KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Consistent policies and common mechanisms across Asean can help create a more connected market, making the bloc more attractive to capital and providing a base of stability for the region’s future progress. Amir Hamzah said Asean comprises diverse countries with a population of 700 million, offering significant growth potential. By identifying common ground and focusing on non-controversial areas, he said the bloc can strengthen inter-regional cooperation. Amir Hamzah said one of Asean's main challenges is keeping pace with the rapid technological change. Amir Hamzah emphasised that the younger generation must be given greater opportunities to engage and contribute, with technology serving as a powerful leveller.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed Malaysia's sincere sympathy and support to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been affected by Iran's response to the attacks carried out by Israel in collaboration with the United States. He brought up the matter during a telephone discussion with UAE president Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and both leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East, with particular regard to the regional security situation following the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. "We expressed mutual hope that all parties will prioritise peaceful dialogue and take care to avoid any actions that could compromise regional stability and global security. "Additionally, I expressed appreciation for the UAE government's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the safety and welfare of approximately 10,000 Malaysians currently residing in the UAE.," he said in a Facebook post today. He also expressed hope that the month of Ramadan would foster greater unity within the ummah and pave the way toward enduring peace and stability in the region and beyond.

PUTRAJAYA (March 7): Tax refunds to eligible taxpayers will begin to be credited in stages starting from the second week of March 2026, according to a statement issued by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). The IRB said that the refund involves individual taxpayers who have submitted the Income Tax Return Form (BNCP) for the 2025 Year of Assessment, in line with the opening of e-Filing services that commenced on March 1. "In line with the IRB Client’s Charter, tax refunds for BNCP submitted via e-Filing will be processed within a period of up to 30 working days, while for BNCP submitted manually, the processing period is up to 90 working days. In this regard, the IRB advises taxpayers to ensure that the bank account information reported to the board is accurate and up to date to ensure that refunds can be processed smoothly. "The IRB is committed to continuously improving the delivery of services to taxpayers and ensuring that tax matters are carried out efficiently and effectively," added the statement.

IPOH: Six people escaped unhurt after vehicles they were travelling in were crushed by fallen trees in Taman Bersatu near Simpang Pulai Friday (March 6). Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received a distress call at 4.43pm. "The incident involved two fallen trees that crushed three cars with all the occupants rescued by members of the public. Heavy rain and strong winds hit Ipoh for nearly an hour from around 4pm, damaging tents at a Ramadan bazaar at Sentra Mall. Meanwhile, the Kinta District Civil Defence Force (APM) operations control centre said it had received reports of around 19 fallen trees across the district, and the number is still rising.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A planned gathering concerning a temple near a hospital in Penang will not proceed following discussions between the police, organisers and the temple management. He advised the public not to attend or take part in any assembly at the location or elsewhere, warning that such actions could provoke tensions and disrupt public order. Comm Azizee said the hospital area is an important healthcare facility for the local community and any activity that could disrupt peace in the area should be avoided. He added that police will continue monitoring the situation, particularly in the Bukit Mertajam area, to ensure it remains peaceful and under control. Azizee also advised the public to comply with regulations and police traffic instructions during a religious procession involving the temple scheduled tomorrow, and to safeguard public property.

JOHOR BARU: Johor's record of attracting RM110bil in investments last year is expected to generate some 24,584 job opportunities for locals here, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The Mentri Besar said that this investment achievement was not just a new record, but showcases the transformation of the state's economic stature, which was mature and competitive. Onn Hafiz said that the state government was committed to ensure each investment approved in the state would bring about real benefit to Johoreans. "This is to ensure Johor's economic growth is supported by a development ecosystem which is efficient and competitive," he added. Onn Hafiz hoped that this achievement would spur everyone to continue to work hard to ensure Johor's economic development really bring about prosperity to all Bangsa Johor.

They named Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and the government as the first, second and third defendants repsectively. The plaintiffs are seeking a court declaration that Section 124B of the Penal Code and Section 130A(a) of the Penal Code are unconstitutional and certain wordings in the provisions are vague, overbroad and ambigious, thus contravening Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution. He added that investigations are being conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Special Investigation Unit. The case is being investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code, which relates to activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy. On the same day, Na'imah issued a statement, calling claims that she was involved in the plot as "laughable, false and preposterous".

