Indonesia has had a good run in its 10 years under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The economy has withstood a series of challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the worldwide inflation surge, the spike in global interest rates and the Ukraine crisis. Growth has been fairly steady and the rup...

My Say: Challenges for Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo to overcome

For the longest time, Vietnam was the “in” thing. Foreign investors gushed over its low-cost but hard-working labour force. Even more impressive was how hungry those young Vietnamese were, with their keenness to learn and upgrade themselves, endearing them to foreign investors. Though nominally c...

My Say: Vietnam at risk of losing its shine

The US is such a colossus that it has outsized effects on the rest of the world. Despite many challenges, it remains the world’s largest economy and so its market matters more for Asian exporters than others. Its technological prowess and innovations in business models are unchallenged. Listed Am...

My Say: US election casts cloud over Asia’s economies

It was not very long ago that there were laments about the “savings glut” in Asia. Excessive savings by Asians were blamed for creating the easy monetary conditions in the US that eventually precipitated the global financial crisis in 2008. Others claimed that the same Asian tendency to over-save...

My Say: The return of global imbalances could hurt Asia

Multilateral agencies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have been updating their economic forecasts of late. In most cases, caution has dominated their perspectives, preoccupied as they are with a range of risks, from the geopolitical to financial and nature-related risks...

My Say: Risks may not be so bad for Asean region

For many of us in Southeast Asia, the conflict in Myanmar seems far away. There has been limited spillover from the fighting into other parts of the region except for the immediate border areas in Thailand. Neither has there been a flood of refugees and, so far, foreign investors have not been sc...

My Say: Myanmar is burning, posing a challenge for Asean

There are fears that, because China is unhappy about the results of Taiwan’s recent election, there is a greater chance of political turbulence in the region. Our view is that this risk should not be overstated. While China may exert somewhat more pressure on Taiwan, the resulting frictions are l...

My Say: Taiwan polls result will refine power relations

The most volatile segment of an economy is investment spending, so any surprise to expectations of economic growth would tend to come from how investment behaves. We believe that there is a good chance that a new investment cycle in the Asian region could emerge, which would produce better econom...

My Say: A new investment cycle could produce upside to regional growth

As we approach the end of the year and think about prospects for the new year, there is huge uncertainty in the global environment and how our region will fare in 2024. What we can do is to formulate the best possible guess on how things might pan out, all the while being humble enough to admit t...

My Say: A rough year ahead, but don’t forget the silver linings

The past few years have been turbulent, to say the least. Yet Singapore has emerged relatively unscathed from the Covid-19 pandemic, tragic wars in Europe and the Middle East, big power frictions that brought more protectionism and inward-looking policies, an unexpected Chinese slowdown, the shoc...

My Say: Singapore in 2024: Stepping into uncharted waters

Financial services provider MIDF has reported a recent cyber security incident to relevant authorities and is collaborating closely with them on addressing the matter.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, MIDF affirmed that it takes the cyber security incident seriously and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the privacy and security of customers' information.

MIDF confirms cyber security incident

Fibre optic cables manufacturer Hextar Capital Bhd, formerly known as Opcom Holdings Bhd, said it plans to diversify into the construction and project management business.

The proposed diversification is expected to boost the group’s net profit by about 25%, aligning with its long-term strategy to pursue more engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) projects beyond telecommunications network projects, the group said in an exchange filing.

Hextar Capital plans to diversify into construction business

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied Opposition claims that its Members of Parliament (MPs) will only be given allocations if they pledged support for his leadership.

Anwar: Claims of Opposition MPs needing to support me for allocations baseless

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Uzma Bhd plans to raise RM68.35 million via a private placement of 15% of its current share base to help fund the development of a water injection facility (WIF) which it is to lease to a unit of Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd.

Uzma plans RM68.4m private placement to fund O&G support job

BEIJING/SINGAPORE/NEW YORK (April 19): Oil slipped on Friday after prices spiked earlier on reports that Israel had attacked Iran, as market fears of a major escalation to hostilities in the Mideast appeared to ease.

Oil slips despite reported Israeli attack on Iran

Westports Holdings Bhd said its new sukuk wakalah programme of up to RM5 billion will provide the group with the flexibility to raise medium to long-term funding to meet business funding requirements and general corporate purposes.

In a bourse filing on Friday, the country’s biggest port operator said its wholly-owned subsidiary Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd (WMSB) had lodged the documents in relation to the programme with the Securities Commission Malaysia on March 7.

Westports establishes RM5 bil sukuk programme with flexibility to issue sustainability notes

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Gas Malaysia Bhd, which operates natural gas pipelines and sells liquefied petroleum gas, said on Friday that it has lowered the daily base average tariff by 4.5 sen per gigajoule until Dec 31, 2024.

Gas Malaysia lowers daily base average tariff by 4.5 sen per gigajoule until year end

Switzerland-based electrical measurement technology specialist Life Energy Motion (LEM) unveiled its new RM78 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Penang on Friday.

