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KUALA PILAH, May 24 -- What began as a small experimental project with just 500 polybags has now grown into a serious venture for young farmer Muhammad Nazirullah Mohamad Nazlan, who is betting on locally grown red onions as Malaysia looks to reduce its reliance on imports. The 32-year-old agropreneur from Negeri Sembilan had spent the past few years focusing on chilli cultivation, but a collaboration offer from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) last October opened the door to something entirely new. Through the project, MARDI supplied him with seeds for the BAW-2 rose onion variety while also providing technical support, monitoring and guidance throughout the planting process. “At first, I only tried 500 polybags as a pilot project. The first harvest came in March, and each polybag produced between 500 and 700 grammes of onions,” he told Bernama when met at his farm in Ulu Pilah here recently. The encouraging outcome quickly convinced him that onion farming could go beyond a small-scale trial. Eager to learn more, Muhammad Nazirullah visited onion farms in Bachok, Kelantan and Gopeng, Perak to better understand commercial cultivation techniques before deciding to expand the project further. Today, he manages around 51,000 polybags of red onions across three separate plots covering eight acres, a scale-up he described as both challenging and rewarding. Red onions, he said, can be harvested within 75 days and planted up to four times a year, making the crop commercially attractive for local growers. He is also preparing another 55-acre onion farm in Tanjung Ipoh, which is expected to begin operations in July. Despite having a background in business studies, agriculture has long been close to his heart, with nearly a decade of experience in the field helping him navigate the demands of modern farming. For Muhammad Nazirullah, the venture is about more than just business. He sees local onion cultivation as part of a bigger effort to strengthen the country’s food security at a time when Malaysia still relies heavily on imported onions. “The government wants to reduce dependence on imported onions by at least 30 per cent by 2030. Right now, we are still building the ecosystem, especially in terms of seed supply before production can be expanded further,” he said. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in agriculture, he described onion farming as relatively easier to manage compared to other crops as it requires less water and is well-suited for controlled environments such as rain shelter structures. His farm uses fertigation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing watering and fertilisation to be carried out automatically every hour, a system that helps maintain crop health while reducing disease risks and labour costs. Working alongside a manager and six workers, Muhammad Nazirullah said his first three-tonne harvest was sold to MARDI at RM7 per kilogramme under a five-year collaboration agreement that also includes reseeding activities. Still, expanding the project has required significant investment. Nearly RM400,000 was spent on infrastructure such as rain shelter systems and fertigation facilities, which he believes are necessary to minimise losses during unpredictable weather conditions, especially the monsoon season. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand into downstream products such as fried onions and eventually explore export opportunities once production stabilises, with a long-term target of producing between 15 and 20 tonnes per acre each season. -- BERNAMA

Agropreneur Sees Potential In Local Onion Farming Amid Import Dependence

KUALA PILAH, May 24 — What began as a small experimental project with just 500 polybags has now grown into a serious venture for young farmer Muhammad Nazirullah Mohamad Nazlan, .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 -- Malaysia has a strong foundation to lead the development of smart and sustainable energy in the ASEAN region, especially through efforts to realise the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Senior Chief Strategy, Regulatory and Sustainability Officer, Datuk Muhamad Nazri Pazil. He said Malaysia's strategic position at the heart of ASEAN, world-class grid infrastructure, mature energy ecosystem and policies that support the energy transition agenda give the country an advantage to play a greater role at the regional level. "In terms of our strategic position, it allows us to collaborate with other energy utility partners through an initiative we call APG. "With this APG, we can share energy. When there is high demand in a country, we can help," he said in the Ruang Bicara program produced by BERNAMA TV on Thursday. Muhamad Nazri said the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) which will take place from June 3 to 5, 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will be an important platform for ASEAN countries to discuss measures to accelerate the realisation of the APG. He said the conference would be attended by participants from Malaysia, the ASEAN region and outside ASEAN, with approximately 2,000 delegates from various countries and technical backgrounds expected to attend. "In the context of this ETCon, it is very noticeable because we provide the platform." "There will be participation from ASEAN countries and we can discuss how to further accelerate our desire to realise this APG," he said. Commenting further on cross-border energy cooperation, he said the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (LTMS) initiative was the first connection that enabled commercial energy transfers and for security of supply purposes. He said there were five other projects in planning and feasibility studies including the Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore (VMS) connection, Sarawak-Peninsula-Singapore, as well as increasing Malaysia's connectivity with Thailand and Singapore. "If there is connectivity between ASEAN countries, we can strengthen the security of energy supply. "We know that right now there are geopolitical issues, gas costs are also rising, so when we have renewable energy (RE) that can be shared, this means costs can be controlled," he said. Muhamad Nazri said such collaborations also enable renewable energy from countries such as Laos, which has hydro resources, and Vietnam, which has wind resources, to be channeled to other countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Regarding ETCon26, he said the conference would be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof would deliver the keynote address on the first day. He said more than 80 speakers have confirmed their participation, in addition to 40 sponsors who will open their respective stalls throughout the conference. He said ETCon26 would also focus on how energy and artificial intelligence (AI) could be combined to drive the energy transition in Malaysia and the Asian region. Muhamad Nazri said ETCon26 should not stop as a mere conference space but rather should be translated into clear follow-up actions through strategic collaboration, investment and implementation. "In ETCon26, there will be 16 strategic collaboration exchanges and launches," he said. He said the ultimate goal of ETCon is to be a catalyst for the actual implementation of the energy transition with visible impacts in the short, medium and long term. -- BERNAMA

