Malaysia Money Matters Daily News Digest 12th Jun 2025

In today’s episode of Malaysia Money Matters, we break down major shifts in Malaysia’s corporate scene—from AirAsia’s aircraft talks and Bertam’s PN17 exit to a RM15 billion data centre deal in Johor.We also explore the Ministry of Finance’s SST clarification, trade tensions reshaping global flows, and the World Bank’s stark warning on global growth.🇲🇾 Malaysian Company & Market News🔹 AirAsia Eyes 100 New JetsReportedly in advanced talks to buy 100+ Airbus aircraft, including A220s. A possible strategic shift toward regional routes and a key milestone as it pushes toward PN17 exit.🔹 Bertam Alliance Exits PN17After 7 years under financial distress status, Bertam has completed its regularisation plan and is officially out of PN17 as of June 12.🔹 Cuckoo International Cuts IPO PriceReduces IPO price to RM1.08, lowering fundraising to RM155M and slashing valuation to RM1.55B. Follows weaker-than-expected market response and a listing delay.🔹 DayOne Secures RM15B for Data Centre ProjectMassive financing package for Johor-Singapore SEZ project, including a green Islamic facility. Strengthens Malaysia’s digital infrastructure ambitions.🔹 FGV Gets Green Light on RM230M Subsidiary BuyDeemed “fair and reasonable.” Expected to slightly boost EPS, giving FGV tighter control over key operating units.🔹 GDEX Targets Continued RecoveryBack in the black in Q4 FY24. Strong cash supports dividends and potential selective tech acquisitions to drive FY25 earnings.🔹 Kim Teck Cheong Buys KK LandAcquires 15+ acres for RM40M to build a regional hub in Kota Kinabalu. Supports growth in East Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.🔹 Mudajaya Resolves RM52.7M DisputeSettlement with THB Power to be paid in tranches, improving books and ending legal action.🔹 Penang Port Expansion Includes New Petroleum TerminalNorthern petroleum terminal planned under master development. Aims to enhance port capacity for bulk liquid cargo.🔹 PLUS & Yinson Partner on EV HubsNew charging/rest zones planned on North-South Expressway. First site in Seremban by 2027, supporting Malaysia’s green mobility goals.🔹 U Mobile & OCK Group Team Up for 5GPact enables U Mobile to fast-track in-building 5G deployment using OCK’s infrastructure expertise.🔹 UUE Holdings Lands RM92.4M TNB DealHorizontal drilling contract tied to energy transition projects. Boosts FY25 earnings forecast and reinforces TNB partnership.🔹 Vizione & Permaju Scrap RM490M Sabah DealSabah housing project terminated due to viability concerns. No financial impact as work had yet to begin.🌍 Global Trends & Their Impact on Malaysia🧾 MOF Clarifies SST ExpansionNew 8% tax from July 1 targets non-essential, imported goods and high-end services. Essentials remain exempt, aiming for fairness and funding targeted aid.🏭 April Industrial Output SlowsIndustrial production up 2.7% YoY—below expectations. Stronger manufacturing offset by declines in mining and electricity.📉 Unemployment Falls to 10-Year LowJobless rate hits 3.0% in April. Reflects strong domestic demand and effective policy support—signals near full employment.🇺🇸 Tengku Zafrul Heads to WashingtonResumes trade talks on tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Comes amid signs of trade diversion from China to Southeast Asia.🌐 Trump Claims US-China Deal FrameworkMentions agreements on critical minerals and students. Markets react cautiously amid lack of details and continued tariff risk.🛢️ Oil Prices Edge Higher on Trade HopesClimbs toward 7-week high, but upside capped by OPEC+ supply increases starting July.📉 Fitch Downgrades Global Sovereign Outlook2025 shifted to “deteriorating” due to policy instability, debt levels, trade friction, and geopolitical risks.💴 Japan Wholesale Inflation SlowsDown to 3.2% YoY in May. Import cost drop reduces pressure on BOJ to hike, despite rising food prices.🇹🇼 Taiwan Insurers Face US Bond LossesOver US$700B in US bond exposure with weak hedging. Currency moves create systemic risk in Taiwan’s life insurance sector.📉 World Bank Cuts Global Growth Forecast2025 growth now pegged at 2.3%. Warns 2020s may become weakest decade since the 1960s due to trade tensions and uncertainty.📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights✅ AirAsia and Bertam show signs of corporate renewal as PN17 exits gain momentum.✅ DayOne’s RM15B financing underscores foreign confidence in Johor’s digital infrastructure.✅ Malaysia’s economy shows resilience—record-low unemployment, rising manufacturing.✅ Global risks intensify: Fitch downgrades outlook, World Bank warns of “lost decade.”✅ Trade tensions continue to ripple across Southeast Asia—watch US talks, China diversion, and SST expansion impacts.🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!🔗 Subscribe & Share the Malaysia Money Matters podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Malaysia Money Matters is a one-person passion project. Subscribe for free or support me as a paid subscriber—it means the world to me! This is a public episode. 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