By Sofia Nasir PETALING JAYA, July 11 — Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to lower the overnight policy rate (OPR) is expected to support an economic growth of between 4.5 and 5 per cent this year. Economist Prof Emeritus Barjoyai Bardai from Malaysia University of Science and Technology...

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, June 17 — Malaysia’s fiscal deficit has narrowed to 4.5 per cent of the national gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2025, down from 5.7 per cent in the same period last year. This is said to reflect improved revenue collection from the revised Sales and...

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, June 12 — Despite nearly two decades of lofty declarations and frameworks such as the Asean Economic Community, intra-Asean trade remains sluggish as it hovers below the 25 per cent mark, a figure economists attribute to persistent non-tariff barriers (NTBs),...

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, May 29 — A proposal to raise Malaysia’s mandatory retirement age to 65 has sparked renewed debate over the country’s readiness for an ageing population, drawing mixed reactions from economists and policy experts. While the move could help retain skilled talent...

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, March 14 — The Strategic Investor Pass (SIP) is a promising initiative to attract foreign investment to Malaysia by streamlining immigration processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. This is expected to enhance the ease of doing business, especially for small...

By Fitri Hazim Hazam SHAH ALAM, March 3 — The Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) achievement in declaring a dividend rate of 6.30 per cent for conventional savings for 2024 — the highest since 2017 — is owed to the fact that it is an independent body and not influenced by any party, including those...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 — The Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) decision to declare a 6.30 per cent dividend for both conventional and shariah savings for 2024 will bolster confidence in the capital market and investment sector, an economist said.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 — The government's decision to end toll-free travel during festive seasons and to introduce a ‘more targeted approach’ is a reasonable move, as the toll waivers only benefit a portion of households that use the highways during that time, said analysts.

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, Jan 6 — Malaysia's economy is poised for steady growth in 2025, with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to range between 4.0 and 5.5 per cent. This is despite looming global economic challenges, including the potential escalation of United States (US)-China...

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, Aug 21 — Malaysia’s better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth last quarter reflects strong public confidence in the local market, according to an economist. Prof Emeritus Barjoyai Bardai said this has led to robust private and local spending, which...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Malaysia is expected to record strong export figures in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q 2024) despite consensus projection of sluggish external markets this year.

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, Aug 1 — The resumption of narrow-body aircraft operations from six airlines at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) starting today serves as a significant boost to the airport’s cargo transportation potential and is expected to further enhance Malaysia’s air...

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, April 19 — Malaysia, and to an extent Selangor, is positioned to be one of the primary beneficiaries of the ongoing trade tension between China and the United States (US), particularly in the multibillion ringgit semiconductor industry.  However, to maximise...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — Malaysia is one of the lowest tax revenue collectors in Southeast Asia, with a tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 11.8 per cent.

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, Jan 30 — Selangor is on the right track towards eradicating extreme poverty by formulating a sustainable roadmap that takes a bottom-up approach. An independent group, All Party-Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG), said some of...

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, Dec 29 — Selangor has made positive strides towards realising its vision as the gateway to Asean by achieving another milestone in its economic growth. Earlier this year, the latest official data revealed the state made its highest-ever contribution to Malaysia’s...

By Yasmin Ramlan and Nadirah H.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The just-concluded 15th General Election (GE15) has brought Malaysia to unchartered waters with a hung parliament, wherein neither coalition crossed the indispensable line of 112 simple majority to form the next government independently.