PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has added a feather in its cap by emerging as the most globally connected country among middle-income economies, ranking 16th out of 180 countries in the “DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026”. The noteworthy achievement reflects Malaysia’s emphasis on and success in attracting inward investment and boosting its role in supply chains, senior research scholar-cum-adjunct assistant professor at the New York University Stern School of Business, Professor Steven A Altman, said in Hanoi yesterday. Malaysia has climbed the rankings in recent years, underscoring the impact of the country’s efforts to integrate with the global economy, he said in the report co-published by DHL Group and New York University Stern School of Business.

PETALING JAYA: MMAG Holdings Bhd said several of its bank accounts have been frozen by the Royal Malaysia Police’s Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) investigation unit, with the restrictions in place since late last year. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the logistics and aviation services group said the accounts were gradually frozen between October and November 2025 and have remained inaccessible for more than 90 days. The company said it had not received any formal freezing order and was unaware of the particulars of the action. “At this juncture, the board is unable to ascertain the financial and operational impact of the freezing of the affected accounts on the group,” MMAG said. The group added that it has taken steps to maintain operations, including using other available bank accounts to ensure that day-to-day activities continue without disruption.

PETALING JAYA: Despite its launch last year, awareness of the the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026–2030 (NS2.0) initiative is lacking among young Malaysians. “I usually follow credible financial pages on social media to learn about budgeting and saving. “Expenses such as petrol and vehicle maintenance add up quicly.”She believes more awareness campaigns could help young Malaysians develop better financial habits. “I also think financial management should be taught in schools so young people learn these skills earlier,” she suggested. “It feels like I’m trapped in a financial hole because I’m trying to clear my debts while still managing daily expenses,” he said.

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 9, 2026 - March 15, 2026Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

(March 11) : President Donald Trump said the US will get its first new oil refinery in 50 years with the help of investment from India’s Reliance Industries Ltd.“I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas,” Trump said Tuesday in a post on Truth Social. Element Fuels’ web address now redirects to the website for America First Refining, the company Trump said will open the new refinery. Representatives for Reliance and America First Refining couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. The Trump administration is pursuing a policy of US energy dominance, which promotes increased production of oil, natural gas and coal. Previous efforts to revive greenfield refinery construction have fizzled in the face of massive costs, complicated federal and state permitting requirements, and environmental opposition.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission (SC) has set an ambitious target to grow the Malaysian capital market by nearly 50% over the next five years under its newly unveiled Capital Market Masterplan 2026–2030 (CMP). Chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi expects the domestic capital market to reach RM6.3 trillion by 2030, up from RM4.3 trillion last year. To grow the capital market, Mohammad Faiz said collaboration among key stakeholders will be critical. According to Mohammad Faiz, if the market does not grow, it will become a problem. Mohammad Faiz said the CMP is anchored on four broad but interconnected themes – vibrancy, inclusivity, sustainability, and regional opportunities.

PETALING JAYA: Independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia began his Swiss Open qualifying campaign on a positive note after defeating Japan’s Minoru Koga on Tuesday (March 10). Playing at the St Jakobshalle, Zii Jia beat Koga 21-14, 21-10 in just 27 minutes. Zii Jia must win one more match against Denmark’s Ditlev Holm to secure a place in the first round.

PUTRAJAYA: Every festive holiday is an opportunity to foster stronger ties and diversity among all, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry takes the initiative to celebrate all major festivals together with the multicultural community. Nga spoke during the "Sentuhan Kasih Ramadan" programme with the ministry staff. Hari Raya Aidilfitri aid in the form of cash assistance and aid baskets was presented to 108 staff members in need. It aims to ease the financial burden of the ministry staff in preparing for the Hari Raya celebration.

IPOH: Grievances of the people, especially sensitive issues, should be resolved before these become huge problems, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. "Grievances of the people, especially those of non-Muslims like the demolition of temples and sensitive issues, should be addressed before these become big issues. Dr Wee said finding the best solutions should be the standard way of handling sensitive issues in Malaysia. Dr Wee also noted that the uncertain economic outlook would increase the burden on the people and called on the government to provide solutions. Separately, Dr Wee said MCA wants to contest all its traditional seats in the 16th General Election.

