Siti Asiah Is Appointed Chief Statistician

PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) – Department of Statistics Malaysia’s deputy chief statistician (economic programme) Siti Asiah Ahmad has been named chief statistician, effective today.

Ringgit Ends Flat Against US Dollar

By Abdul Hamid A Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The ringgit ended virtually unchanged against the US dollar today as concerns over China’s weaker economic performance and renewed geopolitical tensions offset softer-than-expected US inflation data.

Fiscal Deficit Marginally Higher Despite More Allocated For Fuel Subsidy -- HLIB

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to keep its 2026 fiscal deficit broadly on track despite allocating an additional RM25 billion for fuel subsidies, with the deficit to come in at 3.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Rubber Market Ends Lower On Expectation Of Higher Supply From Thailand

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed lower on Wednesday, despite gains across regional rubber futures markets.

Malaysia Not Seeing Two-Speed Economy As Growth Remains Broad-Based -- Economist

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is not showing signs of a two-speed economy despite heightened global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties, with growth continuing to be supported by broad-based contributions from the manufacturing, services and construction sectors.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Lower, Weighed By Profit-taking In Banking, Energy Stocks

By Siti Noor Afera Abu

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s key index closed lower as investors locked in profits following three consecutive sessions of gains, with banking and oil and gas counters leading the decline.

HLIB Lifts Malaysia’s 2026 GDP Forecast To 4.7 Pct On Strong E&E Exports

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Stronger-than-expected electrical and electronics (E&E) exports and robust global semiconductor demand have prompted Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) to raise Malaysia’s 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 4.7 per cent from 4.5 per cent previously.

Ringgit To Outperform Regional Peers Despite Stronger Greenback -- Standard Chartered

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian ringgit is expected to remain one of the region's better-performing currencies alongside the Singapore dollar, supported by solid economic fundamentals and impact of higher oil prices, even in a stronger US dollar environment, according to Standard Chartered Bank.

No Changes To Fiscal Projections Under Budget 2027 For Now -- Liew

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- There is no need to review current projections under Budget 2027 based on the government’s fiscal performance for the first half of 2026, said Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong. 

Malaysia's Property Market To Remain Supported By Infrastructure, Specialised Assets

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's property market is expected to remain supported by investment activity, infrastructure development and demand for specialised assets in the second half of 2026 (2H2026).

Indonesia's External Debt Rises To US$444.4 Bln In May

JAKARTA, July 15 (Bernama) -- Indonesia's external debt rose to US$444.4 billion in May, with annual growth accelerating slightly to 2.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) from 2.0 per cent in April, supported by continued expansion in public sector borrowing.

APO Hands Over Nepal's 10-Year Productivity Master Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO), a regional intergovernmental organisation, has formally handed over the National Productivity Master Plan for Nepal 2026–2036 to the Government of Nepal during an online ceremony jointly organised with the National Productivity and Economic Development Centre (NPEDC) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.