Bold, independent coverage of Malaysian politics, business and current affairs.
Singapore's Parliament has affirmed an amended motion on the nation's economic future after a lengthy debate. The Workers' Party proposed reforms to the country's economic model, while the government defended its approach of supporting entrepreneurship and workers.
PKR's Hassan Karim, the Pasir Gudang MP, has cautioned against calling an early general election, advocating instead for the government to remain in office through late 2027 or early 2028 to allow economic initiatives time to deliver measurable results.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has called on the government to resist pressure for an early general election, arguing that completing its full mandate until late 2027 or early 2028 would give economic policies time to demonstrate tangible benefits to Malaysians.
Malaysia has jumped eight places to 15th in the International Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Ranking, with bureaucratic reforms playing a central role. The Malaysia Productivity Corporation warns against complacency as the nation pursues a 2030 target of 12th place globally.
Malaysia's appeal to foreign investors is spurring domestic companies to expand, with RM1.14 trillion in approved investments under MADANI. Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin explains the symbiotic relationship between foreign and local investment growth.
Indonesia recorded over 32,000 layoffs in the first half of 2024, prompting the government to establish a task force. Labour unions push for emergency aid while experts warn structural reforms are essential for sustainable job protection.
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid has outlined potential economic advantages for Malaysia from hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix, citing increased tourism and heightened international visibility as catalysts for foreign investment.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected calls for lower fuel prices, citing the government's RM40 billion annual subsidy expenditure as a constraint on further reductions without undermining Malaysia's fiscal stability.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged that the government recognises the continued economic difficulties experienced by many ordinary Malaysians and small-to-medium enterprises, despite second-quarter GDP growth outperforming analyst expectations.
Malaysia's outbound investment has plummeted to its second-lowest level in two decades, prompting questions about whether local companies are expanding internationally with sufficient ambition or becoming too reliant on domestic markets.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pointed to Malaysia's second-quarter GDP performance as evidence of the nation's economic durability, crediting three years of government reforms and strategic policy initiatives for stabilising underlying economic structures.
Malaysia's Public Accounts Committee has called for sweeping reforms to the cooking oil subsidy programme, recommending a 60,000 tonne monthly quota reduction and digital targeting to plug RM10.879 billion in wastage since 2019.
Sabah's government is collaborating with the Finance Ministry to improve the targeted diesel subsidy mechanism following its rollout on July 1, with a federal-state meeting scheduled for July 17 to address stakeholder concerns.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has again dismissed calls for an early general election, arguing Malaysians prioritise economic stability and development over continuous political campaigning.
Malaysian lawmakers will grill the government on economic gains from the Malaysia-Thailand Border Economic Zone and assess threats from the Strait of Hormuz crisis during today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.
More than 200 economists and researchers, including 15 Nobel laureates and leaders from major AI firms, have issued a joint call for governments to develop comprehensive policies addressing AI's economic consequences before rapid transformation outpaces society's ability to adapt.
Malaysia's Economy Ministry is seeking an extension of the IPR-INSAN programme, which helps B40 entrepreneurs sell affordable food through campus vending machines. The initiative has proven successful in generating sustainable income for participants.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to investigate allegations that petrol station operators lost between RM40,000 and RM50,000 during Malaysia's transition to the enhanced targeted fuel subsidy programme.
Malaysia's chief statistician has called for stronger Bumiputera participation in high-growth sectors, citing wage improvements across both communities but warning that population size masks uneven advancement.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stressed that Malaysia's National Rural Economic Agenda should serve as a strategic blueprint, ensuring rural communities develop in tandem with global economic priorities.
Experts welcome the government's decision to eliminate support letters in entrepreneur financing approvals, viewing it as crucial structural reform to combat political patronage and ensure public funds reach viable businesses.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed Bumiputera development agencies to stop issuing loans solely on the basis of endorsement letters, warning that past recipients have squandered funding on luxury vehicles and lavish office spaces rather than genuine business growth.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected top-down governance models for developing Bumiputera entrepreneurs, arguing that seasoned business leaders should mentor newcomers through practical experience rather than theoretical instruction.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repositioned Bumiputera empowerment as a whole-of-government priority, requiring all ministries and agencies to align efforts rather than rely on dedicated institutions.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has officially launched SParK 2026, PUNB's business transformation platform, which aims to channel RM2.25 billion in financing to bumiputera entrepreneurs over the next four years as part of broader economic development efforts.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has launched SParK 2026, an initiative designed to strengthen Bumiputera enterprise capabilities. Permodalan Nasional Bhd aims to channel RM2.25 billion in financing to accelerate business development across the community.
Selangor's economy expanded by RM28 billion to reach RM460.1 billion in 2025, increasing the state's contribution to Malaysia's GDP to 26.5 per cent and nearly doubling the growth of any other state.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rejected assertions about uneven development in the state, emphasizing that the Johor Economic Transformation Plan ensures equitable growth across all districts and benefits for residents.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim disclosed that Malaysia's household debt has climbed to RM1.73 trillion as of March 2026, equivalent to 84.4% of GDP, highlighting mounting financial pressures on consumers across the nation.
Malaysia's Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced initiatives to strengthen Langkawi's connectivity and SME sector, including increased flight frequencies, simplified tax procedures, and digital economy development.