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A new regional trade agreement is poised to significantly lower digital commerce barriers for small and medium-sized businesses across Southeast Asia. The upcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) aims to simplify cross-border trade, making it easier for smaller enterprises to access the broader regional market. This initiative is a central topic for economic ministers gathering in Kuala Lumpur this week.
Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, highlighted how DEFA will address common export challenges. He explained that current obstacles, such as differing customs procedures and payment system incompatibilities, often hinder small businesses. The agreement seeks to harmonize regulations, streamline approvals, and integrate digital payment platforms across member nations, allowing even a solo entrepreneur to export products seamlessly.
The minister emphasized that the framework is designed to ensure inclusivity, as small and medium enterprises constitute the vast majority of businesses within ASEAN. Without such support, the benefits of regional trade agreements typically flow to large corporations. DEFA will also cover digital services, enabling professionals and freelancers to operate across borders, while additional programs will help smaller firms meet growing environmental and sustainability standards required for international markets.
Beyond fostering digital trade, ASEAN’s economic integration continues to attract significant foreign investment by offering access to a combined market of 680 million people. Major global firms establish regional hubs in countries like Malaysia precisely because of their connection to this integrated supply chain. This dynamic generates local employment and reinforces the collective economic strength of the bloc, which boasts a combined GDP of US$3.8 trillion.
The 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting is expected to advance discussions on finalizing DEFA by year’s end. Minister Tengku Zafrul noted that while Malaysia alone is a mid-sized economy, its participation in ASEAN substantially increases its global economic influence. This collective scale not only captures investor interest but also translates into tangible growth opportunities for local businesses and workers throughout the region.
A significant government assistance program in Malaysia has reached a major milestone, with nearly 13 million eligible individuals utilizing the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative to purchase essential goods. The program has recorded total spending of RM1 billion, providing crucial support for households nationwide. This initiative is designed to help citizens afford basic necessities through direct financial aid.
The program has seen particularly high participation rates in several states, demonstrating its broad accessibility. In Sabah, over 98 percent of the 1.2 million eligible recipients have used their benefits, while in Labuan, 65 percent of nearly 50,000 eligible individuals have redeemed their RM100 allocation. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that redemption rates in states like Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak are among the highest in the country, countering claims that the MyKad redemption process poses difficulties for elderly or rural residents.
Beyond assisting households, the program has also provided an economic boost to local businesses. The number of retail outlets participating in SARA has grown from 7,300 to more than 8,100 nationwide since the beginning of the year. Micro, small, and medium enterprises have reported stronger sales due to increased purchasing power among aid recipients, creating a positive ripple effect in local economies.
The SARA program allows recipients to purchase a wide range of essential items including staple foods like rice, bread, and eggs, cooking necessities such as oil and flour, and other household goods. The initiative’s coverage was significantly expanded on April 1, increasing from 700,000 to 5.4 million recipients. Meanwhile, nearly nine million Malaysians are eligible for the separate Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) program, representing a comprehensive approach to supporting citizens’ basic needs.
The official launch of NCT InnoSphere, the first certified Managed Industrial Park (MIP) in Northern Malaysia, at the Delapan Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah. KUALA LUMPUR: NCT Group of Companies (NCT Group), together with Northern Gateway (NGX), has launched NCT InnoSphere, adding to its portfolio of managed industrial parks (MIPs). The project, the first certified of its kind in the Delapan Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, is planned as an eight-phase development with an estimated gross development value of RM1.10 billion. Under the joint development agreement, NCT Group will undertake planning, construction and ecosystem development, while NGX, as landowner and facilitator, will handle infrastructure works, utilities and regulatory coordination. Founder and group managing director Datuk Sri Yap Ngan Choy said the new park will boost long-term growth in the northern region and support national efforts to diversify logistics channels. “NCT InnoSphere is designed to harness the strengths of cross-border trade, logistics efficiency and smart infrastructure, creating a significant platform for advanced industries such as semiconductors, electrical and electronics, and smart logistics to flourish,” he said in a statement. “As with NSIP, our goal is to foster a resilient environment on a foundation of digital readiness and innovation,” he said. Like NCT’s earlier NSIP project, Yap said the new park aims to foster a resilient industrial ecosystem anchored on digital readiness and innovation. The project will comprise more than 230 units in semi-detached, detached, cluster, terrace and built-to-suit configurations to serve a range of businesses. The development has received a Silver Provisional GreenRE Certification, making it the first MIP in northern Malaysia with such recognition.
