Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Human Resources Ministry to prioritise and fast-track the processing of 15,000 pending foreign worker applications, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, as Malaysia seeks to address labour constraints affecting key sectors.
The Dewan Negara has concluded its second meeting of the fifth parliamentary session after passing the National Trust Fund Bill 2026 and Statistics Bill 2026, reflecting the government's broader agenda on fiscal discipline and national economic competitiveness.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has cautioned against calling an early general election, arguing the government should remain in office until late 2027 or early 2028 to allow its economic initiatives to deliver measurable results.
Indonesia is confronting a significant wave of job losses, with 32,389 recorded layoffs in the first half of 2024. The government is balancing immediate intervention to save companies against calls for longer-term structural reforms to strengthen the business environment.
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Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has urged Malays to pursue economic advancement through enterprise and diligent work rather than resentment toward other communities' success, speaking at a Pakatan Harapan campaign event in Negeri Sembilan.
Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has outlined an ambitious development strategy for the country's four southern provinces, emphasising modernised agriculture, renewable energy expansion, improved trade infrastructure, and human capital investment.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reassured the nation that Malaysia's unity government maintains its stability and cohesion, while the broader economy continues on a steady path despite regional headwinds.
Malaysia's Cabinet has approved a new ministerial committee to strengthen the promotion and purchase of locally made products while improving coordination across government agencies and reducing import reliance.
British PM Andy Burnham has opened a new government office in Manchester called 'No10 North', marking a significant shift in how the UK's economic policy will be shaped. The move aims to devolve power from Westminster and strengthen regional governance.
Former minister Lim Guan Eng has written to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposing targeted relief measures for micro, small and medium enterprises alongside comprehensive education sector reforms.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to increase the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance programme in the coming months to address public concerns over escalating living expenses.
Sabah is investigating 'Ali Baba' tourism arrangements where foreign nationals control businesses registered under local names, risking economic damage to a sector worth 12% of state GDP.
Andy Burnham has been sworn in as United Kingdom Prime Minister, pledging transformative reforms to reverse four decades of economic decline and political dysfunction across Britain.
AirBorneo, Sarawak's state-owned airline, commenced operations on July 20, with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighting its role in tackling persistently high airfares and strengthening regional air connectivity.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pushed back against opposition claims that his administration has broken economic promises, citing Malaysia's relatively competitive petrol pricing as evidence of effective governance.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged that while Malaysia's second quarter GDP growth exceeded forecasts, many ordinary citizens and micro, small and medium enterprises continue to face financial hardship, signalling the uneven nature of the nation's economic recovery.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has attributed Malaysia's second-quarter GDP growth to three years of government reforms and policies that have strengthened the nation's economic fundamentals.
Malaysia's second quarter economy expanded 5.8%, up from 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, prompting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to express optimism about the nation's economic trajectory.
The government has allocated RM238.64 million to the MADANI Rahmah Sales Programme since January, facilitating over 21 million transactions nationwide. More than 17,000 sales events have been held, with authorities aiming to expand to 30,000 by year-end.
Sabah is collaborating with the Finance Ministry to strengthen the targeted diesel subsidy scheme after its recent rollout exposed operational gaps. A federal-state meeting scheduled for July 17 will address stakeholder concerns.
Southeast Asian nations intensify efforts against online crime and gambling while pursuing infrastructure projects and strengthening regional defence partnerships. Border tensions continue displacing civilians in Cambodia.
Over 200 economists and researchers, including 15 Nobel laureates, have issued a joint statement urging governments and tech companies to develop policies addressing AI's rapid economic transformation and workforce displacement risks.
Malaysia's Parliament advanced legislation on competition law and rice industry regulation during its third sitting week, while debating human rights, healthcare digitalisation and the 1MDB debt burden totalling RM51.4 billion.
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DAP's Lim Guan Eng has challenged Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to translate stated commitments to small businesses into tangible policy measures, specifically calling for loan relief and EPF adjustments.
Malaysia's Cabinet has agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of the e-invoice system and mandatory EPF contributions for foreign workers, potentially postponing both measures to ease pressure on businesses facing global economic uncertainties.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledges streamlined loan approvals for Malaysian MSMEs, announcing RM15 billion in financing support and faster processing timelines through government-backed schemes.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Second Finance Minister to investigate allegations that petrol station operators sustained significant losses during the transition to Malaysia's targeted fuel subsidy programme.
Malaysia's chief statistician has highlighted the need to boost Bumiputera participation in high-growth economic sectors despite overall wage improvements, using newly launched data analytics platforms to track progress.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for Malaysia's rural development strategy to integrate with global economic priorities, positioning the National Rural Economic Agenda as a critical blueprint for balanced national growth.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted the government's progress in delivering expanded cash assistance to families under the Madani reforms, pointing to improved efficiency and increased payouts reaching RM1,800 for eligible recipients.
Malaysia is coordinating the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone master plan with a Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in the fourth quarter to reinforce investor confidence and secure bilateral commitment at the highest political level.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi underscores the pivotal role of micro, small and medium enterprises in Malaysia's economy, representing 97 per cent of business transactions and contributing significantly to employment and GDP growth.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected top-down bureaucratic approaches to developing Bumiputera entrepreneurs, instead championing a mentorship model where experienced business leaders guide emerging companies. PUNB launches SPaRK 2026 targeting RM2.25 billion in financing approvals.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repositioned Bumiputera empowerment as a collective responsibility spanning all government ministries and agencies rather than isolated institutions, unveiled through the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has launched SParK 2026, a comprehensive entrepreneurship framework aimed at strengthening Bumiputera business participation. Permodalan Nasional Bhd commits RM2.25 billion in financing support.
Barisan Nasional candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah is pitching a strategic model for Mahkota that connects rural communities to high-paying urban employment while maintaining affordable living standards through improved transport infrastructure.
Malaysia's parliament has prioritized discussions on reforming SUHAKAM's financial independence and addressing the widening disconnect between official inflation rates and actual living costs faced by households.
Malaysia's government is executing 120 decisions through its National Economic Action Council to address the global supply crisis, with 27 fully implemented and 93 in progress, focusing on protecting MSMEs and essential goods supply.