Today’s episode spotlights the tension between Malaysia’s domestic strength and rising global headwinds — from Genting’s market rally and Moody’s credit warning, to SME credit risk, KLIA breakdowns, and intensifying global tech trade friction.
🏢 Corporate & Financial Highlights
🎰 Genting Rally vs Moody’s Warning
* Genting shares surged on optimism over a New York casino license
* BUT: Moody’s placed Genting on review for downgrade
* Concerns over RM6.3B debt for GenM acquisition
🏢 SMEs Facing Credit Strain
* Bank Negara: Impaired loan ratio for SMEs rose to 3.6%
* Persistent cost pressures despite solid macro conditions
🌱 KWAP Launches Dana Iklim+
* Malaysia’s first climate-focused investment fund
* Targeting RM2B in green investments
* Goal: Reduce up to 1 million tonnes of CO₂
📉 Macroeconomy & Infrastructure
📊 3Q GDP Expected to Ease Slightly
* Forecast: Around 4.2% growth, down modestly
* Cause: Normalising exports post-August US tariffs
✈️ KLIA Aerotrain Under Fire
* 20 incidents since July restart
* MOT considering fines; independent review underway
⚡️ Post-Outage Power Sector Push
* CGS International calls for new investment cycle
* Nuclear option? Rosatom suggests floating power units (FPUs) by 2031
🛡️ Policy, Trade & Regulation
🚫 Malaysia Tightens Export Controls
* Focus: Dual-use tech with military potential
* Strategic Trade Act invoked in response to potential US tariffs (up to 300%)
📉 Debt Sustainability Under Pressure
* Fiscal deficit target: 3.8% of GDP (2025)
* Debt-to-GDP ratio now 64.7% (legal ceiling: 65%)
* Debt servicing forecast to hit 17% of revenue (2026)
🌍 Political & Global Highlights
🗳️ Sarawak Election Set for Nov 29
* Nomination day: Nov 15
* EC confirms it won’t conflict with SPM exams
🖼️ 1MDB Asset Recovery Update
* Efforts ongoing via National Visual Arts Board
* Artworks by Basquiat, Picasso already sold & proceeds recovered
⚖️ Sulu Arbitration: Major Legal Win
* Spanish Supreme Court upheld conviction of arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa
🌐 Rare Earths & US-China Tensions Escalate
* China defends export controls
* US exploring direct equity stakes in firms like Intel, rare earth miners
🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!
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