Category: Business

PETALING JAYA: Penang-based UMediC Group Bhd, a medical devices marketing and distribution provider that also manufactures its own range of medical consumables, has launched a new business segment under medical services. The strategic venture into medical services is part of UMediC’s vertical expansion into the medical healthcare services. UMediC is synergistic, leveraging its existing business… Continue reading UMediC expands into medical services

PETALING JAYA: Johor Plantations Group Bhd recorded a 51% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in net profit for the first half of 2025 (H1’25), reaching RM150.64 million. Revenue saw a 12.6% increase to RM738.72 million, compared to the same period last year. While production volumes were lower y-o-y, the group’s performance was supported by higher selling prices… Continue reading Johor Plantation posts robust results, declares 1.25 sen dividend

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s industries are set to gain a competitive edge with the launch of the country’s first private university-led Quality Verification Centre (QVC) for stand-alone microcredentials, a move that promises to raise workforce standards and better align skills with rapidly evolving market demands. The QVC, established under the stewardship of Mahsa University and endorsed… Continue reading New verification centre to drive industry-ready talent

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has maintained its 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) projection of between 4.0 per cent and 4.8 per cent, taking into consideration a range of possible outcomes from tariff negotiations, said BNM governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour today. He said BNM has taken a tariff assumption of between 25… Continue reading Malaysia’s economy grows 4.4% in Q2 2025 on strong domestic demand

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened by 5.1 per cent against the United States (US) dollar in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q 2025), primarily driven by broad US dollar weakness, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour. He said this was driven by expectations of more subdued US economic growth, rising… Continue reading Ringgit gains 5.1% against US dollar in Q2 2025, says BNM

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened lower against the US dollar amid cautious investor sentiment ahead of the second quarter 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) announcement later today and a stronger US dollar. At 8 am, the local note depreciated to 4.2100/2210 from Thursday’s close of 4.2090/2145. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam… Continue reading Ringgit weakens against US dollar ahead of Q2 GDP data

THE Trump administration is in talks with Intel to have the U.S. government potentially take a stake in the struggling chipmaker, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the plan. Intel’s shares surged over 7% in regular trading and then another 2.6% after the bell. The plan stems from a meeting this week… Continue reading US considers stake in Intel to boost chip industry, reports say

SAUDI ARAMCO signed an $11 billion lease and leaseback agreement involving its Jafurah gas processing facilities with a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock, it said on Thursday. Under the deal, a newly formed subsidiary, Jafurah Midstream Gas Company (JMGC), will lease development and usage rights for the Jafurah Field Gas… Continue reading Aramco signs $11 billion Jafurah gas deal with BlackRock-led group

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a critical need for nations, institutions and businesses to strengthen resilience in today’s increasingly volatile environment, as the global economy continues to face waves of disruptive forces – from climate change and geopolitical conflicts to sweeping policy shifts in advanced economies. Former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti… Continue reading Imperative to ensure financial stability and resilience amid global disruptive forces: Zeti

Chang said the RM74 million cash proceeds will provide the group with more substantial financial flexibility to accelerate its property development plans. KUALA LUMPUR: Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (CHGP), a leading Malaysian property developer, has entered into a share sale agreement with N&K Resources (M) Sdn Bhd for the disposal of four subsidiaries involved… Continue reading Chin Hin Group Property to dispose commercial vehicle division for RM74m

KUALA LUMPUR: Telenor ASA, a major shareholder of CelcomDigi Bhd, is eyeing the development of a sovereign, sustainable “artificial intelligence factory” (AI factory) in Malaysia – a data centre designed to deliver local compute power. Telenor Group senior vice-president and head of AI Dr Ieva Martinkenaite said the proposed facility would draw on the company’s… Continue reading Telenor eyeing development of sovereign, sustainable ‘AI factory’ in Malaysia

When you’re not busy with work or speaking engagements, what’s your favourite way to unwind? A: I find great solace in quiet contemplation, often with a good book or by engaging in light physical activity such as walking. Spending quality time with my family, away from the demands of my former role, has also become… Continue reading Conviction, courage and central banking

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) recently launched two AI-powered tools – Customs AI and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code Lookup Feature – across Asia-Pacific (Apac) markets. In a statement, FedEx said these solutions are designed to simplify the often-complex process of completing global shipping documents needed for international shipments, em-powering businesses and individuals… Continue reading FedEx rolls out AI-powered tools for seamless documentation

PETALING JAYA: JLand Group (JLG), the real estate and infrastructure arm of Johor Corporation (JCorp), is expanding its global innovation network to unlock new engines of growth across its strategic developments. The signing of a three-year collaboration with ZGC International Holding Ltd, China’s cross-border innovation platform, marks a pivotal step in positioning Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC)… Continue reading ZGC–JLand pact to make Johor Asean’s creative hub

KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening brand narratives, embracing ethical governance and forging collaborative networks were among the key strategies put forward at the National CEO Forum 2025 today as Malaysian businesses grapple with the pressures of an evolving global economy. According to Interbrand’s 2024 report, brands worldwide have lost US$200 billion (RM939 billion then) in unrealised value… Continue reading Stronger brand strategy, governance and cross-sector collaboration the way forward for businesses

PETALING JAYA: I-Berhad, the developer of i-City in Selangor, reported another strong quarter for the financial period ended June 30, 2025 (Q2’25), reinforcing the group’s transformation into a recurring income-centric enterprise. For the quarter under review, the group recorded revenue of RM62.3 million and profit before tax (PBT) of RM14.26 million, driven by solid performance… Continue reading I-Berhad posts strong Q2 results, sees AI and robotics as new engines for growth