Malaysia has the potential to lead the development of ASEAN Energy Grid – TNB

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Malaysia has a strong foundation to lead the development of smart and sustainable energy in the ASEAN region, especially through efforts to realise the ASEAN .... read more

PUTRAJAYA, May 23 -- Malaysia and New Zealand have expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation to address the global fuel supply crisis and food supply chain uncertainties, including strategic collaboration on critical agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, dairy products and grains. In addition, Malaysia expressed confidence in New Zealand’s regulatory system for agricultural products and encouraged the country to explore opportunities for sharing expertise in the field. The matter was highlighted during a courtesy call by New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Michael Walsh on Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak here yesterday. The meeting followed an earlier discussion held in September 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral agricultural trade relations between Malaysia and New Zealand. KPKM said in a statement today that New Zealand also offered capacity-building opportunities for KPKM officers through the ASEAN-New Zealand Manaaki Scholarship, in addition to existing cooperation under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA). Isham also invited New Zealand to participate in the 2026 Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA), scheduled to take place from Aug 28 to Sept 6, in Serdang under the theme “Value Creation for Food Security”. Agricultural trade between Malaysia and New Zealand totalled RM5.57 billion in 2025, with Malaysia’s exports comprising animal feed ingredients, while major imports from New Zealand consisted of dairy products. Dairy products remained New Zealand’s largest export component to Malaysia, contributing about 75 per cent of total bilateral trade in the sector. In addition, the two countries continue to maintain close cooperation through regional and multilateral platforms, including the MNZFTA and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area. Malaysia and New Zealand will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027. -- BERNAMA

M’sia, NZ To Enhance Agricultural Cooperation Amid Global Supply Uncertainties

PUTRAJAYA, May 23 — Malaysia and New Zealand have expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation to address the global fuel supply crisis and food supply chain uncertainties, including strategic collaboration on .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must ensure incoming investments contribute directly to strengthening local industries, improving workforce skills and raising the people’s standard of living, rather than merely increasing economic figures on paper. Speaking at the Forum of Malaysian Scientists MADANI Series 12 held at the Securities Commission Malaysia last night, Anwar said the discussion focused on how Malaysia can position itself more effectively amid the changing landscape of global capital flows. He noted that recent indicators showed encouraging developments, with economic growth, investments and capital markets continuing to record positive momentum, in some areas exceeding initial forecasts. However, the Prime Minister stressed that economic success should not be measured solely through macroeconomic data. According to Anwar, investments entering the country must help build the capacity of local companies, strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improve citizens’ skills and create meaningful employment opportunities. He added that the MADANI Government remains committed to ensuring that growth is inclusive and benefits all segments of society, including small traders, workers, youths and communities in rural and interior areas. Anwar said Malaysia is currently at an important crossroads as global capital flows continue to evolve and economic resilience increasingly becomes a key factor in national competitiveness. He emphasised that reforms, good governance, fiscal discipline and efforts to strengthen national capacity must continue to be reinforced to secure sustainable growth. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s progress is not only reflected in economic statistics but genuinely felt by Malaysians across the nation -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Ibrahim: Investments Must Benefit Malaysians, Not Just Boost Economic Numbers

