* Najib: Malaysia has created 2.26 million jobs, representing 69% of the 3.3 million target by 2020

* Budget 2018 allocates a sum of RM280.25b, up from RM260.8b in 2017

* Per capita income expected to rise to RM42,777 in 2018, from RM40,713 now, says PM

* Federal gov...

Budget 2018 Highlights

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): The measures announced in Budget 2018 will help fuel tourism growth and air connectivity to Malaysia, which will in turn benefit the retail sector, said Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) president Datuk Garry Chua.

“The RM500 million that is allocated for t...

Budget 2018 measures will help boost retail sector, says MRCA

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 28): AmBank Research said that Budget 2018 with its emphasis to lower the fiscal deficit to 2.8% of grodd domestic product (GDP) in 2018 from 3.0% in 2017 supported by higher revenue on the back of better-than-expected GDP growth of 5.7% for 2017, should bode well for the capita...

Budget 2018 bodes well for capital market, says AmBank Research 

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27):  An economist has called for a reprioritising of expenditure to address the imbalance between the development expenditure and operating expenditure in the country’s Budget.

Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie said that while the fe...

Govt expenditure should be reprioritised, says economist

PETALING JAYA (Oct 27): The National House Buyers Association (HBA) has lauded the government’s move to build more affordable homes. However, it said the government needs to ensure that the homes reach the right target market.

“They must build the right product at the right place with t...

HBA: Affordable housing policy needs to be targeted at the right segment

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Budget 2018’s  proposals to stimulate the housing rental market could  mark the beginning of a greater focus on the rental market in the near future, according to Laurelcap Sdn Bhd executive director Stanley Toh.

He was commenting on Budget 2018 which wa...

Budget 2018 trains eyes on rental market

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27):  Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) said measures anounced in Budget 2018 are positive for the consumption, infrastructure, tourism and finance sectors.

"We are happy to see the government continuing with its prudent approach in fiscal management as can be seen by...

Budget 2018 provides positive impetus on consumer spending, say banks

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): The government’s move to allocate RM4.9 billion to implement the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Malaysia masterplan is a step in the right direction, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

The federation noted that the merger of ...

FMM: TVET Malaysia masterplan is a step in the right direction

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): The banking sector has responded positively to Budget 2018, applauding the central theme on inclusiveness which sees initiatives to address the need to reduce income inequality, narrow the wealth distribution gap and bring socio-economic development to all Malaysians.
...

Focus on rakyat and reducing fiscal deficit welcomed by banks

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): A property industry group says Budget 2018 does not provide any measures to arrest the problems in the real estate market and offers no incentives to assist first time buyers.
 
The Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Con...

Budget offers no incentives to arrest problems in property mart — PEPS

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, has lauded the government in tabling “the most inclusive and comprehensive” national budget, as it strikes a balance between national transformation efforts and Malaysians’ welfare.
 
“[Budget 2018]...

Chief Secretary lauds ‘most inclusive and comprehensive’ Budget 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): The Real Estate and Housing Development Association (REHDA) has hailed the federal government's allocation in Budget 2018 for the middle 40 (M40) and bottom 40 (B40) income groups, and called on state governments to follow Putrajaya's lead in providing more low-income housi...

REDHA urges states to follow Putrajaya's lead by providing more low-income housing options

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) said it is encouraged by Budget 2018’s focus on strengthening government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), from the perspective of building human capital.

Its chief executive Tan Sri ...

LTAT: Budget 2018 incentives will enhance productivity of those working for GLCs and GLICs

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng questioned if the goods and services tax (GST) rate would be raised in the coming years.

"We want to know if the government is maintaining the GST or is it going to raise it in three to four years. Singapore increased it to 7% af...

Will GST rate be raised in three to four years, Guan Eng asks

Deutsche Bank AG is putting aside as much as €1.3 billion (US$1.4 billion or RM6.6 billion) in legal provisions, warning this will hit profits.

The bank will book the potential payment in the current quarter, it said in a statement late on Friday. That will impact “second quarter and full-year profitability”, it said, while adding that the ultimate amount of the provisions is not clear yet.

Deutsche Bank earmarks US$1.4b provision in hit to profit

Genting Malaysia Bhd has dismissed reports linking the group and its deputy chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thai to supposed discussions relating to the opening of a second casino for Malaysia in Forest City, Johor, to revive the US$100 billion (RM477.60 billion) development.

Genting Malaysia denies involvement in talks for Forest City casino

The Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750) remains valid and applicable throughout Malaysia, including in Terengganu, unless declared otherwise by the court, says the Prime Minister’s Office, despite the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly's decision to reject its use.

Territorial Sea Act 2012 still valid, including in Terengganu, says PMO

The Malaysian government is serious about resolving issues surrounding the palm oil industry in the country, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Govt serious about resolving palm oil industry issues, says Johari Ghani

Three new semiconductor companies are keen to invest in Penang with total investments of US$100 million (RM477 million), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Three semiconductor firms keen to invest US$100m in Penang

Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and his brother Mirzan Mahathir, who have been asked to declare their assets by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), have both denied being investigated by the agency.

Mahathir's sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, deny being under MACC probe

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government had no plans to temporarily suspend the service of Fennec and HOM helicopters.

Govt not suspending service of Fennec and HOM helicopters, says minister

It will be a four-way fight in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election between Pakatan Harapan’s pick Pang Sock Tao, Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

NEWS: Four-cornered fight in KKB by-election

Parti Rakyar Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin says that if elected, PRM will stand on a platform of increased transparency in government.

NEWS: Parti Rakyat Malaysia will run on more transparency

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Ageing oil palm trees: MPOA calls for govt incentives to speed up replanting

The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.

Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election will see a four-cornered fight between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

A four-way bout in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary&nbsp;KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.

The allegations, according to KLK, were made by Sajha Sabal Media, a news portal in Nepal.

KLK investigating allegations of unethical practice linked to its foreign worker recruitment agent

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Court told MACC never asked Najib if he knew who owned shell company that transferred US$30 mil to his account

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

Singapore bank fires workers over misuse of medical claims — CNA

Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.

Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

Three new semiconductor companies are keen to invest in Penang with&nbsp;total investments of US$100 million (RM477&nbsp;million), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).

Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said&nbsp;there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

The nomination centre&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.

The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin&nbsp;at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination centre for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election closes at 10am

Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.

Singapore plans law to support gig workers’ retirement needs

Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and his brother Mirzan Mahathir, who have been asked to declare their assets by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), have both denied being investigated by the agency.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election&nbsp;is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said&nbsp;Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Time for BN to return PH's favour in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, says Zahid

US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.

US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

Genting Malaysia Bhd has dismissed reports linking the group and its deputy chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thai to supposed discussions relating to the opening of a second casino for Malaysia in Forest City, Johor, to revive the US$100 billion (RM477.60 billion) development.

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Taiwan rattled by quakes again, no immediate reports of damage

China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.

Budget 2018

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