“Force Majeure” And Its Economic Impact

By Saraswathi Muniappan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- “Force majeure” is French for “major force”, and in legal parlance, this means that an extraordinary event has occurred, such as the war in West Asia, which is beyond the control of a party and excuses them from fulfilling their contract. 

Asian Stocks Plunge Following Trump's Ultimatum To Iran

TOKYO, March 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- Asian markets opened sharply lower on Monday following an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump to Iran, reported Geman Press Agency (dpa). 

IMF Warns Prolonged Energy Price Surge Could Lift Inflation

ISTANBUL, March 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that a sustained rise in energy prices stemming from the war in West Asia could push global inflation higher and weigh on economic output.

Prolonged West Asia Conflict Could Disrupt Malaysia’s Fertiliser Market -- FIAM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ongoing conflict in West Asia, if prolonged, could lead to severe structural disruptions in the Malaysian fertiliser market, says the Fertiliser Industry Association of Malaysia (FIAM).

Malaysia's Trade Rises 9.5 Pct To RM245.2 Bln In February 2026, Says DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s trade grew 9.5 per cent to RM245.2 billion in February 2026 from RM223.9 billion a year earlier, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) said. 

Toshiba Photovoltaic-Output Photocoupler Boosts Automotive SSR Reliability

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba) has commenced volume shipments of the "TLX9920", a new photovoltaic-output photocoupler targeting solid state relays (SSR) in automotive equipment.

Maybank Research Trims Singapore 2026 GDP Growth Forecast To 3.4 Pct

SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Maybank Research Pte Ltd (MRPL) has revised Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 3.4 per cent in 2026, down from its earlier projection of 3.6 per cent, amid ongoing West Asia conflicts. 

OCBC Revises Brent Forecast Higher, Expects Prices Around US$100 Through Mid-year

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- OCBC Group Research has revised its Brent crude oil forecast higher, expecting prices to remain elevated at around US$100 per barrel through mid-year before easing towards US$70 per barrel by early 2027 amid ongoing supply disruptions.

Funds May Favour Commodity Exporters Like Malaysia Amid West Asia Uncertainties - Economist

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz could influence global capital flows, with commodity-exporting economies such as Malaysia potentially better positioned amid rising energy prices.

Ringgit Ends Higher Against US Dollar, Other Major Currencies Amid Stable Regional Sentiment

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- The ringgit ended higher against the US dollar and other major currencies at the close on Monday, as the market reflected stabilising regional and global risk sentiment, which pushed the greenback to marginal softness amid easing safe-haven demand. 

Ringgit Opens Marginally Higher Against US Dollar Amid Cautious Sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- The ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar on Monday, supported by mild dollar weakness, though persistent geopolitical uncertainties and elevated oil prices capped gains.

Diversified Supply Shields Malaysia From Immediate Oil Disruptions -- MPRC

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s oil supply remains stable, cushioned by diversified crude and product sourcing, as well as deepwater storage and terminal infrastructure at the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC).