<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 11): Digital Ministry has appointed Aireen Omar, former chief executive of low-cost carrier AirAsia, as the chair of its national agency AI Malaysia Bhd.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Directors at the agency, responsible for leading, coordinating, and accelerating the nation's artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, also include the ministry’s secretary general Datuk Fabian Bigar and his deputy Ma Sivanesan Marimuthu, according to a statement on Friday.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Digital Ministry has also appointed Muhammad Afhzal Abdul Rahman, the chief digital technology officer of the Employees Provident Fund, as well as Grab Malaysia managing director Adelene Foo.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“AI Malaysia will be the lead agency to coordinate the national AI agenda to promote safe and responsible AI adoption, as well as drive the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030,” said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Other appointments to the board will be made later, he said.&nbsp;</div>

Digital Ministry has appointed Aireen Omar, former chief executive of low-cost carrier AirAsia, as the chair of its national agency AI Malaysia Bhd.

Digital Ministry names ex-AirAsia executive Aireen Omar as chair of AI agency

Worsening air pollution driven by wildfires in Indonesia prompted Malaysia to temporarily shut schools in one of its most populated states, just as a major Formula One race in neighbouring Singapore approaches.

Wildfire haze shuts Malaysia schools and looms over Singapore F1

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): Tax collection in Malaysia rose to RM129.6 billion in the first half of 2026 from RM119.1 billion a year earlier, supported by higher corporate income tax and sales and service tax (SST) receipts, the Dewan Rakyat heard on Wednesday.

Higher corporate tax, SST receipts lift first-half collection to RM129.6 bil, Dewan Rakyat told

FTSE Russell has reaffirmed the emerging-market status of Indonesian equities amid measures taken by local authorities to improve transparency.

FTSE affirms Indonesia’s emerging status on ongoing reforms

(Oct 7): Retail investors are estimated to have lost 2.3 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) from leveraged exchange-traded products tracking South Korea’s two chipmaking giants in just months, according to a lawmaker’s office, in the first revelation of the magnitude of risks from such bets.

Korean investors suffer US$1.7 bil losses from leveraged ETFs

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): A total of 35 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 10am on Wednesday.

Haze: 35 areas nationwide with unhealthy air quality at 10am

Malaysia’s fiscal position is improving, although pressure on the nation’s finances remains considerable.

The federal fiscal deficit narrowed from 4.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 to 3.7% in 2025, while federal government revenue increased to RM336.1 billion. Further consoli...

My Say: Tax better before taxing more

When you are in your 60s, a visit to the physio is almost a must. The neck and shoulders stiffen, and so do the glutes. To relieve the nagging pain and loosen the tight muscles, I go to Your Physio in SS15, Subang Jaya.

My regular physio is Akil, and I like him because he explains what ...

My Say: The worth of a degree

BEIJING/HONG KONG (Oct 7): China's central bank stepped up its gold purchases in September, extending its buying streak to a 23rd consecutive month, official data showed on Wednesday.

China's central bank adds to gold reserves for 23rd consecutive month

(Oct 7): The deeply distressed tail of the leveraged loan universe has grown to levels not seen since the beginning of the pandemic, with technology the single biggest sector under pressure.

That's according to strategists at JPMorgan Chase & Co., who on Tuesday wrote that the value...

Deeply distressed US loans rise to highest level since pandemic, JPMorgan says

Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) spends about RM100 million annually with over 200 local suppliers — roughly half its materials spending — to keep pace with demand for terminal tractors, which are vital to global trade at ports and logistics hubs worldwide.

TTM's RM100 mil yearly spend in local supply chain powers Malaysia's role as terminal tractor manufacturer

Home confinement granted under a royal conditional pardon cannot be equated with a statutory house arrest order as it operates under its own set of rules, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Home confinement under royal pardon differs from house arrest, has own SOPs — Saifuddin

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

CIMB, Zetrix AI, Top Glove, Samaiden, Mesiniaga, Scientex, Dialog, Elridge Energy, Insights Analytics, SLGC

From design to the finished device, a chip goes through four main stages. Global giants dominate each stage, but Bursa Malaysia–listed companies are strongest in assembly and test, and in the equipment, machined parts and automation segments that the entire chain depends on.

