In today’s episode, we cut through headline distortions to assess the true operational health of Malaysian companies.

From forex-fuelled profits to structural resets and hidden losses, we examine which results reflect core resilience — and which are pure accounting noise. Plus, a look at Malaysia’s trade policy balancing act and persistent fiscal hangovers from 1MDB.

Corporate Earnings: The Story Behind the Numbers

📉 UEM Edgenta Faces Take-Private Bid Amid Record Loss

* Um Group proposes privatisation, citing compressed valuations

* Loss of RM94M driven by non-cash impairments, not operating weakness

🏭 PPB Group Sinks to First Net Loss in Nearly a Decade

* RM200M loss tied to RM290M share of loss from Wilmar International

* Core business remains intact, but Wilmar’s legal hit in Indonesia overwhelmed results

💻 Inari’s Profit Doubles on Forex Gains — But Revenue Falls

* Q1 net profit hits RM51.5M, boosted by weaker ringgit

* Actual revenue dropped 16% amid lower semiconductor volume

💰 RHB Bank Hits Record Profit of RM904M

* +8.5% on lower provisions and strong credit risk management

🏦 Hong Leong Bank Flat, But Loan Growth Strong at 9.1%

* China associate drag, but domestic lending momentum is healthy

🧱 Malayan Cement Posts Record Profit, Up 44%

* Driven by construction demand tied to data centers and the JS-SEZ

Macroeconomics & National Policy

🇺🇸 Malaysia Won’t Renegotiate US Trade Deal

* MITI confirms status quo; World Bank warns this may distort trade patterns

* Suggests broader multilateral tariff reductions as a better path for welfare gains

🏛️ MOF Drafting New State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Act

* Aimed at boosting governance and accountability in GLCs

* Seen as a key structural reform for fiscal sustainability

💸 1MDB: RM24.46B in Liabilities Remain

* Despite RM31B recovered, funds are ringfenced to service debt

* Scandal’s long tail continues to shape the national balance sheet

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

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