Just some positive news for Malaysia #5

Just some positive news for Malaysia #5

The whole Malaysia was talking about the free RM100… the cheaper petrol… the extra holiday and the no increase in toll. I think it’s a great feel good factor. Well, it’s beyond just these yeah. There are many other good news about Malaysia too which I am sharing because I just feel too tired of reading negative news all the time. I understand negative news sell but if the whole nation has a negative vibe, how will it help to make it more positive? Here’s a little thing I do.

RM100, lower petrol price, same toll rates and also a holiday at the right time!

The three items I feel it’s best:

1. RM100 cash (Sara) aid for all adult citizens

2. RON95 petrol price to be lowered to RM1.99/litre

5. Sept 15 declared a public holiday

Refer here for the full article: Article in nst.com

Comment: RM100 is not a lot but for many struggling Malaysians, this is critical to have. I am perfectly okay not to have this RM100 if it is given to the ones with the most needs for it. In future, it’s better not to have all these policies which are not targeted. If we give RM100 to the right group, they will spend the money. Else, this RM100 will just be kept in the bank and no extra spending happens. Petrol subsidy is for the needy. It’s true that the rich are playing higher tax but if we want everyone to continue contributing to the economy, we need to ensure they are assisted. Important to do what’s right and not what is popular alone.

Cutting the national debt to just 60 percent of GDP is indeed a good news

“Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said the country’s fiscal consolidation efforts are bearing fruit, with the budget deficit narrowing from 5.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 to 4.1 per cent last year and further targeted to reach 3.8 per cent in 2025.

Concurrently, annual new borrowings have declined significantly, from RM99 billion in 2022 to RM77 billion in 2024, reflecting the government’s commitment to long-term fiscal sustainability, Johan said in an interview with TV3.”

Refer here for the full Article in nst.com.my

Comments: While debts are necessary, it is more important that the debt accumulation is a managed one. When country debts are growing too high and a crisis strikes from nowhere, this country will face a bleak prospect because the government would still have to pay the debts instead of using the financial resources more productively.

So, if indeed our national debt is continuing to reduce, that’s a good news as it shows we can grow economy without the need to keep borrowing and pumping it into the economy. In some countries, the only reason the economy is growing is because the government kept borrowing and pumping the money into the economy. This is not sustainable.

Prime office market in Kuala Lumpur is supported by demand and rents are edging upwards

“Kuala Lumpur’s prime office market held steady in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, supported by demand for premium, transit-connected and environmental, social and governance (ESG)-compliant buildings, according to Knight Frank.

In its latest Asia-Pacific Office Highlights report, it said prime office rents in the city centre averaged RM6.02 per square foot per month, up 2.6 per cent year-on-year and 0.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter, reflecting resilience in a selectively easing environment..”

Do read the full Article in nst.com.my

Comment: Let us also note that while this is good news, the truth is, this does not mean every office in Kuala Lumpur is having a higher rental. If you know an area very well, you can take a look at the office units and see if all of them are occupied. When there are MANY empty units, then chances are the rental cannot move upwards because people will have many choices. In other words, the supply is higher than demand.

To know how an office building is doing, just go and take a look at the tenants list at the reception floor. If all the lines are filled and many of these names are bluechip companies, then rest assured that chances are the rental will increase next year as well. It is not easy to move every other year because renovation takes time and operations may be affected which meant higher expenses and yet lower sales numbers.

Do note that prime office rental wise, Kuala Lumpur remains very affordable and has great access and choices even versus many of our neighbors. Let’s wish that this will be true for all other offices and not just one or two particular towers.

Happy reading.

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