Situated at Penang Science Park, the plant is aligned with LEM's growth strategy, which is driven by the increasing global demand for its core products, including current and voltage sensors. This demand stems from the imperative of decarbonization across sectors such as automation, automotive, traction and renewable energy.

Swiss firm Life Energy Motion inaugurates RM78 mil plant in Penang

Melaka State Secretary Datuk Zaidi Johari died of a heart attack this morning. He was 54.

According to a statement from the Melaka Chief Minister’s Office, Zaidi breathed his last at about 8.15am at Hospital Melaka here.

Melaka State Secretary Zaidi dies of heart attack

A group of investors led by a Dubai-based real estate developer is in talks to build a mixed-use tower in Thailand that may vie for the mantle of the world’s tallest building.

Thailand in talks with group of investors from Middle East, China to build world’s tallest tower

Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd will be suspended from trading pending an announcement, the company said on Friday.

Trading in Sapura Energy suspended pending announcement 

Most read this week - Stay up to date with the biggest news and latest trending topics by checking out the top 10 articles of the week. 

Most read this week

Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil on Friday, sources said, in the latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two arch foes, whose decades of shadow war has broken out into the open and threatened to drag the region deeper into conflict.

Israel attacks Iran, Reuters reports, as drones shot down over Isfahan 

Shares of Awanbiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) fell as much as 53% on Friday, prompting Bursa Malaysia to suspend the counter’s intraday short selling (IDSS).&nbsp;

Awantec shares plunge 53%, intraday short selling suspended 

PIE Industrial Bhd, whose share price extended its rally to a new all-time high on Thursday on reports that it has secured a new customer, confirmed the matter and said it is expecting the new customer to contribute an additional RM2.5 billion revenue to the group, of which RM1 billion will be recognised as early as next year.

PIE Industrial confirms bagging new client, expects additional RM2.5 bil revenue

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) on Friday upgraded Public Bank Bhd to “buy” from “neutral”, with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.80 (from RM4.70).

RHB upgrades Public Bank to ‘buy’, raises target price to RM4.80

The oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

 Sarawak aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy

Malaysia's economy grew by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q2024), as compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates.

Malaysia's economy grew 3.9% in 1Q2024, advance estimate shows

Apple said on Friday it had removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after being ordered to do so by the Chinese government, which cited national security concerns.

Apple pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China app store after Beijing order

MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 8.43 times, ahead of its listing on the Bursa Malaysia Main Market on April 30.&nbsp;

Main Market-bound MKH Oil Palm’s IPO oversubscribed by 8.43 times

The Malaysian rubber glove industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amidst challenging global dynamics, with optimism for a rebound in 2024, with an anticipated surge to approximately 450 billion pieces by 2027 despite a downturn in 2023, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma).

Margma optimistic of rebound in 2024, expects surge to 450 billion pieces by 2027

The escalating tensions in the Middle East have influenced market sentiment and shifted investors' emphasis to the energy, finance and plantation sectors, which helped boost the FBM KLCI higher by midday on Friday.

KLCI up 0.43% with focus on energy, plantation, financial stocks

Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s core net profit may have risen 34% in the first quarter, from a year earlier, on higher securities and derivatives trading activity when the exchange operator reports its results, Hong Leong Investment Bank said.

Bursa Malaysia 1Q earnings likely up 34% y-o-y, HLIB projects

The planned merger of Axiata Group Bhd, Malaysia’s largest telecommunications company by revenue, with India’s Bharti Airtel Ltd raises concerns as the latter's subsidiary Airtel Lanka is currently a loss-making company, analysts said.

Malaysia’s Axiata merger with Bharti Airtel of India raises earnings concern — analysts

Malaysia’s exports contracted at a slower than expected pace in March mainly due to lower foreign demand for electronics while shipments to China fell, official data Friday showed.

Malaysia’s March exports down 0.8%, imports surge 12.5%

RHB Retail Research said Inari Amertron Bhd is poised to challenge the RM3.27 resistance level once again, which would make this its fourth attempt this year.

Inari poised to challenge RM3.27 resistance, says RHB Retail Research 

Sime Darby Property Bhd, Malaysia’s biggest developer in terms of landbank, has secured commitment for the remaining 30% of its industrial development fund to close at RM1 billion.

Sime Darby Property gets commitment for balance 30% of RM1b industrial development fund

Kenanga Investment Bank has initiated coverage on soon-to-be listed oil and gas services firm Keyfield International Bhd at RM1.90 — reflecting a 111% premium over its IPO price of 90 sen per share — while giving it an “outperform” rating.

Kenanga sees Main-Market bound Keyfield International cashing in on OSV boom, sets target price at RM1.90

The amount of reserves in banking system — a key determinant for the Federal Reserve to continue shrinking its balance sheet — dropped by the most in two years as Americans paid income tax bills out of their bank accounts.

US bank reserve balances see largest drop since 2022 tax season

Melaka State Secretary Datuk Zaidi Johari died of a heart attack this morning. He was 54.

According to a statement from the Melaka Chief Minister’s Office, Zaidi breathed his last at about 8.15am at Hospital Melaka here.

Manu Bhaskaran

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Manu Bhaskaran

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