Malaysia To Sustain Growth At 4-4.5 Pct Next Year Driven By Higher Demand For Semiconductors, AI Applications – MoF

By Mikhail Raj Abdullah, Kisho Kumari Sucedaram and Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) – Higher exports of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) edge applications will be among a slew of factors sustaining Malaysia’s economic growth next year at a commendable rate of between 4.0 and 4.5 per cent – against 4.0 to 4.8 per cent this year – despite acute trade challenges, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said today.

Budget 2026: Digital Banks Hope Targeted Subsidies, Cash Aid Channelled Via Their Platforms 

By Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) – Digital banks are urging the government to prioritise the distribution of targeted subsidies and cash aid in Budget 2026 through digital banking platforms, highlighting their potential to deliver a more equitable and efficient system.

Budget 2026 To Sustain Fiscal Consolidation Momentum - Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- With the 2025 budget deficit on track to meet the target of 3.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), Budget 2026 is expected to continue fiscal consolidation, aiming to narrow the deficit to 3.6 per cent of GDP, Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said today.

Ringgit Seen Firmer Ahead Of Budget 2026 On BNM's Stance, Fiscal Expectations

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- The ringgit is likely to edge firmer ahead of the Budget 2026 announcement on Oct 10, supported by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) monetary policy stance and expectations of fiscal consolidation.

BUDI95 Initiative Targets Fairer Subsidy, Boosts Income Equity --  Economists

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The BUDI95 petrol subsidy initiative strengthens income distribution and could improve fairness in how national resources are shared by five to 10 per cent, in line with ASEAN peers, an economist said.

RHB IB Sees RM89 Bln Development Spending In Budget 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) expects about RM86 billion to RM89 billion to be allocated for development expenditure in Budget 2026, aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s (13MP) total allocation of RM430 billion for 2026–2030.

Targeted RON95 Subsidies A Landmark To Narrow Fiscal Deficit, Strengthen Debt -- Economist

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The rationalisation of RON95 subsidies marks a landmark in Malaysia’s structural reform journey, with the reduction in subsidy expenditure expected to help narrow the fiscal deficit and improve the government’s debt dynamics, said an economist.

Good Governance Is A Strategic Asset To Attract Investments, Progress - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Good governance must be seen as a strategic asset and an anchor of credibility in the financial market, which in turn is the magnet for investments, and the guarantee that progress will be shared fairly, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Approved Investments, FDIs Reflect Different Stages Of Malaysia’s Investment Journey

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Some may argue that the approved investments reported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the foreign direct investment (FDI) figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) for the first half of 2025 (1H 2025) appear contradictory. 

Axiata On Track To Achieve Gearing Ratio Of 2.5 Times Net Debt To EBITDA In 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Axiata Group Bhd is on track to achieve a gearing ratio of 2.5 times net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) by the end of 2026, as the level stood at 2.76 times as at June 30, 2025.

Govt Procurement Bill 2025 Limits Finance Minister's Powers Via Stronger Checks And Balances -- Amir Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The Government Procurement Bill 2025 does not increase the powers of the finance minister but instead limits them by introducing a stronger system of checks and balances, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Govt Tables Procurement Bill To Strengthen Fiscal Management, Curb Leakages - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- The government has proposed the Government Procurement Bill 2025 as a continuation of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 (FRA), which complements the Financial Procedure Act 1957, to further strengthen fiscal management.