Malaysia's currency has reached 4.16 ringgit per dollar, establishing itself as Asia's strongest performer, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told parliament. The finance minister noted that international ratings agencies S&P Global and Moody's affirmed the country's creditworthiness at A- and A3, respectively, driving market confidence that pushed the ringgit to its highest valuation in 13 months.
Anwar addressed lawmakers during Question Time after criticism previously targeted government policy when the currency weakened against the greenback. The ringgit traded at 4.1540 per dollar as of morning exchanges, reflecting steady appreciation from previous sessions.
Penang trade authorities confiscated merchandise valued at 3.06 million ringgit through 804 enforcement actions targeting violations ranging from faulty scales to inadequate pricing displays since January. Director S. Jegan reported that inspectors examined 67,564 commercial locations and levied 461,800 ringgit in penalties while receiving 2,288 consumer complaints about pricing irregularities, controlled products and related matters.
The ministry launched the Pasar Patuh compliance program at Chowrasta Market involving 60 vendors across wet, semi-dry, dry goods and non-halal sections. The initiative emphasizes transparent pricing, calibrated weighing equipment and sanitary conditions to strengthen consumer protections and ethical...
Malaysian authorities will revise legislation governing Majlis Amanah Rakyat to strengthen oversight of the development agency controlling assets exceeding 23 billion ringgit. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that management reforms must restore the organization to its founding mission while correcting past administrative failures, with a six-month timeline established for drafting amendments to the 1966 statute.
The rural development minister emphasized that improved governance will enable the conglomerate to generate sufficient returns for financing Bumiputera Economic Congress programs independently. Separately, Ahmad Zahid confirmed that proposed changes to the Orang Asli Act 1954 have secured state government...
Malaysia's tourism ministry has canceled the operating permit of Kenari Utara Travel & Tours following criminal convictions connected to fatal safety violations. The September 11 revocation came after the Gerik Magistrate's Court found the company guilty on two counts of conducting business with unauthorized vendors, breaching regulations that govern licensed tour operators.
The enforcement action stems from a June 9 bus accident in Gerik that killed 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Tourism Commissioner implemented the license withdrawal under Section 8 of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, with officials emphasizing zero tolerance for regulatory violations that endanger public welfare and consumer protections within...
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim dismissed concerns that a recent American trade agreement restricts the country's rare earth commerce, revealing that Seoul and Kuala Lumpur finalized plans for collaborative mineral processing after Washington negotiations concluded. The Tambun representative informed parliament that government-linked corporations will partner with South Korean enterprises on a Pahang facility producing high-powered magnets, while Chinese state investment fund discussions explore similar ventures.
Critics questioned the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade signed at last month's Asean Summit, alleging terms prohibiting export restrictions on minerals bound for the United States favor American interests...
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim informed parliament that his administration prevented 15 billion ringgit in potential losses by dismantling criminal operations that previous governments had allowed to flourish for decades. During Question Time proceedings, the Tambun lawmaker explained that coordinated enforcement efforts exposed syndicates involved in smuggling and other illegal activities that had operated for up to 20 years with apparent protection from influential corrupt officials.
The Pakatan Harapan leader credited collaborative work among previously isolated agencies for the savings, noting that his directive removed bureaucratic barriers and emphasized action without regard to perpetrators' connections or resources...
Malaysian immigration authorities detained seven people during an operation targeting a document forgery network that sold fake security stamps to extend visitor permits. Director-general Zakaria Shaaban identified the suspects as four Malaysians and three Vietnamese nationals between the ages of 20 and 35 who were apprehended after officers tracked two men traveling by bus from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur before following them to a Seri Kembangan residence.
Officers recovered eight Vietnamese passports and two counterfeit immigration stamps from the location. The organization operated for approximately two years, charging clients from Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand between 2,500 and 3,000 ringgit per fraudulent endorsement...
Malaysian authorities recovered 240 kilograms of cannabis valued at 5.34 million ringgit from a vehicle abandoned at a rail construction site in Bentong, Pahang. Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman reported that officers responded to the East Coast Rail Link location after a contractor noticed the suspicious car parked on a weighbridge along Jalan Lama Bentong-Bukit Tinggi on November 4.
Investigators found 120 plastic packets of cannabis buds stored in nine boxes and another 120 compressed packets inside four sacks within the vehicle. The car bore valid registration plates linked to a Johor resident whom police are attempting to locate. Yahaya indicated that hired couriers may have been transporting the narcotics before abandoning the...
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof declared that the country will spearhead regional advancement in digital innovation and workforce development through the Malaysia Madani framework, which prioritizes human welfare over technological expansion. Speaking at the Selangor Techsphere Summit 2025 launch, the energy transition minister emphasized that progress must benefit communities broadly rather than serve modernization alone, ensuring accessibility extends beyond corporate and academic circles to students, entrepreneurs and educators nationwide.
The two-day gathering in Kuala Lumpur attracts over 2,000 participants from more than 20 nations, featuring exhibitors including Siemens, Mercedes-Benz and Festo. Selangor Chief...
