I recently finished watching Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness, an American spy thriller TV series that premiered last October. In one scene, Zoe Saldaña’s character — Joe McNamara, a CIA se­nior case officer leading the Lioness programme on the ground — recounts how her grandfather immigrated to the US and joined the army just three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Coffee Break: The world has moved on, but some American thinking hasn’t

UNLESS there is an unexpected market rally or significant asset disposal gains in the second half of the year, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is unlikely to surpass the 6.3% dividend paid for 2024 and may be hard pressed to reach even 6% in 2025.

Nonetheless, based on The Edge’s bac...

The State of the Nation: EPF’s 2025 dividend likely to be closer to 5.5% than 6% unless 1Q is a blip

The proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), which is expected to be tabled during the July parliamentary sitting, will benefit property owners instead of private developers, said Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) Inst...

Proposed URA to benefit property owners instead of developers, says Rehda Institute

PERTUBUHAN Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso), also known as the Social Security Organisation (Socso), could emerge as a substantial shareholder of Practice Note 17 (PN17) outfit Pharmaniaga Bhd (KL:PHARMA) if it takes up a private placement offered by the company, sources familiar with the matter tell...

Perkeso could emerge as substantial shareholder of Pharmaniaga

PARADIGM Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), managed by Paradigm REIT Management Sdn Bhd, is slated to list on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on June 10, with a market capitalisation of RM1.6 billion.

As its initial public offering (IPO) did not involve the issuance of new units, th...

IPO Watch: Paradigm REIT kicks off with three malls, plans to add four more assets

SARAWAK-based construction firm Hartanah Kenyalang Bhd (KL:HKB) is poised to capitalise on a construction boom in the state, following the Sarawak government’s record-high RM10.9 billion development expenditure (devex) in Budget 2025. Of this amount, about RM1 billion is specifically allocated to...

IPO Watch: Hartanah Kenyalang to ride construction boom in Sarawak 

THE US dollar is expected to weaken in the next 12 months as it suffers from what economists call a “crisis of confidence” over the greenback’s safe haven status due to Washington’s worsening fiscal outlook and erratic trade policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Rising...

Crisis of confidence weighs on US dollar but ringgit outperformance not guaranteed

It is not often that an external auditor withdraws from reappointment at the last minute. But that was what happened with ABM Fujiya Bhd (KL:AFUJIYA) at its annual general meeting (AGM) last week.

Frankly Speaking: Last-minute auditor change piques interest

The King, Sultan Ibrahim, in his royal address at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty’s birthday on June 2, reminded Malaysians, including political and community leaders, not to politicise sensitive issues that could fuel discord within society and threaten the nation’s stab...

My Say: The Malays don’t need another umbrella

Another horrific bus crash. This time, near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak. In the early hours of June 9, a bus carrying 42 passengers reportedly lost control and collided with a multipurpose vehicle carrying a family of four.

Frankly Speaking: Stricter controls needed for buses operating at night

Construction and property company Vizione Holdings Bhd (KL:VIZIONE) has terminated two major contracts collectively valued at RM1.24 billion in a span of two months. Both were terminated amicably.

Frankly Speaking: What is going on at Vizione?

In a world where automobile technology has advanced to the point where cars can be driverless on the road, Malaysia is still stuck with the age-old curse of losing lives in horrific vehicle crashes.

Last week, 15 students from teacher training institution Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Id...

Alternative Views: Senseless deaths in bus crash warrant long-overdue transport safety overhaul

Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd (KL:ECOSHOP), which was listed on Bursa Malaysia less than a month ago, received the resignation of one of its directors last week.

Frankly Speaking: Unusual appointment and resignation

As the days drag on, there is still no news on who will fill the top positions at many of the country’s key institutions when a number of contracts lapse within the next few weeks.

Frankly Speaking: An untenable situation

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.

“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate or even spill over, the other countries in the Middle East will inevitably bear the brunt,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in a regular briefing on Monday.