Bursa Malaysia closed marginally higher on Monday, in tandem with the positive performance of regional peers, said an analyst. NSTP/HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIM At 5 pm, the FBM KLCI added 1.90 points to end at 1,610.95, compared with last Friday’s close. The benchmark index opened 0.70 of a point higher at 1,609.75, and moved between 1,606.76 and 1,613.53 throughout the day. The market breadth was, however, negative with decliners outnumbering gainers 645 to 459, while 487 counters were unchanged, 1,057 untraded, and 124 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 3.77 billion units worth RM2.47 billion, from 4.16 billion units worth RM3.17 billion on Friday. Rakuten Trade vice-president Thong Pak Leng noted that key regional indices ended higher with strong buying seen in electric vehicle (EV) and technology stocks. On the local front, he said the market had been showing healthier signs of participation, suggesting sentiment is slowly turning more upbeat. Despite remaining in consolidation mode, the benchmark index appears to be building strength, underpinned by improving confidence. “If this momentum continues, it could pave the way for an advance toward 1,620 points, reinforcing the cautiously optimistic outlook. Hence, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,590-1,620 for the week,” Thong told Bernama. Among the heavyweight stocks, CIMB bounced 12 sen to RM7.37, Axiata rallied seven sen to RM2.67, and MRDIY rose five sen to RM1.67. CelcomDigi gained four sen to RM3.70, and IHH Healthcare added 10 sen to RM7.55. In active trade, EA Holdings, MTouche, and NexG were flat at half a sen, 6.5 sen, and 9.5 sen, respectively. Pharmaniaga added two sen to 28.5 sen, Tanco dropped two sen to 88 sen, and Velesto shaved half a sen to 24 sen. CBH Engineering gained three sen to 47 sen.
Praktik pemasaran yang berlebihan di sektor properti mulai mengkhawatirkan para analis, karena dapat menciptakan gambaran tidak akurat mengenai kondisi pasar yang sebenarnya. Narasi penjualan agresif yang kerap menyatakan proyek “terjual habis” dalam hitungan jam atau hari berpotensi menyesatkan calon pembeli dan investor. Fenomena ini diperparah dengan penyebaran informasi melalui media sosial yang memicu sentimen spekulatif sekaligus menutupi kelemahan struktural pasar.
Samuel Tan, CEO Olive Tree Property Consultants Sdn Bhd, mengungkapkan kekhawatirannya mengenai maraknya klaim berlebihan dalam pemasaran properti. Dalam webinar bertajuk “Johor Property Under the Lens: Growth Story or Bubble Risk?”, ia menyoroti semakin umumnya pengumuman penjualan properti yang diklaim laris dalam satu hari. “Klaim semacam ini bisa benar, sebagian benar, atau dalam beberapa kasus sama sekali direkayasa,” jelas Tan.
Seorang konsultan properti senior yang terlibat dalam berbagai proyek di Johor, Kuala Lumpur, dan Penang mengungkapkan adanya kolusi antara pengembang dan agen pemasaran untuk menggelembukkan angka penjualan. Unit properti sering kali hanya “dipesan” dengan uang muka nominal yang sangat rendah, kemudian diumumkan sebagai transaksi jual yang sah. Praktik lain yang kerap terjadi adalah melaporkan pemesanan awal sebagai penjualan tetap, sehingga menciptakan persepsi permintaan yang berlebihan.
Konsultan tersebut memperingatkan bahwa ilusi permintaan tinggi yang diciptakan melalui taktik semacam ini dapat memicu perilaku ikut-ikutan di kalangan investor. “Peredaran pengumuman penjualan yang dilebih-lebihkan untuk ‘membangkitkan pasar’ justru berisiko merusak kepercayaan jangka panjang terhadap sektor properti jika tidak dikendalikan,” tambahnya.
