The Trump post sparked a rapid sell-off in stocks Friday.

KOTA KINABALU (July 11): Malaysian halal fast food chain Marybrown has announced plans to aggressively expand its presence in Sabah, aiming to open up to 40 outlets across the state within the next two to three years. With 15 outlets already operating in Sabah, the brand is eyeing further growth in key districts, including Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kota Marudu and Beaufort. “We are targeting another 20 to 30 outlets in the near future, with a long-term goal of opening 40 in total across Sabah,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Chan Lek Seong during the launch of its

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Aryo Djojohadikusumo suggested that the government consider collaborating with Canada and South Korea on the development of nuclear power plants (PLTN). In a statement cited in Jakarta on Friday, he noted that both countries possess significant uranium reserves, on par with those of the United States, China, and Russia. He made the remarks in the context of the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) of state-run electricity company PLN for the 2025–2034 period, which outlines Indonesia’s plan to build a 500-megawatt PLTN targeted to begin operations in

DKSH has signed a strategic business partnership with life science company Bayer, to provide comprehensive services for a portion of the Bayer Pharmaceuticals business in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Singapore (ANTARA/PRNewswire)- DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, a Strategic Healthcare Solutions Partner and leading provider of Market Expansion Services for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter (OTC), consumer health and medical device companies, announces a partnership with life science company Bayer. The scope of the partnership covers Bayer cardiovascular products in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as the women’s health retail portfolio in Thailand. Recognized for delivering sustainable growth for client

Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza has said that the information and communication technology (ICT) manufacturing sector can be a key driver for achieving the target of 8 percent economic growth. “The government has a strong ambition to reach 8 percent growth. One of the sectors we see as having significant potential and impact is the ICT (manufacturing) industry,” he added during a discussion held here on Thursday. He said that the government is continuing to learn from countries that have successfully developed high-tech industries, such as India, Vietnam, and Taiwan. “India, over the past decade,

KUCHING (July 11): The central bank’s decision to cut the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent is expected to provide a timely lift to household spending and consumer sentiment. In a research note on Thursday, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd (MIDF Research) viewed the move, a first since the pandemic era, as positive for the consumer sector. It said the lower borrowing costs would reduce monthly payments for mortgages, personal loans and hire purchase financing. “This effectively boosts disposable income and may encourage renewed spending across discretionary categories, particularly in fashion and dining. “As

KUCHING (July 11): Sarawak Cable Bhd (SCB) will be delisted on July 15 after Bursa Malaysia rejected the company’s appeal for more time until Dec 31, 2025 to submit its regularisation plan. In a filing on Thursday, SCB said Bursa Securities based its decision on several key reasons, including the company’s failure to show material progress in finalising and submitting the regularisation plan, and the lack of clarity and certainty on the way forward. “Since the first announcement on Sept 30, 2022, SCB has had approximately 2 years and 9 months to regularise the Company’s financial condition in accordance with

KUCHING (July 9): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has arrived in Tokyo, Japan today for a two-day official working visit to attend the World Hydrogen Asia 2025 conference. He touched down at Narita International Airport at 5.25pm local time, accompanied by a delegation that includes State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, State Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; and Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel. According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Abang Johari was received by Malaysian

KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): The government will continue negotiations with the United States following the imposition of a 25 per cent retaliatory US tariff on Malaysian exports. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that during the negotiations, Malaysia will present its arguments to the United States before the tariff rate is finalised in August. “We have sent teams to negotiate and explained the position that ours is a trading nation, and therefore, (the tariff) would impact the economy of this country and that of the region negatively. Of course, we must maintain our relationship with the US, but we

KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): Bank Negara Malaysia has cut the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent to support economic growth amid global uncertainty. The ceiling and floor rates of the OPR corridor were adjusted accordingly to 3.00 per cent and 2.50 per cent respectively. The central bank said the move is a pre-emptive step to preserve the country’s steady growth path as inflation remains moderate. “While the domestic economy is on a strong footing, uncertainties surrounding external developments could affect Malaysia’s growth prospects,” Bank Negara said in a statement. Malaysia’s economy is expected to

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economy

Rio de Janeiro (ANTARA) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized that the BRICS economic bloc serves as a concrete manifestation of the non-aligned vision echoed by countries at the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955. “BRICS is a manifestation of the Bandung non-aligned movement. BRICS carries the spirit of Bandung,” Lula said in a plenary session of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other top BRICS officials. Addressing the current geopolitical trend, he alluded to the apparent waning of multilateralism among countries around the

Semarang (ANTARA) – Central Java is set to have floating solar power plants (PLTS) at two locations: Kedungombgo in Sragen District and Gajahmungkur in Wonogiri District. Director of Business Development and Commerce of PT PLN Indonesia Power, Julita Indah, stated in Semarang on Saturday that construction of the PLTS is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN). Construction of the PLTS is targeted to begin in 2025, with a construction period of approximately 14 months, and each power plant is projected to generate 100 megawatts. “The construction of the PLTS will not take long. We hope to start ‘commercial operations’

PARIS —The World Bank Group and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sealed an agreement today to work together to support the safe, secure and responsible use of nuclear energy in developing countries. The partnership agreement, signed by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, formalizes multiple engagements between the two institutions over the last year and marks the World Bank Group’s first concrete step to reengage with nuclear power in decades. The agreement also reflects a new, broader approach by the World Bank Group to electrification—one that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and reliability, while