China calls for peace, warning that Iran-Israel conflict may spiral

US President Donald Trump indicated at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit that he is in no rush to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, dismissing pressure from allied leaders eager to do more to push Moscow to the negotiating table.

Trump says sanctions on Russia would cost US ‘a lot of money’

Warner Bros Discovery Inc said it won enough support from creditors to overhaul its debt as part of a plan to split into two separate companies, a significant victory for the entertainment giant as it tries to turn itself around. 

The company said last week that it’s dividing into two separate corporations, one focusing on streaming and movie studios, and the other on cable television channels. As part of that division, it said it’s looking to buy back some US$14.6 billion (RM61.9 billion) of bonds, and to switch the terms on remaining debt to give it more flexibility to shift around assets in the future, among other changes.

Warner Bros wins support from bondholders for debt overhaul

The 46th ASEAN Summit, held over two days, has successfully showcased Malaysia’s digital strength through seamless, high-speed 5G internet connectivity.

ASEAN Summit Showcases Malaysia’s Robust 5G Connectivity

China churned out a lot less steel in May compared to the previous year as mills responded to the government’s pledge to cut production.

China cuts steel output as Beijing’s curbs start to take effect

US stock futures slipped and oil prices rose on Tuesday, as investors were rattled by US President Donald Trump's call for everyone to evacuate Tehran with the fifth-day of Israel-Iran fighting sowing fears of a broader regional conflict.

US stock futures slip, oil jumps as Trump calls for Tehran evacuation

Central banks have been selling Treasuries since March, suggesting that they are diversifying away from dollar assets, according to Bank of America Corp (BofA).

Foreign demand for Treasuries is showing ‘cracks,’ BofA says

A 67-year-old man lost more than RM1.7 million after falling victim to a share investment scam via WhatsApp.

Johor police chief CP Datuk M Kumar said the victim, a private company manager, lodged a report on June 12 claiming that his phone number had been added to a WhatsApp group named "C-10 Freeman Saham 17" in April.

Manager loses over RM1.7 mil in share investment scam

Pan Merchant Bhd is slightly overvalued at the initial public offering (IPO) price, Public Investment Bank said ahead of its listing on the ACE Market.

The industrial filter manufacturer is worth just 25 sen, below its IPO price of 27 sen per share, the research house said in a note on Tuesday. The fair value is based on 15 times its forward earnings, a 25% discount to the average multiple of 20 times of its more prominent global peers.

Pan Merchant slightly overvalued at IPO price, says Public Investment Bank

Six business associations are calling on the government to postpone the upcoming expansion of the sales and service tax (SST).

Six business groups urge govt to delay SST expansion, warn of inflation and job losses

When Paula Comings, the head of currency sales for US Bancorp, talks to US importers, she increasingly hears the same message: Their foreign counterparties no longer want to be paid in dollars.

Many exporters no longer want dollars — US bank executive

Here is a brief recap of Monday’s top local business news and corporate announcements.

CIMB, Solarvest, Berjaya Land, Deleum, Poh Kong, Sersol 

Malaysia has advanced 11 spots in the World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 to 23rd among 69 economies — its best ranking since 2020 — according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

In 2024, Malaysia was ranked 34th in the list after falling seven spots from 27th in 2023.

Malaysia rises 11 spots to 23rd in World Competitiveness Ranking, its best placement since 2020

Israel&nbsp;and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.

Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters fifth day

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to reach an agreement on a trade package on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, an outcome that leaves the Asian nation inching closer to a possible recession as the pain of US tariffs hits its economy.

Trump, Ishiba fail to reach US-Japan trade deal at G7 Summit

Six business associations are calling on the government to postpone the upcoming expansion of the sales and service tax (SST).

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Melaka has arrested the director of the finance department of a local authority in the state on suspicion of abusing his power by using RM50 million of the authority's funds to invest in shares.

