friday.

Lee Chean Chung resigns as Petaling Jaya MP, leaving PKR with only 27 seats

Zetrix AI Bhd's (KL:ZETRIX) shares fell to a 13-year low of 10 sen in intraday trade on Friday following reports that the company owes the government more than RM200 million it had collected on behalf of the Road Transport Department (popularly known as JPJ).

Zetrix AI falls to 13-year low of 10 sen following reports it owes JPJ RM200m

PETRONAS Chemicals Group Bhd (KL:PCHEM) announced on Friday that its chief executive officer Mazuin Ismail will retire effective Jan 1, 2027.

PETRONAS Chemicals announces CEO's retirement, Izwan Ismail to take over effective Jan 1, 2027

(Oct 2):&nbsp;A US lawmaker has called on Starbucks to close its first stores in China's Xinjiang, calling it a "morally bankrupt decision" to do business in a region where Uyghurs face repression.

US congressman demands Starbucks close its first stores in China's Xinjiang

A months-long crisis over the monarchy in a small Malaysian state has become a potential stumbling block for the United Malays National Organization, which had been gaining ground on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Negeri Sembilan crisis complicates Umno’s comeback

THE government will have to find more fiscal space without slapping on new taxes under Budget 2027. High energy prices are eating into some of the savings from subsidy reforms even as Putrajaya wants to cushion households, invest for growth and continue narrowing the fiscal deficit.

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Cover Story 1: Experts expect Putrajaya to sweat existing tax system 

Passenger service for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is expected to commence in February 2027, with all system tests and trial runs targeted for completion by Dec 31 this year.

RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO) said in a statement on Friday that the timeline takes into account the expected duration of the remaining works, as well as the time required for safety certification by a third party and approvals from the grantors of both countries.

RTS Link passenger service expected to begin in February 2027

Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) has signed a collaboration term sheet with Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KL:KINERGY) to provide technical advisory and evaluate power infrastructure for its proposed data centre developments, according to a press statement issued on Friday.

Mah Sing partners Kinergy to evaluate energy solutions for data centre pipeline

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

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim heads into the Budget 2027 announcement facing an unusual combination of pressures — the broader economy continues to grow and the fiscal deficit is steadily narrowing, but the government’s balance sheet has less room to absorb another shock given the incre...

Cover Story 1 | Budget 2027: Narrowing room to manoeuvre

UWC Bhd (KL:UWC) rose to a fresh high on Friday as analysts flagged upside for the engineering services firm from Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing semiconductor supply chain.

UWC shares hit fresh high with new ‘buy’ call from UBS

EGH International Bhd's listing price undervalues the interior fit-out firm by 37%, even as earnings are projected to grow strongly over the next three years, an analyst said.

EGH International’s fair value should be 22 sen, 37% above IPO price — analyst

Malaysian manufacturers must accelerate the adoption of automation to boost productivity and reduce their dependence on foreign labour, said Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.

Manufacturers urged to speed up automation as govt cuts foreign worker quotas

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has approved construction firm Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd’s (KL:LSH) transfer of its listing to the Main Market from the ACE Market.

SC approves Lim Seong Hai Capital’s transfer to Main Market

The chief executive of Thai Airways, Chai Eamsiri, has been fired by the company's board following the flag carrier's chaotic response to the heavy floods that hit Bangkok last week, he told reporters on Friday.

Thai Airways chief says fired by board after Bangkok flood chaos

Seal Incorporated Bhd (KL:SEAL) non-interested shareholders are advised to vote in favour of providing associate company MSR Green Energy Sdn Bhd (MSRGE) a corporate guarantee of RM58.72 million to help it complete several solar projects.

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