CPO Futures Close Higher On Energy Gains, Indonesia Biodiesel Expectations

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher on Thursday, tracking gains in energy prices and Indonesia’s biodiesel policy expectations.

Ringgit Eases Against Greenback After US Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit eased against the US dollar at Thursday’s close following the United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision to keep interest rates unchanged, providing support to the greenback.

Malaysia's Trade Rises 9.5 Pct To RM245.2 Bln In February 2026, Says DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s trade grew 9.5 per cent to RM245.2 billion in February 2026 from RM223.9 billion a year earlier, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) said. 

Oil May Rise On Conflict, Fall To US$80-US$90 If War Ends By Mid-April

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Crude oil prices can go even higher than current levels of US$100-US$103 per barrel if the war in West Asia continues affecting passageway in the Strait of Hormuz and supply tightness becomes more acute, Kpler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said today.

Maybank Research Trims Singapore 2026 GDP Growth Forecast To 3.4 Pct

SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Maybank Research Pte Ltd (MRPL) has revised Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 3.4 per cent in 2026, down from its earlier projection of 3.6 per cent, amid ongoing West Asia conflicts. 

RISDA Main Rubber Buyer Programme Records RM3.79 Mln In Purchases As Of February

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) has successfully purchased and collected a total of 1,197.77 metric tonnes of smallholder rubber, with a cumulative purchase worth RM3.79 million as of February, during the implementation period of the Main Rubber Buyer initiative, which has been active since early January 2026.

Domestic Sectors Hold Resilient Amid Oil Volatility - Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s domestic sectors are expected to remain resilient despite near-term market jitters, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said.

Funds May Favour Commodity Exporters Like Malaysia Amid West Asia Uncertainties - Economist

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz could influence global capital flows, with commodity-exporting economies such as Malaysia potentially better positioned amid rising energy prices.

Short-term Rates Set To Remain Stable On BNM Operations

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Short-term rates are expected to remain stable today, supported by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) operations to absorb surplus liquidity in the financial system.

Bursa Malaysia Opens Lower, Tracking Wall Street Declines

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia opened lower on Monday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid rising crude oil prices.

Surge In Global Energy Prices Support Bio-based Commodities  — Noraini 

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) — The increase in global energy prices can potentially support demand for bio-based commodities such as palm oil, particularly in the biofuel sector, which can positively impact global prices.

Institutions Over Barrels: Why Petronas Matters to Malaysia’s Energy Security

By Samirul Ariff

Public discussion about energy often begins with a simple question: how much oil does a country possess? Yet this question, while intuitive, can be misleading. The real determinant of energy security is not merely the quantity of hydrocarbons beneath the ground, but the institutions and systems that govern their extraction, transport and distribution. Malaysia’s experience illustrates this principle clearly.