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Ringgit opens flat against US dollar, mostly higher against major currencies

Ringgit opens flat against US dollar, mostly higher against major currencies

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 21 — The ringgit opened flat against the US dollar but mostly higher against other major currencies on Tuesday, supported by strong Malaysian economic data, helping to .... read more

Malaysia's exports projected to grow rapidly in 2026, driven by strong demand

Malaysia’s exports projected to grow rapidly in 2026, driven by strong demand

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 21 — RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) has raised its 2026 export growth forecast for Malaysia to 21.7 percent from 15.3 percent previously, driven by stronger-than-expected .... read more

IME 2026 to Drive ASEAN's Smart Manufacturing Future in Bangkok

IME 2026 to Drive ASEAN’s Smart Manufacturing Future in Bangkok

BANGKOK, July 20 – Thailand is set to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia’s manufacturing hub with the Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia (IME 2026), taking place from July 22 .... read more

PM Anwar: Malaysia's Economy Grows 5.8% in Q2 2026, Surpassing Expectations

PM Anwar: Malaysia’s Economy Grows 5.8% in Q2 2026, Surpassing Expectations

PUTRAJAYA, July 17 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected economic performance after the country’s advance estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a 5.8 per .... read more

15th SSM National Conference Returns With Focus On Navigating Business In The Digital Era

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 July 2026 — The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) will host the 15th edition of the SSM National Conference (SSMNC), reaffirming its commitment to advancing thought .... read more

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – Competitive salaries alone are no longer enough to make Malaysian employees feel valued, with many workers now placing greater importance on recognition, career growth and workplace culture, according to Jobstreet by SEEK's latest Salary Pulse 2026 report. The study, based on responses from 1,010 employed Malaysians aged between 18 and 64, found that while 81 per cent of employees believe they are paid fairly for their current roles, only 49 per cent said they were satisfied with their salaries. The findings highlight a growing gap between perceived pay fairness and overall job satisfaction. Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia Managing Director Nicholas Lam said employees today view salary as more than just a reflection of market rates, but also as an indication of how much they are recognised, supported and valued by their employers. "Our research shows employees are making an important distinction between being paid fairly and feeling genuinely valued. Competitive salaries remain important, but workers also expect remuneration to reflect their contributions and career progression," he said. The report found that employees who were satisfied with their salaries were nearly three times more likely to feel motivated and willing to go beyond their job responsibilities. In contrast, those dissatisfied with their pay were 2.5 times more likely to be considering a new job. Beyond salary, workers were found to evaluate their compensation based on workload, recognition, career advancement opportunities and whether their income supports their desired lifestyle. The survey also revealed that Malaysian employees are unwilling to compromise on workplace values for higher pay. While 19 per cent would accept a lower job title for a 10 per cent salary increase and 21 per cent would agree to remain on call outside working hours, only three per cent said they would work in a toxic workplace for the same pay increase, while just eight per cent would join an organisation whose values did not align with their own. More than half (56 per cent) of respondents received salary increases over the past year, although most increments were modest, with 56 per cent receiving increases of up to five per cent and 30 per cent receiving between six and 10 per cent. The report also found that performance-based salary increments generated higher levels of satisfaction, with 65 per cent of recipients expressing satisfaction compared with 52 per cent of employees who received company-wide pay adjustments. Despite recognising the importance of salary discussions, only 40 per cent of respondents said they were comfortable asking for a pay rise. However, among those who did request an increase, 78 per cent were successful. Based on the findings, Jobstreet by SEEK encouraged employers to go beyond offering competitive salaries by improving transparency in pay decisions, recognising individual contributions, creating more opportunities for salary discussions and providing clearer career progression pathways to strengthen employee engagement and retention. -- MINUTESMY

Fair pay isn’t enough anymore, say Malaysian workers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – Competitive salaries alone are no longer enough to make Malaysian employees feel valued, with many workers now placing greater importance on recognition, career growth and .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 16 -- The government has settled excess tax refunds totaling RM14.7 billion involving 3.17 million taxpayer cases until June 30, 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). According to him, of the total, RM5.75 billion was refunded to 3.1 million individual taxpayers while RM8.95 billion was refunded to 76,511 company taxpayers including 23,356 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). "In strengthening the refund of excess tax, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRB) has implemented various strategies that are fairer and more equitable. "The IRB also ensures that the government's refund allocations can be distributed regularly and effectively based on the age of the case arrears, or regardless of the age of the case, by also giving priority to SMEs and companies that are facing cash flow problems," he said. The MoF announced this in a written response to the Dewan Rakyat published on the Parliament website today in response to a question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) regarding the latest amount of outstanding tax refunds that have yet to be repaid to individual and corporate taxpayers as of May 31, 2026. According to him, for refund cases that are currently in the process of reviewing additional information and documents submitted by taxpayers, the government is committed to continuing to ensure that refund arrears can be fully implemented immediately and taking into account the interests of all taxpayers. MoF informed that the move reflects the government's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of tax administration and ensure that taxpayer rights are protected, in line with the MADANI Government's fiscal reform agenda. -- BERNAMA

