Japan’s stagflation risk mounts with US$100 oil and sagging yen
(March 9): The surge in oil prices combined with a sagging yen raises the risk that Japan will slide into stagflation, prompting the government to ramp up fiscal spending while complicating the central bank’s mission to normalise its policy settings. In the current predicament, the surge in oil costs comes on top of weakness in the yen, with both revving up price pressures. “A spike in oil on top of a weak yen would weigh heavily on Japan’s economy. The risk of stagflation is rising without a doubt.”Kodama stressed that it all depends on how long oil prices stay elevated. Japan’s reliance on oil from the Middle East has hovered around 90%, hitting 95.1% in January, according to Japan’s Trade Ministry.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 09, 2026 02:46 UTC
M’sian nurses staying put for now
Saudi-based healthcare workers to remain, citing duty and trust in securityPETALING JAYA: For Malaysian nurses in Saudi Arabia, duty often comes first. The sense of duty is making me want to stay on,” said a Malaysian nurse based in Riyadh, who only wanted to be known as Devi. She admitted that it had crossed her mind to sign up with the Malaysian embassy in Riyadh for the evacuation exercise. Prior to the conflict, there were an estimated 1,782 Malaysian nurses in Saudi Arabia. “In this regard, the government has also decided to facilitate the return of Malaysians from Saudi Arabia on a voluntary basis,” it said.
Source:The Star
March 09, 2026 02:35 UTC
Muhyiddin arrives in court for Jana Wibawa graft trial
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has arrived at the court complex here for the first day of his trial on graft charges, involving RM232.5mil in alleged bribes and RM200mil in proceeds from illegal activities linked to the Jana Wibawa project. He was greeted by Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who then walked with him to the lobby. The first day trial is expected to begin with an opening statement by the prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin. Meanwhile, the defence team is led by Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik. Also on the defence team are lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran and Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad.
Source:The Star
March 09, 2026 02:29 UTC
A new life from the ashes
Mohd Radzi Mohd Rashid, 44, said his family living in two houses there are learning to live with the trauma while trying to rebuild their lives and move forward. That morning, his mother, Yatimah Mohd Nor, 70, had asked him to buy roti canai for breakfast, he recounted. In the chaos that followed, Mohd Radzi said he could only hold his mother tightly as they sought refuge inside the bathroom. Mohd Radzi said he suffered second-degree burns in the incident. Next door, his sister Rohaidah Mohd Rashid, 43, said the tragedy has left a scar on the family.
Source:The Star
March 09, 2026 02:21 UTC
Muslim man bridges cultures
Sound expert aids Chingay while observing RamadanJOHOR BARU: Amid the Chingay Festival celebrations, sound technician Elias Othman labours under the sun, serving as a quiet bridge between cultures in the city centre. “Living in Johor Baru, I’ve known about Chingay and watched it from the sidelines on and off over the past five years. “This is my first time being directly involved in the festival,” said Elias. Ramadan is a month that encourages good deeds, and being good to neighbours and friends is part of that,” he said. Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said holding the Chingay parade during Ramadan would not diminish the spirit of the celebrations.
Source:The Star
March 09, 2026 02:19 UTC
Fancy being a ‘culture architect’?
HR insiders: Unique job titles aren’t just eccentric names but a sign of market shiftsPETALING JAYA: Job titles these days have become increasingly unique, even playful and may raise eyebrows. Job titles, for instance, have evolved so much that Malaysians are hired for work such as “planet healer”, “low-carbon inspiration engineer” or “culture architect”. Take, for example, a post last year on LinkedIn when someone observed the ways job titles on the networking platform have “morphed”. “Changing job titles plays an important role in reflecting the professionalism of a position and the organisation. She stressed that job titles should also align with employees’ capabilities.
Source:The Star
March 09, 2026 02:09 UTC
Dollar rises on haven bid, oil as Iran War rips across markets
(March 9): The dollar strengthened against every major currency Monday (March 9) as a deepening war in the Middle East pushed oil prices above US$100 (RM394.62) a barrel and boosted demand for havens. Meanwhile, Iran named a new leader and its armed forces suggested they had the capacity for sustained high-intensity war. “The dollar has been seen as the ultimate safe haven due to its liquidity while also being buoyed by the rise in oil prices,” said Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at financial services firm Ebury. The dollar has been one of the few traditional havens that have offered investors refuge as conflict in the Gulf region roiled markets. “With the war likely to escalate further before it de-escalates, the dollar clearly has further upside.”
Source:The Edge Markets
March 09, 2026 00:36 UTC
Gambhir lauds India's 'courage' after T20 World Cup triumph
(L-R) India's captain Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma celebrate with the trophy during a victory lap after winning the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup final match against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad'. - AFP PICAHMEDABAD: India coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday praised his team's "bravery and courage" in racking up big totals to win a record third T20 World Cup title. Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid as coach after the T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, was underfire coming into the tournament after home defeats in other formats. India were beaten 2-0 by South Africa in a Test series last year and New Zealand won an ODI series 2-1. India won the ODI Champions Trophy and the T20 Asia Cup last year under two-time World Cup winner Gambhir.
