One of the most important questions in financial markets today is inflation. For a start, just the fear of central banks raising interest rates could cause sharp corrections in financial markets. After all, economists are squabbling over what really causes inflation and cannot agree on how much inflation risk there is. After that, the continued fiscal boost planned would create excess demand and so result in high inflation. Financial markets will be nervous, though, producing swings in capital flows in and out of our equity and bond markets.

Salina Osman was a newbie cyclist when she purchased her first road bicycle in October, during the movement control order (MCO). With some encouragement from friends, I purchased my first road bike late last year. These days, many cycling apps and virtual cycling events allow cyclists to keep fit while staying safe amid the pandemic. Since gyms are closed during the MCO, Kok (left) and his good friend Soh Lin Soon started cycling to stay fit. Some people prefer mountain bicycles while others prefer road bicycles or foldable bicycles.

KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): Consumer stocks and retail counters involved in consumer staples are most capable of withstanding the headwinds arising from the full-scale Movement Control Order (FMCO) that has been imposed for two weeks until June 14. Experts told theedgemarkets.com that businesses involved in the provision of consumer staples, as well as those who sell goods at more accessible price points will remain resilient. Moving forward, he expected retailer and consumer stocks involved in the sale of discretionary goods to continue being adversely impacted by poorer consumer sentiment. “I think generally consumer stocks under the essentials category should continue to do well. Besides the ongoing vaccination programme, sentiments will also be lifted by an anticipated loosening of movement restrictions, he said.

People would often wonder if they should get a soft or firm mattress and what if a soft mattress could cause backache or they could not adjust to a firm surface. These questions and their answers will influence the decision in mattress choice and sometimes, the mattress purchased turns out to be a poor fit. To make it easier for people to make the right choice, Rozel Maxiflex has — for the first time in Malaysia — launched a new mattress series called Duo Flip. The company said the new series offered a 2-in-1 sleeping experience as the mattress had a firm side to support your pressure points and a soft side to contour to your body. In conjunction with its anniversary promotion, Rozel is giving away bedding accessories worth up to RM3,240 with the purchase of a Maxiflex mattress for a limited time only.

Star Media Group has rounded up a selection of Raya 2021 commercials and pays tribute to these delightfully meaningful videos that spread festive cheer and remind us that we still have much to be thankful for in these trying times. As a Raya cookies entrepreneur in Hikmah Raya Aida, Aida was too engrossed and busy to spend time with her family. Catch the full line up of Raya commercials here and enjoy the videos. Star Media Group extends its gratitude towards Malaysian for making this video voting a success and promises more in the works to drive goodwill and also spread beloved brands' good vibes and cheer. Stay tuned for the upcoming Star Media Group search for the most engaging Merdeka commercial of 2021.

“I had to initially make the (delivery) rounds on my own each morning and there was no break. “I worked all year round even when I was unwell, and missed many special events like family weddings and gatherings. While his son and daughter have carved their own career paths and are independent, Tee has no plans to retire. “I will carry on with my business unless my health does not permit me, ” he said. For now, the fitness buff is happy to work, spend time with family and friends and continue exercising.

PETALING JAYA: The individual authorisation letter issued by the relevant ministries or departments are valid on their own for work-related travel, says Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department’s (Operations) Senior Asst Comm MV Srikumar Nair. “All letters of travel, be it from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), the relevant ministries or departments, will be accepted, ” he said in a 30-second video that has been making its rounds online. “Please inform those who are conducting roadblocks, ” he said, in what is believed to be an instruction to the relevant departments. It added that new approval letters to allow companies registered under the Logistics Industry Information System (Smile) to operate could now be downloaded at application.mot.gov.my. The Smile system is for companies under the logistics and commercial transportation sector, which includes air and maritime transportation, courier services and warehousing, during the movement control order period.

By violating a ban on politicking by military officers, Pazuello has invited possible punishment from the armed forces or embarrassment for their commanders, say former generals and military scholars. In the 10 days since Pazuello drew cheers at that rally alongside the president, the army has remained silent. The president's embrace of the brazenly political general suggests that for some officers allegiance to Bolsonaro is starting to trump military protocol. "The vast majority of senior active-duty officers think this is undue interference by the president and it will undermine army discipline and hierarchy," said retired General Paulo Chagas. "We all think the armed forces should not get mixed up with politics," said General Roberto Paternelli, who was elected to Congress in 2018 after retiring from the army helicopter corps and joining Bolsonaro's party.