Government settles RM14.7 billion in excess tax refunds until 30 June 2026 – MoF

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 16 — The government has settled excess tax refunds totaling RM14.7 billion involving 3.17 million taxpayer cases until June 30, 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance .... read more

SINGAPORE, July 15 — DBS has emerged as Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand in the latest Kantar BrandZ™ Southeast Asia 2026 ranking, with the region’s top 30 brands recording a combined brand value of US$165.3 billion. The third edition of the Kantar BrandZ Southeast Asia ranking revealed that the region’s strongest brands have demonstrated significant resilience despite a challenging global economic environment, with their combined value increasing 26 per cent since 2024. Kantar, a global data, analytics and AI company, said the growth was driven by strong consumer relevance, brand differentiation and the ability of leading companies to build deeper connections with customers. The report showed that 18 brands among the top 30 increased their value, with 16 achieving double-digit growth, while four brands more than doubled their brand value compared with the previous ranking. Financial services continued to dominate the list, contributing more than half of the total value among the top 30 brands. Banking brands also occupied five of the top 10 positions, reflecting strong consumer trust and the increasing role of financial institutions in everyday life. DBS topped the ranking with a brand value of US$24.5 billion, surpassing Indonesia’s BCA to become Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand. The Singapore-based bank more than doubled its brand value since 2024, supported by its focus on sustainability, financial security and customer trust. Kantar said DBS’s strong positioning was reinforced by its recognition as Asia’s Safest Bank for 17 consecutive years, while its brand strategy has successfully expanded beyond Singapore into multiple markets. Meanwhile, POSB (People’s Own Savings Bank) recorded the fastest growth among the top 30 brands, climbing eight places to rank 13th with a brand value of US$4.4 billion, representing a 126 per cent increase. The Singapore bank strengthened its brand identity through its “Neighbours first, bankers second” purpose, community-focused initiatives and emotionally driven campaigns. Its “Treat Yourself Right” campaign, which uses generative AI technology to help customers visualise their future selves, was highlighted as an example of how technology can strengthen consumer engagement. E-commerce brands also continued to gain momentum, with Lazada ranked 12th at US$4.5 billion, recording a 105 per cent increase in brand value. Kantar attributed Lazada’s growth to its focus on quality, authenticity and trust, including its “100% Legit” guarantee aimed at improving consumer confidence across diverse Southeast Asian markets. Rika Sharma, Executive Managing Director for Southeast Asia and Singapore at Kantar, said the region’s most valuable brands succeeded by creating meaningful connections with consumers based on needs that transcend markets and cultures. “Southeast Asia’s most valuable brands have earned their place by building deep, meaningful connections with consumers around enduring human needs,” she said. She added that brands would need to continue innovating, expanding into new areas and using consumer insights powered by AI to create long-term growth and maintain differentiation. Malaysian Brands Enter Southeast Asia’s Top 30 The 2026 Kantar BrandZ ranking also saw six new brands entering the Southeast Asia Top 30 list, including companies from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Among the newcomers were Malaysian telecommunications provider CelcomDigi, ranked 14th with a brand value of US$4.2 billion, and Malaysian retailer 99 Speedmart, ranked 21st with a value of US$2.6 billion. Other new entrants included Vietnam-based electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast at 15th with US$4 billion, Indonesia’s Mayapada Hospital at 24th with US$2.4 billion, Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) at 28th with US$1.4 billion, and the Philippines’ BDO at 29th with US$1.4 billion. Kantar said these brands achieved strong growth by developing clear market positioning and communicating their unique strengths effectively to consumers. VinFast, for example, gained recognition through its “For a Green Future” mission, combining electric mobility solutions with ecosystem innovations such as GreenSM Taxi services. Meanwhile, Mayapada Hospital strengthened its position by promoting premium healthcare services within Indonesia, aiming to reduce the need for overseas medical treatment through digitally driven customer engagement. Southeast Asian Brands Strengthen Consumer Value Kantar’s report highlighted that Southeast Asia’s leading brands continued to outperform the global Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Brands in three key areas — Meaning, Difference and Salience. The findings indicated that consumers increasingly view Southeast Asian brands as offering strong value, with companies that demonstrate meaningful differentiation better positioned to justify premium pricing and maintain customer loyalty. Kantar said the ability to combine strong brand purpose, innovation and technology adoption will be critical for Southeast Asian companies seeking continued growth in an increasingly competitive global market. -- MINUTESMY