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must ensure incoming investments contribute directly to strengthening local industries, improving workforce skills and raising the people’s standard ofC, .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 -- A total of RM5 million has been invested by the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) since 2022 to strengthen the country’s social enterprise sector through initiatives focused on capacity building, market access and social enterprise accreditation. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the investment aligns with the MADANI Government’s efforts to position social enterprises as a driver of Malaysia’s inclusive economy. He said social enterprises are becoming increasingly important amid geopolitical uncertainties, global supply chain disruptions and social changes, as the model not only focuses on profit, but also addresses social and environmental issues through creative and sustainable business approaches. “As an example, an ageing society in the future will require more community care services and social support, which can also be driven through the social enterprise model,” he said in a statement today. Among the initiatives implemented by INSKEN are engagement sessions with industry players, social enterprise accreditation clinics, international conferences, and programmes to strengthen networking and market access locally and abroad. Sim said 3,875 participants have benefited from INSKEN’s programmes and initiatives to date. He said INSKEN had also allocated RM200,000 over the past six months to help 20 social enterprise entities expand their markets and community impact through procurement opportunities, operational subsidies, event participation and strategic business matching. He also encouraged more social enterprises to obtain accreditation through INSKEN to enhance credibility and gain access to financing, tax exemptions, government programmes, exhibitions and other forms of support. Based on the Social Entrepreneurship Action Framework 2030 (SEMy2030) and the British Council’s The State of Social Enterprise in Malaysia study, Malaysia had an estimated 20,000 social enterprises as of 2018. To date, 600 business entities have received social enterprise accreditation through INSKEN, comprising 281 Aspiring Social Enterprises, 252 Basic Social Enterprises and 67 Accredited Social Enterprises. Meanwhile, INSKEN chief executive officer Viviantie Sarjuni said the agency is moving towards mainstreaming social procurement practices to help social enterprises become more competitive, sustainable and ready to expand further. -- BERNAMA

INSKEN Invests RM5 Mln To Strengthen Social Enterprises – Sim

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — A total of RM5 million has been invested by the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) since 2022 to strengthen the country’s social enterprise sector through initiatives .... read more

The ringgit opened stronger against the United States (US) dollar and other major currencies on Friday, supported by easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and Malaysia's improving macroeconomic prospects. At 8am, the local currency rose to 3.9550/9645 against the US dollar at 3.9595/9630 at Thursday's close. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, said optimism that the US and Iran would reach an amicable solution continued to increase. He said that West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude oil prices decreased by 1.49 percent and 2.32 percent to US$97.79 per barrel and US$102.58 per barrel, respectively. "According to Iranian news agencies, Tehran is examining a proposal from the US which is seen as likely to bridge some of the differences between the two parties," he told Bernama. He also said the ringgit is expected to continue to be in a better position following Malaysia's positive macroeconomic backdrop, particularly when the current account surplus increases to 3.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 0.5 percent in the previous quarter. "In addition, the government's fiscal position continues to improve with the fiscal deficit narrowing to RM17.1 billion or 3.3 percent of GDP in the first quarter of 2026 compared to RM21.9 billion or 4.5 percent of GDP in the same period in 2025." "Therefore, the ringgit is expected to remain strongly supported at around RM3.95 to RM3.96 against the US dollar today," he said. At the opening of trading, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. The local currency rose against the British pound to 5.3120/3247 from 5.3220/3267 at Thursday's close, strengthened against the euro to 4.5945/6056 from 4.6037/6078 previously and rose against the Japanese yen to 2.4866/4928 from 2.4906/4929. The ringgit is also trading higher against regional currencies. It strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.0949/1026 from 3.0967/0997 previously and rose against the Thai baht to 12.1286/1648 from 12.1304/1468. The local currency also appreciated against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.8/224.5 from 224.1/224.4 previously and increased against the Philippine peso to 6.42/6.44 from 6.43/6.44 previously. -- BERNAMA