Source:New Strait Times
March 09, 2026 00:24 UTC
Iran-Led rout tempts dip buyers’ bets on Asia chip stock rebound
(March 9) : A war‑driven meltdown in Asian shares is spurring global investors’ interest in adding exposure to major chip firms, reflecting confidence that the artificial intelligence boom can withstand the Middle East conflict. “We see this volatility as an opportunity to add into the correction,” said Pruksa Iamthongthong, head of Asia Pacific equities at Aberdeen Investments. Meanwhile, Fidelity International is looking to add exposure to Taiwan, a market dominated by chipmakers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., according to Ian Samson, a portfolio manager at the firm. “We’re not telling clients to chase every AI dip,” said Stephen Dover, chief market strategist and head of Franklin Templeton Institute. “We’re using this correction to upgrade into higher‑quality Asia AI and semiconductor leaders with visible cash flows, stronger balance sheets, and clearer roles in the global AI stack.”
Source:The Edge Markets
March 08, 2026 23:31 UTC
Volunteer fireman drowns after falling off boat
IPOH: A 24-year-old man is feared drowned after falling off a boat into a lake at Bandar Baru Lahat Mines here. Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the victim, a volunteer fireman, was conducting a training exercise and testing the boat prior to the incident on Sunday (March 8) at about 7.30pm. "The victim and driver of the boat both fell into the water. "The boat driver was rescued while a search for the victim is still ongoing," he said in a statement. "The victim is believed to have fallen some 150m away from the side of the lake," he added.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 22:34 UTC
Oil tops US$100 as war rages, US stock futures drop
(March 9) : Oil rose over US$100 a barrel and US stock futures fell as escalating hostilities in the Middle East and widening stress on oil shipping and infrastructure had global investors braced for more turbulence when trading resumes Sunday. Brent crude oil rose to more than US$102 a barrel after notching its biggest-ever weekly gain on Friday. Overnight Sunday, Iran pressed attacks on Mideast neighbors, while Israel struck fuel depots in Tehran and threatened the Islamic Republic’s power grid. The attacks will continue “until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!” he said in a social media post. “The worst is yet to come in the stock market reaction,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 08, 2026 22:30 UTC
Azizul strikes again with surprise sprint bronze in Perth
PETALING JAYA: Azizulhasni Awang finished off his World Cup campaign on a wonderful note by claiming an unexpected bronze medal in the sprint event at the Speed Dome in Perth, Australia. Azizul's bid to make the final ended after he lost in two heats to sprint world record holder Matthew Richardson of Britain. But true to his fighting style, Azizul bounced back superbly to beat Israeli Mikhail Yakovlev in two heats to secure a first-ever World Cup bronze medal. Having won a dramatic keirin final race on Saturday, Azizul will return home with two medals for Malaysia. Making it to the sprint podium will bring him great satisfaction as Azizul's previous accomplishments have all come in the keirin discipline.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 21:54 UTC
MMEA foils attempt to smuggle over RM500,000 worth of vape devices
KANGAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) early Saturday morning (March 7) seized nearly 16,500 e-cigarette devices worth over RM500,000 at the Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) jetty in Kuala Sanglang, believed to be destined for smuggling to a neighbouring country. Kedah and Perlis Maritime director, First Admiral Romli Mustafa, explained that this seizure followed the interception of a lorry at 1.15am, based on intelligence from the Kedah, Perlis, Kuala Perlis, and Kuala Kedah maritime zones. "Checks revealed the vehicle, driven by a man with two local male workers aged 19 to 47, was carrying 56 brown boxes holding nearly 16,500 vape devices of various kinds. Romli said the lorry and the three men were taken to the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone office, with the case investigated under Sections 135(1)(a) and (d) of the Customs Act 1967. He said authorities will take a tough stance on smuggling, stepping up patrols and enforcement in national waters ahead of the festive season.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 18:29 UTC
MH370: Voice370 urges govt to extend search
KUALA LUMPUR: Voice370, the support group representing the next-of-kin of those on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 urged the Malaysian government to extend its "No Find, No Fee" search agreement and to consider other capable deep-sea exploration companies under the same framework. "This is a 'No Find, No Fee' search. Any request by OI to extend the search contract should therefore be granted without hesitation. "A simple addendum extending the contract period without altering the core terms of the agreement would allow the search to continue without delay,” it said. Flight MH370 disappeared while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 16:23 UTC
Cops detain man over threats against Zamri Vinoth
GEORGE TOWN: Police have confirmed the arrest of an individual allegedly linked to threats against independent preacher Zamri Vinoth. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said a man in his 20s was detained in Bukit Mertajam early on Sunday morning (March 8). He said police received a report from Zamri at the Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters. "The suspect is being held to assist with the investigation under Sections 506 and 427 of the Penal Code,” he told Bernama on Sunday. The incident is believed to be linked to the preacher’s remarks about a small house of worship near a hospital in the state.
Source:The Star
March 08, 2026 15:28 UTC