Developing countries have long been told to avoid borrowing from central banks to finance government spending. Many have even legislated against central bank financing of fiscal expenditure.

Central bank fiscal financing

Such laws are supposedly needed to curb inflation — be...

My Say: Developing countries need monetary financing

Preoccupied with enhancing their own “credibility” and reputations, central banks are again driving the world economy into recession, financial turmoil and debt crises.

Wall Street ‘cred’

Most central bank governors believe “credibility” is desirable and must be achieved by ...

My Say: Stop worshipping central banks

Central banks around the world — led by the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England — are raising interest rates, ostensibly to check inflation. The ensuing race to the bottom is hastening a world economic recession.

Going for broke

New UK Prime Ministe...

My Say: Ideology and dogma ensure policy disaster

Policymakers have become obsessed with achieving low inflation. Many central banks adopt inflation-targeting monetary policy frameworks in various ways. Some have mandates to keep inflation at 2% over the medium term. Many believe this ensures sustained long-term prosperity.

The now uni...

My Say: Inflation-targeting farce: High costs, moot benefits

As rich countries raise interest rates in double-edged efforts to address inflation, developing countries are struggling to cope with slowdowns, inflation, higher interest rates and other costs, plus growing debt distress.

Rich countries’ interest rate hikes have triggered capital outfl...

My Say: A return to the 1980s — a new context but old threats

After four years of Donald Trump’s “America first” isolationism, US President Joe Biden announced “America is back”. His White House has since tried to find allies against China and Russia.

But it has not found many, especially in the Global South. His summit with Southeast Asian leader...

My Say: How not to win friends and influence people

The world economy is on the brink of outright recession, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Ukraine war and the resultant sanctions against Russia have scuttled recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over 80 central banks have already raised interest rates so far this...

My Say: April Fool’s inflation medicine threatens progress

Like so many others, Africans have long been misled. Alleged progress under imperialism has long been used to legitimise exploitation. Over time, Western colonial powers have been replaced by neo-colonial governments and international institutions serving their interests.

‘Sh*thole’ po...

My Say: Africa taken for a ‘neo-colonial’ ride

Long a means for powerful nations to influence developing countries, development finance has gained renewed significance in the new Cold War. Unlike during the US-Soviet Cold War, the rivalry now is between mixed market capitalist systems.

Development aid rivalry

After reneg...

My Say: Aid as a tool for power in the new Cold War

Rich country governments claim the high moral ground on climate action. But many deny their far greater responsibility for both historic and contemporary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, once acknowledged by the Kyoto Protocol.

Climate injustice

Worse, responsibility has not ...

My Say: Climate hypocrisy ensures global warming

MyEG Services Bhd

Target price: RM1.15 ADD

Brokers Digest: Local Equities: MyEG Services Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, Gamuda Bhd 

The two helicopters which collided and crashed at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base were undergoing a rehearsal for the third time in conjunction with RMN Fleet Open Day celebration scheduled on Saturday (April 27).

RMN helicopters involved in third rehearsal before incident — Khaled Nordin

High crude oil prices caused by tension in the Middle East will help to boost Malaysia's oil and gas exports. However, escalated fuel prices will dampen the country’s economic growth, according to the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

SERC: Escalated oil price boon and bane for Malaysia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his son, incoming vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka, are no longer members of the country's largest party after they backed rival candidate and election winner Prabowo Subianto, a party official said on Tuesday.

Indonesia's biggest party confirms President Jokowi no longer a member after backing Prabowo

Notable filings

During the week of April 1 to 5, notable shareholding changes at Bursa Malaysia-listed companies included those at palm oil mill manufacturer Dolphin International Bhd, which saw Datuk Yeo Boon Leong, who is the executive chairman and ...

Insider Moves: Dolphin International Bhd,  M & A Equity Holdings Bhd, SC Estate Builder Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Guan Chong Bhd

Topmix Bhd, a surface decorative company listed on Tuesday, expects its expansion in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia to boost its earnings growth.

The northern region, particularly Penang, has seen an influx of foreign investors, leading to higher income levels and rapid development of housing and commercial projects, which all “bode well for Topmix’s expansion plans", said managing director Teo Quek Siang.

Topmix eyes northern region for expansion amid development boom

Eight contractors face possible Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) fines for alleged bid rigging in 2019, in respect of two tenders of the Public Works Department (JKR) and one tender of the Department of Drainage and Irrigation.

Eight contractors face possible MyCC fines for bid rigging in tenders worth RM473m

Bursa Malaysia stayed higher at midday on Tuesday, in line with regional bourses’ upbeat performance. 

At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.02 points, or 0.32% to 1,564.61 from Monday's close of 1,559.59.

Bursa stays higher at midday in line with regional peers

AirAsia Consulting is planning further engagement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is mandated to advise the Sri Lanka government on the divestiture of SriLankan Airlines Ltd.

