He said the move is part of the ministry’s restrategising efforts in light of recent developments in the Middle East. “We will discuss this further internally, especially with Tourism Malaysia. “We want to attract more international tourists and for the world to know that Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious country. Mohd Khalid added that these measures are complemented by international partnerships, enabling Malaysia to anticipate and respond effectively to emergent threats. “The government, tourism industry and communities each play a vital role in safeguarding Malaysia’s peace and prosperity.

US West Texas Intermediate crude settled at US$95.70, up US$8.48 or 9.7%. It will not happen quickly,” said Jim Burkhard, vice president and global head of Crude Oil Research at S&P Global Energy. Global oil prices are unlikely to hit US$200 a barrel, Wright said, even as Iran continues to strike merchant ships. On Monday, Brent hit US$119.50 a barrel, its highest since mid-2022, then dropped after US President Donald Trump said the Iran war could be over soon. Hezbollah's attack also raised fears about Yemen's Houthis joining the war alongside Iran, which could further disrupt Red Sea shipping.

ANDØYA, Norway (March 13): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that any move to ease sanctions against Russia is wrong, after the US issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea. "We believe that is wrong," Merz said at a press conference alongside his Norwegian counterpart. "There is currently a problem with prices, but not with supply. And in that respect, I would like to know what other factors led the US government to take this decision." "Let me make this very clear once again: Germany is not part of this war, and we do not wish to become one," Merz said.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans can now switch to clean and renewable energy easier with the updated solar energy guidelines and new investment framework. Unveiled by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) to support the growth of solar energy in the state, this updated SELCO-PV Sabah 2.0 guideline allows homeowners and businesses to install solar systems to generate electricity mainly for their own use. It said that ECoS requires prior approval for off grid solar PV installations over 5 kWp, and all installations must obtain a SELCO-PV SABAH 2.0 Approval to Install (SATI) from ECoS before work commences. This ensures that only companies with proven technical capability and financial strength are permitted to operate in Sabah. The public can visit the official ECoS website at www.ecos.gov.my for more information on SELCO-PV Sabah 2.0 and SaRPVI.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): Inta Bina Group Bhd (KL:INTA) has secured a RM49 million contract to build factory buildings in Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0’s integrated industrial park in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The letter of award was secured by its unit, Inta Bina Sdn Bhd, from Eco Business Park 7 Sdn Bhd, the special purpose vehicle majority-owned by Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD), 30%-owned by SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) and 15%-owned by Negeri Sembilan state agency NS Corporation. Eco Business Park 7 is looking to transform 1,195 acres of prime land in Bukit Pelandok, Negeri Sembilan, into an integrated industrial park. The job Inta Bina secured involves the main building works of “Package 4 — Zone 2 Phase 3” which comprises 96 units of cluster factories and six units of electrical substations, according to a bourse filing on Friday. Construction will commence on July 1, 2026 and be completed by Dec 31, 2027.

He said that although many people assume that oil producers like Malaysia would reap large profits with oil prices rising, the situation is more complex in reality. According to him, when oil prices rise, there are usually three main effects on the nation’s economy. “When oil prices increase, business costs rise. On the third effect, Zafrul said the impact of rising oil prices is not the same for every country. “About 80% of countries in the world are oil importers, so for most countries, high oil prices actually put pressure on their economies,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The National Climate Change Bill (RUU PIN) will introduce a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system as the main basis for the implementation of a carbon pricing mechanism and Malaysia's transition towards a low-carbon economy. “The implementation of this carbon tax will be aligned with the National Carbon Market Policy as well as provisions under the RUU PIN to ensure policy uniformity and implementation efficiency. The ministry said the RUU PIN also provides the legal basis for the implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in the next phase, when the MRV system and domestic carbon market ecosystem have matured. “In addition, the RUU PIN will also regulate the carbon market for compliance, including the use of carbon credits to meet emission reduction obligations. “The ministry intends to table the RUU PIN and the RUU Iklim in the Second Sitting of the Fifth Term of the 15th Parliament,” it said.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for immediate solutions to address flood problems and water supply issues in Sarawak to ensure the welfare of the people in the state is safeguarded. The matter was conveyed during Anwar’s meeting with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Sarawak leadership in Kuching on Friday. “I was also briefed on the need to resolve the flood and water supply issues in Sarawak,” he said in a Facebook post. He said the willingness of these countries to hear Malaysia’s views was an honour, given the country’s relatively small standing in the international arena. “I conveyed several views on behalf of Malaysia while emphasising the importance of easing tensions for the sake of global peace,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): Bursa Malaysia and its subsidiaries will be closed on Friday and Saturday (March 20 and March 21) in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri public holiday, subject to the official announcement by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal. In a statement on Friday, the stock exchange operator said both securities and derivatives markets will resume operations on Monday (March 23) if the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on March 20 and the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on March 21. It said if the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on March 21 (Saturday) and the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on March 22 (Sunday), Bursa Malaysia and its subsidiaries will be closed on March 23 (Monday) and resume operations on March 24 (Tuesday). “Both securities and derivatives markets will operate under normal trading hours on March 19 and March 20 (Thursday and Friday). “However, there will be no T+1 Night Trading session for the derivatives market on that date,” said the exchange operator.

