Gold Futures Close Lower As Hawkish Fed Lifts US Dollar

By K. Naveen Prabu

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Gold futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Thursday as a hawkish outlook by the United States Federal Reserve (Fed) boosted the US dollar and weighed on demand for the precious metal.

Malaysia Must Move Beyond Low-Cost Model To Support Higher Wages -- Sim

GEORGE TOWN, June 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can no longer rely on low prices as a competitive advantage, as the low-cost business model also limits the ability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to offer higher wages, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Countries Seeking To Develop AI Capabilities Need To Navigate Trusted Partner Networks, Says Expert

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

TASHKENT, June 18 (Bernama) -- Countries seeking to develop artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities will need to navigate new alliances, controls and trusted partner networks as the technology increasingly becomes a geopolitical issue, said an expert today.

Ringgit Closes Lower Against Greenback On Fed Rate Hike Expectations

By K. Naveen Prabu

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The ringgit closed lower against the US dollar on Thursday as expectations of a possible US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hike later this year boosted demand for the greenback.

Malaysia, Turkmenistan To Exchange Several Key Documents During PM Anwar's Official Visit  

From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail

ASHGABAT (TURKMENISTAN), June 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Turkmenistan are expected to exchange several key documents especially in the field of oil and gas during the official visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Turkmenistan starting today.

KHPT Bags Components Contract For New Proton Model

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- KHPT Holdings Bhd has secured a contract from Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (Proton) to supply automotive components for a new Proton model.

MAHB Appoints Azmil Khalid As Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has appointed Tan Sri Dr Azmil Khalid as its non-independent non-executive chairman, effective June 18, 2026.

Buying In Consumer Stocks Helps Bursa Malaysia Close Slightly Higher

By Siti Noor Afera Abu

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s key index finished marginally higher, supported by strong buying interest in consumer-related counters, amid mixed performance across regional markets.

Fortegra Appoints Anthony Katz As SVP, Reserving To Lead Actuarial Team

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Fortegra Group Inc, a global speciality insurer, has appointed Anthony Katz as senior vice president (SVP), reserving, strengthening the speciality insurer’s actuarial leadership as it expands its reserving and reporting capabilities.

Univar Solutions Expands EMEA Distribution Pact With American Distilling 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Univar Solutions B.V., a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC (Univar Solutions), has expanded its distribution partnership with American Distilling to supply a broader range of natural speciality ingredients across select Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) markets through its Ingredients + Specialties division.

MR D.I.Y. Thailand Earns Spot In Key Set Benchmark Indices

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, June 18 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s leading home improvement and lifestyle retailer, MR D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited (MRDIYT), has been selected for inclusion in three key indices of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), underscoring growing investor confidence in the company’s business fundamentals and market position.

iFAST Global Bank Launches QR Payment Cashback Promotion

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- iFAST Global Bank is offering a limited-time cashback promotion to encourage the use of its Worldwide Scan & Pay service, rewarding customers with one per cent cashback on eligible QR code payments made locally and overseas.