Day: May 12, 2026

Malaysia’s unemployment rate to remain stable at 2.9 percent in March 2026 – DOSM

PUTRAJAYA, 12 MAY -- Malaysia's labour market remained stable in March 2026 with the unemployment rate unchanged at 2.9 percent, supported by continued employment growth and labour force participation, according to the Malaysian Labour Force Statistics, March and First Quarter 2026 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the positive economic outlook throughout the month allowed the country's labour market to maintain stable growth momentum. "The labour force increased by 0.1 percent to 17.31 million people in March 2026 compared to 17.30 million people in February, while the labour force participation rate (LPFR) remained at 70.9 percent," he said in a statement today. Mohd Uzir said the number of employed people also increased by 0.1 percent to 16.80 million people, compared to 16.79 million recorded in the previous month. At the same time, he said the number of unemployed recorded a slight increase of 0.4 percent to 509,000 people compared to 506,800 people in February, thus leaving the unemployment rate unchanged at 2.9 percent. The Chief Statistician said the workers category comprised the largest share of total employment at 75 percent, with a slight increase to 12.60 million people in March compared to 12.59 million previously. "At the same time, the number of self-employed also recorded an increase of 0.3 percent to 3.14 million people compared to 3.13 million in February," he said. Mohd Uzir said the services sector remained the main contributor to employment growth, particularly in accommodation activities as well as food and beverage services, information and communication, as well as transportation and storage activities. "The manufacturing, construction and agriculture sectors also recorded an increase in employment, while the mining and quarrying sectors recorded a slight decrease," he said. Regarding unemployment, Mohd Uzir said the actively unemployed are defined as those who are ready to work and actively looking for work, comprising 79.7 percent of the total unemployed, increasing by 0.3 percent to 405,800 people in March compared to February's 404,700 people. At the state level, Mohd Uzir said the Federal Territory of Putrajaya recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 1.3 percent, followed by Pahang at 1.9 percent, while Selangor and Melaka each recorded two percent. He said the Federal Territory of Putrajaya also recorded the highest KPTB at 79.2 percent, followed by Selangor at 78 percent and WP Kuala Lumpur at 76 percent. Going forward, Mohd Uzir said the Malaysian labour market is expected to remain stable, supported by strong domestic fundamentals and ongoing structural transformation. "However, growth is expected to be more moderate and increasingly influenced by external developments, particularly the direction of the global energy crisis and the geopolitical situation." "In this regard, businesses and the workforce need to be resilient in navigating a more dynamic and uncertain economic environment," he said.

PUTRAJAYA, 12 MAY — Malaysia’s labour market remained stable in March 2026 with the unemployment rate unchanged at 2.9 percent, supported by continued employment growth and labour force participation, according to the Malaysian Labour Force Statistics, March and First Quarter 2026 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir […]

Malaysia, China To Co-build Future Industries, TVET First Line Of Readiness – Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 -- Malaysia and China will deepen cooperation to co-develop future industries, with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serving as Malaysia’s first line of readiness for the future economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said both countries must move beyond traditional trade, identifying electric mobility, battery technology, renewable energy, smart manufacturing, digital systems and talent development as key areas of collaboration. “Malaysia brings strategic geography, a growing industrial base and a young, trainable workforce. China brings technological depth, industrial scale and proven leadership in new energy industries. “Together, we can build more than bilateral success. We can strengthen regional value chains, support ASEAN’s industrial transformation and create a partnership that is not only good for Malaysia and China, but meaningful for the future of this region,” he said. He said this while delivering his keynote address at the Malaysia-China Forum on Electric Vehicle (EV), Battery and New Energy Talent Development and Innovation (MCEF 2026) at the Asia School of Business here today.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — Malaysia and China will deepen cooperation to co-develop future industries, with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serving as Malaysia’s first line of readiness for the future economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said both countries must move beyond traditional trade, identifying electric […]

Israeli parliament passes law establishing military courts for Hamas ‘elite forces’

JERUSALEM: The Israeli parliament on Monday passed a law to establish a special military court for individuals described by Israel as members of Hamas' "elite forces", Anadolu Agency reported. The bill was first passed in an initial reading in mid-January after being introduced by Knesset members Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party and Yulia Malinovsky of the Yisrael Beiteinu party. The Knesset passed the second and third readings of the bill, thus officially making it law. The law was passed with the support of 93 Knesset members, with no votes against or abstentions. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the law would provide the legal basis for what it described as "unprecedented trials". Hamas has not yet commented on the law. Israel claims that the Palestinians arrested after the events of 7 Oct 2023 were members of Hamas' "elite forces", although they have not yet been brought to justice. More than 9,600 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, are currently being held in Israeli jails, according to rights groups. Detainees faced torture, starvation and medical neglect, and many of them died. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

JERUSALEM: The Israeli parliament on Monday passed a law to establish a special military court for individuals described by Israel as members of Hamas’ “elite forces”, Anadolu Agency reported. The bill was first passed in an initial reading in mid-January after being introduced by Knesset members Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party and Yulia […]

Three-day Ukraine-Russia ceasefire ends amid peace efforts

ISTANBUL: A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine proposed by US President Donald Trump ended at 2100 GMT on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported. Trump on Friday said Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to implement a ceasefire from May 9 to 11, as well as a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, which he described as a potential step toward ending the war. "It is hoped that this will be the beginning of the end of a very long, bloody and intense war." "Negotiations to end this great conflict, the largest since World War II, are still ongoing and we are getting closer to a solution every day," Trump said. The statement was made after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami to discuss enhanced diplomatic efforts and coordinate further steps towards peace. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country, but only to finalize a peace agreement to end the more than four-year war. Zelenskyy later said Kyiv had discussed with the United States a possible format for talks with Putin "at the leadership level to end the Russian war" during Umerov's visit to Miami. Before Trump's proposal, Moscow on Monday announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II and warned Ukraine of a "massive" missile response if Victory Day celebrations were disrupted. Kyiv later announced that it would abide by the ceasefire starting at midnight on May 6. Both sides subsequently accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