(March 6): US retail sales declined in January, restrained by weakness at auto dealers as winter weather-related disruptions tempered some activity. Excluding car dealers, sales were little changed. More modest overall retail spending at the turn of the year has been accompanied by worries about the job market and cost of living. Receipts at restaurants and bars, the only service-sector category in the retail report, declined 0.2% in January. At the same time, the retail report showed a pickup in sales at non-store retailers and building-materials outlets.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): Asean should mobilise its immense pool of regional funds to meet the bloc’s investment needs and in the process create corporate champions, Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said. He said Asean has significant financial resources from pension funds to the tune of US$4.4 trillion (RM17.3 trillion) and insurance institutions ofUS$5.1 trillion that could be utilised to support regional development. “But why can't this be channelled to be used within Asean, in terms of creating corporate champions, regional champions (and) addressing the investment needs of Asean itself,” he said. Dong He also spoke of the crucial importance of the role of digitalisation in strengthening regional financial integration. A common trading platform for such assets could increase the scale of trading activity and deepen liquidity in Asean capital markets, he said.

(March 6): German media group Axel Springer SE has agreed to buy UK newspaper publisher Telegraph Media Group for £575 million (RM3.02 billion) in cash, torpedoing a rival bid from Daily Mail & General Trust plc. The Daily Mail owner reached a deal to buy the Telegraph group in November, after US private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners withdrew its offer amid backlash from the newspaper’s own staff. However, the £500 million bid by the Daily Mail owner dragged on after the Labour government triggered regulatory probes into the proposed deal last month. Döpfner has been on a dealmaking spree in the past few years in an attempt to transform Axel Springer into a global media powerhouse. Longtime partner KKR & Co bought Springer’s classified ads unit, a money engine for years, for about €10 billion (RM45.71 billion) last year.

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed March 13 for the hearing of an appeal filed by political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, relating to a witness statement in his sedition case. Badrul Hisham is appealing against a High Court decision that set aside a Sessions Court order for the prosecution to reveal a witness statement to him. Muhammad Rafique said the sedition case at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court was entering the defence stage on April 6. On Jan 27, the Johor Bahru High Court set aside the Sessions Court order for the prosecution to reveal the witness statement recorded under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Sessions Court had earlier on Dec 11, 2025, allowed the application by Badrul Hisham to have the witness statement disclosed to him.

(March 6): London-based reinsurers of ships are cancelling their coverage of war risk and demanding 200% more to reinstate policies, according to people familiar with the matter, after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, amplifying risk perceptions. Bloomberg News has seen a cancellation notice dated as recently as March 4 — the day a US submarine sank the Iranian warship. As an immediate impact on the marine war-risk cover, “notices of cancellation are being issued by international marine underwriters,” he said. War-risk cover for cargo, once about 0.03% of cargo value, has jumped to around 1% in affected zones, the people said. “As the period of conflict lengthens, it is bound to impact pricing across all risks and liability covers,” Joshi said.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): Bina Puri Holdings Bhd (KL:BPURI), which has at least six winding-up petitions against its subsidiaries, has landed a RM42.5 million contract to undertake construction works for a project in the Limbang district of Sarawak. In a Bursa Malaysia filing on Friday, the engineering group said its wholly-owned subsidiary Bina Puri Builder Sdn Bhd accepted a letter of award from Mexajati Sdn Bhd for its appointment as contractor for the project. The contract covers carrying out, undertaking, executing and completing the entire scope of works for the project, excluding the design element. However, the company did not disclose the nature of the project. Bina Puri said it has maintained a longstanding presence in Sarawak, having previously completed projects such as the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building and Plaza Merdeka.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has emerged as a substantial shareholder of ITMAX System Bhd (KL:ITMAX), following its latest acquisition of shares in the smart city integrated systems and solutions provider. The latest purchase bumped the fund’s total stake in ITMAX to 5.005%, representing 51.84 million shares. ITMAX’s largest shareholder is Tan Sri Tan Boon Hock, who controls 48.413% via Sena Holdings Sdn Bhd. His son, ITMAX managing director and CEO William Tan Wei Lun, is also deemed a substantial shareholder via Sena. For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025), ITMAX saw its net profit rise 16.4% year-on-year to RM93.54 million, as revenue grew 12.1% to RM246.97 million.

Bersih and other civil groups have criticised the investigation into Azam for focusing only on his share ownership and ignoring a larger scandal involving alleged collusion with businessmen to take over companies. “In fact, we would like to ask: to whom will this committee ultimately be accountable once the investigations conclude? On Friday, Anwar said it was unfair for Bersih to make statements which are not “Bersih” (clean) about MACC and Azam’s resignation before the investigation committee released its report. Bersih said it, together with its civil society organisation partners, have long called for these MACC reforms to be implemented. “If the Madani government, particularly Anwar, fails to address the issues surrounding Azam, the corporate mafia and MACC reform, public trust in the country’s reform agenda and anti-corruption efforts will continue to erode and collapse.