Untuk mengatasi masalah ini, diperlukan langkah-langkah pencegahan yang lebih ketat dari regulator dan pelaku industri. Beberapa usulan solusi mencakup penerapan due diligence yang lebih ketat, sanksi hukum untuk kolusi antara pengembang dan agen pemasaran, serta kebijakan yang memprioritaskan perumahan terjangkau sesuai kebutuhan riil. Penggunaan platform pelaporan berbasis teknologi yang transparan juga diperlukan untuk menyajikan data transaksi properti yang akurat dan real-time, guna memastikan pertumbuhan berkelanjutan tanpa distorsi akibat hype spekulatif.
Pemerintah Johor semakin menggenjot upayanya untuk menjadi pusat investasi utama di kawasan, ditandai dengan respons positif dari empat korporasi Jepang dalam pertemuan eksklusif di acara Johor Week pada Expo Osaka 2025. Perusahaan-perusahaan tersebut—IL Holdings, Morishita Jintan, Nissei, dan Fuji Oil—beroperasi di sektor bernilai tinggi seperti perangkat medis, farmasi, suplemen kesehatan, manufaktur presisi, produk pangan, dan bahan kimia.
Dalam pertemuan yang dipimpin Ketua Komite Perdagangan dan Investasi Johor Lee Ting Han, keempat perusahaan menyampaikan minat kuat untuk berinvestasi di Johor, terutama di Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus Johor–Singapore (JS-SEZ). Lee menekankan bahwa minat ini menunjukkan posisi strategis Johor sebagai pintu masuk terpercaya ke pasar ASEAN. Untuk memperluas jejaring, pihaknya juga berkolaborasi dengan Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation menyelenggarakan forum investasi yang dihadiri 60 perusahaan Jepang.
Lee menambahkan bahwa daya tarik Johor didukung stabilitas politik, infrastruktur berkelas dunia, serta kebijakan yang ramah investor. Menurutnya, kerja sama dengan perusahaan Jepang tidak hanya membawa proyek baru, tetapi juga transfer teknologi, disiplin kerja, dan pengembangan rantai pasok yang selaras dengan ekosistem industri negara bagian tersebut. Nilai investasi yang disepakati akan dikonfirmasi oleh kantor Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) di Osaka.
Investasi yang berhasil diamankan diharapkan menciptakan lapangan kerja bernilai tinggi, mempercepat alih teknologi, serta mendukung agenda pembangunan jangka panjang Maju Johor 2030 dan pengembangan JS-SEZ. Agenda tersebut dirancang untuk memposisikan Johor sebagai hub regional terdepan dalam investasi, inovasi, dan pertumbuhan berkelanjutan, dengan fokus pada penguatan industri kunci dan peningkatan kualitas hidup masyarakat.
Hingga pertengahan 2025, Johor telah mencatatkan investasi senilai lebih dari RM56 miliar yang menciptakan lebih dari 8.000 lapangan kerja. Peluncuran Zona Keuangan Khusus Forest City semakin memperkuat peran Johor sebagai gerbang finansial di Asia Tenggara. Kerja sama dengan Jepang juga terus diperdalam di berbagai sektor, termasuk semikonduktor, keamanan siber, dan energi terbarukan, sementara JS-SEZ dikembangkan untuk mempermudah perdagangan, mobilitas, dan memberikan insentif hijau serta digital.
A significant shift in Malaysia’s fuel subsidy framework commences tonight, extending targeted RON95 petrol benefits to approximately 16 million citizens. The BUDI95 initiative establishes a fixed price of RM1.99 per liter for eligible individuals, a reduction from the previous bulk-subsidized rate of RM2.05. This program allocates a monthly quota of 300 liters per qualified citizen, marking a pivotal move towards a more efficient and fiscally responsible subsidy system.
The nationwide rollout follows a successful phased implementation that began on September 27th. The initial phase involved 300,000 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysian Police, later expanding to over five million recipients from the B40 category under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) program. The initiative recorded RM3.7 million in RON95 purchases within its first day, indicating strong uptake from these initial beneficiary groups.