ISTANBUL: A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine proposed by US President Donald Trump ended at 2100 GMT on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported. Trump on Friday said Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to implement a ceasefire from May 9 to 11, as well as a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, which he described as a potential step […]

Penang urged to seize economic opportunities amid global uncertainty

GEORGE TOWN, 12 MAY -- Several State Assemblymen (ADUN) on Monday called on Penang to seize the opportunity following global geopolitical and economic uncertainties to strengthen the state's position as a hub for investment, tourism and regional supply chains. Wong Yuee Harng (PH-Pengkalan Kota) said that conflicts in West Asia and the changing world geopolitical landscape opened up opportunities for Penang to attract more international events, investments and global capital flows. He said the Asia Pacific region, including Pearl Island, is in a strategic position as many international events seek new locations that are more stable and secure in terms of geopolitical relations. "The business tourism sector and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry are significant economic drivers for the state," he said when discussing the motion of thanks for the policy speech by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, here. Wong also supported the proposal to establish a special international financial hub and said Penang had advantages in terms of strategic location, highly skilled workforce and a track record as a manufacturing and technology centre. Meanwhile, Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lanchang) reminded the state government not to take lightly the phenomenon of involution or extreme competition following the aggressive entry of foreign business chains, especially from China, which is said to be affecting the local business ecosystem. He said the dumping of cheap products and fierce price competition had the potential to put pressure on small and medium enterprises, food and beverage traders as well as local hawkers. Opposition Leader, Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PN-Sungai Dua), said that Penang's economy, which is largely driven by the manufacturing and services sectors, is still highly dependent on foreign markets, exports and investments from multinational companies. He said, based on the Penang Economic Outlook 2026 report by the Penang Institute , the manufacturing sector contributes 46.1 percent to the state's Gross Domestic Product while services contribute 48.1 percent. "Penang needs a more balanced and sustainable domestic economic sector, including strengthening the community tourism, ecotourism and agrotourism sectors, especially in the Seberang Perai area," he said. Muhammad Fauzi also said that tourism development is currently still concentrated in island areas such as George Town, Bukit Bendera and Batu Ferringhi, causing traffic congestion and tourist congestion. The State Assembly session continues today. -- BERNAMA

GEORGE TOWN, 12 MAY — Several State Assemblymen (ADUN) on Monday called on Penang to seize the opportunity following global geopolitical and economic uncertainties to strengthen the state’s position as a hub for investment, tourism and regional supply chains. Wong Yuee Harng (PH-Pengkalan Kota) said that conflicts in West Asia and the changing world geopolitical […]

National Kekun Bumiputera financing fund increased to RM1 billion – Steven Sim

BANGI, 12 MAY -- The Bumiputera financing fund under the National Business Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) has been increased from RM500 million to RM1 billion, according to the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Steven Sim. He said the government decided to increase the funding amount after an encouraging response to the scheme, which was previously increased from RM300 million to RM500 million. "This is part of the KUSKOP (Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development) PowerUp 10K effort to strengthen Malaysian businesses." "We want more funds to be injected into the micro, small and medium enterprise sector (PMKS) as well as TEKUN Nasional which is one of the important agencies under KUSKOP," he said. He said this to reporters after the TEKUN Nasional 2026 Appreciation Ceremony, here, yesterday. Sim said the increased funding is expected to help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and face various global crises that affect the sector. "With this RM1 billion, we will not only be able to help entrepreneurs face geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, but also help them to further expand their businesses," he said. The PowerUp 10K initiative implemented by KUSKOP aims to help SMEs entrepreneurs improve their businesses in the face of global uncertainty. Sim previously said that the government has allocated funding of up to RM15 billion into the market, to support the scaling up of approximately 10,000 MSME companies, in line with efforts to empower the people's economy. In a similar development, he also said that the government is expected to channel the entire fund (RM15 billion) through agencies under KUSKOP in 2026, to benefit 400,000 entrepreneurs and cooperatives nationwide. He said that TEKUN Nasional will also be strengthened through this large allocation, so that it can continue to play an important role in the agenda to empower the country's PMKS. "From Jan 1 to April 30 this year, TEKUN Nasional has channeled around RM360 million to almost 20,000 PMKS entrepreneurs," he said. At the event, Sim also celebrated the dedication and contributions of TEKUN Nasional employees in empowering businesses in Malaysia. A total of five categories of awards were presented to 247 recipients, namely the Jasamu Dikenang Award, the Loyal Service Award, the Excellent Service Award, the TEKUN Excellence Award and the 2025 Achievement Award. Also present were TEKUN Nasional Chairman, Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid; Deputy Minister of KUSKOP, Datuk Mohamad Alamin and Secretary-General of KUSKOP, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

BANGI, 12 MAY — The Bumiputera financing fund under the National Business Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional) has been increased from RM500 million to RM1 billion, according to the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Steven Sim. He said the government decided to increase the funding amount after an encouraging response to the scheme, which […]

Avalere Health expands to Japan with a full-service Advisory, Medical, and Marketing offering, led by industry veteran Junji Yokokawa

TOKYO, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avalere Health, a global strategic partner for the healthcare industry, today announces the launch of its Japan office. The move marks a significant expansion of Avalere Health’s global footprint, and the launch of a new strategic offering is designed to support Japanese biopharmaceutical companies end-to-end across the product lifecycle. Junji Yokokawa […]