Despite various extensions of rental relief, up to half of mall operators reported significant difficulties collecting rents from their tenants in the first half of 2021 (1H21), according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Pressure on office and retail rents to remain as vacancy rates rise — BNM

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia saw their portion of bank loans under repayment assistance spike to 21.6% in June 2021 from below 8% in September 2020, according to Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) Financial Stability Review report for the first half of 2021 (1H21).

One-fifth of SME loans underwent repayment assistance — BNM report

Malaysia’s banking system total deposit annual growth slowed to 3.9% in June 2021 from 6% in March 2021, but remained supported by precautionary savings by households and businesses, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said.

Banking system deposit growth slows; preference grows for liquid assets

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said banks in the country expect to continue bolstering loan-loss provisions in the second half of 2021 (2H21) given renewed stress faced by some borrowers.

BNM: Higher provisions seen in banks as borrowers face renewed stress

The impact on insurers’ and takaful operators’ earnings from premium deferrals as well as Covid-19 claims is expected to remain manageable, with insurers and takaful operators assessed to be resilient against stressed scenarios assuming higher claims than observed thus far, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Insurers’ and takaful operators’ capital adequacy ratio well above regulatory minimum — BNM

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said that while recovery prospects for the Malaysian economy remain subjected to some degree of Covid-19 pandemic-driven uncertainty, the domestic financial system is expected to remain resilient against potential economic and financial shocks as banks and insurers continue to have sufficient financial buffers to absorb potential losses under severe macroeconomic and financial conditions while sustaining support for economic recovery.

BNM: Malaysia's financial system to remain resilient against economic, financial shocks

Last year, close to seven million individual medical reimbursement policies/certificates were written by life insurers and family takaful operators, accounting for 68% of total protection insurance and takaful claims.

How has Covid-19 impacted medical claims trend?

First-time buyers of affordable residential property continued to support house prices in Malaysia in the first half of 2021 (1H21) despite the housing market reversing improvements observed in 2H20 as the effects of the positive response to various homeownership incentives introduced by the government subsided.

First-time buyers continued to support house prices in 1H21 — BNM

Malaysia’s overall household debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio improved to 89.6% at end-June 2021 from 93.2% at end-December last year, but remained elevated amid the sluggish recovery in nominal GDP, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Malaysia’s household debt-to-GDP ratio improves to 89.6% at end-June

The application for the latest loan moratorium peaked in the first half of July, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Nevertheless, the weekly applications declined steeply thereafter.

Application for latest loan moratorium peaked in first half of July

The business sector could suffer a setback in its financial recovery from the reimposition of nationwide movement restrictions towards the end of the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21).

Renewed pressure on business sector’s debt-servicing capacity seen

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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,&nbsp;despite the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly's decision to reject its use.

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.

BNM Financial Stability Review 1H2021

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