Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Labour Day announced a pay rise for civil servants, ensuring the public staff’s monthly salary will not be less than RM2,000 starting this December.

According to Anwar, who is also the finance minister, the overall minimum pay of civil servants...

Frankly Speaking: Funding the civil servant pay hike and higher pension

On the face of it, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd is suffering because of the boycott of US-based food franchises, resulting in its suspending operations of more than 100 KFC restaurants.

Frankly Speaking: Is KFC seizing an opportunity?

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) must be congratulated for bringing in US$2.2 billion (RM10.4 billion) in investments from Microsoft Corp, the tech giant’s largest outlay ever in its 32-year history in Malaysia.

Frankly Speaking: No resting on laurels for Miti

Moneylending is a high-margin, high-risk business. Margins can easily go up to 50% or more, depending on the clientele. However, the risk is extremely high, especially for non-bank firms.

Frankly Speaking: Apex Equity’s moneylending business under scrutiny

On May 1, Leow Thang Fong took over as CEO of South Malaysia Industries Bhd (SMI).

Frankly Speaking: SMI has some explaining to do

It is uncommon to see a listed company being issued a show-cause notice by regulators.

Frankly Speaking: Show-cause notice a stern warning for Annum

What appears to be a common partnership between landowner and developer to develop a parcel of land has turned out to be a transaction where there is more than meets the eye.

Frankly Speaking: YNH raises eyebrows again

The business reorganisation plan announced last week by the two friends and business partners — Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun — is the final piece of the jigsaw to get the group of companies they control back on a stronger footing, at least in the restructuring of their balance sheet.

Frankly Speaking: Best chance for Cap A and AAX

Gadang Holdings Bhd recently announced that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had rejected its application to waive the 30% bumiputera equity requirement for its acquisition of 21.08 acres of land in Kwasa Damansara for RM114.78 million.

Frankly Speaking: When to set aside bumi equity rule

Last week, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said a memorandum of understanding will be signed between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in a bid to accelerate the adoption of 5G networks, particularly by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Frankly Speaking: Accelerate 5G adoption via competitive pricing

The crux of the matter between AwanBiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) and Bursa Malaysia is the sustainability of the former’s business.

Frankly Speaking: AwanBiru not on cloud nine

Last Friday, financial services provider Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF) announced that it had reported a recent cybersecurity incident to the relevant authorities and stated that it was collaborating closely with them on addressing the matter.

Frankly Speaking: Corporates must do more to prevent data breaches and hacks 

Edelteq Holdings Bhd’s employees must be jumping for joy. The company has proposed to set up an employees’ share option scheme (ESOS) of up to 30% of its issued share capital.

Frankly Speaking: Edelteq’s staff will need to work hard to justify sizable ESOS

The unity government, in just over a year since it was formed, has unveiled a few master plans, such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Halal Industry Master Plan. Now another one is on its way — a comprehensive semiconductor strategic plan that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said will be announced by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

Frankly Speaking: Don’t just plan, let’s make sure we get it right

Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been granted a temporary release of his passport to visit a sick family member in Australia.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed the Bersatu chief's application and ordered the travel document to be released on Wednesday and for it to be returned to the court on May 28.

Muhyiddin gets temporary release of passport to visit sick family member abroad

Shares in low-cost aviation operators Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) and AirAsia X Bhd (KL:AAX) rose in early trade on Wednesday, tracking gains at the broader market.

Capital A and AAX active, advance in post merger trade

IJM Land Bhd (KL: IJM) has achieved 55% take-up rate for serviced apartment Daffodil Residency since its launch on March 1, according to a press statement on May 7.

IJM Land’s Daffodil Residency achieves 55% take-up rate 

Hospital operator IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL: IHH) on Wednesday said it has invested in Belun Technology Company Ltd that makes devices tackling sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

IHH Healthcare invests in Belun Technology for devices to tackle sleep disorders

Shares of CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) rose to their highest in nearly two months as analysts flagged a pickup in earnings ahead following the seasonally weaker first-quarter results.

CTOS rises to near two-month high; analysts see stronger quarters ahead

The FBM KLCI was little changed in early trade on Wednesday although it held firm above the 1,600-point level.

KLCI little changed in early trade, hovers above 1,600 resistance level

United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) has launched a programme to assist businesses in understanding and preparing for the European Union's (EU) carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), a carbon border tax that is set to take effect in 2026 and affect some 75% of Malaysian exports to the region.

UOB Malaysia introduces masterclass to prepare businesses for EU’s carbon border tax

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is piloting artificial intelligence (AI) to train officers who review applicants for refugee status in the US, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters on Tuesday.

