Malaysia continues its strong economic trajectory despite facing various obstacles, according to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. The nation achieved 4.4 percent GDP growth over six months while maintaining inflation at 1.3 percent in August, down from 1.9 percent the previous year. Household income has risen, with upcoming survey results expected to reveal progress in poverty reduction by the end of October.
The government has demonstrated firm fiscal discipline through the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, targeting a deficit below three percent. Malaysia reduced its fiscal deficit from 6.1 percent four years ago to 4.1 percent last year, aiming for 3.8 percent this year. This improvement stems from eliminating...
Blantyre Urban District Council teachers accused human resources manager Alison Kalagho of threatening staff who complained about missing September wages. Kalagho warned 689 newly hired educators against contacting journalists after reports emerged that other districts had already compensated their teachers. The council recruited the group during early September, but informed them that payment would begin in October, with prior month salaries treated as arrears.
Teachers questioned why their district differed from others that promptly paid new hires or provided clear payment schedules. One educator said the delayed compensation created financial strain and uncertainty among colleagues. Officials have not explained the payment...
Southeast Asian trade officials want to establish a regional steel council to coordinate industry policies across member nations. Investment deputy minister Liew Chin Tong said the proposed body would address capacity management, carbon reduction targets, building standards, technical cooperation, and trade disputes. Representatives from the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar attended initial discussions about creating formal government channels beyond existing private sector networks.
Malaysia plans to invite China into the framework after recent meetings impressed officials with Chinese steel sector expertise. Regional steel consumption reached 74 million tonnes in 2023 among the six major ASEAN economies, approaching the...
Malaysia expanded its fuel subsidy program to 16 million citizens after the prime minister assured middle-income groups they would maintain eligibility. The Budi Madani RON95 initiative reduces petrol costs to RM1.99 per liter from RM2.05 and permits monthly purchases up to 300 liters for drivers with valid licenses. Military and police members received access on September 27, before the government extended benefits to cash assistance recipients and all qualifying Malaysians.
Economic analyst Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff praised the decision to cover all eligible citizens rather than the previously announced 85 percent. The program uses national identity cards to prevent smuggling and reduce wastage while maintaining regional...
Kelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat defended his suggestion to revise rape laws covering consensual underage sex and refused to apologize despite criticism. He told reporters the proposal reflected his personal assessment rather than any official stance and said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution confirmed this distinction. The police chief noted that investigations in his state revealed most statutory rape cases involved mutual consent between minors, while courts prosecuted only one party.
Mohd Yusoff stated he would withdraw the recommendation if it created confusion or appeared insensitive to affected groups. He expressed regret for upsetting anyone with his earlier comments made during the state investiture ceremony for Sultan...
Malaysia's Road Transport Department plans to blacklist nearly two million drivers who have not paid traffic fines accumulated over 15 years. Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said more than 1.45 million automated camera summonses and 461,000 other violation notices remain outstanding. Offenders face RM300 penalties and license suspensions under the demerit point system.
Authorities offer a reduced RM150 settlement rate through December for drivers who clear their violations before enforcement action begins. The Menora Tunnel in Ipoh issues 3,000 speeding tickets daily during busy periods. Selangor, Perak and Johor generate the most summonses because those states have more automated cameras monitoring roads.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a lecture at Oxford University after accepting an invitation from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. The centre's board of trustees visited Seri Perdana in Putrajaya to extend the invitation during a courtesy call. Former Turkish President Abdullah Gul and former Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah joined OCIS Director Farhan Nizami and Fellow Afifi al-Akiti in the delegation.
Anwar discussed economic development and international relations within the Islamic world during the meeting. The talks focused on promoting dialogue between Islamic nations and Western countries. The prime minister and delegation also examined Islamic economics and market systems. Anwar announced his...
Sixteen million Malaysians began receiving subsidized fuel benefits through the Budi Madani RON95 program at midnight. The initiative reduces petrol prices to RM1.99 per liter from RM2.05 and allows each person to purchase up to 300 liters monthly. Motorists lined up at stations in the capital to access the discount while staff provided assistance with transactions.
The program started with 300,000 military and police members on September 27 before expanding to more than five million B40 category recipients under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah on Sunday. Nearly 20 percent of military and police personnel completed transactions on the first day, while RON95 purchases reached RM3.7 million daily after the broader rollout. Users need only a valid...
A Malaysian cooking oil smuggling operation led by a figure known as Datuk John relied on corrupt border enforcement officers to transport subsidized goods into Thailand. The officers received thousands of ringgit monthly to drive luxury vehicles loaded with cooking oil through the Rantau Panjang checkpoint without inspection. The kingpin obtained supplies from licensed distributors in Terengganu who remained unaware of the scheme.
Authorities arrested Datuk John and seven others last week during a raid that recovered more than 11 tonnes of subsidized cooking oil. The smuggled product was repackaged from lorries into high-end cars before corrupt officers drove them across the 800-meter border crossing. Thai drivers then transported the...
