Malaysia’s consumer spending slows in January as wholesale, retail activity decelerates
KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): Consumer spending in Malaysia expanded at a slower pace in January as wholesale and retail sales eased from the strong pace recorded a month earlier. Wholesale and retail trade totalled RM159.8 billion in January, an increase of 7.3% when compared to the same month in 2025, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement. In December 2025, distributive trade had risen 7.6% year-on-year, the fastest pace in nearly three years. The wholesale sector, meanwhile, rose 6% year-on-year to RM70.8 billion mainly attributed to stronger sales of perfumeries, cosmetics, soap and toiletries, as well as stationery, books, magazines and newspapers, and jewellery. In terms of volume, wholesale and retail trade registered growth of 5.8% in January compared with the same month in 2025.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 12, 2026 05:19 UTC
Bitcoin weakens as oil surges back above US$100 on Iran war
(March 12): Bitcoin weakened early on Thursday in Asia as oil surged back above US$100 (RM395) a barrel on deepening concerns about the Iran conflict. The original cryptocurrency fell as much as 2% after attacks on two oil tankers in Iraqi waters and remained around US$69,600 at 12.15pm. Bitcoin has been relatively stable compared with other assets since the US and Israel initiated a bombing campaign against Iran on Feb 28. US President Donald Trump suggested this week that the war could end soon, but the timeline remains unclear. Holders of large amounts of Bitcoin, known as whales, were also buying as prices dipped, he added.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 12, 2026 04:49 UTC
Asia’s LNG buyers hunker down for Middle East war lasting months
(March 12): Asian buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are preparing for the war in the Middle East to disrupt deliveries for months, as a prolonged outage at the world’s largest export plant threatens tighter supply and higher prices. Companies in Thailand are looking to buy LNG cargoes for delivery through May, according to traders with knowledge of the matter. Major buyers in Taiwan and South Korea are also preparing to buy more supply for those two months, they said. The moves demonstrate that Asia’s importers aren’t relying on a swift resolution to the war with Iran, and that the outage in Qatar — which supplies 20% of the world’s LNG — is expected to be prolonged. Spot LNG prices in Asia are trading at about US$18 per million British thermal units, according to traders.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 12, 2026 03:54 UTC
VAMS trial underway at Klia Terminal 2 following Terminal 1 success — MAHB
PUTRAJAYA (March 12): A trial run of the Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS) is currently underway at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 (T2) following the successful implementation of the system at Terminal 1 (T1) last year. “After the trial period concludes, applicable charges will be implemented for vehicles that exceed the permitted kerbside time,” it said. VAMS at KLIA provides a 10-minute grace period for vehicles dropping off or picking up passengers. MAHB said during the trial period at T2, no penalties will be imposed, as the focus is on monitoring traffic patterns and driver behaviour ahead of full implementation. “The improvement has helped maintain smoother traffic circulation at the terminal kerbside while supporting safer traffic operations.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 12, 2026 03:44 UTC
KPDN tightens RON95 subsidy enforcement under Budi95 to prevent leakages
PUTRAJAYA (March 12): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is strengthening enforcement of the RON95 petrol subsidy under the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative nationwide through an intelligence-led approach to prevent misuse. KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the move aims to ensure there are no leakages in the implementation of Budi95. Meanwhile, Azman said KPDN is intensifying monitoring at petrol stations nationwide to prevent leakages through a new modus operandi. Meanwhile, Azman also said KPDN has established strategic cooperation with several enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, to combat subsidy abuse. He warned that KPDN will not compromise with any party involved in subsidised petrol abuse.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 12, 2026 03:04 UTC
The teacher still beats AI
PETALING JAYA: Students today have many artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can generate explanations and instant answers to just about any question. Also, he said, relying on AI to simply generate answers could undermine learning. English language tuition teacher Arwind Kumar also says there has been no decline in enrolment at his Kuala Lumpur centre, which has about 70 students. Soloman Santhiaboo, who runs a tuition centre in Serdang, said only a small number of high-performing students can use AI tools effectively. “Students can easily generate answers using AI tools, but that does not mean they understand the concepts behind the answers.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 01:09 UTC
Experts urge caution over limiting fuel purchase
However, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the government should explore various options to safeguard fuel supply, given Malaysia’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.' “This shows there is a direct link in how oil supply disruptions in the Middle East could affect Malaysia indirectly,” he said when contacted yesterday. “I would be cautious about introducing measures such as limiting how much fuel consumers can purchase,” he said. The government, he said, intends to keep RON95 at RM1.99 per litre for now despite rising oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions. However, he noted that oil prices have so far risen only moderately despite geopolitical risks.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 01:01 UTC
Oil settles up nearly 5% as supply fears mount