US explores AI to train immigration officers on talking to refugees

The head of Saudi Arabia’s new investment fund for semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) technology said the country would divest from China if it were asked to do so by the US.

Saudi Arabia AI fund would divest from China if US asked, CEO says

Kim Ki Nam, one of the longest-serving North Korean officials who served all three generations of its leaders cementing their political legitimacy and heading the propaganda apparatus for the dynastic state, has died, official media said on Wednesday.

North Korean propaganda chief who served all three leaders dies

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday.

Sime Darby Plantation, Pekat, Siab, OCK, Sapura Energy, CTOS, Awantec, Mobilia, Prolintas, Power Root

The takeover bid by Yinson Holdings Bhd’s major shareholder for Icon Offshore Bhd was made at 63.5 sen per share, as wellas 0.1 sen per warrant.

Yinson's major shareholder raises Icon stake to 56.67% as MGO closes

Power Root Bhd's subsidiaries have successfully recovered trademark of its own “Ah Huat” brand for coffee and tea beverages, after reaching an amicable out-of-court settlement with its Indonesian distributor CV Ego Sun Star Sukses Mandiri (CV Ego) following an infringement wrangle that started in 2013.

Power Root reclaims ‘Ah Huat’ brand in Indonesia after decade-long trademark tussle 

Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB) — a special purpose vehicle established under the Ministry of Finance to rehabilitate, restructure and monetise underperforming assets transferred to it from Lembaga Tabung Haji — has emerged as a substantial shareholder in Prolintas Infra Business Trust.

Urusharta Jamaah emerges as third largest shareholder in Prolintas Infra

GCH Retail (M) Sdn Bhd, the operator of Giant hypermarkets, said the courts are still deciding on the company’s tenancy dispute with its landlord over premises it is currently occupying in Batu Caves.

GCH Retail says Giant Batu Caves tenancy dispute with landlord still being decided by courts

Global sales of semiconductors jumped 15.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to US$137.7 billion (RM653.24 billion) during the first quarter of 2024, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

First-quarter global semicon sales jump 15.2% y-o-y to US$137.7b, says SIA 

Former National and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) skipper Safiq Rahim became the third National footballer to be attacked within a week, although the JDT player’s attack seemed more of a warning than personal harm.

Two suspects on motorcycles break Safiq Rahim's car windscreen in third attack on footballers 

United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) has launched a programme to assist businesses in understanding and preparing for the European Union's (EU) carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), a carbon border tax that is set to take effect in 2026 and affect some 75% of Malaysian exports to the region.

TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance said on Tuesday they filed suit in US federal court seeking to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would force the divestiture of the short video app used by 170 million Americans or ban its use.

TikTok, ByteDance sue to block US law seeking sale or ban of app

The head of Saudi Arabia’s new investment fund for semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) technology said the country would divest from China if it were asked to do so by the US.

The S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both clung onto gains to ended slightly higher on Tuesday, extending recent winning streaks fueled by renewed expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates this year.

S&P, Dow end slightly up, extend closing streaks despite Disney drag

As Malaysia aims to achieve high-income status, it needs to improve its human capital outcomes to match those of high-income countries.

Aspiring to high-income status: Education matters

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is studying allegations against Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming with regards to his announcement of an allocation for infrastructure in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) recently.

MACC looking into minister’s KKB allocation announcement ahead of poll

The FBM KLCI was little changed in early trade on Wednesday although it held firm above the 1,600-point level.

Wall Street pared earlier gains on Tuesday after equity markets elsewhere rallied as investors parsed when and by how much the Federal Reserve (Fed) cuts interest rates this year, while a resurgent dollar helped weaken the yen further.

Wall Street loses steam, dollar gains as investors mull rate cut timing

Shares in low-cost aviation operators Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) and AirAsia X Bhd (KL:AAX) rose in early trade on Wednesday, tracking gains at the broader market.

Australia said on Wednesday it would raise the amount of savings international students will need to get a visa and warned several colleges of fraudulent student recruitment practices, as part of efforts to rein in record migration.

Australia raises minimum savings for student visa, warns on fake recruitment

Shares of CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) rose to their highest in nearly two months as analysts flagged a pickup in earnings ahead following the seasonally weaker first-quarter results.

Reddit Inc jumped more than 10% in extended trading after reporting quarterly sales that topped analysts’ estimates, impressing investors in its first results as a public company.

Reddit gains after strong sales in first report since IPO

Currency markets have started pricing in elevated foreign exchange volatility around the US vote on Nov 5, even with election day almost six months away.

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