In today’s episode, we explore two major currents shaping the landscape: rising market volatility and growing corporate and policy accountability — from dramatic stock swings and lawsuits to infrastructure moves, policy pivots, and global tech competition.
Market Watch & Corporate Headlines
📉 IOI Corp Faces KLCI Exit Risk
* Failing liquidity requirements may see it replaced by Westports Holdings
* Index reshuffling could trigger fund rotation and renewed volatility
🚨 Perak Transit in Freefall
* Stock lost nearly 50% in one day
* Company says “business as usual” — fundamentals unchanged
⚖️ Petronas Gas Hit with RM68M Class Action
* Linked to April’s gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights
* Negligence allegations could set precedent for infrastructure liability
🚄 MAHB Points Finger Over KLIA Aerotrain Woes
* Holding Alstom & IJM-Pestech JV accountable for 3 breakdowns
* All within defect liability period; independent review launched
Green Energy & REIT Updates
🚀 Verdant Solar Pops 19% on ACE Debut
* Riding strong solar sentiment
* Capital raised will fuel M&A-driven diversification beyond residential projects
🔌 Zecon Bags 30-Year Solar Deal in Sarawak
* 100MW plant to supply Sesco
* Aligns with Sarawak’s large-scale solar energy roadmap
🍺 Heineken Defies Headwinds
* Q3 beer volume grew despite looming 10% excise duty hike
* Price increases of 3–15% expected — but historical data shows limited earnings impact
🏢 REITs Hold Firm
* IGB REIT, IGB Commercial, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust post stronger net property income
Policy, Governance & Legal
💰 Sabah Revenue Ruling in Focus
* PM Anwar acknowledges court-ordered 40% share claim
* Balancing act with existing RM17B federal allocations
🌊 Flood Risk Now Part of Housing Project Approvals
* Integrated into technical reviews going forward
* But fixing legacy drainage systems remains a major challenge
📵 Prepaid SIM Limit to Fight Scams
* Limit: 2 lines per telco (Malaysians); 2 total (foreigners)
* Aims to cut scam lines and deepfake frauds
🏦 BNM Tightens AMLA Procedures
* Banks must provide written notice with reasons for account closures under AMLA
Macro View
📈 Inflation Inches Up
* September CPI: +1.5% YoY
* Still muted, but...
⚠️ Debt Servicing Burden Growing
* Projected to hit 17% of revenue by 2026
* GST Coming back?
Global & Tech
🇨🇳🇺🇸 US-China Trade Tensions Persist
* China’s exports to US holding strong at ~$1B/day
* Early signs of decoupling in sectors like gaming consoles
🧠 AI Arms Race Intensifies
* OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas, a direct browser competitor to Google
* Google fires back with Quantum Echoes — promising supercomputer-class speed
* Meanwhile, Meta cuts 600 jobs in AI to “accelerate decision-making”
🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!
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