Local News
The Strait of Malacca is at a breaking point: A global supply chain crisis
The Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, is reaching a breaking point. Stretching roughly 800 kilometers between Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula, this narrow passageway connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and...
Integrating Malaysia’s railway network with ‘China and beyond’ a key priority for operator KTM’s new chief
KUALA LUMPUR: Seamless rail networks from Malaysia to Indochina, China and even Europe - for freight and passenger travel - are among the key priorities for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTM) newly appointed acting chief executive officer Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin....
New business park in Iskandar Malaysia focuses on sustainability
AKASIA Business Park is well- positioned to take advantage of Johor’s robust economic growth and progress under Maju Johor 2030 vision. Its chief executive officer Melvin Lee said the project, strategically located at the border of Ulu Tiram and Kota Tinggi, was set...
Southeast Asia’s economic corridors, building resilience amidst global and regional friction
Southeast Asia is subtly growing as an important part of global commerce as emerging risks shake the region. But as the recent brief border skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia revealed, regional connectivity also faces challenges from within.“ASEAN is already among...
Malaysia reopens doors to foreign labour: Lifeline for industries or looming local job crisis?
MALAYSIA: The Malaysian government has welcomed foreign workers back into major economic segments such as agriculture, mining, and plantations, in order to meet severe labour scarcity. In the latest report from HRD Asia, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution...
Malaysia strengthens economic zones to bridge regional development gaps
KUALA LUMPUR: The government continues intensifying efforts to attract investments into special economic zone development areas to bridge regional gaps throughout the 13th Malaysia Plan period. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan stated that investment...
Johor–Singapore SEZ touted as ‘next Shenzhen’ in push to reshape cross-border growth
JOHOR BAHRU: For decades, the Causeway has been a bottleneck; millions of people crossing daily, traffic jams stretching for hours, and businesses caught between two very different economies. Now, the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is being pitched as...
Malaysia, China to unlock services sector’s potential in digital, green tech
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to fully unlock the potential of its services sectors through enhanced collaborations with China, particularly in the areas of digital economy, green technology, and connectivity. Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s (MITI) Services...
Service tax exemption on ship and aircraft leasing clarified by MOF
The exemption aims to maintain the competitiveness of Malaysia’s local industries. Without the exemption, local ship and aircraft owners might register their assets abroad, reducing economic activity in Malaysia. The MOF stated that taxation could drive owners to...
Sepanggar welcomes Singapore shipping route
Kota Kinabalu: Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) welcomed the maiden call of the Ji Yun 16, operated by Warisan Shipping Line under its newly launched Singapore Express Service. The service connects Muara – Sapangar – Singapore – Muara on a regular schedule,...