WASHINGTON: Ten days after attacking Iran together, the United States and Israel have seen a public divergence, with President Donald Trump facing political pressure and not sharing Israel's long-term goals. Even Senator Lindsey Graham, a hawkish Republican ally of Trump who has urged war on Iran for years, called on Israel to "please be cautious about what targets you select." He said that Israel wants Iran, whose cleric-run government has championed Hamas, to be "permanently weakened" -- a strategy Israel has pursued across the region, notably in repeatedly bombing historic adversary Syria despite a change in government. Both Netanyahu and Trump have spoken favourably of the Iranians overthrowing the Islamic Republic, which faces widespread opposition and ruthlessly suppressed protests in January, but neither has made it an explicit goal. Growing partisan gapIsrael retains strong support within Trump's Republican Party but the rival Democratic Party -- and a few prominent voices on the right -- have accused Trump of blindly following Israel into a regional war.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Four men including two engineers have been remanded for two days to assist in investigations into an alleged attack on independent preacher Zamri Vinoth. The remand order was issued by Magistrate Roshayati Radellah at the Bukit Mertajam magistrate's court on Tuesday after police initially applied for a four-day period. The four men arrived at the Bukit Mertajam Court Complex at about 8.35am in police vehicles wearing lock-up uniforms. Previously, two brothers were remanded separately to assist in the same investigation but both have since been released. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail earlier confirmed receiving a report from Zamri regarding the alleged attack and said further investigations are ongoing.

Penang welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said enforcement officers carried out the temporary closure under Section 16 of the Child Care Centre Act 1984. ALSO READ: Baby dies at hospital's childcare centre, two arrested"We are treating this matter very seriously. It should serve as an important reminder to all childcare centres to ensure they are properly registered and that all relevant childcare guidelines and standards are strictly adhered to," she said. The childcare centre operates 24 hours a day to support hospital staff on duty. The infant had only recently been sent to the childcare centre after his mother returned to work following her confinement period.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 10): PUC Bhd (KL:PUC) group managing director and CEO Cheong Chia Chou, who has held the role since 2016, has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in the loss-making digital payment solutions provider after selling a 1.73% stake. He ceased to be a substantial shareholder in PUC on March 12 last year, but later reemerged as one in December. Genting Bhd’s (KL:GENTING) vehicle GPVF Sdn Bhd is also a substantial shareholder with a 5.33% stake. PUC has been in the red since the financial year ended Dec 31, 2019 (FY2019). For its latest 18 months ended Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025), it posted a net loss of RM50.92 million on revenue of RM82.55 million.

PUTRAJAYA (March 10): The Ministry of Education (MOE) has declared March 18, 2026 as an additional school holiday for all schools nationwide in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said the additional holiday is intended to allow teachers, students and parents adequate time to prepare for the festivities in an organised manner. It said based on the 2026 Academic Calendar, schools in Group A states, comprising Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, had already been allocated an additional holiday on March 19. Meanwhile, schools in Group B, comprising Melaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, were granted two additional holidays on March 19 and March 20. The ministry added that the additional holiday is also in line with its commitment to prioritise the welfare of the education community.

(March 10): HSBC on Tuesday raised its 2026 average Brent oil price forecast by US$15 to US$80 per barrel and lifted its WTI outlook by US$14 to US$76. Brent prices have gained more than 27% since the war involving Iran began last week, while WTI has risen about 33%. Prices jumped after the conflict prompted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint through which about a fifth of global oil supply passes. The shutdown has led major OPEC producers, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, to reduce shipments as vessel traffic across the region stalls. Brent was down 6.7% at US$92.06, while WTI fell 5.7% to US$89.21 as of 1300 GMT, after US President Donald Trump said the Middle East war could end soon, easing worries about prolonged supply disruptions.