This refined subsidy model is designed to be more transparent and less susceptible to leakage. It effectively closes loopholes that previously allowed non-citizens and foreign-registered vehicles to benefit from subsidized fuel, a significant issue under the old bulk subsidy system. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized that the 300-liter monthly allocation is sufficient for 98 to 99 percent of Malaysians based on current consumption data, ensuring affordability for daily commutes and essential travel.
For users, the process is streamlined, requiring only a valid MyKad and driver’s license for automatic eligibility verification at petrol stations. Transactions are completed by scanning the MyKad or using a preferred digital wallet application. Beyond direct public benefit, BUDI95 is anticipated to positively impact the national economy. The substantial savings—the old system cost nearly RM20 billion annually in 2023 and 2024, with over 20 percent of fuel reportedly diverted to ineligible parties—will allow the government to reallocate funds to critical sectors like education, healthcare, and social development.
Ultimately, BUDI95 represents a bold transformation in subsidy management, prioritizing efficiency, fairness, and long-term sustainability for the nation’s benefit. The public can access further details by consulting the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the official BUDI95 portal at www.budimadani.gov.my or by contacting the helpline at 1-300-88-9595.
A recent collision at the Bukit Kajang toll plaza has highlighted critical safety failures on multiple fronts. The accident, which took place on the 27th, involved a commercial lorry that lost control and crashed into three vehicles queued at the toll booths. This resulted in the tragic death of an infant and injuries to seven other individuals.
Investigations have determined that the lorry’s braking system was defective before the incident occurred. Transport Minister Anthony Loke pointed out that the transport firm operating the vehicle maintained only two lorries in its fleet. He reminded operators that regular upkeep is a continuous duty, extending beyond the compulsory twice-yearly PUSPAKOM inspections.
Separately, Minister Loke addressed the issue of child passenger safety, confirming the infant was not restrained in a proper safety seat. He clarified that his comments were intended to foster public awareness, not to criticize the grieving family. The minister emphasized that safety rules are designed to save lives, even if their costs sometimes draw public concern.
This distressing event underscores the vital need for consistent adherence to safety measures. Both diligent vehicle maintenance and the correct use of child restraint systems are essential in safeguarding all road users across Malaysia.
A quiet revolution is taking root on the rooftops of Shah Alam, transforming residential homes into miniature power stations. Sime Darby Property has unveiled the nation’s inaugural residential rooftop solar program, a cornerstone of the National Energy Transition Roadmap that turns homeowners into active energy producers. Launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, this groundbreaking initiative introduces a leasing model where residents can participate without any initial financial investment, marking a significant leap in Malaysia’s renewable energy evolution.
The pilot project, centered within the City of Elmina township, operates through the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism. Homeowners simply lease their rooftop space to become part of a distributed energy network, earning rental income while their properties generate clean electricity. Sime Darby Property serves as the Local Energy Generator Aggregator, handling all installation and management in partnership with GSPARX, a Tenaga Nasional Berhad subsidiary providing technical expertise. This collaborative approach eliminates barriers for residents while creating a new revenue stream from previously unused rooftop areas.
The generated solar power flows directly into TNB’s grid system, supplying the nearby Innovation Park located within five kilometers of participating homes. This park functions as the Local Green Consumer, creating a closed-loop energy ecosystem within the community. Beyond this initial setup, expansion possibilities are already emerging with petrol stations, commercial centers, and educational institutions expressing interest as potential energy off-takers. This demonstrates the model’s scalability and potential for nationwide replication across various community types.
Sime Darby Property’s leadership emphasizes how this initiative transforms residential communities into active participants in the national energy transition. Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican noted that the program simultaneously reduces carbon footprints while enhancing property values and creating income opportunities for residents. He credited government agencies and strategic partners for making this community-focused approach possible, highlighting how public-private collaboration can accelerate sustainable development goals through practical, scalable solutions.
TNB’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan reinforced their commitment to supporting NETR objectives through this pioneering project. The installation includes not only rooftop solar solutions but also Malaysia’s first Community Energy Storage System, enhancing grid flexibility and reliability while empowering communities with cleaner energy. With plans to expand this model across more townships, Sime Darby Property positions itself as a key private sector driver in supporting Malaysia’s ambitious target of achieving 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050, proving that sustainable energy transitions can begin right at home.
