KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Asia-Pacific economies now face rising risks of physical shortages, not only of energy, following the latest Iranian attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facilities, including oil and gas but also of fertilisers and, by extension, potentially food later in the year.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Oil prices could hit US$120 (US$1=RM3.93) per barrel if Iranian authorities act on their implied threat to strike on five facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with Asia bearing the brunt given its dependence on Qatari volumes, according to an analyst.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Kao Corporation, a Japan-based manufacturer of cosmetics, personal care and household products, announced its skincare brand Bioré will accelerate its international expansion as it enters the South Korean market and rolls out a globally unified campaign.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s inflation rose modestly to 1.4 per cent in February 2026, with the consumer price index (CPI) climbing to 136.0 from 134.1 a year earlier, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.
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.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent) of KBFG Insurance (China) Co Ltd (KBFG China) with a stable outlook.
By Samirul Ariff
Public discussion about energy often begins with a simple question: how much oil does a country possess? Yet this question, while intuitive, can be misleading. The real determinant of energy security is not merely the quantity of hydrocarbons beneath the ground, but the institutions and systems that govern their extraction, transport and distribution. Malaysia’s experience illustrates this principle clearly.
From Nur Athirah Mohd Shaharuddin
HANOI, March 14 (Bernama) – Despite the war in West Asia that has spiked oil prices, the people of Vietnam seem oblivious to the consequent inflationary pressures, especially for a nation that depends significantly on imported crude oil.
By Voon Miaw Ping
KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Intensifying maritime security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing military conflict between the United States (US), Israel and Iran are putting the strategic chokepoint under intense international scrutiny.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia remained lower at midday, falling below the 1,700 psychological level, in line with the weaker performance of most regional peers amid dented sentiment following a surge in crude oil prices, with Brent crude hovering above US$100 per barrel at noon.
By Zufazlin Baharuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia remained lower at midday, tracking the downbeat performance of regional peers amid dented sentiment from a surge in crude oil prices, with Brent crude hovering above US$100 per barrel at noon (US$1=RM3.91).
By Nor Baizura Basri
KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) has initiated investigations into the acts, policies, and practices of 15 economies, including Malaysia and the European Union (EU), under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.