AirAsia Consulting to further engage with IFC on SriLankan Airlines divestiture

Taiwan's quake-hit eastern county of Hualien was rattled by dozens of aftershocks late on Monday and early on Tuesday, but only minor damage was reported and no casualties and major chipmaker TSMC said it saw no impact on operations.

Taiwan rattled by dozens of quakes, but no major damage

The Edge covers former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial live.

Najib's 1MDB-Tanore trial live reporting (April 23)

Ten members of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) were confirmed dead in an incident where two helicopters collided and crashed at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Lumut, Perak on Tuesday morning.

Two helicopters crash in Lumut, 10 confirmed killed — RMN

Shares of Topmix Bhd surged 32% in its trading debut on Tuesday after the surface decorative products company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market raised RM31.7 million.

Topmix surges 32% on ACE Market debut

Brazil's government said on Monday that four additional poultry plants have been cleared to sell halal products to Malaysia, a move it hopes will allow exports to the Asian country to double when compared to last year's levels.

Brazil says Malaysia clears four more halal poultry plants for export

Healthcare stocks still have legs to run following the recent rally and investors should continue to buy hospital operators for their further earnings growth this year, analysts said.

KPJ near record high, IHH surges as analysts bet on more upside

Malaysia’s construction tender prices are&nbsp;expected to grow by 3% in 2024, compared to the previous year, driven by various factors such as project type, industry procurement strategy and currency fluctuations, according to a report by global professional services company Turner &amp; Townsend.

Malaysia’s construction tender prices to grow by 3% in 2024, says Turner & Townsend

Investors scaled back safe-haven bets on Monday as worries over a wider Middle East conflict eased, boosting world equities and pressuring gold, oil and bond prices.

Asian shares extend gains ahead of tech earnings, yen fragile

Eight contractors face possible Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) fines for alleged bid rigging in 2019, in respect of two tenders of the Public Works Department (JKR) and one tender of the Department of Drainage and Irrigation.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Hizatul Isham Abdul Jalil or better known as Isham Jalil has offered to make an unreserved apology to bring an end to his contempt of court proceedings.

Ex-Umno leader ready to apologise in contempt of court case

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) has a “trading buy” rating on SDS Group Bhd and said with 33 of its F&amp;B outlets situated across Johor state, and a wholesale segment that is focusing in this region, SDS appears strategically positioned to leverage the burgeoning vibrancy in Johor, propelled further by the continuous influx of visitors from Singapore.

SDS strategically positioned to leverage burgeoning vibrancy in Johor, says HLIB 

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's appeal against her guilty conviction and sentence over all three counts of graft pertaining to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak will be heard in October.

October hearing for Rosmah's appeal in solar project graft trial

Bursa Malaysia opened higher on Tuesday, taking its cue from Wall Street’s better performance overnight, as sentiment improves after Iran said it will not escalate the conflict with Israel, said an analyst.

Bursa up in early trade, tracking Wall Street overnight

Wall Street stocks ended higher on Monday following a market sell-off in previous sessions as investors eyed a busy week for quarterly results from key companies that would provide a glimpse of the US economy's health.

Wall Street stocks end higher with major corporate earnings in view

Rakuten Trade has a “buy” rating on ACE Market-bound surface decorative products company Topmix Bhd at an initial public offering (IPO) price of 31 sen, with a fair value of 40 sen based on financial year 2024 (FY2024) forecast price-earnings (PE) of 15x, in line with industry peers.

Rakuten Trade values Topmix at 40 sen, expects FY2023-FY2026 earnings to grow at CAGR of 25%

South Korea is emerging as a closely watched weak link in the US$63 trillion (RM298.95 billion) world of shadow banking.

Shadow banking stress in South Korea sends warning to global investors

In Part 1, I outlined three possible scenarios for voter turnout and support for the DAP/PH/unity government candidate in the upcoming by-election in Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB), out of which there is only one scenario where the incumbent manages to defend the seat. In this concluding part of this article, I will outline some of the likely and desired parameters of contestation during the campaign.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election: The challenges for DAP, PH, unity government — Part 2

Malton Bhd has unveiled the final tower (Block B) of River Park, following the successful launch of its previous Tower A and Tower C blocks with more than 70% take-up rate.

Malton unveils River Park's final tower

Chinese universities and research institutes recently obtained high-end Nvidia artificial intelligence (AI) chips through resellers, despite the US widening a ban last year on the sale of such technology to China.

China acquired recently banned Nvidia chips in Super Micro, Dell servers, tenders show

US borrowers on lower incomes are increasingly struggling to keep up with their loan payments, according to recent data and bank executives, prompting banks to become more cautious about dishing out credit cards and car loans.

US consumers on lower incomes face loan stress while banks pull back

RHB Retail Research said Cloudpoint Technology Bhd is eyeing an uptrend movement after rebounding from the immediate support, testing the 64 sen immediate resistance level.

Anis Chowdhury and Jomo Kwame Sundaram

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Anis Chowdhury and Jomo Kwame Sundaram

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