Where Malaysian players sit in the semiconductor value chain

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to tackle rising living costs in potentially his government’s last budget before he calls national elections.

Anwar set to boost budget spending as election speculation grows

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (KL:CHGP) said on Tuesday that its proposed disposal of four loss-making commercial vehicle and bodyworks subsidiaries and the earlier aborted sale of the same businesses were negotiated under different commercial terms and transaction structures.

Chin Hin Group Property says fresh commercial vehicle business deal negotiated under different terms

PERTH (Oct 7): Oil prices rose on Wednesday as the market weighed supply constraints from a storm heading for US oil-producing regions and attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia against increased supplies of Middle East crude.

Oil prices rise as storms and air strikes threaten supply

FTSE Russell has reaffirmed the emerging-market status of Indonesian equities amid measures taken by local authorities to improve transparency.&nbsp;

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): Apex Securities expects volatility to remain elevated in the fourth quarter for equities, citing higher oil prices, persistent geopolitical risks in the Middle East and interest rates staying higher for longer.

Volatility to stay elevated into 4Q for equities; Budget 2027 seen as stock-picking play — Apex Securities

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): Glove stocks were among Wednesday's most actively traded counters, led by Top Glove Corp Bhd (KL:TOPGLOV), though analysts cautioned the world's largest glove maker's strong finish to its financial year ended Aug 31, 2026 (FY2026) may not signal a sustained recovery.

Top Glove leads glove stocks higher on strong results, but analysts doubt recovery holds

HI Mobility Bhd (KL:HI) is now attractive, said CGS International&nbsp;as it undervalues&nbsp;the bus operator’s growth story following the stock’s recent decline.

HI Mobility now undervalued after recent decline, says CGS International as it starts coverage with 'buy'

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 7, 2026 

Wall Street traders drove stocks to all-time highs on growing bets that Corporate America will be able to weather the threats from still-elevated energy costs and interest rates.

S&P 500 climbs to record high on earnings optimism

MELAKA (Oct 7): The Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss key dates and matters related to the Melaka state election at a hotel on Jalan Bendahara here.

Special EC meeting on Wednesday to decide key dates for Melaka polls

BENGALURU (Oct 6): SpaceX&nbsp;plans to raise US$40 billion, led by asset manager Apollo Global Management, for purchasing Nvidia AI chips, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

SpaceX seeks US$40 bil financing led by Apollo to buy Nvidia chips, FT reports

(Oct 6):&nbsp;JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co&nbsp;held its spot as the world’s most advanced bank in artificial intelligence, widening its lead over rivals in an annual ranking that shows AI deployment across the industry is accelerating at a record pace.&nbsp;

JPMorgan tops global AI banking index with jobs seen to grow

When you are in your 60s, a visit to the physio is almost a must. The neck and shoulders stiffen, and so do the glutes. To relieve the nagging pain and loosen the tight muscles, I go to Your Physio in SS15, Subang Jaya.

My regular physio is Akil, and I like him because he explains what ...

AP Moller Holding A/S, which controls Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk A/S, is opening a new office in Singapore to invest in growth companies in Asia.

Maersk owner seeks investments in Asia startups with new office

(Oct 7): As equity investors enter the final stretch of a pivotal year that’s propelled South Korea and Taiwan to the forefront of the global AI trade, the latter is emerging as the stronger bet.

Taiwan dethrones Korea atop global markets as AI trade widens

HANOI (Oct 7): Vietnamese banks are planning nearly US$7 billion in share sales as the country's fast-growing economy fuels demand for capital, opening a window for foreign investors to expand in the tightly controlled sector.