Malaysia's pulse on breaking news, politics and business.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysia to accelerate development of unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, emphasising the sector's role in driving innovation and economic growth alongside artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph7wrtg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph7wrtp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22170%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EMalaysia%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has committed government resources to develop Malaysia's unmanned aerial vehicle industry through enhanced regulatory frameworks, research initiatives, and public-private partnerships aimed at capitalising on regional demand.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph47r9cg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph47r9cp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EAnwar%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has mandated an immediate streamlining of local authority approval procedures across Malaysia, targeting bureaucratic delays that threaten the nation's competitive advantage in attracting foreign investment and supporting domestic enterprises.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent diplomatic missions to Russia and Turkmenistan have yielded tangible domestic benefits, with the government attributing last week's diesel price cuts to improved energy relations.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph34mx4g)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph34mx4p)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22194%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3ECabinet%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Malaysia's cabinet will convene a dedicated committee next week to address foreign worker challenges across multiple sectors, with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi chairing discussions on labour policy.
Malaysia witnessed 42,807 job losses in the first half of 2024, driven primarily by business closures and company downsizing rather than automation, according to Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
Petronas assures stable fuel supplies across its nationwide network through August, meeting roughly half of Malaysia's domestic fuel demand. The government has formed a crisis management task force to monitor energy security.
Malaysia's labour market remains stable with unemployment at just 0.04% in June, down 20% from May. Job placements through government schemes jumped 55%, signalling effective worker redeployment amid economic pressures.
Tourism Malaysia and KL Hop-On Hop-Off have unveiled a domestic tourism campaign using specially wrapped sightseeing buses to promote Malaysian destinations ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, capitalising on strong domestic travel growth.
Malaysia's Finance Ministry signalled willingness to refine the BUDI MADANI Diesel programme, with decisions on quota increases contingent on real-world usage metrics rather than preliminary feedback.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has attributed Malaysia's significant improvement in the IMD World Competitiveness Index 2026—climbing from 23rd to 15th position—to the dedication and effectiveness of the nation's civil service.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attributed Malaysia's eight-position jump to 15th in the IMD World Competitiveness Index 2026 to the dedication and efficiency of the nation's civil service rather than individual leadership.
Malaysia is actively courting investment from German small and medium enterprises in green technology and renewable energy sectors. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighted the opportunity during talks with the German Ambassador, emphasising alignment with the country's sustainable development goals.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming underscores the importance of policy consistency under the MADANI framework to ensure Malaysia's economic transformation succeeds and maintains investor confidence.
Malaysia will maintain its BUDI95 petrol subsidy quota at 200 litres per month while monitoring West Asia developments before reconsidering restoration to 300 litres, Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said.
Authorities conducting an enforcement operation in Bentong discovered over RM405,000 worth of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders stored in a fenced facility, with the containers found loaded on a trailer.
Malaysia's trade ministry insists that speculation about politics and the timing of the 16th general election are not the primary influences on foreign investors' choices, though political stability retains importance.
Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry is deploying technical vocational training and job placement support to help workers displaced by the ongoing global supply chain crisis, particularly in manufacturing, services and construction.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23phgomsg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23phgomsp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EAnwar%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that Johor has benefited from RM16 billion in net federal transfers beyond its tax contributions, positioning the Federal government's fiscal redistribution as fair and equitable.
Malaysia's higher education ministry is reshaping university research strategy to prioritise commercial application over academic publications, with over 200 products successfully commercialised since 2022.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has committed to eliminating workplace exploitation of Bangladeshi migrant workers, emphasizing their essential contribution to Malaysia's economic growth and competitiveness.
Malaysia's government has announced a reduction in subsidised diesel prices to RM2.10 per litre effective July, marking another step in its broader effort to restructure how it allocates fuel subsidies across the economy.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3oe0eg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3oe0ep)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3ETEKUN%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
TEKUN Nasional is piloting a rapid-approval system for small business loans under RM20,000, aiming to process applications within 24 hours. The initiative targets 180,000 MSMEs seeking quick access to working capital.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3tt8dg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph3tt8dp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22226%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EDiesel%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced subsidised diesel will drop to RM2.10 per litre from July 2026, verified through MyKad. The measure extends uniform pricing to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, delivering relief to small traders and businesses.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced that subsidised diesel prices will drop to RM2.10 per litre from July 2026. The move mirrors the government's targeted subsidy model used for RON95 fuel, requiring MyKad verification for eligible Malaysians.
Malaysia faces a balanced inflation trajectory in the near term, though economists warn of persistent structural weaknesses tied to commodity dependency and exchange rate movements that could disrupt price stability.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph49mclg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph49mclp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22136%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EGovernment%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Malaysia's government has earmarked RM9.8 billion in microfinance funding through six major institutions to improve capital access for street traders and small business owners, with early results showing approval for 12 traders at a Puchong farmers' market.
The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives has disbursed nearly RM100 million to finance 4,300-plus entrepreneurs in Melaka, part of a broader national strategy to strengthen MSME growth and job creation.
Malaysia faces a persistent property overhang with 14,201 completed residential units valued at RM2.77 billion remaining unsold as of Q1 2024, exposing a critical disconnect between developer-led construction and actual buyer capacity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has signalled Malaysia's shift toward a technology-driven economy anchored in semiconductors, innovation, and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has characterised Petronas's award of a stake in one of the world's largest Turkmenistan gas fields as evidence of global investor confidence in Malaysia's political stability, national cohesion, and economic competence.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted how Malaysia's policy of maintaining neutrality while engaging with all major powers is strengthening investor confidence and supporting economic expansion across the region.
Malaysia's free World Cup broadcasts through RTM and Unifi TV are easing financial pressure on food traders and consumers, with some operators saving significantly on viewing costs for the first time in decades.
Malaysia's competition regulator and statistics agency have formalized a partnership to share data, build capacity, and improve monitoring of market dynamics across economic sectors.
A US-Iran peace memorandum could stabilize global oil prices and ease pressure on Malaysian consumers, though recovery will be gradual as shipping costs remain elevated, says a finance ministry official.
Austrian electronics manufacturer AT&S is investing RM9.4 billion in a new production facility in Kulim, marking a significant vote of confidence in Malaysia's semiconductor capabilities and governance standards under the current administration.
Malaysia's carbon tax framework remains in refinement stages, with the government considering timing and mechanisms for implementation to support climate goals while protecting industrial competitiveness.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that Malaysia's economic progress and development must be distributed equitably across all social strata, with particular emphasis on reaching rural and grassroots communities.