KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The Dewan Rakyat passed the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 without amendment on Thursday, after four days of debate and a winding-up session that spanned three days by the ministries.

Dewan Rakyat passes 12th Malaysia Plan by voice vote

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) has lauded the many aspects of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob earlier on Monday, which include an expansionary fiscal approach, its focus on the people’s well being and unity, as well as on advancing sustainability.

IDEAS: Private-led growth should also be promoted under 12MP

The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) aims to position Malaysia as the ASEAN digital centre, given the country’s strong capability in cyber security solutions and digital content production.

12MP seeks to position Malaysia as ASEAN digital centre

The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), a roadmap for the country’s development from 2021 to 2025, has set a target annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of between 4.5% and 5.5% for the five-year period.

12MP targets annual GDP growth of 4.5%-5.5%; GNI of RM57,882 by end-2025

In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), priority will be given to improve national security and safeguard sovereignty in ensuring the nation remains peaceful and prosperous. Meanwhile, healthcare service delivery, provision of quality and liveable affordable houses will be improved.

According to the 12MP (2021-2025) report tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday, sports will be leveraged to build an active nation, while unity among the people will be enhanced. This is in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and 2030 Agenda Pembangunan Mampan.

12MP: Strengthening national defence and security, well-being of the people

During the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), various efforts were implemented to raise income and uplift the well-being of the people. Ten selected targets were targeted in enhancing inclusiveness towards an equitable society and improving the well-being of all, but only one target was achieved, while four others recorded significant progress.

12MP: Addressing poverty, building inclusive society

The water sector will be restructured to enable it to be a significant contributor to national growth and wealth creation through the Water Sector Transformation 2040 (WST 2040), a 20-year agenda outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) report.

12MP: Water sector to be restructured via 20-year transformation agenda

True to expectations of higher public spending to rejuvenate and revitalise the economy post Covid-19, total development expenditure under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) (2021-2025) is the country’s largest-ever at RM400 billion — 54% more than the RM260 billion originally allocated under the 11MP (2016-2020).

12MP: RM400b development expenditure, fiscal balance -3.5% to -3% of GDP in 2025

Putrajaya is exploring the possibility of introducing a dedicated tax to fund poverty alleviation programmes as part of efforts to transform its approach in eradicating hardcore poverty by 2025 while ensuring that all Malaysians enjoy a decent standard of living, according to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

12MP: Dedicated tax to fund poverty alleviation programme mulled

During the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), various efforts were implemented to accelerate development in Sabah and Sarawak. Despite these efforts, development imbalances persist. Key issues include gaps in the provision of infrastructure and services, limited access to social services, challenges in security and public safety, as well as lack of progress in inclusive development.

12MP: Enhancing socio-economic development in Sabah, Sarawak

During the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) period, Malaysia’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 2.7%, driven mainly by the services and manufacturing sectors. The local economy, however, was affected by external headwinds and a slowdown in the global economy, especially in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the global value chain and domestic economic activities.

12MP: Restoring growth momentum via five focused sectors

Malaysia will implement a low-carbon, clean and resilient development plan to achieve sustained socio-economic growth, according to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) report.

12MP: Nation to implement low-carbon, clean and resilient development plan

Last year, Malaysia’s gross national income (GNI) per capita was US$10,111 (RM42,503) — 20.4% below the minimum threshold to achieve a high-income economy set by the World Bank at US$12,696 for 2020.

12MP: Malaysia’s 2020 GNI per capita 20% below the threshold of a high-income economy

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has disputed claims by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had paid over RM2 billion to consultants to complete the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) report.

Govt paid 'very small sum', not RM2b, to complete 12MP report, says Mustapa

The Energy Commission (EC) has raised the tariff to transport gas via Peninsular Malaysia’s gas pipeline, owned and operated by Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas), to RM1.096 per gigajoule per day (GJ/day) for 2024, versus a base of RM1.063 GJ/day under Regulatory Period 2 (2023-2025).

PetGas gets nod for gas transportation tariff hike; regas sees mixed adjustment

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Yayasan Hasanah, the social impact foundation of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, marked a decade of philanthropy this week, reporting the disbursement of RM1.6 billion to date.

Announcing the launch of the 10th edition of The Hasanah Report 2023 on Mon...

Yayasan Hasanah marks 10th year of social impact work, spending RM1.6 bil to date

Plantation company WTK Holdings Bhd is raising its stake in Sarawak-based rival Durafarm Sdn Bhd by another 15% for RM28.33 million.

WTK buys another 15% in Sarawak planter Durafarm for RM28m

Indonesia's central bank is confident that the rupiah currency will continue to regain ground against the dollar until the end of 2024, as capital inflows have returned after its recent unexpected rate hike, its governor said on Friday.

Bank Indonesia confident rupiah will strengthen into year-end, governor says

XOX Bhd has proposed to undertake a share capital reduction to wipe out RM303 million of the virtual mobile network operator’s accumulated losses.

The company, which had been in the red for five straight years, had racked up losses totalling RM307.48 million by the end of 2023 despite a slew of fundraising exercises.

XOX proposes RM303mil share capital reduction

GEORGE TOWN (May 3): China Southern Airlines plans to double its weekly flights from Guangzhou, China to Penang, increasing from seven to 14, starting June 20.