Melaka local authority director nabbed over alleged misuse of RM50m in funds

Pan Merchant Bhd is slightly overvalued at the initial public offering (IPO) price, Public Investment Bank said ahead of its listing on the ACE Market.

The industrial filter manufacturer is worth just 25 sen, below its IPO price of 27 sen per share, the research house said in a note on Tuesday. The fair value is based on 15 times its forward earnings, a 25% discount to the average multiple of 20 times of its more prominent global peers.

A 67-year-old man lost more than RM1.7 million after falling victim to a share investment scam via WhatsApp.

Johor police chief CP Datuk M Kumar said the victim, a private company manager, lodged a report on June 12 claiming that his phone number had been added to a WhatsApp group named "C-10 Freeman Saham 17" in April.

US&nbsp;stock futures slipped and oil prices rose on Tuesday, as investors were rattled by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's call for everyone to evacuate Tehran with the fifth-day of Israel-Iran fighting sowing fears of a broader regional conflict.

Mitsubishi Corp is in advanced talks to buy Aethon Energy Management for close to US$8 billion (RM33.9 billion), people familiar with the matter said, in what would be the Japanese conglomerate’s biggest ever acquisition.

Mitsubishi said in advanced talks to buy Aethon for US$8b

US&nbsp;stocks&nbsp;closed higher on Monday, as oil prices retreated after the Israel-Iran&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;left crude production and exports unaffected, easing investor concerns about the potential for higher energy prices to stoke inflation.

US equities end higher as oil prices pull back on truce hopes

Senate Republicans plan to delay and make less onerous a levy targeting foreign companies and investors from countries that the US determines have been unfairly taxing US companies.

The provision, officially known as Section 899 and informally known as the “revenge tax,” was drafted by House Republicans and supported by the White House to counter several European countries, Canada, Australia and more nations from taxing US firms in a way those lawmakers argue is discriminatory.

Senate delays and scales back ‘revenge tax’ in Trump bill

Oil fell on signs that the conflict in the Middle East may avoid disrupting crude production, with Iran seeking to deescalate hostilities with Israel.&nbsp;

West Texas Intermediate slid 1.7% to settle below $72 a barrel after spiking to start the session and swinging in an $8 throughout the day.

Oil drops on signs conflict may spare Iranian crude production

DBS Group Holdings Ltd, Singapore’s largest lender, is planning to recruit 100 bankers catering to the rich in Hong Kong over the next three years with clients having more appetite to trade.&nbsp;

DBS to add 100 wealth bankers in Hong Kong as clients trade more

Relative calm returned to global markets, with stocks climbing and oil sinking alongside gold as fears subsided that Israel’s war against Iran would escalate into a wider conflict. News reports that Tehran wants to restart talks over its nuclear program also fueled risk-on sentiment.

Equities bounced after Friday’s slide, with the S&amp;P 500 up about 1%. West Texas Intermediate settled below $72 a barrel after spiking at the start of the session.

Stocks rise as fear of all-out Mideast war eases

US Senate Republicans on Monday proposed a tax and budget bill that would end the US$7,500 (RM31,804) tax credit on new electric vehicle (EV) sales 180 days after the measure is signed into law and immediately end the credit for leased EVs made outside North America.

Senate Republicans seek to kill $7,500 EV tax credit

Hedge fund founder Jonah Cheng calls Nvidia Corp&nbsp;the best pick of his career. But he has now sold the last of his shares in the company, expressing doubts about the outlook for the US$3.5 trillion (RM14.8 trillion) chipmaker.

The former UBS Group AG analyst, whose tech-focused fund generated returns of 42% last year, was among the investors who rode Nvidia’s breakneck rise over the past decade. It was one of the first stocks he bought when he set up the Captain Global Fund in 2016, and he has reinvested multiple times since then.

Hedge fund up 42% last year offloads its biggest winner Nvidia

A UK ethanol producer that has warned of the risk to its business from tariff-free US imports said it is almost too late to save its output.

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