TOKYO: Oil prices climbed on Thursday as investors remain cautious the U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine on Friday will lead to a loosening of Russian crude sanctions and may even result in further action against buyers, while a weak market outlook capped gains. Brent crude futures were up 24 cents, or 0.37%, at $65.87 a barrel… Continue reading Oil climbs on supply risks; weak fundamentals weigh

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Main Market-listed marine operations service and solutions provider Avangaad Bhd has completed the sale of its floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel for US$10.5 million (approximately RM44.5 million), realising an immediate gain of RM29.4 million. The divestment delivers RM44.5 million in cash proceeds, which will be strategically redeployed into higher-yielding, longer-tenured… Continue reading Avangaad unlocks RM44.5m to drive strategic growth

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened higher and is set to test the 1,600 level today after Wall Street’s bullish momentum overnight on US interest rate cut hopes, coupled with a strong corporate earnings season, analysts said. At 9.15 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.48 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,589.08… Continue reading Bursa opens higher, seen testing 1,600 level on US rate cut hopes

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened flat against the US dollar on Thursday as investors turned a bit cautious after recent gains, despite growing speculation for a US interest rate cut. At 8.05 am, the local note edged slightly down to 4.2045/2160 versus the US dollar from Wednesday’s close of 4.2040/2085. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief… Continue reading Ringgit opens flat on caution after recent gains

SINGAPORE’S state investor Temasek said on Thursday its unit priced two U.S. dollar-denominated bonds totaling $1.5 billion, a day after launching the offer under its $25 billion medium-term note program. The unit, Temasek Financial (I), priced two $750 million two-year bonds, one with a 3.75% fixed rate and the other priced at a spread of… Continue reading Singapore’s Temasek prices $1.5 billion US dollar fixed and floating-rate bonds

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reaffirms its ambition to become a leading regional cloud and digital hub by 2030 with the launch of the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP), a strategic blueprint that focuses on five core pillars guiding sustainable cloud adoption in Malaysia. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said yesterday this policy directly supports the objectives… Continue reading Malaysia unveils National Cloud Computing Policy

KUALA LUMPUR: HSBC Malaysia has rolled out a redefined HSBC Premier proposition designed to capture the country’s fast-growing affluent and high-net-worth segment, which is projected to transform Malaysia’s financial landscape over the next decade. Anchored on four strategic pillars (wealth, health, travel and international) the new premier offering blends traditional financial services with health, lifestyle… Continue reading HSBC Premier goes ‘beyond just wealth’

SUBANG JAYA: Proton and Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Touch ‘n Go RFID technology into the all-new Proton X50. This collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marks a significant milestone in advancing Malaysia’s connected mobility ecosystem. Under the agreement, every new Proton X50 will be pre-fitted… Continue reading Proton to integrate RFID technology into X50

PARIS: Fingerprints, access keys and facial recognition are putting a new squeeze on passwords as the traditional computer security method – but also running into public hesitancy. “The password era is ending,“ two senior figures at Microsoft wrote in a July blog post. The tech giant has been building “more secure” alternatives to log in… Continue reading Passwords at risk as tech giants tighten security

WASHINGTON: When US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on almost all trading partners in April, Ben Knepler contacted the factory in Cambodia producing his company’s outdoor furniture. “Stop production,” he ordered. The announcement involved a 10% levy on imports from most partners, set to rise further for many of them. For Cambodia, the planned duty… Continue reading ‘Stop production’: Small US firms hit by tariff changes

KUALA LUMPUR: BlackBerry Ltd is expanding its secure communications division’s Asia Pacific (Apac) regional headquarters in Malaysia, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the nation and the broader Asean region. Following the successful launch of the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya in March 2024, BlackBerry is now scaling its presence… Continue reading BlackBerry expands Apac HQ to boost cyber-resilience

KUALA LUMPUR: Mobile penetration now exceeds 100% in nearly every market, with Hong Kong SAR at 264%, Singapore at 150%, Taiwan region at 145%, Japan and South Korea each at 140%, Malaysia at 130%, and Mainland China at 110%. Even in emerging markets like Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and India, penetration sits at or above… Continue reading Mobile penetration tops 100% in most markets

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended its uptrend against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by a 0.43 per cent drop in the US Dollar Index (DXY) to 98.097 after the headline US inflation rate came in lower than expected. At 8 am, the local note rose to 4.2115/2285 against the greenback from Tuesday’s close of… Continue reading Ringgit rises as softer US inflation boosts rate cut expectations

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is taking proactive steps to ensure that the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) translates into tangible, inclusive benefits for every citizen. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the ministry is leading the change in Malaysia, working to bridge the gap between advanced technology and everyday life – from urban centres to the… Continue reading Malaysia to ensure AI serves as tool for shared prosperity in country and Asean: Gobind

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) will return to Europe for the first time in over a decade with the launch of a direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, Turkiye, starting Nov 14. The new route, operated four times weekly on an Airbus A330-300, will connect Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen… Continue reading Europe on radar as AirAsia X to start KL-Istanbul direct service on Nov 14

KUALA LUMPUR: Zetrix AI Bhd, formerly known as MY EG Services Bhd, is eyeing a global Muslim population of two billion with NurAI, the world’s first syariah-aligned large language model (LLM). Co-founder and head of AI development Datuk Fadzli Shah said the initial rollout will cover Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, a combined market of 340… Continue reading Zetrix AI to promote use of NurAI to global Muslim population

SHAH ALAM: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd does not expect volume growth this year but will implement a single-digit price adjustment towards year-end. While the ringgit has strengthened and raw material costs have improved, the company remains optimistic about its outlook and confident of sustaining profit margins. Declining to elaborate on the price adjustment, managing director… Continue reading Carlsberg Malaysia confident of sustaining profit margins