Local News
Malaysia retail industry posts 3.5% sales growth in Q4’24, misses forecast:Survey
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s retail industry recorded a less-than-expected growth rate of 3.5% in sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. According to a survey compiled by Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) and conducted with members of the...
Thailand Drafts Law To Speed Up $29 Billion Transport Link
Mar 22, 2025 (Bloomberg) –Thailand unveiled draft legislation to create a special economic zone in the south of the country that would pave the way for a multibillion-dollar transport project linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The bill would establish a commission...
Malaysia’s Aerodyne Group eyes drone production in Uzbekistan
Aerodyne’s CEO, Kamarul Muhamed, recently met with Uzbekistan's ambassador to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoev, to discuss potential cooperation. The talks focused on integrating drone technology into Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector. Initially, Aerodyne plans to introduce...
Malaysia emerging as key hub in Asean’s digital future
Driven by rapid digital adoption and increasing foreign investments, Asean is one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets. The World Economic Forum projects that the region’s digital economy will grow from US$300 billion to an estimated US$1 trillion over...
Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone: Transformative or Tempting?
The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone has a compelling argument. But it may not be as transformative as it is touted to be. Malaysia and Singapore launched the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in January 2025. Located in the Malaysian state of Johor...
Malaysia builds Southeast Asia’s longest railway tunnel, a key milestone for ECRL project
MALAYSIA: Deep beneath Malaysia’s Titiwangsa mountain range, engineers are steadily progressing on what will become Southeast Asia’s longest railway tunnel. This tunnel, a critical part of the ambitious East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, will span 16.39 kilometres,...
SG’s logistics rents fall by 6.2% in H2 2024
Singapore’s logistics rents fell by 6.2% in the second half of the year 2024 (H2 2024) but remained unchanged year-on-year (YoY), according to a Knight Frank report. Despite this, Singapore is amongst the markets expected to see growth in the next 12 months,...
Transport Ministry to offer incentives for cargo firms to switch to ECRL with new policy, easing heavy vehicle congestion
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — The Transport Ministry (MOT) will introduce a policy to encourage cargo and transport companies to utilise the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) service as an alternative to heavy vehicles on roads. Its minister Anthony Loke said the policy would...
Malaysia My Second Home programme open to applications from any country, not just China, says Tiong
KUALA LUMPUR (March 8): Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sin has emphasised that the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is not meant only for Chinese nationals but is open to applicants from any country worldwide. He said that through...
Most heavy vehicle licences suspended last year for violating safety, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 247 heavy vehicle operation licences were suspended last year, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke. For violating road safety standards, 23 vehicle permits were also suspended, Loke added. He noted that suspensions can be up to 90 days for...