DBS Named Southeast Asia’s Most Valuable Brand in Kantar BrandZ 2026 Ranking

SINGAPORE, July 15 — DBS has emerged as Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand in the latest Kantar BrandZ™ Southeast Asia 2026 ranking, with the region’s top 30 brands recording a .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,688 investment projects in the manufacturing sector have been realised with a value of RM318.5 billion for the period 2023 to March 2026, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The ministry explained that of the total, the value of domestic investments was RM63.3 billion (19.9 percent) while foreign investments amounted to RM255.2 billion (80.1 percent), with the implementation of the project having created 210,546 job opportunities. "The MADANI government, through MITI and MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority), is always committed to ensuring that approved investments can be realised at a high rate and within a reasonable period of time. "This will contribute to economic spillover effects, including business opportunities and the creation of highly skilled jobs for the people," added MITI in a written response to the Dewan Rakyat posted on the Parliament website on Tuesday. MITI informed that for investments that are realised, approved projects typically take between 18 to 24 months to implement, subject to the complexity and scale of the project as well as the current economic situation. The five states that recorded the highest realized investment value, namely Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan, represented 84.3 percent of the total realized investments for the period 2023 to March 2026, the ministry explained. According to MITI, a total of 3,847 investment projects worth RM427.9 billion have been approved for the period 2023 to March 2026, with investments in the manufacturing sector expected to create 302,058 new job opportunities. Of the total investments, the value of domestic investments amounted to RM93.9 billion (21.9 percent), while foreign investments amounted to RM334.0 billion (78.1 percent), he added. The five states that recorded the highest investment approvals for the manufacturing sector were Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan, which contributed 81 percent of the total. MITI stated this in response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) regarding domestic investments and foreign direct investments approved since 2023 that have been realised, including the value of investments, the actual number of jobs created, and their performance by state. Meanwhile, in response to a question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) regarding the government's efforts to attract world-class technology and industrial companies to invest in Malaysia, MITI explained that its party, together with the agency, MIDA, is always implementing various strategic efforts to attract world-class technology and industrial companies. Among them are through targeted Trade and Investment Missions (TIMs), implementing the "Strike Force" approach and Special Project Missions, and offering incentives based on results, the ministry added. MITI informed that, in addition to efforts to attract new investments, the government is also focusing on investment facilitation aspects throughout the 'investor journey', starting from the pre-investment phase to implementation and post-investment to ensure that world-class technology and industrial companies receive the support they need. “Moving forward, the government will continue to strengthen Malaysia's attractiveness as a regional investment hub through consistent policies, a competitive industrial ecosystem, efficient investment facilitation, and talent and technology development. "This approach is believed to continue to attract world-class technology and industrial companies to invest, grow and make Malaysia a strategic base of operations in the region," said MITI. -- BERNAMA

2,688 manufacturing sector investment projects worth RM318.5 billion realised – MITI

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,688 investment projects in the manufacturing sector have been realised with a value of RM318.5 billion for the period 2023 to March 2026, according to .... read more

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would be the main focus at the moment, with crude oil prices such as WTI and Brent increasing by 9.42 per cent and 9.35 per cent to US$78.14 per barrel and US$83.12 per barrel respectively. Meanwhile, he said the yields on the two-year and 10-year US Treasury bonds rose by eight and six basis points to 4.28 percent and 4.62 percent respectively as inflation is expected to continue to rise, thus reinforcing expectations that the US Federal Reserve may raise policy rates this year. “This expectation has increased the US Dollar Index (DXY) to 101.276 points. "In this situation, emerging market currencies including the ringgit are expected to continue to fluctuate in the near term. Therefore, the ringgit exchange rate against the US dollar is expected to be in the range of 4.07 to 4.10 today," he told Bernama . At the opening of trading, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit strengthened against the Japanese yen to 2.5040/5075 from 2.5110/5142 at Monday's close, rose against the British pound to 5.4297/4370 from 5.4475/4542 and rose against the euro to 4.6296/6359 from 4.6501/6558. The ringgit, on the other hand, was traded mixed against ASEAN currencies. The local unit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.1417/1464 from 3.1489/1530 and strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.1396/1618 from 12.1953/2151. However, the ringgit was unchanged against the Indonesian rupiah at 224.6/225.0 and remained flat against the Philippine peso at 6.60/6.62 compared to yesterday's close.

Ringgit opens higher against US dollar on uncertainty in West Asia

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Tuesday following uncertainties in the Strait of Hormuz which increased global crude oil prices, said analysts. At 8am, the .... read more

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