SEOUL, March 13 (Reuters) - ⁠North Korea accused Japan of heightening ⁠regional security risks by accelerating the deployment ‌and development of long-range missiles, saying Tokyo's military buildup amounted to preparations for a future attack, state ​media KCNA said on Friday. KCNA ⁠said in a commentary ⁠that Japan had begun deploying an upgraded version ⁠of ‌its Type 12 surface-to-ship missile in Kumamoto and planned to position ⁠other long-range systems across multiple prefectures, putting ​neighbouring countries ‌within range. The commentary said Japan was ⁠pouring resources ​into extending missile ranges and adapting them for launches from land, sea and air, calling ⁠the systems "clearly long-range offensive weapons." KCNA ​dismissed Japan's claim that the buildup was for self-defence, saying it reflected ambitions to secure attack ⁠capabilities and was part of "war preparations for re-invasion." (Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Chris Reese and Jamie Freed)

The owner-operator of Empire Sushi said the IPO entails 363 million ordinary shares consisting of a public issue of 218 million issue shares and an offer for sale of 145 million existing shares (offer shares). "A total of 137.5 million offer shares, representing 12.5% of the enlarged issued shares, to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). "Another 155.5 million IPO shares (comprising 7.5 million offer shares and 148 million issue shares), representing up to approximately 14.1% of the enlarged issued shares, to institutional and selected investors (other than Bumiputera investors approved by Miti)," it said. For its retail offering, a total of 70 million issue shares are allocated, representing approximately 6.4% of the enlarged issued shares. Maybank IB is the principal adviser, sole placement agent, sole bookrunner and sole bookrunner and sole underwriter for the IPO exercise.

PUTRAJAYA (March 13): The Court of Appeal on Friday allowed an appeal by Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, to reinstate the Sessions Court order directing the prosecution to disclose a witness statement to him for use in his defence in a sedition case. Badrul Hisham, a political activist, is facing a charge at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court with making seditious remarks related to the casino project in Forest City in Johor. Last year, the Sessions Court allowed Badrul Hisham’s application for disclosure of the statement. Badrul Hisham subsequently filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal. During the proceedings at the Court of Appeal on Friday, Badrul Hisham’s lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali told the court that the trial at the Sessions Court is scheduled to resume on April 6.

Atta Halilintar has revealed that his severe eczema makes his skin highly sensitive to sunlight, forcing him to stay indoors during the day. Pic from IGJAKARTA: Popular Indonesian influencer Atta Halilintar has opened up about his struggle with a severe form of chronic eczema that has drastically altered his daily routine. According to reports from Kompas, Atta explained that the sun triggers intense redness and peeling, which eventually leads to open wounds. "If I'm exposed to sunlight, my skin immediately turns red and peels before it becomes wounded and eventually flakes off," he shared. The physical toll is significant, with Atta noting that the stinging sensation can persist for up to five days following a brief period of exposure.

The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Tradeview Capital Sdn Bhd have launched the MTDC Tradeview Quantum Fund, a public–private venture capital partnership channelled through joint venture entity Modal Lestari Sdn Bhd. Modal Lestari, the venture fund management company established for the collaboration, is the first joint venture of its kind between a licensed fund management company and a government-linked venture capital firm, with committed capital from both sides. The fund — MTDC's first public-private investment fund — brings together MTDC's experience in technology venture development with Tradeview Capital's equity investment expertise, expanding the range of financing options available to Malaysian technology entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Tradeview Capital is a boutique fund management company licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia, providing investment and fund management services across asset classes including equities, bonds and commodities. As the private capital partner in the Modal Lestari venture, Tradeview will contribute its capital markets expertise, particularly in the small- and mid-cap segment.

(March 13): The UK economy unexpectedly failed to grow in January, suggesting activity was stalling even before conflict in the Middle East threatened to deliver a fresh blow to consumers and businesses. It was worse than the 0.2% growth economists had expected and below all the forecasts in the survey. The powerhouse services sector stagnated as a weakening labor market hit recruiters. “The UK economy entered 2026 with little forward momentum, and whether growth strengthens or stalls may depend more on geopolitics than on domestic fundamentals,” said Martin Beck, the chief economist of WPI Strategy. Oil rose above US$100 (RM393.65) a barrel once again on Thursday amid the worst supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.