Monday 30 June 2025 — The Center for Market Education (CME) is pleased to announce the publication of its Policy Paper Nr 7, Beyond Price Stability: The Role of Monetary Policy for Sustainable Growth and Social Welfare, authored by Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CME Chief Executive Officer and a Faculty Member at Universitas Prasetiya Mulya (available for free download here: https://marketedu.me/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/202506-Policy-Paper-No-7-Beyond-Price-Stability.pdf). This work calls for a fundamental rethinking of how central banks and policymakers conceptualize interest rates and their impact on macroeconomic stability, growth, and social welfare. Dr. Ferlito challenges the conventional wisdom that monetary policy should target short-term inflation metrics alone. He argues that this

HANOI, Vietnam,  /PRNewswire/ — In the context of Vietnam’s digital economy making a strong breakthrough, Brankas officially announced a strategic partnership with Gimasys – the leading Vietnamese provider of digital transformation solutions. This strategic combination will bring a comprehensive, safe and breakthrough Open Banking solution to the banking and finance industry (BFSI) in Vietnam. Right time, right solution The partnership comes as financial institutions face a dual challenge: they must comply with new regulations such as Circular 64/2024/TT-NHNN on Open API, while also accelerating the digital transformation process to maintain their competitive advantage. The strategic alliance between Gimasys and Brankas is the

SINGAPORE, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lana, a pioneering finance platform for corporate decarbonization, today announced the successful closure of its first funding round from Liminal, a venture creation group founded by Temasek and Twynam Investments. The platform addresses the urgent challenge facing APAC CFOs: rising energy costs and looming carbon taxes that threaten corporate margins as the region transitions to new energy models. Founded by Vincent Choi, a fintech veteran who previously scaled a payment infrastructure fintech that worked with financial institutions in APAC, Lana is building Asia-Pacific’s first integrated platform combining blended finance with advanced risk modelling. The goal is to

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has successfully secured potential investments totalling RM4.6 billion through its participation in Semicon Southeast Asia (SEA) 2025, further reinforcing its position as a key destination for global electronics and semiconductor players. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz described the event — known as the “World Cup” of the microelectronics and semiconductor industry — as a strategic platform that drew strong interest from global investors, particularly in the electrical and electronics (E&E) engineering sector. “In addition to holding high-level meetings with major data centre investors and E&E companies, the Malaysia Pavilion captured international

JAKARTA, Indonesia, /PRNewswire/ — Indonesian fintech pioneer Amartha, a digital financial technology provider which serves Indonesia’s rural grassroots entrepreneurs, has secured USD $55 million in funding from three European development finance institutions: Swedfund (Sweden), Finnfund (Finland), and BIO (Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries). Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, Founder & CEO of Amartha, stated, “This collaboration with three European state-owned development finance institutions highlights foreign investors’ recognition of both the tremendous potential of the grassroots segment and Amartha’s strong capability and governance in serving it. Amartha is committed to channeling this funding to reach millions of grassroots women entrepreneurs across Indonesia.” Of

TOKYO, (NNN-NHK) – Japan recorded a trade deficit of 637.6 billion yen (about 4.4 billion U.S. dollars) in May, marking the second consecutive month in the red, according to data released today by the Ministry of Finance. The deficit was largely driven by a decline in auto exports to the United States, the data showed. Last month, Japan’s total exports fell 1.7 percent year-on-year to 8.135 trillion yen. Exports to the U.S. dropped by 11.1 percent, also the second consecutive month of decline. Notably, automobile exports to the U.S. plummeted 24.7 percent, reflecting the impact of U.S. tariffs on vehicles,

JAKARTA, Jun 18 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesian Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, announced yesterday that, the country’s state revenue and expenditure budget (APBN), as of May this year, had experienced a deficit of 21 trillion rupiahs (1.2 billion U.S. dollars). This figure is equivalent to 0.09 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. “This state budget deficit means that, the state’s income is smaller than its expenditure. The realisation of state revenue until May, this year, reached 995.3 trillion rupiahs, or 33.1 percent of our target, while realised state expenditure amounted to 1,016.3 trillion rupiahs, or 28.1 percent of the target,”

KUALA LUMPUR  – The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) has welcomed Malaysia’s significant leap in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, where the country climbed 11 places from 34th to 23rd position – the highest improvement among all participating economies this year. SAMENTA National President Datuk William Ng praised the achievement as a reflection of both robust government policy reforms and improved business practices, which have strengthened Malaysia’s economic fundamentals and global competitiveness. “This is a clear sign that Malaysia is on the right path,” said Ng. “The improvements in government and business efficiency – each up

CEBU CITY, Philippines,  /PRNewswire/ — Anchanto, the leading global B2B SaaS technology company in e-commerce and supply chain, announced its latest partnership with International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI), one of Philippines’ leading manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceutical and consumer products. In an official signing ceremony held at IPI’s Head Office in Cebu, the company formalized its adoption of Anchanto Order Management System (OMS) to manage and scale its growing e-commerce operations across major e-commerce marketplaces like Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, along with their upcoming online store. With a wide portfolio of essential health and wellness products, IPI has long been a household name in the Philippines. As

WASHINGTON—Flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into developing economies—a key propellant of economic growth and higher living standards—have dwindled to the lowest level since 2005 amid rising trade and investment barriers, new research from the World Bank shows. These barriers pose a significant threat to global efforts to mobilize financing for development. In 2023, the latest year for which data are available, developing economies received just $435 billion in FDI—the lowest level since 2005. That coincides with a global trend in which FDI flows into advanced economies have also slowed to a trickle: high-income economies received just $336 billion in