Ringgit opens higher against US dollar, major currencies

The ringgit opened stronger against the United States (US) dollar and other major currencies on Friday, supported by easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and Malaysia’s improving macroeconomic prospects. At .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 -- Malaysia's trade volume jumped 15.3 percent year-on-year to RM1.127 trillion for the period January to April 2026, creating new history, according to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). The performance was driven by a surge in demand for high growth, high value (HGHV) products and a planned market diversification strategy. In a statement on Thursday, MATRADE said exports jumped 19 percent to RM609.31 billion while imports increased 11.1 percent to RM517.40 billion, thus recording the highest value ever recorded during the period. "This resulted in a trade surplus of RM91.92 billion, a remarkable jump of 99.1 percent which effectively doubled the previous year's performance," he explained. MATRADE added that Malaysia has demonstrated remarkable external sector resilience despite the escalating geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia. Export expansion in the period January to April 2026 was driven by strong demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) products which grew by RM71 billion or 32.1 percent, supported by the global semiconductor boom which was further boosted by the application of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the expansion of data centers. Most importantly, Malaysia strengthened its position in the global AI value chain with exports of AI-enabled products jumping 42.9 percent to RM319.05 billion, now accounting for more than half (52.4 percent) of the country's total exports. In addition, pharmaceutical and automotive products provided an additional dimension to the HGHV narrative by recording double-digit growth of 21.9 percent and 10.3 percent respectively. This is in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) strategic priorities for the HGHV industry including semiconductors, energy transition technologies as well as sectors driven by the digital economy. Meanwhile, April 2026 also delivered exceptional results with monthly exports jumping 36.9 percent to RM182.74 billion and the monthly trade surplus increasing by 460.5 percent to RM28.75 billion, the highest value ever recorded in Malaysia's trade history. This in turn strengthens the momentum that drives the country's trade engine. Meanwhile, MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Abu Bakar Yusof said the surge in AI-enabled products and semiconductor exports confirmed that Malaysian industry is firmly entrenched in the technology supply chain that shapes the global economy. "MATRADE remains committed to guiding Malaysian exporters and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to move up the value chain to ensure that we not only dominate the market, but also capture the highest value opportunities within it," he said. According to MATRADE, exports to the United States increased by 32.5 percent, Taiwan (+68.9 percent), Hong Kong (+43.0 percent), China (+18.7 percent), the European Union (+23.9 percent) and ASEAN (+8.6 percent) which was partly driven by shipments of E&E products. Exports to free trade agreement (FTA) partners increased 14.2 percent to RM390.09 billion with 17 out of 24 FTA countries recording positive growth including South Korea, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Most notably, Malaysia's trade diversification is entering a high-growth phase that goes beyond its traditional pillars. Developing markets recorded exponential growth with the Democratic Republic of Congo (+196.6 percent), Sudan (+223.1 percent), Zimbabwe (+220.5 percent), Bulgaria (+141.6 percent), Haiti (+103.5 percent), Ethiopia (+88.1 percent) and Uzbekistan (+29.7 percent) leading the surge. "This reflects the systematic expansion of Malaysia's trade footprint into high-growth and underserved markets across Africa and Eastern Europe," he said. He explained that Malaysia's diversity strategy is also on the right track. "While our core markets remain strong, the exponential growth we are seeing in frontier economies in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe signals that Malaysian exporters are confidently entering new markets. "In this era of global trade uncertainty, geographical resilience is not just a strategic precaution. We are stepping beyond traditional markets to ensure Malaysia remains important and cannot be ignored in the global supply chain," said Abu Bakar. MATRADE said Malaysia's trade trajectory for 2026 remains robust, driven by a combination of HGHV sector momentum, diversified target markets and strategic adaptability in the face of geopolitical uncertainties. This positions Malaysia as a confident and resilient player in the global trade landscape, according to MATRADE. He explained that the agency will continue to support Malaysian exporters to seize new emerging opportunities, take advantage of trade agreements and firmly penetrate high-value segments in the global supply chain. --BERNAMA

