Economist Backs Hybrid SST, Calls For Input Tax Credit Mechanism

By K. Naveen Prabu

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- An economist has backed the proposal for a hybrid sales and service tax (SST) system, saying the mechanism should incorporate input tax credits to reduce tax cascading.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Higher As Easing US Treasury Yields Boost Risk Appetite

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Thursday as easing US Treasury yields improved risk appetite following the US Treasury’s announcement of increased buyback operations, an analyst said.

Malaysia Is First RCEP Country To Establish Business Advisory Council Network

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has become the first Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) participating country to establish a national RCEP Business Advisory Council (RBAC) Network.

Govt Will Not Consider Core GST Principle, Open To Adjusting SST -- PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The government will not consider the basic principle of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a broad-based tax, while remaining open to making adjustments to improve the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Bursa Malaysia Stays Higher At Midday

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia remained higher at midday, in line with positive regional markets, amid improved global sentiment after the US Treasury announced it would at least double buyback sizes for long-term debt to curb rising yields.

BMI Raises 2026 Average CPO Price Forecast To RM4,453 On Tight Supply

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has raised its 2026 average price forecast for front-month crude palm oil (CPO) futures listed on Bursa Malaysia to RM4,453 per tonne, up from RM4,300 per tonne forecast it had maintained since October 2025.

Xsolla, AccelByte Unveil Integrated Game Backend, Payment Solutions

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, has introduced integrated backend solutions for game developers through a founding partnership with AccelByte, a fully managed extensible games backend platform.

Malaysia, Taiwan Trade Ties Remain Intact - APEX Securities

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s bilateral trade relations with Taiwan are not expected to be materially affected by the latest development at this juncture, according to APEX Securities.

Gas Malaysia Earnings Seen Growing On Higher Tariffs, Volume Recovery

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Gas Malaysia Bhd's (GMB) financial year 2026 (FY2026) earnings are expected to grow four per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), mitigating the lower sales volume and Malaysia Reference Price (MRP), while FY2027 earnings are forecast to rise 16 per cent y-o-y on higher MRP and a volume rebound.

Ringgit Gains As US Debt Weighs On Greenback, Easing Rate Hike Expectations

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Thursday as concerns over the rising US government debt weighed on the greenback, dimming expectations of a US interest rate hike, an economist said.

Gas Malaysia Second Quarter Net Profit Falls To RM72.52 Mln

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) – Gas Malaysia Bhd’s net profit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2Q 2026) fell to RM72.52 million from RM99.12 million in the corresponding quarter last year.

TH Plantations Records Net Profit Of RM5.78 Mln In 2Q 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- TH Plantations Bhd (THP) registered a net profit of RM5.78 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2Q 2026) compared with RM11.78 million in 2Q 2025.