MCBA Calls On Malaysian Businesses To Remain Calm Following Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) has called on the Malaysian business community operating in Cambodia to remain calm and take proactive measures following recent localised tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
President Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw said the association remains committed to supporting its members with timely information and guidance to ensure business continuity and operational stability.
'The long-standing development of Malaysian businesses in Cambodia is built on mutual trust, stability, and regional cooperation.
'In light of the recent localised tensions near the border, we urge the business community to respond calmly, rationally and proactively, while strengthening information access and internal preparedness,' he said in a statement.
Yaw stressed that MCBA stands united with its members and will continue to act as a reliable backbone for businesses operating in the region.
'We firmly believe that with ongoing communication and collaboration, the strong cooperation between Malaysia and Cambodia will continue to flourish, with many opportunities ahead,' he added.
The association also reiterated its commitment to facilitating continuous dialogue, ensuring member companies are well-informed and reinforcing investor confidence in Cambodia as an emerging market.
MCBA has outlined several key initiatives to support Malaysian businesses. This includes promoting regional stability through dialogue, activating an information support mechanism, advising enterprises to strengthen preparedness and communication channels and reinforcing confidence in Cambodia's investment outlook.
'MCBA believes Cambodia's fundamentals as an emerging market remain sound and its development potential remains promising,' the statement said, adding that it encourages businesses to continue evaluating investment opportunities with safety remaining the top priority.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
9 minutes ago
- The Star
FMM calls for clear guidance, support measures following proposed US tariff on semiconductors
KUALA LUMPUR: Clear and timely guidance is crucial to maintaining investor confidence and preventing disruptions to supply chains that are integrated with the United States and global markets, according to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM). The federation said targeted support measures are needed, including regulatory facilitation, specialised advisory services, bilateral engagements to ease market entry barriers, and access to financing mechanisms that reduce investment risks and costs. At the policy level, FMM urged the government to strengthen support for both domestic and outward investment strategies to ensure Malaysia's continued competitiveness in the global semiconductor industry. "The National Semiconductor Strategy, which is currently being implemented, must be driven forward with greater urgency and focus, particularly in enhancing investment in integrated circuit design, advanced packaging, wafer fabrication, research and development, and talent development. "In parallel, companies considering expansion into the US or other markets require dedicated facilitation to support their internationalisation efforts,' it said in a statement today. FMM also expressed concern over the recent announcement by the US to impose a 100 per cent tariff on imported semiconductor chips, with exemptions only for companies that manufacture or plan to manufacture within the US. This development has created uncertainty for semiconductor companies operating in Malaysia, particularly US-based firms that have long used the country as a trusted base for global supply and exports to the US market. FMM noted that establishing operations abroad is complex and capital-intensive, requiring time, expertise, and sustained institutional support. Therefore, it stressed that these support measures are critical to help Malaysian manufacturers respond effectively to shifting global trade dynamics without being forced to relocate core operations. With the right support, FMM said companies can retain and grow high-value activities in Malaysia while also expanding strategically where necessary. It also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the government and international partners to ensure that Malaysia's position as a competitive, reliable, and trusted hub in the global semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystem is not only preserved but continuously strengthened. Malaysia is globally recognised as a leading hub for semiconductor assembly, packaging, and testing, contributing an estimated 13 per cent of global backend semiconductor output. Semiconductors were previously excluded from US reciprocal tariffs, and the proposed policy shift has raised immediate concerns among manufacturers, many of whom are seeking urgent clarification on whether their Malaysia-based operations will now fall within the scope of the new measure. - Bernama


Focus Malaysia
9 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Higher retirement age only suitable for certain sectors, says expert
THE proposal to raise the retirement age to 65 should be limited only to specific sectors that require expertise and intellectual skills, according to economist Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff. Ahmed Razman, who is from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Putra Business School, said the move should not be implemented across the board, as there are sectors that require physical strength, which may burden workers as they age. 'Sectors such as education, administration or consultancy are more suitable for considering a higher retirement age as they rely on experience and critical thinking. But for jobs requiring physical labour, it may not be practical,' he told Bernama on Thursday (Aug 7). Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that the Public Service Department will carry out a comprehensive study on the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for civil servants to 65. He said the proposal is still at a preliminary stage and requires in-depth scrutiny before any decision is made. Ahmed Razman said the retirement age issue requires careful consideration as Employees Provident Fund statistics revealed that the majority of contributors from the private sector do not have sufficient savings for retirement. He noted that any increase in the retirement age must be implemented as part of a multi-pronged strategy, including strengthening social protection, utilising wakaf (endowment) assets and introducing the concept of a time bank to address the challenges of caring for an ageing population as Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation by 2043. He explained that a time bank allows individuals to contribute time and effort while they are young, which can later be credited and redeemed as care services in old age, thereby reducing care costs and easing the government's fiscal burden. Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on July 31, stated that the mandatory retirement age will be reviewed in line with Malaysia's transition towards an aged nation. The review will involve various aspects, including financial implications and the impact on job opportunities, which must be considered before a final decision is made. In May, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said also proposed raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, arguing that individuals at that age remain healthy and can continue contributing productively to the national workforce. Currently, the mandatory retirement age for civil servants is 60, which is also the minimum retirement age for the private sector under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. ‒ Aug 7, 2025


The Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ant's WorldFirst secures Bank Negara approval for business licence
KUALA LUMPUR: Ant International has obtained approval from Bank Negara Malaysia to carry out business under a Class A Money Services Business licence. The licence will empower Ant International's WorldFirst—an all-in-one digital cross-border payment and treasury account service for global businesses—to operate in Malaysia, adding to its 60+ global licences worldwide. The licence will enable WorldFirst to expand its product offerings and roll out new services in Malaysia, facilitating international payments, especially in receiving foreign currency payments globally, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage their cross-border transactions more efficiently. It further strengthens WorldFirst's capabilities in supporting businesses expanding both into and out of the Malaysian market. Malaysia's digital economy is now a key growth driver, with e-commerce Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) projected to reach US$16 billion (RM68 billion) by 2025 and US$25 billion by 2030. The rapid digitalisation is fuelling demand for innovative financial services across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia emerging as a regional leader. WorldFirst finds Malaysian merchants more actively seeking multi-currency solutions and adopting more diverse payment methods than regional peers. They prioritise these key factors: faster transaction settlement, competitive FX rates with hedging solutions and diversified financial product offerings. Recognising the specific demands of Malaysian merchants, WorldFirst aims to deliver tailored solutions featuring global coverage, secure transactions and operational efficiency—essential foundations for Malaysian SMEs' success in today's digital economy. Central to this offering is the World Account, WorldFirst's flagship product that combines global payments, collections, FX conversion, and treasury management in one single account. Sellers can effortlessly collect from 130+ marketplaces (including Amazon, Walmart, etc.), while buyers can gain easy payment solutions for international sourcing. WorldFirst said it has also established localised operations in Malaysia to provide tailored support for SMEs pursuing global expansion. This move aligns with its parent company Ant International's strategic investment in the country, including the launch of a Digital Business Centre focused on harnessing local tech talent to drive global innovation. 'The licence marks a significant milestone in WorldFirst's commitment to Southeast Asia. More importantly, it enables us to better serve Southeast Asian SMEs with secure, compliant cross-border financial services while contributing to the region's digital ecosystem,' said Ant International vice-president and WorldFirst CEO Clara Shi. In 2025, WorldFirst leverages its experience serving over 1.2 million SMEs worldwide through products like the newly launched World Card with Mastercard. Currently available in other markets, the World Card provides the ease, security, and international reach SMEs need to scale globally while managing spending efficiently.