Malaysian trade hits historic record of RM1.127 trillion for January-April 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Malaysia’s trade volume jumped 15.3 percent year-on-year to RM1.127 trillion for the period January to April 2026, creating new history, according to the Malaysia External .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 -- Two of Malaysia's proud brands, namely The Manhattan Fish Market (MFM) and US Pizza, have received recognition from The Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) in conjunction with the prestigious Franchise International Malaysia (FIM) 2026 exhibition which took place here today. The recognition was presented by MBOR Chief Executive Officer Christopher Wong to MFM for its achievement as the longest-running halal seafood restaurant chain, and US Pizza Malaysia was recognised for having the largest network of local pizza branches with halal certificates in the country. The historic ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Steven Sim, Chairman of the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) Datuk Dr Radzali Hassan and Chairman of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS) Datuk Mohamed Rozhan Mohd Ghazalli. MFM Chief Executive Officer Deric Yeo said the recognition reflects the company's long-term commitment to maintaining halal standards and serving the community with confidence. "It has been 17 years since we received halal certification and this is the time for us to continue to serve the community through practices and processes that comply with halal issues," he told reporters after a cocktail reception in conjunction with the FIM 2026 exhibition. Yeo, who is also the Group Chief Operating Officer of US Pizza, said the two local brands would continue to expand their respective wings both domestically and internationally. He said that currently, MFM operates in several overseas markets including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan and Myanmar. Touching on expansion plans, Yeo said the group recently opened a new MFM branch in Lotus's Kepong while the next branches are scheduled to open in Tanjung Tokong, Penang and Lotus's Ampang in about three weeks. He said the group also recently expanded its operations to Empire City and LSH33, Sentul as part of its ongoing brand growth initiative. "For US Pizza, we will continue to do our best to provide service, be in more locations, and go to more places to reach more customers to meet the needs of the community," he said. Yeo said currently, US Pizza operates almost 100 branches across Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. -- BERNAMA

The Manhattan Fish Market, US Pizza receives recognition from Malaysia Book of Records

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Two of Malaysia’s proud brands, namely The Manhattan Fish Market (MFM) and US Pizza, have received recognition from The Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) in .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 -- Amanah Raya Berhad (AmanahRaya) is intensifying its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda after successfully collecting approximately 730 kilogrammes (kg) of recyclable materials through the “AmanahRaya Love & Care: 5R & Trash for Cash” programme. The programme, held in collaboration with Federal Territories SWCorp at Vista Tower, The Intermark Kuala Lumpur, reflects AmanahRaya’s ongoing commitment to promoting prudent waste management, a sustainable work culture, and greater environmental awareness among its employees. AmanahRaya Acting Group Managing Director and Group Chief Business and Operations Officer Jack Yap Ngee Heong said the programme forms part of AmanahRaya’s ESG roadmap towards achieving its 2030 sustainability targets, particularly in efforts to reduce operational waste and cultivate environmentally friendly practices across the organisation. He said various interactive and educational activities were organised, including a company-wide recycling campaign, awareness sessions on the 5R practices - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover - practical waste separation guidance by SWCorp, as well as exhibitions related to ESG initiatives, recycling innovations, and sustainable lifestyles. “This initiative, which received encouraging participation from AmanahRaya Group employees, demonstrates AmanahRaya’s commitment to embedding a culture of sustainability into the organisation’s daily operations and corporate culture. “Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and change can begin with the daily activities we carry out within an organisation,” he said in a statement here today. Through the programme, AmanahRaya seeks to cultivate environmental awareness and responsibility in the workplace while supporting the nation’s sustainability aspirations, he added. Since the introduction of its ESG plan in 2023, AmanahRaya has implemented various sustainability initiatives focused on reducing waste from the company’s direct operations and has successfully exceeded its initial target of reducing operational waste by 10 per cent. Among the measures implemented are reducing paper usage through digitalisation initiatives, minimising printing practices, and eliminating the use of single-use plastic water bottles in the company’s internal and external programmes. AmanahRaya is also committed to achieving its ESG target of reducing operational waste by 30 per cent by 2030 through the continuous implementation of sustainable practices, employee engagement, and environmental awareness programmes. As Malaysia’s sole public trustee, AmanahRaya believes that business sustainability is not only based on its core products and services, but also through corporate social practices that provide added value and a positive impact on society and the environment as a whole. -- BERNAMA

AmanahRaya Strengthens ESG Agenda Through 5R, Trash For Cash Initiative

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Amanah Raya Berhad (AmanahRaya) is intensifying its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda after successfully collecting approximately 730 kilogrammes (kg) of recyclable materials through the .... read more

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