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Ringgit extends gains as Fed signals rate hold

Ringgit extends gains as Fed signals rate hold

KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit extended its upward momentum to open higher against the US dollar and other major currencies on Wednesday, after the US Federal Reserve signalled it was in no hurry to cut interest rates, opting instead to monitor the economy's trajectory, an analyst said.
At 8am, the local note strengthened to 4.2350/4.2450 versus the greenback, compared with Tuesday's close of 4.2410/4.2465.
The ringgit has gained 5.47% year-to-date.
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PM Anwar hosts luncheon in honour of visiting Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov
PM Anwar hosts luncheon in honour of visiting Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov

Malay Mail

time20 minutes ago

  • Malay Mail

PM Anwar hosts luncheon in honour of visiting Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov

PUTRAJAYA, June 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted an official luncheon in honour of visiting Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Zhaparov at the Seri Perdana today. Zhaparov, who arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a two-day official visit, was welcomed by Anwar at the prime minister's official residence at 11am. He was also warmly received with a 'Welcome to Malaysia' greeting by 117 pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 5(1). Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Muhamad Hasan, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Higher Education Minister, as well as several Kyrgyz Cabinet members, also attended the luncheon. Earlier, Zhaparov was accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra, followed by a meeting with Anwar where they deliberated on strengthening bilateral cooperations in trade and investment, renewable and green energy, halal industry, agricommodity, as well as capacity-building assistance through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). Both leaders also witnessed the signing and exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding in the field of tourism, digital transformation and cybersecurity, higher education, health, trade promotion, economic cooperation as well as scientific and research cooperation, and Exchange of Notes in the fields of youth and training for diplomats, as well as Letter of Intent on legal cooperation. Zhaparov is later scheduled to undertake a brief tour of the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur before departing home. In 2024, the Kyrgyz Republic was Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner among the Central Asian countries, with total bilateral trade of RM40 million (US$8.74 million). Malaysia's primary exports to the Kyrgyz Republic include electrical and electronic products, palm oil, palm oil-based agricultural products and machinery, equipment and parts, while key imports from the Kyrgyz Republic consist of chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products and processed foods. — Bernama

Malaysia, Kyrgyz Republic to collaborate in Islamic banking and halal sectors, says Anwar
Malaysia, Kyrgyz Republic to collaborate in Islamic banking and halal sectors, says Anwar

Malay Mail

time20 minutes ago

  • Malay Mail

Malaysia, Kyrgyz Republic to collaborate in Islamic banking and halal sectors, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, June 25 — Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic have agreed to work together in developing Islamic banking and boosting trade in halal products, with Malaysia offering its expertise in both sectors to help develop relevant facilities and services in Kyrgyz Republic. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said during his meeting with President Sadyr Zhaparov, both leaders also discussed setting up Islamic banks to create better financial systems. 'Of course, we discussed the issue of Islamic banking, halal, construction, financial arrangements and programmes, including the setting up of Islamic banks. 'There will be follow-up meetings by our ministers. You (Zhaparov) have brought key ministers to Malaysia, and my colleagues will certainly respond to that, more in terms of securing better understanding and friendship, but also to ensure that the bilateral programmes and projects in terms of trade investments can continue.' Anwar said this at a joint press conference with Zhaparov at Seri Perdana here today. As part of bilateral partnership, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic also agreed to explore the halal cooperation action plan proposed by Zhaparov. 'This will all be further of course you (Kyrgyz Republic) have this great capacity in terms of hydropower, green energy, renewable energy, which Malaysia would certainly be very interested to understand, study and also benefit,' he said. The Kyrgyz Republic has substantial hydropower potential and it is the country's primary source of electricity, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of its production. The prime minister also said Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic have agreed to enhance collaboration in education and research, emphasising its impetus to foster greater people-to-people ties as well as expand on both social and economic potential of both countries. In this regard, Anwar said Malaysia will be extending its technical and educational assistance via the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) for the Kyrgyz people. 'Our institutions, of course, will be available for you to identify people to be trained, and we will certainly be more appreciative if we can also have exchanges with you,' he added. — Bernama

RM11mil sukuk for MEX II spent on crypto, says MACC
RM11mil sukuk for MEX II spent on crypto, says MACC

Free Malaysia Today

time39 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

RM11mil sukuk for MEX II spent on crypto, says MACC

Construction of the 18km Maju Expressway Extension project began in 2016 and was due for completion in December 2019. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : Some RM11 million in sukuk funds meant for the Maju Expressway Extension (MEX II) project was instead spent on cryptocurrency, which was then used to make certain purchases, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the funds were believed to have been converted into cryptocurrency and used to make purchases, with investigations ongoing to determine the full extent of this. 'This is a new development. We found that RM11 million was used as digital currency, and it was not spent on the MEX II project. 'We are now trying to trace how the money was brought out and how it was used,' he said in a press conference at MACC's headquarters here. Azam said MACC had recorded the statements of 55 witnesses and frozen 14 bank accounts with a total of RM156 million as part of its probe. He added that more people would be called in for questioning. 'There will be no fewer than 10 more witnesses. I have directed my officers to complete the investigation paper within two months, although we may be able to wrap it up sooner,' he said. Hundreds of millions in sukuk funds were suspected to have been channelled to a company owned by a corporate figure with a 'Tan Sri' title, and later misused for personal interests instead of the intended highway project. The funds were allegedly transferred to multiple entities, including proxy companies and the personal account of the Tan Sri's wife, and used to acquire real estate, luxury vehicles and goods, as well as to fund gambling activities. MACC has seized a luxury condominium and a plot of land valued at RM24.5 million, as well as nine vehicles valued at RM7.6 million in its probe. It has also seized luxury watches valued at about RM25 million, designer handbags valued at RM3 million, jewellery and diamonds worth RM6 million, four horses valued at RM400,000, and premium alcoholic beverages worth RM3 million. The anti-graft agency has already questioned the Tan Sri, whom Azam previously said was the main suspect in MACC's probe. Today, the MACC chief said there was no current need for the corporate figure to be called in again. 'My officers are satisfied with the initial statements recorded. We are currently completing the investigation paper, and will be taking formal statements from the banks involved,' he said. On previous reports that RM20 million in sukuk funds for the project had been spent on gambling, Azam said the actual amount was likely to be higher than that. 'It's more than RM20 million. I don't really understand the gambling aspect, but I was informed by my investigating officer that it involved casinos and such.'

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