KOTA BHARU (June 2): Many people in Kelantan are still using old travel permits to pass through roadblocks set up following the implementation of the total lockdown yesterday, said State police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat. Melaka Police chief Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd Ali said seven of them were compounded for leaving their houses without an acceptable excuse and for not wearing face masks when in public. In Port Dickson, some are still complacent and refuse to comply with the SOP by not wearing face masks in public places despite the total lockdown. According to him, police compounded 14 individuals yesterday for not wearing face masks as well as for failing to scan the MySejahtera QR code. In Butterworth, a helmet-making factory in Jalan Murni, Sungai Dua here was compounded RM10,000 today for declaring itself as a factory manufacturing gloves and face masks.

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah STAR leader has been arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of an Unduk Ngadau contestant here recently. CID officers from Kota Kinabalu turned up at his office mid-way through a press conference at 1.10pm on Thursday (June 3). However, it is learned police did not stop the press conference and allowed it to be completed before taking him away for questioning. Earlier in the press conference, the party leader said he would be filing a suit against those who made the allegations. His lawyer Marcel Jude later confirmed that his client was taken to the police station to facilitate investigations into the harassment claims.

According to Tan, F&B operators that have performed well during the pandemic are established fast food restaurants, takeaway food kiosks, casual dining cafés and bakery cafés. F&B outlets in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur are also suffering because of the reduced number of office workers during the Movement Control Order (MCO), as are F&B outlets in hotels, airports, night entertainment outlets and outlets which depend on foreign tourists. Moreover, F&B operators have the disadvantage of not being able to “catch up” with lost sales, he notes. As in the case of other retail operators, F&B retailers have also realised that one cannot rely completely on any one channel. In time, malls are also likely to change their layouts to make F&B takeaway friendly.

Malaysian teenager Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam's unexpected rise from anonymous pupil to national leader against school harassment began with a teacher allegedly joking about rape. Ain recorded her TikTok — now watched over 1.8 million times — in April after being appalled by her male physical education teacher's joke during a class. The clip touched a nerve, she believes, because abuse "is happening to students all around Malaysia". Rights group the All Women's Action Society (Awam) said Ain's video came at a time concern was already growing about school abuse, and proved the spark needed to ignite a national debate. Following her TikTok video, she stopped attending her school in Puncak Alam, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, out of fear for her safety — only to be threatened with expulsion.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claims that the bankruptcy notice filed against him by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) over his alleged failure to pay RM1.69bil in tax arrears was a malicious "ploy for political conspiracy". The Pekan MP said this in his application to set aside a bankruptcy notice by way of a summons in chambers filed on May 31. In his supporting affidavit, Najib said the notice was mala fide, oppressive and an abuse of court process. "The bankruptcy notice issued against the judgment debtor (Najib) was a ploy for political conspiracy and actuated by malice. The government, through LHDN, had filed the bankruptcy notice against Najib on Feb 4, following a ruling from a High Court that ordered Najib to pay his tax arrears.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) today reiterated that all loan borrowers who have suffered a drop in income, including salary, allowances, commissions and household incomes, are eligible for a reduction of monthly instalments according to the reduced income. In a series of tweets detailing the eligibility for reduction of monthly instalments, the central bank clarified that under the latest loan repayment assistance, the B40 recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup/Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat can choose either a three-month moratorium or reduction of monthly instalments by 50 per cent for six months. BNM wishes to clarify that under the latest loan repayment assistance, B40 who are recipients of BSH/BPR can CHOOSE:1/ Moratorium for 3 months; or2/ Reduction of monthly instalment by 50% for 6 months. — Bank Negara Malaysia (@BNM_official) June 2, 2021"Individual borrowers who have lost their jobs can also choose either a three-month moratorium or reduction of monthly instalments by 50 per cent for six months,” added BNM. For further information on the loan repayment assistance, visit: http://bnm.gov.my/RA -- Bernama

SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan has agreed to set aside RM10mil to help residents in the state affected by the lockdown, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. His administration, he said, would decide in the next few days on how the aid would be distributed. “We are looking at giving out food baskets to those badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The state exco agreed on this in our meeting today and the aid will be given out soon, ” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting on Wednesday (June 2). Mohamad, who is Rantau assemblyman, had expressed hope that his contribution would benefit his constituents, especially those badly affected.