NEW YORK: Oil prices settled up nearly 5% on Wednesday as fresh attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz worsened supply disruption fears, and analysts said the International Energy Agency's proposal for a record release of oil reserves is inadequate to ease those worries. Three more vessels have been hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security and risk firms said on Wednesday. President Donald Trump has said the United States is prepared to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz when necessary. Oil prices also shrugged off a US government report that showed crude oil stockpiles in the top oil-producing country had grown more than expected last week. Energy consultancyWood Mackenzie said the war is currently cutting Gulf oil and oil products supply to the market by some 15 million barrels per day, which could raise crude prices to US$150 per barrel.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:59 UTC
Increase in racial tension could see govt making changes
PUTRAJAYA: The government may amend certain laws or create new legislation to address 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues more sternly, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The government spokesman said following an increase in racial tensions recently, a slew of 3R issues were discussed during the Cabinet meeting yesterday. “The Cabinet decided that stern action must be taken by the authorities, including the Attorney General. Recently, arsonists torched three cars belonging to activist S. Chandrasegaran, also known as Cikgu Chandra, at his house in Taman Kinrara, Puchong. It is believed that the incident was related to debates over the demolition of illegal places of worship in the country.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:39 UTC
Malaysians recall terrifying ordeal during Qatar airstrikes
SEPANG: Datuk Ismail Ahmad went to Qatar to visit his daughter, her Malaysian husband and their children. The 67-year-old former Sabah National Registration Department director was among 170 people who arrived here on a special evacuation flight by Malaysian Airlines. The flight took another eight hours. “They include Malaysian umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia as well as in Qatar, Jordan and Syria,” he said. Initially, more than 400 Malaysians had signed up for evacuation, but some were able to return home earlier when commercial flight operations resumed.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:39 UTC
Illegal teardown sparks outrage in heritage enclave
GEORGE TOWN: Pre-war houses in the Unesco World Heritage Site here cannot be demolished without prior approval, says mayor Datuk A. Rajendran. Rajendran said heritage property owners must submit detailed plans to MBPP for approval before demolitions. The property owner was instructed to install hoarding as a safety measure and submit relevant plans for the council’s consideration. Liang described the demolition as “a terrible violation of Unesco World Heritage protection rules”. George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said there was no excuse for the owner or contractor to make such a mistake.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:39 UTC
Airlines set to adjust costs due to Middle East conflict
Owing to the recent developments in the Middle East, local carriers have also adjusted their fuel surcharges to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs. A Malaysia Airlines memo dated March 9 stated that the increase in fuel surcharge costs would be done in phases. According to the same memo, the fuel surcharge for domestic flights is set at RM36 for business class seats and RM18 for economy class seats. A Batik Air memo also notified of increases in fuel surcharges for all domestic and international routes in phases. The same source said carriers are still subsidising the fares on average despite the fuel surcharge prices.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:39 UTC
Bersatu isn't 'buried' yet, says Muhyiddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu is far from being “buried” despite the recent internal issues, says its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He dismissed reports, including on social media, suggesting the party had been “buried” amid its recent internal troubles. He also announced that Bersatu have completed all of the improvement measures within our Bersatu party. "Therefore, all of the statements made by certain parties are inaccurate," said Muhyiddin, adding that the purpose was none other than to give the impression that Bersatu was facing problems. He also provided assurance, especially with the leadership of Perikatan Nasional, that he was confident that Bersatu is capable of managing party matters and internal party affairs.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:38 UTC
Cabinet to discuss possible cost savings including work-from-home
PUTRAJAYA: Possible cost-saving measures for the Human Resources ministry and the private sector will be discussed in the upcoming special Cabinet meeting tomorrow, says its Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan (pic). He said among the possible measures that are being considered is the implementation of work-from-home for his ministry’s employees and the private sector. ALSO READ:“I will then present the findings to the special Cabinet meeting on Friday,” he told reporters during a press conference here yesterday. The meeting will also discuss how ministries can collaborate and support one another in implementing cost-saving processes and measures. “If we ourselves do not practise savings but ask the people to do so, that would not be fair.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:02 UTC
HK star Bosco Wong reveals why he's hesitant to have his mum run with Chow Yun Fat
Hong Kong actor Bosco Wong recently attended a health event, where he shared insights into his journey toward a toned physique. During the event, Wong also shared some anecdotes about his mother, revealing that she’s a huge foodie who struggles with controlling her diet. Wong said Chow, 70, shared insights about acting, diet and health during their conversation. When asked if he would encourage his mother to run alongside Chow, who’s a known jogging enthusiast, the actor gave a playful answer. For the record, Wong shares a close bond with his mother, who raised him as a single parent.
Source:The Star
March 12, 2026 00:01 UTC