China Southern Airlines to double weekly flights to Penang starting June 20

Malaysia’s commitment to building its 5G network has given the country a world-class digital infrastructure, says Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson president and chief executive officer Börje Ekholm.

NEWS: Ericsson hails Malaysia’s ‘world-class’ digital infrastructure

Plastic packaging maker SLP Resources Bhd’s net profit surged 63% in the first quarter from a year earlier bolstered by better product mix and higher output.

Net profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) was RM4.94 million compared with RM3.03 million over the same period last year, SLP said in an exchange filing. Earnings per share came in at 1.56 sen in 1QFY2024, higher than 0.96 sen in 1QFY2023.

SLP Resources net profit soars on better product mix, higher output

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Fresh vegetables wholesaler and distributor Farm Price Holdings Bhd, which is set for listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on May 14, said on Friday that its initial public offering (IPO) had been oversubscribed by 91.35 times.

ACE Market-bound Farm Price’s IPO oversubscribed by 91.35 times

In a majority decision, the Federal Court has dismissed a woman's final challenge to change her religious status as a Muslim.

Top court dismisses woman's attempt to change religious status

Malaysia’s planned increase in civil servant salaries will boost earnings of RCE Capital Bhd, which mainly provides consumer financing to government employees, Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said and upgraded the stock to ‘buy’.

Higher civil servant salaries will boost RCE Capital's earnings, says Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will hold a meeting next week to review due diligence findings on the 5G network rollout, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said on Friday.

Digital Nasional to meet next week to discuss due diligence on 5G network — minister

Shares of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd surged to their highest in nearly six years after the food and seasoning company announced the ex-date for its special dividend.

Ajinomoto Malaysia surges to highest in nearly six years

Naza Corp Holdings Sdn Bhd has completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in Berjaya Enviro Holdings Sdn Bhd (BEnviro) from Berjaya Corp Bhd for RM700 million in cash, marking its entry into the green economy with a focus on municipal and scheduled waste, as well as the waste-to-energy sector.

Naza completes acquisition of waste management company from Berjaya for RM700m cash 

Malaysia’s commitment to building its 5G network has given the country a world-class digital infrastructure, according to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson president and chief executive officer Börje Ekholm.

Ericsson CEO hails Malaysia’s ‘world-class’ digital infrastructure

Ranhill Utilities Bhd has declared a share dividend distribution on a basis of 0.5 share for every 100 shares held in the utility group.

Ranhill declares share dividend distribution

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Fraser &amp; Neave Holding Bhd (F&amp;N) said on Friday that the company will focus on fixed asset optimisation over the next three years, after having allocated more than RM3 billion in capital expenditure (capex) and development of its integrated farm in Gemas.

F&N to focus on sweating off its assets after investing RM3b in capex and development

The country faces higher imports of gas energy for electricity use in the coming years if it continues to depend on the commodity without efforts to accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy.

Rafizi warns of hike in gas imports for electricity without switch to sustainable energy

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Engineering firm UUE Holdings Bhd said on Friday that it has signed an agreement with M&amp;A Securities to underwrite its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

UUE signs underwriting deal with M&A Securities for ACE Market IPO

Malayan Cement Bhd will likely report strong third quarter earnings when the company reports its results by this month-end, as volume and average selling prices stay high, CGS International said.

Malayan Cement likely to report strong 3Q results, says CGS International

Individuals who have fallen victim to fraudulent investment schemes risk losing the right to recover their money even after going through the legal avenue.

Bukit Aman: Victims of investment scams won’t be able to recoup losses

Hong Kong stocks are on their longest-winning streak since 2018, adding to signs that a recovery in one of the worst-performing markets last year is well underway.

Hong Kong stocks are on their longest winning streak since 2018

In a majority decision, the Federal Court has dismissed a woman's final challenge to change her religious status as a Muslim.

The Penang High Court on Friday dismissed former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng, and businesswoman Phang Li Koon’s attempt to strike out their graft and money-laundering charges.

Double jeopardy does not apply, Penang court rules in dismissing Guan Eng, wife and Phang's challenge on graft charge

Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd (LC Titan) is expected to face widening core losses in the second quarter ending June 30, 2024 (2QFY2024) from lower sales volume and weak product spread, according to TA Securities.

Lotte Chemical Titan to face widening losses in 2QFY2024 on lower volume, weak product spread, says TA Securities

Ocean Fresh Bhd has signed an agreement with KAF Investment Bank (KAF IB) to underwrite the frozen seafood company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

Ocean Fresh inks underwriting agreement with KAF IB for ACE Market IPO

As the latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data indicated a softer contraction in Malaysia's manufacturing sector in April, economists are expecting the country's manufacturing condition to gradually recover in the near term, though it remains slightly behind regional peers.

Malaysia's manufacturing sector to recover gradually despite lagging behind regional peers — economists

The US Treasury Department's top sanctions official will travel to Singapore and Malaysia next week, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Washington seeks to combat funding for Iran and its proxy groups as well as evasion of its sanctions on Russia.

Top US Treasury official to travel to Singapore, Malaysia to discuss sanctions

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): KL Wellness City Sdn Bhd, through KL International Hospital Sdn Bhd, has launched KL International Tertiary Hospital as part of the first phase of the KL Wellness City township in Bukit Jalil here on Thursday (May 2).

KL Wellness City launches tertiary hospital as part of the township’s first phase

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Muar Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is seeking a judicial review against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government over RM730,300 in allocations for his constituency.

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