Today’s episode spotlights the tension between Malaysia’s domestic strength and rising global headwinds — from Genting’s market rally and Moody’s credit warning, to SME credit risk, KLIA breakdowns, and intensifying global tech trade friction.

🏢 Corporate & Financial Highlights

🎰 Genting Rally vs Moody’s Warning

* Genting shares surged on optimism over a New York casino license

* BUT: Moody’s placed Genting on review for downgrade

* Concerns over RM6.3B debt for GenM acquisition

🏢 SMEs Facing Credit Strain

* Bank Negara: Impaired loan ratio for SMEs rose to 3.6%

* Persistent cost pressures despite solid macro conditions

🌱 KWAP Launches Dana Iklim+

* Malaysia’s first climate-focused investment fund

* Targeting RM2B in green investments

* Goal: Reduce up to 1 million tonnes of CO₂

📉 Macroeconomy & Infrastructure

📊 3Q GDP Expected to Ease Slightly

* Forecast: Around 4.2% growth, down modestly

* Cause: Normalising exports post-August US tariffs

✈️ KLIA Aerotrain Under Fire

* 20 incidents since July restart

* MOT considering fines; independent review underway

⚡️ Post-Outage Power Sector Push

* CGS International calls for new investment cycle

* Nuclear option? Rosatom suggests floating power units (FPUs) by 2031

🛡️ Policy, Trade & Regulation

🚫 Malaysia Tightens Export Controls

* Focus: Dual-use tech with military potential

* Strategic Trade Act invoked in response to potential US tariffs (up to 300%)

📉 Debt Sustainability Under Pressure

* Fiscal deficit target: 3.8% of GDP (2025)

* Debt-to-GDP ratio now 64.7% (legal ceiling: 65%)

* Debt servicing forecast to hit 17% of revenue (2026)

🌍 Political & Global Highlights

🗳️ Sarawak Election Set for Nov 29

* Nomination day: Nov 15

* EC confirms it won’t conflict with SPM exams

🖼️ 1MDB Asset Recovery Update

* Efforts ongoing via National Visual Arts Board

* Artworks by Basquiat, Picasso already sold & proceeds recovered

⚖️ Sulu Arbitration: Major Legal Win

* Spanish Supreme Court upheld conviction of arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa

🌐 Rare Earths & US-China Tensions Escalate

* China defends export controls

* US exploring direct equity stakes in firms like Intel, rare earth miners

🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!

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